Biographies: Mrs. J. W. Teddlie, 1951, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: March 29, 1951 Winn Parish Enterprise

Mrs. J. W. Teddlie, 80, Is A Versatile Lady

A writer for an early Winnfield newspaper once said, "When I think of
versatility, I think of Mrs. J. W. Teddlie, for among her outstanding
characteristics is patience, kindliness, gentleness, and love of beauty, even
of common things.  A beautiful Southern hostess, who is a musician, an artist,
a most interesting conversationalist, an ideal mother, and inspirational
Christian, but above them all is that ability to be a friend, a friend in
need.  She has reached the ideal that Montaigne had when he said 'Friendship
is the highest degree of perfection in society, and lives and helps others to
live by the Golden Rule.'"

That was written perhaps 50 years ago, or maybe not quite so long.  But Mrs.
J. W. Teddlie still possesses all those characteristics, and more, for as she
said recently, at a party celebrating her 80th birthday, "It used to be said
that old age is honorable, but to me it is a tragedy, for you never learn the
secret of life until you open the gates of death."

"When you are young we can do so many things, but when we get old and
infirmities have overtaken us and we can no longer do the things we once did. 
I sometimes wonder why the Lord has left me here for 80 years, but he has a
purpose for all things and I sincerely hope my life has not been in vain."

Mrs. Teddlie, born on a plantation near Montgomery, has lived 48 of her 80
years in Winnfield, with more than 30 in her present home on East Lafayette
Street.  The original Teddlie home was on the block facing North Street,
behind the Western Auto Store.

Her husband was born on a farm two miles from Winnfield and always took an
active interest in the growth and progress of the town.

Mrs. Teddlie attended the now disbanded Mount Lebanon College and while there
studied art and painting.  She proved herself an able painter, and until
recently, had several of her oil works at home.

An able homemaker, she once won a barrel of flour in a cake baking contest
sponsored by a company producing then new vegetable shortening.  The company
staged the contest, and offered a barrel of flour for the best cake baked,
using their shortening.  Out of 75 entries, Mrs. Teddlie took the prize.

She said this was her first experience with vegetable shortening, having been
accustomed to lard.  She had to try a second time before getting a cake
suitable for entering.

Mrs. Teddlie also was a capable pianist, and still has a very old piano, on
which she gave piano lessons.  The piano is made of solid walnut, has genuine
ivory keys, and is still in good playing condition.  She said the piano was
bought by her family when she was a small child.

Of her many accomplishments, the one of which she is probably most proud is
her long service in the Methodist Church.  A devout Christian, Mrs. Teddlie
was an active member in the First Methodist Church as long as her health
permitted.  She taught the Wesley Bible Class for 16 years, and once was
organist for the church.  She attended both Sunday School and church, and had
a certain seat near the front in which she always sat.  "If you didn't see me
there on Sunday morning, you'd know I had a good reason for being absent," she
said.

Mrs. Teddlie has four children, Miss Lowice Teddlie, a teacher in the
Winnfield school, Mrs. A. M. Davis, of New Orleans, Mrs. Enid Nugent, of
Winnfield, and John W. Teddlie, Jr., of Leesville.

Mrs. Teddlie is proud of her three great grandchildren, Brenda and James
Smith, ages six and two, of Beaumont, Texas, and Spender Hill, age eight
months, of Dallas, Texas.