Biographies: Lou Mae Anderson Kelley, 1977, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: June 22, 1977 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American

Formerly Of Gansville

Recalls Louisiana Plantation Days

Reprinted from Denton Record Chronicle, Denton, Texas

Although Lou Mae Anderson Kelley was born 10 or more years after slavery was
abolished in the United States, the recent television production of "Roots"
set her to thinking about her early days.

Mrs. Kelley, 98, is now a resident of Good Samaritan Health Center but her
earliest years were spent on her family's large Louisiana plantation.

Although Mrs. Kelley watched only a portion of the TV mini series, it was
enough to prompt her to talk over early memories with her daughter, Mrs. A. J.
Sidor of Denton.

She recalled working and playing with the children of Negro employees.  And
the family cook, Mirrah, she remembered, could bake a pound cake "that would
melt in your mouth."  She would allow no one in the kitchen while it was
baking.

The hardships she was told about were those endured during the Civil War days. 
Foremost in her mind is the story she was told about her Aunt Lizzy Milams's
husband, John, being captured by the Yankees.  Aunt Lizzy, the story went,
traveled by horse and buggy over trails and paths to find her husband.

"She was the bravest woman whoever lived," Mrs. Kelley said.

Mrs. Kelley's mother was a school teacher in Calvin, La.  When her father
died, Mrs. Kelley and a sister had gone to live with Aunt Lizzy because her
mother could not support all the children.

Mrs. Kelley's daughter, Mrs. Sidor says, "Mother, too, is a courageous woman
whose attributes her long life to a good sense of humor, a cheerful and easy
going disposition.

She does not dwell on hardships but on the joys she has experienced, her
daughter said.

Typical of the events which have stayed in her mind is the recollection of the
time she saw her first automobile.

The family had sat down to eat when they "heard the thing coming."  They all
jumped up and ran to see what it was, and when they returned to the table
their cat had overturned the gallon pitcher of milk.

Mrs. Kelley laughed when she said she doesn't know what day of the week or
month it is, but added, "Who cares.  I'm not planning to go anywhere till the
weather warms up."

The mother of seven, including one set of twins, has 11 grandchildren and
eight great grandchildren.  She has seen a lot of changes in her 98 years and
said she is looking forward to a lot more.