Report of the Quilting Women: Latham, Griffith, Peay and Day, 1930's - Robert Lee, Coke County, TX Contributed by Jo Collier 20 Janaury 2004 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/txfiles.htm *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise, Robert Lee, Coke County, TX-September 19, 2003 Report of the "Quilting Women" by Ava Lou Davis In last week's issue, we discussed the quilt top that was found in the old Coke County Jail and donated to the Robert Lee United Methodist Women. The UMW had it quilted and will be dedicating it very soon. Listed below are more stories concerning some of the original women who were involved in the original quilting during the 30's and 40's. Mrs. A. E. Latham lived in Robert Lee. Elsie, as everyone called her, was the wife of Arelious Latham. The two of them befriended all the young boys that needed a home. They provided food, lodging and a Christian home for many of them. Elsie attended services at the Methodist Church, and quilted with all her friends there. They sometimes quilted in each one's home. Mr. Latham provided a truck for all the pep squad at the Robert Lee High School. When the football team played out of town, the school couldn't afford an extra bus for the pep squad during WWII, so Mr. Latham took care of that free of charge. Mr and Mrs. Latham's youngest son Jackie Boy was accidently killed in an automobile wreck, with Jack Deen Tubb and Lloyd Higgens December 5, 1941. Mrs. Carrie Alice Griffith was the wife of Dr. Joseph Kemberlin Griffith. Carrie Alice Sloan and Joseph Griffith were married in 1891. They lived in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and finally in Texas. They moved to Robert Lee in 1927 and lived in a two story rambling house on the corner of 9th and Austin. Mrs. Griffith's hobbies were gardening and cooking. According to her granddaughter Billie Joe Carmichael, of Sweetwater, TX, her grand-mother possessed a sharp wit, finding humor in the events of daily life. Billie Joe said her grandmother was a good cook. Dr. Griffith was the doctor for Robert Lee and the surrounding area. They had four children, Byron S., Carrie Mae, Vera Margaret, and Virginia. Virginia taught school at Robert Lee, married Delbert Walling, and continued teaching. Mrs. Griffith entertained the Womens Mission Society in her home and served the most delectable dessert in her best dishes. So much of this was submitted by the granddaughter, Billie Joe Carmichael. Vida Peay was the daughter of Alfred Key and Cornelia Youngblood Key. Her sisters were Joda, Grace, and brother D. P. Key. They lived in Edith. Vida married Thomas A. Peay Oct. 14, 1909. Tom and Vida had four children, Audrey, Thomas W., Jr., George Buford, and Hazel Ruth. Tom and Vida homesteaded in Montana six years, and about sixty years they ranched west of Edith. They spent Sunday afternoons at neighborhood parties having fun or roping at someone's ranch. There was always an endless search for water. In 1949 they moved to Robert Lee; however, they still went back and forth to the ranch. Vida attended services at the Methodist Church. She quilted with all the ladies of the WSCS. Hazel Ruth has a quilt top made by all the ladies. It is like the one displayed in the church. Hattie Day, as remembered by Ava Davis, was a very kind and friendly person. Her husband died and she had two sons to raise and provide for; Richard, the oldest, and his younger brother, L. C. Hattie did a good job with her boys. They both finished school in Robert Lee. L. C. attended our youth group at the Methodist Church, and was very faithful. Richard worked for Sun Oil Co. at Silver and married a local girl. Hattie had a boarding house across the street from Baker's Grocery, on Austin Street and Hwy. 208. She had served lunches to the public also. Later she opened a cafe close to the Alamo Theatre where the Key Feed Store is now. She served lunches for the BCD once a week. She was active in the Methodist Church. She quilted with the women in the UMW. Everyone appreciated all the good meals Hattie served. When my husband-to-be, Vincent Hanna, moved to Robert Lee, he had a room at Hattie Day's boarding house. Hattie and her two sons, Richard and L. C., are deceased. Permission granted by The Observer/Enterprise for publication in the Coke County TXGenWeb Archives.