Published by The History Press
Charleston, SC 29403
www.historypress.net
Copyright 2014 by Marie Maddox
All rights reserved
First published 2014
e-book edition 2014
ISBN 978.1.62585.218.2
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Maddox, Marie.
A lifetime in Gatlinburg : Martha Cole Whaley remembers / Marie Maddox.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references.
print edition ISBN 978-1-62619-684-1
1. Whaley, Martha Cole, 1910---Childhood and youth. 2. Gatlinburg (Tenn.)--Social life and customs. 3. Gatlinburg (Tenn.)--Biography. 4. Cole family. I. Title.
F444.G3M33 2014
976.8'893--dc23
2014022049
Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is dedicated
to Nina Maddox, my Sunday School teacher when I was thirteen and later my mother-in-law, who made me believe that I could do anything I set my mind to and, for thirty years, loved me and supported me in everything I did,
to Glenn Bogart, my middle school principal, muse and mentor, who, for the next twenty years, challenged me, believed in me and encouraged me,
and to Shelley, my daughter and best friend, who, no matter where I go or what I do, whether I succeed or fail, whether we agree or disagree, loves me unconditionally.
Contents
Preface
She came late into my life, I guess you might say. She was one hundred, and I was sixty. Our meeting wasnt really planned. I agreed to have breakfast with a mutual friend, Karen Houck, who breakfasts every Saturday morning with a group of her friends from First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg. They eat at the Little House of Pancakes, one of the twenty-two pancake houses in Sevier County. (In fact, some of them gather there every day for lunch. Little House gives a local discount and serves good food, reason enough to eat there at least once a week.) Karen said she thought I would enjoy meeting these folks, particularly Martha Cole Whaley.
I had my doubts. Im not a morning person, and Im not big on breakfast, but the appointed time was 10:30 a.m.not too early. I decided to give it a try because I am always looking for something new or different to do, and I love meeting new people. There were just four of us at that first meeting: Karen, Martha Whaley, Frances Mynatt (Marthas friend of more than thirty years) and me. And thats where it all began.
Though I dont want to sound hokey, I will say that was a life-changing day for me. Without any pretense or affectation, Martha is simply an inspiration to everyone who knows her. She doesnt spout platitudes or offer advice. She isnt haughty or egocentric. She isnt officious or eccentric. She is bright, sincere and witty; spunky, generous and kind. She has a mind like the proverbial steel trap. Whenever we cant remember a name, a relation or a place, we just turn to Martha, who immediately fills in the blanks.
Our little group of four has grown to ten or twelve most Saturdays. At this writing, Martha is 103 years old and still going strong. We all want to enjoy her company as often as possible for as long as possible.
Many of you will never have the good fortune of meeting her, so I persuaded her to recount for me memories from over ten decades. She knows so much about this part of Tennessee: the beginnings of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; the first settlement school, Pi Beta Phi Elementary; the growth of the tourism industry; and the incorporation of the town and its history. One friend described her as a great national resource. That made me smile; I think I would call her a great natural resource.
But in addition to her wealth of regional history, I want you to know her as a person, so I have included her stories and reminiscences about her family, education, marriage, faith and friends. I also have described Martha the cook, the craftsperson and the sports devotee. I wanted to preserve all the wonderful history of our area stored in her brain, but I also hope you will laugh, love and be inspired as you get to know Martha. It is my hope that I have captured her spirit, even as she has captured my heart.
Acknowledgements
I feel like it has taken a small army to create a small book. I only hope that I wont overlook any of you who have soldiered on my behalf. My profound thanks
to Sara Collins, Frances Mynatt, John and Karen Daves, Pat and Russ Brien and Genie Brabham, who all encouraged me to write Marthas storiesto preserve them for posterity.
to Pamela and John Billing, friends for decades, who helped me find a place to do my writing, which resulted in a call to Jane and Terry Jones, who let me use their lovely cabin in the Escondido Valley outside Taos, New Mexico, for three weeks to write what I fondly call the Martha Book.
to my sister, Marcia Cronin, professional freelance copy editor, who gave hours of her time to read and edit the manuscript and who coached me through the process. As a result, I have a practically perfect book, and I have learned to create an em dash.
to Barry Rhodes, the first reader following the editing, who said, I couldnt put it down, which made me believe I had done something good.
to Vern Hippensteal, noted watercolor artist of the Smokies, who graciously and generously agreed to do a sketch of Martha for the book as a surprise for her.
to Marthas friends and family members, who wrote testimonials to introduce the chapters and whose names appear throughout the book.
to Robin Whaley Andrews, who has done a yeomans share of the work helping me track down photos, getting people to write testimonials and answering myriad questions.
to Renee Coghlan, secretary at the First Baptist Church, Gatlinburg, who has been my Girl Friday, helping me with whatever, whenever.
to all who contributed photographsMarti and Richard Renfro, Robin Whaley Andrews, Genie Brabham, Sara Collins, Jack Miller Sr., Jody Cole Allen and Martha herself.
to Michael Aday, librarian and archivist at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Archives, and Karen McDonald at the Anna Porter Library, who helped me find important historical photos.
to Will Lapides, who professionally scanned photos and scanned some more.
to Martha, who not only recounted her stories to me but also allowed me to tell her stories in her own voice. I pray that you will feel her presence and hear her laughter as you read these pages.
to Lisa Oakley, who suggested that I submit the manuscript to The History Press.
to Kirsten Schofield, commissioning editor at The History Press, who immediately accepted the manuscript and moved quickly to get it published because she understood how important it was to me that Martha get to see the finished product.
to God, who gave me the wisdom to know that this was something I was meant to do and to realize that it would be the book I have wanted to write for decadesa book about something important.
