- Log in to post comments
Southern Mothers
A tribute to the women who loved us first
Betty Jo Philpott Martin; Roanoke, Virginia; 1945
"All my life I think I've defined what it means to be vivacious from Granny Martin (she is the very definition of a spark plug personality). My grandfather and most of the small town I grew up in still call her Mother Martin because she raised seven children (six girls and one boy). Always stylish and on point, she carted her brood around in a black Cadillac limousine, complete with a Shetland pony named Red Cloud that rode in the back with all my aunts and my uncle."—Haskell Harris
"All my life I think I've defined what it means to be vivacious from Granny Martin (she is the very definition of a spark plug personality). My grandfather and most of the small town I grew up in still call her Mother Martin because she raised seven children (six girls and one boy). Always stylish and on point, she carted her brood around in a black Cadillac limousine, complete with a Shetland pony named Red Cloud that rode in the back with all my aunts and my uncle."—Haskell Harris
Betty Lou Harris; Danville, Virginia; 1969
"My mom is my style muse. The photo of her below was taken for Glamour magazine in 1969 and it sums up her aesthetic to a tee. She never dresses for anybody but herself, and she always looks feminine and glamorous. Fortunately, Mom also lets me borrow from her closet, so I usually wear one or two pieces every day that belong to her, whether it's a bohemian piece of jewelry from the seventies, or one of her floral linen scarves with a white tee shirt and jeans. But my mom also taught me an important lesson along the way: style is more about confidence and imagination than the consumption of things."—Haskell Harris
"My mom is my style muse. The photo of her below was taken for Glamour magazine in 1969 and it sums up her aesthetic to a tee. She never dresses for anybody but herself, and she always looks feminine and glamorous. Fortunately, Mom also lets me borrow from her closet, so I usually wear one or two pieces every day that belong to her, whether it's a bohemian piece of jewelry from the seventies, or one of her floral linen scarves with a white tee shirt and jeans. But my mom also taught me an important lesson along the way: style is more about confidence and imagination than the consumption of things."—Haskell Harris
Doris Coleman Hutchison with her husband; Hemingway, South Carolina; 1942
"It's almost impossible to fit into just one or two sentences everything my grandmother taught me about style. She had her hair and nails done every week, but shoes were her weakness. Even at 93, Mawmaw received daily compliments on her shoes. She firmly believed a girl could never have too many—except for flip flops. She hated flip flops, which she made known to me on more than one occasion." —Elizabeth Hutchison
"It's almost impossible to fit into just one or two sentences everything my grandmother taught me about style. She had her hair and nails done every week, but shoes were her weakness. Even at 93, Mawmaw received daily compliments on her shoes. She firmly believed a girl could never have too many—except for flip flops. She hated flip flops, which she made known to me on more than one occasion." —Elizabeth Hutchison
Alice Lynne Abernethy; Albemarle, North Carolina; 1962
“This may be my most prized photograph ever. I pretty much salvaged it from a trash pile! It's my beauty queen mother, smiling on the back of the convertible, and my grandmother Pauline Bunch Abernethy, keeping things in order in the passenger seat.”—Amelia Matthews
“This may be my most prized photograph ever. I pretty much salvaged it from a trash pile! It's my beauty queen mother, smiling on the back of the convertible, and my grandmother Pauline Bunch Abernethy, keeping things in order in the passenger seat.”—Amelia Matthews
Addie Lou Godfrey Jones; Jasper, Georgia; early 1950s
“She has been gone several years, but a day doesn't go by that I don't miss her and think of something that I would like to share with her. She was the consummate Southern gardener— working in her garden until her last day! From her I have a great love of our wonderful Southern soil!”—Bella Michelle Densmore
“She has been gone several years, but a day doesn't go by that I don't miss her and think of something that I would like to share with her. She was the consummate Southern gardener— working in her garden until her last day! From her I have a great love of our wonderful Southern soil!”—Bella Michelle Densmore
Addie Ruth Faulkner Taylor; Farmville, North Carolina; 1954
“She had just turned 16 years old. And, though she is no longer of this world, she remains my role model. A faithful and generous soul, I can only hope that spirit will pass on through me to generations of Southern women to come.”—Wendi Murray
“She had just turned 16 years old. And, though she is no longer of this world, she remains my role model. A faithful and generous soul, I can only hope that spirit will pass on through me to generations of Southern women to come.”—Wendi Murray
Alice Davis Vann; Pendleton, North Carolina; 1947
"The photo was taken the first Easter following her wedding. She's wearing the suit she was married in. Everyone always commented on her beauty and sense of style." —Ameila Vann Howard
"The photo was taken the first Easter following her wedding. She's wearing the suit she was married in. Everyone always commented on her beauty and sense of style." —Ameila Vann Howard
Bessie Ollie Roberts Senter Kaiser and her daughter, Deborah Lee Senter Pier; Blackstone, Virginia; mid-1950s
"Pictured are two beautiful and amazing women. My great-aunt Bessie made the dress she is wearing. It definitely speaks to her great style. The dress was handed down to me a couple of years ago and I love wearing it!" - Melissa H. Allen
"Pictured are two beautiful and amazing women. My great-aunt Bessie made the dress she is wearing. It definitely speaks to her great style. The dress was handed down to me a couple of years ago and I love wearing it!" - Melissa H. Allen
Brenda Von Summerlin; Lenoir, North Carolina; 1958
“I recently found this photo of my late mother. She grew up in Lenoir, NC, and attended Appalachian State University. She lived many years in Mississippi and Tennessee until returning to North Carolina, where she spent the last few years of her life. She taught me everything there is to know about being a Southern woman.”—Emily Tickle Thomas
“I recently found this photo of my late mother. She grew up in Lenoir, NC, and attended Appalachian State University. She lived many years in Mississippi and Tennessee until returning to North Carolina, where she spent the last few years of her life. She taught me everything there is to know about being a Southern woman.”—Emily Tickle Thomas
Carolyn Thomas with her husband; Florida; 1960
Carolyn Mullins with her son; Natchez, Mississippi; 1955
“This is my absolute favorite picture of my grandmother and my father on what is now my front porch. So funny how everything looks so different at first, but once you take a good look--their expressions, even the rings on her fingers--are all still the same.” —Page Mullins
“This is my absolute favorite picture of my grandmother and my father on what is now my front porch. So funny how everything looks so different at first, but once you take a good look--their expressions, even the rings on her fingers--are all still the same.” —Page Mullins
Edna Boyé Simpson with her sister Helen Boyé Michael; Titusville, Florida; 1910
“Edna grew up in Titusville, Florida, on 40,000 acres of land inherited by the family in the Delespine Land Grant of 1817 from the King of Spain. She was a true pioneer of the land, skilled at hunting (in a dress), yet a lady of the times. During the Great Depression she sewed the family’s cash savings inside her fur coat, which she discretely disclosed to her granddaughters a couple of years before her death at age 88.”— Graham L. Ervin
“Edna grew up in Titusville, Florida, on 40,000 acres of land inherited by the family in the Delespine Land Grant of 1817 from the King of Spain. She was a true pioneer of the land, skilled at hunting (in a dress), yet a lady of the times. During the Great Depression she sewed the family’s cash savings inside her fur coat, which she discretely disclosed to her granddaughters a couple of years before her death at age 88.”— Graham L. Ervin
Eleanor Stallons Jones as a new bride; Trigg County, Kentucky; 1929
Rose Ellen Leonard Propst with her husband; Hickory, North Carolina; 1948
Elsie Wininger DeBerry; Pisgah, Alabama; 1920s
"My maternal grandparents, my mom, Elsie, and her sister, Edith. The photo was taken in the mid-1920s at their home, where my grandfather was postmaster and school teacher. It sums it all up to say my mom was ‘the best of moms.' Her love, motherly pride, and discipline yielded five strong, loving children. As you can see in the photo, obviously she began honing those mothering skills at a very young age. Her love and pride for her baby doll is evident.”— Gail DeBerry Satterthwaite
"My maternal grandparents, my mom, Elsie, and her sister, Edith. The photo was taken in the mid-1920s at their home, where my grandfather was postmaster and school teacher. It sums it all up to say my mom was ‘the best of moms.' Her love, motherly pride, and discipline yielded five strong, loving children. As you can see in the photo, obviously she began honing those mothering skills at a very young age. Her love and pride for her baby doll is evident.”— Gail DeBerry Satterthwaite
Eula O. Saunders; Traveler's Rest, South Carolina; 1959
Laura Evelyn Raffield; Port Saint Joe, Florida; 1941
“My grandmother embodies great strength and gentle nurturing. Her husband, Carl Jackson, was a commercial fisherman in the Florida Panhandle and built a business that still stands today. Always in a day dress and heels, she is the solid foundation that allowed his lifelong dreams to become a reality.” -Emily Raffield
“My grandmother embodies great strength and gentle nurturing. Her husband, Carl Jackson, was a commercial fisherman in the Florida Panhandle and built a business that still stands today. Always in a day dress and heels, she is the solid foundation that allowed his lifelong dreams to become a reality.” -Emily Raffield
Frances Swan; Gainesville, Georgia; 1960s
Frances Calloway Propst; Big Bear Lake, Califonia; 1943
"My mother was a gracious Southern lady. Never met a stranger and loved life to the fullest. Loved hosting her friends' clubs - a sewing club that never sewed, a garden club that never planted, and a book club that never read! But they loved each other and supported each other over a lifetime." - Kenny Propst
"My mother was a gracious Southern lady. Never met a stranger and loved life to the fullest. Loved hosting her friends' clubs - a sewing club that never sewed, a garden club that never planted, and a book club that never read! But they loved each other and supported each other over a lifetime." - Kenny Propst
Gladys Waddell and her husband atop an unnamed (literally) mountain in Alaska.
“My Aunt Gladys was one of the greatest Southern women I ever knew. I never met my grandmother, and in many ways Aunt Gladys filled that void. Aunt Gladys grew up in rural southwest Marengo County, Alabama, before moving to Alaska to teach. She taught in small Eskimo villages from the 1930s to the 1950s, commuting to work via dog sled during the harsh winter months. Her husband, Uncle Edward, would catch salmon throughout the summer and smoke them to feed the dogs all winter. They eventually moved back to Huntsville, Alabama.” —Joe Watts
“My Aunt Gladys was one of the greatest Southern women I ever knew. I never met my grandmother, and in many ways Aunt Gladys filled that void. Aunt Gladys grew up in rural southwest Marengo County, Alabama, before moving to Alaska to teach. She taught in small Eskimo villages from the 1930s to the 1950s, commuting to work via dog sled during the harsh winter months. Her husband, Uncle Edward, would catch salmon throughout the summer and smoke them to feed the dogs all winter. They eventually moved back to Huntsville, Alabama.” —Joe Watts
JoAnne Bunch Leggette; West Ashley, South Carolina; 1959
Judith Ann Henneberger Haydel; Crowley, Louisiana; 1959
“Throughout my childhood, these photos were displayed in our home and never failed to catch the eye of visitors. My mother was young in these photos and thrilled to have just won the beauty contest, but the importance of the day was not lost on her. Though then Senator Kennedy wasn't a Southern statesman, the fanfare was grand, especially for Mrs. Kennedy who wooed the crowed. Pageants in that day were certainly far less of a production. I know my Maw Maw made Mother's gowns, the make-up was minimal, and my Paw Paw forbade my mother from swimsuit contests.”—Julie Henneberger Patton
“Throughout my childhood, these photos were displayed in our home and never failed to catch the eye of visitors. My mother was young in these photos and thrilled to have just won the beauty contest, but the importance of the day was not lost on her. Though then Senator Kennedy wasn't a Southern statesman, the fanfare was grand, especially for Mrs. Kennedy who wooed the crowed. Pageants in that day were certainly far less of a production. I know my Maw Maw made Mother's gowns, the make-up was minimal, and my Paw Paw forbade my mother from swimsuit contests.”—Julie Henneberger Patton
Julia "Judy" Throckmorton Walker; Alabama; 1949
“My grandmother Judy passed away this March, and in going through old family photos, my aunt found this priceless one from her wedding day. Southern weddings have always been special events, and this one was no exception - complete with big sun hats, great Southern dresses, and my beaming grandmother at the middle of it all.”—Mary Beth Hutchins
“My grandmother Judy passed away this March, and in going through old family photos, my aunt found this priceless one from her wedding day. Southern weddings have always been special events, and this one was no exception - complete with big sun hats, great Southern dresses, and my beaming grandmother at the middle of it all.”—Mary Beth Hutchins
Kathryn "Kitty" McQueen Hatch; Jacksonville, Florida; early 1940s.
“The note on the photo is to my grandfather, Arthur Rudolph Hatch. Together they had 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren so far.” —Heather McInnis, Florida
“The note on the photo is to my grandfather, Arthur Rudolph Hatch. Together they had 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren so far.” —Heather McInnis, Florida
Katie Pearl Taylor Pridgen; Greenville, North Carolina; 1953
“She was a very kind and loving mother and an excellent beautician. My parents bought a house that had an established 'beauty shop' included. Echoes of 'Steel Magnolias' were heard daily from Pearl's Beauty Shop. I miss her so much; she died suddenly in 1983. Mama kept a record of the various colors she mixed for each patron/friend. After her death, all those wonderful women gathered together and asked kindly if I could please find their special formulas; their new beauticians didn't do as good a job as Mama had with hair color. It was then I realized the importance of a good hairdresser as I had taken her abilities for granted having had her as my personal hairdresser my whole life.” —Pamela Pridgen Fragoso
“She was a very kind and loving mother and an excellent beautician. My parents bought a house that had an established 'beauty shop' included. Echoes of 'Steel Magnolias' were heard daily from Pearl's Beauty Shop. I miss her so much; she died suddenly in 1983. Mama kept a record of the various colors she mixed for each patron/friend. After her death, all those wonderful women gathered together and asked kindly if I could please find their special formulas; their new beauticians didn't do as good a job as Mama had with hair color. It was then I realized the importance of a good hairdresser as I had taken her abilities for granted having had her as my personal hairdresser my whole life.” —Pamela Pridgen Fragoso
Louise Logan standing with her mother and brother; South Florida, 1942
Louise Crawford Bowers; Atlanta, GA; 1945
Margaret Fentress Wilson Webster; Baltimore, Maryland; 1934
Martha Belle Kennard Fleetwood; Holt, Florida; 1920s
“This is a photo of my grandmother. She hasn’t changed much. Neither has Holt.”—Katherine Neill
“This is a photo of my grandmother. She hasn’t changed much. Neither has Holt.”—Katherine Neill
Mary Dowdell Ashley Harris; Montgomery, Alabama; 1978
"Best captured by the beautiful voice of bluegrass singer Robinella, 'dress me up or dress me down.' She was as glamorous in a ball gown as she was in boots out in the country. I loved nothing more than watching her get dressed up, and she almost always wore a flower in her hair. Graceful, kind, natural, beautiful–my forever inspiration as a mother and as a Southern woman.”— Ashley Warnock
"Best captured by the beautiful voice of bluegrass singer Robinella, 'dress me up or dress me down.' She was as glamorous in a ball gown as she was in boots out in the country. I loved nothing more than watching her get dressed up, and she almost always wore a flower in her hair. Graceful, kind, natural, beautiful–my forever inspiration as a mother and as a Southern woman.”— Ashley Warnock
Mary Locke "LaLa" Davis; Pawleys Island, South Carolina; 1965
Mozelle Steele; Panama City, Florida; 1952
“I am completely enamored with this photo of my mother. She was 24 years old. My brother, her first child, was born in 1950, and Mom lamented the loss of her 17-inch waist and had to settle for the size she managed in the photo below. What I wouldn't give...”—Sandee Wright
“I am completely enamored with this photo of my mother. She was 24 years old. My brother, her first child, was born in 1950, and Mom lamented the loss of her 17-inch waist and had to settle for the size she managed in the photo below. What I wouldn't give...”—Sandee Wright
Gypsie Smith Hubbard; a world traveler and lecturer from Alabama; 1929
Myra McCall Jones with her son; Lake Charles, Louisiana; 1944
“Grandma was full of life and a true 'Southern lady.' She was the youngest of twelve children born on a cotton farm in Learned, Mississippi, in 1910. She loved to tell stories of her childhood in Mississippi and the life that would follow after her move to Lake Charles, Louisiana, with my grandfather Edger Jones. One of my favorite stories was of her and her siblings gathering along the dirt road in Mississippi to catch a glimpse of the automobile that was rumored to be headed through town. I love to think of the changes she has seen in her time, from the Great Depression to World War II, the Civil Rights movement to the election of an African-American president. She lived in such a difficult, evolving, wonderful time.” —George Jones
“Grandma was full of life and a true 'Southern lady.' She was the youngest of twelve children born on a cotton farm in Learned, Mississippi, in 1910. She loved to tell stories of her childhood in Mississippi and the life that would follow after her move to Lake Charles, Louisiana, with my grandfather Edger Jones. One of my favorite stories was of her and her siblings gathering along the dirt road in Mississippi to catch a glimpse of the automobile that was rumored to be headed through town. I love to think of the changes she has seen in her time, from the Great Depression to World War II, the Civil Rights movement to the election of an African-American president. She lived in such a difficult, evolving, wonderful time.” —George Jones
Nancy Chapmon Ross Kincaid; Reidsville, North Carolina; 1960
Olene Shook McDaniel; Mississippi
“Despite having a hard life, Mama has always been quick to laugh and to look for the bright side of things. She loves Johnny Cash, 'boogie woogie' piano music, and Little Debbie oatmeal pies. She can be quite the imp. On a recent visit, she was dozing in her rocking chair on a Sunday morning, and she suddenly sat up and said rather dramatically, 'Sunday mornin', comin' down.' I laughed, just as she knew I would.”— Sarah McDaniel Holcombe
“Despite having a hard life, Mama has always been quick to laugh and to look for the bright side of things. She loves Johnny Cash, 'boogie woogie' piano music, and Little Debbie oatmeal pies. She can be quite the imp. On a recent visit, she was dozing in her rocking chair on a Sunday morning, and she suddenly sat up and said rather dramatically, 'Sunday mornin', comin' down.' I laughed, just as she knew I would.”— Sarah McDaniel Holcombe
Opal Roberts Walker; Sidney, Texas; 1919
“The photo shows Opal (age 18) and two sisters - Picola and Toby. She explained later that she had been quite peeved to wear the black wrap, wanting to wear a white one like her sisters (the traveling photographer apparently only had two). She looks so incredibly lovely.” —Cody Hudson
“The photo shows Opal (age 18) and two sisters - Picola and Toby. She explained later that she had been quite peeved to wear the black wrap, wanting to wear a white one like her sisters (the traveling photographer apparently only had two). She looks so incredibly lovely.” —Cody Hudson
Patty Poore Wilkison; Dyersburg, Tennessee; 1969
“This was her engagement photo that ran in the paper. She and her husband, John, got engaged after a two-week courtship and were married six weeks later. They recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. Patty is a true Southern lady who is never without her signature hot red lipstick, a string of pearls, and a fountain diet coke with ice.”—Jade Wilkison
“This was her engagement photo that ran in the paper. She and her husband, John, got engaged after a two-week courtship and were married six weeks later. They recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. Patty is a true Southern lady who is never without her signature hot red lipstick, a string of pearls, and a fountain diet coke with ice.”—Jade Wilkison
Sallie Viola Buffkin Turbeville; Sanford, North Carolina
“Grandma Sallie was born on June 5, 1888 and died September 6, 1979. She was a farm wife who worked very hard and raised a large family. Not only did she take care of her own family, she shared her home with anyone who needed a home and a meal. Many people benefited from her generosity of spirit and heart. I am proud to be the granddaughter of such a strong woman, and I hope that I have a fraction of the tenacity that she exhibited in her life.” —Lynda Turbeville
“Grandma Sallie was born on June 5, 1888 and died September 6, 1979. She was a farm wife who worked very hard and raised a large family. Not only did she take care of her own family, she shared her home with anyone who needed a home and a meal. Many people benefited from her generosity of spirit and heart. I am proud to be the granddaughter of such a strong woman, and I hope that I have a fraction of the tenacity that she exhibited in her life.” —Lynda Turbeville
Sarah Anderson “Sadie” Zimmerman Zimmerman; Spartanburg, South Carolina
“She was a redhead spitfire. She spoiled everyone back even when she didn't have the money or strength to do so. If she loved you, you knew it. But if she didn't, you probably 'knew' it too...just like a good old Southern woman!” —Sarah Gleim
“She was a redhead spitfire. She spoiled everyone back even when she didn't have the money or strength to do so. If she loved you, you knew it. But if she didn't, you probably 'knew' it too...just like a good old Southern woman!” —Sarah Gleim
Sue Reid Hayslett; Columbus, Mississippi
Virginia Dare Stone Windle; Martinsville, Virginia; 1941
"This is my mother-in-law’s wedding picture. Taken just before her husband, Bill, left for overseas.”—Tom Webster
"This is my mother-in-law’s wedding picture. Taken just before her husband, Bill, left for overseas.”—Tom Webster
Betty Jo Philpott Martin; Roanoke, Virginia; 1945
"All my life I think I've defined what it means to be vivacious from Granny Martin (she is the very definition of a spark plug personality). My grandfather and most of the small town I grew up in still call her Mother Martin because she raised seven children (six girls and one boy). Always stylish and on point, she carted her brood around in a black Cadillac limousine, complete with a Shetland pony named Red Cloud that rode in the back with all my aunts and my uncle."—Haskell Harris
"All my life I think I've defined what it means to be vivacious from Granny Martin (she is the very definition of a spark plug personality). My grandfather and most of the small town I grew up in still call her Mother Martin because she raised seven children (six girls and one boy). Always stylish and on point, she carted her brood around in a black Cadillac limousine, complete with a Shetland pony named Red Cloud that rode in the back with all my aunts and my uncle."—Haskell Harris
Tags: Southern Style, Southern women
Comments