In Memory of Lois McNeil Butler

The Advocate readers lift my spirits! Without them knowing their continued letters and emails feed my inspiration. Their words help me a great deal to continue to write my column. I pulled this article from a letter and article previously published many years ago. This lady was my inspiration then…… but even more so now at my age. It means so much more to me now than it did then.

When I opened Lois McNeil Butler’s wonderful letter years ago I was very touched. I’m happy to share her poignant memories.

Mrs. Butler’s handwritten letter is as follows. And, might I say she was a clear as a bell with her detailed memory. Her cursive handwriting was precise, had perfect letter formation, was completely neat and legible at her age of 92 years old. And, to think cursive has not been taught in our public schools for several years now.

She writes……

“Millie, I sat down this week and wrote a few memories I thought it might give you a little something to go in your column you are free to use my name.

Having reached the age of 92 years my mind goes back to my childhood days in the early 1900s. We were poor but happy as were all the families in the neighborhood. My sister and I along with other children attended a one-room, one teacher county school. In those days if a person wished to become a teacher the only requirements were to be 16 years or older, and have completed the 8th grade of school. You could go to the county superintendent’s office and take a written test. If you passed the test you were issued a teaching certificate. Teaching was considered a good job.

It paid $30 per month for a 6-month school year - July through
December.
 
Teachers from other counties came to our school to teach. They would not have transportation to go back and forth home during the week and
they would have to board in some homes in the community.

Our home was close to the school so my mother furnished a room with a bed and three meals for the 5-day week, she charged $3 per week. That was a big help towards buying our shoes and coats for the winter.

My father was a carpenter and a bricklayer. If he was lucky to find a temporary job it paid $1 for the day’s work. That was considered a good job since a 10 to 12 hour work day on the farm only paid . 75 cents. A 6-day week paid 4.50.

During World War II the government issued ration stamps similar to the food stamps today; items such as coffee, sugar, meat, etc. Shoes were rationed to two pair per year. Automobile tires were also rationed except for doctors’ cars. President Franklin D. Roosevelt urged people to plant “Victory Gardens” to supplement the food shortage.

As times are in the world today with murder, robbery, fighting, and child abuse folks may be right when they refer to the 1900s as The Good Old Days.”
 
Lois McNeil Butler was born in a rural community called Mackie Bend in Knox County Kentucky in 1917. She was the 8th child of a family of 10.

Mrs. Butler was a former secretary for the Knox County PVA and was a former Barbourville City Clerk. Deanna, the only child remaining out of four siblings tells me her mom raised her four children on her own.

Lois is full of wonderful life experiences and memories. I’m very grateful she took the time to send her handwritten letter and share her memories with me several years ago. Lois’ zeal for life is one to emulate. Thank you Mrs. Butler for your memories.

Millie’s thought for the day:

I do not believe or go along with the talk about a generation gap! If the very old will remember….. the very young will listen. Share your memories give a gift of time to your children and grandchildren. 

In memory of:
Lois Katherine McNeil Butler February 19,1917 - March 24,2011