Small Town Living

by Jill Wagner

Having lived in the South a relatively short amount of time, I learned a lot about Southern culture by talking to Evelyn Gipson, a co-worker of mine, who has strong ties to the South. Her family has lived in Southern Pines for generations, dating back to the original Shaws circa 1820. When I asked her about growing up in the South, Evelyn told me she was one of seven children and the oldest girl in the family. Her childhood was very idealistic, and Evelyn’s mother stayed home with the children while her father worked. Both parents were very supportive of all the kids by going to all school and sporting events they were involved in.

Evelyn recalls growing up poor but not realizing it since everyone she knew lived the same way. She can remember having friends of the family move in with them for days and weeks at a time; their house was always open. Her father would say, “You can always add another cup of water to the soup.” The family had a large garden that they would can vegetables from for the winter. In addition, her life was very family-oriented. Church was also important to them; when the family sat down for dinner, each person said grace before eating. All the children were involved in the youth group and choir.

Holidays were important events. On Thanksgiving her aunts and uncle would visit from Greensboro. She can remember her aunt bringing her famous lemon meringue pie. Christmas was also a big family event; they went to church on Christmas Eve and had a large dinner. Evelyn describes Christmas morning as somewhat chaotic; everyone had to wear slippers and a robe. (That was a bit of a problem since not all of the children had slippers and robes.) They improvised with whatever they could find to wrap around them like robes and find makeshift slippers. Her father was always the first down the stairs, but everyone had to be ready before anyone was allowed down. She remembers one year they found some presents outside. When they asked their father about it, he said, “They must have fallen off of Santa’s sleigh.” Christmas was also the time when one child would receive a bike.

Sunday afternoons were reserved for “bottle hunting.” Her father would load all of the kids in the back of the truck, and they would drive around collecting bottles for the deposit -- giving their mother some much needed alone time. The kids would yell, “Bottle!” and the truck would stop so they could pick it up. The money collected from the bottles would go toward sending one child to camp each summer. The family could not afford to go on very many big family trips; instead they went on day trips to historical sites around the state.

When I asked Evelyn about the differences between now and then, she responded by saying then the town of Southern Pines felt like Mayberry. There were grocery stores, hardware stores and anything needed was located in downtown Southern Pines. The family rarely traveled to Pinehurst and only occasionally traveled to Aberdeen. Everyone knew children, the parents and where they lived. The police brought children home if they were in trouble; her grandfather was the Chief of Police. It seemed safer then; they walked or rode a bike everywhere they went. Evelyn said now the towns run together; there is no real definition. Everybody is too busy now and less family-oriented than they used to be.

By discussing with Evelyn her past, I have a better understanding of Southern culture. Although small towns may change, family traditions are very important.

Work Cited

Gipson, Evelyn. Personal interview. 3 Feb. 2011.


Note: Jill Wagner, who was born in Michigan and now lives in Cameron, NC is a history major at Sandhills Community College.