February 12, 2006
I have the sad duty to report to you that Mrs. Allison died this morning at 2 a.m. in Johnson City. She would have been 99 if she had made it until July.
Her name was Bertha Mae Riddle and she married Brownie Allison in 1930. Everybody called her "Bert", except Brownie, who called her "Wife" and occasionally "Waterloo". She was the operator and clerk at the Elk Park depot during World War II.
Her Daddy was John Albert Riddle, a locomotive engineer for W. M Ritter who boomered around from one Ritter lumber job to another. He was from Yancey county, North Carolina but worked jobs in Virginia and West Virginia before being killed on a job near Pineola when Mrs. Allison was a little girl. Mrs Allison was actually born in Fairwood, Virginia in a Ritter camp.
She educated herself and was a teacher for a time in both Pineola and at Cranberry High School. She put in a course to become a nurse and also did that for several years. She knew as much or more about old mountain remedies than anybody I ever saw and we are fortunate that she did write them down and they are in her and Brownie's collection at the Archives of Appalachia at ETSU.
She was in great shape until about two months ago, when a stroke landed her in the bed for the last time and she was not too happy about it. She was a strong, hard-headed old girl and had mowed the two acre yard at their home on the old Jonesborough Highway until she was well past ninety, plus tended a big garden.
I reckon she is the end of the old-time narrow gauge line, and I sure will miss her, her tales, and especially her peach and apple pies. She made the best pies you ever tasted.
Ken Riddle
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Mrs. Bertha Mae Allison |
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http://www.johnsonsdepot.com/images
September 23 , 2006
Elbert McCoury - CRANBERRY, N.C.
CRANBERRY, N.C. — Elbert Wayne McCoury, of Cranberry, NC, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, September 20, 2006, in the Johnson City Medical Center.
He was born March 20, 1920, the youngest son of Jonah and Della Sluder McCoury.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Johnnie B. Nicely McCoury, of the home; a son, Kent McCoury and wife, Eleanor, of Apex, NC; and sons, Dale C. and David P. McCoury, of the home; two grandchildren, Wendy Grace and Jeb McCoury, of Apex. He is also survived by two sisters, Ms. Bertha M. Calhoun, of Gate City, VA, and Ms. Viola M. Calhoun, of Hudson, FL.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, William and Gurney McCoury; and two sisters, Ms. Etta Lewis and Fannie Thomas.
Mr. McCoury was a member of the First Baptist Church of Elk Park, where he served as Adult Men’s Sunday School Teacher, leader in VBS and Chairman of Deacons. He was a member of the Cranberry Baptist Church from 1955-1981, where he served as Sunday School Teacher, leader of VBS and Chairman of Deacons. Also in his younger years, he was a member of the Ivey Heights Freewill Baptist Church and served as church clerk, treasurer and trustee.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the 102 “Ozark” Infantry Division in the European Theater and in the army of occupation. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Elbert had a strong interest in model railroading, especially “Tweetsie” with which he grew up along her line. He was a member of the E.T.&W.N.C. Historical Society and a member of Gideons International.
"Elbert loved the ET&WNC which came through his back yard in Cranberry. His model
of #12 was displayed at the funeral home. I would visit him whenever I was
in Cranberry and he would love to drive around and show me the Mackie house,
the mine, Cranberry Hotel site, and just sit and talk about the railroad.
I will miss him."
Mike Hardin
Mike Hardin and Elbert McCoury co-authored the article "The Light Inspection Car" that details the work of Elbert's father, Jonah, on the Linville River Railway.
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Elbert McCoury |
1920 - 2006 |
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