Jerry and Linda Butler

The News Leader, Parsons, TN, July 2, 2002, Page B-3

"Miss Mamie" Celebrates 100 Years

Family and friends of Mrs. Mamie Lancaster gathered at Decatur County Manor on June 21 for a monumental event. Mrs. Lancaster was honored with a 100th birthday celebration. Many memories were shared with everyone about a strong farm wife, caring mother, and true one hundred year Decatur County resident.

Mamie Julia Scott was born June 22, 1902 in the Liberty Community of Decatur County. The Scott family called a two room log structure with dirt floors home. One of seven children, she had two sisters and four brothers. She and her siblings attended school in the Liberty community as well.

In 1920, at the age of 18, Ms. Scott married Mr. Grady Lancaster. The Lancasters made their living farming and together they raised four children, Edith, Kenneth, Kathleen, and Gordon.

Mrs. Lancaster's life was spent in numerous farm chores: cooking, gardening, and sewing, just to name a few. Most of the young family's clothing was hand stitched by Mrs. Lancaster flour sacks. Her garden always supplied vegetables for daily meals and canning items for the winter months.

Family and friends remember the many wonderful dishes she cooked. Dorothy Reed remembers, "Mamie always made the best caramel pies." Julia Stephens agreed that the pies were delicious, but enjoyed the fresh and canned sausage she would prepare when she and John visited the Lancaster home. Debra McBride, Keith's wife, is still trying to "cook biscuits like Grandma's."

Geneva Montgomery lamented times when women would gather to can vegetables, quilt, or make lye soap. Many from the community remember her as being a good neighbor.

Mrs. Lancaster's daughter, Kathleen, shared a childhood memory: "One day I wanted to go home with Geneva to spend the night and finally Mama said yes! Geneva and I ran through a hog lot grown up with weeds. There was a hen with little chickens in the weeds. I stepped on one of the chickens and of course, I didn't get to go after all, because I had killed the chicken."

The Lancasters were married for 68 years before his death in 1988. Miss Mamie continued to live at home managing a garden and push mowing her yard well into her eighties. In 1994, she moved to Decatur County (Manor). The staff there continues to do a wonderful job of caring for her. The Manor arranged and catered the celebration for over forty family members and friends, as well as many friends at the manor.

Mrs. Lancaster was born, raised, married, and now has celebrated one hundred years in Decatur County.

The News Leader, Parsons, TN, October 23, 2002, Page B-4

Mamie J. Lancaster

Funeral services for Mrs. Mamie J. Lancaster, age 100, were held Friday, October 18, 2002 at the Parsons Mortuary Chapel with Bro. Neal Hinson and Bro. Tony Moss officiating. Interment followed in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Lancaster died Wednesday, October 16, 2002 at the Decatur County General Hospital.

She is survived by two sons Kenneth Lancaster of Scotts Hill and Gordon Lancaster of Savannah, two daughters Edith Hodges of Greensboro, NC., and Kathleen McBride of Bath Springs, a sister Zula Maness of Bells, seven grand-children, twelve great-grandchildren and sixteen great-great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Alan Lancaster, Jacky Lancaster, Jimmy McBride, Brad McBride, Anthony Richardson and Jason Martindale.