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Elizabeth Scott

@edshome.bsky.social

350 followers 600 following 410 posts

Retired: faculty, dean, managing editor. Business Ethics. HRM. Active: refugee resettlement, English teaching, technical support. My whole life: UCC member.

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Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · Jan 1

In 1925, my grandmother kept a diary. She was a single, 20-something English teacher in Reidsville, NC. During 2025, I will post most of her entries here on the same month and day she posted them – with #NCHistory, #1925

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 17h

She was away from school for a week and a half after her mother’s death. I am sure many of her colleagues helped cover her classes while she was gone and seeing them at the faculty meeting would have made her teary.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

October 26th
Oh! but it was so hard to begin work again. Everything seemed to bring back to me my troubles. The children, however, seemed to thoroughly sympathize with me for they were so good. We had a teacher’s meeting this afternoon. I thought I would have to leave or either make public my tears.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 1d

Nora’s mother died when she was 4. Less than a year later, her father married my great-grandmother and she lived with them until she married Mr. Burgess at about 20 years old. My grandmother was about 14 years younger than Nora.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

October 25th
Nora and Mr. Burgess “rolled in,” early this A.M. in spite of the rain, wind, and bad roads. They left, however, this afternoon at about one o’clock. Brother and daddy brought me back to Bethany (and left me) – for that is the way I feel about it.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 2d

The floor seems to have been washed and it is my job to reapply my scent EVERYWHERE.
#caturday

White cat with black tail on back on floor.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 2d

Tell them their value-added is not going to be that they had business classes. They need to show they can appeal to the chemists or authors or engineers or farmers who are making or buying their products. To do that, they need to be able to think logically and critically and to communicate clearly.

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Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 3d

She has her diary back. The female visitors may have been from Virginia, since she mentions “school days.” This sounds like the first time “Mack” has come to see her since her mother’s death.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

October 24th
This afternoon, M and her friend, Miss P, came to see us. It seemed almost like school days to be with M. Tonight, “Mack” came to see me. I enjoyed his company very much. He is a good sympathizer. He told me all about the death of his mother and how he fought against his grief and trouble. “A friend in need is a friend in deed.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 3d

The burial was on Friday, October 16, 1925. Her diary was blank until the end of the next week (October 23, 1925). She doesn’t return to work until the next Monday, but she probably had someone bring her diary to her, because she starts making entries again on the 24th.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

MRS. COTTEN IS LAID TO HER FINAL REPOSE
Beautiful Service Is Held at First Christian Church in Her Memory.
Mrs. Nanie J. Cotten, who died Wednesday afternoon, was laid to her final rest yesterday morning in Green Hill, cemetery following an impressive service held at the First Christian church, conducted by Rev. C. H. Rowland and Rev. W. S. Alexander.
Miss Fisher, of Elon college, sang a solo as did also Gilman Alexander, head of the voice department of Greensboro college. The flower bearers were members of a fraternity from Elon College. They were Misses Mary A. White, Wille Stout, Mary Stout, Wilson Gatewood, Estelle Kelly, Annie Simpson, Isabella Cannon, Mary J. Ballentine, Helen Rhodes, Frances Sterritt and Ruth Crawford.
The pallbearers were H. C. Simpson, O. P. Shelton, J. E. Murray, S. D. Scott, H. V. Simpson and R. L Caviness. A large crowd attended the service and many beautiful floral tributes were made.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 4d

It will be okay. Your faculty WANT you to succeed. Your failure would be more of an indictment of the faculty than of you. I bet you will pass with no issues. Even if you don't, they probably have a do-over mechanism for you to retake them and pass on the second try. They don't want to look bad.

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Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 5d

3rd of 4 newspaper articles about my great-grandmother’s death. With at least two daily papers in Greensboro, all deaths were probably reported at least twice.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

October 22d
Funeral of Mrs. Cotten Will Be Held Here This Morning
The funeral of Mrs Nanie Cotton, who died Wednesday, will be held this morning from the First Christian church. Services will be in charge of Dr. C. H. Rowland, pastor. Pallbearers will be H. C. Simpson, O. P. Shelton, J. E. Murray, S. D. Scott, H. V. Simpson and R. L. Caviness. Interment will be made in Green Hill cemetery.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 5d

Typing -ai before search does it. I don't know whether the ai search is still run (thus still expending energy) but it does suppress the ai results.

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Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 6d

“She was 53 years of age.”
When I was born, my grandmother was 53, the same age as her mother was when she died. My grandmother lived to three years short of double that age.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

October 21st
MRS. NANIE COTTEN, OF THIS CITY, DEAD
Wife of A. J. Cotten, Merchant, Will Be Buried Friday Morning -Came Here from Virginia.
Mrs. Nanie J. Cotten, wife of A. J. Cotten, of 644 Chestnut street, died suddenly at their home yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. She was 53 years of age.
She leaves her husband, her father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Connelly, of Petersburg, Va.; a half-brother, Willie Connelly; three sisters, Mrs. W. G. Wharton, Mrs. George Johnston and Miss May Connelly, all of Petersburg; three sons, W. J. Cotten, E. F. Cotten and H. J. Cotten; two daughters, Misses Essie and Della Cotten, all of Greensboro, and two step-daughters, Miss Bertha Cotten and Mrs. S. P. Burgess, both of Ahoskie.
Mr. and Mrs. Cotten came here from Dendron, Va., about three and one-half years ago, and Mr. Cotten went into business, establishing a retail store on North Greene street, between Gaston and Bellemeade.
Mrs. Cotten was a member of the First Christian church and was devoted to her church. During her residence here she made many friends, attracted by her fine character and cheerful personality.
Funeral services will be conducted at the First Christian church at 10:30 o'clock Friday morning, by Rev. C. H. Rowland, pastor of the church, and interment will be made in Green Hill cemetery.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 6d

The connection of her family with Elon College (now University) was strong enough that the school paper announced her death. She did not know it, but, just from my grandmother’s children and grandchildren, there were another five Elon graduates.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

MRS. NANNIE J. COTTEN PASSES AWAY AT HOME
Mother of Prof. W. J. Cotten. Five of Her Children Have Attended Elon.
On last Wednesday afternoon the students here were shocked to hear of the death of Mrs. Nannie J. Cotten, the mother of Professor W. J. Cotten. The death was a shock to all who knew her, as she was apparently enjoying good health at the time of her sudden death. She died of neuralgia of the heart. At the time of her death Mrs. Cotten was living at her home in Greensboro.
The funeral services were conducted at the First Christian church, Greensboro, Friday morning. The service was conducted by the pastor, Dr. C. II. Rowland, assisted by Dr. W. S. Alexander. Miss Fisher and Mr. Gilman Alexander, of the Voice department of Greensboro College, sang. The remains were laid to their final rest in Grecu Hill cemetery. The following girls acted as flower bearers: Misses Wiley and Mary Sout, Mary A. White, Wilson Gatewood, Estelle Kelley, Annie Simpson, Isabelle Cannon, Margaret J. Ballentine, Frances Sterrett, and Ruth Crawford.
The pall-bearers were: H. C. Simpson, O. P. Shelton J. E. Murray, S. D. Scott, H. V. Simpson, and R. L. Caveness. A large crowd of friends and sympathizers attended the funeral and the profuse floral designs were a fitting tribute to the Christian mother.
Mrs. Cotten is survived by a husband and family. Five of Mrs. Cotten's children have attended Elon College, four of them being graduates They are as follows: E. T., W. J., Essie and Della, graduates, and Harvey a student.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 7d

Maybe he rested up yesterday in anticipation. It certainly paid off in ovations.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 8d

This is the last page of undated handwritten material from the week my great-grandmother died. The names that should have been inserted are found in the newspaper articles that report on the death and funeral services.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

(last) we were left alone. People in Greensboro, though, were simply wonderful to us and they continued to show their generous and sympathetic spirits. They have won my undying gratitude.
The following persons made floral tributes:
---------
The flower carriers were:
--------
The Pall barriers were:
-------
Pool and Blue were the Undertakers

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 9d

The many strikethroughs, omissions, and errors show her emotional state. Her mother died on Wednesday before 3PM. The relatives arrived Wednesday and Thursday. The funeral was Friday morning. The relatives were all gone by Sunday. This writing is not dated.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

The members of Beta Omicron Beta were flower clariers – I never saw as many beautiful flowers before. Mama was so fond of flowers too. She They seemed to be living creatures to her.
Interment was made in Green Hill cemetery.
Numbers upon numbers attended the funeral services. Bethany was well represented by teachers and students and the Sumner H.S. students marched in a body into the church. What could have sweeter?
Interment was made in Green Hill cemetery. After this we went back to our vacant, lonesome, and weary home, -- if I might call it such.
One by one our relatives left until Sunday afternoon we the

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 10d

Useful phrase: "Mi Miło Bardzo." It passes as "pleased to meet you" and is easier to remember than the whole expression: "Bardzo miło mi Cię poznać"

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 10d

“I kneeled down by her side and offered a prayer to God – asking him to help me to live a life as noble, as pure, and as helpful as hers had been.”
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

October 17th
kneeled down by her side and offered a prayer to God – asking him to help me to live a life as noble, as pure, and as helpful as hers had been. Sister and Brother got home at about 3:00 but Mama was dead – as she died at about 2:45.
Thursday A.M. Ernest, Cora, and little Ernest Jr came. Thursday night, the following came: Aunt Mae, Aunt Nettie, Mr. Johnson, Harvey, Aunt Maggie, Uncle Jim, Wilton, Irene, Lucile, Nora, Mr. Burgess and Thurman.
Friday A.M. at 10:30 the funeral services were held at the First Christian Church. Those in charge were Dr. C.H. Rowland and Dr. W.S. Alexander. The text of Dr. Rowland was Ezekiel 9. Prov Alexander of G.C.W. sang “Crossing the Bar,” and Miss Fisher of Elon College sang “Come Unto Me and I will Give You Rest.” The service was very impressive.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 10d

Mine would not eat from the very same bowl on the very same mat because it was in a different house. Out of my hand was the only way for two weeks. Good thing it was dry food!

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 10d

“I was astounded. I was afraid. I was speechless. And yet “death” had not occurred to me.”
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

to go with me home. Your Mother is sick. You can imagine how afraid I was. Without losing any time I jumped into his car and we went to Greensboro as fast as we could. It seemed to take a very, very, long time to go those twenty-two miles. I cried the entire way. The suspense was terrible and to make it worse, the rain was pouring. On reaching home I dashed into the door and was amazed to find the hall and front room filled with motionless people. I was astounded. I was afraid. I was speechless. And yet “death” had not occurred to me. After a moment I asked “How is Mama?” Then everyone was lost as to what would be best to say. Mrs. Shelton, however, came to me and with arms around my neck said, “Darling, your mother has gone.” You cannot imagine how shocked I was. I could not believe it. I only know how perfectly lost I was and how I dreaded to hear my own voice. For a few minutes I was almost unconscious but after taking amonia I gained strength enough to go into the room where mama lay dead. I knew then that she had gone but I went over to her bed anyway and planted a kiss over her forehead. After this, I

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Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 12d

As this date approached, I was watching her mentions of her mother, wondering what her thoughts would be. Her last visit to her mother was on October 11 and it’s clear that they wrote letters, too. I’m sure the relatives in Virginia were glad she came to visit in September.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

October 15th
Diary, dear, my heart is broken – I have to stop for my eyes are blinded with tears. How can I tell you what my trouble is? Diary, dear, my mother had gone to Heaven (I can’t stand the name, “death.”) I can’t begin to tell you how I feel – Words are so shallow and meaningless.
Let me attempt to tell you how it happened:
On Wednesday, October 14, 1925 at 3 o’clock I was sitting in my school room helping one of the students when another one of my students R G came running in and said, “Miss Cotten, there’s a fellow out here from Greensboro and he wants to see you quick.” Well, I ran out and lo! Mr. S had come for me. He said, “Miss Cotten, I want you

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 13d

Ten days of blank diary pages. This time, the reason is clear: her mother died on October 14, 1925. Tucked in with the diary are obituaries and a long note to her diary that she wrote on loose paper. I will post those instead of the blank pages over the next 9 days.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 13d

At least in the olden days, we had to clean our houses to procrastinate. We ended up with something to show for our procrastination.
Good luck! I hope you don't read this until after you hit "submit."

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Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 13d

I think she was a little disappointed that no one knew it was her birthday. Otherwise, it seemed to have been a good day.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

October 13th
My birthday! Hush! ----- If the faculty only knew. I’ve been shunning them all day for fear they would “buck” me but no one seems to remember the date. Tonight we were all invited down to Baynes for a little informal party. (I thought surely my time had come, but no one mentioned “birthday”.) We had a game of basket ball this afternoon. Also a game of horse shoe.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 14d

Grading is one of my least favorite activities. She didn’t even have a calculator, much less a spreadsheet, so had to enter each grade by hand and then pass the report card to the next teacher. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her with long hair – just “short” and “shorter.”
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

October 12th
The problem of making out reports has arisen again. We worked almost all the afternoon and night on them. D cut my hair. It seems as though she cut it all off but after I got used to it, it wasn’t so bad.

Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 15d

Hope you find a sunny spot this #Caturday

Black and white cat in sunny square on gray carpet.

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Elizabeth Scott @edshome.bsky.social · 15d

For a “day of rest,” this was quite active. It was all church and “visiting,” so not as scandalous as washing her hair was earlier this year. I’ve read ahead, so I know she will be very glad she stopped in Greensboro to see her parents today.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD

October 11th
Went to Sunday School and preaching at Bethany. HP was at Mrs P’s when we got back. This afternoon AW and IP carried us to High Point. CS and IM went with us. I and A are in school at High Point. I went over to see Prof K and his wife. I stopped in Greensboro to see Mama and Daddy.