Reflections
‘Sister’ Was A Gracious Lady And Devoted Wife
By Charles Cooper
Hello everyone I hope you are having a good week. I hope that the celebration Saturday was an outstanding success – I’m sorry I was unable to attend. This week my profile is about someone that I should have included a long time ago. Charlotte Mavourleen Badley was the oldest child of Elijah and Anna Badley and was born over in Lafayette County.
She was an honor graduate of Water Valley High School and received her license to teach at the University of Mississippi. Her first teaching job was at the Leggo School in the Ford’s Well community. As was common in those days, single teachers would board at a family in the community where she taught.
In her case, she boarded with the John Ford family. While there, she met Roy Patton Ford and the two were married in October of 1914. Seven sons were born to that union, beginning with John Badley Ford in 1915. He was followed by Charles William, Roy Harold, James David, Raymond Patton, and twins Marvin and Melvin.
Roy worked at the Illinois Central shops until they were moved in the late twenties. From that time on he was a full-time farmer, and Mavourleen was a full time mother and housewife.
My mother always called her sister, and when I started talking I called her sister as well. Mother tried to break me of the habit, but Mavourleen told here to let me alone and if I didn’t stop I could call here that.
Until the day she died, I always called her sister. She was a gracious lady and it was a joy to be in her home. Since I’ve grown older, I have thought of what it must have taken to feed and clothe seven boys on a farm income when cotton was bringing a low price.
Nevertheless I can attest to the fact that there was always plenty of food on the table and, since she was a great cook, it was always a tasty meal. They moved to Oakland in the 20s and lived there for the rest of their lives. Charles William, Roy Harold, James David, and Raymond served in World War II and Melvin in the Korean War.
She was a life-long member of the Methodist Church and the boys were all at service as they were growing up – every Sunday. As the boys grew up and married, she was asked to work in the Aubrey Herron store which she did for many years.
Roy Ford was in bad health for several years and died in April, 1968. Sister lived for 10 more years, dying in April, 1978. Her six surviving sons were pall bears at her funeral. They are buried in the Oakland Cemetery. She was a great lady, a devoted wife and mother, and it would take a book to cover her remarkable life. Unfortunately, so many wives and mothers never rate more than a few lines in an obituary column and that is why I try to feature those I know in a column.
On a personal note, my surgeon, Dr. Patterson, gave me an excellent report last Thursday. The news was, when I felt the time was right, to discard my cane. Again thanks to all of you who called and emailed me and even sent hand-written letters during my surgery and recuperation. My email address is charlescooper3616@sbcglobal.net or write me at P.O. Box 613189 Memphis, Tn 38101 and have a great week.
