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Nelson Coles Andrews was born July 5, 1889, to William Coles and Martha Matilda Swanson Andrews in the Little Rock Community. When he was a young man of 22, he purchased 120 acres of land from Levi L. Walker for $1,650. That was July 6, 1911. On December 17, 1911, he married Margaret Ollie Earp. She was born February 24, 1889, to John and Nancy Earp of the Little Rock community. Together they shared the joys and hardships of farming in the southern part of the Brushy Mountains.

Having a large family was an asset to a farmer and nine months after Nelson and Ollie were married they were blessed with their first child, Ruby Nancy, born September 16, 1912. Four other children were born as follows: John William, March 8, 1916; Edna Genevieve, November 9, 1920; an infant son born and died August 4, 1922; and Mary Gozelle, November 26, 1926. All of the four children grew up with an understanding of the importance of the work ethic, moral values, and education. Nelson and Ollie were active members in Little Rock Baptist Church and they are buried there. Nelson was a prosperous farmer and a community leader. He served on the Little Rock School Board in the 1920s.

In the summer months, Nelson and Ollie would sell produce to customers in Lenoir. On one such trip in July of 1959, they had an accident in their farm truck and Ollie was fatally injured. She died July 16, 1959. Nelson died March 30, 1964, from emphysema at the age of 75.

Ruby Nancy Andrews graduated from Wilkesboro High School in 1931. She married Roy McGee of Caldwell County, August 19, 1931. They made their home in Lenoir and had three daughters. Betty was born August 25, 1933, married Delbert Teem, has three children; Mike, David, and Carol, and lives in Raleigh. Pat was born February 1, 1938, and lives and works in McLean, Virginia. Jean was born April 24, 1947, married Bill Benfield, has two sons; Scott and Brian, and lives in Lenoir. Since retirement, Ruby has enjoyed needlework and quilting. She is quilting each grandchild a quilt with a special design.

John William Andrews graduated from Wilkesboro High School in 1934. He married Julia Arlee Broyhill, also of Little Rock, August 23, 1939. They have two children. Mary Elizabeth was born March 18, 1951, married Chuck Hendrix, and lives in Little Rock. Robert William was born June 1, 1954, and is in medical school residency in Chapel Hill. John has been an active farmer all of his life. He managed the family farm after his father’s death and the farm grew and prospered. Taking advantage of the excellent location in the Brushy Mountains, the farming specialized in orchards, forestry management, and beef cattle. John is retired and enjoys traveling and fishing. He serves on the following boards: Northwestern Bank, Wilkes County Planning Board, Farm Bureau, and Extension Advisory Leadership Committee for the year 2000. In 1965, John was awarded the North Carolina State Farmer of the Year award from the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. He is also an active member of Little Rock Baptist Church.

Edna Genevieve Andrews graduated from Wilkesboro High School in 1937, and Davie Hospital School of Nursing in 1942. She served three years in the Navy Nurse Corps during World War II. She married William Carlyle Weston of Iredell County, March 5, 1948. They were blessed with three children. Gloria Kay, born December 17, 1955, married Jerry Kilby, has one child, Sara, and lives in Little Rock. Dan Carlyle, born January 30, 1958. Glenn Orenn, born September 12, 1960. Dan and Glenn live with their parents on the Andrews’ old homeplace. Dan, Glenn, and Carlyle manage the family farm started by Nelson in 1911. Edna was inactive in nursing for thirteen years in order to raise her children but started part-time nursing in 1966. For the past twelve years, she has been Supervisor in the Surgery Department at Blackwelder Hospital in Lenoir. She is an active member of Little Rock Baptist Church and a member of the Woman’s Missionary Union. She enjoys working in the vegetable garden during summer months.

Mary Gozelle graduated from Wilkesboro High School in 1943, and A.S.T.C. in 1947. She married Charles Austin Ham of Iredell County, October 27, 1951, and they were blessed with four children. Martha Louise, born December 21, 1954, married F.W. Townes, IV, and lives in Little Rock. Karl Andrew, born May 11, 1957, and lives and works in Charlotte. Margaret Ollie, born September 19, 1961, and is in Nursing School at Chapel Hill. Rose Marie, born June 25, 1966, is an honor student at Wilkes Central High School. Gozelle worked as a librarian at Mooresville High School for six years after college graduation. She was a full-time mother for sixteen years and returned to work in 1969 as a librarian at Wilkes Central High School. In the summer she enjoys working in the vegetable garden and excels in growing beautiful roses. She is also an active member of Little Rock Baptist Church.

Sources: Family Bible, Little Rock Baptist Church Cemetery, personal interviews, and Wilkes County records.

Submitted by: Martha Ham Townes

Word Count Analysis

Total Word Count: 884 words.