Faye McCollum interview with Fannie Wright, Homer Hembree, Lena Hembree, Robert Buchanan, Naomi Buchanan, and James Bobby McCollum (part one)

The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. This is the first of a four part interview; in this part Faye McCollum interviews her mother, Fannie Wright. First, Wright narrates a story about a family finding a bears big toe. At minute 2:09, she describes two games, Upset the Fruit Basket and Snatching Handkerchief. Then, at minute 3:55, she tells three stories about boys trying to fetch water, her ghost encounter when she stayed home alone from church, and robbers hearing a mysterious voice in a graveyard. At minute 8:42, she recounts superstitions about rain and snake bites. She then lists traditional medical cures and poultice mixtures. At minute 11:47, she finishes with two stories, one about a girl and her golden ball and another she calls The Golden Pear, in which a girl disobediently picks the last pear. Fannie Wright (1917-1983) married J.B. Wright (1919-1995) in 1938. They had four children, Faye McCollum (1940-2017), Gerilla (1943-2010), Archie, and Alford. Homer Hembree (1896-1974) was born in Alabama. He married Lena Buchanan (1886-1985) in 1915. They farmed in both Alabama and Heard County, Georgia, and had several children, including Aaron (1918-1995), Hershel (1920-1981), and Margaret Youngblood (1923-2010). Robert Buchanan (1896-1978) was born in Heard County, Georgia. He worked as a farmer. He married Naomi Lou Arp (1895-1984) in 1920 and they had four children, Velma Mozelle Hunley (1921-2011), Frances Dura Denney (1924-2005), James Andrew (1926-2004), and Joseph Clyde (1930-1973). James Bobby McCollum (1931-2019) was born in Climax, Georgia, to Ernestine (1910-1991) and J.P. McCollum (1904-1984). He earned both his undergraduate and masters degrees at the Georgia School of Technology, later renamed Georgia Institute of Technology. Afterward he earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Tulane University. He taught at Georgia School of Technology; at the Troy State University program for military personnel; and, starting in 1976, at Columbus College, later renamed Columbus State University, where he stayed until his retirement. In 1961, he married Faye Wright (1940-2017) and they had one daughter, Shawn. There is no transcript for this recording. Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions. As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information, which places us inaposition to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, andbias isreflected in our descriptions, whichmay not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materialsaccurately.Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment.We often re-use language used by the former owners and creators, which provides context but also includes bias and prejudices of the time it was created.Additionally,our work to use reparative languagewhereLibrary of Congress subject termsareinaccurate and obsolete isongoing. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or description please let us know by emailingreference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.