|
Peace and Old Time Values Thrive in Ivy
by Jason Willoughby
The following story was written for Sociology Instructor Laurie Pedersen's class in Feminist Research Methods.
Ivy Hill Missionary Baptist Church today
|
The Reverend Worth Emory and his wife Marie have lived in the Ivy community near the Buncombe and Madison county line for over 70 years. Turning into the Emory's driveway one senses structure and stability. Marie's grandfather was born in the old barn that still stands at the entrance of their driveway. A freshly manicured lawn surrounds their ranch style home. Old growth oaks, maples, and flowering shrubs shade the property.
The Emorys have a long perspective on changes in their community. They have seen changes in family relationships and in the roles that women play in their small mountain community in Western North Carolina.
Worth Emory is pastor of Ivy Hill Misionary Baptist church, but he is no stranger to other parts of the world. He continues to go on mission trips that have taken him from Canada to Utah to Central America.
Until World War II the Ivy community was without electricity and was composed entirely of farmers. They worked hard to maintain their lives. Reverend Emory remembers his father working out on the land all day to make 1 or 2 dollars. Men, women. and children all had important roles. Responsibilities were divided equally among everyone. When WWII started, the vast majority of men went to fight, which left the women to run the farms. "There were a few older men, like my dad who stayed behind and helped the women as much as possible," says Worth.
When the men of the Ivy came back from the War electricity came with them. The current flowed in 1947 and pushed aside the darkness. Nights came alive with unlimited possibilities. With electricity came new and wonderful opportunities to gain contact with life outside their community and to explore new technological advancements like the automobile, the washing machine, and the refrigerator. These new devices made life easier and changed women's work. Reverend Worth and Marie see electricity as the biggest and most important change that has occurred in the past 70 years.
Residents being able to work outside the community provide greater diversity and financial stability. "Now a days we have all kinds of people at the church. We have electricians, plumbers, carpenters, factory workers and teachers. We used to have only farmers," they say.
Although Madison County Sheriff John Ledford says half his calls involve domestic violence, and Madison County Helpmate reports more women seek their help every year, the Emorys don't report a negative trend in Ivy.
"When I was a boy, women were taught to put up with anything," says Worth. "Women have learned that they don't have to put up with being slapped around - that they can change because they now have the opportunity to work."
The Ivy Hill church has been blessed not to see a lot of divorce or domestic violence according to Marie. "We have a good community and know that we can count on our neighbors if we need anything, and they can count on us." As a pastor Reverend Emory says he has been "blessed to have never even been called to help in a domestic violence situation." Mr. and Mrs. Emory both agree that with elctricty and the opportunity to earn money, alcohol use and domestic violence have decreased.
Before electricity and opportunity to make money came to the area, alcohol or "white lightning" was a way of making ends meet. According to Emory, "Raising a family was hard enough as it was, and many people sold white lighting to feed their families and send their kids to college. My father never did, but many people knew of someone that made it. People today don't have to sell white lightning to make money, and in most cases of domestic violence alcohol or drugs are involved." The Emorys see alcohol consumption far less prevalent than in the past.
A tablet of Ivy history in the churchyard
|
They believe the Ivy community is far better today. New opportunities have come and changes continue to occur. "Family is very important, and we need to strengthen our family through love and support. Parents need to give 100% both male and female to provide a loving and caring environment for their children. We are all the same, and if we can see the good in people life would be better," Rev. Emory says. It's important to take time to play, read, and teach our children with a special one on one relationship. I remember my dad reading us stories, which was something that I really looked forward to."
The Emorys have raised three daughters all of whom still live in the area. They have a strong and caring commitment to the their church and community and also participate in missions to Latin America - Honduras.
Meanwhile the Ivy community continues to grow and change. New homes dot the landscape. Latin Americans are coming to this region also. The Ivy Hill Missionary Baptist Church invites everyone to come as a new generation carries on a long tradition of sharing and family values. Sunday school starts at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00, and there is a Wednesday evening service at 7:00. A Sunday evening service begins at six o'clock p.m.
HOME
| 
