Joyce Virginia McNutts 1947 senior high school Poto. She was born in 1929.
by Joe Mayfield
This week it was my honor and privilege to talk with a Lady that has been a leader in both the private sector and with the government as well. She is a graduate of Auburn, class of 51, and worked with Davison’s Department Stores in Atlanta, Georgia upon receiving her degree. While there she became an Assistant Buyer for the company. Two years later, she would go to work for the Extension Service, a department of the United States Department of Agriculture, and remained there until retiring in 1984. This Lady’s families were among the first business owners in Hanceville, Alabama going back to the 1880s. I am speaking of Joyce Virginia McNutt. Today Joyce still lives in the house where she was born during 1929, although there have been changes made to the home over the years, and some renovating; it is one of the most attractive homes in Hanceville.
Let me take you back to the 1800s, Jim Neely McNutt, 1881-1957, had finished Birmingham Southern College in 1910, and had started working as the manager of the Stouts Mountain Coal Mine Commissary. This was like a small town, having everything most other towns had, such as a school, and church, and of course the commissary where everyone could purchase the every day needs. One could buy everything from plow lines to wicks for their lamps, and of course food. This was a thriving community, with small wood frame, shotgun houses, most of which were facing the railroad track that carried the coal along the track to Hanceville. Around 1912, Jim met Miss Edith Burkart, and their courtship began. Edith Burkart was the daughter of John Carl Burkart, and Emma Stiefelmeyer Burkart.
As we talked, Joyce told me a great deal about the history of Hanceville, and even about my own ancestry, presenting me with a photograph taken in 1912.
In the photograph shown, only two men are known, the man setting on the right, front row (with the mustache) is James Andrew Mayfield, the sheriff of Stouts Mountain in 1912, and later the father of Carl Mayfield, and Great Uncle of Joe Mayfield. The man setting in the middle, front row is Jim McNutt. (If anyone can identify any of the other men please contact me) A letter on the back of the photo states, Jim McNutt in center sitting, who subsequently became affiliated with C. Burkart & Co. in Hanceville, the letter also identifies Mayfield.
by Joe Mayfield
Published U.S. Legacies January 2005
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