30 December 1975

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. She remarks that this is the last letter of 1975 and also the last letter she can write for ten cents because the price of stamps keep increasing. She is happy they all had a good Christmas. She loves both of her dresses. She notes the Christmas presents she received, including a white sweater, powder, and a pen from Geraldine. Bernie Hackly, the mail carrier, died in D.C. yesterday and will be buried in Roanoke on New Years Day. She does not like having sleet on Christmas day. She hopes they are all blessed for the New Year. She says that she…

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7 January 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. It is her first letter of the new year. She writes that Sally wrote thank you cards and that they were put in the mail. A young man is now living with Cordelia. He is a trainee from Memphis, Tenessee and is staying for nine weeks. She writes that George Lee is spending time with Hazel Rebecca who is growing up to be a "very admireable young lady." Hazel asked Cordelia to make her an afghan and brought her yarn. She says the weather is bad and to be careful and that schools are closed. The young man found a house closer to where he needed to be…

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13 January 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. She hopes that they are well and happpy. She writes that the delicious candy came yesterday. She wishes they were there to enjoy the candy with her. She is going out to pay her utility bills. Her gas bill is higher than it has ever been. She liked hearing Kennedy's brother in law on T.V., who is most likely Peter Lawford. She has two girls rooming with her from Floyd, Viginia. They are going to be teachers. They are supposed to stay for nine weeks and are in school at Virginia State. Mrs. Bertha Johnson gave her some butter and sausage from her…

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4 February 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. There was snow yesterday and rain is predicted. She prepared for the bad weather. She feels like politicians are not doing enough for the people because taxes keep rising. She writes that there are two girls living with her. Shes likes one of the girls but does not care for the one from New Jersey. She has friends take care of her transportation to Sunday School. Dellas says she really appreciated their Christmas cards. She just receieved pink poinsettias but does not have any more room for house plants. She eats a couple pieces of the chocolate…

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11 February 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. She writes that it was cold on Sunday but the weather has been nice since. Geraldine called Sunday and said she would call Karen, James' daughter. She feels like Karen does not acknowledge that she exists still. Karen may visit her for Easter but it is not definite. Harry, James' son, has a very nice office "with 9 rooms and a white assistant." A group is celebrating "Black Heritage" over the course of three days. An exhbit of pictures came from the Smithsonian and groups of students went to see it to discuss achievements of black people. There…

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18 February 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. She writes that she hopes all is well "on the home front." She is enjoying warmer temperatures but says everyone wants it to rain. She has some flowers in bloom. She hopes March does not bring heavy snow like it has before. The survival of a nearby hospital looks doubtful are she thinks some black doctors are reponsible for what happens, but does not specify what happened. Mrs. Chartton carried her to a missionary group meeting and they ate good food. Roanoke may cut down on its bus service. The girls are finally moving out. She is not sorry that…

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25 February 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams. She remarks that the weather has been great and tells anecdotes about making afghans. She also reports that Mrs. Danderidge's husband is sick and tells a disturbing story that Mable Dupree's son was found in his sister's D.C. home, dead in a pool of blood. She reminds them that "God still rules this world." To her, politicians are only interested in themselves and money since the General Assembly has voted to raise their salaries. She mentions Nixon's trip to China, Medicare, and social security. She sends love and blessings and signs off, "Mom."

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3 March 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams. She remarks that the weather has been warm and they are in need of rain. Her girls left on March 2nd, and she says she misses them. She also notes that Virginia wrote her a letter yesterday praising them, particularly Dolores and Sandra. All of the news lately has been politics and Cordelia hopes the "best man gets elected." She talks about the greed of politicians raising their own salaries. She signs off with love and blessings after Sally interrupted her letter with a phone call.

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17 March 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams. She talks about the weather and says the sick are getting better. She says she wants her children to read an article and tell her what they think of it (article is not attached). Sallye was with her yesterday, who is on the Y.W.C.A. board. She talks about her spring plants that are in bloom. She sends love and blessings.

GLC09587.340

31 March 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams. She thanks God that the work for "your degree" is over. She tells them to slow down and have rest before they have a nervous breakdown. She immediately begins talking about a man she does not name, saying he is a "crook with a sick mind" who has done terrible things for the country. It appears to be about Richard Nixon. She also mentions that sickness and death seem to be all around. She talks about her plants. She mentions that the town may build a swimming pool, and can't think of any other news. She signs off with love and blessings.

GLC09587.341

14 April 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams. She mentions that nighttime frost is killing her fruit and azaleas. She also wonders whether the Patricia Hearst case will ever end. She asks if Diane has recovered from the flu. She also says she has not heard from Gerry or Karen. She signs off by wishing a happy Easter, sending her love and blessings.

GLC09587.342

29 April 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams. She begins by remarking what a surprise it was to see everyone last Friday evening, and how it lifted her spirits. She discusses food, cleaning the basement, and her plants. She sends love and blessings to all and signs off.

GLC09587.343

12 May 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams. She thanks them for making her Mother's Day so wonderful and that she loves her new pocketbook. She asks how their Mother's Day was -- it is likely she is speaking to one of her daughters. She also asks if Diane really got married. She remarks on the weather and her plants. She lists several young women who recently graduated from Virginia State and Radford. She mentions that Dolores might be in Boston and asks them to watch Geraldine. She signs off, sending love and blessings.

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19 May 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams. She updates them on the weather and her garden. She says that Virginia told her Andrea is getting ready for junior prom. She says their family is involved in a lot "all at once," like Diane's marriage and Dolores' graduation. It is also Women's Day at her church on Sunday. She expresses happiness about the grandchildren growing up but worries they will drift from their parents as they do, like hers did. She says she has to fight against loneliness, but is thankful for God. A postscript indicates her politics, as she says she does not like Ford or Reagan.

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16 June 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams. She updates them on the weather. She had a guest arrive on Sunday, as well as Geri and Karen who made dinner. She gave some water guns to children asking for toys and thinks about games that Don bought for the twins which are on the shelf in her guest closet. She describes more food Geri made and a trip they made to Tanglewood to buy toys for the boys, as well as groceries. Then, they visited Hazel and Mary Curtis where they discussed Mary's daughter's upcoming wedding reception. She tells some anecdotes about a little boy named Trace. She then discusses…

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8 July 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams. She says Virginia has come to visit her. She says she is sorry the recipient is feeling badly and wants them to follow the doctor's orders to stay in bed. She says Geri also needs rest. She mentions some things she has watched and listened to. She signs off with love and blessings, and reminds them to send her a note about how they are doing.

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28 July 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. Cordelia writes that she hopes they had a good vacation in Hampton, she does not specify who "they" are. She is also happy that Geraldine's twin girls met a friend they liked. She said that her plants are not doing very well but her watermelon vine is outgrowing everything else. She wonders if Virginia told them about the increase in real estate tax. She received an invitation to Mary Curtice's daughter's wedding and so did Virginia. She sends love and blessings.

GLC09587.348

4 August 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Cordelia Williams writes to her children saying that the weather is very nice and that they all should be there. She mentions that Elvis Presley was at the center last night, and some people parked early so they could get a seat and see him. She hopes Diane, Virginia's daughter, is improving. She is excited about the Twitty's visiting and just saw the Kelly's. Nadine Dave's Dad died Friday and there were a lot of flowers at the funeral. She does not want that when she goes and would rather her family "do what [they] can for me while I know about it." She heard that during the funeral Nadine,…

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11 August 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Cordelia Williams writes to her children. She writes that she trusts everyone is well. Her dieffenbachia flowers were falling over so she had to stick a pole in it for support. The nights have been comfortable and her watermelons are growing. She is still waiting on rain. She notes that she is "nearing the end of [her] 86th year" She is thankful Diane is doing okay, it seems like she was sick with something serious. She sends love and blessings.

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27 August 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. She had a good 87th birthday filled with love. She hopes that the Twitties and Kents will all be able to get together soon and have a birthday dinner. She is full of "apprciation for every kindness shown until [she] cannot put it into words." She says she is "trying to express what [she] really feels in her heart" about how happy she is about her birthday. She says that even if she does not live to have another birthday, "all that went into this one...will ever live in my heart." She notes that H. Hamilton Williams was not able to see his mom for…

GLC09587.351

8 September 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. She writes that there is not any important news to report. Harold Hamilton Williams called on Sunday. He is adding on rooms to the back of his home, including one like the family room she has. He says he is trying to get home next summer. He wanted to send her money for the air conditioner but she saved up enough money herself. She writes about how much she pays for various bills. She asks to be kept posted about a white teacher. She asks for an opinoion on a financial transaction between Harold and herself concerning a check he sent that she got…

GLC09587.352

15 September 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. She writes that the rain is nice and welcomed. She talks about how her plants are doing. Wheaton called to say he would be there in the morning. The doctors had to take off Mrs. Jefferson's left leg. It seems like Mrs. Jefferson also has a broken right hip. It seems like Mrs. Jefferson as run over by a young careless driver. While eating on a friend's front porch Nadine needed help in the bathroom and it appears that she had high blood pressure and was brought to the hospital, she is now in itensive care. Mrs. Ethel Pyne called to say her brother…

GLC09587.353

21 September 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. She writes that she hopes everyone is well and happy. Autumn is beginning tomorrow. She asks to be sent Juanita's address so she can thank her for remembering her birthday. She is having toilet and shower trouble, and Donald Twitty is helping her fix it. She retells the story of the two young boys who got into a car accident. She reminds them to drive safely. She again mentions that taxes are rising and that her watermelons are doing well. As an afterthought she writes that some of her plants have roots ready to be planted. She sends love and…

GLC09587.354

1 October 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. She writes that she is missing everyone. Cordelia really appreciated everyone visiting. She signed a contract for an air conditioner on Monday evening. A plummer fixed something in the furnace that Don suggested needed to be looked at. She mentioned that Nina cheated on someone, not specified who, for many years. It seems that now she is in the hospital for a heart attack, and Cordelia feels sorry for her mother, husband, and children. She sends love and blessings.

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6 October 1976

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Letter from Cordelia Williams to her children. She writes that she hopes all is going well and that she was happy to see rain and now wants to see some sunshine. She spends some time writing about how her plants are doing. She mentions that this time of the year is hard for her because Eugene died September 14th and LeRoi died October 15th and her husband got sick October 15th. She writes "these memorials really hit me, I think because I am alone...knowing that exactly half our family has already gone." Cordelia really enjoyed the picnic and dinner with Virginia. She mentions that although…

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