(photo:  Verdie Mae Banks in a  1960's photo taken at Chapman's Pharmacy where she worked.)

When were you born?

In 19 and 11.

Were you born in Cherokee County?

No, in Rusk County.

Were you born at home in or in a hospital?

At home.

How many brothers and sisters were in your family?

Four brothers and two sisters.

Are you the youngest or oldest child?

Mrs. Banks: I’m the only one left, but I’m third from the last.

Were your parents or grandparents born in Cherokee County?

No, they were from Tennessee.

What is your earliest memory?

Mrs. Banks: Going back to Tennessee on the train, when I was a little bitty toot.

Where did you go to school?

Well, let’s see, I went to school in Concord and Appleby, and I don’t know where else.

How did you get to school?

I walked part of the time and then I drove the car.

What did the classrooms look like?

Well, it’s just a big room with a lot of seats in it and a desk. And I remember one time that I had to sit under the teacher’s desk.

Why?

‘Cause I was being naughty. Making a lot of fuss.

What games did you play at recess?

Dear. Well, we'd jump rope and we were just like tomboys. We had knives and we played Mumblypeg and stuff like that. That's when you're kind of small. When you got older we'd play basketball or baseball, whatever.

What did you enjoy most about school?

We'd have spelling matches, and I was usually the last one to sit down. You know, you miss ones.. And..it's been so long ago, I can't think. See I was, back then I was 8 and 10 years old and now I'm 87 and you think I can think back that far? [laughing]

Where did you live as a child?

Where did I live? I lived about a half-mile from school in a big old house…in the country. It was between Mt. Enterprise and Timpson, but this little place was called Concord.

Jena: What were the country roads like?

Oh, it was wonderful. They were little, old narrow roads. You had more fun out there. It's not like it is now. It was a big place; you'd run and play. Pick off peanuts in the wintertime.

What kind of chores did you have?

Well, we had a burning wood cook stove and a fireplace. We had to bring water from a spring and fill up a reservoir on the stove with water and have warm water to bathe. And then we had to bring in the wood to the wood box, and then in the mornings I milked two cows before I went to school.

What is the earliest kind of car you remember?.

A little T-Model Ford. That’s what I learned to drive on. I been driving since I was 11 years old.

What was your favorite thing to do as a small child?

Play dolls. Didn't have many dolls so we'd find pictures in in a catalog and cut out paper dolls.

What did you do for entertainment?

Well, was a big family and we just had a bunch of fun. Play and sing …they all played a music instruments, and we'd sing and just have a good time.

What did you do during the summers?

Well, I remember one summer very well. I had the whooping cough. And I'd lie down to take a nap, and I'd always lie down in the door 'cause we had no electricity and no fans. And when I'd wake up--we had a long front porch--and I'd go out on that front porch and cough.

Did you go to the movies?

Yes, as I got older. Back then, when I was little, growing up, I didn't. But after I got older, every weekend I'd have to go see the shoot-em ups.

Who was your favorite movie star?

Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.

What kind of music did you listen to as a teenager?

Gospel music and country music.

Who was your favorite singer or musical group?

Well, I guess the Rangers Quartet and the Statesmen.

What did teenagers do for entertainment when they were your age?

Well, I don't know what they did, but I know what I did; I stayed home.

When did you first start dating?

I didn't. I ran away and got married.

How old were you?

I was 16.

If you could give me one piece of advice before I leave high school what would it be?

I would tell you, whatever you went into, be sure to go to school and study hard. And leave the boys alone, for awhile anyhow.