Deep Confessions, (1998) a personal memoir by Anne G. Lee, reflecting twentieth century family life in eastern North Carolina, ca. 1910-1998. (ca. 1998 Anne G. Lee)
Anne Garris McPherson Lee was born on November 27, 1910 in Littlefield, North Carolina. Her parents were Nehemiah and Mary Hart Garris. She had three brothers and one sister: Lester, Wilbur, Elwood, and Emma. She was a graduate of East Carolina Teacher's College in 1932. After graduation she moved to Littleton, North Carolina where she taught sixth grade for three years. She married Dallas William McPherson on February 20, 1936. They had five children together: Lucy Anne, Virginia Lee, Helen Marie, Dallas Jr., and Douglas Elwood. After Dallas Sr. passed away in August of 1950 and her children's graduation from high school, Anne moved to Greenville, North Carolina. She would later marry three more times to Mr. Pike, Mr. Willie T. Phillips, and Lt. Commander (Ret.) Charlie Wilson Lee. She was a member of the Oakmont Baptist Church in Greenville, North Carolina. She worked at the McPherson Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, Roanoke Building Supply, and helped run the many farms her family owned. Anne Garris McPherson Lee passed away on Friday, March 19, 2004 at the age of 93.
The collection contains a few printed materials related to Anne Garris McPherson Lee's life and her published memoir. For specific details see the container list below. A copy of Lee's memoir "Deep Confessions," (1998), reflecting twentieth century family life in eastern North Carolina is also included. Chapters 1-15 include the subjects of childhood years, home, Grandpa's home, Aunt Lanie, Orange County, Uncle Ira's home, Ayden School, The School Play, first Christmas tree, tobacco, Grandpa's death, back home in Littlefield, teenage years on the farm and hog killings. In general, these chapters includes a description what the town of Pitt County was like in 1910, and major achievements that were made by the county during this time. Lee's childhood is also her experience of farm life is also described. Chapters 16-17 include Anne Lee's college years at East Carolina Teacher's College in 1928. Chapters 18-22 include Anne Lee's first job in Littleton, North Carolina as a sixth grade teacher. This section also mentions her first marriage to Dallas Williams McPherson. The births of all five of her children are discussed as well as the death of Mr. McPherson. Chapter 21 features family photographs. Chapter 22 includes information from the Daily Reflector discussing the Garris Family Reunion in July 1950. Chapters 23- 30 cover the death of Lee's parents. She also discusses working for and selling the McPherson Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, as well as Roanoke Builders Supply. She also mentions the 100th birthday celebration of Pepsi Cola. Lee also includes reactions to Hurricane Hazel and John F. Kennedy's assassination. There is also a brief mention of her second marriage and divorce to "Mr. Pike." Lee also discusses her families' summer trip to Nags Head, North Carolina, an annual occasion. She also discusses her children's lives while growing up in Littleton, North Carolina. Chapter 24 includes photographs and articles written about Pepsi Cola's history, memorabilia and anniversary. Chapters 31-33 describe Lee's move from Littleton to Greenville, North Carolina in 1965. She also discusses the meeting of her third husband, Willie T. Phillips. She describes how they met, his family and his death. Also mentioned is the death of her brother, Lester, and the fact that his murder is still unsolved.
In chapters 34-38, Lee describes her travels to Texas, Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines. She also mentions her time in Germany visiting her son, who was in the military at the time. During time spent with her son, she also visits Italy and describes attractions they both saw. Lee also mentions an old foreign exchange student, Bente Hanson Christensen, in Denmark that she visits. On another trip, with her church, Anne describes visiting Egypt and Israel. Chapters 39-43 concern the meeting and marriage of Lee's fourth husband, Lt. Commander (Retired) Charlie Wilson Lee on September 3, 1976. She discusses the marriages of family members and the death of her brother, Wilbur in 1991. She also includes her travels with Charlie and his later death in 1992. Lee also describes the Hart Family Reunion. In 1987 Lee is elected President of the Hart Family Reunion and begins writing a Hart family history book. This book was later published and she received an award for it in 1999 from the North Carolina Society of Historians. Lee also discusses her heart surgery in this series. Chapter 39 also includes family photographs. Chapters 44-55 describe Lee's 1994 move from Greenville to Cypress Glen, a retirement community also located in Greenville. Specifically, she describes her time adjusting to living in Cypress Glen and the people she meets. She also describes her travels to Vancouver and Holland. Lee also discusses the death of her son-in-law, Edward Crowell, as well as her love for participating in the stock market. Chapter 44 and 52 includes family photographs, and chapter 51 features photographs taken at Cypress Glen. In the last chapter, Lee describes Pitt County now (circa late 1990s) and the differences that have taken place since she was born in 1910.
Gift of Anne Garris McPherson Lee
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Processed by Krystal Cook April 2009
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.