Threads of Life
Throughout her life, my great grandmother, Fannie Mitchen, crocheted. After my granddad was born, she started crocheting the story of her life. On March 7, 1982, Mr. V. N. Carter, the mayor of Crossett, Arkansas declared the day "Fannie Mitchen Day" in honor of her crochet artistry. On that day, her "Threads of Life" was exhibited at the Leisure Lodge Nursing Home, and a book was created for the exhibit and the family containing in her words, the explanations of each diorama.
Some of the dioramas were sadly disassembled prior to and after her death. In November, 2015, my husband and I took pictures of all the remaining dioramas. I have transposed to this gallery the text as well as the diorama pictures and a couple of the family pictures that she included in the book.
Please enjoy my great grandmother's amazing folk art and her life history.
In Memory of Fannie Taylor Mitchen, 21 Mar 1903 - 01 Nov 1982
Fannie and Roy Mitchen on Fannie Mitchen Day
Roy and Rosalyn still have travel fever and enjoyed a Bible Lands tour in 1980. Visiting Jerusalem had been one of Roy's dreams for many years. I am content to stay home and see the world on television with such programs as the "Miss Universe Pageant."
Joe now has eleven grandchildren and Rosalyn, seven. They all live in Texas and Louisiana except Dennis and his family. Dennis was transferred to Australia for a few years in 1980. We enjoy visits from all of them from time to time and we try to see them at Christmas.
There have been so many changes during the years we have been married. I guess reminiscing is a sign of old age, but with eighteen great-grandchildren, that privilege should be mine and there is so much marvel about–from wood stoves to electric ones, "Horse and Buggy" to cars, sleigh rides to water skiing, air planes, telephones, radios, televisions, and so many great medical discoveries.
[There were dioramas of some of these events, but they were disassembled after her death.]
