Grannie Strickland, Age 96, an Inspiration

Note: Several months ago Mrs. Strickland (Opal), shared a story with me about a quilt she had made. Broken Dishes was the name of the pattern and I was intrigued when she told me the history behind the name and how pioneers 100 years ago who traveled in covered wagons suffered many a broken treasure. When she said that she had ridden in a covered wagon herself –I knew that I had to get her to write her story for me for this column. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. DB

GRACE OPAL BRADLEY was born April 26, 1910 in the young state of Oklahoma to John M. and Maggie Bradley. She was one of four children; she has one brother and two sisters. Her sister in Oklahoma is 94 years young. Her sister who lives in Friona is Lucy Mae Stokes whom many of you may also know.

She traveled by wagon from Oklahoma to Arkansas when her father bought some land there in 1920, but she was mostly raised up in Oklahoma at Roosevelt, OK. She later met her husband, Paul Strickland, in Orenville, Indiana and they married April 28, 1928.

After her marriage, she and her husband and baby moved with her family when they moved to Parmer County February 17, 1930. In fact, they spent their first night in Texas at the Capitol Inn Hotel. I asked her what she remembered of that experience and when I asked if the hotel had beds or cots for all the people, she said, “Beds! They had good beds.” She remembered that the women stayed upstairs while the men stayed downstairs, which surprised them a little. She also said that the dining room was downstairs in the lobby, but she didn’t remember what kind of food they had—only that it was good.

Her story:

“As I travel back to the ‘covered wagon’ days (even though it was 1920 few had automobiles): when I was 10 years old, my dad went to Arkansas (from Oklahoma) and bought a farm. Dad fixed a covered wagon, loaded bedding and cooking things, and we started to Arkansas. I don’t remember when we started or how long we were on the road there. This goes back to the days when pioneer women had a hard life. The women helped drive during the day and (still) did all their work around camp at night. That was when all the supper dishes were washed and put away. Then they got out their scraps (of material) and worked on a quilt. When you traveled in a covered wagon—there is always broken dishes—and that is where this quilt got its name.

As I travel back through the years (in my memory), we left Arkansas in the spring of 1924, when I was 14 years old. Then we were on the road two weeks when we moved back to Oklahoma. Dad always stopped and we ‘staid put’ until Monday morning. He always said that ‘his mules need a rest’.

In Oklahoma, we farmed with my uncle and we had 40 acres of cotton. Dad told us kids (that) if we made 40 bales, he would buy us a car. When we picked 40 bales, he wanted to go up, but we said, ‘No!’ and we made 42 bales of cotton so we got our first new car! It costs less than $300.

I married Paul Strickland in the spring of 1928 and we have 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. We are a big bunch of folks! I lost my husband in March of 1969. I live by myself and try to stay busy, but I am getting lazy (she ‘only’ completed one quilt and 3 baby quilts this season; she estimates that she has given away over 500 quilts.)” signed “Grannie” Opal Strickland

Opal and her husband Paul already had one child, Ollie Pearl, born Jan. 29, 1929, when they moved to Parmer County in 1930. Her other 2 children are: Elwanda born Nov. 14, 1930 and Ray born July 30, 1932. Ollie married Ruben Taylor and Elwanda married Lee Campbell and both also still reside in Friona. Ray lives nearby in Clovis, NM.

The Stricklands farmed until 1931 when Paul went to work for the railroad in 1932. Later in 1936, they moved back to the farm and put in a dairy. After they sold their farm in 1951, they put in a Shamrock Gasoline Station on the corner of Prospect and Highway 60 and operated it until 1963 when Paul had a stroke. Paul Strickland died Mar. 25, 1969. Their son Ray operated the station until 1971.

She remembers well when the draw flooded in 1940 and she and the children went “up the hill” to their chicken house. 600 of their frying-size chickens, “fryers”, drowned in front of them. She turned their pigs out to try to save them. The last time (in her memories in 1980) the draw flooded, water was waist deep in their house…

Opal’s cheerful, sunny disposition and positive attitude have helped keep her going these many years and along the way, she has been an inspiration to many—including me. Thanks, Opal Strickland for sharing your story with us.

Note: Before this week’s paper went to press, Opal’s son Ray passed away Monday, May 8th. Our sympathy to the family.

If any of you are interested in the pattern for “Broken Dishes” Quilt, Opal has graciously shared it -- just come by the library. DB

Opal Strickland & her baby ollie pearl in front of their home in Roosevelt, OK

Paul Strickland with his grandson Randy Lee Campbell in front of their Shamrock Station on Highway 60 in Friona 1950's

"Grannie" Opal Strickland, 96, with her "Broken Dishes" quilt.