University of North Carolina at Asheville
D. Hiden Ramsey Library
Special Collections/University Archives

Oral History Register
for

Betty Christine (Chris) Slagle Harrell

OH-VOA H371 Ch

No picture available
Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection
D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA

Title

 Betty Christine (Chris) Slagle Harrell Oral History

Creator

Sylvia Robin for Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection

Subject

LCSH:
Harrell, Betty Christine (Chris)
Asheville (N.C.) -- History
Social integration -- North Carolina -- Asheville

Subject

Keyword: National Climatic Center ; Foster grandparents ; 

Description

Abstract: Harrell discusses her experience growing up as a native of Asheville, describes her childhood memories, education, and her career as part of the National Climatic Center.  She discusses her involvement as a foster parent and grandparent.  She remembers segregation, and discusses the effects of integration on the city.  She discusses her values, beliefs, and changes she has seen through the years.

Publisher

D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, NC, 28804

Contributor

 Harrell, Betty Christine (Chris)

Date

Electronic Record Issued: 2002-05-02

Type

Sound ; Text ; Image

Format

Physical Description: 3-page abstract ; 1 90-minute audiocassette and 1 copy ; 2 color photographs ; 1 newspaper article

Identifier

 http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/oralhistory/VOA/D_H/Harrell_C.html

Source

OH-VOA H371 Ch

Language

English

Relation

References: none

Coverage

 1930's-1993 ; Asheville, NC
Rights No restrictions: Copyright retained by the authors of certain items in the collection or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Acquisition

Donor number: 146 ;  Date of acquisition: 1998

Processed By

Sylvia Robin, Ruth Beard and staff

Interview Date

 1993-06-09

Interview Location

 86 Hickory Tree Rd., Asheville NC

Biography

 Harrell is a native of Asheville, and went to Randolph School and Grace High School.  She worked for the US Government in the National Climatic Center for 41 years and 11 months, until she retired in 1986.  She has been involved in the Foster Grandparent Program, a federal program administered through the NC office.

List of names

 [1/91] [1/338] Asheville Linen Supply
[1/383] Brown, Ralph E.
[1/532] Coxe, Carleton Rev.
[1/508] Curtis, Mary
[1/209] Freeman, Doris
[1/508] Godwin, Harry, Jr.
[1/521] Godwin, Harry, Sr.
[1/532] Grassy Branch Baptist Church
[1/31] Grove Arcade/ Federal Building
[1/338] Grove Park Inn
[1/336] Harrell, J.C.
[1/508] Harrell, Harry Leslie
[1/532] Keeler, Rev.
[1/91] Kress's
[1/338] Morgan, Dr.
[1/307] Slagle, Harry
[1/307] Slagle, Zora Williams
[1/354] Thompson, Dorothy
[1/508] Wheeler, Joan
[1/126] Williams, Bob
[1/400] Wright, Elsie

Side 1:

[1/1] Introduction/ 35 years in East Asheville

[1/31]  Work with U.S. Government for 41 years and 11 months - National Climatic Center -  Retired 1986 (12/3). [Grove Arcade/ Federal Building]

[1/91]  First jobs with dime stores before 17. [Kress's, Asheville Linen Supply]

[1/99]  At 8 began earning money.

[1/112]  Volunteer work with autistic children.

[1/118]  Foster Grandparent Program 1990. [Foster Grandparents]

[1/126]  Working (as woman) at Climatic Center. [Bob Williams]

[1/209] Foster Grandparent Program (Federal program administered through NC office). [Doris Freeman]

[1/235]  "I love to work."

[1/250]  "Ambition to help people."

[1/293]  Asheville native.  Randolph School, Grace High School.

[1/307]  Parents natives of Asheville. [Father: Harry Slagle, Mother: Zora Williams Slagle]

[1/312]  Grandparents Asheville natives.

[1/322]  No family history kept.

[1/336] Husband. [J. L. Harrell]

[1/338]  Father: auto painter, Mother: Asheville Linen Supply; midwife; Grove Park Inn. [Asheville Linen Supply, Grove Park Inn, Dr. Morgan]

[1/354]   Born at home.  Sister born in hospital. [Sister: Dorothy Thompson]

[1/378]  Lee Edwards High School

[1/383] Met first husband, car mechanic, police force. [Husband (1st): Ralph E. Brown (she said the name of her second husband here and corrected it later)]

[1/94]  Childhood memories

[1/400]  Current friendship [Elsie Wright]

[1/411]  Recreation Park skating rink.

[1/422]  Helped sister through school; work permit; Kress's: 6 days a week $9.80/wk.

[1/437]  Teachers: basics, home economics.

[1/451]  No home responsibilities, mother at home.

[1/459]  Segregated schools.

[1/463]  Segregated offices.

[1/468]  "Colored town" on Eagle St.

[1/476]  Aunt Sally in neighborhood.

[1/488]  Integration.

[1/503]  Married at 17.

[1/508]  Stepchildren and adopted son. [Stepdaughters: Joan Wheeler, Mary Curtis; Stepson: Harry Godwin, Jr.; Adopted son: Harry Leslie Harrell]

[1/521]  Second Husband. [2nd Husband: Harry Godwin, Sr.]

[1/524]  Adopted son, the son of her adopted brother, in her care from 1 week old, now 21.

[1/532]  Values: from preachers; visiting the county jail. [Rev. Keeler, Rev. Carleton Coxe, Grassy Branch Baptist Church]

[1/546]  Alcoholics in the home.

[1/556]  Turning points?  No.  Depending on the Lord.

[1/560]  Having Harry Jr. come back one of the greatest things.

[1/565]  Differences in young people today.

[1/572]  The Lord coming back; the end of time.

[1/580]  Advice to the young.

Side 2:

[2/7]  Greatest satisfaction

[2/54]  Concluded.

Thanks.

Return to Top         Oral History Collections

[Home] [Ramsey Library] [UNCA]