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06-12-2006

Cumberlands' Alumna Publishes Memoir

 


Kelly discusses her recently published memoir

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - Some people struggle to figure out what they want to be when they grow up, but for Lois Carter Kelly such was not the case. Just after she was born, her doctor put a pen in her hand, claiming that this would decide her future career. Whether it was by coincidence or fate, Kelly grew up to be a writer.

Kelly, currently of Avondale Estates, Georgia, was graduated from Cumberlands in 1950. Her book, "Charity's Children: The Tway It Was," tells the story of her childhood and the realities of being raised in Tway Mining Camp just outside of Harlan, Kentucky.

Although on the surface it appears that Kelly has lived a unique life, she believes that all readers will connect with her memoir.

"I want them to realize that we've all lived the same life. We've all had to eat, sleep, take awful medicine, be chastised...even though [my stories] take place in an unlikely place, a coal mining camp, the events have happened to me and to you," said Kelly.

The book was released spring of 2006, by Wolf Creek Press. It is available in University of the Cumberlands' library as part of the Appalachian literature collection.