Leora demanded that we not call her 'Grandma'

Robin Michelle Banks (left) great-granddaughter to Leora Fowler Sterling, Natarsha Yvonne Banks (center), great-great granddaughter to Leora (right).

Leora (Leola) was a mixture of Indian and African American. I learned about this listening to Aunt Pearl, who was Leora’s sister. Aunt Pearl had a large oval framed photo of an Indian woman they were related to. All of the family birth dates, baptismals and other pertinent information was lost in a house fire. Ever since I learned to read and write I recorded this information in a large family Bible.

Leora was a light skinned woman with shoulder length hair that she dyed black when she began to gray.  She got married to Mose (Mosell) Fowler when she was fourteen, which was customary when she was a young girl. That did not leave a lot of years to get an education. She could not read or write but she could sign her name. Leora gave birth the seven surviving children.  She had a still born child at age 38.

As a young girl Leora loved to dance (square dancing or buck dancing as it was sometimes called); she never talked about a hobby. But one thing is sure . . . she did not like being called “Grandma.” She said it sounded like her grandchildren were calling her a cow! So we called her “Big Mama” or “Mama.” Leora was born June 7, 1900 in Bastrop Travis County to Pearl or Pearlie Turner Clark (estimated birth 4/10/1888) and Ollie Clark (estimated birth 1877 or earlier).

Leora was the granddaughter of William Turner (estimated birth 1850) and Josephine Elizabeth Daniel (estimated birth 1879), who were either slaves or freed shortly thereafter via the Emancipation Proclamation. Leora had six sisters and brothers all born and lived in Bastrop with the exception of her a brother name Charlie, who left Bastrop when he got older. Some years later Mose and Leora moved to Austin.

Mose, who did not mind being called “Grandpa” was a laborer. In addition to taking care of her own family Leora worked as a maid, cook and babysitter in private homes, and maid at local hotels. She also took in laundry. Her “laundry room” was outdoors in her front yard, where she had a couple of tubs for rinsing and one for washing that was done on a washing board after “boiling” the laundry in a black iron tub that was heated by wood. She stirred the laundry with a broom handle or stick. Little washing was required after this process. Leora ironed outside with two heavy irons heated on a two-burner stove, using coal oil as fuel. Too whiten white clothing she used a liquid called “bluing.” She then hanged the laundry on a couple of clothe lines to dry.  She did not do laundry during the winter months.

Though she was not considered a pioneer woman, Leora really was one. She made her own butter and soap that was used for bathing, washing dishes and laundry. Working as a maid in a hotel she was allowed to bring home used soap. Chickens that she raised provided meat and eggs. She baked her own bread, cakes and pies. She was so fiercely independent that it was hard for her to ask for help with anything.

Her home church as Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church, but in later years she got hooked the “holy ghost” when she went to see two traveling evangelists preaching the gospel under a tent in East Austin. She was hooked on the shouting and speaking in tongues. When Rev. R. A. Grant started a small church in the same area, Leora did not hesitate to join when they settled in Austin.

 Leora was a faithful dues paying member of McKinley Heights Church of God in Christ until she died. If the door opened for service she was there. She was a walking testimony of her faith. It was not unusual for Leora to “get happy” and start shouting, praising and thanking the Lord while walking down the street, on the city bus, at home while cooking or cleaning, at work . . . anywhere the spirit hit her. Her religious energy was nonstop. She talked in tongues just like she talked another language when she got angry. No, she was not a cursing woman.

Leora’s second husband Charlie Sterling of Austin preceded her in death. He worked for Jack’s Brewing Company, loved to fish and hunt and bring home road kills such as rabbits, armadillos and anything else he deemed eatable.

Obituary

Leora Fowler was born June 7, 1900, in Bastrop, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Clark. She was a resident of Austin, Texas for 59 years. She was a member of the McKinley Heights Church of God and Christ for at least 36 years. She departed this life at Arnold’s Nursing Home on October 11, 1982.

She leaves to mourn her passing a daughter, Gertrude Smith of Austin, Texas; two sons Mr. Mose Fowler, Jr. of Austin, Texas and Mr. Mike fowler of Los Angeles, California; 13 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.

In loving memory of

Mrs. Leora Fowler

McKinley Heights Church of God in Christ

Saturday, October 18, 1982

2:30 PM

Order of Service

Processional

Song                                                                                                                                     Choir

Scripture                                                                                                                             Rev. Kenneth B. Burdett

Prayer

Song                                                                                                                                     Choir

Resolutions and Obituary                                                                                               Mrs. Gertrude Hancock

Acknowledgement of cards and telegrams                                                                 Mrs. Margie Ware

Eulogy                                                                                                                                 Rev. R. A. Grant

Recessional

Casket Bearers

Deacons of the church

Acknowledgement

The family wishes to thank their many friends for all gestures of kindness, thoughtfulness and prayers during the passing of their loved one.

Officiating         Rev. R. A. Grant

Internment               Evergreen Cemetery

A King Tears Service

Austin Texas