Oral history with Ms. Edith Ruff Thomas

              Oral history with Ms. Edith Ruff Thomas
F341.5 . M57 vol. 746, pt. 2
Funding for this project provided by The Mississippi State Legislature, The Mississippi Humanities Council, The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage at the University of Southern Mississippi.
This transcription of an oral history by the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage of The University of Southern Mississippi may not be reproduced or published in any form except that quotation of short excerpts of unrestricted transcripts and the associated tape recordings is permissible providing written consent is obtained from the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. When literary rights have been retained by the interviewee, written permission to use the material must be obtained from both the interviewee and the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. Please call ( 601) 266- 4574 for more information.
Biography
Born on February 12, 1920, into the family of George William Ruff and Zillah Zent Ruff, Mrs. Edith Ruff Thomas was the second of five children. She grew up on a farm and a dairy that started as her mother's cottage industry and eventually became a well- established dairy that supported the family and provided milk products throughout Tupelo. Along with her other family members, Mrs. Thomas worked in the dairy as she was growing up.
In 1936, she lived through the Tupelo tornado, and in 1937 she was graduated from Tupelo High School and attended Mississippi State College for Women. In 1943 she married Perry King Thomas Jr. who became a physician and practiced in Tupelo.
Mrs. Thomas taught school in Tupelo from 1941 to 1943. She is the mother of four children. She is active in the Presbyterian church, and has been active in numerous civic endeavors, including beginning a mental health chapter, Tupelo Junior Auxiliary, Cultural Literary Club, Fortnightly Music Club, hospital auxiliary, Tupelo Community Theater, foundation board and annual support board of the North Mississippi Medical Center, Midsouth Embroidery Guild, alumni board of M. S. C. W., Boy Scout den leader, and Girl Scout leader. She was also the recipient of the Outstanding Citizen Award.
Table of Contents
I. Family of origin
II. Country life
III. The family farm and dairy
IV. The Depression
V. The Tupelo tornado of 1936
VI. Establishing Traceway Manor
VII. TKE Drugstore and others
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