General Notes

[coosa1.ged]
Martha Thomas Sears was born in east Alabama in the area around
Loachapoka Macon Co. AL. (now in Lee Co. AL) in 1845.  She was about 5
years old when she came with her parents to Coosa Co., AL.  Her family
settled along Weoka Creek and became nearby neighbors and friends of the
T. T. Wall family.  Here, Martha became acquainted with Nancy Conrad
Wall, a friendship that would last throughout their lifetimes.  In 1856
the Sears family moved north to Hatchett Creek where her father built a
mill near the turnpike crossing.  Martha was the youngest charter member
of Sears Chapel when it was founded by her father in 1860.
Madge Waldrip Arnold recalls Martha’s spinning wheel and seeing her
spin wool into yarn and knit all the socks for her family.  She also wove
the yarn into cloth and made their clothing and beautiful woven bed
spreads.  Her son, James Robert Waldrip, bought himself a suit when he
went to work in Rockford, AL, in 1887.  These were the first ready made
clothes he had ever owned.
The seven sons of Martha and Asa could not be described as reserved
or passive.  Their responses to normal trials of youth sometimes caused
considerable anguish.  Martha developed a reputation of fainting in the
presence of disturbing news.  On one occasion, grand-daughter Tommie
Waldrip arrived on the scene as several people were attempting to revive
Martha.  Viewing the situation, Tommie mater-of-factly asked "what did
Mother’s boys do now?".
Martha was called "Mother" by children, grand-children and
great-grandchildren. Grandchildren were frequent visitors in the Waldrip
home.  The front door of the house was usually wide open, even on winter
evening, while a roaring fire kept every one warm.  The dogs were allowed
inside until bed time. Asa would rise from his chair and simply say "bed
time" and the dogs would obediently retreat to the woods outside for the
night.  Many grandchildren could be accommodated on a pallet of the
flour, which was on the floor of a large rear room.  On one occasion,
Madge Waldrip left the pallet and returned to the living room where Asa
and Martha were still sitting.  When Martha asked her what was the
matter, Madge reported that "there are just too many feet in that bed".
Madge Waldrip remembers many happy times visiting, Grampa and
Mother.  Once when she pleaded to stay for the week, her own mother,
Jennie Moore, resisted because they had brought no clothes for her.
"Mother" came to the rescue by promising to make her a dress.  The dress
was quickly assembled from such materials as were at hand.  It was a
funny little dress, but one that Madge treasured for years.
Asa and Martha were supporters of Sears Chapel Methodist Church
throughout their lives and were loved and respected in the their
community.
List of Confederate Soldiers and Widows in Coosa County, ALA., as of Jan
1, 1933.
Mrs. Martha T. Waldrip of Goodwater, ALA,  R. F. D. 3, was listed as
one.(1)
(1)The Rockford Chronicle, 22 Feb 1933, p. 1. Printed in Rockford, Coosa
Co., AL. Microfilm: Located in the Alabama Archives and History,
Montgomery, AL.
"MRS. ASA WALDRIP DIES FEB. 15TH, AT AGE OF 93
Mrs. Martha Sears Waldrip, better known as "Aunt Tommie" or "Mother"
died at her home in Hanover Wednesday, February 15, following a brief
illness.
She was born in Loachapoka in 1845 and moved to Coosa County with her
family about 1859. (1)  She later was married to the late Asa Waldrip and
made her home in the Sears Chapel community where by her noble life she
endeared herself to all who knew her.  "To know her was to love her." She
helped organize the Sears Chapel Church and was the last survivor of the
charter members.
Surviving are six sons:  J. W. Waldrip, of Goodwater; J. R. Waldrip,
of Hanover; J. G., A. F. and E. S., of Rockford; S. G. Gantts Quarry; and
one daughter, Mrs. Nelson Sims, Sylacauga; 42 grandchildren, 69
great-gran