Leonora Whitaker, The Real Life "Christy"
by Ray Notgrass
Morgan Branch, Tennessee is about as far back in the sticks as I have ever been, but it is the location of a story that is known around the world.
In 1967, Catherine Marshall wrote the novel Christy based on the life of her mother, Leonora Whitaker. Ms. Whitaker left the comfort of Asheville, North Carolina in the early years of the twentieth century to teach at a Presbyterian mission in Morgan Branch, which is called Cutter Gap in the novel. To get to Morgan Branch today, you drive to Newport in East Tennessee, then drive out to tiny Del Rio (El Plano in the book), and then you drive further into the mountains and forests to a spot just inside the Tennessee-North Carolina border. When she came to teach at the mission, Miss Whitaker got off the train at the Del Rio depot, then walked with the mailman the seven miles to the mission.
As the novel reveals, Miss Whitaker (Christy) taught at the mission school; but she also learned much about the mountain people: their clannish ways, their difficult lives, their fervent and varied superstitions, and their simple wisdom. The story of the mountain people was the story that Miss Whitaker wanted her daughter, Catherine, to tell in her book. What also shines through, however, is Miss Whitaker's genuine love and willing self-sacrifice for the people she came to serve.
Catherine Marshall's novel is indeed inspiring, but the continuing real story of Morgan Branch reveals even more Tennessee heroes. One especially eager learner was Flora Corn, the inspiration for Fairlight Spencer in the novel. Flora's daughter, Opal, became a close friend and advisor to Catherine Marshall as she was writing Christy.
The mission eventually closed, but "Miss Opal" managed to purchase the property and keep it in the family. Opal's son, Larry Myers, now owns the property and welcomes visitors with warm hospitality and engaging stories about the people and events of the little community. He does this simply for the love of his family, his people, and the story of "Christy."
Leonora Whitaker's life had even further impact. Opal's brother, Burl, was the inspiration for Little Burl Spencer in the novel. Opal and Burl attended Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. Miss Whitaker inspired these mountain children to love learning and to use their lives well. Opal became a school teacher and Burl became a civil engineer and worked on the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.
Thirty-five years after its publication, Christy is still in print and still inspires readers. The real-life story behind it reminds us of the impact that one life, even in an out-of-the-way place, can have. The story of Leonora Whitaker is the story of a true Tennessee Hero.
Learning Activity Idea: Have a mountain school day in your homeschool. Have your children wear no shoes or socks and old clothes (cotton dresses for girls and pants and a cotton shirt for boys). Use slates or chalkboards for writing lessons. Have recess and play outdoor games that don't require any kind of equipment, such as Hide and Seek, Drop the Handkerchief, Red Rover, etc.