| Sources |
- [S120] A Place Called Home: Our Story, David L. Popiel, Duay O'Neil, et. al., (2006, The Newport Plain Talk / Jones Media Inc.), dpopiel@xtn.net., 71.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 1 May 2007.
Mt. Sterling's last postmistress dies at 92
By: Duay O'Neil
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
05-01-2007
NEWPORT-The last person to serve as Mt. Sterling, N.C.'s postmistress has died. Mattie Josephine Alley, 92, passed away Sunday afternoon at Baptist Hospital's Convalescent Center, where she had been a resident for nearly four years. Her death came on her daughter's birthday.
Alley served as postmistress of the now-defunct Mt. Sterling, N.C., post office from 1954 until its closure and merger into the Waterville, N.C., office. Alley succeeded her mother in the position. The old post office was located in a small frame building located in the front yard of her home.
Born 8 July 1914 in neighboring Haywood County, N.C., Alley was the fourth and youngest of four daughters of Charles Cassius Roberts and his wife, the former Maria Hopkins.
She was the great-granddaughter of one of the mountainous area's first settlers, Benjamin Parker Hopkins, and his wife, the former Serena Ford. The Hopkins land, part of which now lies inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. Much of the property remains in the family. Ten sons of Benjamin and Serena Hopkins fought in the Civil War, some for the Union and others for the Confederacy. Alley's own strong Democratic beliefs stemmed from her grandfather's Southern support.
As a child, she attended one of the area's Presbyterian mission schools at Crestmont, North Carolina, a thriving lumber camp. Her father, a barber, and her mother boarded workers in the camp in their home during this time. One of these loggers, Mack Hooper Alley, a native of Cullowhee, N.C., later became her husband.
Alley was "an early environmentalist," according to her daughter, Pauline Proffitt, of Newport. "Before the word 'recycling' was invented, Mother was practicing it. People used to laugh and say that not even a chewing gum wrapper could hit the ground before she picked it up and properly disposed of it," said Proffitt.
She was also a dedicated worker in local elections until she was 83. Alley was known in her neighborhood as an excellent seamstress and quilter, craftsperson, and gardener.
Her straightforward nature and sharp sense of humor were renown. A longtime member of the Presbyterian church, she later moved her membership to Newport's First United Methodist Church.
As a resident of Baptist Convalescent Center, she thoroughly enjoyed the many activities there, especially the trips to area restaurants and the holiday celebrations.
In addition to her parents, Alley was predeceased by her sisters: Mae Roberts Long, Georgia Lou Roberts Hill, and Ruth Roberts Capps.
Also predeceasing her were her husbands-Buster Hill and Mack Hooper Alley-and one son, Dow Hill.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 2, at Costner-Maloy Funeral Home at 2 p.m. with Rev. Freddrick Long officiating.
Burial will follow in the Hopkins Family Cemetery in Mt. Sterling.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 2 May 2007.
Mattie Josephine Alley, 92, daughter of the late Charles Cassius Roberts and Maria Hopkins, died April 29, 2007, at Baptist Hospital Convalescent Center after a period of declining health. She was born in Mt. Sterling, NC, where she lived most of her life. She was the former postmistress of Mt. Sterling, a lifelong Democrat, and a talented seamstress, gardener, and craftsman. She was predeceased by her parents, her husbands Buster Hill and Mack Hooper Alley, and one son, Dow Hill. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pauline and David "Cobb" Proffitt, Newport; grandson and wife, Steve and Melinda Proffitt; and great-grandchildren, Cody and Abby Proffitt, Cosby; her son John Charles Alley and June Alley of Carelton, Michigan; granddaughter, Jelanie Alley and John Wright, Mississippi; great-grandchildren: Jenelle Hardwick, Joshua Miracle, and Jace Alley; grandson, Jamey Alley and Dawn Burns; great-grandchildren: Jaqueline, Jena, Josephine, and James Alley, Michigan; daughter-in-law: Ann Hill, Waynesville, NC; grandson Keith Hill and Lucy Lowe; granddaughter: Darlene and Bob Scott, Mt. Sterling, NC; great-granddaughter, Kelly Scott, Boone, NC; granddaughter, Sandy Caldwell, Waynesville, NC. Additional survivors include nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her dear caregivers at Baptist Convalescent Center. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at Costner-Maloy Funeral Home. Funeral services, led by Rev. Freddrick Long, will be at 2:00, followed by interment in the Hopkins Family Cemetery in Mt. Sterling, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Stokely Memorial Library, 383 East Broadway, Newport, TN 37821, or First United Methodist Church, 212 Washington Avenue, Newport, TN 38721. Costner-Maloy Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements
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1914 - 2007 (92 years)
