When asked what she hopes younger generations take away from her experiences, Bessie offers simple advice. "Follow the love," she said. "If you have the love of writing, follow it. If you love to read, follow it." Looking back across a century of life, she credits her faith for carrying her through. "My religious education," she said. "Without it, my life would be different. It has sustained me and made me the person that I am." Now a resident at Cedarhurst of East Louisville, Bessie continues to enjoy stories through audiobooks and delights in sharing a piece of Kentucky history with others. Some stories are simply too important to lose. Thanks to Bessie Head's handwritten memories and Landis Thompson's commitment to preserving them, a remarkable chapter of Appalachian history will continue to inspire generations to come.
Landis honored that wish.
"It was important to preserve her voice," she said. "I wanted her colloquial speech to remain intact for authenticity." Landis dictated the stories into Microsoft Word and guided them through the publishing process. Along the way, she gained an even deeper appreciation for her mother's experiences. "Her written stories brought so much more detail into what life was like," Landis said. "Even though everyone was poor, they had amazing compassion for their neighbors and helped each other survive." One story that especially moved her was a five- page letter Bessie's mother wrote shortly before her death from cancer, a final act of love that still resonates deeply with the family. For Bessie, seeing her stories shared with others has been both surprising and humbling. "It's absolutely amazing," she said. "I can't take it all in. I never thought it would happen. I am blessed." Her remarkable life extends far beyond the pages of the book. During World War II, Bessie was one of the women known as "Rosie the Riveters," contributing to the war effort before marrying Edwin Leo Head in 1944 and raising three daughters. Today, she is the proud grandmother of nine grandchildren and six great- grandchildren.
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