Rose Budd Stevens Papers

Collection

Identifier: M199

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The heart of the Rose Budd Stevens Papers is copies of her newspaper articles which she began writing in 1947 and continued to write until 1994. The articles colorfully depict everyday life in rural Mississippi and provide a rich source of information about southern culture and heritage, language, expressions, anecdotes, and the role of women in southern society. Recurring topics in the articles are arts and crafts, cooking, family life, farm life, canning, home remedies, poetry and religion. As a preservation measure, the yellowed and brittle original articles were photocopied on acid-free paper.

Other materials in the collection are correspondence, greeting cards, biographical materials, photographs and various other items. Correspondence in the collection, dating from 1946 to 1996, vividly illustrates the popularity of the Rose Budd Stevens columns and their author.

Dates

Creation: circa 1908-1996

Creator

Stevens, Rose Budd (pen name for Mamie Davis Willoughby) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Noncirculating; available for research

Conditions Governing Use

This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Biographical / Historical

Rose Budd Stevens was the pen name of newspaper columnist and author, Mamie Willoughby, whose columns, "Along the R.F.D", "Ramblin' With Rose Budd", and "The Farmer Takes a Wife", appeared regularly in various publications from 1947 to 1994.

Mamie Davis Van Norman was born November 3, 1915, to Pearl and Hiram (Bud) Van Norman, in Amite County, Mississippi. She attended the Amite County public schools and graduated from Liberty Agricultural High School in 1933. She graduated from Southwest Junior College at Summit, Mississippi in 1935, and subsequently worked in the county agent's office of Amite County. She left Mississippi briefly, to serve as a payroll clerk for the Works Progress Administration in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but soon returned to her roots in Amite County. In 1938 she married Bennett Willoughby, and they became the parents of two sons, Will and Ben, and a daughter, Celeste.

Mamie began her writing career in 1947 while bedridden for several months prior to the birth of her third child, Celeste. Her writings were based on her experiences growing up on Shady Rest Farm, near Liberty, Mississippi, blended with her experiences as a wife and mother, and her articles were usually accompanied by at least one recipe. Her first article was published anonymously in the Wilk-Amite Record of Gloster, Mississippi, and the positive response of readers led to a weekly column. Soon thereafter, she adopted the pen name, Rose Budd Stevens, a composite of the name of her husband's favorite aunt (Rose), her father's nickname (Bud), and the surname of her college roommate (Stevens).

During the course of her career, her column, "Along the R.F.D." appeared regularly in such newspapers as the McComb (MS) Enterprise-Journal, the Carthage (MS) Carthaginian, and the Jackson (MS) Clarion-Ledger. "Ramblin' With Rose Budd" was a regular feature of the trade journal, Mississippi EPA News, and "The Farmer Takes a Wife" ran in MFC News. Her writing ability resulted in awards from the National Federation of Press Women, the Mississippi Press Women's Association, and Progressive Farmer magazine.

Mrs. Willoughby was the author of three books, written under her pseudonym, Rose Budd Stevens: Along the R.F.D. (1987 - a compilation of her newspaper columns); From Rose Budd's Kitchen (1988 - a collection of recipes gleaned from her articles); and Sweetly Be! (1990 - a selection of her articles, named for the phrase she used at the close of her writings).

Ill health forced Mrs. Willoughby to cease writing her columns in 1994, and on January 9, 1996, she died from complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Sources:

Contents of the Collection

Stevens, Rose Budd. An Oral History With Rose Budd Stevens (Mrs. Bennett Willoughby). Vol. 247, Hattiesburg: University of Southern Mississippi, 1983.

Extent

4.50 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Series:

Series I: Articles

Series II: Correspondence

Series III: Greeting Cards

Series IV: Subject Files

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Mamie Willoughby (Rose Budd Stevens) in February 1983, with additions by Ben Willoughby in 1999 and 2002. One item was added by Dr. Charles Bolton in 2001.

Photograph Log

M199-1 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 3 x 5, B & W, circa 1960s Head and shoulders portrait. Man in background is probably Bennett Willoughby. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-2 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 2 x 3.5, B & W, circa 1960s Portrait from waist up. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-3 Bennett and Mamie Willoughby and Children 3 x 5, B & W, circa 1950s The Family is seated in front of the fireplace in the Willoughby home. From left to right are: Bennett, Celeste (seated on floor), Mamie (Rose Budd), Will, and Ben. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-4 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) and Margie Downing 3 x 3, Color, circa 1980s The ladies are standing against a mosaic tile background. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-5 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 3 x 5, B & W, circa 1974 Rose Budd is standing at her kitchen counter, "carving a tongue for lunch." (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-6 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 3 x 4, B & W, circa 1980s Rose Budd is seated, looking at a book jacket. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-7 Ben Willoughby 2 x 3, B & W, circa 1949 1949-1950 School Days photo of Mamie Willoughby's oldest son, taken at Liberty (MS) Grade School. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-8 Jacob Alexander Wooten 2 x 3, Color, 1995 Ten-week-old Jacob is seated in a small cradle, in a Christmas setting. He is the great grandson of Bennett and Mamie Willoughby. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-9 Becky and Jacob Wooten 4 x 6, Color, May 13, 1996 Becky is holding Jacob on a balcony overlooking the beach at Destin, Florida. Becky is the granddaughter of Bennett and Mamie Willoughby. Jacob is her son. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-10 Patrick, Rebecca, and Jacob Wooten 4 x 6, Color, May 13, 1996) The Wootens are standing on the beach at Destin, Florida. Rebecca is the granddaughter of Mamie and Bennett Willoughby. Patrick is her husband, and Jacob is their son. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-11 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 4 x 6, Color, circa 1980s-1990s Rose Budd is addressing a group of women. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-12 Mickie Fuller 2 x 3, Color, Sept. 1995 Mickie is the niece of Bennett and Mamie Willoughby. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-13 "Antiques in Our Kitchen" (I) 5 x 7, B & W, circa 1950s Antique farm and cooking utensils displayed in Mamie Willoughby's kitchen. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-14 "Antiques in Our Kitchen" (II) 5 x 7, B & W, circa 1950s Antique farm and cooking utensils on display in Mamie Willoughby's kitchen. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-15 "Antiques Displayed in Kitchen" 5 x 7, B & W, circa 1950s Antique farm and cooking utensils on display in Mamie Willoughby's kitchen. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-16 "Another View of Kitchen" 5 x 7, B & W, circa 1950s Antique farm and cooking utensils displayed in Mamie Willoughby's kitchen. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-17 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 5 x 7, Color, circa 1987-1988 Rose Budd is seated beside her typewriter. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-18 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 5 x 7, B & W, circa 1980s Rose Budd is seated at her typewriter. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-19 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 5 x 7, B & W, circa 1980s Rose Budd is standing beside a table on which a small carving is displayed. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-20 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 8 x 10, B & W, circa 1987-1988 Rose Budd is standing in her yard, preparing to "sling lettuce" for a wilted lettuce salad. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-21 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 8 x 10, B & W, circa 1988 Head and shoulders portrait. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-22 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 8 x 10, B & W, circa 1988 Rose Budd is seated at her typewriter. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-23 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 5 x 7, B & W, circa 1960s-1970s Rose Budd is creating a unique centerpiece. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-24 Rose Budd Stevens with Earl Phillips (left) and T. D. Davis (right) 5 x 7, B & W, circa 1950s Earl Phillips presents Rose Budd a Westinghouse Dual Control electric blanket on behalf of the Mississippi Rural Electric Association. Looking on is MREA executive manager, T. D. Davis. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-25 Rose Budd Stevens (Mamie Willoughby) 8.5 x 11, Color, circa 1988 Head and shoulders portrait. (Box 9, Folder 9)

M199-26 Catherine Simmons 2 x 3, Color, 1987 Head and shoulders portrait of Catherine Simmons, age 11, enclosed in a card or letter from W. B. Simmons, Meridian, MS, postmarked Dec. 14, 1987. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-27 Will Simmons 2.5 x 3.5, Color, 1987 Head and shoulders portrait of Will Simmons, age 14, enclosed in a card or letter from W. B. Simmons, Meridian, MS, postmarked Dec. 14, 1987. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-28 Bethel Houston 3 x 4, Color, Nov. 17, 1987 Head and shoulders snapshot, enclosed in "Thank-You" card, Sept. 16, 1988. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-29 Unidentified Boy 3 x 4, Color, circa 1980s Young boy, approximately 4 or 5 years of age, standing next to a large tree trunk. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-30 Unidentified Boy 3 x 3, Color, circa 1980s Young boy, approximately 4 or 5 years of age, standing in front of a barbed wire fence, with an open field behind him. He is wearing winter clothing. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-31 Unidentified Woman 3 x 3, Color, circa 1970s-1980s Elderly woman seated in a wicker chair, holding a red, stuffed dinosaur. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-32 Pee Wee Football Queen and Escort 2 x 3, Color, circa 1970s-1980s Girl in long dress, with banner saying "Caroline", and boy in football uniform. Both are about 9 years of age. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-33 "Polly's Pride Clematis" 4 x 5, Color, circa 1980s Fuchsia-colored clematis growing beside a fence post. Photograph sent to Rose Budd by Polly Ladner of Poplarville, MS. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-34 Unidentified Man and Boy 3 x 3, Color, circa 1970s-1980s Man is blowing a deer horn, while a small boy looks on. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-35 Cody Simpson 2 x 3, Color, Nov. 1991 Two and one-half month old infant wearing a Santa Claus hat and sweatsuit. Relationship to Rose Budd is not known. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-36 "Re-Run", the Cat 3 x 3, Color, Jan. 4, 1989 Photo is inscribed, "Re-Run doing what he does best" [sleeping on a table, in this case]. Sent to Rose Budd by Martha Dunlap of Jackson, MS. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-37 Gregory Wiley 2 x 3, Color, April 24, 1991 Head and shoulders portrait of five-year-old boy. Relationship to Rose Budd is not known. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-38 Jason Findling 2 x 3, Color, Oct. 1991 Head and shoulders portrait of boy approximately 7 or 8 years of age. Relationship to Rose Budd is not known. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-39 Gregory Wiley 2 x 3.5, Color, Oct. 1991 Five-year-old grandson of Carol L. Wiley. Relationship to Rose Budd is not known. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-40 The James Talley Floyd Family 3 x 5, Color, Dec. 1987 Left to Right (front Row): Brenda and Martha Jean Floyd. (Back Row): J. Talley Floyd, Jr., Robert Lee Floyd, and James Talley Floyd, Sr. Relationship to Rose Budd is not known. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-41 Texas Snow Scene 3 x 5, Color, Dec. 25, 1987 17 to 18 inch snowfall in Borger, Texas, blankets ground around house and RV. Photo sent to Rose Budd by Mrs. Floyd Grubbs. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-42 Snow in Borger, Texas 4 x 5, Color, Dec. 29, 1987 Thick blanket of snow covers ground near house. Photo sent to Rose Budd by Mrs. Floyd Grubbs. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-43 Goat and Kid 4 x 5, Color, undated Nanny goat and kid in pasture. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-44 "Re-Run" in Halloween Display 4 x 5, Color, circa 1980s "Re-Run", the cat, appears to be part of the Halloween display on Martha Dunlap's front porch in Jackson, MS. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-45 Unidentified Child Holding Soccer Ball 4 x 6, Color, circa 1980s

M199-46 Rooster Sofa 3 x 5, B & W, circa 1980s Corner of room, featuring sofa with rooster appliques on the on the pillows. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-47 Grandchildren of Ford and Mary Ruth Leggett 3 x 5, Color, 1988 Seven children seated on a "Flying Jinny" built by their grandfather, Ford Leggett. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-48 Unidentified Group 8 x 10, B & W, circa 1950s Three men and seven women pose for picture. Lady in center front is holding a silver tray. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-49 Unidentified Men 5 x 7, B & W, circa 1950s Eight men standing around a microphone. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-50 Unidentified Women 5 x 7, B & W, circa 1960s Five African American women sitting in what appears to be an elementary schoolroom. (Box 9, Folder 10)

M199-51 Roselle Thompson 3 x 4 Color 1993 Ms. Thompson is holding a newspaper article about Rose Budd Stevens. (Photo and related correspondence are located in Box 10, Folder 7)