An unforgettable Character, an unforgettable Life. Emma Irby and her imprint on a growing Florida village called Destin.
Saturday, March 31, 2018
EMMA IRBY, Oct. 15, 1914? - Mar. 19, 2018
Those who would like to send a Sympathy or Easter card to Emma's niece, Lucy, may do so at the following address. Emma had the flu last winter and she went to her Mansion and to be with Jesus forever on March 19, 2018 at the age of 103. She would have been 104 this fall. Happy Easter, Emma! Enjoy the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and know we are celebrating with you!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Get Emma's Book for Your Valentine
(DESTIN) The next best thing to having lovable Emma around, is to go to a Valentine party in her honor. The first double book signing and Meet the Author event will be held at the Destin History and Fishing Museum on Wednesday, February 13, from 5- 7 p.m.
The new book, "The Help of Destin, Emma Irby," is the second by local author, Athena Marler Creamer. The first, “The Impressive Art of Straightening the Home, Creating a Home of Importance Where Greatness Happens, (2001) was inspired by Emma and the authors grandmothers, such as Cleo Marler and Betty Kitson, who lived in Destin.
Both books will be available for purchase.
Emma’s story is told in interviews by those who remember Emma best, as the quirky and mysterious maid from Gee’s Bend, Alabama, and only negro living in Destin from 1955 until her departure in 1993.
Emma spent 38 years among Destinites, walking nearly everywhere she went to keep house and babysit for an astonishing number of families. Unlike the best- selling book, “The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett, this book is nonfiction, and mentions actual names.
Her good heart, hilarious truisms and eccentricities make her a memorable character. The author celebrates her friends long life ( she is 98), by delving into history as far back as the Congo in Africa and slavery, to the civil war to civil rights in Destin, to create a singular portrait from a generation of black American working women. All are welcome.
____________________
The Destin History and Fishing Museum is located at 108Stahlman Avenue, behind Whataburger, just East of the Marler Bridge.
Admission is free. Refreshments will be available. Both books are available on Amazon.com for $14 and $15, US or CAN. Further book information and video, at
http://thehelpofdestin.blogspot.com and http://heiressarts.blogspot.com
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The new book, "The Help of Destin, Emma Irby," is the second by local author, Athena Marler Creamer. The first, “The Impressive Art of Straightening the Home, Creating a Home of Importance Where Greatness Happens, (2001) was inspired by Emma and the authors grandmothers, such as Cleo Marler and Betty Kitson, who lived in Destin.
Both books will be available for purchase.
Emma’s story is told in interviews by those who remember Emma best, as the quirky and mysterious maid from Gee’s Bend, Alabama, and only negro living in Destin from 1955 until her departure in 1993.
Emma spent 38 years among Destinites, walking nearly everywhere she went to keep house and babysit for an astonishing number of families. Unlike the best- selling book, “The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett, this book is nonfiction, and mentions actual names.
Her good heart, hilarious truisms and eccentricities make her a memorable character. The author celebrates her friends long life ( she is 98), by delving into history as far back as the Congo in Africa and slavery, to the civil war to civil rights in Destin, to create a singular portrait from a generation of black American working women. All are welcome.
____________________
The Destin History and Fishing Museum is located at 108Stahlman Avenue, behind Whataburger, just East of the Marler Bridge.
Admission is free. Refreshments will be available. Both books are available on Amazon.com for $14 and $15, US or CAN. Further book information and video, at
http://thehelpofdestin.blogspot.com and http://heiressarts.blogspot.com
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Sunday, January 20, 2013
Why Emma was Locked Out of Mattie Kelly's House
A revelation:
In the book, The Help of Destin, Emma Irby, is a story of Emma's frustration at being locked out of Ms. Mattie Kelly's home on a hot summer day in 1992, particularly because Emma had walked so many miles to work there. It was the right day, too. She was hopping mad.
"Gurl, they was cars all over da pla' and no un wuld open up da do'! Dey jus looked at mee."
Emma's English became even more unintelligible when she was angry, and dropping her word endings...
"I wa' knockin' and knockin' an' I seen all dose people in dere and dey didn't come 'n get me or tell me NOTHIN'!"
I asked, "Emma maybe they didn't hear you and were having a party or something. Did you go back another day?"
"Ye'I deed, but de door was locked and nobody was dere."
I was concerned that Mrs. Kelly was growing tired of having Emma after 28 years, and maybe was avoiding her. Granted, she had made a lot of mistakes, like burning up the ironing, and sparking up the microwave. Still, it really bothered me that no one could take the time to let Emma know what the event was, when clearly Emma could have helped out, if only to clean up afterwards.
A few weeks later, the answer came in the form of an obituary.
Mrs. Kelly had died.
We were both quiet for a long time...
What was there to say?
I comforted Emma by telling her, "Well, Emma, I am positive that if Mattie had been alive, she would have opened the door for you."
Just as she had every time for 28 years.
.....
(c) 2013. Athena Marler Creamer. All Rights Reserved.
In the book, The Help of Destin, Emma Irby, is a story of Emma's frustration at being locked out of Ms. Mattie Kelly's home on a hot summer day in 1992, particularly because Emma had walked so many miles to work there. It was the right day, too. She was hopping mad.
"Gurl, they was cars all over da pla' and no un wuld open up da do'! Dey jus looked at mee."
Emma's English became even more unintelligible when she was angry, and dropping her word endings...
"I wa' knockin' and knockin' an' I seen all dose people in dere and dey didn't come 'n get me or tell me NOTHIN'!"
I asked, "Emma maybe they didn't hear you and were having a party or something. Did you go back another day?"
"Ye'I deed, but de door was locked and nobody was dere."
I was concerned that Mrs. Kelly was growing tired of having Emma after 28 years, and maybe was avoiding her. Granted, she had made a lot of mistakes, like burning up the ironing, and sparking up the microwave. Still, it really bothered me that no one could take the time to let Emma know what the event was, when clearly Emma could have helped out, if only to clean up afterwards.
A few weeks later, the answer came in the form of an obituary.
Mrs. Kelly had died.
We were both quiet for a long time...
What was there to say?
I comforted Emma by telling her, "Well, Emma, I am positive that if Mattie had been alive, she would have opened the door for you."
Just as she had every time for 28 years.
.....
(c) 2013. Athena Marler Creamer. All Rights Reserved.
On Being Chosen by Emma, by Mary Ready of the Destin Log
http://www.thedestinlog.com/news/mary-ready-on-being-chosen-by-emma-the-help-of-destin-1.80989
A retired English teacher and well known columnist reviews the book, The Help of Destin, Emma Irby
A retired English teacher and well known columnist reviews the book, The Help of Destin, Emma Irby
Thursday, January 10, 2013
How Well Do You Know EMMA? Take the Fun Quiz and Find Out
(DESTIN) Do you remember EMMA IRBY? Test yourself with the fun quiz on this website. If you get a high score, Congratulations! YOU WILL LOVE HER BOOK. If you need help, read The Help of Destin, Emma Irby (the book). Like Emma says, "I love all of y'all." Hoo, hoo!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I could not have said it better..Mladen Rudman ruminates on Emma's book
MLADEN RUDMAN
Published: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 13:35 PM.
An author whose family has deep local roots has written a book about a woman with deep local roots who only a few longtime locals may have heard of.
“The Help of Destin, Emma Irby,” is a self-published book by Athena Marler Creamer.
Characterizing the book as biography, Marler Creamer said she was inspired to write about Emma Irby because of her gentle, caring nature and unique place in Destin history.
The author was six years old when she met Irby. Irby was ironing clothes at the house of Marler Creamer’s cousin. Children hovered around her.
“She was very warm and kind,” said the author. “She was being so kind to the children. … She was a little more focused on us. ”
Irby made an impression on Marler Creamer for another reason, too.
“She was only the second black person I saw in my life,” recalled the author.
Irby was Destin matron Mattie Kelly’s housekeeper between 1966 and 1992. Marler Creamer added that Irby also freelanced, working for other families. She made coleslaw for a restaurant, helped with weddings, and, of course, babysat.
Excerpts from the book indicate that Irby was a woman of contrasts. She was stubborn but willing to compromise, proud but also humble, and charitable though seldom willing to accept charity.
Irby seemed able to adapt to any adverse situation she faced. Prejudice. Poverty. Periodic homelessness.
She enjoyed moments of happiness and routine, even if it sometimes seemed that Irby was taken for granted or treated as an object by those she helped.
“She was passed from friend to friend, family to family, place to place,” wrote Marler Creamer. “She helped pioneers and newcomers alike.”
In another excerpt from the book, Marler Creamer wrote, “Emma walked the same streets of Destin and Fort Walton for 57 years. I calculate 12 miles per week over 2,964 weeks, would be an incredible 35,568 miles! That's a lot of sand in her shoes. She walked over the Destin bridge to Fort Walton for one job, and back for another, in a single day in 1992. She never drove, but rode in the back seat of her clients’ cars, thinking it her place.”
Irby never married, but had plenty of opinions about men and marriage, added the author.
She was the only African-American resident in Destin before the Civil Rights movement.
The inspiration for “The Help of Destin” came after Marler Creamer wrote her first book, which covered the godliness of keeping a good home. Irby believed in cleanliness and orderliness.
The housekeeper came from Gee’s Bend, Ala., and every now and then found herself homeless. She persevered through the bad and welcomed the good. Sometimes, she earned a little money by picking up discarded cans. She was also known around town for her creative paper hats.
After their first meeting, Marler Creamer didn’t see Irby for 20 years. The women grew closer in the early 1990s.
Today, Irby is 98 years old and living in Mobile, Ala. Marler Creamer plans to visit Irby to give her an autographed copy of the book and reading glasses. A portion of sales of the book will go to Irby.
“The Help of Destin” is available at Amazon.com or Createspace.com. It is listed for $14. Some copies also will be available at Bay View RV Campground, 749 Beach Drive, Destin, which is a business that Marler Creamer owns.
//
Published: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 13:35 PM.
An author whose family has deep local roots has written a book about a woman with deep local roots who only a few longtime locals may have heard of.
“The Help of Destin, Emma Irby,” is a self-published book by Athena Marler Creamer.
Characterizing the book as biography, Marler Creamer said she was inspired to write about Emma Irby because of her gentle, caring nature and unique place in Destin history.
The author was six years old when she met Irby. Irby was ironing clothes at the house of Marler Creamer’s cousin. Children hovered around her.
“She was very warm and kind,” said the author. “She was being so kind to the children. … She was a little more focused on us. ”
Irby made an impression on Marler Creamer for another reason, too.
“She was only the second black person I saw in my life,” recalled the author.
Irby was Destin matron Mattie Kelly’s housekeeper between 1966 and 1992. Marler Creamer added that Irby also freelanced, working for other families. She made coleslaw for a restaurant, helped with weddings, and, of course, babysat.
Excerpts from the book indicate that Irby was a woman of contrasts. She was stubborn but willing to compromise, proud but also humble, and charitable though seldom willing to accept charity.
Irby seemed able to adapt to any adverse situation she faced. Prejudice. Poverty. Periodic homelessness.
She enjoyed moments of happiness and routine, even if it sometimes seemed that Irby was taken for granted or treated as an object by those she helped.
“She was passed from friend to friend, family to family, place to place,” wrote Marler Creamer. “She helped pioneers and newcomers alike.”
In another excerpt from the book, Marler Creamer wrote, “Emma walked the same streets of Destin and Fort Walton for 57 years. I calculate 12 miles per week over 2,964 weeks, would be an incredible 35,568 miles! That's a lot of sand in her shoes. She walked over the Destin bridge to Fort Walton for one job, and back for another, in a single day in 1992. She never drove, but rode in the back seat of her clients’ cars, thinking it her place.”
Irby never married, but had plenty of opinions about men and marriage, added the author.
She was the only African-American resident in Destin before the Civil Rights movement.
The inspiration for “The Help of Destin” came after Marler Creamer wrote her first book, which covered the godliness of keeping a good home. Irby believed in cleanliness and orderliness.
The housekeeper came from Gee’s Bend, Ala., and every now and then found herself homeless. She persevered through the bad and welcomed the good. Sometimes, she earned a little money by picking up discarded cans. She was also known around town for her creative paper hats.
After their first meeting, Marler Creamer didn’t see Irby for 20 years. The women grew closer in the early 1990s.
Today, Irby is 98 years old and living in Mobile, Ala. Marler Creamer plans to visit Irby to give her an autographed copy of the book and reading glasses. A portion of sales of the book will go to Irby.
“The Help of Destin” is available at Amazon.com or Createspace.com. It is listed for $14. Some copies also will be available at Bay View RV Campground, 749 Beach Drive, Destin, which is a business that Marler Creamer owns.
//
Monday, December 17, 2012
Emma Irby, a part of Destin Folklore
(DESTIN) Athena Marler Creamer announces that her book, "The Help of Destin, Emma Irby," is now available.
Emma Irby, for those who may not remember, is a part of Destin folklore. She was the only black resident actually living in Destin for 37 years before civil rights and in the days of the active KKK here. Those who remember her do with fondness.
She was known for her quirky hats and crazy stories, and for picking up soda cans along the roads.
She was also known as Mrs. Mattie Kelly's housekeeper from 1966-1992. But she freelanced for many others in town, making coleslaw for Capt. Dave's Restaurant, cleaning cottages, and assisted with weddings for the families she worked for. She also ironed all over town, and watched children, cooked, and kept house.
She was afraid of electricity, didn't know how to use phones, and was at times homeless.
Never married, she nonethless gave us opinionated advice on clothes, men and marriage.
Athena met her in 1966 at her cousin's house where she was ironing with the children. In 1986, Emma was an invited guest to her open house. Emma dropped in again in 1990 to help Athena with a new baby, but it was in the next three years that Athena grew to know Emma and tried to discover her background and life story.
Her research took her to Gee's Bend, Alabama, to another civilization in a lost cotton Plantation, a slaveholder turned landowner who fought for slavery as an officer in the Civil War, and a smuggled slave named Dave on the Wanderer who was Emma's great grandfather. The boat was a prototype for the famous "America" which is where we get the "America's Cup." The Wanderer was outfitted for human trafficking. it was a magnificent sailing yacht from New York, which smuggled in the last cargo of slaves before the war, 50 years after it was forbidden.
Through interviews, photos, humorous anecdotes, annotations, timelines, music, media, books, and a series of letters written to Athena by Emma, Athena pieced together a patchwork of fascinating and conflicting history and became convinced that Emma's story has biographical significance. Emma is representative of a generation of working Black Women in the 20th Century of America. At 98, it was time to record that story. There are not many of them left.
Emma also was invited to the Inaugural Ball for President Jimmy Carter.
But her book is also a snapshot of Destin during those years and a revealing portrait of some of the residents who knew her. Local bankers like Roger Clary and Jimmy Tringas, condominium developers like Ernest Shahid, and Merlin Stickelber and Marvin Chapman, were businessmen from the southern states who were some of her first employers before she began helping the next generations of residents. Some chapter titles: Destin, the Way We Were, Enter the First Skychangers, The Man from Tallahassee Who Crossed the Street, The Tringas Years, The Gullahs, Happy Birthday to Me, Bleachy Clean, and What You Gonna Wear?
Emma loved us and Destin. We were her family. She lives in a foster care home in Mobile and Athena plans a trip to meet her again after 19 years. Lark Tringas Bostick and Alex Tringas recently visited the woman who took care of him as an infant, 55 years ago.
Emma will receive a portion of royalties from book sales.
There is a drawing for a free book for those who LIKE a facebook page. The drawing will take place on Christmas Eve, and winner will be announced on facebook on Dec. 25th.
Books may be ordered through Createspace or Amazon.com. More information is available at http://thehelpofdestin.blogspot.com
ISBN-10: 1477502785 BIOGRAPHY/ AUTOBIOGRAPHY/ CULTURAL HISTORY
338 pages, $14.00 US, Softcover, 6x9, 1.3 lbs.
ORDERING INFORMATION
http://www.amazon.com/The-Help-Destin-Emma-Irby/dp/1477502785
https://www.createspace.com/3883838
TO ENTER DRAWING: https://www.facebook.com/TheHelpOfDestinEmmaIrbyTheBook
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