Person:Ella Stright (1)

Quoted from Stright History page 108. The Stright family is of German stock, it's earliest American Settlers locating in Virginia. Lawrence Stright, a civil engineer by profession was Ella Stright McCartney's great-grand father. You will find the biography of Ella's husband, David E. McCartney on page 966. The Mary Stright that became her husband's ste grandmother was also her aunt. (Mercer Co. History Vol. 2 published 1909 by the Lever Publishing Co. Chicago)

"Lead Us Gently" by Ella Stright Mc Cartney

When hope looms high, There is a bright star shine's And it throws it's illuminous ray's around us With head up and galiant step We find it easy to keep the way.

But when the shadows of dispair Creeps over our weary souls, The star takes on a mellowed hue, And darkness settles 'round us: With bowed head and aching heart; It is hard to travel the path, alone.

Oh, God, lead us gently---through the darkness, And over the thorny path: "Till the shadows are dispelled At the dawning of the Radiant Light of Eternal Day."

"I knew Grandmother wrote poetry and plays for school and church, but this is the first sample I"ve ever sen. I'm surprised that even one survived. Remarkable considering everything she did. Eight children, plus she raised a grandson and a younger brother-in-law. She walked a mile for drinking water; washed clothes in an iron kettle outdoors; milked and tended chickens and sheep carded the wool and knit all stockings and mittens for her kids; doctored her family and neighbors with home remedies and herbs; baked the best sugar cookies in the world and those are just the things I remember off the top of my head. (Sounds like Ma Clampett from Beverly Hillbillies, doesn't she? That's what sh looked like, too) She NEVER made home brew !" (from a letter written by her grand-daughter, Pauline Nicklin Cordner on Oct. 1, 1993)