Granddaughter Restores Historic Airbnb Destination in Cottage Hill in Honor of Emma Gould

Home to Emma Gould, who participated in Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the mother of Dorothy James of South Perry St.

A Labor of Love for my Grandmother

by Towanda James

Emma’s Cottage was carefully restored, renovated, and decorated in loving memory of my grandmother, Ms. Emma L. Gould. Every thought and detail were done with her in my mind and her.   My grandma was born on February 18, 1932 in Crenshaw County, Alabama. Grandma’s mother, passed at the age of 12, and grandma moved to Montgomery, Alabama to live with her cousin, Elizabeth Mitchell.  Grandma had to grow up fast after that and start working at the age of 13. Although, she only had a 5th grade education, she taught herself to read, serve and learn exceptional manners.  She said her secret was watch, listen and pray.     

 She participated in the Bus Boycott and had to walk miles to work for the $20.00 a month she received for cooking, cleaning and babysitting. She raised three children of a well-known family in Montgomery, that sent her Christmas and Birthday presents for years.  

Emma had three children and helped to raise nine cousins.  However, she was never on any welfare assistance. Many loved her collard greens, barbecue neck bones, pies, and her famous German Chocolate and pound cake, among other delicious food. One Christmas she made 14 German Chocolate cakes and gave then away to family and friends.

Grandma was a Deaconess in church and loved to sing and praise God. Her favorite songs were “Walk with me Lord” and “Just another day that the Lord has Kept Me”.   She also loved smooth jazz music, with her favorite being “Green Onions” by Booker T & the MG’s.  

After battling Dementia and Alzheimer for 16 years, she passed at the age of 87 years-old in November 2019. 

South Hull Residents On the Go In May

Deb Perlan and her mother toured the Netherlands to catch the tulip blooms, then visited Belgium with a side tour to one of their favorite cities Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Mari Harding, who will graduate with her Master’s in Horticulture from Auburn University in August, toured Spain this month with her classmates.

Barbara Wiedemann was in Italy again, where she attends the American Academy in Rome which hosts writers and artists across genres for workshops and camaraderie. As this is written she is on her way to Croatia for a hiking tour.

Susie Paul is visited her ninety-eight-year-old mother in Mississippi

SHDA President Walter Thomas (Right) and SHDA Member Joseph James present the Montgomery Community Policing Representative Officer Cooper with a Certificate of Appreciation during National Police Week the May 12 monthly Meeting. Officer Cooper was filling in for Officer Folks, who usually attends SHDA meetings.

Thank you!