Ceremony to be April 6 in Blaine to name Community Center after Cratis D. Williams

By Roberta Cantrell

BSN Associate Editor

Cratis Dearl Williams “Mr. Appalachia” was born April 5, 1911 in Caines Creek, Blaine.

The first child of Curtis and Mona Whitt Williams, lived on a farm owned by his grandfather, David Willimas, one of the last legal distillers in Kentucky. He was educated in a one-room Hillside Elementary School on Caines Creek, later attending high school in Louisa, graduating in 1928.

His interest in ballads was sparked in high school, and he began a lifelong study of historical and cultural traditions of the community into which he was born.

He attended Cumberland College (1928-29) and then taught school on Caines Creek (1929-33) while taking classes at Morehead State Normal School and Teachers College and the University of Kentucky, where he completed his B.A. degree in 1933. Williams moved back to Blaine to teach high school science and English (1933-38).

In 1937, he married fellow teacher Sylvia Graham, and also received the M.A. in English from the University of Kentcky. He was also served as principal of Louisa High School (1938-41).

In 1942, Williams moved to Boone, North Carolina, and began teaching at the Appalachian Demonstration High School, Appalachian State Teachers College. His wife also passed away during this time.

In 1949, Williams married Elizabeth Lingerfelt (the first wedding in the new town of New York’s Long Island) and had two children, Sophie in 1953 and David in 1959.

He was known for his Eastern Kentucky roots, his Scots-Irish heritage, his knowledge of Appalachian folk speech and cultural traditions and his great wit and humor. Through-out his career, he spoke, wrote and sang about the heritage of Appalachia.

He was Dean of the Graduate School at Appalachian State University, and received an award in 1973 for outstanding service in the field of highland folklore.

Following his retirement in 1976, he began writing about his life, writing several books which are available for purchase on Amazon.

Williams passed away May 11, 1985, and was buried in the Williams Cemetery on Caines Creek.

In honor of his 113th birthday, the Blaine Community Center is being remained the Cratis D. Williams Community Center. A celebration of his life and accomplishments as well as the talented community from which he came.

The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 6. The community center is located one mile west of Blaine on Highway 3215.

NOTE: Part of this article is reprinted from the Encyclopedia of Appalachia and Biography by Patricia D. Beaver, Appalachian State University.