Century-old quilt is tribute to WWI servicemen, nurses

A quilt, bearing the names of Mills County military servicemen and Red Cross nurses who served during World War I, is being gifted to the Harvey T. Rimel American Legion Post 141 Auxiliary.

Glenwood resident Jean Mayberry said the quilt, made more than 100 years ago by her grandmother, Lola Colwell, is like no quilt she’s ever seen.

“My grandmother did this quilt for my uncle – Harold Colwell – the first person on the quilt,” Mayberry said.  
The quilt bears 30 names and stars. While most of the stars are blue, two gold ones identifty Harvey T. Rimel and Gordon May, two local war casualties.

Mayberry said after her uncle Harold died, his daughter Minniellen, got the quilt. Minniellen passed away in 1980.

“My uncle, Burt Colwell, and possibly my dad (Arch Colwell) went to her service and this was one thing right away they wanted me to have from Minniellen ,” Mayberry said. 

Mayberry said the quilt was given
to the auxiliary several years ago, but was later returned to the family. When she approached the auxiliary earlier this fall about taking ownership once again, members of the organization were “excited.”  Most were not aware the quilt existed.

“I didn’t know it existed until Jean called,” auxiliary member Bev Blasi said.

Karen Callaway said the piece is one-of-a-kind.

“It’s pretty awesome,” she said. “And it’s still in very good shape.”

Callaway said the auxiliary had not decided where the quilt would be placed. She said it’s possible steps will be taken to preserve the quilt by having it packaged similar to a wedding dress.

“We do have a display case, so we’ll bring that up to our membership and make sure it’s OK to display it in there if they want to,” Callaway said.

Mayberry said she isn’t sure how long it took to make the quilt. Mayberry was 13 when her grandmother died. She added that she’s happy the quilt is going to an organization that appreciates its significance.

“It’s history,” she said. “It’s my pleasure to be able to share it with local citizens of Mills County.”

Names On The WWI Quilt
Harold Colwell
Guy Decker
Geroge Brower
Will Krecklow
Weldon Walker
Lester Saar
Warren Sawyers
Bill McFerrin
Robert Krecklow
Alvin Walker
Hallie May
Harvey T. Rimel (Gold Star)
Frank Logan
Gordon May (Gold Star)
William Bowley
Barbara Agan (nurse)
Lawrence Day
Lena Godsey (nurse)
Elmer Boyce
Fred Bowley
Jim Merritt
Clarence Day
Robert Caley
Norman Bened
Edwin H. Bruce
Gus Newton
Merrril Bachman
Beryl Harold
Ed Pein