One Saturday afternoon I drove to Riverside Drive to visit with nature and watch the swift Lumber River. I turned into Stephens Memorial Park, following the narrow, black twisted trail to the riverbank. I parked my car and sat on a cold cement bench, my eyes affixed on the darkest river water I believe I have ever seen, under an overcast sky, with sounds of the swift-moving, rippling river and wind whistling through the tall trees.

My mind began to drift toward the important women in my life, especially my mother, Lelia Stevens Thompson, along with her four sisters. These ladies played a dynamic role in shaping the business culture of Lumberton, N.C., in the middle decades of the 20th century.

As her admiring daughter, I have long wanted to tell the story of Lelia, which would be incomplete without mentioning her sisters, who in their own ways provided leadership in advancing the role of women in our modern world.

Lelia started her business in about 1940. Known as Peggy’s Beauty Salon, it was located in a dark green, shingled cottage in downtown Lumberton at the corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets, where the George B. and Lillie McLeod house stood. The cottage had been a detached kitchen behind the big house.

The first four

Three other hair designers — Clara Britt, Fern Adcox and Audrey McGill — worked with Lelia. The four had a very special bond. They worked hard and long hours. They gave their love and talents to all who walked through the door. Clara Britt probably gave the first facial in Lumberton.

One little story handed down from the first location is the welcoming visit of the landlords. First came Mr. George B. McLeod, followed by Miss Lillie. Her remark was “I knew you must be pretty girls over here because Mr. McLeod did not come back for a long time. I was embarrassed to come over this late.”

Stevens in business

Lelia had joined ranks in the Lumberton business community along with her sisters and brother. It is very interesting to look back and see that the careers they chose were dedicated to the art of well-being.

They had faith in Robeson County. As they would say, “Turn things around. Don’t just stand still, do something and make a difference.” The sisters were Sadie, Ethel, Lydia and sister-in-law Lib, the wife of Lelia’s brother Raymond Stevens.

Some of you will remember Lumberton Florist and the Blackmons, Walter and Sadie Stevens Blackmon. Sadie was the owner and manager of this very successful business. She may have directed your wedding or done flower arrangements for your church or business. She may have helped you during a time of sadness with funeral arrangements.

Sadie, by the way, was the one who found the location for Peggy’s Beauty Salon. Lumberton Florist’s first location was a smallish shop downtown on West Third Street. The shop stood welcoming patrons into the landscape of the lovely gardens surrounding the Blackmons’ low country Victorian home on the now vacant land between the current Black Water Grille and the African-American museum.

The second location was diagonally across from the county courthouse on Elm Street. Sadie and Walter also had a large gladiola farm beside N.C. 41 toward Fairmont. They shipped gladiolas to different states and provided many jobs in the county.

Ethel Stevens Williams (Mrs. Wayne Williams) and Lydia Elizabeth Stevens Stevenson (Mrs. Robert M. Stevenson) also operated businesses. Ethel owned Williams Tourist Home on the Elizabethtown Road, later destroyed by fire. So, she and Lydia Elizabeth established an antique shop on U.S. 301. Before that Lydia Elizabeth worked with Sadie at Lumberton Florist.

Elizabeth “Lib” Nance Stevens and Raymond owned and managed City Dry Cleaners. Lib was a force that made things happen in that business. Lib and Raymond would greet you by name and were always willing to help you with cleaning, alterations, pressing and even lost button needs. City Dry Cleaners, established in 1945 on West Third Street, continues to be in business, now owned and operated by Raymond and Lib’s son and grandson, Wayne Thomas Stevens and Tommy Stevens.

Like the Lumber River with its continuous flow, I see the Stevens family as part of the culture of Lumberton and surrounding areas for more than half of the 20th century extending into the 21st century. All of them had businesses that were of service to others. Lelia loved helping you feel better about yourself, styling of hair, care of complexion, hands, feet, clothing. Her knowledge and love for decorating led to adding a gift shop to her business.

Sadie had such a love for flowers, growing plants, a greenhouse and sewing. Ethel and Lydia created interesting interiors with antiques. They loved preserving history. Lib and Raymond cared for your clothes.

Thus propelled, Lelia Stevens Thompson began her career when most women were not in the workplace, much less owning and managing businesses along with the responsibility of rearing two daughters, managing a home and being involved with her community. Thankfully, her husband, our dad, Cecil Thompson, was very supportive. Cecil, a businessman with farming interests, was always available when we needed him. He was a big spoke in our lives. Lelia could not have been the success she was without Cecil.

Strategic moves

Lelia’s beauty salon outgrew its first location, plus the buildings on the property were scheduled for demolition, to be replaced by a large commercial building. She moved to the basement underneath The Sanitary Cafe at West Fifth and Elm streets across from the county courthouse.

A third move was to the Masonic Building, located in a much-trafficked area on Elm Street, next door to the U.S. Post Office, which now houses Musselwhite, Musselwhite, Branch and Grantham law firm. Shortly after her move, The Fashion Bar relocated from Chestnut Street into a space adjacent to Lelia’s salon. While in this building she opened a new business, The Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio.

Final move

As her business continued to grow, Lelia purchased the Lumberton Florist building from her sister, Sadie. Soon after her sister’s death, she moved into what became the salon’s final home. The building was located on a half block at the corner of 10th and Elm, with ample parking at 10th and Chestnut streets.

Lelia established her business with state-of-the-art equipment, and she continued to keep it up to date, including attractive furnishings. She always loved the young ladies who chose to become a part of her staff. Many girls out of beauty colleges applied to do their apprenticeship because of the reputation of the salon. Unfortunately, not everyone could get in.

Education

Lelia was never too busy to stop what she was doing to see to the needs of staff or answer questions. She wanted the very best for each stylist. She felt then and still feels today that the best way to achieve a goal is not to become complacent but to stay informed through education.

Professional hair stylists saw their careers in constant change. Lelia kept in contact with beauty colleges regarding continuing education. She wanted to bring her salon and its stylists the very best platform artist in the cosmetology arena.

They had weekend classes where the artist would teach the newest trends and color techniques. They also received training about special hair treatments, hairstyles, haircutting and perms, foiling and coloring.

The girls would listen to the lectures, take notes and receive hands-on experience. Lelia saw that each girl got needed equipment, supplies or instruction. Her key word would be “education,” which meant “to never stop improving oneself.”

Lelia has received several honors unknown to most people, for she is a private, humble person. One of her honors was to serve for seven years as a director on the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art. This board establishes rules for beauty salons and administers the exams in order to license cosmetologists.

The Gallery

When Lelia could no longer be a hair designer, she moved into the fashion field with her own boutique, The Gallery. She loved being a personal shopper, continuing to follow the thread of looking after others. She was a pioneer in her concept of a beauty salon and services, Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio and The Gallery all under one roof.

You could walk into Peggy’s Beauty Salon and have different types of beauty services, including manicures and pedicures. Then you could enter the Merle Norman Studio for a make-up lesson. When you left that area you would be in The Gallery. Here you would find the most fashionable designer clothing.

Lelia was very gifted in knowing what looked best on her customers. She could put together the total look because The Gallery had accessories to match the clothing: jewelry, belts, handbags, sweaters, gloves and scarves.

Lelia tried hard to keep each customer in mind on her buying trips to New York and Dallas. She never bought more than the required number of styles in order that no one would run into that same style at a social function, although she had no control over possible purchases from an out-of-town store.

The Gallery customers could turn around and purchase unusual gifts. Brides could register their gift selections. One could find in The Gallery what you could not find in other stores. The gifts were always beautifully wrapped, hand-tissued and put in a special Gallery box with beautiful hand-tied bows.

Overarching the three businesses were Lelia’s trademarks of elegance and beauty. She has style and she could help others find style. I have often heard, “Lelia, I want my hair to look like yours.” Whatever she wore, someone would want it.

Friendship

The clients who came to the salon soon became friends with their hair stylists. They enjoyed visiting and exchanging news with other clients. Peggy’s was a real meeting place. Everyone looked forward to his or her appointment time.

Lelia’s chosen profession has allowed her to be a true friend to many residents in her town and county. Her outreach crisscrosses generations, affording her the opportunity to know parents and their children. Even in retirement since the business closed in May 2005, she keeps up with what’s going on. When I am out and about in our community there is never a day that goes by without several people asking me about Lelia and remembering her with tender or doting affection.

She continues to practice good health habits of diet and exercise, a positive attitude and enjoys reading, the arts and music, counseling, staying busy and happy.

Lelia has given this advice from her heart: “Ladies are not just ladies, but they can be and do whatever they choose.”