Goldie Nally
“She was always concerned when she saw a young child wearing a worn out coat,” remembered Hiram Nally of his mother, Goldie. “She was always so concerned about the welfare of children.”
Goldie Taylor Nally was born in Higginson, Arkansas on January 21, 1906 to John and Minnie Lee Taylor. Her father was a Justice of the Peace and a constable and her mother was a homemaker. Goldie was able to attend school until the eighth grade, where she developed a love for reading. “She would read all the time,” recalled Hiram. “She loved to read.”
Goldie married Henry Hiram Nally when she was sixteen years old. Together, they had three children: James, who died in infancy, Mildred and Hiram. They lived in Arkansas until the depression. They moved to Indianapolis in 1933 so that Hiram could work as an estimator in an uncle’s household goods moving and storage business. Times were tough, but Goldie and Hiram worked hard to provide for their children.
Goldie’s husband, Hiram, died in 1942 from kidney disease. After his death, she worked at a local cafeteria as a cashier to support the family. “There was never an excess of money,” recalled Hiram. “But she did a good job of managing the household. Her father and uncle were financially able to help, but I think she was too independent to ever ask for help.” Goldie worked at the cafeteria for over twenty years, until her retirement at age 65.
“She really loved kids,” stated Hiram. “Our house was the gathering spot in the neighborhood. The neighbor kids liked to talk to her. She was willing to spend the time and talk to them about things that they were interested in.”
Goldie was also the ideal next-door neighbor. “She was always willing to baby-sit for anyone,” stated Hiram.
Goldie was a dedicated parent and let her children know exactly what she expected. “She was very strict. She made sure we stayed out of trouble and she would always be awake when I came in from being out with friends and let me know in no uncertain terms if I was late,” recalled Hiram.
Goldie was committed to instilling the importance of education to her children. “She said that education was the key to a better life. She made sure I got up and went to school every day. She was adamant about education and she was extremely proud when I graduated from college.”
Goldie lived to be 92. At the time of her death she had three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She never wavered in her love of children. In 1998 Hiram established the Goldie Taylor Nally fund with the Washington County Community Foundation. This is a designated fund that issues grants to the “Shop with a Cop” Program. “I thought it would be appropriate to set up this fund in Mom’s memory,” stated Hiram. “Now at least one child will be clothed and taken care of each Christmas in her memory. I think she would have been very pleased.”
