Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

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Marilee Brooks

  • wcu_picturing-5432.jpg
  • This 1941 image shows Mary Leland "Marilee" Brooks (1926-2015) of Bryson City, daughter of Allan Arthur Brooks and Edith Lorrain Wilmoth and first cousin of Helen (1921-2016) and Leslie Brooks. Brooks family members were principal owners of Alarka Lumber Company. The image is part of the Stearns-Grueninger Collection. Irving Kip Stearns (1895-1942) was president of Carolina Wood Turning Company from 1928 until his death in 1942. Stearns’ grandfather, Jeremiah Shank, started the company in 1903 as Bryson City Pump Works and it grew to be a thriving industry for the community. In 1911, Stearns was in the first graduating class of Bryson City High School. He had one son, Joseph Pease Stearns (1917-1948). In 1935, I. K. married Betty Grueninger (1896-1971).