On a recent warm spring afternoon, North Carolina American Legion Auxiliary Historian Linda J. Quinlan paid a visit to the Vienna Village Assisted Living facility in Pfafftown to chat with Martha (Kate) Shore. Kate — as she is affectionately known — is the most senior resident at Vienna Village, and is a healthy, spry 103-year-young lady.
Linda Quinlan was joined by her husband Jim, along with David Shore, Kate’s son, and Cathy Shore, David’s wife. The Shores live in Boonville and the Quinlans reside in Shelby. As the Auxiliary State Historian, Linda was very interested in chatting with Kate to hear about her life and the many changes she has seen through the years. Here Linda shares an account of her interview with Kate Shore.
On the day of our visit, Kate was waiting for us in her room at Vienna Village which family members have decorated with many framed photos of relatives and friends, special occasions, etc. She looked lovely — her snow-white hair was styled (she has her hair done weekly), her fingernails sported a French manicure, and her complexion was flawless.
Born in January 1921, Kate was the youngest child in a family with two brothers and two sisters. As many North Carolinians of her generation, they were a very industrious and hard-working family. Kate’s parents were tobacco farmers. Kate was married at the tender age of 17 to Alvis Shore. They eloped to Hillsville, VA and got married by a Justice of the Peace, after which they spent the remainder of their life together near Boonville. Her husband was also a tobacco farmer, and together they also raised hogs, and planted a big garden every year.
The Shores welcomed four sons over a span of 11 years: Keith (who passed away in 2014), David, Clark, and Neil.
During the visit, both Kate and her son David recalled a humorous incident which happened when David and his brother Clark were youngsters, probably around four to six years of age.
Their parents had saved enough money to buy their boys new straw hats. One day, after a heavy rainfall, the boys couldn’t resist running outside to play in the mud puddles around the house. They remembered to take their shoes off and roll up their overall pant legs, but since they loved their new straw hats so much they also put them on before going outside. About 30 minutes later, after much rough housing and jumping in puddles, both boys were covered head to toe with mud. Kate went outside and when she saw her filthy muddy little boys, the boys figured they were in for a good spanking. But Kate was a patient mother who always saw the bright side of life. She told her boys to stay right where they were and she would be back in a minute. While the boys nervously awaited her return, they wondered who would get the first whooping. But instead — Kate came back outside — and in her hand was her camera! She smiled and laughed as she took several photos of her messy little boys. A photo hanging on the wall in her room indeed shows the little muddy boys, and the picture never ceases to bring a smile to her face when she reminisces about that day.
Both David and Clark Shore served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. Kate was well aware of the sacrifices her sons had to make serving in the military, as both of her brothers also served in the Army during World War II. One of her treasured possessions is a beautiful kimono a brother sent to her while he was stationed in Japan. She kept in touch with Clark and David while they were in the service, and they, in turn, would write to Kate often. She kept every letter they wrote back and they also remain very treasured mementoes.
As her sons got older, Kate worked at several jobs. For 16 years, she worked for Hunter Publishing and helped to assemble high school yearbooks. She also worked as a cook at Lightning Drive-in close to Boonville, and for several years baked pies for Aces Restaurant in Yadkinville. According to David, Kate was considered the best chocolate, butterscotch, and coconut pie maker (ever!) in Yadkin County.
As seems so often, life get busy and the years passed quickly. Kate and Alvis enjoyed a very long and happy married life together until Alvis’ death in 1996. As she got older her sons wanted Kate to take turns living with them so they could keep a closer eye on her.
While living at Cathy and David’s home in Boonville, one of her favorite things to do was helping can pork sausage. And when Cathy needed to make her scrumptious homemade apple cakes, Kate helped peel dozens of apples by hand. Always known as a sweetheart to her many friends and relatives, Kate’s son Neil, who owns the Sanders Ridge Winery in Boonville, even named a wine after her — “Sweet Kate”.
David is a very active member of The American Legion, which is the nation’s oldest and largest veterans service organization. For the past 20 years he has been Commander of the East Bend Legion Post 336. David was also the NC American Legion State Commander 2016-2017, National Sergeant-at-Arms 2019-2021, and currently serves the organization as a National Executive Committeeman.
The Quinlans’ became acquainted with David and Cathy Shore in 2017 as they worked on several American Legion committees together and have been good friends ever since. Linda and her husband are active members of the Shelby, NC American Legion and Auxiliary. David decided to sign up several ladies in his family to become members of the Auxiliary, including his wife and his mother. Thus, Kate became the most senior member of the Auxiliary in North Carolina.
One item that must be mentioned is that she is also one of the UNC Tarheels basketball’s biggest fans. On game days she gets out her Tarheels jersey and hangs a UNC sign on her door. She makes sure the TV remote and her favorite snacks are handy so she can enjoy the basketball game uninterrupted. She even scored an autographed birthday card from beloved Tarheels former coach Roy Williams when she turned 101.
Today, after moving to Vienna Village Assisted Living several months ago, Kate is doing well and is very happy. She has a daily routine which includes exercise and walking up and down the long hallways. Kate likes to participate in the Bingo games, said the food is delicious, and enjoys singing at religious services when a preacher comes on the weekend. She has many friends there already, loves the staff, and they in turn love her back. They told her she is one of the sweetest ladies there, so she tries to behave herself. She says she has had a very blessed life and is very grateful.
When asked what her wish for Christmas would be, she immediately stated she hopes to be as mobile then as she is now. Kate Shore is a sweet, lovely lady and all who meet her hope for her continued good health and that all her wishes come true. Blessed indeed!
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