Goldie Carmichael
Goldie Carmichael lived most of her life on a crowded farm in Opelika, Alabama, and she continued the large family tradition through both of her marriages. In 1886, Goldie was born into a family with twelve biological siblings (Linnie, Annie, Silas, John, Fanny, Lillie, Rosa, Moses, Kate, and Hattie) and two half siblings from her dad’s side (Josephine and Robert). Her parents, Bush and Laura Lipscomb, were both literate after attending school earlier in their life. This was a huge step in her family because her father grew up as a slave under Andrew Lipscomb, which is where the family received their last name. Goldie, like her parents, was also literate, however, she did not go to school past the sixth grade. Following her father’s footsteps, Goldie would occasionally pick up farm work to help out her large family. Owning a farm at the time meant they were doing well financially. At age thirteen, Goldie’s older sister, Hattie, had a baby, which made her an aunt. Her niece, Carrie Birdie, was born under the same roof as thirteen-year-old Goldie. She helped raise Carrie with Hattie, which prepared her for her own children. Six years later, at age nineteen, Goldie married Arthur Moseley, who worked as an operator who was registered in the United States Draft Registration. The couple rented their farm and were likely sharecroppers. Eventually, they moved to East Thach in their own home. The family received an inheritance after Arthur’s uncle. The inheritance was challenged by the uncle’s children, but it was agreed to be valid by the court. They had one daughter at nineteen, who was named Estella “Stella” Moseley. Stella later on had eight children, which made Goldie a happy grandma. In 1947, Arthur passed away from unknown causes. Two years later, at age sixty-four, she moved out of Opelika. Goldie Moseley soon became Goldie Carmichael after marrying Albert Carmichael in 1949. They lived happily together until Goldie passed away on December 1, 1960, at age 74.
Contributed by Gates and Aaron from Auburn High School