Remembering Radnor’s Caretakers—Carrie and Jessie McElyea

Karrie Shackleford, shown below with her grandmother Mrs. Mac, writes:

Carrie McElyea, known as Mrs. Mac, was born in 1913. She and my grandfather Jessie M. McElyea moved to Radnor Lake in 1946.

My grandfather (Jessie McElyea) worked for the railroad as a bridge painter prior to his life on the Lake. The silver paint that was used gave him lead poisoning, and he was no longer able to continue in that position. A spillway operator job had just opened up due to a rattlesnake bite that killed the previous caretaker. My grandfather was offered the post and was put in the boat house while they readied the home for my family. My Nanny and the kids moved in when my father was a year old.

A pair of private investigators
She and my grandfather were both private investigators and raised bloodhounds on the property. When necessary, they would take the hounds out and search for escaped convicts and missing people. My grandfather was killed during one of these missions. He had two of his best hounds with him that day, and after his death, they left the lake every night and went back to where he was killed. Eventually, Nanny had to have them put down; the dogs could not let go of Jessie.

After the death of my grandfather, Nanny remained on the Lake and raised four kids and countless grandkids. I lived in the little green house off and on for a couple of years and woke up to the sounds of birds and the flopping of fish.

My grandmother told me stories of arresting illegal fishermen and handcuffing them to the swing on the front porch. Often while she waited for the police, she would make them something to eat and they would “visit” until the authorities came to get them.

Nanny also had a little dog named Winky. Each morning, he would make his way down to the Granny White Market and bring home a loaf of bread. I have always treasured that story.

She shot a gator by the lake
When my dad or my aunts got into trouble, Nanny would chain the front axle of their car to the huge tree right in front of the house. That kept them immobile and out of mischief for a while!
Another day, she spotted a huge alligator walking down the drive from the swampy parts of the Lake. This was in the late ’60s early ’70s. Nanny pulled out the shotgun and shot him right in the armpit. She then skinned the gator and hung its hide on the front porch to dry, after which she sold it.
 
I was a little girl when my Nanny retired from the lake, but I do have very vivid memories, especially of Christmastime and the snow on the banks. I also remember peering out of the bedroom window at dark, curious of the night’s sounds and sights.

Daily, Nanny would stroll me around the lake as she patrolled, hoping that I would go to sleep. Or we would walk down the long driveway to the mailbox which was the only contact with the outside world. My Nanny never did drive a car.

I am rambling on about my family and the place they lived—but the history of Radnor Lake is remiss without the recognition of my wonderful, strong grandmother. I think that my Nanny has lived one of the most colorful and glorious lives. She experienced things that many of us only get to read about.

Carrie McElyea is as fine a female role model as I can think of. She took adversity and her minimal monthly income and raised a family of four on the natural wonder that you all seem to love. My Nanny took a hard and scary experience and made it her own. She did not complain and thanked the heavens every day for what she did have. I am my grandmother's namesake and hopefully have made her proud, and I try to use the lessons she taught me every day of my life.
My memories are priceless, and to think that others might not know of my Nanny’s contribution to Radnor Lake makes me sad. The lake would not be what it is today without her diligence in protecting its borders for decades. Thank you for your love for my family’s home. I know it is well taken care of and I am so happy that it has not fallen victim to development—that was my Nanny’s worst nightmare.

--Karrie M Shackleford, Atlanta, GA