Arie Althea
Waldrop
was born in 1889, in North Carolina. Her parents bought a farm
on Mossy Creek, not far from the Meaders' family home. She married
Cheever Meaders
in 1914 and they raised 8 children. While the children were growing
up, Arie did little in the pottery shop, opting instead to run
the household.
With the children
grown, Arie decided to try her hand at making pottery. At first
she decorated Cheever's pieces. Not long after, Arie had Cheever
put a wheel in the back room and she began to turn. Cheever didn't
like her being at the shop without him, so he came out of his
retirement. They worked together for the next 5 years, until his
death in 1967.
Arie's creative
approach to pottery added an artistic touch to the work. With
the need for traditional pottery gone, people wanted decorative
items. Arie lead the way for the type of pottery the Meaders family
makes today. She passed away in 1989, and is buried at Mossy Creek
beside Cheever.
Arie
Meaders
