Elnora Lucile Gardenhire - "Miss Elly" lives in Piney Hollow, New Jersey. She is a retired psychiatric nurse and recently widowed. She was married to the late Richard A. Gardenhire I.

Elnora is the mother of four children - three sons and a daughter, and the grandmother of eleven. Her most enjoyed moments are when reading , quilting, sewing and traveling.

Being the oldest of the Williams clan, her increased involvement with the troupe has bought about, even more so, a sense of stability and family unity.

Phyllis Amanda Walker, known as "Miss Mandy" was born in 1944. She is third in line of the seven sisters. Growing up, she sang in many local churches and organizations with sisters Ida, Bert and Kat.

After marrying her husband Cornelius, they lived in Clayton for fourteen years before moving to Mullica Hill where they now own and operate "Country Critters Crafts and Quilts." She and her husband have one daughter, two sons and are the proud grandparents of five.

Phyllis enjoys creating new crafts with her husband for their shop, Country Critters, but her favorite hobby is quilting and sharing the knowledge of it in her quilt workshop. Her other interests are Bible studies, cooking, traveling and singing. She gives tribute to her father, the late William H. Williams, for his great passion for singing and how he passed on this gift to his children.

"Free At Last"
Phyllis says, "Having the opportunity to share our heritage through the use of our God-given talents has truly allowed me to grow spiritually."

Bertha Kellum portrays "Miss Bert". She is a resident of Clayton, NJ. Born fifth among the sisters, Bert is known for her lively and unpredictable antics on the stage. Her enthusiasm permeates the show from beginning to end. Her love for the Lord, quilting and singing makes perfect for this delightful character.

She has been married to Lawrence Kellum, Sr. for thirty nine years and has four grown children, and eight grandchildren whom she adores.

"Bible Quilt"
Her accolades include writing and directing a version of "The Life of King David" and singing in the famous Granny Quartet. She enjoys catering, quilting, singing, collecting antiques, painting and designing miniature doll houses and collectibles.

Kathleen Lindsey portrays "Kat". Being the sixth from the oldest, Kat has been quilting over thirty years. She finds quilting to be a comforting hobby, creating original and replicas of slave and African American quilts. She was featured in the 1996 issue of Good Housekeeping Magazine after she and her husband David adopted two young children. After the death of their second son, Darrell, she began piecing together a quilt in his memory. After completion, she gave the quilt to her husband. She calls it "God's Children Are Gathering Home".

"Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad"
The Lindseys have four older children and six grandchildren. Some of her quilts have been on display at Wheaton Village Quilt Show, Gloucester County, Salem and Camden County Colleges, Philadelphia Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum, various schools, libraries and quilting guilds. For the past fifteen years, Kat has enjoyed teaching the art of quilt-making to adults and children. Kat's interest in the history of slavery gave rise to their presentation called, A Stitch in Time".

In 2003, Kat became an author of a children's picture book called "Sweet Potato Pie". Kat continues to reach out through the art of quilting and literacy.

Anna Stevens plays the role of "Miss Annie". She is the youngest of the seven sisters. Her love for quilting is matched only by her character's love for food! She enjoys the company of her husband Grandville, her son, daughter and six grandchildren. She enjoys traveling to Arizona and Georgia to visit her children and grandchildren.

Springtime in Ireland
Anna owns and operates a Craft and Quilt Shop in Richland, NJ. She has been teaching quilting for several years. Her days are spent working at her shop on new and antique quilts. Anna dreams of one day publishing a Christian poetry book based on her life experiences. Her hobbies include creative writing, music and making various crafts. Anna makes the very best Anna Banana Bread in the world.

Loretta Mae Carter, better known as "Miss Retta", was the second oldest of the 7 sisters. She married Rudolf Carter at the age of 16. She traveled ...military style...all over the country and spent 4 years over-seas. After her husband's untimely death she moved back to Clayton.

Loretta enjoyed singing, art work, reading and studying her bible, collecting antiques, decorating her home, long walks with "Miss Idie" and spending time with all her sisters. Though she spent a lot of time, in and out of the hospital, she performed with her sisters as often as she was able.

Born October 3, 1943, "Miss Retta" passed from this life on Jan 22, 2000.

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Ida Rowe played the character of "Miss Idie". She was born fourth in the line of the Seven Sisters. Off stage, she was the loving wife of George II, who is the group's chauffeur. She is the mother of three lovely daughters, one son and has twelve adorable grandchildren.

"Socks to Mend"
During her waking hours, Ida could be found entertaining her grandchildren. Ida retired from Rowan State College where she was a certified baker. Her hobbies included cruising and vacationing with sister Phil and husbands, singing, quilting, collecting cultural figures, baking and porcelain dolls, acting and spending time with her family. Ida and George resided in Clayton, NJ.

Ida Elizabeth Williams Rowe
Born Christmas Day - December 25, 1946
Departed from this earthly home on September 29, 2005.

	For a bio on the Seven Sisters, please click here.
	For description of performances, please click here.
	For The Seven Quilts for Seven Sisters' current schedule, click here.
	For The Seven Quilts for Seven Sisters' School program information, click here.
	For The Seven Quilts for Seven Sisters' Day in the Life of a Slave program information, click here.
	For Secret Communication through quilt patterns and song, click here
	For The Seven Quilts for Seven Sisters' station slave era activities, demonstrations and exhibit items, click here.
	For information on their new CD, click here.
	For a description of "Christmas On the Old Plantation" Show, click here
	Contact one of the Seven Sisters, Phyllis Walker, at 856-478-6811 or via email at cornyw@aol.com for questions about the Seven Sisters' show availability.

BIOGRAPHIES