This story is excerpted from a workshop conducted in Yancey County in September 2026

Jack Lewis: I’ve lived in Yancey County most of my life, except when I was off working, and still live there partly. 

Millie Lewis:He had so many brothers and sisters- 

Millie Lewis: born at the hospital.  

Jack Lewis: Yeah, I think it was. I don’t remember.  

Speaker 2: Did you have a big family? 

Millie Lewis: There’s 12 of us. 

Speaker 4: Huh? 

Millie Lewis: There’s 12 of us. 

Millie Lewis: siblings. 

Speaker 3:Wow. 

Jack Lewis: Yeah, I have. 12 brothers and sisters, and that’s a house-full.