After graduating from Erskine College, Emma Reid Echols distinguished herself as a teacher, first in Charlotte, NC, then in Rock Hill, SC. Her husband, the Rev. Dr. W. Roger Echols, was pastor of the Neely's Creek ARP Church for over 30 years, and Emma was deeply involved in church service as the children's choir director, and teacher of the women's Bible class. She remained an active member of Neely's Creek ARP Church all her life, even attending Easter service the week before her death.
In 1950, with the help of the Junior Welfare League, she opened the Orthopedic Community School in Rock Hill for people with physical and mental disabilities, where she taught for a number of years. She also helped establish "Camp Joy" for children with disabilities at Bonclarken near Flat Rock, NC, where she served as the storyteller even into her mid-90s. She continued as a popular substitute teacher in the Rock Hill Public Schools until over age 90.
Emma was also closely involvement with the Catawba Nation. As a result of her friendships with the Catawba and knowledge of their history, she was commissioned by the University of Florida and recorded the oral history of the Catawba Indians on over 60 audio tapes and accompanying pictures.
Master Potter Mildred Blue was the first member of the Catawba Nation to graduate from high school, and served as a membership roll coordinator for the Catawba Nation. She was a warm, gracious woman, well loved and respected by those who knew her, and an expert pottery teacher.
Dr. Wenonah George Haire, DMD is a graduate of Clemson University, and received her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1979, and has a dental practice in Rock Hill, SC. An enrolled Catawba Tribal Member, Dr. Haire has bee active in many civic organizations, including the Rock Hill Arts Council, York County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and the Catawba River Heritage Corridor Committee. Since 1991, Dr. Haire has served as the director of the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project (CCPP) since 1991.