Laurinburg residents shared their thoughts and memories of the late Lucretia Love “Teedie” Tuttle, a former primary school teacher whose involvement in a number of social and civic groups including the Humane Society, the Scotland County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Lions Club, Encore Theater, and the Scotch Gardener’s Club enriched the community. Tuttle is perhaps best remembered for creating the Heritage Club, a school project for gifted fifth graders that would evolve into Scotland County’s largest annual attraction, the John Blue Cotton Festival.

"Teedie prided herself on being very 'right-brained'," Scotch Gardener’s Club President and John Blue Festival volunteer Sara Stewart said. "She was artistically inclined, very imaginative and inventive, and she was an excellent teacher."

While an instructor at the former Central School in Laurinburg, Tuttle decided to teach students about their heritage by taking them to historical homes in Scotland County. The idea became known as Heritage Day, and soon spread throughout the Scotland County school system to include demonstrations of over 100 craftsmen and collectors.

"Teedie would bring her students out to the John Blue Festival and give them a tour, much like we do today," Stewart said. "In 1983 this became the John Blue Cotton Festival, held every second weekend in October."

Beacham McDougald of Laurinburg is the vice-chairman of the upcoming Scotland County Highland games in Laurinburg and founder of the annual student exchange program between Laurinburg and Oban, Scotland.

"Teedie was one of the early supporters of the exchange program," McDougald said. "If you knew Teedie, you know that she always placed children first. Her advice was to always keep focused on the young people in relation to the exchange, which is something I've tried to continue with my approach to the upcoming Highland Games as well."

According to McDougald, Tuttle was a popular chaperone for the Scottish students when they visited Scotland County.

"For many years Teedie hosted a covered dish dinner for the exchange students and their hosts at her log cabin home. She was very creative; the kids loved to visit her home, which was like a museum because of all the interesting things she had on display."

Childhood friend and cousin Bobbie Knotts remembered Tuttle as "one of the happiest" persons she has ever known.

"Teedie was a vivacious, sweet, and understanding person," Knotts said. "She had fun and enjoyed life, and most of all she loved her family. She was always happy-go-lucky, and loved to ride in her convertible with her Boston Terrier, 'Mister'. If she went, they went."

Libby Hornbuckle of Laurinburg considered Tuttle one of her best friends.

"When my husband and I first moved to Laurinburg about 12 years ago, I told a prominent citizen in town that we had met Teedie and that she had become our dear friend. I'll never forget what he told me: he said that if more people were like Teedie Tuttle, the world would be a better place. I told her what he said, and she was very flattered. He was right, though; Teedie was one of the finest people you could ever meet."

A former Miss Laurinburg, Tuttle was awarded "Miss Congeniality" at the Miss North Carolina pageant in the mid-1950s.

"Teedie loved Laurinburg like no one else," Hornbuckle said. "I don't think Laurinburg will ever see anyone like her again."

Stewart agreed.

"Teedie Tuttle was an 'individual's individual'," Stewart said. "She marched to her own drummer."