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Mary
Dell Tribble of the Becker community just outside of Amory, in Northeast
Mississippi, has the kind of fiery personality that said she’s not
afraid of anything. Well, maybe anything other than being the center of
attention.
"Just
print those recipes and my name. I don’t want everybody to think I’m
trying to make myself famous or something," said Mary Dell.
And
while it might be difficult to find a more humble person than she,
finding a better cook or a bigger jokester might be even more
challenging.
"I
love to pull a good joke on somebody, and that’s how I got to know
[AFC President and CEO] Tommy Paulk," she said.
"He
and my son, Jack, are always trying to one-up the other with a prank,
and they got me pulled into one with them," said Mary Dell.
Mary
Dell insists she just wanted to share her recipes with Paulk and The
Co-op Pantry readers, not share her life story.
"I
still don’t consider myself a good cook. I just like to read and clip
recipes, and if it’s a good one, I love to share it with people,"
she said.
A
native of Amory, Mary Dell has lived in several cities across the
Southeast during her husband’s career with Chevron Oil, but city life
never was for her.
"I
just got tired of it, the traffic and living right next to people I
barely knew. Here I have a little home I just love and wonderful
neighbors, and I love the country," said Mary Dell.
She
enjoys spending time with her sister-in-law, but she spends most of her
time at home.
"I
wash and iron and stay busy even though I couldn’t tell you what I do
with the time. I guess it’s mostly spent looking for things I’ve put
down somewhere and can’t remember where I put them," she laughed.
But
anyone who talks with her for a few minutes would know that a woman with
such razor-sharp wit is not a bit the stereotypical little old lady she
might appear to be.
"I
don’t cook much anymore since my sons are grown and my husband passed
away. It’s hard to cook for one person. I hate to cook something then
get tired of eating it and throw the rest of it away," said Mary
Dell.
With
one son in Birmingham and one in Atlanta, Mary Dell said she’s invited
them both to visit during the holidays.
"My
son, Jack, in Birmingham and his family are coming, but I’m not sure
about Lee and his wife in Atlanta. I told them both I’ve got four
beds, and whoever gets here first gets them," she joked.
In
preparation for the holidays, Mary Dell has prepared her Shrimp Mold for
Christmas Eve parties, and the Dirty Rice recipe is great for
gatherings. Either the Derby Pie or Banana Pudding would certainly bring
a sweet ending to any meal.
Kellie
Henderson is a freelance writer from Troy. |
Dirty
Rice
