Cordelia Collins Schaber
Carr Creek Oral History Project
This collection is comprised of audio-recorded interviews conducted during 2022-2023 by folklorist Nicole Musgrave with support from the Kentucky Oral History Commission. Her work was part of an effort to document the geographic and human impact of the construction of the Carr Fork Reservoir in southeastern Kentucky, which was completed in 1976. The collection’s twenty interviews with residents of Knott, Letcher and Perry Counties range in focus and content. Most of the interviewees were affected by dislocation in some way. They express different opinions about the lake and its impact on the community. Most interviewees share memories of what the area was like before the lake was built, and many have vivid memories of what the construction process was like.
National Capital Contracting
Cordelia Collins Schaber is a native of Letcher County, Kentucky, who currently resides in Cold Spring, Kentucky. Born into a family with deep roots in the region, her father, Ray Collins, was an Old Regular Baptist preacher, and her mother, Estelle Collins, was also a Collins before marriage. Cordelia's family history in the area traces back to her great-great-grandfather, who built the home where multiple generations of her family, including her mother and herself, were born. After graduating from Morehead State University with an accounting degree, she returned to Letcher County to work at the Jenkins Clinic Hospital. However, due to a strike by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and the subsequent lack of patients, she moved to Cincinnati in 1978. Cordelia spent her career working primarily in nonprofits and healthcare, retiring at the age of sixty-two. She is married to Dale Schaber, and they enjoy traveling together. Cordelia is also a passionate fan of the University of Kentucky's sports teams.
Scope and Content Note
The interview with Cordelia Collins Schaber, conducted by Nicole Musgrave on February 17, 2023, is part of the Carr Creek Oral History Project. The conversation provides a rich account of Cordelia's life, her family history, and her experiences growing up in Letcher County, Kentucky. She discusses her career in accounting, her decision to move to Cincinnati following a strike by the UMWA, and her subsequent work in nonprofits and healthcare. Cordelia also shares her deep connection to her hometown, recounting her family's long history in the area and her love for the mountains of Kentucky. She speaks about her father's role as an Old Regular Baptist preacher and the impact of her family's roots on her identity. The interview also touches on her personal life, including her marriage, her love for travel, and her passion for the University of Kentucky's sports teams. The interview concludes with Cordelia expressing her commitment to her community, as she has been assisting with flood relief efforts in Letcher County since August 2023.
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