Debbie Halcomb
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
Debbie Frazier Halcomb, a native of Cody, Kentucky, was born into a family that owned and operated a small grocery store and garage in the area now known as Carr Creek Lake. Her father, Gid Frazier, hailed from Hot Spot, Kentucky (now known as Premium), while her mother, Alma Frazier, was from Vicco, Kentucky. The family moved to Cody when Debbie was six years old, a decision influenced by her impending school years. She attended Carr Creek Elementary School, starting in 1962. Debbie and her brother, Feller, both worked in the family business, with Debbie primarily involved in the grocery store operations. She helped sell groceries, including fresh meat, and later assisted her mother in making sandwiches and cooking for customers. As an adult, Debbie relocated to Redfox, Kentucky, where she works as a family resource coordinator at Jones Fork Elementary School.
Scope and Content Note
The interview with Debbie Halcomb, conducted by Nicole Musgrave on February 6th, 2023, provides a rich account of Debbie's childhood experiences growing up in Cody, Kentucky, and her family's business operations. The interview covers the family's move to Cody, the establishment of their grocery store and garage, and the roles Debbie and her brother played in the business. Debbie shares her memories of selling groceries, making sandwiches, and cooking for customers. She also discusses the family's decision to settle in Cody when she was about to start school and her experiences attending Carr Creek Elementary School. The interview also touches on the social life in Cody, particularly the popularity of the Carr Creek Lake area among teenagers during the summer. Debbie's recollections provide valuable insights into the local history and culture of Cody and the broader Knott County area during the mid-20th century.
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