Sandifer Funeral Home, 512 East Main Street

#174 Lone Star

Quilter: Mary Elizabeth (Libby) Long

Sponsor: Sandifer Funeral Home

Kimberly Wulfert, PhD., Quilt Historian (http://www.womenfolk.com/), has stated that “The Lone Star quilt block is likely one of the most recognizable quilt patterns to Americans. It is also one of the oldest patterns, along with the Mariner’s Compass, Orange Peel, Job’s Trouble, and Irish chain. But this is a pattern known by many names. There are variations of it with 6 points, 8 points (the most common design) or even more."

Mary Elizabeth (Libby) Long of Westminster made this Lone Star quilt for Mr. Cecil T. Sandifer. As a child, she helped her mother make quilts, a necessity in those days Her philosophy about quilting is that it is a "craft that needs to be taught to the younger generations."

The history of this quilt relates to the history of Cecil T. Sandifer, founder and owner of the Funeral Home. Mr. Sandifer has worn a tie since his years as a teenager, as evidenced by old family photographs. He began wearing ties when he was named the bus driver at Connie Maxwell Orphanage where he and his wife, Frances, were raised. They moved to Westminster in 1952 and established the Sandifer Funeral Home. He has continued to wear a tie for the 90 plus years of his life.

The current location of the Funeral Home bears a plaque that reads, The original structure of this building dates back to circa 1879 Cecil and Frances B. Sandifer purchased this home in the year 1954..