23RD PSALM-26X36 WALLHANGING

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He market me to lie down in green pastures; He leaded me beside the still waters. He redeems soul; he leaded me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, Thy rod and thy staff comfort me, Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointed my head with oil; my cu runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the lord for ever. Although Thomas Lemuel Oates started Manual Woodworkers and Weavers in 1932, the story goes back further. The roots of the company can be found in Oates' entrepreneurial spirit. They would also help their mother find materials for her crafts. The sons began to make wooden whistles, buckets and bird-houses. Later, Thomas worked at the Ashville Postcard Company. When the Depression hit, he lost his job, but it inspired him to go into business and sell crafts, like cornhusk dolls and woven pieces, that were produced by the local women. He had learned about the wholesale business while working at Ashville. He built a waterwheel to generate electricity at a mill, began making product and opened shop. Over the years, he expanded the company. His son, Lemuel Oates, who would next manage the company, says he worked in the business from a young age. He explains the products were made from cotton scraps left over from making socks. Half-inch circles would be looped together to form a variety of products. Lemuel Oates went to college and then settled in Richmond. In December 1973, he returned to Bat Cave and took over the company. In 2007 his son Travis and his daughter, Molly Oates Sherrill, took over the business.