ms. mozell gets a new crib!

this is MY grandmama, y’all:

Showing her the way home
Renowned quilter receives keys to home designed by AU students
Donathan Prater
Opelika Auburn News
Staff writer
Friday, August 3, 2007
[http://www.oanow.com/]

When it comes to realizing her lifelong dream, Mozell Benson literally has things all sewn up.

Photo credit: Sylvia G. Stephens, first born of Mozell Benson

On Thursday, Benson, 73, picked up the keys to her new home courtesy of students from Auburn University’s Design/Build Program and College of Architecture.

Just a few months earlier, those same AU students built and dedicated a studio on the same piece of property where the nationally renowned quilter will teach her craft to elementary school students.

More than 40 members of Benson’s family gathered at the dedication of her home which sits adjacent to her Waverly quilting studio.

“I don’t have the words to express how thankful I am for this day, but the appreciation has always been there,” said Benson, the mother of 10 adult children. “The dream has always been there. Now it’s a reality.”

Benson, who has been quilting since she was at least 12 years old, remembers a time when the quilts her mother and grandmother made were strictly about necessity, not novelty.

Now she’s willing to share her craft with anyone who wants to improve their needling know-how.

The 1,000 square-foot house comes complete with a kitchen, full bedroom and living area. The home also has additional storage spaces and a guest area for visitors.

Work on the planning, design and building phases of Benson’s home covered about a 13-month period, according to Design/Build Program student, Richard Elliott.

And while it only looks like a structure to most folks, Katie Sharpee knows it represents much more than that to Benson.

“Ms. Benson grew up here in Waverly and quilting has always been a part of her life; so in working on this project, we’re basically bringing her back home,” said Sharpee, also a Design/ Build student.

Those sentiments are ones Benson’s son, Glenn L. Murph, couldn’t agree with more.

“To have this happen here on this property means so much to us as a family,” Murph said. “It’s a blessing.”

Benson, who currently resides in Opelika, once lived in a home she owned on the same piece of property her new house and quilting studio sit on until it fell into a state of disrepair and she was forced to move.

“For mama to have a place to (do) what she loves is really important to all of us,” Murph said.

Murph led the dedication of Benson’s new home with prayer. Benson is planning to officially move into her new home by the end of August.

Until then, Benson will keep fairly busy working on a small flower and vegetable garden she tends on the site when not visiting her daughter, who lives across the street from the quilting studio.

But Benson is eager to start teaching others about quilting.

“The gate here is always open,” said Benson, pointing to the fenced entrance to her property. “I’ve been (quilting) a long time and there’s no one I can’t teach.

“I guarantee you that you’ll learn something.”