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Born in the Fouke community in 1891, Lillian Richard was one of eleven children of Derry and Cornelia (Washington) Richard. In 1910 she moved to Dallas, working initially as a cook. In 1925 she accepted a position with the Quaker Oats Co. Portraying “Aunt Jemima,” a character from an 1875 song later popularized in minstrel shows, radio programs and movies. Lillian was one of several african-american women who traveled the country promoting Aunt Jemima brand pancake mix. Her career with Quaker Oats lasted 23 years until she suffered a stroke and returned to Fouke. She died in 1956 and was buried in Fouke Memorial Cemetery. Because of her legacy, in 1995 the texas legislature named Hawkins the “Pancake Capital of Texas.” |
