DERBY — Sue Jarvis returned home to Richmond County for a Christmas tradition dating back more than a decade — a one-woman performance of Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory.”
Jarvis, an Ellerbe native now living in Winston-Salem, first performed an adaptation of the short story at the Derby Store (formerly Triple L Farms) about 20 years ago for family members, and it grew into an annual community event.
Sunday evening’s performance — with an introduction from Jarvis’ sister, Marcia Lambeth — was in front of a small, yet standing-room-only crowd of family, friends and neighbors, some of whom have seen it multiple times.
The story, initially published in Mademoiselle magazine in 1956, is told from the point of view of Sook and is set during the 1930s.
“I like the simplicity of the message of just love and, this sounds cliché, but giving,” Jarvis said about the story. “It is truly about giving and putting other people in front of oneself.”
Jarvis said Sook is “a simple lady” who knew how to love and care for people. She added that the character reminds of her of her late mother, Minnie Agee
“The lady is a simple-minded woman, smart, but still considered simple-minded,” Jarvis said. “My mother was a very smart woman who lived simply. She knew the value of love, and people who knew her … could just sense that goodness in her.”
Jarvis has performed other stories over the years but says “A Christmas Memory” is “my favorite…and my best.”
The Lambeths will host the annual Derby Christmas at the store starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 21.
