Guy and Eve’s legacy of diamonds

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

The Whitworth family has a long tradition of selling jewelry in our community. Their business has thrived for three generations. Guy Whitworth grew up during the Great Depression. He served in the Army in World War II and came home to marry his high school sweetheart Evalyn Cox. Guy went off again to college at Southeast Missouri State University. He soon became the district manager of a St. Louis jewelry store chain called Gift Chest Jewelers. Evelyn went out and started her business called Eve’s Gifts and Antiques. Her quaint little store became famous and was frequented by such Hollywood stars as Roddy McDowell and Dorothy Lamour, who later became friends.

Guy Whitworth’s other community activities included president of the Friends of the Margaret Harwell Art Museum club.

Both Guy and Evelyn held leadership roles in the Holy Cross Episcopal Church and contributed their time to the United Gospel Rescue Mission. Evelyn served on the Mission’s Board of Directors for 20 years. Both Guy and Evelyn supported the Claudia Foundation by being mentors to the young ladies of Poplar Bluff. Their most notable efforts were their fight to desegregate the municipal pool. Evelyn was devoted to the Edgewood Children’s Home, the Junior Citizenship Club and the Girl Scouts. She was a founding board member of the Poplar Bluff Museum.

In 1992 the Chamber of Commerce honored Guy and Evelyn by recognizing them as Co-Citizens of the Year. They were both the “Jewel in the Crown” of Poplar Bluff.

In 1995, Guy and Evelyn purchased the business “Gift Chest Jewelers” and renamed it “Whitworth’s Gift Chest Jewelers.” They moved the business to the Walmart Plaza and Guy came up with the famous phrase “And remember, Walmart is next to us!”

In 1999 Guy passed away and his son Steve Whitworth took over the family business. He followed his father’s footsteps becoming director of the Margaret Harwell Art Museum. Steve’s sons Matt and Andy are also working in the family business and are preparing for the day to continue the family tradition in Poplar Bluff. The Whitworth family is honored in the Poplar Bluff Museum’s People Room with a large pictorial biography on the wall.

The Museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge 1-4 p.m. Sunday at 1010 Main St. Tell them Mike sent you.

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.