They call her ‘Droop'

Most people know her by Droop, which is just fine with Elva Mae Mishoe Heath.

She was never particularly fond of her first name. After all, her sister had a more traditional name of Helen.

Droop has been a resident of New Bern for more than 50 years and a dance teacher in Craven and Pamlico counties through the years.

The nickname dates back to when she was about 14.

After an overnight stay with a friend, she had to borrow knickers for a Saturday morning basketball practice at an old Williamston tobacco warehouse.

The pants were too large and bounced up and down.

There was a boy who snuck into the practice and as he watched, he yelled out "Good Lord. Look at Droopy Drawers."

The boy was chased away, but by the time the petite Elva Mae walked up to the schoolhouse steps Monday morning, she was chorused with the new nickname.

When Helen arrived in high school two years later, she was tagged "Little Droop," and Elva Mae became "Big Droop."

"That has followed me to this day," she said. "Some of the girls at the Golden Age Club refer to me as Elva Droop. Half the people I know don't know what my name is other than Droop."