'Elvis and Gladys' author gives back to Tupelo

[franny]

'Elvis and Gladys' author gives back to Tupelo: Last month it was announced that Elaine Dundy, author of the acclaimed "Elvis and Gladys," bequeathed $600,000 to establish the 'Elaine Dundy and Roy Turner Endowment Fund for the Arts'.
Roy Turner, a Tupelo native, (right: at the announcement) was an amateur historian when Dundy came to Northeast Mississippi in 1981 to research her book about Elvis Presley. "She paid me $5 an hour and gave me the most fantastic summer of my life," he said at the announcement of the gift at the CREATE Foundation, which will administer the endowment. That summer led to a lasting friendship between Roy Turner and Dundy.
She also developed an affinity for Tupelo. Shortly before she left London to research her book, Dundy had a drug overdose. Turner said she found much-needed comfort in Elvis' hometown. "She told her friends that coming to Tupelo and getting to know the people of Tupelo literally saved her life,"
Dundy was a well-known author before she began work on "Elvis and Gladys." Her first two novels, "The Dud Avocado" and "The Old Man and Me," recently have been released as New
York Review of Books classics. Her autobiography "Life Itself," was released in 2001.
Royalties from all of her books that are in print will contribute to the endowment. Talks are ongoing about a movie and a Broadway show based on "The Dud Avocado," which could boost royalties.
"I hope everyone realises what a massive gift it is," said Turner. The $600,000 and any future royalties will not be touched, Turner said. He estimated that about $30,000 in interest will be available each year, and a board will decide how to spend it.
The first plan is to buy a silver screen for the Lyric Theatre, which was a movie theatre when Elvis and Turner grew up in Tupelo.
Go here to EIN's exclusive interview with Elaine Dundy
Go here to EIN's exclusive interview with Roy Turner about the book 'Tupelo's Own' & the film 'Tupelo Homecoming'
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork/PJGansky)

[Junebug]

Thanks, franny.

A really nice gesture by Elaine Dundy. I did not know her story before this article. Great to see Tupelo benefit from the endowment.

[Brian]

I thought she died a few years ago.

[TotallyInsane]

Well, if you read the interview with her it sounds as if she's not dead.

[Junebug]

Yes - Elaine Dundy passed away 1 May 2008.


Scroll for some 2007/2008 photos of Ms. Dundy:

http://www.elainedundy.com/Endowment.html

[TotallyInsane]

Yes - Elaine Dundy passed away 1 May 2008.


Scroll for some 2007/2008 photos of Ms. Dundy:

http://www.elainedundy.com/Endowment.html

So, I guess the article posted is old. Thanks June.

[SleepyJack]

Dead or not it was still a nice gesture. It`s nice to see that not everybody is only concerned with lining their own pockets.
Thanks Franny for sharing this with us.

[Diane]

Thanks Franny, nice to read about her generosity.

Diane

[Tommy]

Thank you Franny, very nice.

[franny]

You're welcome, everyone.

The article was just posted on EIN yesterday, so I posted it here...

It was very generous of her.

franny

[elvislady]

Thanks franny i enjoyed this article.

elvislady

[franny]

Thanks franny i enjoyed this article.

elvislady

You're welcome, Jeanette.

franny

[PiersEIN]

Good point -
The original interview was back in 2004.
I will add something to note that.

EIN did run a nice obituary about Elain Dudny when she passed away.
She was a marvellous & honest woman. A wonderful example for all.

Cheers
Piers