‘Orange Lady” Minta Landrum passes away
Araminta “Minta” Huffman Landrum, known as the “Orange Lady of Salado” passed away Oct. 27 at the age of 83.
Minta was born to Leonida and Araminta Huffman m Eagle Pass, Texas, on June 17, 1919. She was the younger of two daughter in a family of six children, and was affectionately known as “Baby” to her relative . After attending schools in Eagle Pass, she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, receiving a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.She married Cyrus Allen Landrum May 23, 1941. After living in Fort Worth and Fluvanna, Texas, Cyrus and Minta settled in Eagle Pass where she taught third grade for 14 years. They also raised the children and were very active in community affairs.She was the organist for the United Methodist Church and pre ,dent of the United Methodist Women’s group and the Pan American Women’s Club.
In 1964, the Landrums moved to Temple here they owned and operated the Oak Lodge Motel for 16 years she continued in teaching fifth grade at Dixon Vandiver and Meredith Elementary Schools for 16 years. In 1972, the Temple Jaycees nominated her Outstanding Citizen of the Year, and Bell Chapter of American Business Women’s Association named her Woman of the Year. She also served as President of the Texas State Teacher’s Association-Temple Unit. She was a member of the Friendship Class at First United Methodist Church of Temple, and later member of the Temple Bible Church, where her husband Cy was an elder. Her love for music was demonstrated in her organization and direction of the ABWA’s Singing Bell .She also wrote two songbook entitled, “Sing Something Different,” and “Ole America.”
Minta began wearing the color orange in 1964 because the color orange made her feel happy.
Students often called her “Miss Orange,” and after returning from teaching and motel work they moved to Salado where she eventually became known a the “Orange Lady of Salado.” Her love for the color orange was the topic of an interview with Tumbleweed Smith which aired on radio, and an interview with KCE -TV, which was aired on CNN in the USA, as well as in Mexico and Spain.
As in her past communities, Minta became involved in the Village of Salado. She was a member of the Monday Club. She was President of the Salado Chamber of Commerce Women’s Auxiliary and Vice President for two years in charge of programs. She vonlunteered teaching English to Hispanic Students from Salado High School who spoke no English. She also organized and sponsored a folkloric dance group for Salado High School girls.
Born and raised on the southern border, Minta always has a love for the Hispanic people, customs, and language. Minta encompassed this love by decorateing her house at Christmas-time in Mexican ornaments and annually having a Mexican Crhsitmas “coffee” for the Salado ladies.
Minta was preceded in death by her husband Cyrus Allen Landrum, and by four brothers and a sister. She is survived by her two daughters, Ann Landrum Hooper, and Sandra Landrum cannon, her son Craig Allen Landrum, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held 9:30 a.m. Oct 31 at the Salado Cemetery.
A memory service will be help 11 a.m. Oct 31 at Temple Bible Church