Effie Leland Wilder (1909 - 2007) was born in Rockingham, North Carolina, but lived in Summerville, South Carolina for most of her life.  A graduate of Converse College, she married and raised a family, then published her first novel at the age of 85. She went on to write four more. Effie was awarded South Carolina’s prestigious Order of the Palmetto in recognition of her philanthropic work with the Red Cross, several libraries, and Meals on Wheels.