Estella Payton
Encyclopedia
Estella Payton sometimes Estelle Payton (August 17, 1904-December 16, 1999) was a co-star on the Woman's World cooking show that aired on WKRG-TV in Mobile, Alabama
for decades. Payton, an African American woman, appeared with Connie Bea Hope
, a white woman, on the show starting in 1956. Their appearance together has been described as an example of racial progress in Mobile. In the early years, Payton did not appear on camera unless her hands slipped into the shot while setting up or removing utensils. Later, in the 1960s, Payton began to appear on air and she eventually received third billing on the program's opening titles, was given her own microphone, and offered comments on Hope's demonstrations. The two women were known in the station for their usually good-natured backstage squabbles.
The Mobile Bay
Convention and Visitor's Bureau website describes the pair as being "the Mobile version of Martha Stewart
and Julia Child
" and notes that when the long running show appeared on Channel Five at a time when there were only two channels in the city. Payton lived to age 95.
Mrs. Payton was the great aunt of baseball legend Hank Aaron,
who is also from Mobile.
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
for decades. Payton, an African American woman, appeared with Connie Bea Hope
Connie Bea Hope
Connie Bea Hope was the stage name for Beatrice Walker Hope , a television personality and chef in Mobile, Alabama, on the local cooking program "Connie's Cupboard", which began in 1955 on WKRG-TV. She also appeared on the station's daily midday program Woman's World...
, a white woman, on the show starting in 1956. Their appearance together has been described as an example of racial progress in Mobile. In the early years, Payton did not appear on camera unless her hands slipped into the shot while setting up or removing utensils. Later, in the 1960s, Payton began to appear on air and she eventually received third billing on the program's opening titles, was given her own microphone, and offered comments on Hope's demonstrations. The two women were known in the station for their usually good-natured backstage squabbles.
The Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, lying within the state of Alabama in the United States. Its mouth is formed by the Fort Morgan Peninsula on the eastern side and Dauphin Island, a barrier island on the western side. The Mobile River and Tensaw River empty into the northern end of the...
Convention and Visitor's Bureau website describes the pair as being "the Mobile version of Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart is an American business magnate, author, magazine publisher, and television personality. As founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, she has gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing publishing, broadcasting, and merchandising...
and Julia Child
Julia Child
Julia Child was an American chef, author, and television personality. She is recognized for introducing French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her subsequent television programs, the most notable of which was The French Chef, which...
" and notes that when the long running show appeared on Channel Five at a time when there were only two channels in the city. Payton lived to age 95.
Mrs. Payton was the great aunt of baseball legend Hank Aaron,
who is also from Mobile.
Additional Sources
- Archival video of show (bottom of page)