Ora Lee Beckworth

Ora Lee Beckworth is the main character and narrator of the novel “The Pecan Man” by Cassie Dandridge Selleck. Ora is a white native of Mayville, Florida, is 58 years old, and is the recent widow of Walter Selleck, an insurance agency owner and operator. Never able to have children, Ora is saddened by Walter’s death. She hires a black maid, Blanche, to tend house for her. Ora is educated, refined, morally upright, and lonely. She and Blanche slowly become friends, leading Ora to feel as if she is ultimately part of a family. During the summer of 1976, Ora hires the Pecan Man, Eddie Mims, to tend to her lawn and gardens.

In September, Blanche’s daughter Grace is raped by Skipper Kornegay. Ora is incensed, and spearheads efforts to get justice for Grace. Blanche, however, puts her foot down, saying no good will come of...