DAISY NOLAN

Inscription

DAISY NOLAN
HERBALIST, HEALER, AND
CHARM MAKER OF OLD TOWN,
SHE WOULD DO NO HARM.
NOLAN WAS BURIED IN 1960
WITH HER DOLL COLLECTION.
ALABAMA FOLKLIFE ASSOCIATION
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2021

Daisy Nolan was an African American herbalist, healer, and charm-maker who lived in Decatur, Alabama’s Old Town neighborhood. Born to formerly enslaved parents, she may have picked up her knowledge of herbs, remedies, charms, spells, and hexes from her mother, although no one knows for sure.

Nolan was famous across the country for aiding in the removal of curses and remedying ailments that baffled doctors. One man, for example, suffered from incurable headaches, a malady he thought may have resulted from a hex placed upon him. He wrote Nolan, begging for relief. Nolan also received requests for help with dysfunctional relationships, illnesses, possessions, and even winning lottery numbers. Notably, Nolan only used her powers for healing, never for harming.

Nolan, in fact, amassed a great deal of personal wealth from her renowned craft. Locals remember that she employed a butler, a maid, and even a chauffeur who would pick up ladies for tea parties at her home and that she gave lavishly to local churches. She married but was quickly widowed and never had children. She lived in Old Town until her death in 1960, when she was buried at her request in a sizeable crypt in Sykes Cemetery with her impressive black doll collection.

Many Black residents regarded Nolan as a healer, while others knew her as the “Voodoo Lady.” She is remembered as an important and colorful part of Decatur’s history. Upon her death, her herbal medicine, spells, and mystical healing secrets died with her.