The Legacy of Our Ancestors of Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, Louisiana

As a small child I enjoy the company of my maternal grandmother Josephine Richardson Harrell. I was just a toddler when my grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr., passed away in 1962--so I have no memories of him at all. It was his brother Palmer Harrell whom my three brothers and I had the pleasure of his beloved company. The four of us would sit on the front steps of our home waiting for that old beat up green truck to come slowly down the lonely country road. At that time not that many cars would pass by so we waited for him as if we were waiting for a playmate our age. That how much joy he brought to us as kids. We knew that he had some cookies in his little old brown bag.

We called him "Uncle Buddy" somehow we felt that he was our buddy and friend. That beautiful smile and friendly way he had about him made our day. When it was time for him to start working in the field for the day, we would join him and help him as much as any little hands could picking beans, cucumbers, bell peppers and any other fresh vegetables he planted. At the end of the work day, we knew we had a treat coming, a ride to the store to get a nickel worth of candy. Now, let me tell you for the record, that was a lot of candy.

Rev. Ernest Thomas Pugh

Someone else who comes to mind is Rev. Ernest Thomas Pugh, he was born on February 14, 1896 to the late Bishop and Amanda Pugh, was reared by Mr. John and Emma Harrison of Delhi, La. in Richland Parish He passed away on June 7, 1979. He met married Madlyn Albernathy and to their union ten children were born. He received his high school education at Pearl Hight School in Nashville, Tennessee and his Bachelor of Science Degree at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn.

His teaching experience included areas in Cooksville, Tenn., Loudon, Tenn., Harriman, Tenn., where he served as elementary principal Greenville, Tenn., elementary and secondary principal, Pastoral Arkansas as an elementary principal, and Amite, Louisiana where he taught and retired as a Science teacher in the Tangipahoa Parish School System.  Rev. Pugh was minister and teacher. He pastored for over forty-three years and he taught school for over thirty years. He pastored A.M.E. Zion churches in the following areas: Loudon, Tenn., Harriman, Tenn., which was constructed under his pastorship.

He was a member of the Ministerial Alliance of Amite, LA., The Tangipahoa Parish Voter's League, and Morning Light Lodge, No 18 F & AM, Greenville, Tenn.

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Obituaries Can Provide Value Genealogical Information

In every African American community you will find someone that had an extensive obituary collection. My mother Isabell Harrell-Cook is one of those people. When attending a funeral, everyone wants a funeral program! The programs provide a lot of genealogical information that would be helpful to anyone who are conducting research on their family. The funeral program can provide information such as the birth of that person, their parents, siblings, and if that person was married, the name of the person's spouse can be found as well at the name of the children, grandchildren and if they person had a devoted friend or family member. On many programs you will find a photograph of the deceased person and now some people are adding other family members photographs to the program.  Please review the Funeral Program for Ardean Cutrer Leonard.

Memorial Services for Sister Ardean Cutrer Leonard

Ardean Cutrer Leonard

Sister Ardean Cutrer Leonard was born to the late John Cutrer and Jane Taylor Cutrer, January 30, 1908 in Wilmer, Louisiana. She converted at an early age at the Oakridge Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. James Vernon. She later Moved to the Mt. Canaan Community and united with the Mt. Canaan Baptist Church  and served faithfully  as long as health allowed.
Sister Ardean Leonard was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Sebram Leonard, and to this union four children were born. One preceded her in death. She also reared her grandson, Donald. She served as an usher, a member of both Missions, Nos. I & II.,  She was a regular Sunday school participant and a devoted church worker. Today we are silent to pay tribute to a person who has lived amount us as " One who went about doing good" and who always put Christ first in everything she did.
During her months of illness she leaned heavily on the Lord. Sister Leonard was lovable character, a person everyone chose to have as a friend and willing to be a friend to all. She never pushed herself forward, but always stayed in the background working and praying, doing whatever she was called upon to do for the Master.She leaves to cherish her memory three children, two daughters: Ms. Allie Ruth Leonard and Mrs. Naomi Johnson, Amite, Louisiana, one son Arthur Sebram Leonard, Amite, Louisiana, six sisters, Mrs Cora Daniels, Amite, Louisiana, Mrs. Eula Claiborne, Evanston, Illinois, Mae Helen Hookfin and Evelena Cutrer of Kentwood, Louisiana. Bernadine Blackburn and Creola Dyson of Franklinton, Louisiana: four brothers, Robert Cutrer, Williams Cutrer and Leo Cutrer all of Kentwood, Louisiana and Cleo Cutrer of Franklinton, Louisiana: ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren and a host of very special nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.