Johnny "J.D. Williams of Montpelier, Louisiana

J.D. was born on May 16, 1910, in Montpelier and a resident of Oakland, California.  He was married to Flora Richardson Williams. He was the father of one son, Samuel Williams, and a daughter Mildred Willams. When he died in 1994, he was survived by two brothers, Curtis and Woodrow Edwards. His parents were Jim Williams and Lillie Adams. Two brothers Johnny Williams and Alex Richardson, Sr., one sister, Viola Payne.

My mother loved her Uncle J.D., she would get so excited when she heard that he and Aunt Flora was coming home to Louisiana. Mama, enjoyed cooking dinner and inviting them over. Uncle J.D. was a very kind and gentle person. 

I found his U.S. World War II Draft Card. His Registration Place was Pine Grove, St. Helena. When he passed away, they shipped his remains back to St. Helena Parish, Louisiana to be buried in Mount Zion/Greater Refuge Temple Cemetery.

According to the 1930  United States Census, he was living in the house with his father Jim, stepmother Emma Vining Williams. Rosa Bell Richardson, E.D. Williams, Josephine Richardson, Victoria Williams, Arthur Williams, Jimmie Williams, Mae Williams,  Eddie Jackson, Sr., and Eddie Jackson, Jr.  He worked as a labor on a farm.

Left: J. D. Williams, Right: Jimmy Williams.

Photo Courtesy: Isabel Harrell-Cook Collection and donated by Micheal Cook, Sr.

Collis Temple, Sr. Obiturary

Collis Benton Temple, Sr. was born in Greensburg, Louisiana on August 12, 1012, to the union of John and Ida Butler Temple who preceded him in death. three brothers; Herberts, Sr., Leon and Oscar and two sisters; Margaret and Alice, also preceded him in death.To the marriage of Collis, Sr. and Shirley Cross Temple Temple were born Shirley Collen, Benita Elaine, Sandra Janice, Valeria Antoinette, Brenda Joyce and Collis, Jr. 

Collis Sr. positively influenced his community throughout his lifetime as a husband, a father, and educator, a farmer, a political  leader and businessman. He was a pioneer, and activist and a visionary. He was an exemplar church member and a citizen who works to build and strengthen  institutions that uplift and improve the condition of his his people. He was a compassionate leader who expect3d the best of himself and others. HE commanded the respect of his peers. He love this family and friends. Above all, he loved the Lord.

During his lengthy illness, he continue the fight for this life until he surrender to God. He peacefully entered a new dimension of life at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, June 7, 1996. Mourning his death are his wife and six children; three sons-in-laws. Mrs. George Magee, Mr. Theodore Long, Jr., and Mr. Knox W. Tull, Jr.; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Soundra J. Temple.; seventeen grandchildren; on grandson-in-law; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Mr. Fulton Temple; two uncle, Mr. Robert Temple and Mr. Walter Temple, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Affiliations:

Oak Grove A.M.E. Church, New Farmers of America, Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity, Prince Hall Masons, Louisiana Education Association, National Education Association, School Principals' Association, Boy Scouts of America, (Silver Beaver). Southern University Alumni, Michigan State University Alumni, Regina Ceolia Headstart Council, Tangipahoa Parish and Louisiana Council of Aging, J.K. Haynes Educational  Foundation, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, NAACP.

Professional Accomplishments

Organized Rural War Production in Tangipahoa Parish during WWII, President Sixth District LEA; Founder-Organizer Tangipahoa Parish Training School Fair/Tri Fair; Lay Leader and National Board Member- African Methodist Episcopal Methodist Church; Political Candidate State Representative/State Senator; Participant with Mr. J. K. Haynes in Effort to Equalize Salaries for Louisiana Black Teachers; Co-Founder-Harmony Center, Inc., Co-Founder Southern Heights Residential Development; Business Entrepreneur. 

Tangipahoa Parish Black Supervisors

Mr. Oliver Wendell Dillon

There were a few educators of African Ancestry who became supervisors in the public school system in Tangipahoa Parish. Professor Sterling, Miss Erlean LaMotte, Mr. O.W. Dillon, Mrs. Maggie L. Aldrich, Mrs. Ella C. Jackson, and Mrs. Dorothy H. Andrews are reported to have had that distinction.

Presently serving in administrative capacity in the Tangipahoa Parish School Board Office are: Mr. Leslie Mabry, the first Assistant Superindent of black parentage, Mr. Roudolph P. Gibson, Mr. Joe Brumfield, Mrs. Elmira P. Wilkenson, and Mrs. Marge Cyprian.