Celebrating Black History Month 2021 Honoring Local Icons

Top right: 

Eddie Ponds

Publisher of  the Drum Newspapers

Top Left

Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison

Professor, Music Supervisor, Assistant Principal, and Community Activist

Second Row Left End

Ann  A. Smith

Represents the 5th Congressional District, Retired School Educator, Former member of  

Tangipahoa Parish School Board District A

Second Row Right End

Harold Smith

First African American elected as mayor of Kentwood, La

Former Educator

Third Row, Left End

Bobby Cyprian

Civil Rights Leader

Third Row, Right End

Collis Temple, Sr.

Principal and Educator

O.W. Dillon School

Third Person

Lemar  F. Marshall

Former City Councilmember,  District 4, Hammond, LA 

Advocate for STEM Education in Tangipahoa Parish

Fourth Person

Major Coleman

Former Member-At-Large

Police Jury Association

Board of Director for the Southeast Community Health System

Robert Parker

Singer known for his 1966 song "Barefootin" He was introduced into the

Louisiana Music Hall of Fame 2007

Mrs. Shirley Cross

Educator, Graduate of Tuskegee Institute

Left Second to the End

Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier

Community Activist 

Right End

Irma Thompson Gordon

Former Educator and the First African-American Woman elected as mayor of Kentwood

Gloria Gordon Brumfield

One of the first African American student to Desegregate the Schools in St. Helena Parish

Alvin Holden

Voter Right Leader in Hammond, Louisiana, Founding members of the Tangipahoa Parish Voter League, and organization that fought to obtain the right to vote and equal treatment for African Americans. He was the first African American to register to vote in parish.

Dr. Willard Vernon and Mrs. Alma Harrison Vernon

Educators and Community Advocates

Community Organizers, Educators. Dr. Willard built the Good Samaritan Nursing Home. Mrs. Alma Harrison Vernon, received and Appreciation in recognition of her important contribution to ongoing fight against hatred and intolerance in America. 

Wilbert Dangerfield

The first African American elected as Councilman for District 1 in Hammond, LA.

Bobby Carter

First African American Deputy of the City of Hammond

Fred and Vernia McCoy

Botton Right

Former Educators in Tangipahoa Parish and Civil Rights Leaders

 

Free Bob's Daughter Georgiana Vernon Sanders

Georgiana was born around 1869 in Mississippi to Robert "Free Bob" Vernon and Catherine Tuckson Vernon. Her siblings were; Rily, Willis, Luella, Isaac, James, John, Florence, Samuel, and Stamps. She was married to Cass Sanders. 

According to the 1910 United States Federal Census she was a mulatto. She and Cass had nine children and during the time the census was taken, eight was living.  Their children were; Bango, Mammie, Jesse, Frank, Toby, Busby, Shadrak,  Earl, and Sarah.

Mrs. Grace Belvins Walker is the granddaughter of Georgiana. She recalled the days she lived with her grandmother. The days of delicious home cooked meals, her walks to church and school with her sister. "We had family living all around us," said Mrs.Walker. 

I enjoyed listening to her tell stories about her childhood growing up in Vernon Town. She is the 3rd great granddaughter of Robert "Free Bob" Vernon. I asked her how  do she feel about the legacy Free Bob left?  She said the older she gets, she have a better appreciation for her Vernon history.  Free Bob left each one of his seventeen children one hundred acres each. He donated land for a school, church and the cemetery. Mrs.Walker just want to see the history past down from generation to generation. I must say that she is certainly doing her part. 

The pictures she's holding is her maternal grandmother Georgiana. I have so many questions I want to asks her about growing up in Vernon Town. She is passing the history down to her son and daughter. Her daughter is working on a project to archive Mrs. Walker rich collection of photographs, church programs, family obituaries and other family material. 

Georgiana Vernon Sanders
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Robert Vernon, Jr., Weaved Baskets and Chairs

Robert was born in 1854 in Rankin, Mississippi. He was the the seventeen children born to  Robert "Free Bob" Vernon, Sr. He was married twice and had children with both of his wives. One of his wives was Elizabeth Stokes. Robert and Elizabeth were married on January 20, 1887, in Tangipahoa, Louisiana. Elizabeth was born on February 11, 1866, in Roseland, Louisiana, and died on March 18, 1938. They were parents of;  Ely, Willis, Hugh, Nellie, Jannie, Nancy, Lettie, Ruby, Mary, and Linsey Vernon.

Robert died in 1949; he's buried in Mt. Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery. Robert was a preacher, and he enjoyed weaving baskets and chairs. I went to Mrs. Grace Belvins Walker for an interview about the Vernon family. Robert was her great uncle, her grandmother Georgiana and Robert were sister and brother.  When I got to her house, she had a few family heirlooms to show me and her cousin Glyniss Vernon Gordon. One of the  family heirlooms was a syrup pitcher and baskets.

She told Glyniss that her 2nd great-grandfather Robert weaved the baskets. That was Glynis's first time seeing the baskets. Mrs. Walker made sure she let her know that you look but, you're not taking them out of this house. Mrs. Walker is one of the Vernon family griots. I can sit and listen to her very detailed family stories. 

Robert like his brothers was very talents and had creative skills. His son James Robert Vernon was a blacksmith and he made casket. Every time I meet with Mrs. Walker and other Vernon descendants I learn so much about their history. 

Eady Bates Appraised Eady for Twenty-Five Dollars in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana

Eady Bates Appraised for Twenty-Five Dollars 

Whenever I go into a courthouse to conduct genealogy research, I never know what I may find. In the case of Eady Bates, age 80 years old, appraised for $25.00. Montreal Harrell, my assistant and I were looking in the Bates family files, and we came across the enslaved belonging to Ephriam Bates, 1829. 

His inventory consist of two tracks of 640 acres of land; 13 enslaved people. His total inventory valued at $14, 569. Eady stayed on my mind all that day. She was the same age my mother was when she passed away this year. It made me sick to the stomach to know they treated her with no dignity and respect. Somehow today, I feel that Eady's story will be told. When I open the files drawers, I don't know who's story will come to the light. I just know that the ancestors do not want me to forget them. When slavery was abolished, Eady were deceased due to the fact that she was eighty-years old in 1829. I hope that I can find her offsprings if she had any. 

Just imagine Eady worked all of her life, most likely give the Bates family everything she could, not be sold with the livestock and furniture. And in the end, they showed her just what they thought about her. She was only worth $25.00. The old horse saddle was twelve dollars let then what Eady a human being appraised for. 

As a matter of fact, they could have sold her for much less than twenty-five dollars. The inventory said she appraised for and not sold for twenty-five dollars. Recently I learned that my paternal third great-grandmother was Rebecca Bates Williams. The Bates family were from Amite, County, Mississippi. Some settled in McComb, Mississippi and St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. Well that's a whole new story for my paternal genealogy research. That's was Monteral's first time finding such a record. Holding and reading a record of someone being sold was a little emotional for her. 

Dr. Antoinette Harrell and Monteral Harrell Climmons 
researching at the St. Helena Parish Courthouse
Photos Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr. 

Special Thanks: St. Helena Parish Courthouse

Joseph Franklin Pugh

Joseph Franklin Pugh (Joe Pugh) was born, February 28, 1950 in Greenville, Tennessee to the late Reverend Ernest Thomas Much, and the late Madlyn A. Pugh. He departed this lief on June 14, 2015 as he answered his call to join the Heavenly Choir. 

Joseph attended West Side High School where he played in the band under the direction of Mr. Duplessis. He graduated from West Side High in 1967. Joseph went on to attend Southern University where he received his B.S. Degree in Instrumental Music. H was a member of The Mighty Southern University Band (150) under the direction of the late Mr. Ludwig Freeman and the late Mr. Isaac Greggs. His position in the marching band was called March 00; right out front with concert band. While attending Southern University, he became a member of the music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha. In 1972, he participated in the great Louisiana Conference choir under the director of his sister Carrie Ann Pugh. He was an outstanding Bass-Baritone singer.

In 1975, Joseph enlisted in the United State Arm, where he served as Military Police during his career. On December 27, 1975, he united in holy matrimony to Joyce Ann Burton. To that union a beautiful baby girl Joelle LaShaun was born as he gained a daughter JonQuelle.

He became a member of the Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church, Rosalind, LA, where he was the musician and the choir director for one thirty years. He was also President of the Sons of Allen organization.

He leaves to cherish his memories, daughter Joelle Pugh Adam (Aaron) Hammond, La., and JonQuelle Johnson (Carl) Killian, LA, one brother, Jordan B. Pugh (Joan), Culver City, Ca., one sister Carrie Ann Pugh-Paul (Robert), one sister-in-law Barbara Pugh, a devoted companion Betty Marks, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and relatives. He was preceded in death by siblings; Thomas O. Pugh, Charles W. Pugh, and Coney L Pugh.

Source: The Funeral Program of Joseph Franklin Pugh

Courtesy of Richardson Funeral Home, Amite

Celebrating The Life of Bunea Fenestia McCray Harrison

Bunea Fenestia McCray Harrison

Bunea Fenestia McCray Harrison was born February 5, 1923 to Guy and Rhoda Ceaser McCray in Leesville, LA. She departed this life on July 2, 2005. Bunea was converted at the age of 9 years old and united with Mt. Olive Baptist Church under the leadership of  Rev. Alfred Graves. After moving to Roseland, LA in 1945, she moved her membership to Rose Valley Baptist Church. In 1946 she moved to Amite and united with the Little Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. J.R. Vernon. She served faithfully under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Willard Vernon until his demise in 1994. Her work continued under the leadership of Rev. F.A. Davis, III Until her health began to fail. She was under the watch care of Rev. Raymond Jeston of Star Hill Baptist Church until her demise.

Bunea received her elementary and high school education in Vernon Parish. She received her B.S. degree from LA Negro Normal & Industrial Institute in Eduation, now Grambling State University, Grambling, LA.

Bunea touched and helped to mold many lives during her 31 years as a Junior High School Instructress in the public school system of Tangipahoa Parish.  Bunea is survived by one very loving son and his loving wife: Walter "Bo" (Lin) Harrison; one very loving daughter and her loving husband, Fenestia "June" (Shedrick) Griffin; three grandsons: Rashund, Christopher; and Shedron; one granddaughter: Shedricka; three great granddaughters: Kiera, Ne'Kailah, and Lyndsey; one great grandson: Xavier; two devoted nieces: Johnetta Russ and Sandra Harrison; two loving and devoted sisters-in-law: Kathryn Harrison and Everlina McCray; five sisters-in-laws; one godson; four chosen daughters Cassandera Simms (deceased), Helen Ross, Yvonne Collins, and Clardzell Harris; two chosen sons: Donald Walker and Davis Harris, the Little Bethel Baptist Church family, the Star Hill Baptist Family, a host of other nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Bunea was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Walter Mot Harrison; loving parents and grandparents, two brothers, two sisters, and one stillborn son. 

Source: The Funeral Program of Bunea Fenestia McCray Harrison

Contributor: Richardson Funeral Home, Inc., Amite, Louisiana

Celebrating the Life of Willie Pearl Temple

Willie Pearl Temple

Willie Pearl Temple departed this life gently at home in the early morning hours of September 11, 2010. She was 93, born on May 28, 1917, the only child of the late Corine Lewis, by was raided by her grandparents the the late Rance and Lula Magee in Clifton, Louisiana with her adopted brother Bernistine "Bunch" (Nell) McGee.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Robert Temple, Sr. Willie Pearl loved children and to this union they were blessed with a son, Ricky (Sharon) Temple. She brought four children from her previous marriage to the late Carl Bridges,  Katherine Roy (late Water Roy, and the late John Jett, Sr.) of Baton Rouge, La., Barbara Smith (the late Clarence Sr.,) of Amite, LA., Robert Earl Bridges of Baltimore, MD. She welcome Robert's three children from his previous marriage to the late Josephine E. Armstrong. They are Cornelius (Mary) of Galveston, TX, Robert Jr., Amite, LA, and Carolyn (late Arthur) Essex of San Antonio, TX. She then adopted Jackie (Willie) Liggins of Memphis, TN. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Clarence Smith, Jr.

She accepted Christ at an early age at Jerusalem Baptist Church in Clifton, LA., and later joined Butler's Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church with her husband Robert. Willie Pearl was a faithful, dedicated member at Butler's until her health failed her. She served as a Deaconess, class leader and on many other clubs and boards. She loved the music of Zion and worked faithfully within the music ministry of the church.

Her second passion was children. She often said that she was so blessed after her adoption of Jackie that she wanted to give other children a good home. She worked with the foster children program for two decades, providing a home for Jamie and Eric Hawthorne, LaErica Jackson, Janice Ross, Marie Jackson, Pandora and James, as well as, others who lived briefly with her.

In earlier years Willie Pearl was employed with Charity Hospital in New Orleans and at the West Side and Amite Elementary Schools. She stayed busy. In later years despite being a senior herself, she work tirelessly at the Council on Aging at her meal site where she served meals and worked in capacity necessary. She also volunteered at God's Storehouse. In 1996 Willie Pearl was elected Queen for the Tangipahoa Council on Aging.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, sixteen grandchildren, numerous of great grandchildren, a large house of nephews and nieces and other relatives and friends. Her Godchildren, Trichelle Brumfield and Dimetria Evans will miss her greatly. 

Source: Funeral Program of Willie Pearl Temple, 

Contributed by: Richardson Funeral Home, Amite, Louisiana

My visit to Tangipahoa-Quinn-Brown Cemetery

Eliza Johnson Headstone
Photo Courtesy: Dr Antoinette Harrell

Today was such a beautiful and sunny day that I could resist taking a back road drive with my Canon camera as my companion. While driving down the road to the sound of some smooth jazz, the temperature was just right, and it couldn't get any better than this. I decided to go to Quinn's cemetery in the village of Tangipahoa. I went to my husband's uncle Leon's funeral, which was my first time in that cemetery.

You can see that they had just cut the grass, so I wasn't too concerned with snakes. However, I didn't let my guards down by no means. On the way in, I had to pass Leblanc Dairy and took a moment to take some photographs of the cattle. "Some of them looked at the camera as if they were saying," hurry up and take the picture. 

I wanted to find the oldest section in the cemetery to look at the headstones. I came across one monument that got my attention. It was of a woman named "Eliza Johnson' she was born in 1873 and died in 1918. I came back to my office and did some research on Eliza. They were married to Charles Johnson and was farm labor. She lived on Cross Roads W. Brick Yard & Saw Mill.

She and Charles had eleven children; Andrew, Ella, Daisy, Charles, Jr, Herman, Obby, Fred, Emile, and Carrie. In 1880, she was living in Ward 1 in the Village of Tangipahoa. Her parents were Howard and Sarah McGee. The 1880 United States Federal Census listed that her parents were from Kentucky. Her father, Howard, was born in 1820 in Virginia and did farm work. Eliza's husband Charles was in 1863; he was a bricklayer. Charles died in 1944. 

Only a decade after slavey was abolished Eliza was born. I wish that someone would have interviewed her and document her experience in Tangipahoa Parish. Tangipahoa Parish was formed in 1869 and she was born  a few years later.