Civil Rights Leaders Climon Ricard Sr, of St. Helena, Louisiana

Climon Ricard
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Ancestry

Climon Ricard, Sr.  was born on July 30, 1915 to George Samuel Ricard and Susan Ricard. He died on November 15, 1992. Climon is buried at Mount Zion Cemetery in St. Helena Parish.  Climon was married to Helen Simlin. Cited in the 1940 United States Census, Climon was living in St. Helena Parish on Road No. 333. He was a farmer by occupation. He was working on his own account.  Researching the 1920 United States Census, he was living in New Roads,  Louisiana and was listed as a mulatto. Ten years later Clemon Ricard and his family was living in Police Jury Ward 4, St. Helena, Louisiana. 

As a member of the Citizens Voter League Board of Directors, Climon Ricard represented St. Helena Parish. Ten directors from St. Helena Parish served on the Board of Directors in 1950. As a result of the right to vote in 1950, Climon put his life on the line. The vote was a powerful tool for his life as well as that of African American people in St. Helena Parish. 

St. Helena Parish, Louisiana Civil Rights Activist Ellis D. Howard, Sr.

Ellis Howard, Sr. was born in St. Helena Parish, Louisa to Charlie and Amanda Howard. He attended elementary school and continued his education thru Home Study Correspondence. Ellis joined church at an early age and was faithfully in church until his health failed. His beginning membership was at Black Creek A.M.E. Church. He later moved his membership to Turner Chapel A.M.E Church where he served as Adult School Class Teacher and Leader.

Ellis was President of the N.A.A. C. P. in St. Helena Parish and worked faithfully with the community assisting everyone with their problems. He was a member of the Masonic Eagle Lodge #212. Ellis was well known in the Greensburg area. He worked hard with civil rights activities and assisted in school desegregation and much more. 

Ellis was preceded in death by his brothers: Charles, Jake and "little" Jake Howard:  5 sisters: Katie Broom, Georetta Thompson, Clara Hampton, Amanda Daniels, Rodesa (Polly) Howard and Joanna Howard: one daughter: Mae H. Carlson: one son: Ellis Howard, Jr.; one grandson: Cedrick Howard; one niece: Joanne Chambers: one great niece: Ollie Gray.

He leave to mourn his loving wife, Bernice Howard; three sones: Thomas, of New Orleans, David of Marrero, James of Marrero; 2 granddaughters: Devina Dewitted and Vernise Howard;  9 grandsons: Jerome, Sanders, Albert, Ron, Rodrick, David, Jr. Thomas, Patrick, James, JR., Joshua and a host of relatives and friends. 

Funeral Program Courtesy of Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. Amite

Reprint from Funeral Program of Ellis D. Howard, Sr. 

Tangipahoa Parish Civil Rights Icon Bobby Cyprian

Bobby Cyprian
Photo Courtesy: Antoinette Harrell

Civil Rights Icon Bobbie Cyprian was a member and secretary of the Sweetwater Voters League. He was born in 1940 in Independence, LA. His parents were Andrew Cyprian, Sr, and Beatrice Alexander. Sweetwater was known for syrup making, and sugar cane raising. 

He joined the 1967 Bogalusa Civil Rights March for the 105 miles march to the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol. "I went down to Greenville Park High School to fight injustice," said Cyprian. I was young, and I was working for a white man who was mistreating me. I knew I had to stand up for my rights, he said. The marchers were met by the KKK when they reached Hammond, Louisiana.

During the night while attending a meeting at Greenville Park School, the KKK came and started shooting. No one was shot or killed. We resolved the meeting, and a day later, we gather to start marching again. I picked it up where the overpassed in on 1-55. When we got to Walker, the KKK was waiting for us; they were hollering, "niggers, you will never make it to the State Capitol. "Under pressure from the U.S. Civil Rights Divison, Governor John McKeithen agreed to dispatch nearly 700 National Guardsmen and 500 state trooper to protect the demonstrators as they walked down the center of Highway U.S. 190.

I asked him to give me the history behind the name Sweetwater. The wagon felt through a crack, and all the syrup fell into the creek, and they call the community "Sweet Water" according to the folk tales, it just one the many stories behind the name of Sweet Water. 

Mount Olive School was the first African American; Mount Olive Baptist Church started the school. Bobbie attended school there and from Burgher Elementary School. 1n 1955, he went to West Side School in Amite, LA.

Documenting the History of a Civil Rights Icon Mrs. Vernia McCoy

Antoinette Harrell interviewing Mrs. Vernia McCoy

I spent an hour sitting and talking with Mrs. Vernia, a citizen of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. We sat her dining room table looking at documents and photographs. Several years ago I interviewed her, and when I tell to you, it will take me a year to document her oral history and her rich photograph collection that tell the story and event of many African-American people in the Louisiana Florida Parishes.

Each time I learn so much about her life and the life of her deceased husband Mr. Fred McCoy and the many challenges they faced during integration in Tangipahoa Parish. She was born and reared in Franklinton, Louisiana with her parents and eleven brothers and sisters.  Mrs. McCoy is a retired A.M.E. Pastor of  St. James A.M. E. Church in Hammond,  Louisiana., and educator.

I feel honored to talk with people such as Mrs. McCoy, Dr. Kingley B. Garrison, Mrs. Ella Mae Badon, and Mrs. Grace Walker. They are the living history books that we must treasure and most importantly document according to their experiences as pioneers in the Louisiana Florida Parishes.  As of today,  Mrs. McCoy is involved in many community outreaches.

This is just the beginning of the many hours I will be sitting with her to assist her with organizing her collection for the repository at Southeastern Center for Louisiana Studies. She has accomplished and achieved so in her life and her career. She has so many awards for her accomplishments and achievements over her lifetime.