Hidden History Treasures in Grandma's House

Willie M. Chaney, Sr. of Kentwood, Louisiana.

O.W. Dillon Training School
Willie M. Chaney, Second Row: Right End
Photo Courtesy: David Chaney

 A couple of weeks ago, David Chaney, the son of Willie McKinley and Edna Chaney, shared a little history about his father.  Willie Mckinley Chaney was born in 1918 to Clarence Chaney and Mamie Bentley Tobias in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. Willie died in 2008 in Kentwood, Louisiana. He was buried at Oak Grove AME Church Cemetery. 

Willie enlisted in the United States Military on January 14, 1943, in New Orleans, LA., and discharged on February 12, 1946. He served as a Private in the Branch Immaterial, Warrant Officers, USA.  The term of his enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergencies, plus six months, subject of the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law.  He had two years of high school. He worked at Brown Morris lumber yard in Kentwood. He and Raymond Coleman became the first African Americans to own a taxi service company.  Raymond Coleman also owned a movie theater in Kentwood. 

This picture was submitted to Nurturing Our Roots Blog by David Chaney.  Willie is standing on the right end on the second step, second row. 

Willie McKinley Chaney

Celebration of Life for Ella Victoria Fortenberry of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Ella Victoria Morris was born the youngest of three siblings to Annie Mae Pope-Morris and Rafort Morris on October 6, 1923 in Columbia, Mississippi, on Monday 22, 2012. Victoria grew up in Columbus, Mississippi. She worshipped at Butler's AME Zion church for over 50 years. 

Victoria 2 years early as Valedictorian or her high school class from Marion County Training School in Columbia, MS. She then went on to attend Alcorn A&M College where she earned her bachelors degree in English and Social Studies. She attended Southern University, Atlanta Unversity, and Southeastern Louisiana where she received her certification in Library Science.

During her year at Alcorn University she met and married Howard Fortenberry and to this union daughter, Delores was born. She later moved to Amite, LA where she married Lathan Lucien, Sr.

Victoria devoted her life to educating and mentoring others. She began her career in Picayune, MS and later moved to Louisiana where she taught at O.W.Dillon, West Side High School, Ponchatoula High, and Amite High. After her retirement in 1980, she taught an additional 12 years as an Adults Education Teacher at Amite High School. There were the years that were held dear to her heart. 

She Remembered Like It Was Yesterday

Several weeks ago genealogist and television talk show Antoinette Harrell met with Mrs. Brumfield was a graduate of O.W. Dillon High School. She came with her kept 1950-1951 yearbook wrapped so neatly in a bag and ready to display it. 

"No matter when and where you see Mrs. Brumfield, she is neatly dress and her hair so neatly groomed!" She is just one of the women in her mid 80s who look so well and still has a very good memory in Kentwood.

She is such a graceful lady in every way. Soft spoken and she never raise her voice to speak above her soft tone. After looking her yearbook for 1950-1951, Harrell saw a beautiful young lady was the assistant editor for the school's yearbook. Several of Harrell's own family members photographs were in the yearbook. Her cousins Walter Richardson, Sr., and  Willie K. Gordon, Jr. , and her uncle Ernest Boykins.

One of the stories she shared with Harrell was her prom night story. She told her that she had purchased a new yellow dress and was all ready to go to the prom and Mr. Dillon wouldn't allow her class to attend because they put photograph of him in the yearbook.

She spoke about how firm Mr. Dillon was; and wasn't afraid to use his paddle to get the students in line. She recalled the morning lectures about life he would give to them before they were allowed to go to class each morning. Although she didn't integrate Kentwood High School, after graduating from college with a degree in education, she integrated Spring Creek School.

The Legacy and History of Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr.

Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr.

Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., was born to Jasper Harrell, Sr., and Josephine Richardson Harrell in Amite, Louisiana. He attended O.W. Dillion High School, Kentwood and was a graduate of Westside High School, Kentwood, and Capitol Area Vocational School.

A friend to many and a humanitarian who gave so unselfishly to his family, his church and the community, who served as a spiritual advisor to those living with HIV/AIDS, who fed the hungry and provided clothes and shelter to the homeless, he died peacefully at 4:00 a.m., Tuesday, Oct, 23, 2001, at his residence in Slaughter, LA.,  at the age of 65 years old.

His service station was a haven for anyone in need. He was the retired owner and operator of Plank Road Automotive, he was also a U.S. Army veteran. Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., was the pastor of Gordon Harrell Church of God in Christ, and a member of Richardson Chapel Church of God in Christ for 21 years. He is buried in Port Hudson National Cemetery.

He met and married his high school sweetheart Mildred Abbott Harrell, they were married for 40 years.; a son, Roosevelt Harrell Jr., and his wife, Wyomma; a daughter, Rolanda Gayle Harrell Jackson.  His siblings are the late Jasper Harrell, Jr., the late Catherine Harrell, the late Frank Harrell, the late Herbert Harrell, the late Leon Clarence Harrell, the late Raymond Harrell, Sr., Isabel Harrell Cook, Deloris Harrell Washington, and Henry Harrell.

It gives me great pleasure to write about my maternal uncle Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., a man who was very quiet and a man who spoke with great wisdom. There are so many qualities I can write about when it comes to my uncle. He kept a beautiful and loving smile on his face whenever he greeted you. Whatever you shared with him in confidence stayed with him. You could count on the fact that he wouldn't betray your confidence. Uncle Roosevelt also talked with me about saving and investing, the importance of buying your own home and must importantly serving the All Mighty Creator.

He is truly missed and I often think about him and try to apply some of the lessons my uncle shared with me. Uncle Roosevelt was a man that stood for righteousness, he was a kind of man that didn't bragged about material things. He didn't put others down to uplift himself. He truly left an example for us to follow and to live by. He never fell to tell you that he loved you and not to mention giving you a big hug. Miss you uncle Roosevelt!