The obituary of William Aaron Best.

Wilson Daily Times, 23 August 1949.

——

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Nannie Best, 48, cook; her children Francis, 28, cook, Eliza, 24, public school teacher, and son Aaron, 9; and lodgers, Lula, 24, cook, and Nannie Best, 16, private nurse.

On 27 November 1919, Aaron Best, 21, of Wilson, son of Aaron and Nan Best, married Willie Burton, 21, of Wilson, daughter of Will and Mary Burton, in Wilson. A.M.E. Zion minister B.P. Coward performed the ceremony in the presence of William H. Phillips, Jewel J. Phillips, and Thomas Bowser.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 330 South Spring Street: widow Nannie Best, 61, her daughter Frank, 30, son Aaron, 21, daughter-in-law Estelle, 19, widowed brother Harper Best, 65, and a lodger, nurse Henrietta Colvert, 24.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 406 East Walnut, ice plant laborer Aaron Best, 31; wife Estell, 31; and children William A., 9, Audry L., 6, Rudolph V., 5, Vera M., 3, and Royce D., 1.

Vera Mae Best died 15 June 1938 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 November 1927 in Wilson to Aaron Best and Estelle Burton; was a student; and lived at 406 Walnut Street. She was buried in Wilson. 

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 406 Walnut, rented for $12/month, Aaron Best, 39; wife Estelle, 39; and children Rudolph, 14, Royce, 10, Harper and Gerald, 8, Eddie, 7, and Nannie Jean, 5.

Willie Estelle Best died 16 November 1940 at her home at 1009 East Nash Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 6 April 1900 in Henderson, N.C., to William Burton and Mary Jane Hicks and was married to Aaron Best. She was buried in Rountree Cemetery [perhaps the Best plot in Odd Fellows?]

In 1942, Aaron Best registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 21 September 1899 in Wilson; lived at 1009 East Nash Street; his contact was mother Nan E. Best, same address; and he worked for a contractor at Marine Barracks, New River, Onslow County, North Carolina.

In 1943, Rudolph Best registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 17 September 1925 in Wilson; lived at 1009 East Nash Street; his contact was Aaron Best, same address; and he worked part-time at Briggs Hotel.

William Aaron Best died 21 August 1949. Per his death certificate, he was born 21 September 1900 in Wilson County to Aaron and Nannie Best; was a widower; and worked as a laborer for Export Tobacco Company. Audrey Best, 1009 East Nash, was informant. He was buried in Rountree Cemetery [perhaps the Best plot in Odd Fellows?]

Leave a Reply