Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 24 February 1945.

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In the 1930 census of Eureka, Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John E. Artis, 41; wife Cora, 39; and children Virginia D., 17, Ed R., 13, Oscar O., 11, Mary L., 10, Hurvin P., 9, Devaughn, 7, Olga M., 4, and Erman D., 2.

In the 1940 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John Ed Exum, 51, and children Hervin, 18, Devon, 17, Ossie Mae, 14, Erman D., 12, and John Collins Exum, 8.

In 1942, Herven Percy Exum registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 November 1921 in Eureka, N.C.; lived at 611 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was C.E. Artis, 571 East Nash Street; and he worked for undertaker C.E. Artis, 571 East Nash Street, Wilson.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 28 October 1944.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 11 November 1944.

Lt. Exum’s obituary appeared in the Washington Post with a clear copy of his photo in flying goggles.

[Sidenotes: Exum’s ancestors had lived in or adjacent to northeastern Wayne County for generations. His mother Cora Artis Exum was the daughter of Noah Artis and Lucinda Artis (later Sherrod), who were first cousins, as was not uncommon at the time. His father John Ed Exum was the son of George B. Exum, who had been enslaved in Wayne County, and Pernicey Hobbs Artis, who was born free in Johnston County. The uncle for whom Exum worked was his father’s half-brother, Columbus E. Artis. I have not been able to determine who the Bahamian or the Cherokee were.]