centenarian

The birthday of Tyncie Darden Lofton Woodard, 101.

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Wilson Daily Times, 13 January 1981.

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In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Howard Darden, 47, farm laborer; wife Esther, 38; and children Warren, 20, Eliza, 18, Martin, 17, Toby, 12, and Crawford, 1.

On 22 December 1871, Martin Darden, son of Howell Darden and Esther Jordan, married Jane Dew, daughter of Haywood and Jane Dew, at H. Dew’s in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Martin Darden, 27, farmer; wife Jane, 25; and children Easter, 6, Ellen, 5, and Nellie, 3. Next door: Howell Darden, 53, and children Elizer, 28, Toby, 22, and Crawford, 11.

In the 1900 census of Great Swamp township, Wilson County: farmer Martin Darden, 48; wife Jane, 50; and children Tincey A., 14, Howard, 14, Jineva, 11, and Silvey, 9.

On 15 December 1900, Ben Lofton, 29, married Tynsie Durden, 19, in Pikeville township, Wayne County.

In the 1910 census of Buck Swamp township, Wayne County: Ben Lofton, 42; wife Tincie A., 27; and sons Willard, 3, and Benjiman, 8 months.

Martin Darden died 22 December 1926 in Kenansville township, Duplin County. Per his death certificate, he was 74 years old; was married to Jane Darden; was born in Wilson County to Howard and Easter Darden; and worked as a farmer and blacksmith. Howard Darden of Fremont was informant.

In the 1930 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Ben F. Lofton, 63; wife Tyncie, 47; and sons Janeis E., 18, and Major J., 8.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: servant Tincy Lofton, 57, working in a private home.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on 816 Mercer Street, Ruth Lofton, 26, day work stemmer in redrying plant; husband Benjamin, 29, storage room worker in redrying plant; niece Mary Jones, 12; daughter Marjorie, 7; sons Benjamin Jr., 6, and Herbert Lee, 4; roomer Martha Norfleet, 67, widow; mother-in-law Tincy, 56, cook in service in a private home; and brother-in-law Major, 18, stemmer in redrying plant.

In 1942, Major Lofton registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he lived at 816 Mercer Street, Wilson; born 12 December 1921 in Black Creek, N.C.; contact was Tincy Lofton, 816 Mercer Street; and worked for Thomas Barnes, Service Laundry, Five Points.

Tyncie Lofton Woodard died 29 July 1986 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 December 1882 in Wayne County, North Carolina, to Martin Darden and Jane Branch; was a widowed homemaker; and lived at 409 Park View Street, Wilson. Benjamin Lofton, 805 Meadow Street, was informant.

“I told them I wasn’t going no further east”: the life and times of Bessie Richardson.

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Wilson Daily Times, 16 October 1999.

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In the 1900 census of Fishing Creek township, Granville County: farmer Henry Richardson, 60; mother Martha, 52; son Willie, 34; son Norval, 24; daughter[-in-law] Florence, 22; daughter Maggie, 18, and granddaughter Bessie, 2.

On 26 May 1917, Bessie Richardson, 21, daughter of Norman and Florence Richardson, married Hubert Jones in Petersburg, Virginia.

William R. Bowden, age illegible, of Wilson, married Bessie T. Jones, 34, of Wilson on 15 June 1926. Oscar Reid applied for the license, and J.W. Aiken, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, performed the ceremony at Willie R. Bowden’s home in the presence of Ferdinand Faison, John Sanchas and John Lee Devaughan.

In the 1928 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bowden Wm (c; Bessie) tailor 503 Church

In the 1947, Wilson, N.C., city directory: Richardson Bessie (c) 540 E Nash.

Willie Bowden died 5 March 1960 at his home at 203 Stantonsburg Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 13 November 1901 to Mary Adams; was married to Bessie Bowden; and worked as a laborer. He was buried at William Chapel cemetery, Elm City.

On 2 July 1960, James Monroe Weathers, 41, of Granada, Mississippi, married Rosa R. Lupe, 53, of Wilson, in Wilson. Catholic priest John R. Ferris performed the ceremony in the presence of Bessie Richardson, Clarence Crawford, and Inez Watson.

Bessie Richardson died 20 January 2002 in Wilson.

 

“I’m the oldest? There’s got to be others.”

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Wilson Daily Times, 6 October 1992.

Stantonsburg honors town’s oldest resident

STANTONSBURG — Stantonsburg’s oldest resident celebrated her 100th birthday Friday.

Travis Street resident Ethyl Artis made her way to the town hall Friday to meet Mayor Seth P. Hunt Jr., who proclaimed Oct. 3 Ethyl Beckton Artis Day in Stantonsburg.

Residents held a large party at the town’s community building Saturday for Ms. Artis, who has been a resident of Stantonsburg for the last 70 years. She is a member of the Turner Swamp Primitive Baptist Church.

She worked in farming and raised three children.

Ms. Artis said she was surprised to be the town’s oldest resident. “I’m the oldest? There’s got to be others,” she told Hunt.

Her grandaughter-in-law, Annie Artis, drove her to the town hall and helped her inside. Although she depended on the aid of a walker, Ethyl Artis said she still got along pretty well.

“I feel pretty good sometimes, other times I don’t,” she said. “I thank the Lord” for my health.

Ms. Artis was one of nine children born to Phebe and William Beckton. She was born in Wayne County Oct. 2, 1892.  — B.D. Pedigo

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Ethel Pearl Becton Artis was married to June Scott Artis; their children were Edgar Joel, James Broady, and Amanda Bell Artis. She passed away in 1994, just before her 102nd birthday.

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Funeral program in collection of Lisa Y. Henderson.

The obituary of Channie Hunter Bynum, 102.

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Wilson Daily Times, 16 July 1992.

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In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Anderson Hunter, 54; [second] wife Lula, 33; and children Chanie, 18, Sam, 16, Emma, 15, Robert, 11, Annie, 6, and Clyde, 2.

On 21 April 1915, Louis Braswell, 20, of Wilson, son of Arthur and Olive Braswell, married Chanie Hunter, 20, of Black Creek, daughter of Anderson Hunter, at Anderson Hunter’s in Black Creek. Luther Braswell applied for the license, and Sam Hunter, Ennis Sauls and Aget Dew witnessed.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on the Wilson-Rocky Mount Road, Lewis Braswell, 24; wife Chany, 28; and children James, 2, and Carry, 8 months.

Lewis Braswell died 21 December 1921 in Elm City, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 29 years old; was born in Wilson County to Luther Braswell and Oliva Bynum; was married to Chainey Braswell; and worked as a tenant farmer to Mrs. M.A. Bryant. Informant was Frank Braswell.

Addie Pearl Braswell died 22 December 1924 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 2 years old and was born in Wilson County to Lewis Braswell and Chanie Hunter. Frank Hunter was informant.

On 23 December 1925, Chanie Braswell, 32, of Toisnot, married George Bynum, 53, of Black Creek, in Wilson.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Route 2, Wilson, of Highway 301, day laborer Geo. Bynum, 66; wife Chanie, 49; Carrie, 20, Estella, and Junnies Braswell, 16 (described as in-laws, but actually Bynum’s stepchildren]; and Dazell, 12, and Ruth Bynum, 10.

In 1940, Roscoe Boot Braswell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 30 September 1917 in Wilson County; lived at 607 Spring Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Chaney Bynum, Route 2, Wilson; and he worked for the Country Club, Goldsboro Highway, Wilson.

In 1940, Louis Junior Braswell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 9 May 1921 in Edgecombe County; lived at 816 South Manchester Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Chenie Bynum, 816 South Manchester; and he worked at Cherry Point.

The obituary of Lena Mitchell Kent, 104.

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Lena Mitchell Kent, 104, of Wilson, died Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Funeral will be 1 p.m. Friday at Mount Zion Progressive Primitive Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Hamilton Burial Gardens. Visitation will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Carrons Funeral Home. Arrangements are by Carrons Funeral Home.

Wilson Daily Times, 31 July 2019.

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On 15 December 1888, Laurence Mitchel, 21, of Cross Roads township, son of Primus Mitchel, married Ester Darden, 18, of Cross Roads township, daughter of Martin and Jane Darden, at Primus Mitchel’s in Cross Roads.

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farm laborer Laurence Michel, 29; wife Easter, 24; and children Alonza, 8, Nettie, 6, Eddie, 4, and Babe, 1.

In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Lawrence Mitchell, 40; wife Easter, 36; and children Alonzo, 19, Nellie, 17, Eddie, 13, Jesse, 11, Bettie, 7, Coy S., 5, Mattie, 3, and an infant, 11 months.

In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Lawrence Mitchell, 30; wife Louisa, 30; and children Altie, 29, Bettie, 17, Colasta, 14, Mattie, 12, Wiley, 9, Cleveland, 6, and Lena, 4.

In the 1930 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Lawrence Mitchel, 57; wife Louisa, 45; and children Cleveland, 17, Lena, 15, and Easter, 16.

On 9 October 1937, in Smithfield, Johnston County, Joseph Kent, 25, of Lucama, son of Joseph Kent and Minnie Kent, married Lena Mitchell, 22, of Lucama, daughter of Lawrence Mitchell and Easter Mitchell.

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Joe Kent, 27, and wife Lena, 24.

In 1940, Joe Kent Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 8 October 1912 in Wilson; lived at R.F.D. #1, Lucama; was married to Lena Kent, wife; and worked for T.R. Smith, Lucama.

Vanilla Beane celebrates 100!

Jeni Hansen has graciously allowed me to share plans for the observation of the 100th birthday of her grandmother, celebrated milliner Vanilla Powell Beane, who was born in Wilson County on 13 September 1919.

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Find more on Vanilla Beane here:

  • Articles

The Washington Post, Celebrating 3 sisters’ lives and longevity, Avis Thomas-Lester, 5 November  2011

The Washington Post, C​elebrated D.C. Milliner Marks 90th Birthday With Friends, Hats, Hamil R. Harris, 20 September 2009

Afro-American Newspapers, ​D.C. Woman Celebrates 100th Birthday with Sisters, 97, and 93, Avis Thomas-Lester and Teria Rogers, 14 November 2012

Associated Press,​ ​Dr. Height’s Hat Immortalized in Metal, Sarah Karush and Teneille Gibson, 15 June 2010

  • Videos

Hat Academy: “​Bene Millinery​”
Museum of Fine Arts: ​Dorothy Height’s Hats 360

Press contact:

Jeni Hansen
jeni@jenihansen.com​

Tobe Bellamy, centenarian.

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Wilson Daily Times, 8 August 1986.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: day laborer Henry Bellamy, 30; wife Emma, 28; and children Arthur [Tobe], 11, Joseph, 7, Roscoe, 6, and Harry, 4.

In 1930, Tobe Bellamy led the Elk Club’s efforts to find families to receive gifts of food and candy during the Christmas season.

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Wilson Daily Times, 26 December 1930.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: fertilizer plant laborer Tobe Bellamy, 51; wife Mary, 41; adopted son Jessie, 7; and mother Emma, 75.

Emmaline Bellamy died 22 September 1947 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 15 January 1874 in Wilson County to Archie Amie and Sylvia Taylor, both of Wilson County and lived at 718 Stantonsburg Street. Tobie Bellamy was informant.

On 24 December 1954, Jesse Bellamy, 25, of Wilson, son of Tobe Bellamy and Mary Barnes, and Queen Esther Thomas, 25, of Rocky Mount, daughter of Ben Thomas and Etta Hilton. Holiness minister W.H. Holiday performed the ceremony in the presence of Allen Barnes, Walter Whitted and Mary Bellamy.

Mary Bellamy died 19 April 1967 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 15 September 1903 in Wilson County to Allen Barnes and Caroline Woodard; was a retired laborer at Watson Tobacco; was married to Tobie Bellamy; and lived at 718 South Pender Street.

Jesse Bellamy died 19 December 1972 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 18 October 1932 to Tobie Bellamy and Mary Barnes; was married to Zelma Bellamy; worked as a laborer for Export Tobacco Company; and lived at 907 Phillips Street.

In the summer of 1980, Tobe Bellamy shared his thoughts on a heatwave then baking Wilson:

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Wilson Daily Times, 13 August 1980.

Tobe Bellamy died 5 August 1988 in Wilson, aged 104.

Josephine Artis Sherrod turns 100.

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Wilson Daily Times, 18 May 1987.

Josephine Artis Sherrod, a sister of Cain Artis, William M. Artis, Walter S. Artis, Alberta Artis Cooper, Columbus E. Artis and June S. Artis, was matriarch of a tight-knit family centered on two blocks of Viola Street described within the family as Sherrod Village.

Dorothy H. Ellis celebrates her 100th birthday.

From the 7 July 2019 edition of Wilson Times:

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“Dorothy Hammond Ellis of Wilson was honored at her 100th birthday July 3 in the fellowship hall of Calvary Presbyterian Church by her daughter, Cynthia Ellis, goddaughters and church family.

“Dorothy H. Ellis is a beloved retired schoolteacher who taught eighth grade at Darden High School starting in 1942. She and her husband, Coach [James C.] “Shank” Ellis went on to teach at Coon Junior High School until they retired early in 1979. While teaching at Darden, she was asked to use her basketball skills to coach the boys basketball team while the men went off to fight in World War II.

“Dorothy Ellis was born July 3, 1919 in Cheraw, South Carolina.”

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Dorothy H. Ellis and James C. Ellis in the 1949 edition of the Trojan, the yearbook of C.H. Darden High School.