Wilson Daily Times, 24 July 1944.
Though his “old darkie” language casts a pall over his tribute, M.J. Batchelor’s words reveal Rev. John A. Barnes‘ sense of curiosity and preserve an interesting aspect of his personality.
in memoriam
Remembering Sallie B. Howard!
We join her namesake school in remembering Sallie Baldwin Howard on the seventh anniversary of her passing.
Sallie B. Howard and husband Arthur P. Howard.
Photos courtesy of Gary Howard.
On his 91st birthday.
Rederick C. Henderson and his bicycle, somewhere in East Wilson, circa 1950.
My father was my gateway to Wilson and sparked my love for people and place. I miss him every day, but especially on September 12.
In memoriam: Sgt. Anthony M. Hopkins.
A spur-of-the-moment search of The New York Times yielded the obituary of Wilson native Anthony M. Hopkins, a decorated war veteran. He was one of the more than 200,000 Americans to die of COVID in the first seven months of the pandemic. The Times featured Hopkins’ death in its “Those We’ve Lost” series, which profiled more than 500 people, both famous and ordinary, who succumbed to the disease.
Anthony Hopkins’ paternal grandparents, Jason and Catherine Bryant Hopkins, arrived in Wilson County in the early 1920s from Pitt County by way of Greene County. They settled in Gardners township and worked as sharecroppers or tenant farmers. His maternal grandparents, James and Addie Tart Ward, had deep roots in the area of the Wilson and Greene County border between present-day Saratoga, Stantonsburg, and Walstonburg.
- Jason Hopkins and Catherine Bryant Hopkins Brown
Jason Hopkins died 25 March 1929 in Wilson [Mercy] Hospital. Per his death certificate, he was 41 years old; was born in Pitt County to Luke and Dollie Hopkins; was married to Catherine Hopkins; was a preacher; and was buried in Jones Field, Wilson County.
In the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Kathrine Hopkins, 37; children James C., 12, Irena, 10, Octavia, 9, Jason Jr., 8, Etter C., 7, and Mattie, 3; and roomer [illegible] Bryant, 26.
In the 1940 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Becton Brown, 47; wife Katherine, 47; his children George, 22, Edrine, 20, Millie, 18, May E., 16, B.K., 15, Collie, 13, and Wittonia Brown, 11; and step-children Irene, 21, Octavia, 20, Jason, 19, Ophelia, 17, and Mattie Hopkins, 14.
In 1942, Jason Hopkins registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 29 April 1921 in Greene County; lived at R.F.D. #3, Gardners township; his contact was mother Cassie Brown; and he worked for Pattie W. Uzzell in Wilson.
On 6 March 1946, Jason Hopkins, 24, son of Jason Hopkins and Catherine Bryant Hopkins, married Minnie Lou Ward, 19, daughter of James and Addie Tart Ward, in Wilson County.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 522 Hadley Street, Jason Hopkins, 28, serviceman at auto sales/service; wife Minnie, 23; and children Jason III, 3, Thomas L., 1, and Anthony M., born the previous September.
Jason Hopkins Jr. died 31 May 1969 in Norfolk, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 29 April 1921 in Wilson, N.C., to Jason Hopkins Sr. and Catherine Bryant; was married to Minnie Lea Hopkins; worked as a laborer; and was a World War II veteran.
Minnie Lee W. Hopkins, 716 Hooks Street, Wilson, applied for a military headstone for her husband Jason Hopkins. Per the application, he was born 29 April 1921 and died 31 May 1969 and served from 10 October 1942 to 14 December 1945 in the 647th Port Company.
Minnie Lea Hopkins died 28 February 2013.
- James Ward and Addie Tart Ward
On __ January 1899, James Ward, 18, of Greene County, son of Larance Ward and Sarah [Ward] Artis, married Mit Ellis, 21, of Greene County, daughter of Jacob Ellis, in Greene County, N.C.
In the 1900 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County: James Ward, 20, day laborer; wife Mitt, 20; and son Nathan, 1. Two households down: widow Sarah Ward, 43, and children Walter, 14, Bessie, 12, and Etta, 9, all day laborers.
On 13 June 1909, James Wood [sic; Ward], 28, of Stantonsburg, married Addie Ward [sic; Tart], 19, of Saratoga, in Saratoga township, Wilson County.
In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Road, farmer James Ward, 29; wife Addie, 20; and children Jim, 9, Sarah, 8, Tiny, 5, Mary E., 4, and Maggie, newborn.
In 1918, James Ward registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 October 1879; lived at Route 2, Stantonsburg; farmed for Charlie Whitley; and his nearest relative was Addie Ward.
In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer James Ward, 40; wife Addie, 29; and children Maliza, 14, Maggie, 10, Ozee, 8, Ida, 6, Joseph, 4, and Ora, 4.
In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer James Ward, 50; wife Addie, 39; children Maggie, 19, Oz, 17, Ida, 16, Joseph, 15, Ora, 12, Bourgard, 11, Charlie, 8, Leland, 5, Minnie L., 3, and Annie M., 0; and mother Sarah Ward, 72, widow.
In the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer James Ward, 58; wife Addie, 46; children Ida, 24, Charles, 18, Leland, 14, Minnie, 13, Annie, 10, Molena, 5, and Beauregard, 20; daughter-in-law Bertha Lee, 20; and grandson John Lewis Barnes, 9.
Addie Ward died 21 July 1943 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 2 January 1893 in Greene County to Gray Tart and Mittie Ward, both of Greene County; was married to James Ward; and was buried in Community Cemetery, Greene County.
James Ward Sr. died 11 November 1944 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 October 1882 in Wilson County to Lawrence Ward and Sarah Artis; was the widower of Addie Ward; was a farmer; and was buried Saint Delight cemetery, Greene County, N.C.
In memoriam: Dr. Thomas Levi Peacock.
Dr. Thomas Levi Peacock, age 96, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on January 29, 2025, at 8:00 PM in Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Peacock was born in Wilson, N.C., to Eloise and Levi Peacock on December 6, 1928. He went to high school at Darden High in the City of Wilson and graduated in 1947 and entered into Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Peacock pledged Alpha Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in 1948 and graduated from Howard in 1951. He entered the Air Force after graduation and in 1952 he graduated from USAF Officer Candidate School as a 2nd Lieutenant. After his service in the Air Force, he went on to Meharry Medical School, graduated in 1958 earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree (DDS), and was licensed to practice dentistry in the state of North Carolina. Within a few years, Dr. Peacock opened his own practice in Jamaica, Queens, New York, where he rose to prominence in professional circles among his peers. In August 1964, he was named one of the most eligible bachelors in Ebony Magazine. After his professional success, Dr. Peacock retired to Wilson, N.C., for a short time then moved to Sarasota, FL in the year 2000 where he resided until his transition.
Dr. Peacock is survived by his sister, Winifred Gail Peacock of Sarasota, Florida; brother, Vincent Gerard Peacock of Sarasota, Florida; and sister-in-law, LaWanda Roche Peacock of Sarasota, Florida. He is also survived by nieces Brittany Vene Miles of Seattle, Washington, and Lauren White of New York, New York. Additionally, he is survived by nephews Eddie White of New York, New York, and Stuart Penn of New Jersey.
Adapted from obituary at Dignity Memorial, which was adapted from Black Wide-Awake. Rest well, Tom Peacock!
Lubert Thompson departed this life.
Wilson Daily Times, 14 May 1940.
I have not found a North Carolina death certificate for Lubert Thompson.
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- Rena Saunders
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Lula Sanders, 39, farm laborer, and children Rosa, 22, Rena, 19, Odessa, 13, James, 11, and Rubby, 4.
In remembrance.
Except for his time in the Air Force and college, my father lived his entire life in Wilson. Three years ago tonight, he passed away here, at home, surrounded by his wife and daughters and granddaughter. He loved Wilson, and his stories were my early gateway to what would become Black Wide-Awake. I wish he’d had more time to understand and enjoy my posts and to know how deeply he continues to guide and influence me. Rest in power, Rederick C. Henderson.
In memoriam: James E. Farmer Jr. (1933-2025).
My childhood “village” has lost another father — James Edward Farmer Jr. Mr. Farmer and my dad were members of Darden High School’s beloved Class of 1952, and I last saw him at my father‘s funeral in 2022. He had deep, deep Wilson County roots, and I’ve written of his childhood home and his Farmer, Barnes, and Hunter-Whitehead kin.
My deepest condolences to his wife of nearly 67 years (and childhood sweetheart), Marian Sewell Farmer; his sons James Edward III and Allegro M. Farmer; his grandson James Edward IV; and all who loved him.
Top photo courtesy of the family; bottom photos from 1952 Darden High School yearbook.
Tribute to Dr. Frank S. Hargrave.
The New Jersey State Republican Committee commissioned E.H. McGhee of Trenton to create a hand-lettered resolution in tribute to Dr. Frank S. Hargrave upon his death on 11 March 1942.
Below, detail of one of the illustrated letters, bright with faux gilt, that decorated each page.
Many thanks to Vicki Cowan for sharing this beautiful document.
In memoriam: Doris Lula Henderson Ward (1930-2025).
On 21 January 2025, Doris Lula Henderson Ward passed peacefully at her home in Wilson. She was 94 years old. Cousin Doris was the last surviving child of Jack Henderson and Pauline Artis Henderson.
In this photograph taken at my uncle Jesse A. Henderson‘s funeral in August 2005, Cousin Doris is fourth from right. With her passing, only the bookends remain. Rest in peace, Cousin Doris.
Cousins Hattie Henderson Ellis, Rederick C. Henderson, James Beasley, Mildred Henderson Hall, Doris Holt Beasley, Doris Henderson Ward, Louise Holt Tisdale, Margaret Holt Brown, Barbara Hall Jones.
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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 309 Pender Street, Alice Artis, 56; daughter Pauline Henderson, 39, household servant; granddaughters Bessie L., 23, hotel elevator girl, Alice, 20, household servant, Joyce, 18, household servant, Mildred, 16, and Doris, 10; and grandson Robert, 4.
Around 1945, Doris Henderson married Thomas Person Ward, who would go on to become a legendary gospel music disc jockey, promoter, and recording artist, as well as general manager of Wilson’s AM radio station WGTM.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 707 East Vance, Thomas Ward, 25, shoeshine boy at barbershop; wife Doris, 21; and children Doris Lee, 5, Merl, 4, and Purline, 1.
Doris H. Ward is survived by her children Doris Lee Ward Wilkins, Mary Lee Ward Miller, Thomas P. Ward Jr., James F. Ward, and Ray A. Ward, and many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her husband and daughter Pearline Ward Hardy are deceased.
Top photo borrowed from obituary; bottom photo in collection of Lisa Y. Henderson.