nonagenarian

Happy birthday, Aunt Margaret!

Hattie H. Ellis, age about 6, on Queen Street.

So smart that she skipped a grade at Vick Elementary, Hattie Margaret Henderson Ellis graduated from C.H. Darden High School in 1953 and Hampton Institute in 1957 (where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and established a family legacy). She received a graduate degree from Boston University and spent decades as a guidance counselor in Wilson County high schools.

Aunt Margaret is the youngest and the last surviving of my grandmother’s children, and we wish her a happy and love-filled 90th birthday!

Figuring this family tree thing out.

Lane Street Project has enriched my life in many ways, among them introduction to wonderful people I would not otherwise have gotten to know. Portia Newman is one. Though we are both graduates of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and, it turns out, both among the unnumbered thousands of Adam T. Artis‘ descendants, more than two decades separate our paths through Wilson. Nonetheless, we share an unshakeable sense of family and place and a deep commitment to paying forward our gratitude for both. I was not surprised, then, to see this morning that Portia was giving us gifts on her birthday.

Here, in four parts and a dope video, are Portia Newman’s reflections on the importance of documenting family history and her plan for doing so. All of us can be, must be, preservationists. Save your stories.

And, here, listen to Portia’s grandfather, Donald Lee Woodard Sr. talk about his life in the Red Hill area near Stantonsburg. “You just got to live your life. By being 98*, I have seen a lot and been through a lot.” (Be sure to watch to the very end!)

Happy birthday, Portia!

Rest in peace, Arlean Lindsey Snead.

“Ms. Arlean Lindsey Sneed, 99, of Hampton, VA surrounded by family, departed her earthy life on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.  She was one of nine children, born on March 10, 1926, in Wilson County, to Phil and Lugenia Lindsey who predeceased her. She was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ who constantly sought God through prayer. She is survived by her children: Henry (Carol) of Hampton, VA, James (Linda) of Jackson, MS, Marvin of Elm City, NC, Veretta S. White (predeceased), ten grandchildren, a host of great grandchildren, family, and friends. In addition to her deceased parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers and five sisters.

“Her Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 12:00 pm at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 209 Pender St., E., Wilson, NC.  Reverend Henry Sneed will deliver the eulogy.  Interment will follow in Williams Chapel Cemetery, Williams Chapel Church Road, Elm City NC.”

Calvary Presbyterian’s radiant queen mothers!

Calvary Presbyterian Church‘s recent 136th Homecoming celebration brought together these three vibrant nonagenarians!

Wilson County natives Henrietta Hines McIntosh, 98, and Arlean Lindsey Sneed, 99, stand behind Addie Scipio Hagans, 97, who taught English to generations of students at Darden and Fike High Schools.

Photo courtesy of Cassandra Wiggins.

The long marriage of John and Eula Mae Boykin Renfrow.

Wilson Daily Times, 31 May 2010.

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In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer John Renfrow, 33; wife Mary, 31; and children Rennie, 12, Plummer, 10, Vernon, 9, John O., 5, and Burnice, 3.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William T. Boykin, 44; wife Sarah, 41; and children Elvira, 17, Katie, 15, Ida, 13, William T., 10, Ula M., 4, Lillian, 2, and Junius, 1.

In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer John M. Renfrow, 41; wife Mary, 40; and children Vernon, 17, John O., 15, Bernice B., 13, David, 10, Minnie I., 4, and Myree, 1.

In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William T. Boykin, 54; wife Sarah, 52; and children Ida, 14, W. Howard, 20, Eula M., 14, Lillian, 13, and Jounious, 11.

On 15 May 1935, John Omes Renfrow, 20, of Kenly, son of Johnny and Mary Renfrow, married Eula May Boykin, 18, of Lucama, in Smithfield, Johnston County, N.C.

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer John Renfrow, 25; wife Eula Mae, 24; and children Louretha, 3, Edna Gray, 2, and Marie, 1.

In 1940, John Omes Renfrow registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 26 October 1914 in Wilson; lived at Route 3, Kenly, Wilson County; his contact was Eula Mae Renfrow; and he worked for George R. Hinton.

In the 1950 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer John O. Renfrow, 35; wife Eula Mae, 34; children Retha, 13, Eula Gray, 12, Marie Van, 10, John Donald, 7, and Katrina, 3; and mother-in-law Sarah Boykin, 65, widow.

Rocky Mount Telegram, 5 September 2011.

Rocky Mount Telegram, 1 February 2014.

The obituary of Marjarena Bunn, age 98.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.,) 25 April 1942.

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In the 1870 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Margiana Smith, 12, domestic servant in the household of Benjamin Mills, 33, black.

On 28 October 1874, Amos Bunn, 22, married Morgann Gowins, 20, in Edgecombe County.

In the 1880 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: blacksmith Amos Bunn, 26; wife Morgia, 23; children Matilda, 3, John Henry, 2, and Amos, 11 months; and servant Mary Sharp, 16.

In the 1900 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Amos Bunn, 51; wife Mojano, 40; children Tildy, 24, Amos, 21, William G., 19, Lewis B., 17, Genetta B., 14, Sallie B., 13, Jonas B., 10, Louisannie, 7, Eddie B., 3, and James W., 2; and mother Tobitha, 80, widow.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Amos B. Bunn, 58; wife Margeanner, 45; and children Sudie, 23, Sam, 19, Lender, 17, and Ed Mc., 14.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Winstead Road, Amos Bunn, 65; wife Anna, 48; and sons Junie, 24, Lundie, 23; and Ed, 22.

Marganna Bunn died 8 April 1942 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 23 March 1853 in Thelma [sic], N.C.; was the widow of Amos Bunn; and was buried in Elm City Cemetery. Mitilda Clark, 1405 North 18th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was informant.

Sudie Bunn Johnson died 8 April 1947 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 8 April 1888 in Wilson County to Amos Bunn of Wilson County and Margie Anna Jones of Halifax County; was married to Bennie Johnson; and was buried in Elm City Cemetery.