obituary

The obituary of Joe Henry Best.

Wilson Daily Times, 7 March 1950.

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In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: laborer Blunt J. Bess, 32; Sarah, 23; children William L., 9, Nellie J., 6, Joseph H., 4, and Ivory, 8 months; and sister-in-law Annie Barnes, 11.

In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Blount Best, 53; wife Sarah, 44; children Joe H., 24, John I., 20, Minnie, 18, Blount, 16, Iola, 14, Annie, 13, Mariah, 10, Ella, 8, Albert, 4, Sack, 3, Joshua, 1, and Leslie, newborn; and servant Mariah Bynum, 32.

On 17 May 1906, Joe Henry Best, 30, of Wilson, son of Blount and Sarah Best, married Minnie Moore, 18, of Edgecombe, daughter of Sam and Caroline Moore, at Cromwell Bullock’s house in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.

In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Plank Road, Joe H. Best, 35, farmer; wife Minnie, 20; daughter Nellie, 2; and boarders Lula Roundtree, 17, and Bettie Moore, 7.

In 1918, Joseph Henry Best registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 11 September 1875; lived at Route 1, Walstonburg, Wilson County; farmed for J.T. Williams; and his nearest relative was Minnie Best.

In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Plank Road, farmer J.H. Best, 45; wife Minnie, 33; children Nellie, 12, and Norman, 6; and cousin Gray Bynum, 17.

In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on North Carolina State Highway 91, farmer J.H. Best, 55; wife Minnie, 40; children Nellie, 19, Norman, 17, and Sylvester, 15.

In the 1940 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Henry Best, 65; wife Minnie, 50; son Norman, 26; daughter Lucille, 22; grandson Joe Lee, 5; granddaughter Vernice, 10 months; and brother Albert Best, 43.

In 1940, Norman Best registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his draft card, he was born 14 April 1911 in Wilson County; lived at Route 4, Wilson; his contact was father Joe Henry Best; and he worked for Lina Webb.

In 1942, Romon Manning registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his draft card, he was born 1 July 1922 in Nash County; lived at Route 4, Wilson; his contact was Joe Henry Best; and he worked for U.H. Mozart.

Joe Henry Best died 5 March 1950 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 11 September 1976 in Wilson County to Blunt Best and Sarah Applewhite; was a farmer; and was buried in Bullock Cemetery near Fountain, N.C. Albert Best was informant.

Murder, then suicide in county jail.

Wilson Daily Times, 7 March 1950.

Wilson Daily Times, 9 March 1950.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: street laborer George Bryant, 42; wife Jane, 32; and children George, 14, Walter, 11, Floyd, 7, Luther, 4, Rosa Vell, 2, and Nathaniel, 3 months.

In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer George Briant, 52; wife Jane, 42; and children Floyd, 17, Luther, 15, Sister, 11, Nathaniel, 9, and Willie, 6.

In the 1930 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer George Bryant, 61; wife Jane, 51; and children Luther, 24, Nathaniel, 18, and Eugene, 8.

In the 1940 census of Glisson township, Duplin County, N.C.: farm laborer Nathan Bryant, 30, and wife Eula Mae, 25.

Nathaniel Bryant registered for the World War II draft in Duplin County, N.C., in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 4 February 1910 in Wilson County; his contact was wife Eula Mae Bryant, Mount Olive, Duplin County, N.C.; and he worked for farmer Lizzie Herring.

Eula Mae Bryant died 3 March 1950 at her home at 1002 Wainwright Avenue, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 December 1913 in Duplin County, N.C., to Rose(?) Everett and Virginia Branch; was married; and worked in farming. The cause of her death: “hemorrhage (massive) due to 5 1/2 inch knife wound to lower left abdomen.”

Nathaniel Bryant died 7 March 1950 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 7 February 1910 in Wilson to George Bryant and Janie Lucas; was a widower; lived at 1002 Wainwright Avenue; worked as a laborer for the City of Wilson; and was buried in Granite Point Cemetery.

The obituary of Gray Reid.

Wilson Daily Times, 13 March 1950.

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In the 1910 census of Otter Creek township, Edgecombe County: farmer Amos Read, 64; lodger Gray Read, 57, and children Gray, 18, Eligh, 15, Margrett, 13, and John, 13.

On 11 February 1915, Gray Reed Jr., 23, of Gardners township, son of Gray and Lucy Reed, married Mary Hagans, 18, of Gardners township, daughter of James and Hannah Hagans, in Wilson County. Primitive Baptist minister Ruffin Hyman performed the ceremony.

In 1917, Gray Reid registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born July 1891 in Edgecombe County, N.C.; and had an injured leg.

In the 1940 census of Burgaw, Pender County, North Carolina: Gray Reid, 48, formerly of Edgecombe County, N.C., inmate at North Carolina State Prison Camp.

Gray Reid died 11 March 19 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 22 November 1891 in Edgecombe County to Gray Reid and Lucy Joyner; lived at Route 3, Wilson; was a widower; and worked as a laborer. Elijah Reid, 300 South East Street, was informant.

The obituary of Florence Loftin, who was highly esteemed.

Wilson Daily Times, 12 March 1935.

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In the 1910 census of Brogden township, Wayne County: farmer Robert Lofton, 66; wife Eveline, 66; daughters Emma J. Lofton, 37, Alice A. Wilson, 35, and Mary, 24, Bettie, 19, Florence, 19, and Jessie Lofton, 14, plus granddaughters Donnie, 4, Mable, 3, and Marie, 2 months.

In the 1925 and 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directories: Lofton Florence (c) cook h 600 W Nash [the home of Fannie Shepherd Harriss.]

Florence Loftin executed a will on 2 April 1927. She divided her property in even thirds between her sister Mary Hinnant and nieces Donnie Hinnant and Marie Jones.

Florence Lofton died 5 March 1935 at Saint Agnes Hospital, Raleigh, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was 44 years old; was born in Wayne County, N.C., to Barber Lofton and Evelyn Hards of Duplin County N.C.; lived at 600 West Nash Street; and did domestic work. She was buried in Wilson, N.C.

Roosevelt Weaver, gospel quartet member, dies suddenly.

Wilson Daily Times, 31 March 1945.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Frank Weaver, 30; wife Mattie, 26; and children Freddie, 11, Johnie, 5, and Rosa Bell [Roosevelt], 3.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Frank Weaver, 40; wife Mattie, 37; and sons Fred, 20, Johnnie, 15, and Roosevelt, 12.

On 19 November 1925, Rosevelt Weaver, 19, married Carrie Melton, 18, in Wilson County.

In the 1930 census of Coopers township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Rosevlt Weaver, 23; wife Carry, 22; and children Mattie L., 3, and Emmer, 1.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: fertilizer plant laborer Rosevelt Weaver, 32; wife Mattie, 29, tobacco factory laborer; children Mattie, 13, Emma, 11, Frank Jr., 7, and Velma, 3; brother-in-law Henry Melton, 30, farm laborer; sister-in-law Savannah, 26, farm laborer; and nephew James Melton, 11.

In 1940, Roosevelt Weaver registered for the World War II draft. Per his registration card, he was 33 years old and born in Wilson; lived at 705 Gay Street, Wilson; his contact was wife Carrie M. Weaver, 705 Gay Street; and he worked for T.A. Loving Company, Cherry Point, N.C.

In 1942, Eddie Gray Weaver registered for the World War II draft. Per his registration card, he was born 2 August 1903 in Wilson County; lived in Gardners township, Wilson County; his contact was Roosevelt Weaver, 208 Manchester Street; and he worked for Contentnea Guano Company, Wilson.

Rosevelt Weaver died 18 March 1945 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 July 1907 in Wilson County to Frank Weaver and Mattie Braswell; was married to Carrie Weaver; worked as a laborer; lived at 627 Railroad Street; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.

Emma L. Weaver died 26 October 1945 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 21 December 1929 in Wilson County to Rosevelt Weaver and Carrie Melton; lived at N.S. Railroad [now Norfolk Street]; and was buried in Rest Haven. She died of complications from childbirth.

The death of Ed Bynum.

Wilson Daily Times, 16 February 1945.

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In the 1900 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: widower Henry Bynum, 54, and children Jonas, 24, Ellen, 22, Alison, 20, Eddie, 18, Patsy and Reddin, 16, and Mary, 13.

On 26 May 1912, Ed Bynum, 27, of Saratoga township, married Mahala King, 25, of Saratoga township, in Saratoga township, Wilson County.

In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Ed Bynum, 40; wife Mahada, 30; children Annie, 15, and Seth, 11; and nieces and nephews Willie, 17, Louisa, 15, Ellen, 9, Anna Jane, 10, and Caroline, 5.

Mahaley Bynum died 27 November 1923 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 45 years old; was born in Wilson County to Shanny King and Nancy Barnes; was married to Eddie Bynum; and farmed for M.J. Felton.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: auto shop manager Ed Bynum, 49, widower, and daughter Caroline, 15.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: in a house owned and valued at $500, widower Ed Bynum, 59, grocery manager.

In 1940, Jessie Roy Edwards registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 May 1920 in Pitt County, N.C.; lived at Route 4, Wilson; worked as a laborer at Marine Barracks New River, N.C.; and his contact was first cousin Ed Bynum, Route 4, Wilson.

Anna Foster died 8 March 1941 in Sand Hills township, Moore County, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 February 1901 in Wilson County to Edd Bynum and Mahala Lou [no maiden name]; was married to Kelly Foster; and lived in Jackson Springs, N.C.

Edd Bynum died 14 February 1945 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 October 1881 in Edgecombe County to Henry Bynum and Nannie Cobb; was the widow of Mahalia Bynum; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Caroline Smith was informant.

Ed Bynum left a fascinating will. The version we have access to is the transcription typed into court records. The original was handwritten by a man with little formal education, but a debt-free estate built from a lifetime of hard work and firm plans for its distribution. Bynum owned a house, a grocery, and investment properties, as well as a significant amount of cash.

[June 26, 1934. This is Ed Bynum’s will. I want Willie Bynum to have Alex Williams‘ house [and automobile?]. Seth Bynum to have the store.]

[Caroline Bynum to have the big house. Anna Bynum to have the little lot.

Caroline Bynum, Anna Bynum, Doll Bynum, Louise Bynum, Ellen Bynum divide the money, about $1600.

Give [Crockett Best?] $50. Give Mary $25. Give Ida Speight $50 for attending to me when I was sick and I don’t own no one not a penny.

Divide the goods in the store.

Witness Caroline Bynum, Ida Speight

Let Anderson Bynum [Ed Bynum’s brother] do this dividing.

This is Ed Bynum writing my will to the children.

Give me a 200 dollar steel vat 100 [?]

Louise & Ellen & Doll have the six lots back in the field.

Give Crater King 25 dollars.]

The funeral of Silas Barnes, World War I veteran.

Wilson Daily Times, 2 February 1945.

Wilson Daily Times, 6 February 1945.

Silas Barnes was a grandson of London and Penny Lassiter Woodard.

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In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Simon Barnes, 51; wife Penina, 40; and children Rosetta, 22, James W., 20, Hardy, 18, Charly, 16, Penny, 14, London, 12, Silas, 11, Prisa, 8, Simon, 5, and Marylisa, 2.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Simon Barnes, 65; wife Pennie, 55; and children Pennie S., 22, Sillas, 17, Mary L., 12, Lucie, 8, Ama, 6, and Simon, 14.

In 1942, Silas Barnes registered for the World War II draft in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born 2 May 1893 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 1707 North 7th Street, Harrisburg; his contact was Gertrude Barnes, 30 West Sixth Street, Frederick, Maryland; and he worked for Brann & Stuart, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Silas Barnes died 2 February 1945 at the Veterans Administration hospital in Kechoughtan, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was about 55 years old; was born in Wilson County to unknown parents; was separated from Gertrude Barnes; and lived in Wilson County.

The obituaries of John Brooks and Alice Alston.

Wilson Daily Times,

  • John Brooks
  • Alice Alston

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Alice (c) dom h 208 E Jones

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Alice (c) tobwkr h 318 S Lodge

Alice Alston died 22 February 1944 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 5 October 1885 in Warren County, N.C., to Major and Agnes Williams; was a widow; lived at 213 Spruce Street; and was buried in Rest Haven. Sam Alston was informant.