obituary

The double funeral of Sarah Coward and Raiford McPhail.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 19 October 1946.

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  • Sarah Coward

In the 1900 census of Township 1, Craven County: farmer Bryan Coward, 36, wife Sarah, 33, son Arthur D., 8, and niece Malissa Jenkins, 13.

In the 1910 census of New Bern, Craven County, at 2 Green Street: pastor Bryan Coward, 45, wife Sarah, 43, son Arthur D., 18, and adopted daughter Malissa Jenkins, 22.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County, at 122 Pender Street: minister of the gospel Bryant Coward, 53, wife Sarah A., 49, and roomers Joe Ward (who worked as a cook at Hotel Briggs), 30, and Sophia Ward, 29. [Rev. Coward was a prominent Saint John pastor, but did not found the church.]

In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Coward Sarah A (c) dom h 1013 Atlanta

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Coward Bryant Rev (c; Sarah A) h 1013 Atlanta

In the 1940 census of Wilson, North Carolina: at 1013 Atlantic, owned and valued at $6000, Sarah A. Coward, 69, widow; son Willie Carr, 30; his wife Sandyne[?], 25; sons Bobbie, 2, and Willie, 6; roomer Clara Chamber, 20.

Sarah Addie Coward died 6 September 1946 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born in Greene County, N.C., to Quilla Brown and Mary Margaret Wilson, both of Craven County, N.C.; was 87 years old; and lived at 1013 Atlantic Street.

  • Raiford McPhail

In the 1870 census of Flea Hill township, Cumberland County, N.C.: farm laborer Arnold McPhail, 25; wife Milly, 21; children Raiford, 6, Elizabeth, 4, and Hector, 1; and farm laborer Isaac, 16.

In the 1880 census of Flea Hill township, Cumberland County, N.C.: farmer Arnel McPhail, 37, and children Raford, 14, Eliza, 12, Hector, 10, Joe, 8, Martha J., 6, William, 4, and Sarah, 1.

On 28 February 1889, R.J. McPhaill, 24, of Cumberland County, son of Arnold and Millie McPhail and, married Laura Waddell, 20, of Cumberland County, daughter of Wash and Delia McPhail, in Flea Hill township, Cumberland County.

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: McPhail Raiford J (c) janitor Fidelity Mutual Bldg h 212 S Vick

John Albert McPhail died 27 October 1919 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 19 February 1894 to Raiford McPhail and Laura Wadell, both of Cumberland County; worked as a clothes cleaner at a pressing club; lived at 212 Vick Street extended; and was buried in Wilson [likely, Vick Cemetery.]

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Raford McPhail, 50; wife Laura, 47; and children David, 22, Hector, 21, Bessie, 19, and Mary, 14.

Mary McPhail died 10 September 1924 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 March 1904 in Wilson to Raiford J. McPhail and Laura Wardell, both of Cumberland County; was single; was a schoolgirl; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: McPhail Raiford (c; Laura) janitor h 208 S Vick

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 South Vick, Fidelity Building janitor Raiford McPhail, 75, widower, and lodgers Robert Sherdan, 50, carpenter, and laundress, Lela Hines, 45, widow.

Raiford McPhail died 8 September 1945 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 February 1865 in Cumberland County to Arnold McPhail; was a widower; lived at 208 South Vick Street; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Informant was Bessie Compton, Greensboro.

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.

The obituary of Ruth Neal Webb.

Journey and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 14 July 1946.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 105 Wainwright, widowed barber Austin Neal, 42, with children Bryant, 21, also a barber, Daisy, 16, Annie, 13, Samuel, 7, and Ruth, 5.

In the 1930 census, Wilson, Wilson County: at 1114 East Nash Street, odd jobs laborer Jessie Adams, 43; wife Rosa, 34, cook; daughter Larcinia, 15; and roomer Ruth Neal, 16.

On 5 June 1943, Oliver DuBois Webb, 37, born in Norfolk to Joseph C. Webb and Mattie Martha Brown, married Ruth Neal, 24, born Wilson to Austin Neal and Lula Thompson.

Ruth Neal Webb died 26 June 1945 in Norfolk, Virginia. Per her death certificate, she was born 1918 in Wilson, N.C., to Austin and Lula Neal; was married to Oliver D. Neal; lived at 854 Norchester Avenue, Norfolk; and was buried in Wilson.

The death of Benjamin F. Jordan Jr., college student.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 13 March 1937.

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In the 1920 census of Mullins township, Marion County, South Carolina: on Laurel Street, clergymen Benjamin F. Jordan, 40; wife Maggie, 32; and children Benjamin F., Jr., 6; Marion, 4, Milford, 2, and Odis, 1.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1113 East Nash Street, minister Benjiman Jordan, 50; wife Maggie, 44; and children Benjiman F., 16, Mary B., 14,  Milford L., 12, Odis, 11, Williard, 10, Irene C., 8, and James D., 6.

Benjamin F. Jordan Jr. died 15 February 1937 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 23 years old; was born in Robeson County, N.C., to Benjamin F. Jordan Sr. of Beaufort, N.C., and Maggie L. Dickens of Edgecombe County, N.C.; was a student; and lived at 1113 East Nash Street, Wilson.

The obituary of Lucinda Miller and other news.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 2 August 1930.

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  • Lucinda (or Lucintha) Miller

On 15 August 1901, George Henry Washington, 38, of Wilson, son of Jerry and Jane Washington, married Cora Miller, 25, of Wilson, daughter of Cynthia Miller, at the bride’s residence on Green Street. A.M.E. Zion minister C.L. Alexander performed the service in the presence of Sallie M. Barbour and Alice F. Moore.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widowed cook Lou Miller; her daughter Cora Washington, 34, a widowed school teacher; her grandchildren Irene, 7, James, 4, and Cora Washington 1; and two boarders, Mary Hadley, 20, cook, and Mary Pender, 60, widowed servant. [“Lou,” as in Lucinda Miller, was the Cynthia Miller named on Cora Washington’s marriage license. Also, Cora’s second child was in fact a girl named Janie, not a boy James. Though no street is identified on the enumeration sheet, it is clear from the names of the Miller-Washingtons’ neighbors that they lived on or just off East Green Street.]

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Miller Lucinda (c) h 701 E Green

Lucintha Miller died 18 July 1930 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 70 years old; was born in Greene County, N.C., to Stephen Parker and Ara Parker; was a widow; and was buried in Wilson. Cora Miller was informant.

  • Bessie Hodge — in the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 904 East Nash, Nathaniel Hodge, 26; wife Bessie, 21; and son Nathaniel Jr., 11 months.
  • Modern We — Modern We was one of dozens of social clubs flourishing in East Wilson in the first half of the twentieth century.
  • Bedford Savage and Elias Lucas
  • Dr. and Mrs. Z.M. Johnson

The obituary of Charles E. Lucas of Norfolk, Virginia.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 26 January 1952.

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In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Dotson Locus, 26; wife Nellie, 27; orphan Riley F., 13; and sons Joe P., 8, Elias, 7, and Offie, 5.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Dodson Lucas, 40; wife Nellie, 39; sons Elice, 17, and Offie, 14.

In the 1940 census of Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County, N.C.: Charlie Lucas, 36, N.&S.R.R. laborer; wife Annie, 40, boarding cook; and son Leander, 23; lodger Fulton Martin, 30, cement finisher; and nephews James, 13, and Lamar Page, 12.

In 1942, Charles Eliase Lucas registered for the World War II draft in Norfolk, Virginia. Per his registration card, he was born 7 July 1903 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 511 Reilly Street, Wilson; his contact was Annie Reilly; and he worked on the naval base in Norfolk.

In the 1950 census of Norfolk, Virginia: at 509 Reilly, Charles E. Lucas, 47, and wife Annie Mary, 49.

Charles Lucas died 8 January 1952 in Norfolk, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 7 July 1903 in Wilson, N.C., to Joe Dodson Lucas and Nellie Joyner; lived at 509 Reilly Street, Norfolk; worked as a stevedore; and was married to Annie Lucas.

 

The obituary of Austin N. Neal, barber.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 5 March 1949.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 19 March 1949.

We met Austin N. Neal and his barber shop here and learned about his estate here.

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In the 1900 census of Freeman township, Franklin County: widower Austin Neal, 30, and children Bryant, 3, and Bertha, 1, plus brother Abram, 17, and sisters Tabitha, 19, and Bessie, 21.

In the 1912 Wilson city directory, Austin Neal was listed as a barber at 409 East Nash. His home address was “Wainwright av for Freeman.”

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 105 Wainwright, widowed barber Austin Neal, 42, with children Bryant, 21, also a barber, Daisy, 16, Annie, 13, Samuel, 7, and Ruth, 5.

In the 1930 census, Wilson, Wilson County: at 1214 Wainright Avenue, barber Austin Neal, 61, wife Lizzie, 38, servant for a private family, and son Samuel, 18, a hotel bell hop.

In the 1941 Norfolk, Virginia, city directory, Austin N. Neal is listed as living at 1106 Chicazola Avenue and working as a barber for Robert Pope.

In 1942, Austin Niel [sic] registered for the World War II draft in Norfolk, Virginia. Per his registration card, he was born 7 November 1878 in Louisburg, N.C.; he lived at 1106 Chicazola Street, Norfolk; his contact was Daisy Brown, same address; and he worked for William Rose, 922 Church Street.

In the 1942 Norfolk, Virginia, city directory, Austin N. Neal is listed as living at 1106 Chicazola Avenue and working as a barber for William H. Rhodes.

In the 1946 Norfolk, Virginia, city directory, Austin N. Neal is listed as living at 1106 Chicazola Avenue and working as a barber at Rosebud Barber Shop.

Austin N. Neal died 14 February 1949 at Mercy Hospital of terminal uremia. He was born 11 November 1878 in Franklinton, North Carolina, to Abron Neal and Louise Brodie. He was buried in Rountree [likely, Vick] Cemetery. Mrs. Lizzie H. Neal was informant.

Naomi Freeman mourned.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 27 July 1940.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, Oliver N. Freeman, 38; wife Willie May, 31; and children Naomi, 8, Oliver N. Jr., 7, Mary F., 5, and Connie, 4.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1300 East Nash Street, valued at $6000, Oliver N. Freeman, 48, building contractor; wife Willie May, 41, born in Tennessee; and children Naomi, 18, Oliver N. Jr., 17, Mary F., 16, and Connie H., 14.

Naomi O. Freeman died 20 July 1940 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 September 1911 in Wilson to Onstus Freeman and Will May Haddie; was single; was a Sunday school missionary; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery [likely Vick Cemetery], Wilson.

Death claims S.H. Vick.

 Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 27 July 1946.

John H. Mincey was an occasional correspondent to Norfolk’s regional African-American newspaper, the Journal and Guide, and it fell to him to write an obituary for Samuel H. Vick. Some of the facts are a little off, but the piece reveals little-known  details like Vick’s desire to study medicine.