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Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.
First Sergeant Johnnie Marion Brewington, stationed at Fort Maxey, Texas..
World War II
Corporal James Walter Ellis, stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
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In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg, Wilson County: Oscar Ellis, 39; wife Mamie, 39; and children Oscar Jr., 16, William, 14, Estelle, 12, Ejay, 11, Colen, 10, James, 9, Bessie M., 8, Hubert L., 6, Leroy, 2, and Dorothy, 1 month.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1113 [East Nash], Oscar Ellis, 50, W.P.A. project laborer; wife Mamie, 49; children Henry, 23, public service laborer, Estell, 22, private housekeeper, A.J.A., 21, cafe waiter, Charles, 20, Moore’s Drug deliveryman, James, 18, Bessie, 17, Hubert, 15, Leroy, 13, Fred, 8, Mamie, 10, and Clarence, 5; and adopted children Annie, 15, and Rosco Jones, 13.
In the 1950 census of Washington, D.C.: James W. Ellis, 28, federal government messenger, and wife Vera L., 23.
Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.
Technician Fifth Grade James Johnson, drowned in Burma.
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In the 1940 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Columbus Ward, 20; mother Hattie Ward, 55, widow; brother Bill Ward, 28; and half-brother James Johnson, 19.
In 1941, James Johnson registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born1 November 1920 in Wilson; lived on R.F.D. #2, Wilson; his contact was Hattie Johnson; and he worked for M.L. Smith.
Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.
Private Bruce Sutton, now at Fort Sam Houston.
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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 716 East Green, rented for $14/month, Joseph Sutton, 61; wife Malissa, 60; children Beatrice, 26, James, 25, Fred, 23, Bruce, 19, Beulah, 17, and Mable, 16; and grandchildren Ivan, 8, and Geraldine, 7.
The 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory lists laborer Fred Sutton, maid Beatrice Sutton, CCC worker Bruce Sutton, tobacco worker James W. Sutton, laborer Levi Sutton and wife Josie, and Melissa G. Sutton at 716 East Green.
The 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory lists student Bruce Sutton, housekeeper Melissa G. Sutton, and domestic Rosa Sutton at 716 East Green.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 606 Green Street, Jane White, 48, laundry checker; son-in-law Bruce Sutton, 28; daughter Lucille Sutton, 20; and children William E., 2, and Bruce Jr., 1.
Air raid wardens meet.
Wilson Daily Times, 13 June 1942.
Presumably, Zone 6 comprised an all-Black district.
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- Dr. Cowan — Dr. Joseph F. Cowan.
Private Alonza G. Creech, in “the French battle area.”
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Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.
Corporal Judge Fleming Jr., sent to England.
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In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Road, farmer Judge Fleming, 49; wife Molly, 40; and children Lizzie, 18, Arron, 16, Sarah, 12, Lula, 10, Addie, 8, Jordan, 5, and John, 3.
In the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Judge Fleming, 57; wife Mollie, 47; and children Arron, 25, Sarah J., 21, Lula, 20, Judge, 15, Johnie, 14, and Mary L., 6.
In the 1940 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Mollie Flemming, 56, widow, farmer; sons Aaron, 36, and Judge Jr., 25; grandchildren Louisa, 17, Delma, 5, Aaron Jr., 3, and Melba G., 1; daughter-in-law Mahalia Flemming, 26; and lodger Jessie Smith, 14.
In 1940, Judge Junior Fleming registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 July 1915 in Wilson; lived on Route 4, Wilson; his contact was mother Mollie Sutton Fleming; and he worked at Imperial Tobacco Company, Barnes and Lodge Streets.
In the 1950 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Judge Flemming, 34, “planting corn”; wife Grace, 23, “picking plant bed”; and children Alfonsa, 3, and Gwenelyn, 2; and lodger Johnnie Sharp, 45, “planting corn.”
Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.
Private Henry C. Faison, stationed in Missouri.
Henry Cornelius Faison registered for the World War II draft in Wilson in 1942. Per his registration card, he was born 22 February 1921 in Wilson; lived at 504 Banks Street; his contact was Meana Faison; and he worked for Export Tobacco Company. Ethel L. Hines was registrar.
Corporal William Batts, stationed at Camp Swift, Texas.
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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 628 Warren Street, farm laborer Willie Batts, 28, wife Olivia, 29, and children Ernest, 8, Claria, 5, Elizabeth, 3, and twins Jodie and Josephine, 6 months.
In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Willie Batts, 39, wife Olivia, 39, and children Ernest, 17, Clara, 16, Elizabeth, 13, Josephine, 10, William, 7, E. George, 5, and M. Mary, 1 1/2.
In the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Will Batts, 50, wife Olivia, 50, and children Ernest, 25, William, 16, Georgiana, 14, Magdelene, 11, Rosa L., 10, and Henry, 8.
On 1 April 1938, Wm. Batts, 23, of Taylors township, Wilson County, son of Will and Olivia Batts, married Bessie Lee Williams, 18, of Wilson, daughter of Isaac and Lucy Williams, in Wilson. Elder Abram Hill performed the ceremony.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 303 Finch Street, brick laborer William Batts, 25; wife Bessie, 20, tobacco factory laborer; children Thelma, 2, and Lucille, 9 months; and sister Dollie Williams, 17.
In 1940, William Batts registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County:
Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.
Steward’s Mate Second Class Maurice B. Hayes, stationed in Washington.
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In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farm laborer James Hays, 23; wife Lula M., 21, a schoolteacher; and sons Maris, 5, and Royland, 3.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 112 South Fourth Street, fish peddler James Hayes, 40; wife Lula, 39; sons Morris, 14, and Roland, 13.
Maurice Branch Hayes and Roland Esmon Hayes registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County as they reached their 18th birthdays. Both identified their mother Lula M. Hayes of 903 Viola Street as their contact person. Maurice worked as a busboy at Cherry Hotel and Roland at O’Brien Factory during tobacco season.
In the 1950 census of Cedar Creek township, Cumberland County, N.C.: Marice Hayes, 24, elementary school principal, lodger in household of Joe and Maud McMillan.
On 19 August 1951, Maurice B. Hayes, 26, of Wilson, son of James and Lula Hayes, married Hazel McDonald, 20, of Fayetteville, N.C., daughter of Hector and Callie McDonald.
Centennial Bronco yearbook, Fayetteville State University, 1977.
Per Rev. Dr. Hayes’ obituary:
“The Rev. Hayes was born May 12, 1925, in Wilson to the late James Hayes and Lula Mae Hayes. He was the former pastor of Baptist Union Missionary Baptist Church and was also a former principal in Hoke County and a professor at Fayetteville State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Fayetteville State Teachers College, a master’s degree from New York University and a doctorate degree from North Carolina State University. He was also a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and served in the Navy, where he received an honorable discharge in August 1945.”
Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.