Lillian Claudell SLEDGE

Left: Muh Dear with a joie de vivre smile. Right: Page 1 of
funeral program

PROFILE:

Name: Lillian Claudell SLEDGE

Known AKA: Muh Dear, Lil Woman

Surname Variations: SLUDGE/SLUDG

DOB: 2 December 1917 in Macon, Noxubee, Mississippi, USA

DOD: 30 January 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Father: Ben SLEDGE

Mother: Lucy BUCK

Siblings: Lucy B "Mom B", George W, Angeline/Angaline/Angie S "Lyle", Everlena/Everlynia/Evalina, Betty, Minnie Bell

Half-sibling from mother Lucy BUCK and Lee QUINN: Charlie/Charley QUINN

Partner: Oliver BELL Sr (common-law husband, information from Aunt Edna Z. DAVIS nee BELL through my brother, Billy J. SLEDGE)

Children with Oliver BELL Sr: Carlene E, Edna Z, William Loyd "Cot", Mabel Roy, Oliver "Fat" Jr

Partner: Sam WILLIAMS Sr

Children with Sam WILLIAMS Sr: Margaret Ruth SLEDGE

Partner: Unknown, UNKNOWN

Children with Unknown, UNKNOWN: Wade SLEDGE Sr

Partner: Unknown, UNKNOWN

Children with Unknown, UNKNOWN: Eunice Jean/Gene SLEDGE

Page 2 and 3 of funeral program.

TIMELINE:

2 Dec 1917: Birth in Macon, Noxubee, Mississippi, USA (Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi, USA Birth Certificate)

10 Jan 1920: Resident of Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi, USA (1920 Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi, USA Census)

15 Apr 1930: Resident of Noxubee County, Mississippi, USA (1930 Noxubee County, Mississippi, USA Census)

1 Apr 1935: Resident of Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi, USA (1940 Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi, USA Census)

25 Apr 1940: Resident of Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi, USA (1940 Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi, USA Census)

1941-2010 Resident of Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi, USA

2010-2013: Resident of St. Louis, Missouri, USA

30 January 2013: Death in St. Louis, Missouri, USA

8 February 2013: Burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Macon, Mississippi, USA

Page 4 and 5 of funeral program.

NOTES:

"Muh Dear" was a "Lil Woman" but feisty! I can remember Mama telling me that even though Grandmama Lillian was much older than her, she could not keep up with her as they were walking through Macon one day. Before passing, Grandmama Lillian had outlived three of her eight children (Mabel Roy, Oliver Jr, Margaret Ruth) and all but one of her siblings (Minnie). Despite the fact that she was afflicted with Alzheimer's, she would still give someone "the business" according to my sister. She was in and out of the past and I had hope to get back home one day to catch her on one of her lucid days so she could tell me about the good old days and our ancestors. For now, let me recount some of her past from what my mother had passed on to me and from my own memories of her.

Page 6 and 7 of funeral program.

There was a dirt road that ran in front of Grandmama's house and she lived in an area called Baptist Hill. Her house was made of wood, a tin roof and had a wide front porch that was shared with her next door neighbor, Bessie Ann(?), whose house was separated from hers by a wall. Mama was fond of saying, "these walls are paper thin", meaning the neighbors can hear everything that goes on in your house. When you came through the front door of Grandmama's portion of the house, there was a big room that doubled as the bedroom and living room. She always had 2 large sized beds on either side of the walls, with a window between them. When you left that room, you walked into a small kitchen. From the kitchen door, you stepped out onto another wooden porch with a pump. There you would find the bathroom to your left with a large tin tub and a modern toilet. I was always scared to go to the bathroom because Mama or Grandmama told me to check the toilet before I sat down in case there was a snake in the water. One day me, my sister and a cousin were out playing on the back porch and I don't remember who broke the water pump because we all blamed each other. I think we scattered when Grandmama started fussing. What was we gonna stick around for, a whupping? She had some pet peeves with us children: no doing stomping cheers on her back porch that made the boards creak or scraping the plates with eating utensils. We used to get on her nerves but she was very loving and sweet (you can see a hint of her lively spirit shining through in the above picture). My only memory of her food was cooking us either rice or grits with butter and sausage. I thought eating rice for breakfast was strange but maybe it was a Mississippi thing or maybe that was all she had at the time. I do not know all of the jobs that my grandmother had. The 1940 census lists her as a doing housework in the home but doesn't specify whether it was the residence she lived or some other residence. However, Mama told me that Grandmama used to work as a maid for a White family and for some reason added that she had to go through the back door. I assumed this was required because she was Black. Although in other cases if there were service workers, they would also enter through back doors of houses. Mama also told me that when she was with her mother walking down the streets of Macon, if you passed by White people sitting out on their porches, you had to speak to them first and it was never the other way around. One exception to this was that the young usually spoke first to the elders regardless of whether they were Black or White. You may wonder why I mention this but I want to impart everything I remember and not shy away from the fact that Grandmama lived in a Southern state and during a time period when Jim Crow Laws were the norm. Grandmama Lillian was the common-law wife of Oliver BELL Sr but they were never legally married (according to one of her children with him, Edna Z. DAVIS nee BELL). I do not know if he died while they were together or they went their separate ways. She had three partners after him whom she never married. She was a single mother who raised eight children which was hard to do in those times. But she was a strong woman and she persevered by the grace of God. I fervently pray that I have a chance to see her one last time before she leaves this earth. She is my grandmother but like a mother and the closest that I will ever get to my own mother again in this world.

Left: Page 8 of funeral program. Right: Grandmama's
obituary in The Dispatch online newspaper

1 February 2013 update: The last of my parents is gone. I have no more parents or grandparents on this earth. Grandmama Lillian died on the night of 30 January 2013. She took a deep breath and died while Aunt Edna was in the room with her. I hope that she has found peace, is now in a better place and has been reunited with the loved ones who have preceded her in death. Last time I saw Grandmama Lillian was in 1994. For 18 years I have been missing her and I am still missing her. Deep down I had a feeling that I might never see her again and it has come to pass. Initially I was angry that I can't be in St. Louis and it also dredged up dormant feelings of sadness and guilt at being in another country when my mother died, but I can't keep dwelling on it. Instead, I must celebrate the long life that Grandmama Lillian lived and turn her death into something positive such as continuing to document her life story. Yesterday while doing a household chore, I was imagining the dream conversation that I've always wanted to have with her. I'm praying that the answers to the questions that I had planned to ask her will turn up in her records. And I also have carbon copies of her in her children, my aunts and uncles, who I am sure have memories galore to fill in the blanks of what the records can't! Please pray for Grandmama Lillian and her family, thanks.

Left: A sharecropper house in Mississippi. This is
almost similar to the one Grandmama lived in.
Right: Headstone in Odd Fellows Cemetery
in Macon, Mississippi

TRANSCRIPTION OF RECORDS:

1917 Mississippi Birth Certificate
State File No: 37825
Name: Lillian Sledge
Date of birth: 2 December 1917
Birthplace: Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi
Father:
Father birthplace:
Mother: Lucy Buck
Mother birthplace: Macon, Mississippi
Informant:

1920 Mississippi Census
Macon City, Noxubee County, Beat 3
Supervisor's District 3, Enumeration District 80, Sheet ?A
Enumerated on 10 Jan 1920
Walnut St
Lines 35-40
Image 269 of 1106 on Archive.org [Internet Archive]
Family Search http://bit.ly/13iNQjP
Internet Archive http://bit.ly/1en519n

Notes: # dwelling in order of visitation, 125. Charley=Charlie

BEN SLEDGE: head, rented house [2], head of household, b. 4 Jan 1891, 29yrs, male, Black, married, could read/write/speak English, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation as a baker

LUCY SLEDGE: wife, b. 1892, 28yrs, female, Black, married, could read/write/speak English, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation as a worker at home

ALBERT LONG: nephew, b. 1899, 21yrs, male, Black, single, could read/write/speak English, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation as a truck driver

LUCY B SLEDGE: daughter, b. 1916, 4 10/12yrs, female, Black, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation: none

LILLIAN C SLEDGE: daughter, b. Dec 1918, 2 1/12yrs, female, Black, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation: none

CHARLEY QUINN: step-son, b. 1909, 11yrs, male, Black, did not attend school, could not read/write English but could speak it, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation: none

Top: 1920 Mississippi census. Middle: 1930 Mississippi
census. Bottom: 1940 Mississippi census

1930 Mississippi Census
Noxubee County, part of Beat 3
Enumeration District 52-10, Supervisor's District 7, Sheet 11A
Enumerated on 15 Apr 1930
Shuqualak and Cockrell
Lines 34-41
Shuqualak and Cockrell
Image 885 of 1155 on Archive.org [Internet Archive]
Family Search http://bit.ly/TxQH5D
Internet Archive http://bit.ly/M93ptK

Notes: Minerva=Mima and Evelynia=Everlynia.

BEN SLEDGE: # dwelling house visited 214, # family visited 237, rented house, lived on a farm, head of household, b. 1892, 38yrs, male, Black, married at 28yrs, did not attend school, could read/write/speak English, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation as a general farmer, class of worker was O, was at work the day before census, not a veteran

LUCY SLEDGE: wife, b. 1890, 36yrs, female, Black, married at 21yrs, did not attend school, could read/write/speak English, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation: none

LUCY B SLEDGE: daughter, b. 1915, 15yrs, female, Black, single, attended school, could not read/write English but could speak it, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation: none

LILLIAN SLEDGE: daughter, b. 1918, 12yrs, female, Black, single, attended school, could not read/write English but could speak it, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation: none

ANGALINE SLEDGE: daughter, b. 1922, 8yrs, female, Black, single, attended school, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation: none

EVERLYNIA SLEDGE: daughter, b. 1925, 5yrs, female, Black, single, did not attend school, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation: none

GEORGE SLEDGE: son, b. 1927, 3yrs, male, Black, single, did not attend school, born in MS, both parents born in MS, occupation: none

MINERVA SLEDGE: mother, b. 1862, 68yrs, female, Black, married at 21yrs, did not attend school, could not read/write English but could speak it, born in MS, father born in NC, mother born in GA, occupation: none

1940 Mississippi Census
Noxubee County, Macon, District 3, Block Nos 32-34
S.D. No 1, E.D. No 52-7, Sheet 25B
Enumerated on 25 Apr 1940
Baptist Hill Negroe Settlement
Lines 72-78
Image 51 of 65 on FamilySearch.org
http://bit.ly/S1fEVd

Notes: Lillian Bell nee Sledge and Oliver Bell Sr were never legally married, she was his common law wife. Source: Edna Z. Davis nee Bell.

HATTIE ANN BELL: head of household [x inside a circle means she gave information for her household], # of household in order of visitation: 516, Home owned (O) or rented (R): rented, Value of home, if owned, or monthly rental, if rented: 2, Does this household live on a farm? (Yes or No): no, Sex: female, Color or race: Negro, Age at last birthday: 54, Birth year: 1886, Marital status: widowed, Attended school or college any time since March 1, 1940? (Yes or No): no, Highest grade of school completed: 6, Place of birth: MS, In what place did the person live in 1 April 1935? City, County, State: same place, Was this person AT WORK for pay or profit in private or nonemergency Gov't. work during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No): no, If not, was he at work on, or assigned to, public EMERGENCY WORK (WPA, NYA, CCC, etc.) during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No): no, Was this person SEEKING WORK? (Yes or No): no, If not seeking work, did he HAVE A JOB, business, etc.? (Yes or No): no, Indicate whether engaged in home housework (H), in school (S), unable to work (U), or other (Ot): home housework, Number of weeks worked in 1939 (Equivalent full-time weeks): 0, Amount of money wages or salary received (including commissions): 0, Did this person receive income of $50 or more from sources other than money wages or salary? (Yes or No): no

JOHNNIE BELL: son, Sex: male, Color or race: Negro, Age at last birthday: 19, Birth year: 1921, Marital status: single, Attended school or college any time since March 1, 1940? (Yes or No): no, Highest grade of school completed: 7, Place of birth: MS, In what place did the person live in 1 April 1935? City, County, State: same place, Was this person AT WORK for pay or profit in private or nonemergency Gov't. work during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No): yes, Number of hours worked during week of March 24-30, 1940: 35, Occupation: yard boy, Industry: private home, class of worker: PW, Number of weeks worked in 1939 (Equivalent full-time weeks): 52, Amount of money wages or salary received (including commissions): 156, Did this person receive income of $50 or more from sources other than money wages or salary? (Yes or No): no

MARTHA BELL: daughter, Sex: female, Color or race: Negro, Age at last birthday: 17, Birth year: 1923, Marital status: single, Attended school or college any time since March 1, 1940? (Yes or No): no, Highest grade of school completed: 7, Place of birth: MS, In what place did the person live in 1 April 1935? City, County, State: same place, Was this person AT WORK for pay or profit in private or nonemergency Gov't. work during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No): yes, Number of hours worked during week of March 24-30, 1940: 30, Occupation: nurse maid, Industry: private home, class of worker: PW, Number of weeks worked in 1939 (Equivalent full-time weeks): 52, Amount of money wages or salary received (including commissions): 104, Did this person receive income of $50 or more from sources other than money wages or salary? (Yes or No): no

WILLIE BELL: son, Sex: male, Color or race: Negro, Age at last birthday: 32, Birth year: 1908, Marital status: married, Attended school or college any time since March 1, 1940? (Yes or No): no, Highest grade of school completed: 4, Place of birth: MS, In what place did the person live in 1 April 1935? City, County, State: same place, Was this person AT WORK for pay or profit in private or nonemergency Gov't. work during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No): yes, Number of hours worked during week of March 24-30, 1940: 48, Occupation: yard boy, Industry: private home, class of worker: PW, Number of weeks worked in 1939 (Equivalent full-time weeks): 52, Amount of money wages or salary received (including commissions): 156, Did this person receive income of $50 or more from sources other than money wages or salary? (Yes or No): no

FLORENCE BELL: wife (daughter-in-law), Sex: female, Color or race: Negro, Age at last birthday: 22, Birth year: 1918, Marital status: married, Attended school or college any time since March 1, 1940? (Yes or No): no, Highest grade of school completed: 4, Place of birth: MS, In what place did the person live in 1 April 1935? City, County, State: same place, Was this person AT WORK for pay or profit in private or nonemergency Gov't. work during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No): no, If not, was he at work on, or assigned to, public EMERGENCY WORK (WPA, NYA, CCC, etc.) during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No): no, Was this person SEEKING WORK? (Yes or No): no, If not seeking work, did he HAVE A JOB, business, etc.? (Yes or No): no, Indicate whether engaged in home housework (H), in school (S), unable to work (U), or other (Ot): home housework, Number of weeks worked in 1939 (Equivalent full-time weeks): 0, Amount of money wages or salary received (including commissions): 0, Did this person receive income of $50 or more from sources other than money wages or salary? (Yes or No): no

OLIVER BELL: son, Sex: male, Color or race: Negro, Age at last birthday: 25, Birth year: 1915, Marital status: married, Attended school or college any time since March 1, 1940? (Yes or No): no, Highest grade of school completed: 4, Place of birth: MS, In what place did the person live in 1 April 1935? City, County, State: same place, Was this person AT WORK for pay or profit in private or nonemergency Gov't. work during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No): yes, Number of hours worked during week of March 24-30, 1940: 48, Occupation: gardener, Industry: private home, class of worker: PW, Number of weeks worked in 1939 (Equivalent full-time weeks): 16, Amount of money wages or salary received (including commissions): 80, Did this person receive income of $50 or more from sources other than money wages or salary? (Yes or No): no

LILLIAN BELL: wife (daughter-in-law), Sex: female, Color or race: Negro, Age at last birthday: 20, Birth year: 1920, Marital status: married, Attended school or college any time since March 1, 1940? (Yes or No): no, Highest grade of school completed: H-1, Place of birth: MS, In what place did the person live in 1 April 1935? City, County, State: same place, Was this person AT WORK for pay or profit in private or nonemergency Gov't. work during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No): no, If not, was he at work on, or assigned to, public EMERGENCY WORK (WPA, NYA, CCC, etc.) during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No): no, Was this person SEEKING WORK? (Yes or No): no, If not seeking work, did he HAVE A JOB, business, etc.? (Yes or No): no, Indicate whether engaged in home housework (H), in school (S), unable to work (U), or other (Ot): home housework, Number of weeks worked in 1939 (Equivalent full-time weeks): 52, Amount of money wages or salary received (including commissions): 152, Did this person receive income of $50 or more from sources other than money wages or salary? (Yes or No): no

Burial

Find A Grave Memorial
http://bit.ly/XA94aj
Name: Lillian Claudell "Muh Dear" Sledge
Birth: Dec. 2, 1917
Macon
Noxubee County
Mississippi, USA
Death: Jan. 30, 2013
Saint Louis
St. Louis City
Missouri, USA
Bio: http://wp.me/p2v72Z-8f 
Family links:
Parents:
Ben Sledge (1891 - 1934)
Children:
Mable Roy Bell Chaney (1938 - 1982)
Oliver Bell (1940 - 1982)
Margaret Ruth Sledge Gregory (1950 - 2006)
Inscription:
Lillian C. Sledge
1917-2013
Courtesy of Lee-Sykes Funeral Home
Note: Temporary marker transcription
Burial:
Odd Fellows Cemetery
Macon
Noxubee County
Mississippi, USA
Created by: Tara R. Gregory
Record added: Feb 08, 2013
Find A Grave Memorial# 104819388
Headstone photo added by: Tara R. Gregory
Headstone photo credit: Alton Chaney Sr
Cemetery photo added by: NatalieMaynor

Obituary/Funeral Program

PAGE 1

Celebrating The Life Of Lillian C. Sledge
Sunrise: December 2, 1917
Sunset: January 30, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013, 11:00am
Second Baptist Church, 301 East Street, Macon, Mississippi, 39341
Rev. William Thomas, Pastor

PAGE 2

Remembering Mama

For as long as I can remember, Mama was always there to love us and make us feel safe. She was there to hug and kiss away the pain, whether physical or emotional. Mama was a mentor and gave advice to those she loved. Her wisdom directed our paths into adulthood and it is an honor to share her wisdom with our own families.

Mama was a great provider. There were eight of us to feed and clothe. She did this on just $7.00 dollars a week! Mama loved God and I am sure that it was Him that assisted her in performing this miracle.

Mama was a disciplinarian, but she spared the rod. She would punish us with words, always explaining the consequences of the behavior we exhibited.

I know that we alll often wondered wat we would do without Mama, but now I know that we will be fine because she taught us, by example, to stand up on our own.

Love you Mama, William

PAGE 3

Life Reflections

Lillian Claudell Sledge was born December 2, 1917 to the late Ben and Lucy Sledge in Macon, Mississippi. She was one of seven children. She transitioned from this life on January 30, 2013, at the blessed aged of 95 under the care of her daughter, Edna Davis.

Lillian accepted Christ at an early age. She became a member of Second Baptist Church, and served as church secretary until she was no longer able to do so. Lillian earned her education in the Noxubee County School District. She worked hard and tirelessly to take care of her children and menbers of the family. She was a witty, funny and generous person that was always full of laughter, especially during her "story telling". Lillian was adored by her family, friends, as well as her church family. The mother of eight children, Lillian was proud of them all.

Three children preceded her in death; Mable Roy Chaney, Oliver "Fat" Bell, and Margaret Ruth "Ree" Gregory.

Lillian leaves to mourn her passing, five children: Eunice J. Holman of Memphis, TN; William L. "Cot" Bell (Elaine Bell) of Memphis, TN; Carlene E. Graham (John Graham) of Macon, MS; Edna Z. Davis (Billy Davis) of St. Louis, MO and Wade Sledge of Macon, MS. Lillian also leaves behind a loving sister, Minnie Holman of Macon, MS.

Lillian had a host of grandchildren, 4 which preceded her in death and 32 remain to cherish and honor her beautiful memory. Further treasuring Lillian is a wealth of great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Lillian C. Sledge will be missed and treasured by everyone who ever crossed her path in life.

PAGE 4

Order Of Service

Processional.....
Scripture.....
Prayer.....
Musical Selection.....Grandchildren -- Song Melody
Acknowledgement of Expressions of Sympathy.....Tina Gregory
Tribute.....
Selection....."I Always Love My Mother"
Condolences .....
Life Reflections (Read Silently).....Soft Music
Solo.....
Eulogy.....
Parting View.....
Recessional.....

The 23rd Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, thoug I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.
They rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies,
Thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

PAGE 5-7

Pictures

PAGE 8

Pallbearers: family and friends
Flower bearers: family and friends
Interment: Odd Fellows Cemetery, Brooksville, Mississippi*
Repast: Second Baptist Church, Macon, Mississippi

[*Correction: Odd Fellows Cemetery in Macon, Mississippi]

Acknowledgements

The family of Lillian Sledge would like to express sincere gratitude for prayers, food, flowers, thoughts, and all other acts of kindness that were shown to us during our time of bereavement. May God continue to bless you, is our prayer. The Family

Professional Services Entrusted To

Lee-Sykes Funeral Home, 107 East Drt. MLK Jr Street, Macon, Mississippi 39341, (662) 726-4622

© 2013 Michael Jackson | M.J.'s Desktop Publishing & Designs | (662) 425-3661

The Dispatch: Columbus, Starkville, & The Golden Triangle
The Commercial Dispatch
7 February 2013
http://bit.ly/11zZJaD

Notes: Submitted a comment to The Dispatch as follows, "In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Mable Roy Chaney, Oliver Bell and Margaret Ruth Gregory". Correction: Mable, Oliver and Margaret are not the siblings of Lillian, they are her children.

Obituary For Lillian Sledge

MACON — Lillian Claudell Sledge, 95, died Jan. 30, 2013, in St. Louis. Services are Friday at 11 a.m. at Second Baptist Church in Macon with William Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Oddfellow Cemetery. Visitation is today from noon to 5 p.m. at Lee-Sykes Funeral Home Chapel. Mrs. Sledge was born Dec. 2, 1917, to the late Ben and Lucy Sledge. She was a member of Second Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Mable Roy Chaney, Oliver Bell and Margaret Ruth Gregory, Survivors include her sons, William L. Bell of Memphis, Tenn., and Wade Sledge of Macon; daughters, Eunice J. Holman of Memphis, Carlene Graham of Macon and Edna Z. Davis of St. Louis; sister, Minnie Holman of Macon; and 32 grandchildren.

Tribute To Mrs. Lillian Sledge
Lee-Sykes Funeral Home
http://bit.ly/XMqEK9

Photo Credit: Alton CHANEY Sr, Family Search, Internet Archive, The Dispatch