Strawberries, Cotton & Sugarcane

My journey to find Dawson Cryer, my 4th Great Grandfather, began after locating the 1923 obituary of my 3rd great grandmother, Melissa Cryer Montgomery. MONTGOMERY, MELISSA CRYER Old Aunt Melissa Montgomery died at her home near this town last Monday at the age of 104 years, according to the best information obtainable. She was an old-time darkey, indeed, and of that tribe whose ranks are so near depleted that but few are left, but they will live in song and story as long as the worlds stands. She had a number of children before the Civil War, many of whom long since died of old age, and some children at the funeral Tuesday had long ago passed their three score and ten years, all honorable and well esteemed by both races, not one of whom was ever charged with any crimes. We have been unable to secure anything like a definite number of her descendants, but they run into the hundreds, even to the fifth generation. She had often been referred to as the Mother of Cross Roads...

This past weekend we all celebrated Mother’s Day with our most significant motherly figures. I’m so grateful to have my Mother and 84 year old maternal grandmother still here to be celebrated. I can’t help but appreciate and admire the sacrifice of motherhood.  I‘ve had the honor and privilege to be surrounded by strong, intelligent, nurturing and god-fearing women  who have made copious contributions to my life that have equipped me to arrive in this place . I reflect today on the two most influential women who are no longer here to celebrate with us. I remember Verdie Powell Dillon and Marion Redden Dillon:        I was born in a hospital in McComb, Mississippi, but my family resided in beautiful Magnolia a little ways down the road. I was fortunate to live in a household that included my Great-great Aunt, Verdie Powell Dillon.  She was a quiet natured lady, with soft answers and an always pleasant disposition. She never had a harsh answer, he...

Verdie Powell Dillon 1885-1980 Verdie Powell Dillon, a woman of purpose and great strength, was affectionately known to our family as "Aunt T". She was by far a great influence on my life and the lives of many people in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. As many of you know O.W. Dillon was a pioneer in th e field education in the State of Louisiana. He led the Tangipahoa Parish Training school for many years. The school later became O.W Dillon High School and O.W. Dillon Elementary. Well, Verdie Powell Dillon was his better half. Born to Hilery and Laura Powell, October, 15, 1885 in Mound Bayou, Miss. she was proud of her upbringing and the independence and ingenuity of blacks in Mound Bayou during her childhood. She married Mr. Oliver Wendell Dillon. Together they built a legacy of public service in education in Louisiana and surrounding areas. Aunt T was a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Magnolia, Mississippi where she was active in the choir,...