Strawberries, Cotton & Sugarcane

O. W. Dillon As we culminate Black History Month, I’d like to take a moment to salute the contributions of a few great men and women in my family. The 13 sons and daughters of my great great grandparents, Thomas J and Angeline Dillon of Pike County, Mississippi. Thomas J and Angeline raised a family of visionaries and leaders, equipped with a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of all those they came in contact with. In the early 1900’s they began to venture out on a quest to obtain a higher education at some of the most notable institutions available to them at the time. Alcorn State University, Tuskegee Institute, Hampton Institute, Southern University, Dillard University and Grambling State University to name a few. Returning one by one, determined to extend the opportunity of an education to the rural south. Under the leadership of their oldest brother, Professor Oliver Wendell Dillon, they were sent out into the rural areas of Louisiana and Mississip...

    Rosemary Nelson Johnson was born February 22, 1928, in New Roads, Louisiana to Reverend Albert Nelson and Mariah Pierson Nelson. Her educational and spiritual journey was achieved from the inspiration of her parents. They gave her the opportunities that were never available to them, and she eventually struggled to give the same prospects to her children. This was the beginning of a legacy of spiritual growth through music and the word of God.   With the help and determination of her father, Rosemary made the necessary sacrifice to get an education. Her journey began at the age of 12 when she attended schools McKinley High School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Gilbert Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her travel was extensive and sometimes dangerous because there were no high schools in New Roads. To further ensure that Rosemary would get a proper high school education, her father paid several people to allow her to reside in their homes. Rosemary's father d...

Below is an article printed in the Southern University Alumni Magazine  highlighting the work of my Great Grandfather, H. A Dillon Sr. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI PROFILE To Seneca is attributed the statement, “A dwarf is small, even if he stands on a mountain; a colossus keeps his height, even if he stands in a well.”   Perhaps no case that could be cited better illustrates the strivings of a quiet, thrifty and conservative person  as HENRY AUSTINE Dillon, SR. Among Southernites and other alike, H. A.Dillon, SR., is a gigantic statue. At an early age he began his elementary education under his s isters  and from there took his education work under his brother, O.W. Dillon who  was at that time the principal of the Training School at Kentwood,Louisiana.   The school was later named O.W. Dillon High School. DILLON was greatly influenced by his brother while working under the older Dillon. O.W. Dillon instilled in him to become a leader or a he...

What can I say about the Nelson Family that hasn't already been said? How do we continue such a rich legacy of God, Family and Service?  One of my favorite qoutes of our patriach, Albert Abram Nelson, sums it all up. "Keep your hand on the plow and keep your eye on the lightpost in heaven". Albert Nelson Albert Abram Nelson was born July 23, 1895 in Brooks, Louisiana. I'm sure it was hot that day. His parents, August and Josephine, likely worked the field in the sweltering Louisiana heat. August Nelson, a lifeling resident of Pointe Coupee Parish, was born in the 1860's to William and Mary Nelson. Josephine St. Louis Nelson was born in the 1870's to Oscar St. Louis and Marie Rose Paul.  Albert had 7 siblings, Lula "Eliska"(a common creole name), George, Alexander , August "Bonchamp", Rose, Viola and Vernita. Albert served in WWI and was drafted at a young age, family lore says it was around age 14, but historical accounts would m...

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,...