Mack and Minnie Sanders

Mack and Minnie married Christmas day in 1940. He enlisted in the army in November 1943, and was released Feb 1946. They had an even dozen of children, 6 girls and 6 boys, plus they raised three grandchildren as their own.

Mack Neese Sanders was born in 1918, the son of McNeese Sanders and Alice Overton. Minnie was born in 1925, the daughter of William Washington and Rosia Miller. All were from Copiah County, Mississippi,

Minnie died in 1984 and Mack died in 1996. They were both buried in the Greater New Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mack's mother, Alice Overton Sanders, and my grandmother Gertrude Overton Durr were sisters.

Sunday Obituary Mrs Jimmie Leola McDaniel Sanders 1920-2012

Mrs Jimmie Leola Sanders was born to Preston and Revellar McDaniel on Dec 3, 1920, in Union Church, Mississippi. She was one of seven children and was youngest of her siblings.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paris Sanders, Sr; her father, Preston McDaniel; mother, Revellar Ephraim; brother, Roosevelt McDaniel; sisters, Bernice, Mary Lou, Annie Mae, Willie Mae, Jessie.

She attended Mount Moriah Elementary Junior High.

Jimmie Lee received Christ at an early age and rededicated her life on September 12, 2012, at 5:15 p.m. She was a faithful member of Bethel AME Church. In 1962, she united with Bethel AME Church and served in many capacities such as Stewardess Board member, Anna Belle Harris Missionary member, Class Leader, and member of the Mississippi Club.

Jimmie Lee was employed as a lead cafeteria worker for over 30 years, at the Terminal Annex United States Post Office and retired in the early 80s.

Jimmie spent endless hours assisting with the care of her grandchildren: Beverly, Anthony and Quantrell. She loved her family and was an excellent homemaker, always ready with special dish of comfort.

On December 20th, 2012, after months of illness, God took the spirit that he gave Jimmie; for the believers, we will see her again.

To cherish her memory are her children - Paris Jr, and Velma Lee; grandchildren - Beverly, Anthony, and Quantrell; great grandchildren - Paige and Austin; daughter-in-law - Marie; granddaughter-in-law Brooke; nephew - Robert Scott; nieces - Annie Mae Thomas, Geneva Smith; a host of relatives and friends.

How does Jimmie Lee Sanders connect to my family tree?
Jimmie's sister Mary Lou McDaniel married Frank Scott.
Frank Scott's mother, Catherine Matilda Markham Scott and my great grandfather Monroe Markham were siblings.

Amanuensis Monday The Will of Philip Christmas 1904

Photograph Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Phillip was born about 1840 in Mississippi. He may be the son of Richard Christmas. He was first seen in the 1852 inventory and disbursement of Peachy Ridgway Taliaferro. He was valued at $500 on the inventory and $1300 on the disbursement. After Peachy's death he was given to Peachy's eldest son, Richard Taliaferro.

Phillip married Ann Brown, 10 Jun 1871, in Copiah County. The couple had at least two children Artie and Richard.

State of Mississippi
Copiah County

Well knowing the uncertainty of this life, and desirous of arranging my property affairs, I, Phillip Christmas, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make publish and declare this instrument of writing, to be my last will and testament.

I, direct that my funeral expense and all my just debts be paid first paid by my executrix herein to be named,

I, give, devise and bequeath unto my wife Ann Christmas all the property real and personal and mixed of which I, shall die seized or possessed or in which I, have any interest what-ever.

I, hereby appoint my wife Ann Christmas as executrix of this my last will and direct that she be required to give no bond as such I, direct that she be not required to make any inventories of my estate or render any accounts to the court of her management of the same as such executrix.

In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and signed my name this the 30th day of April A. D. 1904.

Phillip x(his mark) Christmas

We the undersigned witnesses to the above instrument of writing at the request of Phillip Christmas witnessed his signature to said instrument and heard his declaration of the same as his last will and testament, and we signed the same at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other on this the 30th day of April, 1904.

John H. Long, Jr.
Hugh Barr Miller

Filled & admitted to probate & record 19th, August, 1904

J. H. Long, Clerk.

How does Phillip Christmas connect to my family tree?
Phillip Christmas' daughter, Artie Christmas, married Shelby Sanders.
Shelby Sanders' brother
Luther Sanders's grandson
McNesse Sanders married my paternal grandmother's sister, Alice Overton

In Remembrance Jimmie Leola McDaniel Sanders

03 Dec 1920 - 20 Dec 2012
Daughter of Preston McDaniel and Revella Ephraim
Wife of Paris Sanders, Sr
Mother of Paris, Jr and Velma Lee

Photographs Courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

A Tribute To A Wonderful Cousin
Lovingly called
"Aunt Jimmie"

God saw that you were getting tired, so he softly said it was time for the day that your precious soul would begin it’s heavenly flight to that great promise land beyond the sky. We always knew that this day would come, the day we all would have to say goodbye, the day of your home going. Our hearts are heavy with grief because it hurts so deeply. We never ever imagine it would feel this way. We will truly miss all the great stories that you would tell us about our many relatives, friends, acquaintances and many family incidents that took place in Mississippi, Illinois, Michigan and California. You were always there for us when we needed family information and we will be eternally grateful. But, through all our remorse and sadness, we know we are not alone, for you will always be deeply entrenched within our hearts and mind, and we will forever hold tightly to those precious moments and memories. For when our day shall finally come, the day when we all shall meet again, we know you’ll be waiting for us with arms wide open, to welcome us to our wonderful new Heavenly home.

WE Love You, Aunt Jimmie
Tony and Bettie McDaniel-Neal

Wedding WednesdayBridesmaid Jimmie Leola McDaniel Sanders

Jimmie Leola McDaniel Sanders
Bridesmaid at Sister's Wedding
b. 1921 - Living
Daughter of Preston McDaniel and Revella Ephraim
Wife of Paris Sanders, Sr
Mother of Paris, Jr and Velma Lee

Groomsman, Mr. Jones

Photograph Courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

Thriller Thursday Died from Fall at Church Door

Missouri Sanders spent her last Sunday morning listening to a sermon by Reverend Alex Jones at Cool Spring Church. She probably meditated on his sermon and on the one who gave the sermon. After service, she was greeted by family and friends. According to a witness, she slipped and fell on the church steps. She was asked if she was alright, she said she was okay and proceeded to her car. Church members noticed she did not leave the church grounds, approached her car and saw her body was slumped and she was unconscious. Missouri was rushed to the local hospital where she died hours later of a broken neck.

Missouri's death was similar to her life, much to talk about. The Reverend Alex Jones was the father of her nine children. He was also her sister Mary Jane's husband. Alex Jones married Mary Jane in August 1900. Their first child of 15 children was born about 1903. Missouri had her first child with Jones about 1907.

The enumerator of the 1930 census described the children as bastards. Apparently, tongues wagged.

Alex Jones could have his cake and eat it too. Alex and wife lived a few doors down from Missouri in Franklin County, Mississippi.

May she rest in peace.

Missouri was born 03 Aug 1895, died 09 Aug 1942, in Franklin County, Mississippi. Missouri and Mary Jane were the daughters of Paris Sanders and Eveline Saulsbury. Their half sister Freddie Nelson's son married into my maternal family.

Cool Spring Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery