Thursday, September 8, 2016

Lamar Smith's Wife
Annie

Lamar Smith and Wife Annie Clark Holloway Smith
Brookhaven, MS

Photograph from Mary Byrd Markham Photograph Collection
Annie's husband Lamar was murdered on the crowded lawn of the Lincoln County courthouse, on 13 Aug 1955, for encouraging African Americans to vote by absentee ballot.

Finding a woman's maiden surname can be confusing if the woman has unknown marriages. What was the maiden surname for Lamar Smith's wife Annie? Take a look at what was found.

Annie was born, Jan 1890, to George Clark and Delphinia Culver. In 1900, ten years old Annie was living with her parents, widowed sister Lizzie Lyons and her two children. Annie could read and write, and the family lived on a rented farm in Caseyville, Lincoln County, Mississippi.

Annie was a Christmas bride. She married Lee (Leiguil) Holloway, 24 Dec 1908, in Lincoln County. In 1910, the young couple rented farm land from Lee's parents, George and Manda Holloway. A son, Willie, was born to the couple on 22 May 1912.

Lincoln County Marriage Records - Book 8C, Page 161

The marriage ended before the beginning of the next decade, how, I don't know. A death certificate for Lee was not found.

Anna Holloway married Lamar Smith, 26 Oct 1919, in Lincoln County after he was discharged from service in World War I. Lamar and Annie were living alone in 1920, still in Caseyville, on land they owned and farmed. The family remained in Caseyville through 1940 per census records.

Lincoln County Marriage Records - Book 13C, Page 4

In the couple's 1930 household was his brother Martin, the couple's 2 years old daughter Earline. By 1940, 8 years old daughter Lola Mae was now a member of the household.

The couple remained together until his death. Annie died 27 Jun 1984. They both are buried in the Mount Carmel Cemetery of Caseyville, MS.

Thank You, Willie

4 comments:

Kristin said...

That is tragic. Good timeline of her life. Such a good looking couple.

Suzassippi said...

Is Annie holding a hat in her hand? I cannot figure out what the item is at her waist. It is interesting, too, that in the other photo of them as an older couple, he is sitting in what seems to be the same chair.

LindaRe said...

Yes, Annie is holding a hat. The chair is in several pictures. I guess it was one of the photographer's props.

Anonymous said...

Whew - what a sad and tragic story. It's so sad that someone would be killed for encouraging others to vote. There is so much history that needs to be told and retold.