Sunday Obituary Allie Mae Markham Moncrief 1911-2016

Mrs. Allie Mae Markham Moncrief was born September 29, 1911, to the late Octavius and Mamie Culver Markham in Caseyville, MS. She was the third of seven children. She first professed her faith in Christ as a young child by joining the Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church in Caseyville, MS.

Later in her young life she moved from Caseyville to Brookhaven, MS in order to pursue a better education and she did so by finally graduating from Alexander High School in 1939. After graduating, she spent a brief period of time in New Orleans, LA. She then relocated to Youngstown, Ohio where she met and married the late John H. Moncrief in 1955. During her time in Youngstown, Ohio her chosen profession was that of an insurance salesperson. She went about performing her duties very enthusiastically, and she had a deep passion for doing her job well. After John retired from the steel mill in the late 1970's, they moved to his hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. After John's death in the early 1980's, Allie Mae returned to Brookhaven, MS. She then joined St. Paul M.B. Church where she served faithfully until her health began to decline. She has always said, "God has been present in my life, all of my life!!".

Mrs. Allie Mae departed this life one day before her 105th birthday at Whispering Pines Hospice Home in Ridgeland, MS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings: Eva J. Markham, Larry David Markham, the twins Louvella and Louvenia Markham, Earlie Markham, and Marilda L. Diggs. She leaves to cherish her precious and fond memories one nephew, James Earl Diggs, Sr. and his wife, Fannie, of Brookhaven, MS; one great nephew James Earl Diggs, II and his wife, Markita, Of Prince George, VA; one great niece, Kishara M. Diggs of Pearl, MS; two great, great nieces, Alexis and Kyah, one great, great nephew, Alexander, along with many other relatives and friends.

Other Posts about Cousin Allie
Allie Mae's Birth
First Day of School - 1916
Allie's Education - Getting the Sheepskin
His Banner Over Me Was Love
A Living Treasure
Happy 100th Birthday
Happy 103rd Birthday

How does Allie connect to my family tree?
Allie's father, Octavis Markham, and my grandmother Alice Markham Marshall were siblings.

Happy 103rd Cousin Allie Mae

Allie Mae Markham Moncrief
Born September 29, 1911
Allie at her 100th Celebration

Allie is my 1st cousin once removed.

His Banner Over Me Was Love

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples; for I am sick of love.

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor wake my love, til he please.

Song of Solomon 2:1-7

The photograph is of Cousin Allie Mae and her husband John Henry Moncrief. The marriage survived many decades until his death in 1980.

Photograph courtesy of Allie Mae Markham Moncrief

Happy 100th, Cousin Allie Mae

She made it!
Happy Birthday, Cousin Allie Mae.

The family will celebrate her century birthday this weekend.

Allie Mae's Birth

Moncrief Recalls Life Lessons on 100th Birthday

Trio of Ninety Something

Armonia Price (96 years old), Allie Moncrief (95 years old)
Florida Jones (92 years old)
This picture was taken in 2006 at a birthday celebration for the trio at the St Paul MB Church in Brookhaven, MS. Cousin Allie is the last survivor of the three.

Allie's Education - Getting the Sheep Skin

Cousin Allie received all the education she could in Caseyville. She finished the 8th grade, repeating the grade twice, not from necessity but because she loved school. Allie wanted more education, she knew she didn’t want to stare behind the rump of a mule for a good portion of her life. Anxious to leave the “sticks of Caseyville,” she asked her father for his prayers and his permission because that was all he had to give.

Getting those eight years was difficult. Allie was sickly, sometimes too ill to attend school. Her father had asthma which got worse the older he became. Allie and her siblings had to help with the farm duties which contributed to them not being able to regularly attend school. They persevered. All of her siblings completed high school with the exception of one brother who left school to financially support the family. Two out of the seven obtained master degrees.

After receiving her father’s prayers and permission, Allie moved to the nearest town with a high school, Brookhaven, MS, where she lived with her Uncle Willie and Aunt-Cousin Fredonia, sharing a bed with their daughters Joyce and Willie Mae. Allie would arise every morning to bake a pan of biscuits, fry meat and put on hot coffee. Aunt Fredonia “took in laundry” and Allie would help Fredonia, earning an occasional 25 cents. She was not asked to perform these chores. She came with no money to pay for their hospitality, so, this was her way to give back.

Offered a job to do housekeeping and cooking for a family who had a general store, Allie accepted the position having spent two years with her family. Although it was in the sewing room, Allie had a bed of her own. She was pleased.

The family she worked for was kind to her; they provided what her family could not. The lady of the house would give her “piece goods.” Allie would take the fabrics to her sister Evie who was an excellent seamstress. The pieces of fabrics would be turned into slips, underwear, blouses and skirts. The family not only provided a job, shelter and clothing but they also encourage her to continue with her education.

Allie graduated from high school during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. She would continue on to receive two years of college education through a program of FDR.

Allie’s story continues…

Allie's Birth

Allie Mae's Birth

Mamie Culver Markham and Evie Markham
My life line in my hand is getting shorter, I won’t be here long is what Cousin Allie Mae said to me the last time we talked. I suppose when you are 98 years young, you know the sand in the upper hour glass is nearing empty. She often greets me by saying I am still here, which I think is a surprise to her that she is still here.

Allie Mae was born to poor parents in the rural south where farming was what most did. Allie’s parents sharecropped before owning their own land. Both parents worked in their rented fields and to make extra money they worked in neighbors’ fields, doing whatever was necessary.

On the morning Allie Mae was born, her father Octavis was raking hay for Prentiss Buie about 2 miles from their home. Prentiss Buie was the last son of the slaveholding family. Octavis and his siblings maintained a relationship with the Buie family throughout their lives.

Octavis Markham
Mamie, Allie's mother, was home with two young children when her labor pains began. Thinking quickly, Mamie sent Evie who was 4 years old with a note to the nearest neighbor, requesting she sends one of her workers to notify Octavis the baby is coming.

Octavis drops his rake and runs home to hitch the horse and wagon, going for the midwife. By the time he gets back with the midwife, the mother and new baby are on the floor welcoming him home. Allie Mae Markham was born September 29, 1911 in rural Lincoln County, Mississippi.

Allie Mae is my mother's first cousin

Treasure Chest Thursday - Living Treasure

Allie Mae Markham Moncrief, a Living Treasure

Cousin Allie Mae is 98 years young. This photo was taken the year she and I met for the first time when she was 88. She is my living treasure with a clear mind and a wonderful memory of details. She was born in 1911 in Caseyville, Lincoln County, MS to Octavis Markham and Mamie Culver.