The Lovelace/Loveless Family in America Part Six

8/6/2019 The Lovelace/Loveless Family in America Part Six

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Lillie May Alexander

(1881-1974)

In company with her great-grandsons

Terry and Derek White

(standing and seated, respectively), 26 November, 1970.

(Age Eighty-nine)

I remember once about 1967 or so, when I was a small boy around four or five, my

parents bought me a small record player —an old “45” turntable. My grandmother Martha had given me a 45 RPM recording of an old church hymn entitled “Oh, How ILove Jesus” to go with the record player. Well, I would play that record (the only one I

owned at the time) over and over again, and sing along with it, moving my hands throughthe air as though I were playing the piano which could be heard in the recording. When

my parents discovered this, they took me into Atlanta to “perform” for my great-

grandmother Lillie, who was instantly delighted . She immediately called out to herdaughter Martha, who was in the kitchen — probably (like her Biblical namesake) busily

preparing dinner: “Oh Martha—come quick! See what the boy is doing!” (And Marthawas every bit as thrilled as her mother Lillie, according to my Mom Ruth, who was

there.)



Lillie was frequently fond of raising her arms

in praise during church services (more like anold-fashioned Southern Baptist than the more

staid Methodists among whom she

worshipped), and always delighted in praising

her „Lord‟.

(According to Barbara Newton, Lillie used to

say that she had been „saved‟ twice— once byimmersion, and a second time by sprinkling.)

It is likely that Lillie may have suffered from aform of what is now called “bi- polar disorder”(manic/depression), which is now known to

sometimes exhibit the symptoms of occasional

psychotic episodes and religious mania or

fervor.

On one occasion, according to BarbaraNewton, Lillie kept interrupting the preacher at

a staid Methodist church service with her loud,

spontaneous (and unpredictable) outbursts of

shouting “Amen!!!” again and again during hissermon. (In this Methodist service, Lillie was

the only person doing this. …) After the

service, the frazzled preacher privately

approached a family member (probably Lillie‟sdaughter Martha Bunn), with the request that

she please try to keep her mother under control

during his sermons!

Lillie MayAlexander, ca. 1905

Lillie‟s particular brand of religious “fervor” went so far as to induce her (almostuncontrollably) to continually inquire of even the most casual passers- by, “Have you

been „Saved‟?” to the point of greatly embarrassing her daughter Martha, who from that

time forward, tried as much as she could to keep her now-elderly mother penned-up at

home. (Lillie would do this both at home, to the postman or other callers, as well as onshopping trips to nearby Greenbriar Mall.)



Lillie‟s friendships and family relationships seem also to have suffered greatly because of

her religious „mania‟ in her later years. This, at least, is from all the evidence I have seen(including her diaries, which speak of her loneliness, and which continually ask the

questions of why she couldn‟t go out to church, or to visit friends, and why her friendsnever came to visit her). It was a very sad situation. People then probably had never

even heard of manic/depression, and certainly the drugs to treat it did not yet exist.

Here follows the complete, unedited, unabridged text of the religious tract which she

wrote, probably in the 1940s. Her religious „mania‟ is very much apparent in it,especially toward the end. The events she details therein took place in December of

1896, when she would have been fifteen. Cousin Jack Alexander (sole surviving child of

Greer, and a nephew of Lillie) told me recently that the occasion for the party was his

mother Mary Horn‟s 16th birthday. Mary Horn and the Horn family were both neighbors

and friends of the Alexanders (long before she wed Greer). This story is also notable (and

valuable) for the rare personal glimpse it gives us of her father, Thomas Tucker

Alexander, and the quality of the man that he was:

Lillie May Alexander , ca. 1889 (age eight)

In Green Pastures

Back in the “gay nineties” when I was a mer e

slip of a girl and very much in love with life, I

had an experience that changed the whole

current of my life.

It was the twenty-fifth of December and very

cold. Mother Nature had spread a beautiful ice

carpet over the old red clay roads of Georgia,

and the great oaks back of my home were singing

as the wind swept in from the north.

The whole countryside was in a bustle of

excitement because of the “coming out” party of

my best girl friend on her birthday, December

25. [Mary Horn, later second wife of Greer.]

I wanted very much to go, but since it was to be a

dance I felt that my dear father would not give



his consent. But older girls persuaded him and, after exacting a promise

from us to leave should anyone be present who was under the influence of

intoxicants, he very reluctantly gave his consent.

It was the custom of that day to give a pounding of cakes, candies and

fruits to our hostess, and I carried mine along with the rest.

As we drew near my friend’s home we could hear the tapping of feet upon

the bare floors, for already the orchestra was playing and the dance was

on. The place was beautifully lighted with lanterns and soft Christmas

lights, and through the gaily decorated windows we could see the great

log fires on the hearth and the happy faces of friends.

We hurried in and were shown into the dining room where rows of long

tables covered with snowy linen had been arranged for the occasion.

Something about the setting reminded me of the picture of “The last

Supper” and, before I could put my package down, there was a voice inmy ear, “Do you think this is the proper way to celebrate My birthday,

feasting and dancing?” Instantly I inwardly answered, “No, Lord, and I wish I had not come.” From that moment I was very miserable, and felt

that I was unworthy of the very air that I breathed.

I felt that everyone could read my thoughts, and I tried to conceal myself

in dark corners. Friend after friend turned away with a pained face, as I

refused to enter into the games and dances proposed. I did not understand

myself, as I grew more miserable with passing moments, and I could not

keep back my tears nor refrain from sobbing aloud. My sister and friends

who had accompanied me thought me ill and offered to carry me home, for

which I was grateful.

We went to our room quietly so as not to disturb the sleeping babies in the

home, and sister was asleep almost by the time her body was warm. But I

continued to sob gently, and felt so very mean and unworthy of everything

good. I had had no instruction, and did not know I was under conviction

for sin, until in pity my Good Shepherd made it all plain to me in a vision.

It was like a moving picture, although I had never seen one. There was a

most beautiful landscape of a green hillside with big spreading trees and a

little winding path down the hill and across a stream and up the hill to a

fold.

The next scene was that of sheep grazing and a shepherd leading from

place to place, with a single black sheep always in the rear. He led them

down the hill and across the quiet stream and into the fold, but the little

black sheep was shut out.



The shepherd I recognized as the Good Shepherd of the Bible, as He

stood by the entrance into the fold and put the bars up so high the poor

black sheep could not enter. He said not a word but with such a tender,

compassionate look He shook his head. I understood and was soon on my

knees begging to be made white like the other sheep, so that I too would be

worthy to enter the fold. The scene changed and with a look the black sheep was changed into a snowy white one and was allowed to enter the

fold with the rest.

M vision was gone and the heart that was so heavy was now light as a

feather: in fact, I fancied I was a feather and must get out into the open to

float around. By the light of the full-moon I went down the hall and out

onto the frozen ground where I danced under the stars to the glory of God

and shouted His praises under the big oaks for I do not know how long,

but until my sister came to me begging me to go in, as she feared I would

catch my death of cold on the frozen ground.

“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though

they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Had I not proved it? St.

John 10: 27, 28. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they

follow me: and I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Praise the Lord! for He is my Shepherd! I shall not want. I am feeding in

green pastures and drinking from still waters! Would not you like to be in the fold?

Lillie A. Kelly McConnell

Lillie honored and respected her father, Thomas Tucker Alexander. His careful guidance

and nurturing influenced his daughter Lillie all of her long walk upon this earth. She paid

tribute to him in a 1922 poem, entitled simply “My Father” (see above, in section abouther parents).

Born in the era of horse-and-buggy, and although she lived to see men walking on themoon on her television set in 1969, Lillie May Alexander nonetheless never learned how

to drive an automobile! All things considered, Lillie May Alexander was still quite a

character — a remarkable person by any standard.



Lillie May Alexander

(1881-1974) circa 1897

(approximately age sixteen)



Lillie Alexander Kelly with her son Jack, ca.1908.



Stella Martha Alexander. (M ARTHA LOVELACE 9 , J AMES A LBERT

8 , S AMUEL

7 , B ARTON

6 , B ENJAMIN

5 ,

J OHN 4 , T HOMAS

3 , W ILLIAM

2 , U NKNOWN

1). She was born on 7 July, 1883, in Cobb County,

Georgia, and died on 7 July, 1971, in a “nursing home” in Riverdale, Clayton County,Georgia.

Stella Martha Alexander Hinson, at an unknown date.

(Photo courtesy of Marjorie Brown Morehead.)



Stella Martha Alexander (1883-1971) on the left, with her brother Greer and sister Lillie

May, circa 1897. Stella would have been about fourteen years old.

Stella married Thomas Alexander "Tom" Hinson, who was born in Cobb County in1870, a son of Jane Hinson, from an old Cobb County family, and lived thereafter in

Atlanta for the remainder of her life. According to the old Atlanta City Directories,

Stella‟s husband Tom Hinson was for many years a guard or watchman, first at the old

Fulton County Stockade, and later at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. He and his wife

Stella resided for many years at 671 Catherine Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia — the samehouse which Stella‟s daughter Martha McIntyre (and her husband) would later occupy.

Thomas Alexander Hinson last appears in the City Directory in the year 1950. Thereafter,

his wife Stella resided there alone as a “widow”. Thomas Alexander Hinson had to havedied, therefore, sometime about the year 1950. His widow Stella continued to live there

until at least 1968, before she was moved into a retirement home.



(left photo)

Stella Martha Alexander (1883-1971)

circa 1898 (?)

Stella was a fine Christian lady like her sister

Lillie, and “loved her children and

grandchildren,” according to her grandnephew

“Frank” White. She also showed an equalamount of love to her sister Lillie‟s grandchildren,

and made no distinction between them and herown, said Frank.

Stella Martha (Alexander) Hinson had several

children (see later).

(above-right photo) Stella Martha Alexander, at approximately the age of six years

(ca.1889?) This is a close-up of the family photo shown several pages earlier.



Stella Martha Alexander(1883-1971)

circa 1897, approximately age fourteen



unnamed infant son Alexander. (M ARTHA LOVELACE 9 , J AMES A LBERT

8 , S AMUEL

7 , B ARTON

6 ,

B ENJAMIN 5 , J OHN

4 , T HOMAS

3 , W ILLIAM

2 , U NKNOWN

1). He was born and died on the same day, 25

October, 1885, in Cobb County, Georgia.



The children of James Loveless and his wife India C. Mincey:

James A(lbert?) Loveless. (J AMES LOVELESS9 , J AMES A LBERT LOVELACE

8 , S AMUEL

7 , B ARTON

6 ,

B ENJAMIN 5 , J OHN

4 , T HOMAS

3 , W ILLIAM

2 , U NKNOWN

1). He was born ca. 1875, probably at Yellow

Creek, Dawson County, Georgia. He was undoubtedly named after both his father and

grandfather.

Charlie Loveless. (J AMES LOVELESS9 , J AMES A LBERT LOVELACE

8 , S AMUEL

7 , B ARTON

6 , B ENJAMIN

5 , J OHN

4 ,

T HOMAS3 , W ILLIAM

2 , U NKNOWN

1). He was born in 1876, at Yellow Creek, Dawson County,

Georgia.

Henry C. Loveless. (J AMES LOVELESS9 , J AMES A LBERT LOVELACE

8 , S AMUEL

7 , B ARTON

6 ,B ENJAMIN

5 ,

J OHN 4 , T HOMAS3 , W ILLIAM 2 , U NKNOWN 1). He was born in 1877, at Yellow Creek, DawsonCounty, Georgia.

Esther (or “Ethyl”) Loveless. (J AMES LOVELESS9 , J AMES A LBERT LOVELACE

8 , S AMUEL

7 ,

B ARTON 6 ,B ENJAMIN

5 , J OHN

4 , T HOMAS

3 , W ILLIAM

2 , U NKNOWN

1). She was born in 1878, at Yellow

Creek, Dawson County, Georgia.



Laura Pearl Miles. (ANNIE ADELINE LOVELESS 9 , JAMES ALBERT LOVELACE 8 , SAMUEL7 , BARTON 6 ,BENJAMIN 5 ,

JOHN 4 , THOMAS3 , WILLIAM 2 , UNKNOWN 1). She was born on 4 February, 1888, in Calhoun, GordonCounty, Georgia. She married Samuel Jones on 1 September, 1909, in Summerville,

Chattooga County, Georgia. Laura Pearl Miles Jones died on 30 June, 1969, in East

Ridge, Hamilton County, Tennessee.

Laura Pearl Miles at about the age

of twelve, around the year 1900.



Madgenetta “Madge” Miles. (A NNIE A DELINE LOVELESS9 , J AMES A LBERT LOVELACE

8 , S AMUEL

7 ,

B ARTON 6 ,B ENJAMIN

5 , J OHN

4 , T HOMAS

3 , W ILLIAM

2 , U NKNOWN

1). She was born on 14 July, 1891 (one

source says 1892), in Gordon County, Georgia, and died at the age of seventy-three on 30

November, 1964, in Walker County, Georgia (one source says she died on 28

November). Madge appears to have been at least partially named after her Aunt

“Genetta” Lovelace Keheley, of Atlanta.

Madge married first to A.C. Estes; second to John P. Hawkins; and third to Monroe

Gordon McNew, ca. 1910. He was born 2 August, 1884, Cherokee County, Alabama,and died on 13 November, 1918, in DeKalb County, Alabama, a son of Aaron McNew

and Lucinda E. Berry.

Madge Miles and John P. Hawkins were the parents of one child, a son (see later), and

Madge Miles and Monroe Gordon McNew were the parents of one child, a daughter (see

later).

Little Miss Madgenetta Miles, at about

the age of eight, around the year 1900.



The children of Lillie Barton Lovelace and her second husband Paul Henry Bradbury:

Ruth M. Bradbury. (L ILLIE LOVELACE 9 , J AMES A LBERT

8 , S AMUEL

7 , B ARTON

6 ,B ENJAMIN

5 , J OHN

4 ,

T HOMAS3 , W ILLIAM

2 , U NKNOWN

1). The Atlanta City Directory, for the year 1937, lists her as a

stenographer for the Rufus W. Cox Company, Atlanta, Georgia, and as residing at 400

Ridgecrest Road NE, Atlanta. She failed to be listed in the same reference in thesucceeding years of 1938 and 1940. I have no further record of her.

Ralph Victor Bradbury. ( L ILLIE LOVELACE 9 ,J AMES A LBERT

8 , S AMUEL

7 , B ARTON 6 , B ENJAMIN

5 , J OHN 4 ,

T HOMAS3 , W ILLIAM

2 , U NKNOWN 1). He was born on 7 December, 1895, in Atlanta, Fulton

County, Georgia, and died on 29 May, 1969, also in Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia. He must

have lived away from Atlanta during most of the ensuing years, as he fails to be listed in

a single issue of the old Atlanta City Directories which I have seen. The Social Security

Death Index says that he obtained his social security number while in Wisconsin.

He married Carol Louise Guinn, 23 November, 1919, in Eufaula, Oklahoma. She was

born 8 January, 1899 in Centerville, Iowa, and died in September, 1981 in Louisville,Jefferson County, Kentucky. Her social security number was issued in Alabama.

They were the parents of two children (see later).

Marie Bradbury. (L ILLIE LOVELACE 9 , J AMES A LBERT

8 , S AMUEL

7 , B ARTON

6 ,B ENJAMIN

5 , J OHN

4 , T HOMAS

3 ,

W ILLIAM 2 , U NKNOWN

1). She was born on 1 August, 1899, probably in Atlanta, Fulton,

Georgia, and died in July 1972, in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia.

She married Laban Sidney Magbee on 26 July, 1921 in Greenwood, Leflore County,Mississippi. He was born 15 January, 1894, Smyrna, Cobb County, Georgia, and died 6

April, 1958 in Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia.

Marie Bradbury and her husband Laban Sidney Magbee were the parents of two children

(see later).

The same Atlanta City Directories present us with much more detail concerning their

lives: in 1937, Laban S. Magbee was living with his wife Marie, was employed as a

“repeater attendant”, and resided with his mother -in-law Lillie at 1155 Eggleston Avenue

SW, Atlanta. In 1938, he was employed as a “wood”[worker?] at 241 Walker Street SW,Atlanta, and was residing still at 1155 Eggleston Avenue. For the years 1940 through

1943, his statistics remained exactly the same. In 1944, Laban‟s occupation was given asa “repeater”, and his residence as the same place as before. In the years 1945 through

1949, Laban‟s occupation was listed as an “employee” of the A.T.& T. Company, and his

residence as the same place as above. In 1950, his occupation was given as a “teletypeoperator” with A.T.& T., with his residence the same. In the years 1951, 1952, 1953, and

The Lovelace/Loveless Family in America Part Six

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