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 playeran old 45 turntable. My grandmother Martha had given me a 45 RPM recording of an old church hymn entitled Oh, How I Love 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 through the 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 greatgrandmother Lillie, who was instantly delighted. She immediately called out to her daughter Martha, who was in the kitchenprobably (like her Biblical namesake) busily preparing dinner: Oh Marthacome quick! See what the boy is doing! (And Martha was 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 an old-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 twiceonce by immersion, and a second time by sprinkling.) It is likely that Lillie may have suffered from a form 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 Barbara Newton, 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 his sermon. (In this Methodist service, Lillie was the only person doing this. ) After the service, the frazzled preacher privately approached a family member (probably Lillies daughter Martha Bunn), with the request that she please try to keep her mother under control during his sermons!

Lillie MayAlexander, ca. 1905 Lillies particular brand of religious fervor went so far as to induce her (almost uncontrollably) 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 on shopping trips to nearby Greenbriar Mall.)

Lillies 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 couldnt go out to church, or to visit friends, and why her friends never 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 Horns 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 mere 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 friends 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 in my 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 about her parents). Born in the era of horse-and-buggy, and although she lived to see men walking on the moon 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 charactera remarkable person by any standard.

Lillie May Alexander (1881-1974) circa 1897 (approximately age sixteen)

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

(MARTHA LOVELACE9, JAMES ALBERT8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6, BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). She was born on 7 July, 1883, in Cobb County,

Stella Martha Alexander.

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 in 1870, 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, Stellas 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, Georgiathe same house which Stellas 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 have died, 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 equal amount of love to her sister Lillies grandchildren, and made no distinction between them and her own, 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. (MARTHA LOVELACE9, JAMES ALBERT8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6, BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). 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:

LOVELESS9, JAMES ALBERT LOVELACE8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6, BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). He was born ca. 1875, probably at Yellow

James A(lbert?) Loveless. (JAMES

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

Charlie Loveless. (JAMES LOVELESS9, JAMES ALBERT LOVELACE8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6, BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). He was born in 1876, at Yellow Creek, Dawson County, Georgia.

Henry C. Loveless. (JAMES LOVELESS9, JAMES ALBERT LOVELACE8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6,BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). He was born in 1877, at Yellow Creek, Dawson County, Georgia.

Esther (or Ethyl) Loveless. Creek, Dawson County, Georgia.

(JAMES LOVELESS9, JAMES ALBERT LOVELACE8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6,BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). She was born in 1878, at Yellow

The children of Annie Adeline Amy Loveless and her husband Isaac Bertha Miles: Albert U. Beular Miles. (ANNIE ADELINE LOVELESS 9, JAMES ALBERT LOVELACE 8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6,BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). He was born on 22 October, 1884, and died at the age of twenty-three on 19 August, 1908. His place of birth, place of death, and cause of death have not yet been supplied to me. Regardless, the 19 th of August, 1908 must have been a very sad day for those who knew Albert Miles. It is not recorded whether or not he even married. He, along with his two sisters and father, lies buried in the Bankhead Cemetery in Mentone, DeKalb County, Alabama.

Albert at about the age of sixteen, around the year 1900. He only lived to be twenty-three. O quam cito

Laura Pearl Miles.

(ANNIE ADELINE LOVELESS 9, JAMES ALBERT LOVELACE 8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6,BENJAMIN5,

She was born on 4 February, 1888, in Calhoun, Gordon County, 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.
JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1).

Laura Pearl Miles at about the age of twelve, around the year 1900.

Madgenetta Madge Miles. (ANNIE ADELINE LOVELESS 9, JAMES ALBERT LOVELACE 8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6,BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). 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. (LILLIE LOVELACE 9, JAMES ALBERT 8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6,BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). 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 the succeeding years of 1938 and 1940. I have no further record of her.

Ralph Victor Bradbury. (LILLIE LOVELACE9,JAMES ALBERT8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6,BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). 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. (LILLIE LOVELACE 9, JAMES ALBERT 8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6,BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). 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, Labans occupation was given as a repeater, and his residence as the same place as before. In the years 1945 through 1949, Labans 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 teletype operator with A.T.& T., with his residence the same. In the years 1951, 1952, 1953, and

1955, his occupation appeared as serviceman with the same company, with his residence address unchanged, while in the years 1956 and 1957, his occupation appeared as craftsman and repairman respectively. He and his wife Marie were still residing in Maries mother Lillies old residence at 1155 Eggleston Avenue SW, in the West End section of Atlanta, just north one block from old Gordon Street (now M.L. King Jr. Drive), and just around the corner (so to speak) from The Wrens Nest, the erstwhile residence of Joel Chandler Harris, of Uncle Remus fame. Laban Sidney Magbee, like his son Laban Samuel, played the violin (though not as well as his brilliantly talented son).

George Clarke Bradbury. (LILLIE LOVELACE9,JAMES ALBERT8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6,BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). He was born on 21 December, 1905, in Mississippi, and died on 22 June, 1992, in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas. The same Atlanta City Directories, in the years 1937 and 1941, list a George C. Bradburyvery likely the same manas follows: in 1937 with a wife named Frances S., his occupation was a cook at the Ansley Hotel, and he was residing at 1145 Gordon Street SW, Atlanta. In 1941, his wife (obviously the same person as given above) was listed as Sarah F., and they resided at 933 Lucille Avenue SW, Atlanta. His occupation was given as cook. Thereafter, he appears to have moved away from Atlanta, as no further directory entries for him appear. As shown above, he died in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1992, at the age of eighty-seven. Arthur Barton Bradbury. (LILLIE LOVELACE 9, JAMES ALBERT 8, SAMUEL7, BARTON6,BENJAMIN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, WILLIAM2, UNKNOWN1). He was born on 5 January, 1907, and died in July 1982, in Antrim, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. His social security number was issued in the District of Columbia. It was his daughter Dixie Bradbury Thielet who provided much valuable data on her Loveless ancestors.