Susie Johnson, 1916-1974

Susie Johnson,
My Maternal Grandmother

Susie Johnson, my maternal grandmother, was the daughter of Robert "Bob" Johnson and Sarah Herrin.  She was born 01 July 1916 in Marion County (present day Lamar County), Mississippi.  She is listed with her parents on the 1920 and 1930 census records of Lamar County, Mississippi.  

On 04 July 1936 in Forrest County, Mississippi, Susie married Woodrow Wilson Simmons, the son of James El Simmons and Harriet Woodard.  

Marriage Record- Woodrow W. Simmons
and Susie Johnson, Book 19, Page 393

Susie and her husband resided in Lamar County, Mississippi between the small communities of Pine Burr and Baxterville.  From their union, four children were born- Alton, Lula Sue, Gertrude and Elton.  Susie and Woody's marriage officially ended in 06 November 1951 when their divorce was made final.  Woody was absent most of the time, working and residing across the country.  Susie was left to raise their four children on her own, but thankfully, had the assistance of family members who lived nearby.  

According to my late mother, Lula Sue Simmons, Susie worked as a seamstress for many years at the old Reliance Manufacturing Company in Columbia, Mississippi.  The company then produced men's dress shirts and pajamas, then later expanded their clothing lines.  Mom said that her mother would rise early in the mornings, go to work at her public job, then return home in the evenings and work some more.  Susie had a hard life while struggling to support her family during the absence of her husband.  

On 26 July 1952, Susie married Warner Tisdale Ramshur, the son of Thomas Jefferson Ramshur and Corena A. Knight.  He was the man that my siblings and I called "Grandpa T" and was a big part of our lives while we were young.  Susie and W.T. moved around quite often, residing one time in Columbia briefly and in the Improve community of Mississippi.  They also lived near my parents for a while when we lived in Westwego, Louisiana.  Susie and W.T.'s first marriage ended in divorce and they stayed apart for a while, but years later they remarried.  Their second marriage occurred on 26 September 1961 in Marion County, Mississippi.  

Marriage Record- Susie Simmons and
W.T. Ramshur, Marion County, MS

Marriage License- Second marriage of Susie Johnson
and W.T. Ramshur, Marion County, MS

Susie and W.T. Ramshur remained married until her death on 18 June 1974.  Susie died at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Forrest County, Mississippi as a result of a pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lung).  She had been hospitalized for three weeks prior to her death.  She was 57 years old.  Prior to her illness and subsequent death, Susie had cared for her husband W.T. for a while when he became debilitated from a stroke.  The stroke affected his speech and left him paralyzed on one side of his body, and he was chair ridden then eventually bedridden for years before his death.  Susie tried to care for him at home as she didn't want to place him in a nursing home, but as her health began to diminish, she was left with no choice but to have someone else care for W.T.  He was placed in a personal home which had only a few elderly residents, and he received good care until his death on 19 September 1991.

Death Certificate- Susie (Johnson) Simmons Ramshur

Susie Johnson was laid to rest in the Pine Burr Church of Christ cemetery, Lamar County, Mississippi.  I visit her grave site every now and then and I often remember the times spent with her.  More can be read about her in the posts below, click on links to view.

Children of Susie Johnson and Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Simmons:

i.    Alton Simmons, married (1) Joyce Thornhill  (2)  Sylvia Thompson  (3) Elizabeth Darlene Horn

ii.   Lula Sue Simmons, married (1) Charles Laverne Stogner  (2) Frank Dalton Powell, Sr

iii.  Gertrude Simmons, married (1) Berley Alton Powell  (2) James Wiginton

iv.  Elton Simmons, married (1) Barbara Moore  (2) Margaret "Peggy" Sturrock  (3) Helen Donaldson

See also:

Blog Post- Tombstone Tuesday: Susie Simmons Ramshur

Sunday's Obituary: Susie (Johnson) Simmons Ramshur

Sentimental Sundays: Granny's Front Porch

Sharing Memories: (Week 27) A Conversation With Granny

Finally! Woodrow W. Simmons-Susie Johnson Marriage Record Found

James Absalom Johnson Sr- Circa 1790, South Carolina>LA>MS

James Absalom Johnson Sr, my maternal 4th great-grandfather, was born c. 1790 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina and died between 1867-1870 in Marion County, Mississippi. He married Luvenia "Lucy" Brinkley on 18 December 1814 in St. Tammany Parish, Lousiana.

Family legends and stories are often passed down through many generations of descendants.  A family story of James Absalom Johnson (called Abner) has been passed on to many Johnson researchers and to some of Johnson's descendants.  Clifford Johnson was a resident of Hattiesburg, Mississippi before his death and had written his account of the Absalom Johnson family from past communication with Edward Johnson.  Edward Johnson was Absalom's son and the grandfather of Clifford Johnson.  In his notes, Clifford Johnson states, "Absalom (Abner) Johnson's mother brought him to America in 1790 at the age of 8 years from Dublin, Ireland.  They landed in Georgia with an uncle and an Evans family.  They wandered to Tennessee and on to Log Town, Mississippi where they settled.  Absalom fought in the battle with the Indians on the Black Warrior River in Alabama.  In the War of 1812, Absalom was a private, enlisting April 9, 1814.  Upon his return home, he found that his wife and child had died.  He then moved up the Pearl River to about the upper Little River, near Hurricane Creek.  By this time he had married Luvenia (Lucy) Brinkley.  They had eleven children.  They are buried on the Talmadge Saucier place, Bay Creek Community, Lamar County, no grave markers exist".

It has been my intent to find out more about Absalom and his family.  I believe the story above holds some truths but some of the information is incorrect.  Tracing the family backwards through census records, I found Absalom Johnson's first presence in Marion County, Mississippi on the 1820 census where he is listed as "Absalom Johnston", head of his household with one female age sixteen to twenty-six (wife, Lucy) and four children under age seventeen (three males and one female).  The three males have been identified as Jordan, Daniel and James.  The female has not yet been identified.   Also note that Daniel Johnston was listed just above Absalom- what was the connection between these two individuals, if any at all?  It is my conclusion after reviewing the census records that Absalom Johnson moved to Marion county sometime between 1817 and 1820 (he was not listed on the 1816 Territorial Census of Marion County).

From 1820 Federal Census, Marion County, Mississippi

By the 1830 census there were more children added to Absalom's household.  The record listed 7 males age 14 and under; 1 female age 14 and under; 1 male age 30-39; 1 female age 30-39; 1 male age 40-49 and 1 female age 70-79.  I did not see Daniel Johnston on this census in Marion County- was he residing with Absalom's family at that time?  And who was the female age 70-79?  She could have been Lucy's mother, or even Absalom's mother.   There were several persons living in the Johnston household that year, 12 in all.  Was Absalom's home large enough to comfortably accommodate a dozen people, or were they cramped in tight living quarters, like many of the large pioneer families of that era?  

The 1840 census of Marion County, Mississippi listed Absalom Johnson (the "t" was dropped) with the following: 6 males age 19 and under, 2 females age 9 and under, 1 male age 50-59 (Absalom), 1 female age 40-49 (wife, Lucy) and 1 slave, age 55-99. Absalom's family had just a little more room in their home, since 2 persons had moved out since the last census.

By 1850, several of Absalom and Lucy's children had moved out of their home.  This was the first census that identified each person in the household by name, or initals, which was the case here.  I believe the children listed were Absalom Jr, Matilda and Susan.  This record also shows that Absalom was born in South Carolina and his wife Lucy was born in Georgia.

1850 Federal Census, Marion County, Mississippi

Absalom's wife Lucy died in 1860.  The census record for that year shows Absalom as head of household with Matilda, age 24 and Lucy, age 18.  His wife, Lucy, is not listed on the census.  Absalom is not found on the census for 1870, leaving me to speculate that he died sometime between 1860 and 1870.  

1860 Federal Census, Marion County, Mississippi

Given the information that I have on Absalom and his family, I speculate that he was the father of seven sons and three daughters whom grew up in Marion County, Mississippi.  Some of children married and remained in Marion County while others moved away.  Absalom was a farmer and owned a small tract of land in what is today Lamar County, Mississippi.  It is also indicated that Absalom was born in South Carolina and his wife was born in Georgia.  Since birth records are not available for this time period, it is not known with certainty where they was born.  It is possible that he was indeed born in Dublin, Ireland and resided in South Carolina for a while before moving on to Georgia then Louisiana and Mississippi.  At present one can only speculate where he was before he went to St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana where he married Lucy.  

William Houston, another Johnson researcher, states that Absalom Johnson possibly had a brother named Abraham and "Absalom and Abraham married Lucinda and Tabitha Brinkley of St. Tammany Parish, La in 1814".  Research revealed there was a John Brinkley that settled in the St Tammany Parish area in 1810.  It is possible that this is the father of Lucinda Brinkley.  Furthermore, Absalom Johnson was listed on the 1811-1812 Tax List for St Tammany Parish, Louisiana.

Absalom Johnson served in Claiborne's Regiment, Mississippi Territory Militia during 1806-1807 as a Private.  He also served in Lt. Nixon's command in the War of 1812.

It is believed that the "uncle" mentioned in Clifford Johnson's notes is Daniel Johnson (Johnston).  Daniel was listed on the 1820 census of Marion County and further records indicate that Daniel was born c. 1770 in South Carolina.  This could possibly be Absalom's uncle, brother or father as well.

Children:
Jordan Johnson, married (1) Sarah Grantham  (2) Elmina Smith
Daniel Johnson, married (1) M.A. (name unknown)  (2)  Samantha (last name unknown)
James Johnson, married Martha Williams
Henry H. Johnson, married (1) Eliza Ann Lott  (2)  Martha Ann Turnage
Silas Brinson Johnson, married Nellie Margaret Lott
Edward Johnson married Martha Ann Lee
Absalom Johnson (James Absalom Jr) married Martha Standfield
Matilda Johnson, married William Riley Lee
Susan Johnson, married James Atwood
Lucy Johnson

Edward Johnson and Martha Ann Lee

Edward Johnson, my 3rd great-grandfather, was the son of James Absalom Johnson, Sr and Luvenia "Lucy" Brinkley. He was born 14 April 1826 in Marion County, Mississippi.  

Edward married Martha Ann Lee, the daughter of William S. Lee and Margaret "Peggy" Collins.  The date of their marriage is unknown.  Martha was born 18 February 1833 in Marion County, Mississippi.  

The 1860 census of Marion County, Mississippi shows Edward Johnson, head of household and a farmer, with wife Martha and three children- Stephen, age 9, Wilson, age 5, and Fleming, age 1.  Living next door to Edward's family was Edward's father, Absalom, then widowed with two adult daughters in his household.  A couple of houses further down was Edward's sibling, Daniel Johnson and his family.  

Ten years later, in 1870, Edward and Martha's family had grown, adding four more children to their brood- Margaret, age 8, Ira Rankin, age 6, Almedia, age 4, and Mary Louise, age 2.  Sons Stephen and Wilson worked on the family farm, as they were then age 19 and 15 respectively, while son Fleming was 11 years old.  Also listed in the household with Edward's family that census year was Susannah Johnson, age 21.  I speculate this was Edward's sister.  

1870 Federal census, Marion County, Mississippi

By 1880, there were two more children listed in the household with Edward and Martha Johnson- daughter Martha, age 7, and son Lee, age 4.  On the census, Lee was listed as a daughter, but Lee was actually a male.  Several of the their older children had married and moved out of the house, but resided near them as shown on the census.  Their son Stephen had married Almedia Fillingame and by 1880 the couple had three of their own children.  Their son Wilson had married Elizabeth "Betty" Fillingame, sister of Stephen's wife Almedia, and they had a son.  Their son Fleming was married as well, to Nancy Ann Bounds, but they had no children as of yet.  Their daughter, Margaret "Emily", had married James Elder Nobles, Jr, and they lived next door to Edward and Martha.  Ira, Almedia and Mary Louise were young and still resided with their parents.  

1880 Federal Census, Marion County, Mississippi

The 1890 census is unavailable. I haven't yet located Edward's family on the 1900 census.  The next census record I found showing Edward Johnson was the 1910 census.  By then, Edward was in his 80's and he resided with his son, Ira Rankin Johnson.  Edward's wife, Martha, had died on 20 May 1897.  She was buried in the Old Ed Johnson Family Cemetery, Lamar County, Mississippi.

Edward Johnson died on 25 June 1918 in Lamar County, Mississippi.  Lamar County had been created out of Marion County in the early 1900's, thus explaining the reason for the change in county locations.  He was laid to rest in the Old Ed Johnson Family Cemetery located in Pine Grove, Lamar County, Mississippi.  The date of death on his headstone shows 20 July 1918, but that date conflicts with the death record.

The cause of death listed on the death certificate of Edward Johnson was simply "Old Age".  He apparently died at home as there was no physician listed.  

Children of Edward Johnson and Martha Ann Lee:
Stephen P. Johnson, married Almedia Fillingame
Wilson "Babe" Johnson married Elizabeth G. "Betty" Fillingame
Fleming Johnson, married Nancy Ann Bounds
Margaret Emily Johnson, married James Elder Nobles, Jr
Ira Rankin Johnson, married Lucy (last name unknown)
Almedia Johnson, married William Nobles
Mary Louisa Johnson, married (1) John Jacob  (2) George T. Thompson
Martha Johnson, married E.W. Whiddon
Lee Edward Johnson, married Laura Beach

See also:
Tombstone Tuesday:  Ed Johnson Family Cemetery, Lamar County MS

Wilson "Babe" Johnson, c.1858-1930, Lamar County MS

Wilson "Babe" Johnson, my maternal great-great grandfather, was born c. 1858 in Marion County (now Lamar County), Mississippi, the son of Edward Johnson and Martha Ann Lee.  He is shown in the household with his parents on the 1860 and 1870 census records of Marion County, Mississippi.  

Babe married Elizabeth G. "Betty" Fillingame about 1874.  She was born March 1860, the daughter of Moses Fillingame and Elizabeth Anderson.  

Wilson Johnson and his wife Elizabeth are first shown together on the 1880 census in Columbia, Marion County, Mississippi.  They had one child- Robert, age 2.  Babe lived within an entire circle of other Johnson family members at that time.  His brother, Stephen Johnson, lived on one side with his family.  On the other side was Babe's brother, Fleming with wife Nancy; then his sister Emily with husband James Nobles; next his parents Edward and Martha were listed with the rest of the siblings.  

1880 Federal Census, Columbia, Marion County, Mississippi

On the next census record available, I found the Wilson Johnson family in Beat 1, Marion County, Mississippi.  The 1900 census record shows that Babe's family had grown quite considerably in the past twenty years.  Their oldest son, Robert, still resided with them.  In addition, there were 7 more children in the household- son Henry, son "Ebbie" (Abb), daughter Martha A, daughter Margeret L (Margaret Ella), daughter Julia A, daughter Fannie, and daughter Mary.  The census also shows Wilson and his wife "Bettie" had been married 23 years and had 8 children born, of whom all were still living.  Wilson was listed as a farmer and his three eldest sons, Robert, Henry and Abb were all farm laborers.  With eight children in their household, I'm sure there was much to do both indoors and outdoors, and it required the participation of every family member that was of age to assist.  

1900 Federal Census, Marion County, Mississippi, Beat 1

Ten years later Babe and Betty were shown as residents in Beat 5, Marion County, Mississippi.  The 1910 census record shows that several of their children had moved out while there were three children remaining with them- daughters Fannie and Mary, and a new addition to the family- daughter Ida Belle, age 8.  Ida Belle was the ninth child born from the union of her parents.  Babe and Betty's son, Robert, had married Sarah Herrin and they resided next door.  Their son, Abe (Abb), had married Ella Jane Johnson and resided on the other side of them.  

1910 Federal Census, Marion County, Mississippi, Beat 5

Since county lines changed in the early 1900's, the Wilson Johnson family is listed on the Lamar County, Mississippi census for the year 1920.  Their daughter, Ella, whom had married Wesley Sistrunk, was listed as widowed and resided with them, along with her three children, Adolph, Velma and Geneva? (name difficult to read).  Babe and Betty's youngest daughter, Ida Belle, also resided with them.  Living next door was their daughter Mary, who had married Charley Kelly.  

1920 Federal Census, Lamar County, Mississippi, Lumberton, District 100

By 1930, Babe and Betty were "getting on up in age" so to speak.  Babe was in his 70's by then, which was considered a good, ripe old age during that era.  The couple had moved in with their son, Robert, who resided in Lamar County.  Living nearby was their daughter, Ella, who apparently had not remarried at that time as she was living with her son, Adolphe Sistrunk.  Adolphe's sister, Velma, had apparently married a Dunaway and she was a young widow, living with her brother in 1930.  According to the census, they all resided on Pine Burr Road.

1930 Federal Census, Lamar County, Mississippi, Beat 3, District 5

Pine Burr Road, Lamar County, Mississippi is located between
the cities of Columbia and Lumberton, near Baxterville.  Several
of the Johnson families lived in the approximate area surrounding
the small towns of Baxterville and Pine Burr, Mississippi.

Wilson "Babe" Johnson died 19 August 1930 in Lamar County, Mississippi.  I speculate that he died at home because his death record indicates there was "no doctor in attendance".  He was laid to rest in the Caney Baptist Church cemetery located in Lamar County, Mississippi.  His wife, Betty, died 26 December 1943 and she is buried next to him.  

Death Certificate- Wilson Johnson

Children of Wilson "Babe Johnson" and Elizabeth G. "Betty" Fillingame:

Henry Johnson, married Sarah Ellen Johnson
Robert "Bob" Johnson married (1) Sarah Herrin  (2)  Harriet Woodard
Abb Johnson, married (1) Ella Jane Johnson  (2) Betty Lambert
Martha A. Johnson
Margaret "Ella" Johnson, married Wesley Sistrunk
Julia Ann Johnson, married George Williams
Fannie Johnson, married William I. Johnson
Mary Johnson, married Charley Kelly
Ida Belle Johnson, married Michael Thompson

Robert "Bob" Johnson, 1876-1952, Lamar County MS

Robert "Bob" Johnson
My Great-Grandfather

My maternal great-grandfather, Robert "Bob" Johnson, the son of Wilson "Babe" Johnson and Elizabeth G. "Betty" Fillingame, was born 25 December 1876 in Marion County, Mississippi.  He is listed in the household with his parents on the 1880 and 1900 census records of Marion County.  

On 14 April 1901, Bob married Sarah Herrin, the daughter of William H. Herrin and Sabra Crawley.  Sarah was born in September 1878 in Marion County, Mississippi.  

Marriage Record- Robert Johnson and Sarah Herrin

Bob and Sarah resided in Beat 5 of Marion County, Mississippi when the 1910 federal census was recorded.  At that time, the census indicated they had been married 4 years, but they had actually been married about 9 years according to the date on their marriage record.  The ages were also incorrect on this record, which is a common occurrence with many census records.  Bob and Sarah apparently had one child who had died.  The couple resided next door to Bob's parents, Babe and Betty Johnson.  

1910 Federal Census, Marion County, Mississippi, Beat 5

By the arrival of the year 1920, Bob and Sarah owned their home near Lumberton, Lamar County, Mississippi.  They had three children born from their union of marriage- daughter Bertie, age 5, daughter Susie, age 3, and son Alex, age 10 months.  Bob's brother, Henry and his family lived next door.  Listed just above Henry was their Uncle Samuel Alexander Johnson's family, the son of Silas Brinson Johnson, Sr.  A few houses down, the family of Joshua Johnson resided.  Joshua was yet another son of Silas Brinson.  The entire page of this census record is nearly filled with Johnsons. 

1920 Federal Census, Lamar County, Mississippi, Lumberton, District 100

Bob and Sarah resided in the same place ten years later.  They had no further children born after their last son, Alex, who was about 10 years old by 1930.  Bob's aging parents, Babe and Betty, resided with them.  

1930 Federal Census, Lamar County, Mississippi, Beat 3

Bob's wife, Sarah, died about 1935.  She was laid to rest in Caney Baptist Church cemetery, Lamar County, Mississippi. 

On 13 July 1939, Bob married Harriet Woodard, the daughter of Thomas Riley Woodard and Minerva Warden.  Harriet was widowed after her second husband, James El Simmons died.  Harriet and James El Simmons' son, Woodrow Wilson Simmons, had married Bob and Sarah's daughter, Susie in 1936.  This makes for a strange twist in the family tree, considering that Susie and Woodrow became step-siblings a few years after they married.  

Robert "Bob" Johnson and wife,
Harriet Woodard Johnson

Marriage Record- Robert Johnson and
Harriet (Woodard) Simmons

Bob and his second wife Harriet remained together until his death on 25 August 1952.  According to his death certificate, Bob died of sudden death, cause undetermined, but questionable coronary thrombosis (blood clot in his heart), secondary to a history of heart disease.  The death record states he was 76 years old at the time of his death and that he had lived in Baxterville, Lamar County, Mississippi for 35 years.  His parents, Wilson Johnson and Betty Fillingame were listed on the record as well as his daughter, Mrs. Susie Simmons, who was the informant.  

Death Certificate- Robert Johnson

Robert "Bob" Johnson was laid to rest in the Caney Baptist Church cemetery in Lamar County next to his first wife, Sarah.  Only three weeks after Bob's death, Harriet followed him to the grave.  She died 14 September 1952 of complications with pneumonia following a sudden cerebral hemmorhage (stroke).  She was laid to rest next to her late husband.  See "Tombstones" link below. My late mother told me many years ago that Harriet died of a "broken heart" after she lost Bob.  Mom adored her grandpa Bob and grandma Harriet.  She wrote a bit about them in her memoirs (see Memoirs of Lula Sue Simmons).

See also:

Tombstones:  Robert "Bob" Johnson
Blog Post:  (Not So) Wordless Wednesday- Cutting Yellow Pine in Pine Burr