Leroy Jefferson Jr., brother of Anne Moody, dies at 70

By Roscoe Barnes III, PhD
Chairman, Anne Moody History Project
Copyright (c) 2021

#AnneMoody

Leroy Jefferson Jr.

I was saddened to learn recently that Leroy Jefferson Jr., the brother of Anne Moody, had passed. He died Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in his home in Horn Lake, Miss. He was 70.

His full obituary can be viewed here.

I learned of this sad news on Saturday, April 8, 2023, during a visit to Vine’s Brothers restaurant in Centreville. I was walking across the parking lot when Fred Moody Jr. called for me. He was sitting in his car, all dressed up.

“I’m just returning from my brother’s funeral,” he said. “You know, he was the one who couldn’t talk. He used to live in our house over there.”

Leroy had lived for many years in Anne’s childhood home, the one she said was built by her step-father. Leroy left the area a few years ago following a flood that caused damage to the house. According to his family, he relocated to Memphis.

Anne mentioned him in her 1985 interview with Debra Spencer of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Anne said that she had written a book that was based on Leroy’s life. Here’s what she said:

The next one is “Who Needs a Mouth?” It's a book that I've written, but it will take illustration. A friend of mine, who’s an illustrator in New York, is going to illustrate it. “Who Needs a Mouth?” Is based upon the fact that I have a brother in Mississippi; he can’t talk. When he was a young child, say 7 to 9 years old, my mother sent him to Philadelphia to relatives there. He fell off a table, the kitchen table, and bumped his head and something had happened, and he can’t talk.

So my mother sent him to Philadelphia to live with the relatives there from my stepfather. They are very refined type of people, never any cursing or anything, very quiet. So he had lived with them for a couple of years. The wife was a nurse, and she had taken him all over everywhere for tests trying to determine whether he could speak, ultimately talk and what the problem was.

Finally she brought him back to Mississippi ….

I had the pleasure of meeting Leroy in September 2017, when I stopped by his home and personally invited him to attend the Anne Moody Day celebration. He smiled and looked at the flyer I’d given him. He nodded and thanked me for the invitation.

Looking back, I wish I could have spent more time getting to know him. May he rest in peace.

 #CivilRights #ComingOfAgeinMississippi #BlackHistory

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Want to know MORE about Anne Moody?

Visit here to see the timeline of

important events in her life history!

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For more information:

See the Anne Moody page here. Questions about the Anne Moody History Project may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D. via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on Anne Moody history and the on-going work of this community service project, simply follow this blog or follow AMHP on Twitter (@AnneMoodyHP). #ComingOfAgeinMississipp

Community observes 83rd commemoration of Rhythm Night Club Fire

Charnecia Green awarded $1,000 scholarship

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- This year’s 83rd commemoration of the Rhythm Night Club Fire included a $1,000 scholarship, the unveiling of a monument listing the names of the fire’s victims, and a message by Mayor Dan M. Gibson, who served as the guest speaker.

The event took place on Saturday, April 22, at The Rhythm Night Club Memorial Museum, at 5 St. Catherine St. The museum tells the story of the fire that killed more than 200 people, including Walter Barnes and members of his band on April 23, 1940.

About 100 people gathered for the commemoration, which is held each year by Monroe and Betty Sago, the owners and operators of the museum. The theme this year was “Mission Possible.”

The program began, as it has for the past 15 years, with the siren blast of a fire engine from the Natchez Fire Department. The engine blew its horn three times.

Betty Sago said the day’s program was held to honor the 209-plus victims that died in the club fire in 1940, as well those who survived that “went on with their lives and made a life for themselves, even though they carried a burden for a number of years.”

Betty said that she and Monroe decided years ago to become “the conduit to help these people tell their stories over the years.”

During the ceremony, the Sagos awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Charnecia Green, a student of Natchez Early College at Co-Lin, who plans to attend Alcorn State University School of Nursing in Natchez. The scholarship was made possible in part by Magnolia Bluff Casino and Hotel, which donated $500 to the museum, with a request for it to be matched.

“I think it’s a great and wonderful thing that the Sagos got going here, and we want to be a part of it,” said Willie Minor, assistant manager for Magnolia Bluff, as he presented the check to the Sagos for the scholarship program.

In his presentation as guest speaker, Mayor Gibson acknowledged the work and the passion of the Sagos, as well as the important place their work holds in the city’s history.

“Where we are, we are sitting (and) we are standing on sacred ground,” Gibson said. “We are here in the midst of Natchez history, and this history is truly amazing. Today is such a beautiful testimony to the love in our city and the love that the Sagos have for this site and for those who perished on this site 83 years ago and for their descendants, their family members who are still affected by this tragedy that happened in our city.”

Gibson said that some other structure could have been erected on the site at 5 St. Catherine Street, the site of the museum, and the story of the fire could have been forgotten, were it not for the Sagos.

“Because of these two, this has been a mission possible from day one,” Gibson said. “And because of them, it has brought people here from all over the world to share in the story of what happened here and what should never be forgotten here. In addition to that, they have made a way for countless young people to work here to serve here and also to receive scholarships here.”

Gibson said the work of the Sagos must not go unnoticed. “…Let it not go unnoticed that their story here and the Rhythm Night Club story here, can be an inspiration to us in other parts of our city,” he said.

Gibson’s presentation was followed by the unveiling of the monument that features 209 names of the people who perished in the fire.

Participants in the ceremony included Latonya Sago, who served as program guide and Muriel Vivians, who served as hostess. Pastor Byron K. Sago provided the opening prayer and Ana Barfield opened the ceremony with a song. Linda Williams and Asia Reynolds also provided songs, as did Lawrence R. Winston.

Maysa Vivians shared a reading of “How to Become a Good Friend.” Wilbert Whittley, Natalie Lyles, and Kaitlyn Hayes, assisted with the door prizes. Linda Birsong, Tremeka Ford, Martha Gooden, Kathy Lyles, and Linda Williams assisted with the refreshments.

 

Judy Wiggins to talk about Ethel Clagett and Mabel Porter, successful owners of a Natchez car dealership

Presentation will be given at April 25 meeting of the Natchez Historical Society

Judy Wiggins

NATCHEZ, Miss. – As successful entrepreneurs in Natchez between 1914 and the 1960s, Ethel Clagett and Mabel Porter were reportedly among the first women in the United States to own and operate a car dealership that was not previously owned by a male spouse or relative.

New research on their success will be shared by Judy Wiggins at the April 25 meeting of the Natchez Historical Society at Historic Natchez Foundation, 108 S. Commerce St. The social will begin at 5:30 p.m., and Wiggin’s presentation will start at 6 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Wiggins’ presentation is titled, "An Early 20th Century Team of Natchez Trailblazers, Ethel Clagget and Mabel Porter." It is the annual Grace McNeil lecture hosted by the NHS.

Wiggins is a retired Humanities Coordinator and English instructor at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Alan Wolf, a director of NHS, noted the business partnership between Clagett and Porter was not only successful, but that it lasted 50 years. “In operating the enduring dealership, Ethel managed sales and Mabel managed parts and repairs,” he said. “They became a major downtown presence and Ethel a major civic force in Natchez and Mississippi.”

Wolf said that Wiggins, who has spent many years researching the history of the businesswomen, “has added significant new research to her body of knowledge of these two extraordinary people.”

Wiggins holds a Master of Arts from Appalachian State University of Boone, N.C., and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. She earned her Associate in Arts at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. She has completed additional studies in English at Alcorn State University and Mississippi College.

Wiggins is co-editor of “The River: The Natchez Poetry Anthology.” She is also the author of "In the Heart of Ponder Country,” a cookbook.

Wiggins has served as lecturer for many groups, schools, and organizations, including the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Louisiana Humanities Council, Elderhostel International, the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration, Co-Lin Natchez Institute for Learning in Retirement, and the Natchez Historical Society.

For more information on this NHS event, call 601-492-3000 or send email to info@natchezhistoricalsociety.org

Natchez, Mississippi Unveils Mississippi Freedom Trail Marker

Photo by Mallory Lancaster

The Natchez Civil Rights Trail Committee joined the community in celebrating the unveiling of the Mississippi Freedom Trail Marker in Natchez on Monday, April 17, at the Dr. John Banks House, which served as the headquarters for the Natchez NAACP in the 1960s. 

It was this committee that led the efforts to have Natchez approved by the Mississippi Humanities Council and Visit Mississippi to be listed on the Mississippi Freedom Trail and the U.S Civil Rights Trail.

Committee members pictured from left are Roscoe Barnes III, Kathleen Bonds, Carter Burns, Mayor Dan Gibson, Mimi Miller, Robert Pernell. In the back row from left are Devin Heath and Lance Harris. Not pictured: the Rev. Clifton Marvel Sr. About 80 people attended the ceremony.

See more at this link:

https://listenupyall.com/2023/04/17/natchez-mississippi-unveils-mississippi-freedom-trail-marker/

Acceptance Speech for 2023 Humanities Partner Award

 

I’m giving my acceptance speech at the 2023 Mississippi Public Humanities Awards Ceremony held Friday, March 24, 2023, at the Two Museums in Jackson, Miss. I was honored as the winner of the 2023 Humanities Partner Award. Photo by Mississippi Humanities Council.

#VisitNatchez #NatchezCulturalLegacy #NatchezHistory #MississippiHistory #MSHumanitiesCouncil #TwoMuseums #BlackHistory

Ceremony for the Unveiling of the Natchez NAACP Headquarters Mississippi Freedom Trail Marker set for Monday, April 17, 2023

Mark your calendar! Make plans to attend!

Pictured in the foreground is Jack Seale, a major in the security guard of the Mississippi chapter of the Ku Klux Klan at Natchez. Hundreds of civil rights activists marched past him in downtown Natchez on Oct. 30, 1965. Photo courtesy of Historic Natchez Foundation

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Please join us for a special ceremony for the unveiling of the Mississippi Freedom Trail Marker in Natchez.

This historic event – a first in Natchez -- is set for 11 a.m. Monday, April 17, at the Dr. John Banks House at 9 St. Catherine St. It is free and open to the public. All are invited!

During the civil rights movement in the 1960s, the Dr. John Banks House became the headquarters for the Natchez Branch of the NAACP. It was home to NAACP President George Metcalfe and several workers in the movement. This event is being organized by the Natchez Civil Rights Trail Committee, the City of Natchez, Visit Natchez, Visit Mississippi, and the Mississippi Humanities Council.

For more information, call Roscoe Barnes III at 601-492-3004 or send email to roscoe@visitnatchez.org

"Bringing Her Home": News clips of my presentation on Anne Moody

I’m very pleased to see this news shared by The Woodville Republican (Woodville, Miss.) and my hometown paper, The Enterprise-Tocsin (Indianola, Miss.). The story of Anne Moody deserves the recognition.

Natchez tour guide published for 27 historical African American sites

 

Bobby Dennis, left, executive director of Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture, and Mayor Dan M. Gibson, display the newly published booklet, “African American History Trail in Natchez: A Self-Guided Tour.”

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- A colorful eight-page booklet that outlines the history of 27 African American sites in Natchez is now available as a handy resource for discovering local history.

The publication is titled, “African American History Trail in Natchez: A Self-Guided Tour.” It features images that include historical photographs, portraits of notable African Americans, monuments, as well as historic buildings.

Snippets of history and QR codes are listed for each site. A quick scan of the QR codes will lead readers to additional information posted on the website hosted by Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. “Even more, the QR code allows visitors and residents to take a self-guided tour,” said Museum Director Bobby Dennis.

The City of Natchez unveiled markers for the 27 African-American historical sites during a special ceremony on February 1 to mark the start of Black History Month. The project was a joint venture between the city and the museum.

Mayor Dan Gibson said the markers will play a significant role in telling the complete history of the city. “Following through with the commitment I made when I began my term as Mayor of Natchez, ‘to tell the whole story’, it brings me great joy to finally be able to recognize with signage these important historic sites,” Gibson said.

This publication was sponsored by the City of Natchez, Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture, Visit Natchez, and Historic Natchez Foundation.

Copies are available at the following locations:

Natchez City Hall

Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture

Visit Natchez

Historic Natchez Foundation

Natchez Visitor Center

83rd Year Commemoration of Rhythm Night Club Fire set for Saturday, April 22

Monroe and Betty Sago are pictured here honoring the victims and survivors of the Rhythm Night Club fire at an earlier commemoration ceremony.

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- The 83rd commemoration of the Rhythm Night Club fire of April 23, 1940, will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Rhythm Night Club (on site) Memorial Museum at #5 St. Catherine Street, Natchez.

This event is held annually by Monroe and Betty Sago, the owners and operators of the museum.

This year’s program will feature Mayor Dan Gibson as the guest speaker. As in past years, the event will include music and a presentation of a scholarship to a local high school student. 

Last year’s scholarship went to Kerrigan Winding, a Cathedral student who plans to go to Southern Miss., according to Betty Sago. Winding is “a student who will study speech pathology because her cousin needed speech therapy,” she said.

Door prizes will be given away and refreshments will be provided. The program is free to the public.

The Rhythm Night Club Museum tells the tragic story of the fire that killed more than 200 people, including Walter Barnes and members of his band. The museum opened in 2010 on the actual site of the original building at 5 St. Catherine St.

Visitors from across the United States visit the museum to hear the stories, see the images, and hear the recorded voices of those who survived the fire.

For more information, visit https://www.rnconsitemm.org