Great Aunt Luella Creal Davis Barnes
1888
My great aunt, Luella Creal Davis, was born in July 1888 in Smith County, Mississippi, to Henry and Amanda Creal/Creel. She was the seventh child in her family.
I would love it if you read “The Life Story Of My Great-Grandparents, Henry & Amanda Creal/Creel” and visit the Creal Family Website for Creal history.
1900
In 1900, when she was 11 years old, Luella lived with her family in Noxubee, Mississippi.
According to the 1900 United States Census, Luella was a farm laborer who worked eight months out of the past year. She attended school for two months but could only read, not write.
Household Members:
- Henry Creal
- Mandie Creal
- Sylvestre Creal
- Denie Creal
- Inzula Creal
- Henry Creal
- Nina Creal
- Tessie Creal
1905
On December 15, 1905, Luella married Joseph Davis in Tillar, Desha County, Arkansas, when she was 18 years old and he was 47 years old.
1910
According to the 1910 Census, Luella and Joseph lived in the city of Franklin, Drew County, Arkansas. Luella had three children with Joseph and two stepchildren.
1920
In 1920, they lived at Tillar and MT Schee Road, Franklin City, Drew County, Arkansas, with their five children.
1923 – 1924
Henry, Luella’s father, passed away on November 5, 1923. And her mother, Amanda, passed away on February 9th, 1924.
On the death certificate of her mother, Mary Ann Annice Creal Barnes was listed as the informant. On the death certificate of her father, Henry, Elias Barnes was listed as the informant.
Please read “My Great Aunt Mary Ann Annice Creel Barnes’ Life Story” Luella’s older sister.
1928
After 23 years, Luella and Joe divorced. It was finalized in Ouachita, Arkansas, on October 15, 1928. It was not contested, and no property was involved.
However, it is unclear if this is our Luella because her husband, Joe Davis, was not listed in this record.
1929
Luella married Lessie Barnes on December 8, 1929, in Lincoln County, Arkansas. According to the 1930 United States Federal Census, Luella went by the name Luezla Barnes, and she was married to Lessie J. Barnes. T
They lived on Tillar and Newton Chapel Road in Franklin, Drew, Arkansas, with her children Leon Davis, Alice Davis, Louiza Davis, and Lonnie Davis. Luella was listed as a homemaker, and Lessie worked as a laborer.
Unfortunately, Luella passed away sometime between 1931 and 1940. In the 1940 Census, Lessie Barnes listed himself as a widow, indicating that Luella had passed away by that time.
Luella’s cause of death is unknown, as two family stories suggest different possibilities: one story suggests that one of her husbands hit her in the head with a hammer, while another story suggests that she died while working in the cotton fields.
Conclusion:
Despite the limited information available, Luella’s story gives us a glimpse into the struggles and hardships of a black woman born in the late 1800s in rural America. From working on a farm at a young age to not being able to attend school.
Luella faced many challenges throughout her life, and her story serves as a testament to the resilience of women like her who persevered through difficult times.
Creal/Creel Family Book Coming Soon
Stay tuned for “The Creal Story,” a book that is based on the lives of Henry, his wife, and their 11 children. Also, check out the Creal Family Website for more history.
Are you my relative? Do you have more information about this story? Please leave a comment.
