Great Aunt, Berdina Lessie Creal
1898
My Great Aunt, Berdina Lessie Creal, was born on July 9, 1898, in Smith County, Mississippi, to Henry and Amanda Creal/Creel. Henry, her father, was 59 years old, and Amanda, her mother, was 45 years old.
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
Berdina Lessie was one year old when the 1900 United States Census was taken, and she lived with her family in Noxubee, Mississippi. All members of the household are listed below.
- Henry Creal (56)
- Mandie Creal (43)
- Sylvester Creal (21)
- Donie Creal (15)
- Luella Creal (11)
- Henry Creal (9)
- Vina Creal (7)
- Lessie Creal (1)
1900 – 1910
I’m not entirely sure, but it looks like Aunt Berdina and my Great-Grandparents, Henry and Amanda, most likely relocated to Richland Parish, Louisiana, after June 1900.
They possibly lived there for three years or more before they moved to Pennington, Bradley County, Arkansas, around 1904.
1910
According to the 1900 United States Census, Berdina Lessie was 10 years old. She lived with her family on Street Wanen and Kingsland Road in Pennington, Bradley County, Arkansas.
Berdina was recorded as not being able to read or write and as a houseworker. Household members are listed below.
- Henry Creel (54)
- Amanda Creel (48)
- Henry L. Creel (18)
- Barney Creel (15)
- Lessie Creel (10)
1916
According to the 1910 Census, Berdina Lessie married William Johnson on September 2, 1916, in the city of Warren, Bradley County, Arkansas. She was 16 years old, and he was 22 years old. Just like Berdina’s older sister, Donie, she also married a minister.
1919
On April 29, 1919, in Kansas City, Kansas, Reverand Otis Johnson, Jr., was born to my Great Aunt Berdina Lessie, who was about 20 years old, and her husband was about 25 years old.
1923
In 1923, two major events occurred in my Great Aunt, Berdina’s life. She gave birth, and her father passed away.
My Great Aunt Berdina and her husband, Reverand Otis, welcomed their daughter, Betty, into the world in the state of Missouri on August 25, 1923.
Henry, Berdina’s father, passed away on November 5th, 1923, in the town of Pennington, which is located in the county of Bradley County, Arkansas.
1924
On February 9, 1924, Lessie’s mother, Amanda, passed away. She passed away in the city of Pennington, which is located in Bradley County, Arkansas.
1925
On August 3, 1925, my Great Aunt Berdina and Reverand Otis, her husband, welcomed their second daughter, Dorothy, into the world in Gary Lake, Indiana.
1929
On October 3, 1929, my Great Aunt Berdina and her husband, Reverand Otis, welcomed their last son, James Peter, into the world in Flint, Michigan.
1930
In the 1930 Census, it was recorded that my Great Aunt Berdina and her husband, Reverand Otis, resided in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan.
They lived at the intersection of Everett Street and Boulevard Drive with their five children.
While Berdina took care of the household, her husband Reverand Otis served as a minister at Gairtuaterts Church, located in Flint, Michigan.
The household consisted of the following members:
- Otis Johnson (36)
- Berdina Johnson (27)
- Otis Johnson (11)
- Betty Johnson (6)
- Dorothy Johnson (4)
- James Johnson (0)
1935
According to the 1940 Census, Great Aunt Berdina lived at 580 Henry Street, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.
1940
In 1940, my Great Aunt Berdina Lessie and her children were residing in a home located at 580 Henry Street in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.
In addition to her children, her son-in-law and a lodger were also part of the household. The household members are listed below.
- Berdina Johnson (38)
- Ivory Franklin (18)
- Betty Franklin (17)
- Dorothy Johnson (14)
- James Johnson (10)
- Reta Franklin (8/12)
- Aldor Les (41) Lodger
1973
In approximately 1973, my Uncle Roosevelt Creal traveled from Portland, Oregon, to visit our family in Detroit, Michigan.
During his stay, we went to Canton, Ohio, to visit our Aunt Berdina, and it was a lot of fun. I recall that when I first saw my Great Aunt Berdina, she had a quiet demeanor and the longest hair I had ever seen before in my life.
1976
On March 14, 1990, at the age of 89, my Great Aunt Berdina Lessie Creal Johnson passed away in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.
Conclusion:
Berdina’s story exemplifies the power of determination and hard work, as she overcame racial and gender-based discrimination to become a successful entrepreneur.
Berdina’s family was from Summerland, Smith County, Mississippi. But she went on to have a huge influence in Canton, Ohio, where she established a successful restaurant as well as a catering company.
Berdina’s outstanding culinary skills and dedication to hard work were evident in her business, which catered to many major events in and around Canton, Ohio.
Even in the face of tragedy, having lost her parents and siblings, Berdina never lost hope and continued to strive for success.
As her great-niece, I am proud to say that Berdina was an extraordinary cook, entrepreneur, and community leader who made a positive impact on the lives of those around her.
Berdina Lessie Creal Johnson’s legacy will always serve as a source of inspiration for anyone seeking to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.
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.
