Great Aunt, Donie Belle Creal Chatman
1886
My Great Aunt, Donie Belle Creal, was born on April 26, 1886, in Smith County, Mississippi, to Henry and Amanda Creal/Creel. Henry, her father, was 42 years old, and Amanda, her mother, was 20.
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 15 years old, Donie Belle lived with her family in Noxubee, Mississippi.
According to the 1900 United States Census, Donie Belle was a farm laborer who worked eight months out of the year. Also, she attended school for two months, and could only read and write.
Household Members:
- Henry Creal
- Mandie Creal
- Sylvester Creal
- Donie Creal
- Luella Creal
- Henry Creal
- Vina Creal
- Lessie Creal
1903
In 1903, my Great Aunt Donie Belle married Reverend Louis Chatman in Rayville, Richland Parish, Louisiana, when she was 17 years old, and he was 21 years old.
1910
According to the 1910 Census, Donie Belle and Reverend Louis lived on Wanen and Kingsland Road in the city of Pennington, Bradley County, Arkansas. Aunt Donie and Reverend Louis had three children.
They worked on their own farm, and they could read and write. The children are listed below:
- Elizabeth Chapman (7)
- Martha A. Chapman (6)
- Daisy Chapman (2)
Rebecca “Bec” Chatman was born to Aunt Donie Belle and Reverend Louis Chatman sometime after May 31, 1910. Although the actual month of her birth is uncertain, it is assumed that she was born after the 1910 Census.
1912
Harrington “Bayboy” Chatman was born on June 20, 1912, in Warren, Bradley County, Arkansas, to Reverend Louis (about 30 years old) and Great Aunt Donie Belle (about 25 years old).
1918
Velton “Bud” Chatman was born in Arkansas on September 27, 1918, to Reverend Louis (about 36 years old) and Donie Belle (about 31 years old).
1923
Henry, Donie’s father, passed away on November 5, 1923, in the city of Pennington, Bradley County, Arkansas.
1924
And her mother, Amanda, passed away on February 9th, 1924, also in the city of Pennington, Bradley County, Arkansas.
1930
My Great Aunt, Donie Belle and her husband, Reverend Louis, lived on Highway 67 and Asphalt Street with their children and grandchildren in 1930. Reverend Louis worked in farming. All members of the household are listed below:
- Lewis Chatman (43)
- Donie Chatman (41)
- Daisy Chatman (19)
- Bethel Chatman (17)
- Harrington Chatman (14)
- Velton Chatman (12)
- Early Conner (9)
- Millard Tolefree (4)
- Dana R. Courington (3)
1933
Daisy Tolefree Chatman, the daughter of Donie Belle and Reverend Louis, passed away on March 3, 1933, in the city of Davenport, Scott County, Iowa.
1935
In 1935, Donie Belle and Reverend Louis lived in rural, Desha, Arkansas.
1940
In 1940, Aunt Donie and Reverend Louis lived on Highway 79 in Marsh Fox Addition, Jefferson County, Arkansas, with their grandchildren. Louis worked for the W.P.A. as a road aide.
1949
In 1949, Great Aunt Donie and Reverend Louis lived in West End, Jefferson County, Arkansas, with their granddaughter, Dona R. Chatman. Reverend Louis was employed by the railroad.
At the time, my Great Aunt Donie was 64 years old, Louis was 66 years old, and Dona was 20 years old.
1950
Aunt Donie and Reverend Louis lived in West End, Jefferson County, Arkansas, with their granddaughter, Dona R. Chatman, in 1950. Reverend Louis was employed by the railroad.
At the time, my Great Aunt Donie was 64 years old, the Reverend Louis was 66 years old, and Dona was 20 years old.
1963 – 1965
I remember when I was around six years old, my grandfather, Henry Creal Jr., and his sister, Aunt Donie Belle, along with her husband, Reverend Louis, came to visit us in Driver, Arkansas.
The memory is vivid in my mind because I was acting like a typical child, bouncing around and playing. During their visit, Reverend Louis, my Great Uncle, repeatedly expressed his desire to take me home with them.
I even packed some clothes, ready to go with them, much to the embarrassment of my parents. It’s a funny memory, looking back on it now!
1972
Aunt Donie’s husband, the Reverend Louis Chatman, passed away on March 3, 1933, in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa.
On Aunt Donie’s Social Security application, her parents were listed as Henry Creal and Amanda Duckworth.
1975
Harrington “Bayboy” Chatman, the son of Donie Belle and Louis, passed away on March 3, 1933, in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa.
1976
Unfortunately, my Great Aunt Donie Belle Creal Chatman passed away on February 25, 1976, in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, at the age of 89. However, her legacy lives on, and I am so proud to be her great-niece.
Aunt Donie Belle will always be remembered as a remarkable woman who overcame many obstacles and left a lasting impression on all those who knew and loved her.
Conclusion:
I am bursting with pride as I talk about my Great Aunt, Donie Belle Creal Chatman, who lived a remarkable life despite the many challenges that came her way.
She was born in the late 1800s and had to endure the struggles and hardships of being a black woman in the rural South. From a young age, she worked hard on a farm, and unfortunately, she was unable to attend school after the third or fourth grade.
However, Aunt Donie never let her circumstances limit her. She grew up to become a woman of great faith. She was always there for anyone in need, even giving her last.
She was a true pillar of her community, no matter where she lived. She was the glue that held her family together, always lending a helping hand.
I am so proud to say that my Great Aunt Donie had a talent for sewing, which she developed into an art form. Many wealthy women in her area sought her out because she was an excellent seamstress.
They would bring her catalogs, and Donie would work her magic. She could sew anything, and once she saw the picture, she would make it. Her long two braids were her trademark, and she always looked impeccable.
My mother shared with me that Aunt Donie was like a mother figure to her and always checked on her. Even though they were miles apart, Aunt Donie would make and ship dresses for her girls.
She had a heart of gold and always put others before herself. I strongly believe that I inherited her great qualities, as she reminds me of myself.
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.
