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The Legacy of  Effie (Lyles) and Edward (Bub) Landrum

Effie (Landrum) and Edward [Bud] Landrum

  Edward and Effie (Lyles) Landrum were pioneers in their small community, Little Africa , South Carolina. Their belief in God, their commitment,honesty and trust was the foundation of their fifty years of marriage. Their goal was to reach the mountaintop.

   They were married at a very early age, he was eighteen years of age and she was fourteen years of age. To this union was enumerated nine healthy, robust children, five boys and four girls. Edward and Effie were very successful farmers. They made it through hard work and determination.

 

    In the search for our ancestors, most of us start with something that will make a tremendous difference in our progress at every turn - the surname of our ancestors.

 

OUR MISSON

    For many, the linking of the generations, and the discovery of the historical lineage of family give purpose to life. It's this kind of knowledge that enables us to understand ourselves - and others better, and instills in us a deeper sense of our own identities.

  Some of our anestors were scholars and scoundrels, princes and pirates, lords and loafers. But, whatever they may have been, they function as an important part of our heritage.

    We would like to pay special homage to all that have gone on before us; especially to those who have contributed so richfully to the perpectuality of this GREAT, GREAT LYLES and LANDRUM FAMILIES.

   The mission of this website is to collectively promote and document our familys.

 

OUR GOAL

    Our goal is to document and perpectuate the Lyles-Landrum Family geneology as thoroughly and as acurately as possible. Much information has been obtained through: records (family bibles, letters, scapbooks, courthouse records,etc) and the memories of our elderly family members. We will ALWAYS, gracefully welcome corrections!

 

   They were owners of their farm. Edward was very independent. At eight years of age he renamed himself. He was born "Bub”, but  he liked the name Edward Pickney. Ed was then nicknamed "Ep"  His educational background after elementary school was self taught. He read newspapers and any book he could get his hands,on. He became interested in politics and encouraged his neighbors to vote. Being Black his resources were limited economically; but he made every effort to motivate and encourage his children. They challenged them when they were wrong and encouraged them when they were right, they showed love and nurtured them no matter what the

circumstances were. Edward and Effie encouraged their children and other children to go to school. Their children worked in the fields before going to school and until sundown after school. They supervised their children's homework sometimes burning the midnight oil. They had oil lamps in the early years. Their dreams were that their children would become professional and business men and women.

   Both parents made sacrifices to accomplish their goals. Effie would take the children that were too young to go to school to the fields in a card board box and place it under a tree while she tilled the soil. Edward and the older boys worked for WPA earning fifty cents a day. They were also paid in food.

   The schools in South Carolina were in session only six or seven months a year. During the summer months they would can vegetables and fruits, so that they could eat in the winter. They owned their fruit orchards, raised vegetables and cotton and corn for sale. In the winter Effie and the girls would make sheet and quilts. Effie would design and make clothing for her family. The men would cut wood for cooking and heating. Effie taught girls and boys to sew, cook and clean.

   Edward was very protective of his family. He owned a variety of weapons for protection against the klu klux klan and other intruders. They fought for a good educational system and housing for Blacks.  Edward's father donated three acres of land to build an elementary school through the Rosenwald Foundation.It had two rooms and lots of nurturing and training. There were no High Schools within twenty miles of Little Africa for Blacks. Edward and Effie's children went to High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina and Rutherfordton, North Carolina. They had to live away from home and pay for room

and board. Edward developed his own mind and helped build the minds of others. He fought to get school buses for Black students to go to High School. He did not have adequate resources to project hidden ideas. It was a struggle but he continued to deal with the problems. His dreams came true ,but too late for him to witness the reality. School buses were made available to ALL children.

 Edward and Effie broaden their environment. They were friends with prominent Black Leaders; Abe Smith,lawyer; Dr.Bull; John Woodard, undertaker and others. The elder and Pastor of their church inspired them spiritually and encouraged them to help the children to get a good education. There were no such things as loans and grants or aid available to Blacks at that time.

  Edward walked six miles to White Hall African Methodist Episcopal Church, Fingerville, South Carolina on Sunday morning to clean and to start the fire in the pot belly stove in winter. The rest of the family came to church later by horse driven wagon and/or buggy.  Edward and Effie’s children are:

 

Alvin the first born was a very aggressive young man. His desire was to go to college. He enrolled in Hopkins College Columbia S.C. Financial problems caused him to drop out. He became ill and was diagnosed improperly, had surgery and died at the age of twenty-one.  Alvin had no children.

 

Arthur the second son was independent and left the farm. He became the first Black employee of the Coca Cola Company, Forest City, N.C. He was united in marriage to Nevern Williams, to their union was born three girls and two boys. They established the Davis Center Neighborhood store and managed and sold real estate. Arthur was a Steward in his church and they both were missionaries in their community.  Authur’s children are:  Annie Laurie, Vernice [Edward] Davis, Elizabeth, Johnny Lee [Angeline Proctor], Authur Jr [Naomi Ledbetter],  and Ophelia.

 

Martha the third born and oldest daughter was courageous woman. She wanted to become a nurse but was unable to because of financial restraints. This did not hinder her desire. She would visit homes of the sick and hospitals and stay day and night. She was a Stewardess in her church and a missionary in the community. She organized our reunion. She was never married.  Martha never married, and had no children.

 

Hollis the third son and fourth born was soft spoken, but very strong. He was united in marriage to Ozzie Mona Clark. They were the founders and owners of a motel in Hendersonville N.C •. He was a trustee in his church. They are the parents of one daughter. They fed many under privileged children. They had one child; Darlene Landrum.

 

Rueben the fourth son and fifth born was married to Georgia Brown. They were the parents three daughters and one son. Rueben served in combat in foreign service in the U.S.Army. After being honorably discharged he managed a dry cleaning establishment in New York. Georgia taught Public School in South and North Carolina for about twenty-five years. They were members of the New Bethel Church, Forest City, N.C.  Reuben’s Children are:  Rueben Jr. - deceased, Francis Stallings - Married Charles Stallings- 5 children, Mattye Bell Saunders-Married Walter Saunders - both deceased- 5 children,  Yvonne Barbara Littlejohn - Married Columbus Littlejohn 3 children.

 

Annie Mae the second daughter and sixth child was united in Holy Matrimony to William Costner. They had one daughter. Annie Mae is a Deaconess at Nineteenth street Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Little White Hall AME church aided Edward and Effie Landrum in sponsoring Annie Mae's education at Allen University, Columbia, South Carolina. She received her Masters Degree from New York University, N.Y. Her husband was very supportive while she was furthering her education. Annie Mae taught for twenty-three years.She taught Bible Class in her church. Annie has inspired children and adults, through her love and  kindness, she helps those in need.  Annie Mae Costner - Married  William Costner and gave birth to one child;  Teresa Wilson - Married Desota Wilson  3 children.

 

Rosa Lee the third daughter and seventh child was united in matrimony to Jason Hampton. To their union was born three girls and three boys. Rosa Lee wanted to become an interior decorator. They were industrious and she demonstrated her ambition in her beautiful home. Their home was opened to the family at all times. They loved children and were good role models. They were stewards and stewardesses of New Bethel A.M.E. church. They were active in community activities. They had 6 children as follows:  Rosa Lee - Married Jason Hampton with 6 children: Edward Lee, Viola Ballard

Peggy Logan - deceased (Married Thomas Logan) 2 children, Jason Jr. Deceased, had 1 child; Martha Creft - Married Frank Creft - 2 children, Stanley Hampton - 4 children

 

Johnnie Leo was the fifth son and eighth child he was united in marriage to Lydia Austin. They had one son. Jonnie serves in combat service in the U.S ..Army. He was wounded and received the Purple Heart~ Johnnie was political and outspoken for his Black brothers and sisters. He was a member of the policy committee of the Hendersonville, N.C, City School Board and helped any High School Students and adults. Johnny was employed as a  maintenance supervisor at the Blue ridge Community College.  Lydia is a Stewardess at their church. They had one child: Johnnie, who married Cheryl.

 

Alpha the fourth daughter and ninth child was united in marriage to Daniel Crawford They are the parents of two boys [Daniel Mark - deceased and Kevin - deceased (Married Kay Love) and had 2 children] and one girl  [Martha Rowe - Married David Rowe with 1 child]. Alpha received a scholarship to and attend Winston Salem state University.  Annie Mae and Martha paid the remainder of her fees and landed their support. After moving to New York she worked seven days a week and went to class at night. She did her graduate work at City College of New York and Fordham University.   Alpha was an administrator in public Day Care and was the founder of a Child Care Center in the Bronx. A park was named in her honor. Daniel was self employed and active in community affairs and volunteer work along with Alpha.

 

    Edward and Effie stood firm in their belief. They believed that anything can be

achieved by believing in yourself.   It was a  struggle with a f amily of eleven in a

small community with little money_ Their dreams were partially fulfilled; they reached

the mountaintop!   They lived to  see all of  their  children  and  most  of  their first

generation grand children  become  successful men and  women and  children of God.  

THEY DIED WITH  SMILES ON THEIR FACES AND FULFILLMENT IN THEIR HEARTS.

FOR THEIR LEGACY LIVES ON AND ON.

  This is a living document.  Our goal is to correctly document the legacy of the Lyles-Landrum  family.  We gladly accept corrections !!