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Disclaimer:
This tree was drawn in the 1970's based on oral history.
There are a few known discrepancies. Family members are welcome
to submit updates or corrections for our growing family tree.
This tree drawing is a family memento.
 O'Kelley Crest |
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During the late 1800's-early 1900's in Mississippi, the O'Kelley children acquired land and other resources that enabled them to prosper. Two of the O'Kelley sons (Dan and Charles) owned large plantations in Magenta, Mississippi. These plantations provided goods to several grocers in the Greenville area. The middle O’Kelley son, Will Dock, had a highly respected and successful barber shop which catered to both Black and White clientele. He was called the "Black Jew" around town because of his wavy black hair and light complexion. His wife, LaVinia also had a thriving restaurant in Greenville. Later on, one of the frequent Mississippi river floods in the early 1900's wreaked havoc on towns such as Greenville, MS. Because of the damage, Charles and Will sold their property and a large portion of the family then dispersed from Mississippi to new cities such as St. Louis, Chicago, and Memphis-thus including themselves in what is now known as the "Great Migration" of southern Blacks who moved North. The town of Magenta was later incorporated into the larger city of Stoneville, Mississippi, which is now the home of Mississippi State University's Delta Research and Extension Center.
Dan O'Kelley's daughter, Evelina O'Kelley Bush had a "This is Your Life" celebration presented by her Chicago church in 1957. A devout 7th Day Adventist, "Ma Bush" a/k/a "Big Sister" a/k/a "Aunt Evelina" was the eldest of Daniel O'Kelly's ten children and the last to expire at 101 years old. Here is the transcript that reflects the life of just one of our family members who made her way North from Mississippi. Family Connections Currently Being Researched: Fisher Family, Hilliard Family, Mathews
Family, Darris Family, Hillery Family |
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