Claude Wilson

Claude " Old Dude' Wilson was born on June 25, 1938 in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late King David and Edna Watson. He was the fifth of nine children. Claude graduated from O.W. Dillon High Schoo in Kentwood, Louisiana.

Later he met and married Mary Lee Dyson of Wilmer, LA. To their union five children were born. Claude was a dairyman by trade the last 25 years were spent in Franklinton, Louisiana. He retired after 37 years.

Source: Homegoing Celebration of Claude Wilson
Provided By: Sweet Home Baptist Church Museum
Transcribed: Antoinette Harrell

Hollis Robinson

Hollis was born on May 16, 1943, to Mable Carter Robinson and Esau Robinson in a cabin in Kentwood, Louisiana.  He joined Sweet Home Baptist Church at an early age. He became a ordained deacon on December 21, 1996, where he served until his present. He was a member of the Male Chorus from its beginning, and he was a chairman of Father's Day.

He attended school at O.W. Dillon Memorial High School and graduated in 1961. He was a professional truck driver at Dolese Cement, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; B & Cement, Kentwood, Louisiana and the Tangipahoa Parish Council.  He served in the United State Army form 1964-1967. He served most of his time in France.

Source: The Home-Going Celebration of Deacon Hollis Robinson
Provided By: Sweet Home Baptist Church Museum

Mildred Buckhalter Hookfin

Mildred Buckhalter Hookfin was one of eight children born tote late Fred Buckhalter Sr., and Emma Johnson Buckhalter November 26, 1913. Died March 12, 1981, 9:20 a.m. at the Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, California. One brother. Terrance Buckhalter, and one sister, Cecile J. Tolefree preceded her in death.

She was brought up in a christian atmosphere, attended a local church in her early here, received her education at the Tangipahoa Parish Training School and attended college at Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Wittenberg University of Springfield, Ohio.

She was married to Rollie Paul, Sr., in 1932 To this union three children were born, Annie Bell, Rollie Jr., and Gloria.  September 4, 1943, she married Luther A. Hookfin who also preceded her in death. They moved to Springfield, Ohio, where she united with Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ under the pastorate of Elder H. S. Bell. Later Elder Willie N. Hookfin of the same church became her pastor.  In 1978, she made her home in Berkeley, California. United with the church  of God In Christ pastored by Bishop German R. Ross.

She leaves to cherish her memories, one son, Rollie Paul, Jr., Oakland, California, two daughters, Annie Bell Dean, Nassau, Bahama, and Gloria Askew, Berkeley, California. Three brothers Fred Buckhalter Jr. Oakland, California, Woodrow W. Buckhalter, Pasadena, California, Arthur Buckhalter, Natchez, Mississippi. Two sister: Vera V. Womack and Ellice B. Womack, Kentwood, Louisiana. Ten grandchildren for great grandchildren, and numerous other relatives and friends.

Source: Obsequies for Mrs. Mildred Buckhalter Hookfin
Provided By: Sweet Home Baptist Church Museum

Mr. Edwin Howard Wilson of Kentwood, Louisiana

Mr. Edwin Howard Wilson

Mr. Edwin Howard Wilson, son of Mrs. Rose Vanburen Wilson and the late Mr. Nickalous Wilson., was born October 27,  1918 in Phoenix City, Alabama. He departed this life November 22, 1980 at 3:15p.m. in the Biloxi Veteran Hospital, Biloxi, Mississippi at age 62 years.

At an early age he joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of of East St. Louis, Illinois.  After marriage he joined the Rose Hill Baptist Church of Magnolia, Mississippi and later joined the Sweet Home Baptist Church of Kentwood, Louisiana where he served as principal of the Vacation Bible School for a number of years.

He received his high school diploma January 28, 1937 from Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. Upon his high school completion, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served four faithful years. On October 9, 1945 he received an honorable discharged.

He received two B.S. degrees on October 12, 1949 from Tuskegee Institute of Tuskegee, Alabama. Here he became an active member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. On August 7, 1965 a master degree was received from Southern University of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In August of 1974 he completed his plus thirty hours from Southeastern University of Hammond, Louisiana.

Edwin H. Wilson Back Roll
First man on the left

Edwin Howard Wilson's working career began as a tailoring instructor for veterans in Jackson, Mississippi in Amite, Louisiana and Magnolia, Mississippi. He became a full time teacher of the Tangipahoa Parish School System in 1963. He combined his public school career for eighteen years with his private tailoring business. He served as assistant principal and tailoring instructor at the Kentwood High School for several years. Edwin Howard Wilson was a lover of all mankind. He touched the hearts of many with love and security.

He was united in marriage to Fochia Varnado of Magnolia, Mississippi on August 17, 1946. Through God and their love four daughter was born.  Octavia Artimese Wilson, Barbara Desinoir, Marcia Varnetta Wilson and Lisa Yolanda Wilson. 

Three grandchildren, Edwin Pike Wilson, Jeanie M. Designer 

and Jean M. Desinoir. 

Source: The Obsequies for Mr. Edwin Howard Wilson

Mr. Edwin Howard Wilson of Kentwood, Louisiana

Mr. Edwin Howard Wilson

Mr. Edwin Howard Wilson, son of Mrs. Rose Vanburen Wilson and the late Mr. Nickalous Wilson., was born October 27,  1918 in Phoenix City, Alabama. He departed this life November 22, 1980 at 3:15p.m. in the Biloxi Veteran Hospital, Biloxi, Mississippi at age 62 years.

At an early age he joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of of East St. Louis, Illinois.  After marriage he joined the Rose Hill Baptist Church of Magnolia, Mississippi and later joined the Sweet Home Baptist Church of Kentwood, Louisiana where he served as principal of the Vacation Bible School for a number of years.

He received his high school diploma January 28, 1937 from Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. Upon his high school completion, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served four faithful years. On October 9, 1945 he received an honorable discharged.

He received two B.S. degrees on October 12, 1949 from Tuskegee Institute of Tuskegee, Alabama. Here he became an active member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. On August 7, 1965 a master degree was received from Southern University of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In August of 1974 he completed his plus thirty hours from Southeastern University of Hammond, Louisiana.

Edwin H. Wilson Back Roll
First man on the left

Edwin Howard Wilson's working career began as a tailoring instructor for veterans in Jackson, Mississippi in Amite, Louisiana and Magnolia, Mississippi. He became a full time teacher of the Tangipahoa Parish School System in 1963. He combined his public school career for eighteen years with his private tailoring business. He served as assistant principal and tailoring instructor at the Kentwood High School for several years. Edwin Howard Wilson was a lover of all mankind. He touched the hearts of many with love and security.

He was united in marriage to Fochia Varnado of Magnolia, Mississippi on August 17, 1946. Through God and their love four daughter was born.  Octavia Artimese Wilson, Barbara Desinoir, Marcia Varnetta Wilson and Lisa Yolanda Wilson. 

Three grandchildren, Edwin Pike Wilson, Jeanie M. Designer 

and Jean M. Desinoir. 

Source: The Obsequies for Mr. Edwin Howard Wilson

She Remembered Like It Was Yesterday

Several weeks ago genealogist and television talk show host Antoinette Harrell met with Mrs. Annette Vernon Brumfield at Oak Grove A.M.E Church in Kentwood, LA.,  Mrs. Brumfield was a graduate of O.W. Dillon High School. She came with her well kept 1950-1951 yearbook wrapped so neatly in a bag and ready to be displayed.

"No matter when and where you see Mrs. Brumfield she is neatly dress and her hair so neatly groomed!"

She is such a graceful lady in every way. Soft spoken and never raise her voice to speak of above her soft tone. After looking through her yearbook for 1950-195l,  Harrell saw a beautiful young lady who was the assistant editor for the yearbook. Several of Harrell's own family members photographs were in the yearbook. Her cousins Walter Richardson, Sr. and Willie K. Gordon, Jr., and her uncle Ernest Boykins.

One of the stories she shared with Harrell was her prom night story. She told her that she had purchased a new yellow dress and was all ready to go to the prom and Mr. Dillon wouldn't allow her class to attend because they put a photograph of him in the yearbook.

She spoke about how firm Mr. Dillon was; and he wasn't afraid to use his paddle to get the students in line. She recalled the morning lectures about life he to them before they were allowed to go to class each morning.  Although she didn't integrate Kentwood High School, after graduating from college with a degree in education she integrated Spring Creek School.