Julius C. and Aileen Hartley Family

Aileen Hartley was born November 26, 1914, to George Leroy and Mary Elizabeth Varner Hartley in Flora, MS. Her siblings included, Alma Lee (Matthews), George Benjamin, Edward Lee, Leila Mae (Conrad), Samuel Richard, Margie Louise (Oakes), James Russell, Marvin Ashley and Rudolf (still born). Aileen was 10 years old when her father died. Six years later, her mother died. She Then lived with various siblings until she married. She married Juliu C. "JC" King in 1933. JC was 25 and Aileen was 19. JC was born on March 27, 1908. They had a daughter, Helen Christine "Pete". JC died in 1987 at the age of 79. Aileen died in 1984 at the age of 69.

Julius C. served in the CBs during WWII. Click here to read an account of his service. Julius C. King.

Following his military service JC worked for the US Waterways Experimental Station in Vicksburg. Aileen had worked for The Garment Factory at Madison and Washington Streets in Vicksburg during the war. The factory was run by M. Fine and Sons of New York. They had been persuaded to come to Vicksburg to provide jobs for women. The city built the building in 1936 for Fine. The factory made primarily men's work clothes, however, they did have a line of women's clothing. Their brand was Five Brothers. Fine was notorious for low salaries and working conditions. A sitdown strike by over 200 women workers, who were paid $7 a week, led to Fine's shutting down the factory. Negotiations resulted in some improvemet in conditions and wages. During the war, the factory produced shirts and pants for military uniforms. Most of the women worked as seamtresses, earning $17.50 a week, according to the late Betty Rather who worked there.

Aileen, JC and daughter, Pete, were regular visitors to the Oakes household. They were alway there for holidays. At Christmas their gift laden visits were especially anticipated by the Oakes children. Aileen was a lively aunt, enjoying jokes with the family. She loved to dance and would do so with Fred. JC was a quiet man but with a wry sense of humor which he shared with the boys. He kept his cars in pristine condition. It was a lucky person who got his cars when he bought a new one. Margie Oakes loved dearly her baby sister and they were lifelong friends.

Helen married Malcolm "Tin" Antoine and they had four children, Deborah, Jan, Sandy and Brenda. They later divorced and she married Edward Cannizaro.

Julius C. and Aileen Hartley King Family Gallery