Margie Louise Hartley Oakes
By Van Blaine Russell
Vicksburg Post
Columnist
In 1939 columnist Van Blaine Russell wrote a column about a bistit to Flora, MS where Margie Oakes was raised. It apparently struck resonant cord with Margie and she responded with the letter below. She was 33 years old and likely living at Kings, though she could still be at their rented place on South Washington Street.
Notes on her letter:
Flora Belle Mann Jones died April 4, 1917, so Margie was 11 when she attended the funeral. Flora was 68 years old. A history online states that the town of Flora was named for her as she and her husband, William B. Jones were large property owners and successful in many business. They were benefactors of many churches, schools, etc. He died 1925 and is buried in Flora.
Sister she refers to was Alma Lee Hartley. She was married to Henry Grady Matthews and was manager of Jones Plantation.
Margie and Fred Oakes were married in 1923, hence 16 yuars in Vicksburg.
Sons in family were Charles, Melvin, Floyd and Donald. Donald was born two months before Margie's letter.
Wilma L. Childress was born in May 1896. Margie was born October 30, 1906 which means she entered first grade in 1912. This would mean that Miss Childress was 16-17 years old and would only have a high school education. Wilma married Hunter R. Bradley of Yazoo City in 1919.Wilma died in Jackson in 1975. Presumably the Bradleys that Margie refers to at end of letter were Hunter and Wilma.
