"Ike Ivery" Family Reunion Song - Whisper A Prayer

  

           







Whisper a Prayer in the Mornin'!

       Whisper a Prayer at Noon.....

       Whisper a Prayer in the Evening 

            Just to keep your heart in Tune....

Cuttin' Aaron Sellers January 8th,1918~November 2nd, 2008

My Cousin Aaron Sellers! Sang this song along with our Family a long time ago! Every since then we been singing this Song with him in the Lead at every Ike Ivery Family Reunion on Banquet Night. Even tho' Cousin Aaron is gone now, we still continue this Tradition on. He left a long and mighty Legacy for the Ivery's. He will be remembered the most from a lot of us for this Song. So we now Proudly boast this as our "Family Song!". 

Whenever my heart is full or I have to take my mind and spirit to another place to get through some of my research, Whisper a Prayer is there to soothe the Soul . It's a cloak, a quilt, a afghan to our Souls. It brings out the "Bent" in us and keeps us Safe. Singing a little bit of this Song will make your day and Soul go little bit better. 

We Ivery's are Grateful. We don't sing  quite like Cuttin' Aaron does , but it's close. I'll have to find a recording of the Ivery's singing. I hope to update later on that.

Granddaddy Ike Ivery and his 3 Wives

Let me start by saying and referencing to a old post that will help you understand me and My Mentor the Old Guard! 

I always feel when I post about the African American side of me Mr. Spratlan is on call; walking and guiding me with my stories.Along with the Ancestors.

Overlooking.......  

 

Me and Mr.Spratlan

Me and Mr. Spratlan till this day, he plays a pivotal role in my research. One day I will post some correspondence between the both of us to show how our relationship has developed over the years.

 So I dedicate this to him, for getting me started in this quest when I was armed with  scattered pieces of information from my family. He got the ball rolling! And thus began our relationship.

*reference or citation below:

1870.......*Granddaddy Ike Ivery was 17. He was looking towards his future and ready to start his own family. Around the age of 22 or 24 he married Ms.Mary Haynes on 13 January 1875 on Mr. Finney's plantation, officiated by Andrew Harris. His 1st Wife.

Ike Ivery and Mary Haynes #1

In all Granddaddy Ike’s years of living he was married for 60 years out of his 84 years of living. Ike and Mary Haynes his first wife were married for 12 years, she passed away after her last child Abe in 1888. Out of this union 5 children were born. 

 She passed. Her *death is unknown.Just my theory she died during or after childbirth. Give or take a year or two Ike was a Widower at the age of 35.

He was diligently working his farm in Midway Alabama. Keeping his family strong he was blessed to meet another certain,determined young lady at the age of 30. She would be his 2nd wife.  Ms. Mary Henry. Their marriage license states; got married at church on 2 January, 1889 by S. W. Shields.

Ike Ivery and Mary Henry #2

At that time in early 1900’s, Mary Henry might have been considered old maid or having no prospects, Ike made himself presentable to be introduced to Mary Henry in the proper way, being that her father Dock Henry was so prominent as a farmer in the community with lots of land.

I'll talk more about Dock Henry in another post with the 3 wives, their Parents and introduce you to his 23 children. 

Now Mary Henry Ivery and Ike were thriving they were blessed to have 4 more children together giving them a total of 10 children by at least till 1895. 

They were together for 14 years.

 Her *death is unknown to me as of this date.Maybe illness until I can find out. Alabama didn't start recording deaths until *1908.

During the 2 years after Mary Henry passed away, Ike met his 3rd wife.

Ms.Berta Hatcher!

Mrs. Berta Hatcher Ivery

 They were married in Aberfoil on 23 December, 1897 by Rev. R. H. Harris.

Berta & Ike's Marriage License #3

 She was 20 years old. Ike had lost 2 wives and had 11 children. Ike and Berta were married 40 years had 12 children together, making a total of 23. 4 children are lost or misrepresented that were recorded on census’s whom we haven’t been able to locate or find anymore documents on. Grandma Berta passed away April 2nd, 1956
Berta was the wife who he got to spend the longest season with until Ike's death in the spring of 1937.Granddaddy Ike "laid in state" in the church while bells toiled. It was the church he helped built. Mt.Coney Missionary Baptist Church which is still up and running.

Mother Berta Hatcher Ivery

I wanted to introduce you to Ike's 3 Wives.

 I am a Descendant of the 1st wife. Mary Haynes she is my GreatGreatGrandmother, out of their 5 children I come from her Daughter: Mrs. Eddie Lee Rosanna Louisiana Savannah Ivery Lewis! 

I look forward to future posts so you can get to know the rest of Granddaddy Ike's family.Don't worry about remembering, I'll give you references to remind you were we left off. You can always write me a "NOTE" or ask question!

Granny Eddie Lee Ivery Lewis

Granddaddy Ike was strict when it came to family life and his faith. All 23 children raised their kids together as they were. Hopefully I'll be able to break it down to you and explain every one's place in this family. I just want to put them in place with their Mother and their Parents.  We have over 300 people at our Ike Ivery Family Reunions.

 I can tell who goes to who even if you just give me one word. I can point which branch you belong to you. It's a joy and I try to meet 5 new people and make my rounds to as many family members as I can and as possible to let them know I'm here for our Ancestors stories and it can be entrusted in me.

Ivery's in Atlanta 2009

 Without my Family it's always impossible to do. They make my work easy. They are cooperative when I need their help. 

I let them know without them none of this is possible, that's why working together we can save our OWN stories. No one has to tell our story like we can for Us.

As my Tribe member Luckie Daniel of Our Georgia Roots would say:

She quoted a passage that spoke to my Family......"You can tell a Tree by the Fruit it bears". That's us! The Ivery's!

* Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Ridgely, Bullock, Alabama; Roll: M593_4; Page: 271B; Image: 545; Family History Library Film: 545503.

* http://www.archives.alabama.gov/referenc/vital.html

5th Edition: Carnival of African American Genealogy・Rebirth・ "We Baptist in Here"!

Original Mt. Coney

As Madea would say in one of her Tyler Perry movies: They don't want to mess with us 'cause "We Baptist up in Here!".

Yes, that's what we are  Baptist's!

That Big White Church with two steeples was named Mt. Coney in 1875!

 It started a long time ago in a little town named Midway, Alabama located in the southern western corner of the state in Bullock County. 

   

The "Black Church" formed out of Slavery and in the Brush Arbor! It has always been the forefront and most important part of my family's heritage. It's where we gain our strength from the daily toil of Living. From then until now in 2013 someone in my family has been in that church attendance or  holding office. It started with my Slave Granddaddy Ike Ivery he went in with some other Deacons of Mt. Coney included was his Father in Law Charles Hatcher to start the church. This was shortly after slavery. Our Faith and Rebirth has been told this way from Generation to Generation to remind us. 

Mt. Coney Cornerstone

 Mt. Coney has traveled with many family members for many generations. The Great Migration until today to different cities, it was carried on in the families hearts. No matter where they moved to and fro they took Mt. Coney with them.

Mt. Coney Missionary Baptist Church is 138 years young, it is the Center of all my Families Joy and Pain.

In my Documentary Rev. J.N Robbins said Mt. Coney was like the Hospital to the Community it was where they came to get their medicine not only for their Soul but for any kind of refuge they were seeking. It represented that in some kind of way.

Daddy moved his small family from Midway after World War Two was over and migrated up North seeking better job opportunities. In the 50's, while my Family moved to Ohio my Dad was a Deacon in training at St. Mark Baptist Church under the tutelage of Rev. I.J Johnson. 

St. Mark Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio

After one move that settled us all down till my Parents passed we moved to Steelton, Pa and joined Beulah Baptist Church, under Rev. J.C. Wallace now deceased. That is were Daddy became Chairman of the Deacon Board for 31 years until he passed at age of 91 in 2009.  


Proverbs: Chapter 22: Verse:6  "Train up a Child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Outside of Old Beulah my childhood church in my teens 1984(left; Derby, Me. Keith and Hope)

I got Dedicated in 1972 from Beulah Baptist.  February 13th, 1983 is when I got baptized. I had accepted the Lord as my own, and that was the longest walk I ever took up the "Red Carpet" in my Life. 

I remember when I had to stand up there and take Communion for the first time and I had to pick my Deacon! Everyone was laughing; of course I was gonna pick my Daddy, Deacon Lewis. Deacon Ollie Allen was my Honorary Deacon, even when I got Grown and joined the Army I continually paid my "Tithes" from where ever I was stationed.

I had my baby Eddie dedicated and got married in 1986 at this church. My whole world was centered around "Beulah" growing up. I went to Choir rehearsal, youth group meetings, Revivals! I remember going to Vacation Bible school or the year I was Sunday School Secretary. One of my responsibilities was to go around picking up the offerings from each class. I know that is where I got my "Secretarial" skills from.  Most of my friends were at church, but I also went to school with them. My First Love was at Beulah. All we could do was "make eyes"at each other. I won't mention his name.
 I remember sitting on the "Back Bench"(pew) with my friends, Hope, Keith, Timmy and Derby now deceased, also Twayna and many more. I remember once it was so many of us, Rev. Wallace made us move to some closer pews, we were keeping up to much back there!  We all still keep in touch till this day.

Me as Chaplain of our Youth Group (Patriot News) Harrisburg, Pa.

All the times after 1st Sunday when Communion was served, I had to stay and wait for my Parents to clean the glasses and put all things away. Or the Saturday before watching them prepare the Communion Table. I still have the glasses from Daddy's last Communion before he passed, Rev. Eichelberger came and served me and Daddy. 

"Do this in Remembrance of Me".


I can still hear all the "Whooping"and Preachin'! Rev. Wallace and Rev. Eichelberger could do. I can hear Ms. Phoebe Brown on the organ right now, she would tear it up so Good while we'd be singing,tears would stream down my face. They would have the congregation going, somebody always wailed with the Holy Ghost!,with all their best suits and ties. The women's finery and Crowns of Glory on their heads, What we would call "Mom hats", Sista Lewis could wear them hats every Sunday!

Mom's "Sunday Best"

There were times other churches would "Visit" especially once a year from Philly, I would always "1 finger Usher-Dip" out of service and go downstairs and sneak to see what Mom and them other Deaconesses would be cooking up?  Sis. Lewis, your Daughter is so pretty and you keep her dressed in the most beautiful things. Mom would smile and beam.

 During regular service Mom would be downstairs in the "Basement" preparing all the food with her apron and house shoes. The same ones she would whoop me with at times when I would get out of line. My Mom kept a switch in her "PockaBook"! even tho' she never used it on ME! I knew it was there, all she had to do every now and then when we would act up is turn her head around from the 3rd pew on the left hand side where she sat every Sunday and look at us with that James Evans from Good Times look and a balled up fist. We knew it was time to stop "Sniggling and Giggling". She meant business! BE QUIET! So many memories.

My Parents choose my Godfather, who was a preacher. Rev. Kenneth E. Grayson he would often come visit us from New Jersey. He'd always have a gift for me. Love to hear him preach and talk with my Parents. He use to come as a visiting Preacher and my Parents would be the host family. I always listened to him intently. He was a Great Orator. 

 I will have to ask my Siblings what their Memories of Church and Rebirth meant to them as child. As a Grandma I want to continue the tradition on with my Family and step into the shoes of my Parents. I cannot talk about my childhood without mentioning Beulah Baptist.

 4 Generations in front of New Beulah all Military on Father's Day 2006

REBIRTH:   A renewed existence, activity, or growth: renaissance, revival.

It continues in me, all the way from my Slave Granddaddy Ike all the way down to me and mines. Our religion keeps on going in this family.

This is the book I grew up with. Daddy would keep this book at home also. I would practice and learn. 

Daddy's Baptist Standards and Hymnals with Responsive Readings, signed by my Present
Pastor Rev. B.T Bishop

One of my favorite hymn's is when they would announce "Let's all turn to page 389, At the Cross".

At the Cross, At the Cross.Where I first saw the light, and the burdens of my Heart rolled away.........


So as I get my "Rebirth" renewed, Let's all get Prepared and Renew our Strength!.......... As we sing with the Choir!

  

One of my Favorite Pastors Rev. E. Dewey Smith sings MY Song!At The Cross.

1 Year Blogiversary!

Today is my 1st Year Blogiversary and I'm so Happy and Proud I made it!

Cupcake provided by FoodandTools

I'll also make this my Blog Prompt of "Tombstone Thursday" from Geneabloggers

I choose this date a year ago after much thought and trepidation to remind myself why I do this. It's because of my Parents who raised me. I want to share their Lives and keep their stories going.

On the day of the funeral for Daddy, Rev. Leon X. Eichelberger 3rd did Daddy's Going Home Service. 

Daddy's Obit

He preached from:

•  Timothy 2 Chapter 2  Verses 1-3  King James Version.

1. Thou therefore, my Son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3. Thou therefore endure hardships, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Strong in Grace, Endure Hardness, Good Soldier.....

Those words were all Daddy, until the day he Passed. So I dedicate this to Blog to Daddy and Thank him and Mom for all the "Notes" I have to tell. They are my Blessings. Miss and Love you Dearly and your always on my Heart......

Here's a link to my 1st Blog a Year ago. Threshold of Blogging! 1#

Mom and Daddy at their Combined 85th and 90th Birthday Party (left; Bettye and Me)

Together in Heaven

July 10th, 1918 ~ November 7th, 2009

A Surge of New and Old African American Bloggers has Arrived!

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  This was written and is credited by:
  
  
  

  

   My Tribe Member!   "Kristin Cleage"  at Finding Eliza please stop by and visit her Blog! 
  Recently there has been a huge surge of New African American Genealogy Blogs. We have the new group African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research to thank for encouraging and guiding their creation as part of their mission to move African American genealogy forward, to break down brick walls and to form a community of researchers encouraging and sharing with each other. Here are links to some of the new blogs, and a few older ones. If you can, visit. You might find something you were looking for! Appreciative to have my Blog added to the List and my Family Website.
  
  YES, you can CLAP! Give them a round of "Applause", Visit! and leave a "Note" or Comment!
  
  

  

• Echoes of My Nola Past - Robertson, Robinson, Bryan & Amos Ancestors of Webster Parish, LA
• American History Underground - History telling of the Goin's family.
• Claiming Kin - adding one leaf at a time to my Texas family tree
• Conversations with My Ancestors - Documenting the Life and Times of of My North Carolina Family
• Georgia Black Crackers - A personal journey back in time through my Georgia Ancestors
• In Honor of My Ancestors - We are linked in both life and death. Those who share a common blood relations never break apart
• Low Country Africana - Africa American Genealogy and History in SC, GA, and FL.
• My Elusive Kin
• Our Alabama Roots - Honoring Our Ancestors of Barbour , Henry & Houston Counties
• Spence-Lowry Family History - Connecting the dots on my tree with solid lines! Researching my African American genealogy in Pasquotank and Camden counties of North Carolina
• Taneya's Genealogy Blog
• The Family Griot
• Tracing Their Footsteps
• All Roads Lead to California - How my ancestors got to the Golden State, and how I'm tracing them around the Globe
• Ike Ivery - Honoring Our Ike Ivery, his 3 wives and 23 children and Descendants and keeping them all in one place to be Honored.
• Terrence Garnett's Family Research
• Connected by Blood
• They Came from Virginia - Following the trail of our Doyle and Carr ancestors from Virginia to Iowa one step at a time
• Caddo Trees - Caddo Parrish Louisiana Genealogy
• Mississippi Ancestors
• A Journey to the Past
• Interlocked and Interwoven - A Genealogy Restoration
• Cecelia's Dig
• Walking in Irene's Shoes - The Barnes-Smith Family History
• The Middlebrooks of Meriwether County - My maternal Ancestors of Meriwether County, Georgia
• A Home In Missouri - Tracing the history of our Taylor and Fowler ancestor's from Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi
• The Book of Bannarn - Journey of tracing my ancestor's from Texas to Oklahoma to Minnesota
• Mysteries of my Ancestors - Following the Spirit of my Ancestors
• Notes to Myself - Constantly making notes of research, memories or thoughts of love about my family interwoven into stories.
• Back Porch Reminiscing
• Aterberry/King/Pinkney/Ritchardson Genealogy Page
• MOON-JACKSON ARMY
• Pieces of Me - A family tree can wither if nobody tends it's roots.
• Between the Gate Posts - respecting sensibilities, I will share my family stories entwine with historical events from Copiah, Jefferson and Lincoln Counties, MS
• J-Mac Journey - This blog journals moments in in time. The research and treasures discovered along the pathway of life's journey; our family genealogy
• Daniels Is my Name 
• The TALIAFERRO Project - A community of act of kindness to honor an preserve the family research efforts of our cousin, Sandra TALIAFERRO
• Lukasa -  a living memory board as we gather as family and honor our Ancestors

Wanted: "Mr. James Edward Lewis"

My Brick Wall Challenge!


Dear Granddaddy Lewis,

I've been looking for you, for quite some time, I have taken a DNA test thru FTDNA, 23andMe and Ancestry.com, a SNP test through DNA Tribes.
Just to get close to you. Where are you? Where are the rest of my PEOPLE?

Let me just start by saying I miss my Daddy. I wonder how many times Daddy missed his Daddy?

I'm on that road, kicking dirt and rocks to find where the MAN who gave us LIFE and passed the last name of LEWIS which we have carried since 1905 PROUDLY!

His name is James Edward Lewis. 

He married Eddie Lee Rosanna Louisiana Savannah Ivery on June 24th, 1905 according to the Bible, doesn't say where. I assumed Georgia.

Mrs. Eddie Lee Rosanna Savannah Louisiana Ivery Lewis 

Possibly Alabama from whence they both came according to some documents. I added some things up and this is where it has left me, BLOGGING to find Granddaddy LEWIS.

His first known Legal Document. I find him on 1910 Census for Georgia in Houston County. Line 87.  

He is living on Hawkinsville Road, Militia District 771. He is 28 years old. He says he is born in Georgia. Enumerator says him and his Wife Eddie are Mulatto (mu), the children are Black (B). His 1st Marriage, and he has 6 children already.

Next door to him is his Brother in Law, Prophet Ivery his wife's Brother. I've also looked to the neighbors for clues also.

1910 Georgia Census

I'm glad you signed your WW1 Draft Card. 

WW1 Draft Registration Card 1918

1920 Alabama Census

After 10 years I find you in 1920 Census in Alabama, Midway, Bullock County. He's enumerated on the road that runs through 2 Plantations one being J.G Hitchcock's.  His Wife's family is from Midway, Alabama. She is the daughter of Ike Ivery. He says he can read and write. He is 44 years old. My grandfather is 2 years old at this time He was born in 1918. Three more Daughters will eventually be born from this Union. A total of 11 children. Three are living today. All of them in their 90's. My Aunt's Sallie Bea, Aunt Essie Bea, and Aunt Sarah.


All 11 of James Edward Lewis children were named Mary Cooper, Rev. Obie L. Lewis, Mitchell Ben Lewis, Minnie, Leila Belle Davis, Frances Tarver, Sarah Miles, James E. Lewis,Jr. Sallie Bea Robbins, Essie Bishop, Johnnie Mae Lewis Matthews Woods. 

The Lewis's, (left) Aunt Essie, Aunt Sallie Bea, James E Jr, and Aunt Sarah

There are "Notes to Myself"......Your children have told me through oral history about Granddaddy Lewis, he "ran-off" when the children were small. All these Documents are what I have left of you to find you.  I wasn't around or old enough to ask the Elder children that are gone now as many questions as I like. Daddy and his 3 sisters told me all they can. All 3 are in their 90's now and all they want to talk about now is not of the past as much only what their minds can handle for a short time.  I obliged them now. They have done all they can for me in research and oral history. From time to time I will try to coax them. Those days of calling back and forth even if it's just for a quick minute to get some idea or answer I had conjured all up in my mind and had to get asked, is gone now. They have done their work.......

He had a brother named Quincey who laid his clothes upon the River in Georgia we were once told. We don't know if he jumped in the River or ran off too.

 I was told a 1-eyed woman girlfriend tried to burn Grandma Eddie and some of the kids down in her house in Midway, Alabama after running away from him in Macon, Georgia. Luckily it didn't spread. Everyone was okay, and it was put out. 

I have to Thank your Son, your Namesake. He kept the Lewis name going with stride. He took it, wore it with Pride. He let no one shun your Name anywhere. 

Everywhere he went he made sure no SHAME came to our name. It was what he lived by and stood for. His NAME and his WORD.

From you Leaving us. Daddy knew what to do and what not to do as a Father and Husband. He forgave you a long time ago. Every time I mentioned you to him, he was always quiet and only said what he knew, he never said a bad word about you. I knew in his heart what he meant without him saying it. He loved you so...

A lot of times the "Unspoken" words "Speaks" volume.

He wanted to be at your funeral but the girls were still hurt. When he got Older he couldn't remember what year it was? I made a time frame from 1955-1963. Based upon when Corky was born and we moved to Harrisburg to settle down. A lead of questions made me come to conclusion for a time frame.

He Loved us hard. Daddy opened up every opportunity in Life for us to succeed. We were the 1st in so many things. He doted on us. Disciplined us. He was like the folklore John Henry to us everyday how he got up to go to work everyday. He set an example not only in words, but how he Walked in Life.

Just like in the Bible with Job! Daddy rose early and gave his offerings for the sanctification of his children! He stood like Job, continually, always concerned over his family. 

Job 1:5 

 He gave us all you couldn't. 

You have a Wonderful Loving Spirited Legacy of a Family. From my Granddaughter Jai, to Eddie, and Me, my Dad, J.E.jr, J.E. who became Sr. to YOU. 5 Generations.


 Oh, What a Legacy!

We want you found, keep leading us towards the way. All is Forgiven. Let your Family find you so we can embrace and keep our circle unbroken.

In the words of my favorite Author Pearl Cleage: "I speak Your Name"! I speak your Name!~ I speak your Name!~

James E. Lewis

High and Low....All I know is I will keep looking for you Granddaddy!

With all my Heart ♥︎....
your Great Granddaughter 


Wanted: "James E. Lewis"!