angie blalock moffett
1896-1981
Life Story
Early Life and Roots
Angie Blalock Moffett was born on September 13, 1896, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Isaac “Ike” Blalock and Mary Francis Young Blalock. She grew up in Beat 4, in the Lawrence community, as part of a large and industrious family that included her siblings Henry, John, Alice, and Charlie.
Her upbringing was shaped by a strong multi-generational household that included her grandmother Harriet Blalock, who had been born into slavery. From an early age, Angie balanced school and labor. By her early teens, she was already working as a farm laborer while attending school, ultimately reaching approximately a tenth-grade education—an impressive achievement for a Black woman in rural Mississippi at the turn of the century.
First Marriage and Motherhood
Around 1917, Angie married Pat Collier, Jr. in Newton County. By 1920, the couple was living with Pat’s mother, Laura Collier, as they began building their family.
Angie became the mother of two sons:
- Willie Clifton Collier
- Edward D. Collier
During the 1920s, Angie experienced a period of transition as her marriage to Pat Collier ended. Determined to create a better life for herself and her children, she made the significant decision to relocate.
A New Life in Laurel
By the 1930s, Angie had moved to Laurel, Mississippi, a growing city shaped by the timber industry and expanding opportunities for Black workers.
There, she formed a partnership with Osa Moffett, and by 1940, the family was living on South 6th Avenue. Angie worked tirelessly to support her household. Census records show her working long hours as a cook for a private family, earning modest wages but maintaining stability for her children.
By 1950, she had moved to South 7th Avenue and transitioned to work as a child’s nurse, continuing a life of service and care within her community.
Her sons eventually joined the Great Migration—Willie relocating to Chicago and Edward to Washington, D.C.—reflecting a broader movement of Black families seeking expanded opportunities beyond Mississippi.
Faith, Community, and Family
Angie was a devoted member of St. Elmo Baptist Church in Laurel, where her faith played a central role in her life. She remained deeply connected to both her church and her extended family.
Over time, her family grew to include eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, a legacy that reflected her lifelong dedication to motherhood and family stability.
Death and Burial
Angie Blalock Moffett passed away on July 15, 1981, at Jones County Community Hospital in Laurel, Mississippi.
Funeral services were held at St. Elmo Baptist Church, with burial following at Union Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery in Lawrence, Newton County—returning her to the community where her life began.
She was survived by her two sons, Willie Clifton Collier of Chicago and Edward D. Collier of Washington, D.C.; a stepdaughter, Eloise Biggs of Chicago; her sister, Mary Alice Blalock Jackson of Forest; an adopted sister, Carrie Mary Shannon of Meridian; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Summary of Life Events
| Period | Location | Status / Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 1896–1915 | Newton County, Mississippi | Daughter, student, farm laborer |
| 1917–1925 | Newton County, Mississippi | Wife of Pat Collier; mother of two sons |
| 1930s–1950s | Laurel, Mississippi | Wife of Osa Moffett; cook and nurse |
| 1981 | Laurel, Mississippi | Passed away at age 84 |
Resting Place
Union Chapel United Methodist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-2018
- U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
- U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
- Hattiesburg American, Mrs. Angie B. Moffett Obituary, Tue, Jul 21, 1981 ·Page 2
- The Newton Record, Angie B. Moffett Obituary, Wed, Jul 29, 1981 ·Page 8
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