blanche wheaton jackson
1902-1923
Life Story
Laid to Rest at Evans Cemetery
Birth and Family Background
Blanche Wheaton Jackson was born on March 7, 1902, in Newton County, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Lemon W. Wheaton (1869–?) and Kezziah Evans (1865–1923), both members of long-established Black families connected to the Evans Cemetery and broader Altare–St. John community.
Early Life and Work
Blanche grew up in a rural household where farming and domestic labor formed the backbone of daily life. By young adulthood, she worked as:
- A farm hand on the family’s home farm
- A household laborer, contributing to the upkeep and livelihood of her family
Her role reflects the responsibilities young Black women in early 20th-century Mississippi carried, supporting both family and community through labor.
Marriage
Blanche married Alex Jackson (1873–?), a member of another local family. Their marriage linked the Wheaton, Evans, and Jackson lineages—three families with deep roots in the Newton County Black community.
Alex Jackson served as the informant on her death certificate, confirming his presence and involvement during her final days.
Illness and Death
Blanche passed away on May 11, 1923, at just 21 years old. Her cause of death was listed as nephritis, a kidney disease that was a common and often fatal condition during the period due to limited medical access and lack of early treatment options for Black families in rural Mississippi.
Burial
She was laid to rest at the Evans Cemetery, joining generations of Evans, Wheaton, Jackson, and related families.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- Mississippi, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1912-1943
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
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