I.L. Berry
1914-1914
Life Story
Early Life and Family
The life of I. L. Berry is a brief but poignant chapter in the history of Newton County, Mississippi. Born into the rural landscape of Lawrence on October 31, 1914, I. L. was the son of Alfred Berry and Geneva (Neva) Berry (née Evans).
His arrival occurred during a transformative era in the American South. Yet for a Black family in Mississippi during the early twentieth century, life remained centered on the enduring pillars of faith, family, and the demanding labor of rural life. Families like the Berrys and the Evanses were deeply rooted in the communities of Newton County, where kinship networks and church life formed the foundation of daily existence.
A Brief Life in Lawrence
I. L.’s time on earth was measured not in years, but in days. He spent the entirety of his twenty-four-day life in the community of Lawrence.
His death certificate provides a quiet glimpse into the realities of rural life during this period. His father, Alfred Berry, served as the informant for the state record and also acted as the undertaker, reflecting a common practice in small communities where families often cared personally and tenderly for their deceased loved ones.
The cause of death was recorded as “Bold Hives,” a colloquial medical term used in the early twentieth century. In the medical folk-language of the time, this phrase was often used to describe sudden infant illnesses—sometimes associated with respiratory distress, severe allergic reactions, or other unexplained conditions that occurred without the intervention of a physician.
Resting Place and Legacy
I. L. Berry passed away on November 24, 1914, just weeks after his birth.
He was laid to rest in Union Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery in Lawrence, Newton County, Mississippi. This historic cemetery stands today as a resting place for many members of the Berry and Evans families, serving as a silent witness to generations who built their lives in the Piney Woods of Mississippi.
Although his life lasted less than a month, I. L. Berry’s existence is preserved through the historical record. His brief presence forms part of the broader genealogical tapestry of Newton County—a reminder both of the fragility of life in the early twentieth century and of the enduring legacy of the families who called this community home.
Resting Place
Union Chapel United Methodist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- Mississippi, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1912-1943
Leave a Reply