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ila whitehead

1902-1947

Life Story

A Life in the Mississippi Piney Woods

Ila Whitehead was born into the vibrant yet demanding landscape of rural Newton County, Mississippi, around 1902. As the third child of Ambrose (“Cooper”) Whitehead and Marietta (“Mayetta”) Walker Whitehead, she came of age in Beat 4—a close-knit community where kinship bonds ran deep and life moved in rhythm with the seasons of the land.

Her story is one of quiet strength, shaped by education, motherhood, and the determination to endure in a changing world.

Early Life and Education

In the 1910 Census, eight-year-old Ila appears under the name “Lily,” already part of a growing household that would eventually include ten siblings. Despite the economic and social limitations facing Black families in the post-Reconstruction South, her parents placed clear value on education.

By age eight, Ila was attending school—a meaningful opportunity at a time when access to education for Black children was often limited and inconsistent.

A decade later, the 1920 Census reveals a young woman who had taken full advantage of that opportunity. At sixteen, Ila was literate—able to read, write, and speak English—placing her among a generation of Black women who quietly defied expectations through learning and self-improvement.

Marriage and Motherhood

In the mid-1920s, Ila entered a new chapter when she married William Evans, Jr., linking the Whitehead and Evans families—two deeply rooted lineages in Newton County.

From this union came two daughters:

Motherhood placed Ila at the center of family life, yet her marriage unfolded during a period of broader social and economic uncertainty across the South. By the close of the decade, the relationship had come to an end, setting the stage for a new phase of independence.

The 1930s: Independence and Service

By 1930, Ila had relocated to Jasper County, settling in the Northeast District. At 34 years old, she was listed in the census as “Divorced” and working as a live-in servant in the household of the Gibson family.

This role reflects a common yet often overlooked reality for Black women of the era. Domestic service was one of the few available avenues for paid employment, requiring long hours, adaptability, and resilience. Ila’s ability to secure and maintain such work speaks to her determination to provide stability in the face of personal and economic transition.

Legacy and Passing

The later chapters of Ila’s life remain partially obscured by the gaps so often present in historical records. Family tradition holds that she passed away on January 16, 1947, though official documentation has yet to confirm this date.

What is known is that her life ended before that of her father, Ambrose Whitehead, who lived until 1960—a detail that helps frame the closing window of her years.

Though her documented life may appear brief in the archival record, Ila’s legacy endures through her daughters and the generations that followed. Through them, her story remains woven into the fabric of both the Whitehead and Evans families, connecting Newton and Jasper Counties across time.

Research Note

The variation between “Lily” (1910 Census) and “Ila” (1920 and 1930 Census) reflects a common pattern in early twentieth-century records. Names were often recorded based on how they were heard by census enumerators or according to family nicknames.

Similarly, her father’s name appears interchangeably as “Cooper” and “Ambrose,” illustrating the fluid nature of recorded identity in historical documents—particularly within rural Southern communities.

Resting Place

Unknown

Photos/Albums

Sources

  • Identity & Birth: Listed as “Lily Whitehead” in the 1910 U.S. Census, Newton County, Mississippi, Beat 4 (ED 93, Sheet 21a). Her age of 8 suggests a birth year of approximately 1902. By 1920 and 1930, she is recorded as “Ila Whitehead,” born circa 1904 and 1896 respectively. The 1902 date aligns most consistently with the 1910 record and the age of her mother, Marietta.
  • Parentage: Daughter of Ambrose (recorded as “Cooper” in 1910) Whitehead and Marietta (recorded as “Mayetta” in 1910 and “Margetta” in 1920) Whitehead. Both parents were born in Mississippi.
  • Education: 1910 U.S. Census indicates she attended school within the year. The 1920 U.S. Census confirms she was literate, with the ability to read and write.
  • Marriage & Issue: Family records and community narrative identify Ila’s marriage to William Evans, Jr. during the 1920s. From this union, two daughters were born: Ola Evans and Mamie Evans.
  • Marital Status & Occupation (1930): 1930 U.S. Census, Jasper County, Mississippi, Northeast District (Dwelling 104, Family 105). Ila Whitehead is recorded as “Divorced” and employed as a live-in servant for the household of Will H. Gibson.
  • Death & Verification: While family oral history identifies her death date as January 16, 1947, this date remains unverified by contemporary vital records. However, her death is confirmed to have occurred prior to 1960, as she predeceased her father, Ambrose B. Whitehead (d. 1960).

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