infant daughter of chambliss mcdonald and velma wesley
1928-1928
Life Story
Laid to Rest at Bethel
Birth and Family
The infant daughter of Chambliss McDonald (1905–2003) and Velma Wesley (1908–?) was born on November 12, 1928, in Newton County, Mississippi. She belonged to two longstanding and interconnected families—the McDonald and Wesley families—whose roots ran deep in the Bethel and Altare communities.
Her maternal grandfather, Frank Wesley (1878-1953), served as the informant on her death certificate, indicating the close involvement of extended family at the time of her birth and passing.
Short Life and Passing
The baby lived only a few hours. Her death certificate notes that the death was “sudden” and occurred with no medical attendant present, a common reality for rural African American families in the 1920s who lacked access to hospitals or physicians.
The attending midwife was Iley Jane Evans, a well-known midwife in the Evans, Wesley, and surrounding communities, who assisted many births during this era.
Burial
The infant was laid to rest the following day, on November 13, 1928, with the burial place listed as Bethel.
Because “Bethel” often referred to the Bethel/Altare community burial grounds—and given the Wesley family connections—it is likely that the child was interred in or near the cemetery today known as Evans Cemetery.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- Mississippi, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1912-1943
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
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