lorenza jackson haney
1907-1995
Life Story
A Life Across the Piney Woods
The life of Lorenza Jackson Haney (1907–1995) serves as a poignant map of the 20th-century African American experience in the Gulf South—stretching from the bayous of Slidell to the bustling neighborhoods of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Her story is one of deep family roots, resilience through the Great Depression and World War II, and a steadfast commitment to her community and faith.
Early Life in Slidell
Lorenza was born on February 21, 1907, in Slidell, Louisiana, a native of St. Tammany Parish. She was the daughter of Westley Jackson and Maryetta Smith Jackson. Growing up in a large, “Mulatto” household (as recorded in the 1910 Census), she was surrounded by siblings, including sisters Rosetta, Margaret (Maggie), Evaline (Evelyn), and brothers Charles and Curtis.
The Jackson family was deeply rooted in the Slidell community, with her mother Maggie Smith Jackson living to the remarkable age of 80. This upbringing in a vibrant, tight-knit Louisiana community provided the foundation for the long life Lorenza would eventually lead in Mississippi.
A New Chapter in Mississippi
In September 1924, at the age of 17, Lorenza married Houston Haney in New Orleans. Shortly after their union, the couple moved across the state line to Mississippi. By 1930, they had settled in Hattiesburg, living on Tennessee Street.
The early years of their marriage were marked by the growing responsibility of family. By 1930, they were raising Jeanette (born around 1919) and Lorene (born around 1928). The Haney household was often a multi-generational hub; census records show Houston’s mother, Eliza, and other relatives like Flora Cooley frequently residing with them.
Resilience Through War and Change
Lorenza’s life was not without the typical struggles of the era. The 1940s brought the challenges of World War II, evidenced by a 1945 newspaper notice in the Hattiesburg American regarding lost No. 4 ration books issued to Houston and Lorenza. Living at 509 Katie Avenue at the time, the loss of these stamps would have been a significant concern for a family managing resources during wartime shortages.
By 1950, Lorenza was showing her entrepreneurial spirit. While her husband Houston worked as a laborer for the railroad, Lorenza was listed as working at “Rous Tavern,” a local business where she was involved in the “Own Business” worker class. This suggests she was not just a homemaker but an active participant in Hattiesburg’s local economy.
Faith and Matriarchy
Lorenza was a devoted member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Hattiesburg. Her faith was a central pillar of her life, sustaining her through the inevitable sorrows of a long life, including the death of her husband, Houston, and her daughter, Irene Haney.
She was also a witness to the tragic, sudden loss of her grandson, James D. Tate Jr., a 15-year-old student-athlete who collapsed during basketball practice in 1963. Such moments tested the family, but Lorenza remained the matriarchal glue, eventually seeing her family grow to include:
- 1 daughter and 2 step-daughters
- 6 grandchildren
- 16 great-grandchildren
- 5 great-great-grandchildren
Legacy
Lorenza Haney passed away on September 25, 1995, at Forrest General Hospital at the age of 88. Her funeral at Mount Zion Baptist Church was a testament to her standing in the community, attended by a host of pallbearers and family members from across the South and as far away as Ohio.
She was laid to rest in Forest Memorial Park (Forest Lawn Cemetery). Lorenza left behind a legacy that began in the rural outskirts of Louisiana and blossomed into a sprawling, multi-generational family tree rooted firmly in the soil of Hattiesburg.
Family Summary Table
| Relation | Name | Notes |
| Husband | Houston Haney | Married 1924; Railroad worker |
| Parents | Westley & Maryetta Jackson | Natives of Louisiana |
| Children | Lorine, Jeanette, Irene, Bernice*, Leola* | (*Step-daughters) |
| Sisters | Evelyn, Esther, Maggie | Resided in Slidell and New Orleans |
| Church | Mount Zion Baptist | Long-time active member |
Resting Place
Forrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Hattiesburg, MS
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950 Federal Censuses
- U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995
- New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., Marriage Records Index, 1831-1964
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- Hattiesburg American, Lorenza Haney Obituary, Fri, Sep 29, 1995 ·Page 10
- Hattiesburg American, Huston Haney Obituary, Sat, May 14, 1983 ·Page 2
Leave a Reply