mallie haney
1897-1973
Life Story
A Life on the Rails and the River
Roots in Clarke County
Mallie Haney was born on October 6, 1897, in Shubuta, Clarke County, Mississippi, the son of Malakiah (Malak) Haney and Eliza Shanks Haney. He came of age at the turn of the twentieth century, part of a generation shaped by both the legacy of Reconstruction and the realities of Jim Crow.
He grew up in a large and active household alongside siblings Ola, Houston, Ollie, Turner, and Mary Lou. By 1910, the family had relocated to Forrest County, settling in the growing railroad town of Hattiesburg, where opportunity and hardship often traveled side by side.
Brotherhood and Early Years
Mallie’s early life was closely tied to his brother Houston Haney, with whom he shared both companionship and, at times, mischief. Like many young men in the Pine Belt, their lives unfolded within a world where work, family, and community were deeply intertwined.
These early years laid the foundation for a life that would be marked by resilience, labor, and a strong sense of personal independence.
The Railroad Man
For much of his adult life, Mallie was defined by his work on the railroad. From the late 1930s through the 1950s, records consistently identify him as a laborer and section hand for the Southern Railway.
His work was physically demanding—maintaining tracks, repairing lines, and ensuring the safe movement of trains that carried goods and people across Mississippi. This was labor that required endurance and precision, often performed under harsh conditions.
Mallie’s identity was closely tied to this work. He lived for years in Southern Railway housing (A 715-9) and later at 812 Railroad Avenue, residences that reflected the rhythm of railroad life. His long-term employment is further evidenced by his connection to the Railroad Retirement Board, through which his Social Security benefits were managed.
Marriage and a Spirited Partnership
Mallie married Velma Haney (née Washington), a woman notably younger than he was. Their relationship was marked by energy, loyalty, and a shared determination to live life on their own terms.
A 1952 newspaper account offers a vivid glimpse into their dynamic. When the couple was arrested on charges of public drunkenness—charges they disputed, claiming they had only shared a small amount of beer—Velma reportedly “fought like a tiger” in an attempt to prevent officers from taking Mallie into custody.
While such accounts reflect moments of conflict, they also reveal a partnership grounded in fierce loyalty and mutual defense—qualities often necessary for survival in working-class communities of the time.
Encounters with the Law and the Record of Daily Life
Mallie’s life, like that of many working-class men of his era, included occasional encounters with the legal system. These incidents, preserved in local newspapers, provide a candid look at the realities of everyday life in mid-20th-century Mississippi.
- 1924 – “Pork on Foot” Case: Mallie, his siblings Houston, Turner and Mary Lou, and Early Gaines were arrested for petty larceny involving the theft of hogs.
- 1942 – WWII Draft Registration: At age 43, he registered for the draft, described as 5’3” with a dark brown complexion and notably blonde hair—a striking detail preserved in the record.
- 1943 – Ration Book Notice: Placed a lost-and-found advertisement in the Hattiesburg American for his missing WWII Ration Book No. 3.
- 1950s – Minor Offenses: A series of fines for public drunkenness, and a 1957 charge of assault and battery, reflect the tensions and struggles of daily life.
These moments do not define Mallie’s life but rather add dimension to it, illustrating the complexities of a man navigating work, community, and personal challenges.
Later Years Along the River
In his later years, Mallie relocated within Hattiesburg, living at 711 River Street and eventually at 609 East Long Sixth Street, where he spent his final days.
Even in retirement, his life remained rooted in the same community that had shaped him—a landscape defined by rail lines, neighborhoods, and longstanding family ties.
Death and Burial
Mallie Haney passed away in February 1973 at the age of 75. His funeral services were held at Owens Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Nelson Woods and Rev. J.B. Owens.
He was laid to rest at City Cemetery in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, closing a life deeply connected to the Pine Belt region.
Legacy and the Next Generation
Mallie’s legacy continued through his family, particularly his son Otis C. Haney and granddaughter Michele Haney, who were living in Manhattan, New York. Their presence in the North reflects the broader story of the Great Migration, as younger generations sought new opportunities beyond Mississippi.
While many left, Mallie remained—a constant presence in Hattiesburg, a man whose life was shaped by the railroad, family bonds, and the enduring realities of Southern working-class life.
A Life Remembered
Mallie Haney’s story is not one of quiet simplicity, but of movement, labor, and lived experience. His life was written in the steel of the rails, the dust of the streets, and the strength of family ties.
He stands as a representative figure of a generation of Black men whose labor powered the South’s infrastructure, whose lives were marked by both hardship and resilience, and whose stories continue to anchor the history of communities like Hattiesburg.
Timeline of Notable Events
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1897 | Birth | Born in Shubuta, Clarke County, MS |
| 1910 | Migration | Family relocated to Hattiesburg, Forrest County |
| 1924 | Legal Incident | Arrested in hog theft case with relatives |
| 1942 | WWII Registration | Registered for draft at age 43 |
| 1943 | Ration Book | Placed ad for lost ration book |
| 1950s | Legal Record | Minor fines and 1957 assault charge |
| 1973 | Death | Passed away in Hattiesburg, MS |
Resting Place
City Cemetery, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1910, 1920,1950 Federal Censuses
- U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995
- Hattiesburg American, Mallie Haney Obituary, Mon, Feb 05, 1973 ·Page 16
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Railroad Retirement Pension Index, 1934-1987
- U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
- Hattiesburg American, Huston Haney Obituary, Sat, May 14, 1983 ·Page 2
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