marietta clevie walker whitehead
1879-1968
Life Story
Educator, Church Leader, Mission Worker, Community Organizer
Marietta Whitehead was born on September 18, 1879, in Newton County, the daughter of Andrew Walker and Iley Jane Evans, in the St. John community. She joined St. John Missionary Baptist Church at an early age, grounding her life in faith, education, and service.
By 1885, school records place Marietta in the Newton Election District, attending school listed under the guardianship of her mother. The listing of her mother as head of household reflects a female-headed household, a circumstance that shaped Marietta’s early life and instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility and resilience.
On July 19, 1899, she married Ambrose Whitehead (1876–1960). After marriage, she relocated to Lawrence and united with Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, where her leadership flourished. She served for many years as:
- Sunday School teacher
- President of the Home Mission Society
- Church Clerk
Her service at Jerusalem Church places her among the institution-builders of Black religious life in Lawrence.
A Career in Education
Mrs. Whitehead devoted more than thirty-five years to teaching public school in Newton County. Although federal census records list her occupation as farm laborer and housekeeper, such descriptions do not fully reflect the scope of her working life. Like many Black women educators of her generation, she balanced agricultural labor, household responsibilities, church leadership, and community service alongside her work in education.
Her long service as an educator was acknowledged by her peers, and she was formally recognized as a retired teacher prior to 1967. Based on this record, her teaching career most likely began in the late 1920s or early 1930s, a period when advanced degrees were not required for teaching in segregated rural schools.
In 1933, she served on the Resolutions Committee of the Newton County Colored Teachers’ meeting, joining ministers and fellow educators in pledging continued efforts toward better schools, stronger churches, and improved living conditions for Black children. The committee pledged to advance a twelve-month educational program for Black children. Her participation reflected her standing not only as a classroom teacher but also as a respected voice in educational leadership.
On March 3, 1967, she was honored at a retired teachers banquet at Boler High School, Decatur, recognizing her contribution to educating thousands of students. Additionally, she was a regular participant in meetings scheduled by the State Department of Education.
Her presence on committees — not merely as an attendee but as a policy-shaping voice — shows she was trusted as both an educator and a strategist.
Mission Work & Women’s Leadership
Mrs. Whitehead was a pioneer of the Third New Hope District, participating actively in:
- Third New Hope Women’s Association
- East Mississippi Baptist State Convention (1957)
- Women’s Convention (Pulaski, 1963)
- Extra Session of the Woman’s Convention at Mt. Zion Baptist Church (1963)
She also played a visible role in civic education through:
- Lawrence Homemaker Club
- Delivered demonstrations (notably the Star Quilt Top)
- Presented histories of Home Demonstration work
- Served as treasurer and educational presenter
These activities place her squarely in the tradition of Black women’s uplift work, blending domestic science, theology, and public leadership.
Family & Legacy
Marietta and Ambrose Whitehead raised twelve children, many of whom migrated to Chicago, reflecting broader Great Migration patterns:
Children (from census & obituary):
- Litha (Delcia) Whitehead (1902–1920)
- Andrew Diow Whitehead (1903–1976)
- Ila Whitehead (1904– Bef. 1960)
- Inez Wortley Whitehead (1907–2000)
- Ara Fannie Whitehead (1909–1971)
- Cora Whitehead (1914–2009)
- Luada Mae Whitehead (1912–1951)
- Archelaus Whitehead, Sr. (1916–1986)
- Thelma Whitehead (1918–1992)
- Elijah J. Whitehead (1921–2001)
- Virginia Dare Whitehead (1924–2004)
Death & Homegoing
Mrs. Whitehead passed away on February 13, 1968, at Newton Hospital, at age 88.
Her funeral, held February 17, 1968, at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, reflected her stature:
- Officiated by her grandson, Rev. Rudolph Whitehead
- Assisted by nine ministers
- Eulogies delivered by educators, ministers, and women’s leaders
- Interment directed by Maple Funeral Home
She is laid to rest at Union Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, closing a life that bridged slavery’s aftermath to the civil-rights era.
Survivors
Mrs. Whitehead is survived by five daughters: Mrs. Virginia Evans of Newton; Mrs. Cora Viverette, Mrs. Fannie Viverette, and Mrs. Inez Caples, all of Chicago, Illinois; and Mrs. Thelma Denson of Hattiesburg; three sons: Andrew Whitehead of Chicago, Archelaus Whitehead of Lawrence, and Beaumont and Elijah J. Whitehead of Newton; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Ada F. Adkins of Decatur; thirty-two grandchildren, as well as great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and a living testament to her endurance..
Resting Place
Union Chapel United Methodist Church
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1880 Federal Census
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, Retired Teachers are Honored Last Week at Decatur, Wed, Mar 15, 1967 ·Page 9
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- The Newton Record, Ambrous Whitehead Obituary, Wed, Nov 09, 1960 ·Page 11
- The Newton Record, Iley Evans Obituary, Thu, Jan 13, 1955 ·Page 6
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