ollie haney
1897-1972
Life Story
A Life of Service and Family in the Piney Woods
Early Life and Family Roots
Ollie Haney—whose name appears in records as Ola and at times Honey—was born in June 1897 in Maxville, Clarke County, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Malakiah (also recorded as Maleriah) Haney, born in Alabama, and Eliza Shanks Haney, a native of Mississippi.
She grew up in a lively and expanding household alongside her siblings Ebbie, Georgia, and Houston, in a family shaped by labor, kinship, and resilience in the post-Reconstruction South.
Movement and Transition
By the early twentieth century, the Haney family relocated to Forrest County, where they were recorded in Beat 4 by 1910. This move placed them closer to Hattiesburg, an emerging economic center that offered new opportunities for Black families navigating the constraints of Jim Crow.
As the family expanded—with siblings Houston, Mallie, Turner, and Mary Lou—Ollie came of age during a period of transition. Following the death of her father, she remained closely connected to her mother, Eliza, helping sustain the household.
By 1920, the family appears in Jones County, where Eliza is listed as a widow (“Liza Honey”), reflecting both loss and resilience. Despite this temporary relocation, the family ultimately returned to Hattiesburg, where they established deeper roots.
A Home on Katie Avenue
By 1940, Ollie had achieved something significant for a Black woman in Mississippi—homeownership. She was listed as the head of household at 507 Katie Avenue in Hattiesburg, in a home valued at $600.
This home served as a multigenerational anchor, where she lived with her mother Eliza. Together, they supported themselves through domestic labor. Records describe Ollie as a servant and cook, occupations that required skill, trust, and endurance.
Her life reflects three defining traits:
- Educated: Completed up to her third year of high school, a notable achievement for her time
- Independent: Maintained her own home through her labor
- Rooted: Established long-term stability in Hattiesburg
Family and Final Years
Ollie’s life remained deeply centered on family. She was the mother of Frank Brown and a devoted sister to Houston and Mallie Haney, among others in a close-knit family network.
She passed away in February 1972 at her home on Katie Avenue in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, closing a life that spanned the Jim Crow era and into the modern Civil Rights period.
Her passing was marked by a double funeral alongside her niece, Mrs. Sammy McCurdie, a powerful reflection of the deep bonds within the Haney family. Services were held at Owens Chapel, with burial following at Pineview Cemetery.
Timeline of a Life
| Year | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1897 | Born to Malakiah and Eliza Haney | Maxville, Clarke County, MS |
| 1910 | Listed as “Ola” with parents and siblings | Beat 4, Forrest County, MS |
| 1920 | Living with widowed mother “Liza Honey” | Jones County, MS |
| 1940 | Homeowner and head of household; domestic worker | 507 Katie Ave, Hattiesburg, MS |
| Late 1940s–1960s | Continued residence and work in Hattiesburg | Hattiesburg, MS |
| Feb 1972 | Passed away at home on Katie Avenue | Hattiesburg, MS |
Why Her Story Matters
Ollie Haney’s life reflects the quiet but powerful reality of “claiming space” in the post-Emancipation South.
From the daughter of a laborer in the 1890s to a Black woman homeowner in mid-20th century Mississippi, she represents a generation that built stability in the face of structural barriers.
Her legacy is not found in headlines—but in something more enduring:
a home, a family, and a life rooted in perseverance.
Resting Place
Pineview Cemetery, Hattiesburg, MS
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900, 1910, 1920, 1940 Federal Censuses
- U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
- Hattiesburg American, Ollie Haney Obituary, Sat, Feb 26, 1972 ·Page 14
Leave a Reply