adeline beal lewis
1899-1917
Life Story
The Short Lives of Adeline Beal Lewis and Her Children
Adeline Beal Lewis was born around May 1899 in Newton County, Mississippi, to John Beal (1846–?) and Adeline Arrington Beal (1863–?). She grew up in the quiet, close-knit community of Altare, where family, faith, and hard work defined daily life. Raised in a rural household, Adeline learned the values of perseverance and compassion that would guide her through her short but meaningful years.
In her teenage years, Adeline married Hiram Lewis (1894–?), a young man from the same community. Their marriage marked the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope and promise for the future. However, tragedy would strike early in their union.
On February 3, 1916, Adeline gave birth to their first child, a baby girl who was stillborn. The loss brought deep sorrow to the young couple and their extended family. Iley Jane Evans, a relative and midwife, served as the informant on the death certificate, a sign of the close family bonds that offered comfort during such a devastating time. Though the place of the infant’s burial was not recorded, it is believed she was laid to rest among relatives in the Altare community, surrounded by generations of loved ones.
A year later, Adeline became pregnant again, and the family’s hearts were filled with renewed hope. Yet, on April 4, 1917, during the birth of her second child, Adeline tragically passed away from eclampsia, a life-threatening condition associated with pregnancy. Her baby boy, Willie Lewis, survived the birth, bringing a brief glimmer of joy amid heartbreak.
Despite the loving care of his father, Hiram, and relatives, little Willie’s health was fragile. On September 7, 1917, at just five months old, he passed away from colitis, a common and often fatal illness for infants in that era. His father, Hiram, was listed as the informant on his death certificate—a painful duty that reflected the depth of his grief. The location of Willie’s burial, like that of his sister, remains unknown, though it is believed he was laid to rest near his mother in or around Altare, where their family roots ran deep.
The brief lives of Adeline Beal Lewis and her two children stand as a poignant reminder of the hardships faced by families in early 20th-century Mississippi. Their story—one of love, loss, and resilience—echoes through the generations of the Beal and Lewis families, whose strength and faith have carried their memory forward. Together, they rest in the soil of Altare, where their spirits remain part of the enduring legacy of a family bound by love and remembrance.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- Mississippi, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1912-1943
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