grant mccune
1887-1967
Life Story
Grant McCune was born around 1887 to Simon McCune (1853-1917) and Amelia Hollingsworth (1855-?) in the quaint village of Decatur, located in Newton County, Mississippi. Growing up in a rural setting during a time of significant change in America, he had the opportunity to experience the simplicity of small-town life. In 1900, at the age of thirteen, he was a diligent student attending school, where he successfully completed the 4th grade of Elementary school, a notable achievement in an era when education often took a backseat to labor. Outside of his studies, Grant also contributed significantly to his family’s livelihood by working as a farmer on the family farm, cultivating crops and helping to tend to livestock, which instilled in him a strong work ethic and a deep connection to the land. This dual focus on education and agriculture shaped his formative years and laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
Around 1911, Grant married Florence Towner (1891-1967), and in 1920, the newlywed couple made their home in Sharkey County, Mississippi. They rented a home on a farm where Grant worked diligently as a farmer, tending to crops and livestock that were essential for their sustenance and livelihood. By 1930, the family had moved back to Newton County, seeking a more stable environment where they could thrive, and they rented a home on another farm where the agricultural life continued to shape their family dynamics. The year 1940 proved to be a difficult time for the family, as Grant and Florence had separated due to the strain of economic hardships and personal challenges, leaving Grant to care for their children in a trying situation that tested his resilience and determination. Despite these struggles, the family eventually reunited by the 1950 federal census, which signified resilience and a renewed commitment to family ties, underscoring their ability to weather the storms of life together. They moved from the farm to live on South 7th Street, where Grant found employment at a lumber mill as a millhand, working about 40 hours per week to provide for his growing family. This period was marked by both trials and triumphs, as from the union of Grant and Florence, thirteen children were born, each bringing their own personality and dreams into the household. The children were as follows:
- Amelia McCune (1913-1994)
- Melvina McCune (1914-2014)
- Lorina McCune (1915-?)
- Arilla Lois McCune (1917-1959)
- Grant McCune (1918-?)
- Charles McCune (1919-?)
- Viola McCune (1919-?)
- Anna M. McCune (1924-?)
- Myrtice McCune (1925-?)
- Clayborn McCune (1926-?)
- Florence Deliah McCune (1929-1989)
- Edwin McCune (1930-?)
In June 1917, Grant was required to register for the World War I draft, a duty that many men faced during this tumultuous time in history. At the time, he reported having a wife and four children who depended on him, highlighting the weight of responsibility he carried as a provider and protector for his family. He was listed as living in the Scanlan precinct, an area that mirrored the struggles and hopes of many families in similar circumstances.
Tragically, two months after his beloved wife, Florence, passed away in 1967, Grant also passed away in October of the same year, marking a somber end to a life filled with both challenges and love. He was laid to rest next to his wife at the Pine Ridge M.B. Church graveyard, a final resting place that offered solace to their family and a testament to their enduring bond.
Survivors of Grant include seven daughters: Mrs. Amelia Hearn, Mrs. Melvina Cooley, and Mrs. Florence Watts, all of Newton; Mrs. Elmertice Thames of Gulfport; Mrs. Viola McDonald of Bay Springs; and Mrs. Annie Mae Pace of San Bernardino, California; three sons: Charles and Edward of Newton, and Claborne of San Bernardino, California.
Resting Place
Pine Ridge Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, Registration List in Newton County, Thu, Jun 21, 1917 ·Page 3
- The Newton Record, Lois McCune Obituary, Thu, May 21, 1959 ·Page 3
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- The Newton Record, Mrs. Florence McCune Obituary, Wed, Aug 16, 1967 ·Page 14
- Tennessee, U.S., Death Records, 1908-1965
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., World War I Civilian Draft Registrations, 1917-1918
- U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
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