turner haney
1903-1963
Life Story
A Life of Labor and Persistence in the Pine Belt
Roots in Mississippi’s Pine Belt
The life of Turner Haney was firmly rooted in the Pine Belt region of Mississippi, a landscape that shaped both his opportunities and his struggles. Born around 1903 in Mississippi, he was the son of Maleriah (Malakiah) Haney and Eliza Shanks Haney.
Turner grew up in a large, close-knit family alongside siblings Ola (Ollie), Houston, Mallie, and Mary Lou. By 1910, the family was living in Beat 4 of Forrest County, part of a broader movement of Black families seeking stability in the years following Reconstruction.
Following the death of his father, the family relocated to Jones County, where the 1920 census records Turner as a teenager attending school and able to read and write—a meaningful achievement for a young Black man in the Jim Crow South.
Adulthood and the Work of Survival
By the 1930s and 1940s, Turner had established himself in Hattiesburg, a growing railroad and industrial town that offered both opportunity and hardship.
His personal life reflected both continuity and change. By 1940, he was married to Carline Haney, though the marriage ended in 1943, when a divorce was granted on the grounds of desertion. He later married Sybil (Sebelle) Haney, with whom he raised a daughter, Catherine.
Like many men of his generation, Turner’s life was defined by labor. Records show him working a range of jobs, including:
- Construction laborer for J.A. Jones Construction Company during the World War II era
- Janitor at a community center in 1950, where he reported working 68 hours per week
These roles reflect the demanding, often unstable nature of working-class employment for Black men in mid-20th-century Mississippi.
Public Record and Everyday Struggles
Turner’s life, like that of many in his community, occasionally appeared in the pages of the Hattiesburg American, particularly in the local police court reports. These brief notices offer glimpses into the realities of daily life under close public scrutiny.
- 1920s–1930s: Turner, along with his brothers Mallie and Houston, was involved in a petty larceny case described in the language of the time as a “succulent temptation,” referring to the theft of hogs.
- 1940s: His name appeared in connection with minor infractions such as traffic violations, including running stop signs, reckless driving, and driving without a license, as well as a charge of disturbing the peace.
These records, while sometimes colorful in their reporting, reflect the broader environment in which ordinary actions were frequently documented and judged in public forums.
Property, Progress, and Setback
Despite these challenges, Turner achieved a notable milestone: homeownership. By 1940, he owned a house on Scooba Street in Hattiesburg, valued at $400—a significant accomplishment in an era when economic barriers limited Black property ownership.
However, like many working-class families, his financial stability was not guaranteed. In August 1963, shortly after his death, a trustee’s notice was published regarding the foreclosure of property connected to him in Section 26, Township 4 North.
This moment reflects a broader pattern seen across the South, where gains in property ownership were often fragile and vulnerable to economic pressures.
War Years and Registration
During World War II, Turner registered for the draft in 1940 and was later ordered to report for a physical examination in December 1943.
His registration provides a brief but vivid description:
5 feet 9 inches tall, 140 pounds, with a dark brown complexion—a snapshot of the man behind the records.
While details of active military service are not confirmed, his registration places him within the larger national mobilization that touched even those who remained on the home front.
Final Years and Passing
Turner Haney passed away on Saturday, May 25, 1963, at the home of his brother in Hattiesburg.
His passing was marked by community and family:
- Wake: Held at 509 Katie Avenue
- Funeral Service: Conducted at Priest Creek Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. I. C. Allen
- Burial: Community Cemetery, Route 6, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
His death closed a life shaped by labor, family ties, and perseverance in the face of constant change.
A Life Remembered
Turner Haney’s life reflects the lived experience of many working-class Black men in the Pine Belt during the 20th century—marked by steady labor, family responsibility, and the ongoing effort to secure stability in an often uncertain world.
Through his daughter Catherine, his siblings, and his grandchildren, his legacy continued, rooted in both place and memory.
Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| c. 1903 | Birth to Maleriah and Eliza Haney | Mississippi |
| 1910 | Enumerated as a child in household | Forrest County, MS |
| 1920 | Attending school; literate | Jones County, MS |
| 1940 | Laborer; homeowner on Scooba Street | Hattiesburg, MS |
| 1943 | Divorce; ordered for draft exam | Hattiesburg, MS |
| 1950 | Janitor working 68 hours/week | Hattiesburg, MS |
| 1963 | Death on May 25; burial at Community Cemetery | Hattiesburg, MS |
Resting Place
Community Cemetery, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1910, 1920, 1940, 1950 Federal Censuses
- U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995
- Hattiesburg American, Mallie Haney Obituary, Mon, Feb 05, 1973 ·Page 16
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- Hattiesburg American, Negro Deaths, Turner Haney Obituary, Wed, May 29, 1963 ·Page 22
- 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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