willie l. moncrief
1919-1954
Life Story
Early Life & Family
Willie Moncrief was born around 1919 in Newton County, Mississippi, to Matthew Moncrief (1895–?) and Larcenia Wheaton Moncrief (1896–1970). His early childhood was shaped by family transition; by 1930, census records show Willie living with his grandparents following his mother’s divorce. This arrangement reflects a common pattern within Newton County’s African American families, where extended kin networks provided stability and care during periods of upheaval.
Later Years & Death
Details of Willie Moncrief’s adult life remain limited in surviving records. He passed away in 1954 and was laid to rest in the graveyard of Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, a central spiritual and community institution that served as both a place of worship and a final resting place for many local families.
Historical Context
Willie Moncrief’s life story—though preserved in only a few official records—contributes to the broader narrative emerging from Saint John’s cemetery: one of family resilience, community support, and the enduring role of the Black church in Newton County across generations.
Resting Place
Saint John Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
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