This document provides biographical information about the Currie family of Mississippi County, Arkansas. It details the lives of William Louis Currie Sr. and Annie Holland Currie, who were educators and models of service. They had 11 children together, many of whom also became teachers. The document gives an overview of the Currie children's education experiences and roles in their community. It honors William Currie Sr.'s legacy through an eulogy delivered at his funeral in 1946.

1. THE
DELTA
Historical Review
Winter 2012

2. THE DELTA HISTORICAL REVIEW
Published by The
Mississippi County Historical and Genealogical Society
Mississippi County Historical Commission Members And Society Officers
Glynda Thompson, Wilson------------------------------------------------President
Robert Zenanko, Osceola--------------------------------------------Vice-President
Ann Moore, Osceola--------------------------------------------------------Secretary
Lib Shippen, Osceola ------------------------------------------------------Treasurer
Ruth Hale, Burdette---------------------------------------------------------Archivist
Special Recognition ---- Samantha Bridges
Samantha is volunteering at MCHGS. She did the typing, editing, adding
photographs and generally all the work needed to publish the 2012 Delta
Review after we received the information from the Currie Family.
Bonnie Nichols, Blytheville Marion Haynes, Yarbro
Loretta Cude, Leachville Paul Shipley, Blytheville
Dr. Joe Jones, Osceola
Correspondence concerning editorial matters, membership dues, applications for
membership, orders for copies of the Delta Review, and correspondence concerning all other
business matters should be sent to: Mississippi County Historical & Genealogical Society
(or MCHGS), PO Box 483, 209 W. Hale, Osceola, AR 72370
The Mississippi County Historical and Genealogical Society supplies the Delta Review to its
members. Membership is open to anyone interested in the history of Mississippi County.
Annual membership dues are $25.00 per individual, $40.00 per family.
Neither the Editor nor the Mississippi County Historical and Genealogical Society (officers
or members) assume any responsibility for statements made by contributors.
Correspondence concerning such matters should be addressed directly to the authors.
Cover: Rosenwald School in Osceola, AR

3. Dedication
Because he loved this county which had been his family home for generations
Because he loved the history of the area and felt it should be preserved
Because he supported with his time, ideas and resources the education and
historical aspects of the county
Because he encouraged those who worked to preserve the history of Mississippi
County and those who worked in the education field
Because he wanted to see the best of the best for Mississippi County, working
for bridges and other advantages to the area
Because he lived and worked in this county he supported
Because he not only had ideas, but worked to put those ideas in motion
We, with heartfelt thanks, dedicate the 2012 Delta Review to the memory of
Michael (Mike) Wilson
Wilson, Arkansas
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4. From the President of Mississippi County Historical &
Genealogical Society
The Bible states "Ask and ye shall receive...good measure, pressed down,
shaken together and running over."
As most of our local members know, I have been asking—maybe even
begging—for someone to write some of our Delta Reviews because I had gotten so far
behind due to some health problems.
It had been in my mind for a while that we needed to do some books on Mississippi County
families. One day I was talking to a lady and mentioned I would like to have some
information on a certain family. She said she would call one of them and have them call me.
This is something that happens often, but usually I never get the call. I understand because
being asked to do the same and fully meaning to do so, I get side tracked and months later I
finally remember I was supposed to call someone, but can no longer remember the name or
the number and have no idea where I put it or who I talked to about this, so cannot call and
ask.
This time I got the call. I talked to a lovely couple who kept me in stitches the
whole time I was visiting with them. And they said they would see what they could do. I
expected maybe a page or two of information on the family and hopefully a photo or two;
and then I would do some research and maybe get a few pages done for the 2012 book. In a
few days I got a call from another member of the family who was very interested in what
was needed. She said she would see what she could do about getting family members to
participate. What I got was enough information on the whole family "clan" for the 2012
book, organized by each section of the family, photos included. The Currie family had done
so much work on this and I was so excited that I think I told everyone who walked through
the door!
Now all I needed was a typist to get all of this together into one book. But I
got better! Samantha Bridges, daughter of two Mississippi County pharmacists and recent
college graduate, had come home to job hunt. And she wanted a job in publishing, but
needed some experience on her resume. She was discussing this with MCHGS vice president
Robert Zenanko, and he suggested she volunteer at MCHGS and the museum in the hours
she wasn't job hunting. She did, and very soon was putting our 2011 book together. But she
became the editor, typist, writer and more on this 2012 Delta Review. I just handed her the
files on the Currie family information, Rosenwald School, Wilson Trade School, Harrison
School, and the other photos and left her with it. She has not only put the book together and
got it ready to go to the printer, she and Jim Brown (volunteer photographer) are working on
a Mississippi River brochure.
So I have been greatly blessed for the 2012 year and a load was taken from
my mind and shoulders. MCHGS is completely run by volunteers—no one is paid, but we
have some of the best volunteers in the world. They keep the museum open 5 days a week,
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5. work at all of our projects: from planning to participating, raising funds for our needs,
helping with grant writing, filing, sweeping floors, dusting, decorating windows, and
anything else that needs to be done. And there are no words to express how important our
regular volunteers are, and how faithful they are. Then we get some special volunteers like
Lonnie Strange (who gave permission to use the info in the 2011 book), the Currie family,
Jim Brown, and Samantha Bridges. While we know some, like Samantha, will leave (when
she finds the job she wants), and some don't live close for everyday volunteering but will
work hard at what they can do, we are so thankful for their help and willinginess to work so
hard for MCHGS just to help support MCHGS Museum and keep it open to teach people the
history of Mississippi County.
As many of you know, we are trying to raise money to put a new roof on the
research/events building and the coffee shoppe. We'll take donations or ideas for fundraisers.
After the end of the year, we will be working hard on an auction to raise funds. We have
some great items already and can still use some more. This will be a rather "high-end"
auction (we have jewelry, a bass guitar, and a framed one of a kind photo to give you an
idea), so we are especially looking for the unusual. We need about $25,000.00 dollars, and
we have already raised about $5,000.00. Any support you can give will be appreciated.
When completed, we will being using the 1902 building to expand our museum!
We also now have a website: mississippicountymuseum.com. It is still a work
in progress but getting better all the time. Let us know what you would like to see on the
website and we'll see what we can do. And remember we are always looking for family
information, photos, information on the history of towns in Mississippi County, etc., for our
Delta Reviews and for our museum and research files.
Have a great 2013.
Glynda Thompson
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6. THE CURRIES
Preface
Ann Eliza Evans/Douglas Currie (3/1/1840 – 9/18/1918) and
Samuel Washington Currie (11/2/1832 – 12/2/1892) were the parents of eleven
children:
Julia Catherine (6/7/1895 – 8/2/1931)
James Hiram (10/1/1861 – 11/6/1943) – Preacher/Pastor
Laura Rena (8/31/1864 – 10/3/1934) – Farmer's Wife
William Louis (12/27/1867 – 6/18/1946) – Educator/Farmer
Melinda Anna (6/13/1870 – unknown) – Farmer
Mary Eliza (3/4/1873 – 2/12/1937) – Farmer
John Washington (6/2/1876 – unknown) – Teacher/Farmer
Mattie Geneva (3/2/1879 – 3/16/1879)
Samuel Addison (1/2/1881 – 9/5/1956) – Physician
Fannie Rebecca (4/5/1882 – unknown) – Teacher
Jonathon Hebron (2/25/1886 – unknown) – Preacher/Pastor
Several of the siblings settled in Mississippi County. Laura Rena
Currie Plummer and William Louis, Sr., lived in Carson and Melinda Anna
Dean lived in Joiner. John Washington and Jonathon Hebron were in
Blytheville. Samuel Addison lived in Evadale.
Although William Louis and Samuel Addison and their families
are featured in this article, it is evident that the other Mississippi County
siblings and their offspring will have much to contribute to a fuller picture of
the entire Ann Eliza and Samuel Washington Currie family. Included are
photographs of other members of the broader Currie family from reunions held
in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2002 and in in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2007.
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7. Eulogy written and delivered by Mrs. Edna Griffin Jones at Mr. William L.
Currie's funeral, June 1946
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8. William Louis Currie, Sr., and Annie Holland Currie
12/27/1867 – 6/18/1946 2/22/1885 – 6/15/1943
Models in Education and Service
William and Annie Currie were truly models of education and service as was
reflected in the principles that guided their journey together.
Family records indicate that in 1867 William Louis Currie, Sr., was the fourth
child born to Samuel Washington Currie and Ann Eliza
Evans/Douglas Currie in Haywood County, Tennessee. His
father died in 1892 and his mother moved to Mississippi
County, Arkansas, in 1893. It is believed that W.L. Currie's
earliest education was acquired in Haywood County and that
he worked on a farm there until he was 15. He then worked in
a stave factory for the next 7 years. Afterward, at age 22, he
entered high school and went on to complete the Normal
Course at Le Moyne Owen College, Memphis, Tennessee, in
1896. Then, in his words, he became “connected with school
work in Mississippi County .. in the capacity as Principal.”
For more than ten years, he was also a vocational agricultural
instructor. After more than 40 years, Mr. Currie retired from
the Mississippi County School system in 1938. During his William L. Currie, Sr.
teaching career, Mr. Currie took summer school courses at
several institutions, including Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee; Tuskegee Institute; and
A.M.&N. College, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. In 1898, Mr. Currie bough the first 20 acres of his
farm. By the time of his death in 1946, the farm had grown to 180 acres.
In 1885, Annie Elva Holland Currie was born in Morrilton, Arkansas, the
younger of two children born to George Holland, a farmer and
carpenter, and Olcey Burkhalter Holland, a dressmaker and
housekeeper. Annie's sister, Julia, became a teacher. Another
child, Maud, was brought into the family with Olcey when
she and George married in 1882. Maud, a seamstress and
homemaker, endeared herself to Annie's family through her
regular visits and gifts of clothes and toys for the children.
Annie received her first education in Morrilton and completed
the Normal Course at Shorter College in Little Rock,
Arkansas, where she received teaching credentials. Annie
was an eager learner and gained a variety of skills and
knowledge. In a letter to her oldest daughter, Annie Louise,
Annie wrote, “Your father said that I was a very industrious
Annie H. Currie
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9. person because I never sat with idle hands. I made quilts and quilted them, crocheted,
sewed, embroidered, canned, read or played the piano.” It is believed that Annie Elva began
her teaching career in the Morrilton, Arkansas, and, as most of the teachers of that era, took
summer school courses. She studied at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama; Hampton
Institute, Hampton, Virginia; and A.M.&N. College, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Annie and
William were married June 4, 1911, at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Memphis, Tennessee.
The Currie children circa 1928
Standing left to right: Willamette, Geraldine, William; sitting left to right: Annie Louise,
Maud & Marie, Bernice
Eleven children were born to Annie and William, Sr.:
Annie Louis (3/23/1912 – 4/22/1997) – Social Worker/Teacher
Alva Bernice (1/20/1914 – 3/14/2003) – Teacher/Principal
Cyrus Claude (4/21/1916 – 3/22/1922)
George Holland (10/19/1917 – 10/2/1917)
Geraldine Farrar (2/6/1918 – 4/2/1997) – Home Demonstration
Agent/Teacher
Willamette Eugenia Holland (8/2/1921 – present) – Teacher/Principal
William Louis, Jr. (7/26/1923 – 11/26/2006) – Farmer/ Teacher/Principal
Maud Samuel (12/18/1925 – present) – Dietician/Teacher
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10. Marie Sanelle (12/18/1925 – 5/7/2003) – Teacher/Vice Principal
Maurice Meshell (1/6/1927 – 1/5/1927)
Zenobia (11/7/1930 – present) – Social Worker/Teacher
The eight of those children who grew to adulthood are further noted
individually in this article.
Mr. and Mrs. Currie demonstrated in their lives the model for their children to
follow. Having been born so close to the end of slavery and living during Reconstruction,
this couple, and many other African Americans, were dedicated to educating themselves and
others. They perceived education as paramount in attaining a better life for themselves and
others. Thus, the Curries placed education as a priority in their home. It was their wish that
each of their children would finish college and that wish was fulfilled. Mr. and Mrs. Currie
did all they could to encourage their children to learn, grow and serve, verbally, financially
and, probably most importantly, by their examples.
Mrs. Currie maintained their farm home and saw to it that the children did
homework, studied, took music lessons, shared in household chores and participated in age
appropriate community activities. The girls were taught the domestic skills if cooking,
canning, sewing and gardening. House, yard, garden and farm chores were assigned to the
children as determined by their parents. William, Jr., was under the tutelage of his father,
who imbued in him the knowledge and skills of farming. All of the children were taught the
rudiments of some musical instrument, primarily the piano. Maud, Marie and Willamette
were proficient in the piano. The twins, Maud and Marie, were often called upon to play for
local churches. Willamette also developed skill in playing the violin, and William, Jr., played
the trumpet. Mrs. Velma Brown Keith was the piano teacher for most of the children. The
Currie children were involved in extracurricular activities at school, such as plays, recitations
and basketball. Most of the Currie children were taught by Mrs. P.A. Gipson in the primary
grades, Mrs. Willie Greer in the middle grades and Mrs. Mamie Wilson, the Principal of
Carson Rosenwald School, through 8th or 10th grades. They participated in the church
Sunday School classes, also taught by Mrs. Wilson, as well as the main church service at the
African Methodist Episcopal/Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, located across the road
from the school, within sight and walking distance of the Currie home.
In 1931, Mrs. Currie accepted the position of Jeanes Supervisor in Mississippi
County, a job in which she joined numerous others in counties throughout the Southern
states. Miss Anna T. Jeanes, a Quaker and Philadelphia philanthropist, set up a foundation in
1907 to foster “rudimentary education in small rural schools.” The Anna T. Jeanes
Foundation became known as the Negro Rural School Fund. This Fund was to be directed
“solely towards the maintenance and assistance of rural, community or country schools for
Southern Negroes” (i). (Miss Jeanes appointed the initial Board ofTrustees for the
Foundation. They included Mr. Howard Taft, Mr. Andrew Carnegie, Dr. Hollis S. Frissell,
Dr. Booker T. Washington, Mr. George Peabody, and any others they wished.)
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11. The Currie family in 1936
Back row left to right: Annie Louise, Willamette, William, Jr. , Geraldine, Bernice; front row
left to right: Maud, W. L. Currie, Sr. , Zenobia, Annie H. Currie, Maire
Mrs. Currie's job entailed providing supervision, training and technical
assistance to staff in all the Negro schools in Mississippi County, working with Parent and
Teacher Associations and keeping abreast of current and best educational practices. In
addition, she monitored books and supplies for these schools assuring that the Negro
children received the same quality of materials as those issued to the White children, since
the “separate but equal” concept was not a reality in most situations. In addition, Mrs.
Currie worked with the schools in their developing competitions in sports, held Field Days
and supported musical and oratorical activities for the children. She was active with the
Annual Christmas Seal Drive, distributing stamps to all the families in the fight against
tuberculosis and supporting the employment of health staff in the schools. During her tenure
in this job, Mrs. Currie participated in seminars and courses at several institutions of higher
learning as noted earlier. Because of her exemplary work in Mississippi County and her
exceptional communication skills, Mrs. Currie was elected President of the Arkansas State
Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers in 1937. She remained I her job as a Jeanes
Supervisor until 1940 when her health was challenged.
Mr. Currie was dedicated to his family, helping a number of his siblings, as
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12. A newspaper clipping describing a contest held while Annie Currie was Jeans
Supervisor
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13. well as his children and untold numbers of children in Mississippi County, to attain higher
education. He was an involved, caring father who readily helped his children when they met
challenges in subject matter. He was active in the CME church where he taught a Sunday
School class. On occasion, he and Mrs. Currie would sing a duet in church. Mr. Currie
readily shared his wisdom about life and enjoyed engaging in conversations where on was
obliged to think. He was always available to share agricultural information with other
farmers and physically gave help if needed. He would often ask any one of the children to
listen to the news on the radio (no television at that time), report it to him and give an
opinion about it. He like to tell scary stories to the children on summer evenings while
sitting on the porch. The mosquitoes were legion, so he screened the porch. Mr. Currie also
enjoyed playing checkers and attending baseball games. He and his brother Samuel
occasionally gave themselves a treat by attending a baseball game in Memphis.
The Currie children in the 1970s
Top row left to right: Bernice, Marie, Willamette, Zenobia, Geraldine; bottom
row left to right: Annie Louise, William, Jr. , Maud
“Professor Currie”, as he was often called, was know to be a serious,
competent administrator and a quietly effective disciplinarian. His eyes reflected his
disappointment when his expectation that everyone would do their best at all times was not
upheld. Mr. Currie was held in high esteem by his colleagues, as evidenced by the tribute
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14. given by Mrs. Edna Jones at his funeral, and by the community at large as it reflected by
their response when his home burned the day following Mrs. Currie's funeral. In the face of
this tragedy, neighbors, friends and extended family rallied around Mr. Currie by taking
some of the children into their homes until a new home was built and by giving monetary
and physical help in the restoration process.
During his years with the Mississippi County Public School System, Mr.
Currie maintained and expanded his farm. Each of his work settings – education and
farming – complemented the other in that each was focused on growth and development, and
each needed regular, careful, and thoughtful tending. After his retirement in 1938, Mr.
Currie was able to place his focus on farming, the area in which his life's journey began.
After Mrs. Currie's death in 1943, one of the older daughters would come home each year,
teach locally and assist Mr. Currie with the home and the younger children. This
arrangement continued until his death in 1946. Following the death of Mr. Currie, the farm
was managed for several years by Mr. John Jones, husband of Mrs. Edna Jones, mentioned
above. Subsequently, William, Jr., moved to Carson and assumed management of the farm
for a number of years. When his health was challenged, his son, William III, took over the
management of the farm until his death in 2008. The widow ofWilliam III, Janice Currie,
The Currie children in 1987
Standing left to right: Geraldine, William, Jr. , Bernice, Willamette; sitting left
to right: Marie, Maud, Zenobia, Annie Louise
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15. currently oversees the farm with the help and support of their sons, William IV and Brian.
In a small, rural community such as Carson, all the people who reside there
know and impact each other in a variety of ways. The Tates, Fraziers, Rutherfords, Hardins,
Trusses, Grays and all the other families in the area were a part of the fabric of the Currie
family. Mrs. Wilson was a strong, committed educator. Her two sons, Frank and Richard,
were in the same age range and friends ofWilliam, Jr., and Willamette. Frank became a
local school principal and Richard earned the M.D. Degree and practiced medicine in
Washington, D.C. Zenobia and Alma Jones Norment, PhD, the daughter of Mr. John Jones
and Mrs. Edna Griffin Jones, maintain contact though Alma lives in upstate New York.
When Alma was a little girl, she and her cousin Jean Johnson Weddington participated in
Marie Currie's wedding to Conrad Harris. Both Mrs. Jones and her sister Mrs. Alma Griffin
Johnson had worked with Mr. Currie in the Mississippi County Schools.
William and Annie Currie, a loving, dynamic, dedicated couple, were inspired
by their parents and the times to fulfill their potential by utilizing the natural talents they
were given. The impact of their lives instill in their children and successive generations the
importance and value of education and service to others. Their contributions to the life of
Mississippi County will be of a lasting nature since they made a difference in the lives of
many of its citizens.
Source:
(i) Williams, Mildred M., and others. THE JEANES STORY – A Chapter in
the History ofAmerican Education, 1908 – 1968. Southern Education
Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia, through Jackson State University, Jackson,
Mississippi, 1979.
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