Lillie May (Key) Johnson (1885 - 1968)

Born 22 Apr 1885 in Metropolis, Massac County, IL

Ancestors

Wife of Winfield Scott Johnson — married 17 Jan 1904 in Benton County, TN

Descendants

Died 3 Apr 1968 at age 82 in Dyersburg, Dyer County, TN

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Connie Davis [send private message]

Biography

Lillie’s father was a minister.^[1] Her mother died when she was a year old, and she grew up with her siblings and half-siblings.^[2] She told her granddaughter that her step-mother was cruel to her and she went to live with her Uncle William Riley Kee and his wife Betsy.^[3] She married Wince Johnson at her uncle's home on 17 Jan 1904.^[4]

Lillie’s half-sister, Pearl, wrote her greetings in November of 1923. At that time, Lillie was living in Nettleton, AR. In 1925, Lillie wrote to her son that they had completed their move and he should come visit them.^[5]

Lillie’s son Lemuell was a preacher, and wrote her frequently about the revivals and radio broadcasts he was involved in. In 1932, Lemuell writes that he hopes his parents find some way to purify their water supply--he suggests lime. In 1934, Lemuell wishes them well in their new home and hopes they are close enough to town to attend the Pentecostal Sunday School. He also admonishes his younger brother to study his testament so that he can help Lemuell with his mission.^[6]

In 1950, Lillie lived next door to her son Lindell and his family. Son A.W. and her grandson lived with her.^[7]

Lillie was a quilter and had a quilt frame on pulleys above her dining room table. She and her daughter exchanged quilt patterns.^[6] Her great-granddaughter, Connie Davis remembers being fascinated by the quilting frame and how tiny she was. She lived next door to Lindell Johnson and his wife Mildred Johnson on Kist Avenue in Dyersburg. She was quiet and kind.

She died on 3 Apr 1968 in Dyersburg.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ “Rev. Y. C. Key Died Saturday at Jonesboro - Funeral Sunday,” unknown newspaper, Nov 1929, page unknown, clipping held by Davis-50681.
2. ↑ “Young C. Key household, 1900 US Census,” Metropolis, Massac Co., IL, ED 54, sheet 17, 23 Jun 1900
3. ↑ As told to Davis-50681.
4. ↑ “W.S. Johnson and Lillie Kee, marriage certificate,” 17 Jan 1904, Benton Co., TN, Marriage Record Book 1902-1904, page 252.
5. ↑ “Postcard from Pearl Dyer to Lillie Johnson, Nettleton, AR,” 19 Nov 1923, photocopy held by Davis-50681
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} "Family letter collection" held by Davis-50681.
7. ↑ 1950 U.S. Census, Dyer County, Tennessee, population schedule, Dyersburg, enumeration district (ED) 23-9, sheet 8 (penned), family 87, A.W. Johnson household; digital image, FamilySearch (FamilySearch Image: 3QHK-9QHW-GQK4 : accessed 10 December 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication T628.
8. ↑ “Lillie Key Johnson death certificate,” 3 Apr 1968, Dyer County, TN, 68-010663

Additional Sources

• “Wince S. Johnson household, 1910 US Census,” Carroll Co., TN, 26 Apr 1910, Microfilm, T 624, roll 1491, ED 29, Sheet 3.
• “Wince Johnson household, 1920 Census,” Henry Co., TN, SD 8, ED 123, sheet 10B, 20 Jan 1920.
• “W.S. Johnson household, 1930 Census,” Dyer Co, TN, 30 Apr 1930, ED 22-9, SD 1, Sheet 23B.
• “W.S. Johnson household, 1940 US Census,” Dyer Co. TN, 6 May 1940, DC8, ED 23-18, sheet 7A.