We want to welcome you to learn about our family history, communicate and connect with other members, and never forget our heritage.
Our humble beginnings…
John Lee, Sr. and Sophie Lee originated from Collins, Mississippi, and later settled in Wesson, MS. Together, they raised a large family of 13 children, all born in Copiah County, Mississippi. Their children included six sons and seven daughters:
Sons:
John Lee, Jr., Daniel Lee, Will Lee, James Lee, Rufus Lee, and Mack Lee
Daughters:
Nancy Lee, Delphia Lee, Emily Lee, Della Lee, Lucille Lee, Sophia Lee, and Flora Mae Lee
John Lee, Sr., worked for the railroad, helping lay tracks during a time when rail expansion was essential to Mississippi’s growth. Sophie contributed to the household as a maid, specializing in washing and ironing.
John Lee, Jr.: Continuing the Family Legacy
Following his father’s path, John Lee, Jr. worked both on the railroad and on the family farm. During this time, he met Nellie Johnson, who was employed as a maid for Dr. Little. The two married and later moved to Lincoln County, Mississippi, where they raised a family of 14 children—five girls and nine boys, including both maternal and paternal siblings:
Daughters:
Vera Mae, Bella Mae, Helen, Elizabeth, and Ella Mae (paternal-sibling)
Sons:
Versey, Mack, Samuel, James Rufus, Willie O., Willie T., James (paternal-sibling),
Charlie Porter (maternal-sibling) and Eddie Black (maternal-sibling)
This branch of the Lee family became deeply rooted in both Copiah County and Lincoln County, contributing to the region’s agricultural and railroad history.
Nellie made sure her children were always fed, no matter how difficult the times were. John supported the family by hunting, often bringing home wild game such as possums, squirrels, and rabbits. Around their home, a yard full of chickens ran freely—even gathering under the house where the children could see them through the cracks in the wooden floorboards.
Faith played a central role in their upbringing. Nellie insisted that all of her children attend St. John Missionary Baptist Church, a cornerstone of the local community. Despite the family’s limited means, she remained dedicated to providing for them. Many of the children’s clothes were sewn by Nellie herself, using fertilizer sacks and flour sacks, a common practice among poor rural families during that era.
During the Great Depression of 1932, the family relied heavily on farming and raising vegetables to survive. Money was scarce—a sack of flour cost $0.98, and a pair of shoes cost $0.75. They lived on a sharecropper’s farm without electricity, lights, television, or any of the conveniences enjoyed today. Their lifestyle reflected the harsh realities of the time, yet it also demonstrated resilience, resourcefulness, and a strong family bond that carried them through economic hardship.