The Aaron Family
The Aarons had five children, Ezekiel (nicknamed “Zeke”), Olivia (“Honey”), Vera (“Sing”), Moses (“Mose”), and Mildred (“Mil”). Archie purchased the property with the intention of giving each of his children one acre of land when they came of age.
Fun Fact: Archie’s brother, Herbert, would have six children, one of which is the “Great Hank Aaron” of the Milwaukee Braves. For Mil, as first cousins go, that’s pretty cool! Hank resided in Atlanta, Georgia, till his death on January 22, 2021, at the age of 86.
As I would learn from Denise, the Aarons were faithful servants, God fearing people. Archie had done well for their family, worked for the Campbell Soup Company in Camden, and would become an ordained Minister. Eventually, he became disillusioned with the teachings of the church(s) he attended and started his own church. Archie would convert an existing structure (as seen to the right) on his property into a church and named it the Church of God and Christ of the Apostolic Faith, where he would minister to his congregation until 1969. Lillie also worked, holding a position as a live-in maid, requiring her to be away during the week. In time she would change to a day position, allowing her to be at home with her family when the workday was done.
Denise recalled as a young girl that her mother, Vernon, and she, lived with her grandparents for a time. Her grandfather Archie was truly a man of God. In addition to the “No Smoking” signs posted throughout his property, they did not own a television, and when the radio was on, it played only gospel music. His day would start with a rooster crowing at daybreak calling him to rise. Archie would begin his day on his knees speaking aloud his prayers, which included each of his children and grandchildren as he called them by name. At the end of the day, he would once again kneel and pray aloud, holding his family up in prayer.
The Aaron’s had a beautiful home and property. I am told they had vegetable gardens and corn crops, and raised chickens for fresh eggs. There were apple trees, a walnut and plum tree, blueberries, blackberries, and a grapevine.
Here Denise experienced the love of grandparents and a love for the Lord. As she reminisced about her family, she noted that the holidays only differed at Christmas. At the Aaron’s home, this was the day to celebrate the Lord. After all, isn’t that the true meaning of Christmas.
Archie Leslie (B: August 9, 1890, D: April, 1970) and Lillie Caroline (B: April 3, 1892, D: June 16, 1969)