The Beene Family originated from Itawamba County Mississippi. On July 18, 1894 Hickson Beene married Carrie Cheatom. Two children were born to this union, William Tandy Beene who was born July 30, 1898 and Ethel Beene. There is not much known about their mother Carrie.
In 1900 Hickson remarried and Tandy as he was affectionately called and his sister Ethel were raised by their father and his second wife, Mariah (maiden name unknown). Three additional children Elizabeth, Velma and Ambrose were born to this union. History tells us that Mariah and Tandy did not get along so Tandy left the homestead in his early teens.
Annie Mae Bronson was born August 18, 1899 to parents Jasper and Caroline Bronson. It’s not known how they met but they were married in 1916 and moved to Hope, Arkansas. Tandy served in the US Army during World War I, and returned home to his beloved Annie Mae after the war ended. Eleven Children were conceived through this union. One baby daughter was stillborn, and one son T.C. suddenly died at age two. River Lee, Lawrence, Sylvester, Georgia, Helen, O.C., Floyce, Minnie and Martha were deeply loved and cherished by their parents.
Annie Mae is remembered as a quiet, protective and nurturing mother and a loving, devoted companion to Tandy. Annie was a wonderful cook and a great seamstress. She owned a pedal sewing machine and made most of the family’s cloths, including their pajamas and underwear. She canned vegetables, meat, fruit and preserves from the family farm. Annie liked to dote over her children. Anytime her children did something special she would quickly reveal it to her friends. Christmas was a time when friends would always come by the Beene home to fellowship and to taste some of the wonderful cakes and pies Annie Mae was known for baking in her wood burning stove. How she knew when to place her food in the stove without a temperature gage we’ll never know!
Tandy was a farmer, an ambitious man who was a great provider for his family. He was also the neighborhood barber and belonged to several fraternal and community organizations. He was known for his style of fashion and his since of humor.
As with many families during that time, the majority of the food the family ate was raised by them. Meat was cured and hung in the families smoke house. Cotton was grown on the family farm. The entire family picked the cotton and helped take it to the gin. Profits from the sale of the cotton provided income to the family budget. Tandy was also a supervisor on a peach farm. The family would all help pick peaches, along with other families hired by the owner. They loaded peaches in the truck and transported them to Nashville Arkansas. They were paid by the number of bushels they supplied the owner.
The Beene family worshipped God together at St. John Baptist Church. Sunday School was held every Sunday, but Church Services were held every other week because the Minister commuted between two Churches. St. John Baptist Church was also used as a one-room school for the black children in the community.
The Beene children have very found memories of their childhood, such as their father going to town and bringing home supplies that they were not accustomed to having on a regular basis (such as bologna, crackers, light bread, and candy). The many moments they spent together in leisure while being entertained by their father’s practical jokes will be forever remembered.
Annie Mae passed away in 1941 at age 42. The older children who were still at home helped their father raise the younger children. In 1945 Tandy married Thelma Walker who Tandy’s children grew to love and admire.
When Tandy died in May of 1963 his children River Lee, Lawrence, Sylvester, Georgia, Helen, O.C., Floyce, Minnie and Martha vowed to keep the family together. Although they lived in various regions of the US they planned reunions, coming together every other year to celebrate family and the gift of relationship.
