Family History Of Arthur Sanders, Sr. And Versie Thurmond Sanders,
Beginning With
Their GRANDPARENTS
During that regrettable period of our country's history which witnessed the cruelest form
of injustice ever perpetrated on a people, there nevertheless emerged from a union
blessed by God and forged in tender love an indelible line of descent that remains and
reflects the proud legacy of determination and richness of conviction and character.
Memoirs of the difficulties of the time lend support to the old saying that "they don't
make men and women like they used to" - and history seems to agree.
On November 18, 1886, in Holmes County near Lexington, Mississippi, a son was born
to the union of Ann Sanders (born in 1864) and Alfred Wade. They named him Arthur
Sanders.
Arthur grew up a hard-working, ambitious man with strong Christian convictions and a
friendly but no-nonsense, outgoing personality. In 1910, he met the perfect helpmate
for him - a beautiful, warm, easygoing, cooperative young lady named Versie Thurmond
- and on December 14 of that year they were married. They enjoyed life together as
husband and wife for 52 years, during which time they were blessed with 12 children -
Annie Bette, Willie, John, Rosa, Arthur Jr., Versie Lee, Theodore, Benjamin, Henry,
James, Flora, and Melvin. These children inherited a potent blend of strong convictions,
thoughtfulness, sensitivity, pride, and mother wit.
Arthur became the neighborhood blacksmith and molasses-maker, and also
established himself successfully as a truck farmer and peddler. His reputation for
fairness and honesty made him well-liked in Lexington. Arthur taught his sons such
skills as barbering and mechanics, which some later refined into their professional
vocations.
Arthur was a thoughtful man, and proud of the fact that he was one of the very first
blacks allowed to vote in his home town. Years later, he would recall that he had
demanded this right-which was granted on the condition that he did not make his
"Privilege" public knowledge-after noting that six of his eight sons had answered the call
to arms during World War II. This compromise by the "white folks" was extraordinary,
and was a significant personal victory for this proud black man.
In later years, after all their children had migrated to various states, Arthur and his
beloved Versie moved to Chicago to be near most of them-and there remained and
were lavished with love until called to be with God. Versie in 1962 and Arthur in 1978.
Versie Thurmond Sanders was born on December 12, 1888 in a place called
Sunnymount near Lexington, Mississippi, to Alfred Thurmond and Betty Friar. Versie's
father, Alfred, was conceived as a result of a union between his mother Jane-a slave
girl- and her slave master "McMultry". Jane later married Noah Thurmond, who adopted
Alfred and gave him his family name, originating the Thurmond family that we know
today.
Jane and Noah had nine children in addition to Alfred. The family was close-knit and
hard-working-and, despite this being an era when most blacks were sharecroppers and
plantation workers, all became landowners with their own homes. This inheritance of
land and status was due in large part to the generosity of the slave master "McMultry",
the natural father of Alfred Thurmond.
The marriage of Alfred Thurmond and Betty Friar produced seven children, of which
Versie was the third. Versie's mother was often credited with being the source of her
sweetness, charm, industriousness, and magnetic personality.
After their marriage, Arthur and Versie Thurmond Sanders cultivated an orchard where
they produced a large variety of fruits and vegetables for their growing family. In
addition, they raised domestic fowl of all kinds, as well as livestock.
The Sanders family became well-known on the west side of Lexington. Their children
were raised in a healthy environment,where they were instilled with the highest values
and educated to take on the most demanding challenges. The eight boys and four girls
kept the house, yard, garden, and fields in exceptional order. Gardening, washing,
sewing, cooking, and ironing were daily chores, taught to them by their mother. Church
on Sunday at Zion Hill C.M.E was an established and never-violated must. To this day,
the children radiate and disseminate their spiritual heritage-some as Baptist, some as
catholic, others as Methodist, and some non-denominational, but all deeply rooted. This
gift of spirit is considered a priceless treasure by all of the descendants of Arthur and
Versie Thurmond Sanders.
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