Last Surviving Victim injured inThe 1955 Civil Rights Murder of John Earl Reese Dies

 

Jocy Faye Nelson-Crockett died early Friday morning August 23, 2013. She was home with family when she passed.

My sister Jocy Faye Nelson-Crockett had a good life. She was one of three children born to my father and his first wife Ruby Reese-Nelson, two girls Johnnie Murl, Jocy Faye, and one boy Woodie Jean Nelson. They are all deceased.

When Jocy Faye and her sibling were young  their mom and my father divorced. He would go on to father another daughter born to Clothia Beckworth. Later my father would marry my mom Pearlee Watt-Nelson. To their union nine children were born, four boys, and five girls.

When I was a little girl my sister Jocy Faye (now an adult) would visit us all the time. She'd be dressed up, and looking beautiful. She would say she's going out on the town. She'd be laughing and talking about where she's going, and what she going to be doing. Sometimes she would return to spend the night with us. We loved it!!

Eventually she started working at a café. Our dad would take us to visit her sometimes before they opened. We thought she had a fantastic job. She would ask us what we want to eat or drink. Then she would buy us all cokes. It was so exciting. She worked hard, knew how to have fun, and make people feel good. I really did admire my sister.

Finally, she met Johnny Crockett. He would come in the café just to see her. They were drawn to each other like flies to honey. Although I was very young I still remember how he adored her. He would cater to her, and stare at her in such a loving way. They had lots fun together. The cutest couple you could ever meet. He would bring her over to our house and they would hang out with the family. She'd sit on his lap playing with him and laughing. We'd have the best times. They dated for quite some time, fell in love, got married. They were blessed with five children, one boy, and four girls. After several years of love and irreconcilable differences, they divorced.

Before my sisters death she talked to me about her divorce. I told her how I always hated it. I wondered if she could have done something it prevent a divorce would she? She explained to me when you get to a certain point in your marriage where you don't get along because there is too many secrets, too many lies, leaving for days and think its OK, fussing and fighting all the time, you don't agree about the bills, the children, or even the food.  

You get to a point in your marriage and realize you're playing with your life. She said the situation she was in divorce was the only option.

Divorce destroyed everything she ever hoped for, the  brick home with cars parked in the garage, money in the bank, raising their children together, sending them to college, and some day traveling together... All her dreams were gone. They lost their dreams somewhere in the streets partying, enjoying life with their friends, and worst of all partying separately.

My sister Jocy Faye Nelson-Crockett ended her conversation by saying "Divorce is the worst thing that can happen to you". She wanted tell everybody "If you are married forget about the streets". "Stay at home and work on your marriage"... She never married again.

Joyce Nelson-Crockett was the only surviving witness to the shooting of John Reese. She spent her life working as a caregiver for Jim Kuykendall’s son, Harold Kuykendall, without knowing of his connection to the shootings and murder. She worked for him in his home until his death in 2009. Ross died in Panola County in east Texas in January 1976. Simpson died in June 1998 in Arizona. Reese’s father, John T. Reese, died June 23, 1986 in East Texas. John Earl was his only child.  The elder Mr. Reese never had the satisfaction of public recognition that his son’s death was not just a personal tragedy, but a civil rights travesty.

Lost_Life_a_Miscarriage_of_Justice_The_Death_of_John_Earl_Reese by Kaylie Simon

My final blog for "Life Without Justice".

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Woodie Gene Nelson's Home Going February 19, 2011

January 29, 2011 the last time I would see my oldest brother alive. I always saw him as fun to be around happy, and free spirited person. Quite the entertainer he was.

My poem:

CANCER CANCER

We heard your call.
We tried to ignore you, but you refused us all.
Why, oh why do you invade our digestion?
You shake your head and say "You left a open invitation".
Please, please will you just go away?
You say "I know that's what you want, but I can't leave until I have no reason to stay".

~ Msbeamer~

R. I. P. My dear brother... until we meet again.

Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven. ~Tryon Edwards

DONATE ONLINE NOW

American Cancer Society

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Terry Nelson's Home Going January 8, 2011

Eulogy by (Terry's baby sister)
Pastor Essie Mapps
"The Prodigal Son" Luke 15:11-32

Terry Nelson, son of the late Johnnie Murl Nelson Arthur (my oldest sister), his sisters, and brothers experienced the pain of loosing their mom at such young ages. Trying to be a man too soon. He was in charge of his little sisters, and brothers.

Pastor Mapps reminded us of his love for people, his enthusiasm, his interest in taking things apart ( televisions, telephones, radios...etc), and putting them back together. He wanted to know what made those things tick. He had a unique personality.

Leaving home too soon Terry endured a lot of trouble and strife throughout his lifetime. His family and friends begged him to come back home and get his life right. He would just grin.

Terry also had a special love for all children (especially his precious nieces, and nephews). He hated to see them punished or spanked. It was so painful for him to watch that he would shout out "Don't hurt those babies". After they got their spankings he would not leave until he could console them.

While his family and friends were begging and pleading with him to get his life right they were praying for him too.

Then one day just like the "prodigal son" Terry returned to his family. They welcomed him with open arms, and he gave his life to Christ.

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John Earl Reese Memorial Service Tatum, TX

John Earl Reese Family

(left) his Step Mom Alma Reese (she is the mother to his other siblings), (back left) William Reese, (front left) John Albert Reese, (front middle) niece, (back middle right) Sharon Reese Thompson, (second front right) Audrey Reese Morgan (back right) nephew

Saturday October 23, 2010 at 9:00 a.m., Services for the historical unveiling of John Earl Reese memorial service were underway.  Northeastern University School of Law  Civil Rights and Restorative Justice.

• 9:00 a.m. Graveside Ceremony at Smith Chapel Cemetery was held. Invocation & Occasion by Rev. Lewis Thompson Jr with the unveiling of a new headstone next to his old stone.
• 9:45 a.m.Tatum Public Library commemorating a plaque in John Earl Reese honor Remarks by Mayor Phil Corey
• 10:25 a.m. At former CR 2174 unveiling in John Earl Rees Road, remarks by Mike Pepper, Commissioner, Pct.2
• 11:00 a.m. Smith Chapel Baptist Church unveiling of the Civil Rights Marker by Clifford Harkless
• 11:00 a.m. Smith Chapel Baptist Church Sanctuary of The Church recognition by Margie Centers with Special remarks by Dr. M. Burnham, Northeastern Law Center and her staff
• 11:50 a.m. Closing Pray by Jamie Brown/ Refreshments were served afterwards.

People mostly responsible for making this memorial service happen are from the Northeastern University School of Law. They have dedicated years of  commitment, travel, research and interviews, along with personal time and efforts to obtain accurate facts and information. (pictured below)

Nathaniel Johnson, Kaylie Simon, Dr. Margaret Burnham & (cousin) Jocy Faye Nelson Crockett

John Earl Reese (cousin) Bonnie Fletcher, (aunts) Irene & Gladye Reese

It was a very emotional service. From graveside services to the moment we approached the installation of the plaque in the public library until the very end. All speakers spoke with great sensitivity and emotion.

While watching my sister as she went to each event trying to hold back her emotions. Also, watching John Earl Reese aunts, and cousins as they looked on. I could see the sadness on their faces. It was as if we were attending an actual funeral service.

I wasn't born when John Earl Reese was alive, but my sister Jocy F. Nelson Crockett would keep his memory alive forever because she was always talking about him and reminding us of that terrible tragedy from which seemed to be not so long ago.

As we approached the road re-named in John Earl Reese honor Commissioner Mike Pepper reminded us that this is same the road that John Earl Reese walked to school on every day.Commissioner Mike Pepper spoke with so much passion. You could actually see John Earl Rees as a little boy walking down that old road. After the sign was revealed as Joyce Faye Crockett touched the sign she could no longer hold back her tears. You could see everyone in the crowd being moved with emotion.

We moved across the road to Smith Chapel Baptist Church for unveiling of the historical marker. It was a somber feeling in the air. Clifford Harkless spoke passionately about the meaning of the marker and why it is placed where it is. 

The historical marker stands across the road from the old Mayflower school where John Earl Reese attended. The school is no longer a school. Northeastern University School of Law Nathaniel Johnson also spoke of the honor of the historical marker and it's significance.

Johnnie Myrle Nelson Arthur's children

Joyce Faye Nelson Crockett's children

Joyce Faye Nelson Crockett with her children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren

Jocy Faye Nelson Crockett sisters (left end) Irvia Nelson Sammon, (center) children, nieces and nephews (right end) Shirley Nelson Beckworth  

Smith Chapel Baptist Church Johnnie M. Thompson Johnson started the program with songs. Margie F. Centers was in charge of recognition and introductions.  Kaylie Simon spoke about the joy of spending time with Joyce Faye Nelson Crockett and  Johnnie M. Thompson Johnson. They assisted with a lot of the history, background information and detail of the shooting and murder.She also spoke of the love and compassion she has felt being among the people in the community

Guest speaker Dr. Margaret Burnham spoke with a lot of compassion as she talked about the life John Earl Reese and his possibilities. What he could should and might have been if he was alive.

Dr. Margaret Burnham reminded us that John Earl Reese would probably be around her age and probably have a family and children of his own. It was no telling what kind of contributions he could have made to society. But, we will never know because he never got the chance he deserved to have. His life was stolen from him. What a shame and a lost to his family, friends and loved ones and society. Dr. Margaret Burnham also spoke with compassion and truth in her voice.

Joyce Faye Nelson Crockett sisters (left) Irvia Sammon,(center left) Gwendolyn Deckard, historian China Galland (center right), and Evelyn Nelson (right)

(left) Gussey L. Daniel classmate of Joyce Faye Nelson Crockett  (center) Kaylie Simon, (right) Dr.Margaret Burnham.

Gussey L. Daniel dedicated his personal painting of a school bus riddled with bullets being driven by Horace Thompson and a bus load of children on their way to Mayflower school back in the 1950's. The other sites are of the school they attended and a head stone in memory of John Earl Reese.

Someone cried out in the front of me. When I looked up and I saw John Earl Reese's baby sister Sharon Reese Thompson. My heart went out to her. I felt so much compassion and heart break for the Reese family I had to talk to them or try to comfort them.  They began to talk about their childhood. Most of their lives was spent watching their father consumed with the lost of his son and  he adamantly refused to talk about him. They were never allowed to bring up his name to their father.

• Sharon Reese Thompson- said she had just found out about the memorial services a few days earlier because of by reading a article on the Internet. After reading the article she contacted her family because they all needed to be here. She went on to say she spend quite a bit of her time researching any information she can about her brother. She went on to talk about how painful it was for her not to know about her brother. She always wondered about him and felt like a part of her had been missing all those years. Yet, no one would talk about him.  "The entire memorial was wonderful. For the first time since I was a little girl I finally know the truth about what really happened to my eldest brother, who I will never ever truly know. Just knowing what I know today is a blessing. Knowing you and your family is a blessing as well. Thank God for the people who had the courage to see this investigation reopened  I thank God for all the hard work and dedication the researchers put in to this project".

• Audrey Reese Morgan- Thanked everyone for every thing and how she was pleased with the services. She told me that her older living brother John Albert Reese was the one in the family that most favored their oldest brother John Earl Reese.

• William Reese-  talked about it being painful for him. He grew up like his sisters wondering about the brother he never knew along with feeling the void in his life.

• John Albert Reese- talked about the pain of being named by his aunts John Earl Reese.  It was too painful for his father. His father told his sisters they had to change that name because nobody else could ever be called John Earl Reese.  People would called him John Earl Reese for years. When people started calling him John Albert Reese he had a hard time getting used to it.

You could clearly see the pain on their face as they spoke about their brother and father. Their father would carry the pain of loosing his son John Earl Reese deep in his heart for the rest of his life. After the death of John Earl Reese his father married a girl named Alma. They went on to have (2) sons and (2) daughters. He was also a proud grandfather to (8) grandchildren, and (4) great-grandchildren. Beloved father John Travis Reese past away June 23,1986.

John Earl Reese sisters and brothers are leading good productive lives with families of their own. They  are the sisters and brothers left behind. They now carry the pain from years of watching their father suffer from the sad and tragic death a brother they never knew. May the pain of the past be lessened and the memories for the future be sweeter.

John Earl Reese, 16, was murdered in a drive-by shooting while sitting in Hughes Cafe on Texas Highway 149 with his cousins Joyce Nelson, 13, and her sister Johnnie Myrle Nelson, 15.

He died the following morning October 23, 1955.

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."


Isaiah 41:10, 13