About the Miller-Thornton Union
William (Will) & Lula Mae (Thornton) Miller Union
The Miller-Thornton family starts with Will and Lula Mae Miller. They both were born in Troy. Alabama and raised in Slocomb, Alabama.
Lula Mae was affectionately called "Sugar Mama" and became the grand matriarch of the Family. Around 1942 the family began celebrating her birthday which was May 13th on Mother's Day. They would have an informal program of poetry and other expressions. Pictures would be taken of the family gathering and printed in the Afro American and Herald News, the black weeklies of that time. This celebration would take place for 10 years until her death on February 18, 1952.
Popa (Will) was fiery medium built man and ruled the family with an iron hand. He taught the family to stick together, and often demonstrated how the fist was stronger and the fingers weak. Hence, the family is stronger as a unit than standing as individual.
From this union 12 children were born 10 of whom were raised to maturity. This was a blessing because many hands were needed for survival on the 40-acre farm they owned in Slocomb.
Later when they migrated north to Newark, NJ. They became founders of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark, NJ.
Note: All of the boys from this union have twins in their family line/Descendants.
The Children:
- Arthur (Bubba) Miller - 1892
- Lonie Miller - 1895
- Cora Miller - 1899
- Alma Miller - 1901
- Jack Miller - 1902
- Louis Miller - 1905
- Willa Mae Miller - 1907
- Anna Lou Miller - 1909
- Ozie Miller - 1908
- Catherine (Cassie) Miller - 1916
Their Children
Arthur & Mary (Miller)
- Mary; Anna Rose & Katie Bell
Cora & 1st husband Esau Davis 2nd husband George Mathis
- Elizabeth (Lizzie)
Lonie & Jonnie H. Wembley
- Curtis (Buddy); Nettie Lee; & Woodrow Wilson
Alma & TY Bryant:
- Verbena; Calma & Samuel
Jack & Hattie (Reddick) Miller
- Willie; Lloyd; Clarence; Doris; Herbert (Herbie)
- Harold died of Rheumatic fever
Louis & Ethel Miller:
- Louise & Bernice (Ellis)
- Lula & Lera (from Ethel)
Willa Mae & Edward Davis
- Juanita
Anna Lou
- Thomas & Leonard
Ozie & Roger Davis (Edward and Roger were brothers)
- No children
Catherine & Freddie Webb:
- No children