A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
Dennis Edward Barnum, house painter and carpenter from Stewart County, GA founded Barnum Funeral Home in Americus, GA in January of 1905, along with his wife, Lorena and mother, Molly (a former slave). Dennis received his training from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. The young couple had two children, Willie Bell and John Lee. After graduating from Lincoln University, lettering in four sports and joining Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; serving in the Army during WWI, John Lee attended the Atlanta College of Mortuary Science. He became a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director. He married the former Mabel Elliott of Albany, GA. She was a graduate of Fisk University and the daughter of Funeral Director George Elliott. Elliott Funeral Home was founded in 1900. Both of their children, Lois Elliott Barnum and John Lee, Jr. became licensed Funeral Directors and Embalmers after attending Hampton University. John, Jr's wife Thelma Gray Barnum, (Hampton graduate ) a public school teacher for many years, was also a licensed Funeral Director. All three of their children, John, III, Lorena and Dennis became licensed Funeral Directors. John, III and Lorena became licensed Embalmers as well.
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Lorena Barnum Sabbs, a 1973 graduate of Fisk University, is now [2011] the President and Owner of the family business. She graduated with Honors in the first Funeral Service Degree Program at Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, GA. She and her husband, Darrell, have raised 5 children, Darrell, Jr. (Math Teacher and Swim Coach for Americus Sumter High School), Martin Malik (deceased), Alia (Senior at Spelman College) and Marcus (Junior at Morehouse College) and Raven Payne (graduate of Spelman College and adjunct professor at South Georgia Technical College). They have two granddaughters, Leila (5 years) and Nylah (5 months)
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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