Dates: 1898-1982.

Biography:
Henry Thad Lyon

Henry Thad Lyon was born in Philadelphia, Neshoba County, Mississippi, on February 23, 1900, to Marshall Lyon (b. ca. 1876) and Millie Lyon (b. ca. 1880). Henry T. Lyon was the second of Marshall and Millie’s six children including: Lou Bertie, Green H., George W., Jane, and Mary Lyon. During World War I, Henry Thad Lyon enlisted in the United States Army as a private on September 12, 1918, in Philadelphia, Mississippi. After the war, Lyon married Zattie Sherrod (b. November 30, 1896 – d. January 20, 1980) on December 25, 1919. The couple had eleven children including: Euphas, Henry E., Henry Thad, Jr., Pecola, Eureka, Lorine, Christene, Cloteal, Symatha, and Genever Lyon.

During World War II, Euphas, Henry E., and Eureka Lyon enlisted in the United States Army. All three sons were identified as being farmhands at the time of their enlistment at Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Lyon sons saw combat in the European, African-Middle Eastern, and Asia-Pacific campaigns from 1943 through 1945. Each of the Lyon sons were awarded medals for their service in the United States Army. They were discharged between 1945 and 1946.

The primary occupation of Henry Thad Lyon and the Lyon family focused on owning and operating farmland in Neshoba County. As a war veteran, Eureka Lyon was able to secure a deed of trust on property in Neshoba County from the Veterans Farm and Home Board of the State of Mississippi on September 21, 1950. In relationship to Henry Thad Lyon’s ministerial obligations, he was active in Neshoba County’s African American Baptist Church community at an early age. He served as a deacon and became a licensed minister on September 18, 1938. Lyon went on to pastor in Neshoba County, Mississippi, first at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church for thirty years, and at Mt. Ary Missionary Baptist Church for eight years. Furthermore, Lyon’s leadership within the Baptist community resulted in his emergence as both moderator and treasurer of the Mt. Olive Association for several years. Lyon served in these capacities up until his death.

Henry Thad Lyon was admitted as a patient to the Neshoba County General Hospital on March 18, 1976. Lyon died in Philadelphia, Mississippi on March 24, 1976. Lyon was buried at Mt. Ary Cemetery, Neshoba County, Mississippi.

 

Scope and Content Note:

The Lyon (Henry Thad) and Family Papers include business and personal correspondence; a photograph; sermon notes and drafts; military and agricultural records; memorabilia; news clippings; personal papers; Baptist church materials; and miscellaneous publications. The contents predominantly concern Henry Thad Lyon’s careers as both a Baptist minister and farmer in Neshoba County. Several items among the collection also relate to other members of the Lyon family and acquaintances.

 

Series Identification:

Series 1: Correspondence. 1940-1972; n.d.

This series includes incoming and outgoing correspondence of Henry Thad Lyon and other Lyon family members relating to both personal and business matters. Among this series are two World War II era letters from Henry Thad Sr. and Zattie Lyon to Henry E. Lyon addressing the family developments and daily farm activities. One such example is Zattie Lyon’s letter dated February 21, 1940, to Henry E. Lyon noting receipt of the $70.00 Henry E. sent in addition to the death of his uncle, Thomas. In a December 13, 1944, letter to Henry E. Lyon, from Henry Thad Lyon, Sr., the latter explains that he’s trying to save all that he can for the future well-being of the Lyon family. In relationship to Henry Thad Lyon’s ministerial career, an October 24, 1950, letter from William Funches Clark, informs the pastor that he had been re-elected as pastor of St. Luke Church.

Box 1, folders 1-16

 

Series 2: Photographs. n.d.

This series consists of a lone photograph depicting an elderly African American man with others in the background. It is a possibility that the image is of Henry Thad Lyon with members of the Lyon family in the backdrop.

Box 1, folder 17

 

Series 3: Sermon Notes and Drafts. n.d.

This series includes Henry Thad Lyon’s outlines of sermons and sermon notes.

Box 1, folders 18-26

 

Series 4: Programs. 1937-1981.

This series comprises an assortment of programs relating to various conferences, conventions and funerals which Henry Thad Lyon and members of the Lyon family attended. Of particular interest is the 1939 Freemasons’ publication, Proceedings of the annual…communication. (Due to preservation concerns, this item has been withdrawn from the collection. Patrons interested in viewing this item may request it from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s Library by referencing the following call number: 366.1/F88pn/1939). Of note is the obituary associated with Henry Thad Lyon’s funeral.

Box 1, folders 27-37

 

Series 5: Military and Agricultural Records. ca. 1940-1968.

This series consists of an undated military affidavit for dependency benefits relating to Euphas Howard Lyon. This item records the monthly expenses associated with members of the Lyon’s household in addition to Euphas’ estimated annual wages as a farm laborer being $500.00. Of additional interest is a 1951 farm and home plan record book issued to Henry E. Lyon. As a Mississippi veteran of World War II, Henry E. was enrolled in the Mississippi State Board of Education’s farm training program. Henry E. Lyon identified his farming status as an owner with the objective of becoming a superior farmer. This record provides a detailed account of Henry E. Lyon’s expenses and the value of his farm between 1947 and 1951. Of note are 1968 instructions for participants of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. This record provides participants with the criteria associated with both the Feed Grain and Wheat Programs and Upland Cotton Acreage Reduction Program.

Box 2, folders 1-3

 

Series 6: Personal Papers. 1938-1958; n.d.

This series contains an assortment of materials that range from contact information for family members and acquaintances, empty envelopes, a life insurance policy pertaining to C.N. Eiland, and postcard from Eiland to Henry Thad Lyon. Records indicate that C.N. Eiland was a fellow pastor, and friend of Henry Thad Lyon, Sr. Eiland served as president of the Northeast Mississippi State Convention’s Sunday School Department and moderator of the Mt. Olive Baptist Association. Of additional interest is Henry Thad Lyon’s address book and Preacher’s license and copy of the King James version of the Holy Bible with annotations. This series also contains Geneva Lyon’s assignment card for state owned textbooks.

Box 2, folders 4-12

 

Series 7: News clippings. 1937; n.d.

This series consists of original editorials relating to the Baptist church that were collected by Henry Thad Lyon.

Box 2, folder 13

 

Series 8: Baptist Church Publications. 1934-1980; n.d.

This series comprises numerous pamphlets relating to the Baptist church such as conference proceedings, published sermons, and pamphlets. Of interest is a pamphlet entitled, “The Man Whom We Present for National Leadership.” This undated item details the leadership and missionary experiences of Joseph Harrison Jackson, pastor of Olivett Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois, who was responsible for overseeing the construction of a structure at the Suehn Mission in Liberia, West Africa. Another item of note is a brochure documenting the Baptist affiliations of Reverend T.R. Brown.

Box 2, folders 14-19

 

Series 9: Other Christian Denominational Publications. 1898-1951; n.d.

This series consists of various published sermons from church leaders affiliated with Christian denominations. Included in this series is a 1908 publication by D.E. Reed entitled, Samuel Morris: A Spirit-Filled Life. This pamphlet illustrates the Christian evolution of a Kru native, Samuel Morris, from Liberia, West Africa. This work serves as a first-hand account of the early 20th century Anglo-American evangelical tradition to Liberia, West Africa. Of additional interests are several pamphlets that provide instructions on how to study the Bible and interpretations of selected books in the Bible.

Box 3, folders 1-14
Box 4, folders 1-9
Box 5, folders 1-2

 

Series 10: Gospel Song Books. 1948; 1951.

This series contains two gospel song books entitled Glory Waves and Crimson Glow. Both were published by the Stamps-Baxter Music and Printing Company.

Box 5, folders 3-4

 

Series 11: Miscellaneous Publications. 1944-1982; n.d.

This series consists of various publications concerning Christianity, Mississippi history, farming, a personnel handbook for the Mississippi Action For Progress, Incorporated, a 1967 copy of the Southern Bell Telephone Directory, excerpts from two dictionaries and a copy of the text, Systematic Theology. Of particular interest is Pearl Vivian Guyton’s 1935 work, The History of Mississippi: from Indian Times to the Present Day. (This item has been withdrawn from the collection for preservation purposes. Researchers interested in viewing this text may request it from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s Library by referencing the following call number: 976.2/G99h).

Box 5, folders 5-9
Box 6, folder 1