Parents -Vernon's father, Henry Clay Averhart, was born in 1879 in the city of Lexington, Mississippi. As an adult, Henry married Rosa Hicks on November 1, 1911 and worked as a self-employed farmer, and would raise seven children with Mrs. Averhart. Henry lived a long life and would not die until 1965. -Vernon's mother, Rosa Hicks, was born in Lexington, Mississippi during the year 1892. After marrying Henry, she would give birth to seven boys: Vernon McCoy Averhart, John Gladys Averhart, Gladdis Averhart, Henry Clay Averhart, Ashley Averhart, and lastly, Willie Phillip Averhart. Despite the amount of children Rosa gave birth to, she would live a comfortable life until her death in 1970. Brothers -John Gladys was born on November 13, 1918 in Howard, Mississippi. Along with the rest of his family, he would help tend the farm in Lexington for the duration of his childhood. After becoming an adult, John would work as a custodian in the Holmes County School District. In 1977, John would move to Chicago, Illinois where he would remain until his death in 1986. -Mayfield Nehemiah was born May 8, 1918 in Lexington. Unlike the rest of his family, Mayfield would get a four-year education and become a high school teacher in the Prentiss County School District. However, he would be enlisted in the US Army on June 12, 1941 where he would reach the rank of 1st Sgt., while apart of the Immaterial Branch as a Warrant Officer. After the war, Mayfield would marry Lela Mae Glenn on December 2nd, 1955 and settled in Fort Custer, Michigan. With his wife, Mayfield would raise five children, Victoria McLaughlin, Linda Johnson, Celestine Hudson, Vasanta Thompson, and Maurice Averhart. Him and his family would remain in Fort. Custer in Augusta, Michigan until his death in 2004. -Gladdis would unfortunately have no records at hand besides his birth year of 1919. -Henry Clay was born in Furman, Alabama in December 29, 1919 and would move with his mother to Pensacola, Florida. There, Henry would be enlisted into the military and would be discharged as a Private. After being discharged, would marry Susie Mae Hale. Clay would then stay in Pensacola with his wife until his death on June 16, 1997 in the Barrancas National Cemetery. -Ashley was born in Lexington on July 30, 1921. Once he became an adult, "Ashe" would move to Cicero, Illinois. After registering Febraury 16, 1942, he would be enlisted that year and discharged the following April. Ashe would then marry Alma Broadwater in 1943 and live out he rest of his life with his wife and son, Ashley Averhart Jr., in Chicago until his death February 28, 2001. -Lastly, Willie Phillip was born in Lexington on February 19, 1924. Once he became and adult, Willie would move to Southern Mississippi where he would work at Alcorn A&M College outside Lorman, Mississippi. After registering but not being enlisted, Ashe would spend ten more years in Lorman before moving to Racine County, Wisconsin. There, he would become a barber until 1992. That year, Willie would move down to the suburbs of Atlanta in Conyers, Georgia. He would then reside their for the duration of his life until his death January 29, 2011. Vernon Himself Vernon was the oldest of the Averhart brothers. Like the majority of his family, Vernon was born in Lexington, Mississippi on April 19, 1914. There are not many records about his personal before or during the war expect the usual with the rest of his brothers: As a child, Vernon would tend the family farm while also attending grammar school. However, to seek a better life rather than as a result of it being a mandate, Vernon was enlisted into the US Navy and was enlisted on March 5, 1938. |