Unknown (?) Culpepper1

Male, #61201, (say 1914 - )
African* He was an African-American. 
Birth*say 1914 He was born say 1914 at Georgia. 
Birth of Son22 Mar 1944 His son Robert Lee Culpepper M.D. was born on 22 Mar 1944.2 

Family
Children
Last Edited28 Feb 2010

Citations

  1. The ancestry of this person is unknown. If you can help in identification of the parents or other relatives, please contact Warren Culpepper, using the link at the bottom of this page.
  2. U.S. Social Security Administration, compiler, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Online database at Ancestry.com.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/main.htm
  3. The Tennessean, Nashville, TN.
    http://www.tennessean.com/
    Obituary of Dr. Robert Culpepper (#51343), published 24 Jan 1999.

Walter Culpepper of Memphis1

Male, #61205, (1 Jan 1910 - 25 Jul 1995)
African* He was an African-American whose ancestry is unknown. If you can help identify him, please contact us. (Contact info is in page footer.) 
Birth*1 Jan 1910 He was born on 1 Jan 1910.1 
Marriage*say 1935 He married Hattie (?) say 1935.2 
SSN*1955 His Social Security Number was issued in 1955 in Tennessee.1 
Death of Spouse1992 His wife Hattie (?) died in 1992 at Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee.2 
Death*25 Jul 1995 He died at Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee, on 25 Jul 1995 at age 85.1 
Obituary*27 Jul 1995 Memphians Flocked To Culpepper's Chicken

With $10 in his pocket and a firm conviction that everyone deserves the best of service, Walter Culpepper carved himself a niche in Beale Street and Memphis history.

Opening his once-famed Culpepper's Chicken Shack near the end of Beale's raucous heyday in the 1930s, Mr. Culpepper spent more than 30 years serving the likes of Elvis Presley, Cab Calloway, B. B. King, Bobby Blue Bland and Bing Crosby.

Mr. Culpepper's restaurant, known for its late hours and top-notch barbecue, always boasted an eclectic crowd, from the tuxedo-and-evening-gown set to working folks in blue jeans and slick, shifty gamblers in flashy clothes.

And, even during bitterly segregated times, served both black and white.

"When people went out on the town and had a good time, the evening wasn't over until you went to the Chicken Shack.

"You never knew who you'd see in there - celebrities and people in tuxedos standing next to folks in jeans," said Freddie L. Moore, Mr. Culpepper's niece.

"He treated everyone the same and made sure his waitresses did, too. That was his way of doing business," said Moore, who cared for Mr. Culpepper in recent years.

A small chapter of Beale Street history ended Tuesday (25 Jul 1995) when Mr. Culpepper, retired now for nearly 25 years, died of heart disease at UT Bowld Hospital. He was 85.

Opened in 1932, Culpepper's Chicken Shack was a place that won't be found in most written histories but was stamped on the memories of a generation of Memphians.

The restaurant first opened on Fourth Street, just off Beale, and first boasted a clientele of tired, hungry and occasionally drunken gamblers and ''sporting people" from the Midway and Beale's many other gambling houses, said Moore.

Mr. Culpepper told his family that, when he opened, he had all of $10 for supplies. He would purchase as much chicken as he could afford, cook it, sell it and then put the money back into more supplies. At the time, he sold a half-chicken for 50 cents.

Soon, the restaurant became a favorite of most Beale Street patrons and performers, including most of the famous black musicians and band leaders who played the Beale Street clubs. The patronage of political boss E. H. Crump helped spread the restaurant's fame to Memphis's white community, which seldom ventured to Beale during the '30s.

A fire in 1938 forced a move to 204 Hernando, a short distance away, but the restaurant's popularity only grew. Even during the 1940s, when Beale Street lost its clubs and prosperity, the restaurant remained popular, visited regularly by celebrities such as Crosby, William Holden and Mae West.

"He always believed in serving people with a smile and always treated everyone the same, no matter how they were dressed or looked. It (the restaurant) was always integrated because he believed in serving everyone," his niece said.

In the 1950s, Mr. Culpepper's food became a favorite of the young Elvis Presley, who often wandered Beale in his youth. In recent years, Mr. Culpepper used to like to tell the story of when someone asked Elvis why he referred to him, a black man, as "Mr. Culpepper."

"Elvis said, 'I've been calling him Mister all along, why would I change now?' " Culpepper had said.

Mr. Culpepper and his late wife, Hattie, also were known for their friendship to young people on the street, befriending them, feeding them, helping them find jobs and occasionally helping pay to send them to school.

"They loved children. They had an adopted daughter, but didn't have any children of their own physically, so they kind of adopted a lot of children off the street," said Moore.

The Culpeppers retired from the restaurant business in 1971 after Mrs. Culpepper was attacked and pistol-whipped while working behind the counter of a new shop on Vance, near Lauderdale. The couple's age, in addition to the declining neighborhood, helped make up their minds, their niece said.

Mrs. Culpepper died in 1992, but Mr. Culpepper continued to work at a local hospital until recently. It was while he was in the hospital himself that one of his acts of kindness was repaid.

While being taken downstairs in a wheelchair for a medical procedure, one of the doctors told the staff he wanted them to take extra special care of Mr. Culpepper.

" 'I know you, Mr. Culpepper. I was one of your alley kids you used to feed,' " the doctor told his patient, Moore said.

Mr. Culpepper, a mason, was a member of Progressive Baptist Church. The widower of Hattie H. Culpepper, he leaves a daughter, Lois Jean Culpepper of Chicago; a sister, Georgia Mattox of Memphis, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.2 

Family

Hattie (?)
Marriage*say 1935 He married Hattie (?) say 1935.2 
Child
  • Lois Jean Culpepper2
Last Edited14 Jul 2010

Citations

  1. U.S. Social Security Administration, compiler, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Online database at Ancestry.com.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/main.htm
  2. The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN.
    http://www.commercialappeal.com/
    Obituary of Walter Culpepper (#61205), "Memphians Flocked To Culpepper's Chicken,"by Jerry Huston, Thursday, July 27, 1995, Page A12.

Hattie (?)1

Female, #61206, (say 1913 - 1992)
African* She was an African-American. 
Birth*say 1913 She was born say 1913.1 
Marriage*say 1935 She married Walter Culpepper of Memphis say 1935.1 
Married Namesay 1935  As of say 1935, her married name was Culpepper.1 
Death*1992 She died at Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee, in 1992.1 

Family

Walter Culpepper of Memphis
Child
  • Lois Jean Culpepper1
Last Edited28 Feb 2010

Citations

  1. The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN.
    http://www.commercialappeal.com/
    Obituary of Walter Culpepper (#61205), "Memphians Flocked To Culpepper's Chicken,"by Jerry Huston, Thursday, July 27, 1995, Page A12.

L. C. Culpepper of Clarke Co., AL

Male, #61208, (1 Sep 1921 - 4 Oct 1995)
African* He was an African-American whose ancestry is unknown. If you can help identify him, please contact us. (Contact info is in page footer.) 
Birth*1 Sep 1921 He was born on 1 Sep 1921.1 
SSN*between 1936 and 1950 His Social Security Number was issued between 1936 and 1950 in Alabama.1 
Marriage*17 Aug 1940 He married Lucy Lee Davis at Clarke Co., Alabama, on 17 Aug 1940 at age 18.2 
Death*4 Oct 1995 He died at Thomasville, Clarke Co., Alabama, on 4 Oct 1995 at age 74.1 

Family
Child
  • Lucy Nell Culpepper M.D.
Last Edited14 Jul 2010

Citations

  1. U.S. Social Security Administration, compiler, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Online database at Ancestry.com.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/main.htm
  2. Inc., Provo, UT MyFamily.com, compiler, Alabama Marriage Collection, 1800-1969, Online database at Ancestry.com, 2006.
    http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=7838&enc=1&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0

Elmer Russell1

Male, #61215, (say 1921 - )
Birth*say 1921 He was born say 1921. 
Marriage*15 Apr 1945 He married Annie Oneda Culpepper on 15 Apr 1945. They had three children: Judy, Gary and Nancy.1,2 

Family

Annie Oneda Culpepper
Child
  • Nancy Russell1
Last Edited21 Aug 2010

Citations

  1. E-mail written 17 Feb 2010 to Warren Culpepper from Nancy Stevenson (#61216), e-mail address.
  2. E-mail written 7 Aug 2010 to Warren Culpepper from Beverly June Culpepper (#61228), e-mail address.

William Robert Culpepper1,2

Male, #61218, (19 Mar 1933 - 13 Jul 2011)
Father*John Wesley Culpepper1
Mother*Tillah Ford1
Nickname  William Robert Culpepper also went by the name of Robert.3 
Birth*19 Mar 1933 He was born on 19 Mar 1933 at Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan.4 
Marriage*say 1955 He married Beverly June Fussell say 1955.3 
Death of FatherJan 1956 His father John Wesley Culpepper died in Jan 1956. 
Death*13 Jul 2011 He died on 13 Jul 2011 at age 78. 
Obituary*say 14 Jul 2011 Culpepper, William Robert, 78 yrs. Married to Beverly June (Fussell) for 56 yrs.
Five children; Robert (Kim), Ronald, Brenda Cooke, Joel (Laura), Joyce (Mike Cupp).
11 grandchildren, a brother Paul (Juline) of TN.
Bob is a Life Member of the VFW of Berkley, Past Cmdr. Of Berkley American Legion
Visitation at the Sterling Heights Chapel of the Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, 13650 East Fifteen Mile Road (@ Schoenherr) Sunday 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Funeral Service Monday 10:00 am at the funeral home.
Interment White Chapel Cemetery.5 
Burial*say 16 Jul 2011 His body was interred say 16 Jul 2011 at White Chapel Cemetery, Troy, Oakland Co., Michigan.5 

Family
Marriage*say 1955 He married Beverly June Fussell say 1955.3 
Children
  • Robert J. Culpepper6
  • Ronald M. Culpepper4
  • Brenda J. Culpepper4
  • Joel C. Culpepper6
  • Joyce A. Culpepper6
ChartsBenjamin (son of Robert) Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC: Descendant Chart
Last Edited18 Jul 2017

Citations

  1. E-mail written 17 Feb 2010 to Warren Culpepper from Nancy Stevenson (#61216), e-mail address.
  2. MyFamily.com Inc., compiler, US Public Records Index, Online database at Ancestry.com, 2005.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8907&enc=1
  3. Detroit Free Press / News, Detrioit, Michgan.
    http://www.freep.com/
    Obituary of Gobel W. Culpepper (#41677), published 17 Jul 2006.
  4. Merlin Data Publishing Corporation, compiler, US Public Records Index, Vol 2, Online database at Ancestry.com, 2010.
    http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1732
  5. http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/William-Robert-Culpepper-91907330
  6. E-mail written 7 Aug 2010 to Warren Culpepper from Beverly June Culpepper (#61228), e-mail address.

John D. Silwanowicz1,2

Male, #61219, (1925 - )
Birth*1925 He was born in 1925.2 
Marriage*say 1946 He married Margaret Eloise Culpepper say 1946. Margie and John Silwanowicz had four children: Linda Silwanowicz, Paul Silwanowicz, David Silwanowicz and Peggy Silwanowicz.3 
Residence*1983 John resided at Royal Oak, Oakland Co., Michigan, in 1983.2 

Family

Margaret Eloise Culpepper
Last Edited21 Aug 2010

Citations

  1. E-mail written 17 Feb 2010 to Warren Culpepper from Nancy Stevenson (#61216), e-mail address.
  2. MyFamily.com Inc., compiler, US Public Records Index, Online database at Ancestry.com, 2005.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8907&enc=1
  3. E-mail written 7 Aug 2010 to Warren Culpepper from Beverly June Culpepper (#61228), e-mail address.

Adelaide Lake1

Female, #61230, (2 Oct 1903 - Jul 1985)
African* She was a Black of African, but not American, descent.2 
Birth*2 Oct 1903 She was born on 2 Oct 1903 at Antigua.1,3 
Marriage*say 1921 She married Irvin Cyril Culpepper say 1921.1 
Married Namesay 1921  As of say 1921, her married name was Culpepper.1 
Birth of Son1 Jan 1923 Her son Rupert Culpepper was born on 1 Jan 1923 at New York City, New York Co., New York.4 
Death of Son1 Jan 1923 Her son Rupert Culpepper died on 1 Jan 1923 at New York City, New York Co., New York.4 
Birth of Son6 Dec 1923 Her son Irving Waterman Culpepper was born on 6 Dec 1923 at New York.5,3,6 
Birth of Son27 May 1925 Her son Lionel R. Culpepper was born on 27 May 1925 at New York City, New York Co., New York.6,3 
Travel*16 Mar 1926 She and Irving Waterman Culpepper arrived on 16 Mar 1926 at New York City, New York Co., New York, from Antigua, BWI on the S.S. Dominica.7 
Birth of Son5 Feb 1934 Her son Robert M. Culpepper was born on 5 Feb 1934 at New York City, New York Co., New York.8 
Biography* Alxis Culpepper wrote:
     "My father (irving Waterman Culpepper) being the oldest was very close to his mother (Adelaide), and he even sent her his checks that he received during WW-II when he was in the Navy since he was always very concerned about his Mother and his siblings well being. Because his father Irvin Cyril Culpepper worked steadily for the railroad, he was back and forth a lot and so she depended on my father as being 'the man of the house' when his father was working out of state on the railroad (which was often);
     "Irvin Cyril Culpepper and Adelaide's first born son was named Rupert Culpepper... He died at birth of crib death. My grandmother Adelaide said that she literally fell on her knees on the hospital floor and prayed for a second child, and in the same year that her first born died (Jan 1923), her second born (my father) was born on December 6, 1923 on the same year at home. She was well known for telling everyone that she prayed to the Lord for her second child while all the other children she says 'fell from the sky'. Since Rupert's death, Adelaide refused to give birth to any more children at any Hospital since her first born child Rupert died in a hospital."2 
Death of SpouseAug 1984 Her husband Irvin Cyril Culpepper died in Aug 1984 at Saint Johns, Antigua and Barbuda.1,3 
Death*Jul 1985 She died at Saint Johns, Antigua and Barbuda, in Jul 1985 at age 81.1,3 

Family

Irvin Cyril Culpepper
Marriage*say 1921 She married Irvin Cyril Culpepper say 1921.1 
Children
Last Edited24 Aug 2010

Citations

  1. E-mail written 17 Feb 2010 to Warren Culpepper from Deslyn Culpepper (#61245), e-mail address.
  2. E-mail written 22 Jul 2010 to Warren Culpepper from Alexis Marie Culpepper (#61576), e-mail address.
  3. U.S. Social Security Administration, compiler, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Online database at Ancestry.com.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/main.htm
  4. E-mail written 19 Jul 2010 to Warren Culpepper from Stephanie Peel-Muirhead (d/o #61235), e-mail address.
  5. 1930 Federal Census, United States.
    350 West 139th Street, Manhattan, New York Co., NY, ED 985, Page 11A
    Rent=$35, Radio=Y, Farm=N (Black) (Also see in Ellis Island Records)
    Sidney Culpeper, Head, 41, md @ 20, BWI/BWI/BWI, Machinist at Wire Factory
    Miriam Culpeper, Wife, 41, md @ 20, British Guiana/BG/BG
    Preston Culpeper, Son, 17, NY/BWI/BG
    Winifred Culpeper, Daughter, 15, NY/BWI/BG
    Sidney Culpeper, Son, 12, NY/BWI/BG
    Iris Culpeper, Daughter, 9, NY/BWI/BG
    Irving Culpeper, Son, 7, NY/BWI/BG
    Charles Williams, Lodger, 25, Single, Virgin Islands/VI/VI, Shipping clerk in factory.
  6. National Archives/Washington D.C., compiler, New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, Online database at Ancestry.com, 2006.
    http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=7488
    Irving W. Culpepper, age 7, born 6 Dec 1923 in NYC, and Lionel R. Culpepper, age 6, born 27 May 1925 in NYC, arrived in the Port of New York on 2 Jul 1931 on the Dominica from Antigua, BWI.
  7. National Archives/Washington D.C., compiler, New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, Online database at Ancestry.com, 2006.
    http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=7488
    Adelaide Lake Culpepper, age 22, a British citizen, and her son, Irving W. Culpepper, age 2, a US citizen, arrived in the Port of New York on 16 mar 1926 on the Dominica from Antigua, BWI.
  8. Merlin Data Publishing Corporation, compiler, US Public Records Index, Vol 2, Online database at Ancestry.com, 2010.
    http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1732