Wiregrass Black History Project – Delois Lee Interview, October 2, 2024
Record Group 298
Date Span: October 2, 2024
Description: Interview 27:05 min. (3.69GB) ; Transcript = 8 pages.
Biographical Sketch: Delois Daniels Easley Lee was born in Dothan, AL, as one of seven siblings and lived in Dothan's Southside neighborhood until the city razed it for urban renewal. She attended S. Alice Street Elementary School, Montana Street School, and Carver High School until 1965 when her family moved to New Jersey (where she graduated). Married Jacob Easley (d. 1977) in 1968 with whom she had two sons. Worked at various jobs in the Newark, NJ, VA until moving back to Dothan c. 1975. Married Billy Lee, 1979, had one daughter, divorced c. 1987. She worked as an LPN for 32 years, retiring in 2017.
Organizational Sketch: The Wiregrass Black History Project is a collaboration between the Wiregrass Black History Channel on YouTube (by David "Mit" Kirkland) and the Wiregrass Archives. Funded in 2024- 25 by Troy University and the Society of American Archivists Foundation through its Catalyst Grant, the Project's goal is to produce nine video recordings of African American elders in the Wiregrass.
The Wiregrass Black History Channel will host edited versions of the interviews. The Wiregrass Archives will make the raw interviews available on its YouTube channel and create metadata records and finding aids that link to the project and to individual video interviews.
Scope / Content Note: In this video interview and transcript Delois Lee discusses her childhood as a resident of the Southside neighborhood of Dothan, AL, prior to the city razing it c. 1960 for urban renewal. Describes mutual aid among neighbors, shelling peas and beans, attending S. Alice Street Elementary School, attending Bethel Baptist Church (tells a story about her new Easter dress), shopping at stores in Dothan, and socializing with her friends particularly listening to new music. She tells a long story about an "old woman" who predicted the death of Lee's baby brother. She describes life in her grandmother's home in Southside, including the physical layout and the chores she performed.
Provenance: Interview conducted by Mit Kirkland and Marty Olliff. Provided to the Wiregrass Archives as part of the grant-funded Wiregrass Black History Project.
Processing Notes: Transcriptions made by MS Word AI, then edited by Dr. Martin T. Olliff. Revisions planned to update and correct transcriptions.
Cite as: Delois Lee Interview, The Wiregrass Black History Project, RG 298, Wiregrass Archives, Troy University Dothan Campus, Dothan, AL.
Acquisition Method: Gift
Donor Name: Wiregrass Black History Project
Proc Date: 7/4/2025
Access / Use: Open
Processor: MTO
CALENDAR:
298-25-0704-Intv-005 Delois Lee Interview, October 2, 2024 (Southside)
Click here for transcript of unedited video produced below
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Wiregrass Archives
Troy University Dothan Campus
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Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: 334-983-6556 x21327
Email: wiregrassarchives@troy.edu