In 1930, when he was 21 years old, Lonnie was working as a cotton buyer at a cotton firm. He still lived with his mother and father, as well as a servant named Lizzie Harris who was employed by the family.
On March 10, 1934, Lonnie married Edith Lee Spencer, who was born on July 11, 1914. She had completed her senior year of high school. Before marrying, she had lived with her parents, Maye and Everett E. Spencer, as well as her brothers Robert and Malcolm and her cousin Gertrude.
Her marriage with Lonnie was short-lived, as they were divorced by 1940. She returned to live with her family and work as a bookkeeper in a tin shop, while Lonnie returned to live with his family.
Lonnie’s mother died on November 21, 1939. By 1940, Lonnie and his father were living alone. Lonnie’s father was unable to work, and Lonnie had been unemployed for 13 weeks at the time of the 1940 census.
On March 10, 1934, Lonnie married Edith Lee Spencer, who was born on July 11, 1914. She had completed her senior year of high school. Before marrying, she had lived with her parents, Maye and Everett E. Spencer, as well as her brothers Robert and Malcolm and her cousin Gertrude.
Her marriage with Lonnie was short-lived, as they were divorced by 1940. She returned to live with her family and work as a bookkeeper in a tin shop, while Lonnie returned to live with his family.
Lonnie’s mother died on November 21, 1939. By 1940, Lonnie and his father were living alone. Lonnie’s father was unable to work, and Lonnie had been unemployed for 13 weeks at the time of the 1940 census.
Lonnie's mother's grave in Memphis.