Fannie Mae Livingston
May 29th 1893 – January 15th 1984
Into the Life
Fannie Mae Livingston was born on May 29, 1893, to Alexander and Mary Frances Livingston in Montgomery County, North Carolina. She was the oldest of six siblings. Fannie had three children: Bradley Livingston (born 1911), Annie Livingston (born 1918), and Erion Livingston (born 1924). Tragically, Eron passed away as a baby in 1925 from pneumonia.
Fannie lived with her parents, siblings, and children in Troy, North Carolina, until 1927, when the family relocated to Norwood, North Carolina. Throughout her life, Fannie was a dedicated worker. While living in Troy she worked at the Capelsie Mill. In Norwood, she worked at Collins and Aikman Mill.
​
The fathers of Fannie's children are believed to be members of the Poole family from Randolph County. Upon Fannie’s passing in 1984, her granddaughter Shelia, uncovered that Annie's father was Horace Poole. It remains unclear whether Fannie and Horace were ever in a relationship. Additionally, there is a longstanding rumor that Bradley's father was David Franklin Poole, Horace’s brother, though this has yet to be confirmed.
Father: Alexander Livingston
Mother: Mary Frances Singleton
_______________________
Children: Bradley Livingston, Annie Livingston
L to R: Annie, Lillie Mae, Fannie Mae (holding baby Erion), George Richardson, James Thomas, Betty (holding baby Frances), Nancy Jane Morton (Neighbor), Mary Frances Singleton, Abbie Gale Singleton, Alexander Livingston
Fannie in Norwood with grandchildren, Alvin Eury, Rebeth Livingston, and Barabra Livingston
Fannie's Birth Certificate
Fannie Mae Livingston in Norwood holding her granddaughter
Fannie's daughter, Eron, Death Certificate
Homes
L to R: Annie and Fannie at 228 Doody Avenue (1970s)
L to R: Annie and Fannie at 228 Doody Avenue (1970s)
Interview
In February 2025, I met Ralph Livingston, Fannie’s nephew through her brother Carson. During our conversation, I made a shocking discovery—Ralph’s son, Gary Livingston, revealed that he had a cassette recording of an interview he conducted with Fannie in the 1970s. Click the box below to access the interview:
Fannie lived in many homes throughout her life. In Troy she lived on Capelsie Road (now Livingston Lane).
​
When moving to Norwood in 1927, the first house Fannie lived in was a mill village home that she shared with her parents, siblings, and children. The family had to move to several different houses within that same mill village due to frequent renovations.
​
Fannie's last home was at 228 Doody Ave, Norwood, North Carolina 28128. (Pictures shown to the left)
L to R: Annie and Fannie inside 228 Doody Avenue (1970s)
Rare Fannie Livingston Footage from 1970s
Fannie with daughter Annie
Top Row (L to R): Alvin Eury, Roger Eury, Annie Livingston
Bottom Row: Fannie Mae Livingston
Fannie with grandson Roger Eury
L to R: Fannie, Annie
Fannie with granddaughter Angela Eury
L to R: Fannie, Shane (Great Great Grandson), Cynthia Eury (Great Granddaughter), Annie (Daughter), Phillip (Great Great Grandson)
Fannie's 82nd Birthday
Fannie with daughter Annie
L to R: Annie and Fannie at 228 Doody Avenue (1970s)
L to R: Annie and Fannie at 228 Doody Avenue (1970s)
Fannie at her home at 228 Doody Avenue celebrating 82nd birthday
L to R: Annie and Fannie at 228 Doody Avenue (1970s)
L to R: Fannie and Martha Ann Deaton
L to R: Fannie and great grandaughter, Angela Eury
Death
Fannie Mae Livingston passed away on January 15th, 1984 from bladder cancer at her home. She lived to be 90 years old. When I asked people about Fannie, I often got the same response that she was a "Pistol", in that she had a strong personality. Born at a time when women had limited opportunities outside the home, she defied societal norms by becoming a lifelong mill worker. The textile industry was grueling, with long hours and physically demanding labor, yet Fannie remained dedicated to working, demonstrating her immense independence. Everyone seemed to have a lot of respect for her and admired her greatly. At the time of her death, she had four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
