Momma, Lillie Rose Cohen, was born Wednesday, February 21, 1923 in Hampton, South Carolina. Her parents were Jessie Joyner Cohen and Jim Cohen. To our knowledge momma had 13 siblings.
Daddy, Isaac Heyward, was born Sunday, March 20, 1927 in Garnett, South Carolina. His parents were Anna Cooper Frazier Heyward and Eddie Cranberry Heyward. He had 2 siblings. His twin sister, Rebecca died in infancy.
Momma and daddy met at church. Daddy was in a singing group. Daddy played baseball. He was a pitcher. He also played basketball.
Daddy joined the United States Navy July 10, 1945. He was a Stewart Mate. He received the American Area Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal.
Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese December 7, 1941. The United States entered WWII. There was a black cook by the name of Doris “Dorie” Miller. He shot down 4 Japanese airplanes though he was not allowed to fire the weapon prior. A song was written to commemorate this event and daddy would sometimes sing it to us.
The United States retaliated by bombing Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, with atomic bombs. The Japanese surrendered August 16, 1945.
Daddy visited those places before he was discharged on May 24, 1946. He served 10 months.
Once daddy served, he and momma resumed their relationship. Uncle Ed drove daddy to see momma. Momma often took Aunt Queen’s twins, Ruben and Robert to Savannah to be with her. Many times daddy went to see momma only to be told she took the twins to Savannah. Daddy would get upset and declare he wasn’t going back. Uncle Ed laughed and told him he was going back. Finally, daddy put his foot down and the twins had to find another chaperone.
Momma and daddy married on Sunday, December 7, 1947, by Judge E.P. Ellis.
Doris “Dorie” Miller
In nineteen hundred and forty two Colored mess boy manned the gun
Although he had never been trainedHad the nerves never seen
God willing and mother witGon’ be great Dorie Miller yet
Grabbed a gun and took dead aimJapanese bombers into fiery flame
He was aiming the Japs to fight
Fought at the poles to make things right
Fight on Dorie Miller I know you tried
Did your best for the sideI love you
Dorie Miller for he’s my race.
IsaacandLillieHeyward 