Willie Yung, A Civic-spirited Grocer in Rena Lara from 1930s-1967
Memories of Home, circa 1940
James Porter
The first “foreigner” I ever met was the grocer at Rena Lara. The first illegal immigrant, too. But I didn’t know it at the time.
The Coca Cola sign which extended over the front steps announced the business asJeu Sing and Company. Three steps led to a large porch with benches extending around all four sides. This was the only place in the community where any socialization between blacks and whites occurred. The grocer was known as Joe or more frequently and indelicately, Joe Chinaman, though we didn’t use it as a derogative. He loved to be called Willie Young, the American name he had chosen for himself.
Joe came to Rena Lara in the 1930s from Canada, buying the store from Jeu Sing whose name was on the sign when I first went there in 1940. Why not change it to identify the present owner, I asked many years later. The answer was in two parts – cost and why change what has obviously worked well so far?
Joe extended credit to most everybody, at least once. There were no Equifax or Dun & Bradstreet credit bureaus back then so the monitoring was done by “gut” feel – his losses were likely substantial. Maybe his margins supported the cost of credit as the competition was thin and likely unable to extend credit. He stayed open for long hours including Sunday, but not during services at the Baptist Church right across the railroad, where he became a supporting member. Joe lived in the store which provided a small bedroom and an even smaller room where he cooked his meals.
We never knew of a family; only some friends who were store keepers in Cleveland and Rosedale with whom he would visit a couple of times a year usually around the holidays when stores might close for a few hours. He would be driven there by a long time clerk who owned a Buick automobile. Other than these few friends, Joe’s contact with the world was limited to customers and route salesmen, some stopping daily; some weekly. Joe would read the Commercial Appeal which was held for subscribers to pickup; he subscribed to a Chinese Language paper which arrived monthly via US mail. He could be seen scanning it during the infrequent breaks during the day but surely he read it more deliberately after closing, as his conversations reflected a current and comprehensive knowledge of what was going on in China.
My first transaction with Joe as an “adult” occurred in May of 1953 in the week following graduation from high school. I needed a cash loan and presented my plan to Joe. I was going to Indianapolis, hoping to be hired by Continental Baking Company (Wonder Bread Builds Strong Bodies 12 Ways) but I did not have the ready funds to get there and to sustain myself until making a paycheck - assuming I got a job! Joe knew that I worked Saturdays as the extra man on the Wonder Bread route which serviced his store and knew Clark Hudson the route man well. Clark confirmed that I would have a good chance of getting hired at the bakery in Indianapolis. Though my knees were shaking, I assumed the posture and voice of one who knew what he was doing and made my request. “Joe could you loan me $ 60.00?” I offered my sincerest assurances that I would pay him back. I had no income, no collateral, andmaybea job 500 miles away. Without hesitation, he reached into his front pocket and counted out the $ 60.00. No paper to sign or further pledge. I was able to repay the loan by August, earning a glowing note of congratulations and profuse thanks which Joe scrawled on Blue Horse notebook paper, his note being mailed the day following receipt of my cash.
Joe gave it up about 1970, a retirement ceremony was held on the store porch with a community member acting as MC. I don’t remember Joe ever paying any attention to the time of day, or day of week for that matter, but he was presented with a gold watch inscribedWillie Young.
Fast forward to sometime in 2003. A cultured and educated young Chinese woman, slightly accented, stopped and entered the only surviving business in Rena Lara. She and her husband had flown from their home in Pennsylvania to New Orleans and were driving the “River Road” north. “I’m looking for my roots” she said to the clerk, “can you help?”
The clerk listened and advised that a Mississippi Senator and lifelong resident of Rena Lara lived a quarter mile or so away and that he would call him. Delma Furniss came to the store and was able to confirm that she had indeed found her roots. She was elated and upon leaving expressed great interest in attending the annual Rena Lara “homecoming” that summer in July, which is held on a lot next to where her Grand Father’s store had stood.
Communication between Delma and the family continued as the story spread through the community and among the relatives. What a turnout on that hot July day which the Governor of Mississippi had proclaimed Willie Young day. Tents were set up, sound system in place and functioning perfectly – tables groaning under the weight of hot fried catfish, hushpuppies and slaw. Members of the community, some becoming quite emotional, took turns relating a life experience or two; the details declaring Joe’s worth to the community and reflecting the deep esteem and high regard in which he was held. At least 15 relatives were there including grand children and great grand children all eager and proud to hear our stories and tributes to a man who had meant so much to the community. The relatives included Doctors, Engineers, and Accountants Educators – all the professions. They lived and worked in communities ranging from West Coast to East Coast. All there because of a man who made his way into a farm community in rural Mississippi never intending to live that dream himself, but committed to the service of others. Somehow Joe was getting money back to China to sustain, support and educate the next generation. And why did we not know of family? Because Joe was an illegal immigrant in a time when he feared being shipped back to Canada or China. So Joe, wherever you are I hope that you know - you raised a good crop.
I confess. This experience is always in the back of my mind when the subject of immigration is discussed.How richer we are for having this man and his descendents in America!
Note: The Governor of Mississippi issued a Proclamation that July 27, 2002 be designated as WILLIE JOE YUNG DAY in recognition of his civic contributions to his community of Rena Lara.
(The full text of the proclamation can be found under the LINKS page of this website.)
A letter of appreciation for Mr. Porter's tribute to Willie Yung from grand daughter Lily Lee:
Dear Mr. Jim Porter:
It is always so good to hear from the folks from Rena Lara. Thank you for writing to me. It is very nice of you remembering my grandfather and writing about him. My grandfather indeed was a very special man, who dedicated his life for others. We (and the generations to come) are very much in debt of him.
My grandfather immigrated to Canada when was a teenager. He went back to China from time to time to marry his childhood sweetheart and have a family. He adventured down south later on to America to seek for a better financial opportunity to better support his family back in China. He bought the store with his life saving and a loan from his cousin.
My father, his only surviving son at the time went to a prestige American college in China through his support. Japanese invasion of China interrupted his education and his plan of going to America for higher education. When the Communists took over China, being a “hot bloody” youth my father jointed one of the Democratic Party hoping to serve the country better. When the Communists felt the Democratic Party getting too “noisy,” they tore off the facial mask and knocked down the “democratic alliance”. My father along with million others was labeled “Right wing conspiracy anti-communist.” They were stripped off all political and social rights. The meager paycheck, which was notenough to support a family with six children to begin with, became zero. If it were not for my grandfather’s financial support the whole family would have perished in a labor farm. Through my parents’ never ending efforts and grandfather’s support, six of us, a few at a time over a decade span escaped to Hong Kong.With the encouragement and financial support from our parents and grandfather we have eventually fulfilled the dream that my father and my grandfather ever dreamed of but never fulfilled to receive an American higher education. Among six of us, we have two medical doctors, two pharmacists and two engineers. The tradition goes on for the next generation. Among twelve great-grandchildren, there are two medical doctors, two pharmacists, one lawyer (and professor), one dentist, one engineer and five younger ones still in college and middle school.
All of these achievements have stemmed from thededication and sacrifice of my grandfather.
I understand immigration is a very touchy and complicated subject. It is a wonderful thing that we can talk about it freely.
I am very sorry that we missed the past reunion homecoming. Labor Day weekend is usually a very busy time for us. This past one with an important wedding smacked in it made it impossible for us to come.
My first visit to Rena Lara in the summer of 2001 marked an important point in my life. We found our “root” and reconnected to my grand father’s past and the people that he cared about. We started from our home in Philadelphia Pa, flying down to New Orleans and driving up to Rena Lara. We flew to Los Angeles where my parents and couple of our siblings live right afterward to share with them the wonderful news and show them the great pictures that we took in Rena Lara. Events in Rena Lara kept rolling afterward. Every one of them is very important to the family. We are very happy to meet the Rena Lara people and very grateful to them, especially to Senator Delma.
Thanks again for keeping us in your mind, especially all the nice, kind words from you. Please send our greetings to the folks in Rena Lara and the Senator for us.
Thank you for your effort and interest, wish you the best in your endeavor, and the best for the family.
Kind regards
Lilly Lee
Oct.18, 2010