Agnes Vickerstaff
Agnes Glen Slaughter Vickerstaff was an example of a strong woman who persisted through difficult circumstances. She was born in Auburn, Alabama on August 19th, 1919. She was born into a family of 5. All of Agnes’ immediate family members were born in Alabama. They lived on a farm with a considerable amount of land, which was uncommon for the time. Their family accumulated a substantial amount of wealth for an African American family during the early 1900’s. Later, Agnes’ father, John William Slaughter, who was born in 1882, became a carpenter and left farming as his profession. He passed away in 1956 at the age of 74. Agnes’ mother, Maude Doniely Slaughter, was born in 1895 and spent her years as a housewife. She passed away in June of 1980 at the age of 85. Agnes had 2 siblings, Henry and Gertrude. Henry, her brother, worked as a laborer at the age of 16. Not much information is known about Gertrude. Agnes attended Lee County Training School during her youth. Lee County Training School became the first Black public school that was integrated into Lee County’s segregated school system. After her high school career, Agnes became a registered voter; something uncommon for an African American at the time because of racial violence and intimidation. Agnes worked as a laundress in the family home in the 1940s. Agnes married William George Vickerstaff on April 11th, 1943. Agnes’ husband served in the military from 1942 to 1946. It is likely that Mrs. Vickerstaff spent many years without her husband William during his time served in the armed forces. This most likely led to issues in their marriage, as they separated in 1950. Agnes then moved back in with her parents and became a maid in a private home during the 1950’s. William passed away no more than 4 years after he was discharged at the age of 40. Agnes passed away on May 31st,1979, at the age of 59. She is buried in Baptist Hill Cemetery, Auburn, AL in plot L.