REDDING FAMILY HISTORY PAGE
Biography of Andrew and Annie Kate Redding and their children
Andrew Redding: was born in Georgia on November 5, 1886. However, in 1900 US Census taken in Georgia there is a listing of Andrew living in the household with his grandmother, Katie Redding (b 1848) in Atlanta, GA (Fulton County, Ward 6).. Also listed is Willie Redding, who may have been a brother, and Sila Williams who may have been his mother . His father's name is not known to us . I did find out however, that he is a direct decendant of George and Elizabeth Holdcome Redding who were early Florida pioneers and had descendants in Georgia, Florida, Cuba and Tennessee. George Redding lived in Prince Edward County, Virginia and Beaufort District, South Carolina. Andrew is also a relative of Otis Redding, the late R&B singer. He died in March, 1967 at age 81 in Orlando, Florida
Annie Kate Middlebrooks: was born in Concord, GA (Pike County) to Aline Middlebrooks (father's name unknown). She was listed at age 5 as being a part of her great grandmother's household on the 1910 US Census. Her great grandmother (mom's grandmother) was Fannie Clemons. She married Andrew at age 16, in Atlanta, where her mom's eldest sister Eula Middlebrooks lived (also Jencie Middlebrooks who was Aline's youngest sister . Annie Kate more than likely was living with or visiting Aunt Eula and this was where she and Andrew met, but moved to Orange County Florida by the time she gave birth to twin daughters: Andrew Mae and George Mae at age 17. Mr. Redding was 36 years old. Of the two daughters born, George Mae is the twin that survived; Andrew Mae died several days after birth.
Annie Kate once told me that she had two brothers; that her dad and mom seperated and when the father left he took the boys and she never saw them again after growing up. I have no proof or names for these siblings. I do know however, that her mom's sisters were like her siblings and that they grew up with and were close to Annie up until her death: Eula Middlebrooks, Berniece Middlebrooks Roberts and Jencie Middlebrooks Henry. "Aunt Jencie" is the one I remember most. Growing up we visited her home with my “Mama” and my mom in Philadelphia, PA. She died in 1987. I believe Aunt Berniece, who we also knew and met died in about 1983. I'm not sure when Aunt Eula passed away; only that she had step children that lived in Atlanta particularly Lois her eldest stepdaughter, but I have no record of her married name. Annie Kate served for many years as an evangelist and church mother for the Church of God In Christ in Florida under the leadership of Bishop Hemmingway. In 1966 she was ordained and licensed as a Pastor and founded the New Hope In Christ Church of God located in Orlando. It is still active today and has a plaque in it's hallway entrance in honor of her. It has been pastored since her death by Rev. Arlene Polk. Although she was alive for the ground breaking she did not live to see the finished product. She died on February 22, 1975 in Jersey City, NJ at age 69. ,
Photo of "PAH PAH" ANDREW with smaller photo on bottom right of ANNIE KATE "MAMA" holding Sean Dixon, great grandson.
Other important family members:
AUNT JENCIE MIDDLEBROOKS HENRY- ANNIE KATE'S AUNT- lived in Philadelphia, PA. Died in 1988 in Baltimore, MD.
AUNT BERNIECE MIDDLBROOKS ROBERTS-ANNIE KATE'S AUNT (mom's sister) - lived in Boston, MA. Died in 1987
AUNT EULA MIDDLEBROOKS ? - ANNIE KATE'S AUNT (mom's oldest sister) - lived in Atlanta, GA date of death, unknown. Married name - unknown.
ALINE MIDDLEBROOKS - ANNIE KATE'S MOM
KATIE REDDING - ANDREW'S MOM OR GRANDMOTHER (?)
LEO HENRY - ANNIE KATE'S FIRST COUSIN - SON TO JENCIE - lived in Philadelphia, PA. May still be living (?)