Jacqueline Hamer Flakes
IN MEMORIAM
(Sept. 22, 1966 - March 27, 2023)
“…I was shocked and saddened to learn that Jacqueline Hamer Flakes, the youngest daughter of Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer, passed away... She had dealt with breast cancer, with quiet dignity, for many years. Jacqueline traveled across this country sharing the story about her courageous Mama Fannie until the very end.
I am happy that I had the opportunity to spend time with her last year in Winona at the unveiling of a marker honoring Mrs. Hamer. It was wonderful to hear her speak about her amazing mother and sing one of Mrs. Hamer’s favorite songs, Walk With Me. Rest in peace and power Jacqueline.” - Euvester Simpson, activist
“Jackie dedicated her life to making sure that her mother’s efforts would not be in vain. She was a careful curator and storyteller who boldly challenged misinterpretations of her mother’s ideas and political activism. She was a stalwart human rights activist whose shoes will not easily be filled.” - Keisha N. Blain, Brown University Historian
“Having heard and learned so much about Fannie Lou Hamer, it was wonderful to see her spirit and energy living on through her daughter. That same energy is now part of each of us that was present at the event that evening and we now carry with us the legacy of Jacqueline and Fannie. Together in Power.” - Ashanti Davis, Operations Director, (NAAM) Northwest African American Museum
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Friends and colleagues gather at the service for Jacqueline Hamer Flakes on Saturday, April 8 in Ruleville, MS.. Pictured l to r: Jackie Ammons, Dhana Powell-Pope, Reena Evers-Everett, Pam Junior, Vickie Roberts-Ratliff and Euvester Simpson.
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Ms. Ruby McWilliams, who helped raise Jacqueline after Fannie Lou Hamer’s death, pictured with Jacqueline’s son, Trenton Little. (Photos and obituary courtesy of @bridgingwinona)
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Ms. Ruby McWilliams, (second from righ) and her daughters pay tribute to Jacqueline with t-shirts made for her service.
“I am so greatly appreciative for what everyone has done to help me take care of Cookie’s arrangements. There has been such an outpouring of love shown to me and the family. I don’t even know most of you, never met you and may never meet you. But I truly appreciate you and I’m still so grateful to you all. You helpd me make all of her arragements complete. Thank you so much for what you’ve done.” - Mrs. Ruby McWilliams, Cookie’s beloved “Cousin Ruby.”
Obituary of Jacqueline Hamer Flakes
BIO
Born during the latter years of the civil rights movement, Jacqueline Hamer Flakes has seen and heard a lot about justice and racial equality. And growing up as the youngest child of Pap and Fannie Lou Hamer in Ruleville, Mississippi, Jacqueline has seen the best people have to offer by way of their generosity and compassion - and their very worst as they used any means they could to prevent people of color from advancing in society.
By the time Jacqueline was born in September 1966, the iconic Hamer was already four years into her work as a voting rights advocate having formed the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (M.F.D.P) two years earlier in 1964.
Unable to have children of her own after a forced hysterectomy, Fannie Lou and Pap adopted two infant girls, Dorothy Jean and Virgie Ree. Both later became involved in civil rights with Dorothy being arrested years later because of Fannie Lou’s efforts and Virgie singing with her on occasion.
(l) Jacqueline (Cookie) and Lenora (Nook) (r) with their mother in 1971. Photo by Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Short.
Born to Sylvester and Dorothy Jean Hamer Hall, Jacqueline was just nine-months old when her beloved mother passed away at the tender age of 22. Jacqueline, and her older sister, Lenora, who was 19-months old at the time, were adopted by the Hamers after Fannie Lou refused to see them go to separate homes.
Jacqueline, nicknamed “Cookie” by her parents, saw firsthand how hard “Mama Fannie” worked to feed the poorest of the poor in the Mississippi Delta – regardless of color - with her Freedom Farm Cooperative and a few years later a Pig Bank.
After Fannie Lou’s death on March 14, 1977, Jacqueline and Lenora were raised by Pap with the aid of several female relatives within the Ruleville community. Jacqueline graduated from Ruleville High School in 1984 and later attended Mississippi Delta Community College majoring in Clerical Office Management.
A single mother, Jacqueline has two sons, Shadney and Trenton.
Since the death of her beloved sisters, Virgie Ree and Lenora, Jacqueline has picked up the reigns in helping others to learn about and remember the endearing legacy and sacrifices of her “Mama Fannie.” Jacqueline has spoken about her mother at several events including: The March on Washington Film Festival; the Women of Color Nebraska Caucus; a marker unveiling in Indianola, MS; a Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom in Holly Springs, MS; a mural unveiling in Jackson, MS and a book launching at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum also in Jackson. An honorary member of YAGA (Youths Against Gang Activities), she has also spoken at two of their events in Indianola and Coldwater, MS.
Jacqueline is active in the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden and Museum committees in Ruleville. And appears in the documentary, Fannie Lou Hamer’s America, which aired on PBS in February 2022.
Contact for Fannie Lou Hamer image, audio or speech permissions, please email: flhamerica@gmail.com. Thank you.
Speaking Engagements.
Seattle, WA.
On Thursday, March 16, 2023, Jacqueline Hamer Flakes appeared at her last public engagment. She spoke at the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle, WA.
Her appearance was part of the
Descendants Series moderated by Erica Williams of the Poor People’s Campaign. The event was hosted at the museum where Jacqueline discussed the impactful work of her mother, Fannie Lou Hamer.
Through that conversation, it was NAAM’s goal to celebrate and learn more about Hamer’s sacrifice, determination, and passion to fight for a more just system for all people.
Following her death, NAAM issued a Resolution honoring Jacqueline’s life and service. And on Saturday, April 8, dedicated a Community Health and Resource Fair sponsored by the City of Seattle and King County Public Health to her memory.
Pictured right: Erica Williams and Jacqueline Hamer Flakes. All photos courtesy of NAAM.
Moderator Erica Williams introduces Jacqueline Hamer Flakes daughter of Fannie Lou Hamer.
Jacqueline addresses the audience.
Moderator Erica Williams thanks Jacqueline and those in attendance.
Ty Cramer, NAAM Board Member, Jacqueline and Steve Romein.
Media card of event.
(l to r) Mia Taylor, Dr. Cali Slair, Jacqueline Hamer Flakes, Ashanti Davis, Kara Hunter, LaNesha DeBardelaben, Jason Turner, Mary Hsu, and Camille Parker.
Book Signings.
Starkville, MS.
Jacqueline Hamer Flakes (left), signs copies of her book “Mama Fannie: Growing Up the Daughter of Civil Rights Icon Fannie Lou Hamer” after sharing stories about her adopted mother Wednesday, February 1, 2023 in Mitchell Memorial Library's John Grisham Room at Mississippi State University in Starkville.
The event was the first of many Black History Month celebrations planned for February.
Flakes, the adopted daughter of famed civil rights pioneer Fannie Lou Hamer, had a unique vantage point of American history: Many nights, she sat unnoticed under the kitchen table as Hamer and others discussed the mental and physical abuse Black people faced in the Mississippi Delta during the 1960s and ’70s.
Hamer purposefully shielded Flakes, also known as “Cookie,” and her other adopted children from hearing the stories—a beating Hamer received in Winona, shots fired into a house where she was thought to be, and voter intimidation from government officials and police in Indianola, among many others—to guard them from the evils of the world.
Jacqueline Hamer Flakes shares personal stories about her adopted mother, famed civil rights pioneer Fannie Lou Hamer. Flakes described Hamer as a nurturing caretaker filled with compassion for others. (Photos by Megan Bean)
“When she started speaking, everyone would get quiet. Her voice commanded attention,” Flakes said. “Mama would stand up and put that hand on her hip. When she did, I promise you it wasn’t going to be nice. That was Mama Fannie.
“It was hard to hear her say all those things,” Flakes added. “They didn’t want us to ever go through what they did. They didn’t want us to hear it, feel it or see it.”
Flakes shared insight into Hamer’s life Wednesday [Feb. 1] at Mitchell Memorial Library’s John Grisham Room, where she also read from and signed copies of her book, “Mama Fannie: Growing Up the Daughter of Civil Rights Icon Fannie Lou Hamer.” Her stories not only shined a light on Hamer’s legacy of activism, but they also painted a portrait of her as a mother filled with passion and compassion for others, especially her family.
“I loved her. Hearing her say, ‘Cookie, come here and lay by me because I’m cold’—it wasn’t the coldness; she just wanted to love on me and bond with me,” Flakes said. “If you want to know one thing about Mama Fannie: She loved God. Anything she would speak about would have scripture in it. She loved to cook, and she always had people to help.”
Flakes address comes approximately 54 years after Hamer spoke to MSU students at a campus event sponsored by the Afro-American Plus Club.
“Her message to someone getting an education was you have to make sure you pay it forward,” Flakes said. “Everybody might not have what it takes to give back, but in some kind of way, pay it forward.” - By Carl Smith
Mississippi State University Libraries celebrated Black History Month on February 1, 2023, with a visit from author and activist Jacqueline “Cookie” Hamer Flakes, the daughter of Mississippi civil rights trailblazer Fannie Lou Hamer. Flakes shared personal memories of her mother’s life and work and read from her autobiography, Mama Fannie: Growing Up the Daughter of Civil Rights Icon Fannie Lou Hamer. Other speakers included Lis Pankl, Dean of Libraries; Donald Shaffer, Director of African American Studies; and Yulanda Haddix, Oktibbeha NAACP President. The program starts at the 9:40 time marker.
Winona, MS.
Jacqueline signs copies of her long awaited book, “Mama Fannie” at the Winona Baptist Church in June 2022, in Winona, MS.
Jacqueline talks with Verna Fleming Baker during book signing event.
With Belinda Anderson.
Jacqueline (center) receives a resolution from the unveiling. Pictured also are Rogena Barnes, Vickie Roberts-Ratliff, Mark A. Williamson, Bobbie Williamson and Alisa L. Oglesby.
With Latia Butts-Crawford of Winona.
With Vicki Gross Baskin.
A banner commemorates the historic day in Winona, MS. All photos in this section are courtesy of Jackie Roberts Ammons and Vicki Gross Baskin.
Rogena Barnes, Mark A. Williamson, Jacqueline and Bobbie Williamson.
Appearances.
Winona Jail Marker Unveiling - Winona, MS
On June 9, 2022, a Mississippi State Historical Marker was unveiled on the site of the old Winona Montgomery County Jail where Fannie Lou Hamer and several others were beaten at the order of local law enforcement agents. Fifty-nine years later, city of Winona officials acknowledged the beating and honored Hamer for her sacrifices.
Her daughter, Jacqueline Hamer Flakes was there as was Euvester Simpson, who at 17, shared a jail cell with Fannie Lou Hamer in June 1963. Simpson is the last remaining survivor of that ordeal.
Photo (right) by Vickie D. King and Mississippi Today.
A marker in front of the old Winona jail site in Winona, Mississippi commemorates and acknowledges the atrocities Hamer endured while in unlawful custody in June 1963.
Jacqueline is pictured with (r) Jackie Roberts Ammons and others at the marker on Oak and Sterling Street in Winona, MS. Photo courtesy of Jackie Roberts Ammons.
Prof. Davis Houck (l), one of the event's organizers talks with Jacqueline at the unveiling. Euvester Simpson is pictured far right.
Jacqueline Hamer Flakes Co-Grand Marshal of 2022 Grand Jubilee Juneteenth Parade in Pittsburgh, PA.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - People paraded through parts of the city for the Grand Jubilee Juneteenth Parade, one of the most anticipated events of the Western Pennsylvania Juneteenth Celebration is the annual parade! Hundreds of people and dozens of organizations were part of the parade that started at Freedom Corner in the Hill District and ended at Point State Park Downtown.
A co-grand marshal of the parade, Jacqueline Hamer Flakes, is the daughter of civil rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer who fought for voting and women's rights in the Mississippi Delta.
"This is a beautiful celebration because just thinking about everyone I've been introduced to today, most are saying it's because of your mom that I was able to do this, I was able to run for this position or I am in this position so it's awesome to see and hearing all that," said Hamer Flakes.
Pittsburgh, PA.
Co-presented by the August Wilson African American Cultural Center and DEMASKUS Theater Collective.
Jacqueline Hamer Flakes made her City of Asylum debut to share her latest book, Mama Fannie: Growing Up the Daughter of Civil Rights Icon Fannie Lou Hamer, an important contribution to the historical records written about one of the most significant and influential leaders in the 20th century in America. This event was part of the Pittsburgh premiere of FANNIE: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer happening at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center from January 13–16, 2023. This event is moderated by First Lady of Pittsburgh, Michelle Gainey.
Fannie Lou Hamer rose from poverty and humble beginnings to become one of the most influential voices in the effort to ensure equal rights for Blacks in the South and all across America. She saw wrongs and tried to find solutions to right them. She sought opportunities to lift others up and extended a hand.
Her fearless fortitude and deep love for people provided the drive to fight for voting rights, civil rights, and laws that would provide the American Dream of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness written into the Constitution. Her work took her to the halls of Congress, the Democratic National Convention, and the hearts and homes of so many. She was beaten, arrested, rejected, and violated, yet she rose and stood for what is right for all.
Fannie Lou Hamer—”Mama Fannie”—was also a loving and caring mother to her daughters. She provided a safe and nurturing home and taught her children about fairness, equality, and perseverance regardless of the odds faced in life. These are the same values that her own mother had taught her. Here, her daughter Jacqueline (Cookie) shares her insight into Mama Fannie from a perspective only a daughter can write.
This program wss presented with special thanks to B. Marshall and Stop the Violence Pittsburgh. View the event here.
Additional Appearances.
Jacqueline (second from left) attends the Centennial celebration honoring Fannie Lou Hamer's 100th birthday in Ruleville, MS in October 2017. Also pictured is Reena Evers-Everette (r) Virgie Hamer Faulkner, Dr. Maegan Parker Brooks and Dr. C. Sade Turnipseed.
Jacqueline was honored at the March on Washington Film Festival (MOWFF) in Washington, D.C. in September 2019, with a presentation from the House of Representatives. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Joyce Ladner)
The musical, DEVINE HAMER GRAY, was performed at the film festival, and addressed the 1964 contested congressional election of Annie Devine, Fannie Lou Hamer and Victoria Gray, who together founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP).
Jacqueline stands beside a photo of her mother in the Council of Federated Organizations building in Jackson, MS. She attended the unveiling of a mural to her mother, "Chain Breakers" there in July 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis for The Clarion-Ledger)
Jacqueline speaks at an event for the Woman of Color Nebraska Caucus in October 2019.
Jacqueline addresses the audience at the unveiling of a marker honoring her mother at the Sunflower County Courthouse in Indianola, MS in October 2020.
Veteran and Emmy-award winning filmmaker Stephanie Frederic, (second from right) and her film crew with Jacqueline (seated) during the filming of the family segment for Fannie Lou Hamer’s America.
Video Presentations.
In November 2021, Jacqueline talked about her life with Fannie Lou Hamer at a History Is Lunch Event at the Mississippi Museum of Civil Rights in Jackson, MS, featuring a new book by author Dr. Keisha Blain, Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamer’s Enduring Message to America. Jacqueline was joined by Charles McLaurin. (Video courtesy of MDAH)
Unable to attend a ceremony in person at Stockton University in New Jersey in November 2018, that named an Event Room in honor of her mother, Fannie Lou Hamer, Jacqueline recorded a video message for the dedication. (Video produced by Joy Elaine Davenport)