4 months ago
REX, Ga. (WXIA) -- It looks like an average small town, fighting for survival in a tough economy, cut in half by State Route 42 that rushes drivers in and out of Rex, Ga., in a matter of moments.
But a few turns off the main drag in Clayton County deposits one into the remains of Rex Village, a lasting link to our first lady's past.
Genealogists tracing Michelle Obama's history were led to this small unincorporated town, home to 16,000 people.
In 1852, Obama's great great great grandmother was a six year old slave given to relatives by a land owner in South Carolina who died. Genealogists say that at around age 15, she was impregnated by a white man and gave birth to the first of four children.
After she was freed Melvinia stayed near Rex, working as a farm laborer.
The village was the center of Rex when Melvinia was there.There is an original mill, a post office, and Rex's first bank. Thriving then, it has now crumbled into a state of disrepair, with a handful of tenants fighting to keep it alive.
"Wow. That's amazing."
Tears came to seamstress Naomi Gilson's eyes when she heard the news about the first lady's connection to Rex. Gilson owns House of Naomi across the street from the mill and makes a living making draperies and doing upholstery.
"It's such a wonderful story to hear that she has roots here, but it makes me teary, makes you kind of hurt a little bit."
Hurt, because the value of a little girl's life was placed at just 475 dollars, Hurt, because when Melvinia died in 1938, in her 90's, in the space on her death certficate for her parents names was written "don't know."
But Melvinia's son Dolphus Shields made a life for himself in Birmingham Alabama, owning his own home and business, his great granddaughter Marion now lives in the White House with her daughter, the first lady.
Rex Village is a place many have forgotten. Now it's linked to a time many wish to forget, but for Naomi Gilson, the past provides a source of power for the future.
"Believe me I'm not bitter. Now it just gives you something to push, like she's doing, she's pushing, pushing forward, doing what you need to do to make it better for the next generation."
