CORDELIA KIDD was born December 28, 1895, in Lexington, Missouri. Her parents were Edward and Eliza Colley Hayden. She was a cousin to Eva Saunders. On April 9, 1925, she married Reverend Thomas Kidd in Jackson, Missouri. Thomas was the pastor at Zion A.M.E. Church, and a clergyman for Methodist Radio. The couple had four children: Thomas, Bernice, John, and Elizabeth. Elizabeth died at the age of 2 in 1929. Reverend Thomas died in 1935.
Cordelia taught at Douglass School under the administration of George Green.
From Lexington Intelligencer; Friday May 26, 1922
Colored Schools Closing Exercises.
“The closing exercises of the colored schools began the night of May 22, and ended the night of May 23.
The first night the program rendered by Miss Nannie E. Walker of No. 2, was a pleasing Primary Motion Song. Miss Cordelia A. Hayden of Douglass had her room render a Fairy Play—Irene the Idle. . . .”
When the Lexington Schools were integrated in 1956, Miss Cordelia worked as a substitute teacher.
Miss Cordelia died November 12, 1966, and is buried beside her husband at Forest Grove Cemetery.
PERSONAL MEMORIES: [from Miss Cordelia’s grandson Dorian Anderson, who came from St. Louis to live with her around 1960] When I came to live with her, she ran the music ministry at her church [Zion A.M.E.]. She was married to the minister. My grandmother often substitute taught after her retirement, and she gave piano lessons. She was a very religious women, and always sang around the house. I know she saved my life. If I had stayed in St. Louis, I would have been in prison or dead. I was too much for my mother to handle. Miss Cordelia did a great job raising me.