In 1947, they formed the Wyatt Choral Ensemble, a singing group for youth in Altgeld and the surrounding community which performed around the city until the Wyatts left Altgeld in 1955. Claude and Addie Wyatt quickly assumed a large role in the community of Altgeld. The family moved into Altgeld Gardens at 13050 S. She occasionally accompanied gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson.Īfter the death of her mother in 1944, Addie and Claude took in her five younger brothers and sisters. In the 1940s, she and Claude led a group called the Wyatt Singers, which performed around the city and recorded several songs. Zion Baptist Church and finally Vernon Park Church of God. Addie left high school after marrying and later graduated from the Central YMCA School, where she completed her high school education and took additional adult education courses.Ī gifted gospel pianist and singer, Wyatt played for and served as a choir director for numerous churches, including Langley Ave Church of God, South Park Baptist Church, All Nations Church of God, Greater Hope Baptist Church in Robbins, Illinois, Englewood Ave Church of God, Mt. Later that year the couple had their first son, Renaldo Wyatt and in 1942, had their second son, Claude “DeDe” Wyatt, III. DuSable High School was also where she met and eventually married her husband, Claude Stell Wyatt, Jr. She attended DuSable High school where she was a member of the Beta club and played clarinet in the school band under Capt. As a youth, she played piano for her church choir at Langley Avenue Church of God and took on responsibility for the care of her younger siblings while her parents worked. The family eventually settled at 42nd and Calumet in Bronzeville and Addie attended Forrestville and Felsenthal elementary schools. In addition to taking care of the children, Maggie often found employment as a domestic worker. Maggie, who had worked as a teacher in Mississippi, did not meet the qualifications to teach public school in Chicago. Ambrose found it difficult to find work, but eventually secured employment under a WPA project. In all, the Camerons had eight children: Ambrose, Jr., Addie, Edna, Emmett, Willie (Mickey), Bluett, Audrey and Maude. By 1937, an additional six children after Addie had been added to the family, four of whom had been born after the family’s move to Chicago. They stayed for a short while with relatives in Chicago but moved around frequently. Ambrose’s mother, Adeline Cameron, a mid-wife, also lived with the family and subsequently moved with them to Chicago in 1930, during the height of the Great Depression. Her mother Maggie Cameron, a teacher, was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Ambrose Cameron, born either in Mississippi or Louisiana, was a tailor in a pressing shop. Addie Wyatt was born Addie Loraine Cameron on March 8, 1924, the second child to Ambrose and Maggie Cameron in Brookhaven, Mississippi.
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