DEDAH QUEEN

About the Book

Are you the family historian? Then this is the book for you. Have you ever wanted to get to the root of your family’s history? This book is a compilation of three generations made available with family trees, revealing untold family secrets. Revealing untold family secrets, for the very first time, will cause you to laugh, cry, and become a part of these special people. The results of these never before shared stories will become therapeutic for the family and inadvertently encourage you the curious reader. The story of “Dedah Queen” (pronounced “dere the queen) begins with a girl who was a “Gullah” speaking African American, living in Cross, South Carolina, who became a hard working mother, and grandmother. Her wisdom will make you shake your head as you read how she worked as a housemaid living on $25.00 dollars a week, in the twentieth century. Her survival as a spiritual woman who played the piano at church by day, and the “boogie woogie,” in her private chambers by night, will no doubt bring tears to your eyes. A deep dark secret of romance will unfold. And finally, with no formal education, this lovely lady left “common sense” sayings about life for all of us to use and to be encouraged by.

About the Author

Eliza Marcus is a Music Educator. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Claflin College in Orangeburg, South Carolina in 1985. She earned a Master of Arts in Church Music degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center, in Atlanta, Georgia in 1998 and a Doctorate of Music Psychology from Calamus International University in 2007. Eliza has written a piano book called “The Four Seasons,” and is proud to have completed her first memoir, “Dedah Queen.” This is a story about her grandmother, Mariah Montgomery, who demonstrated stalwart ability in both her life and career. Eliza currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia where she continues to write both music and historical works.