Mellie was born in November 1889 in FL.1 Mellie's father was John H. Boyett and his/her mother was Fannie Lee. His/her paternal grandparents were Thomas A. Boyett and Virginia. He/she had a brother and a sister, and also a sibling of unknown gender, named Jesse Edward, Ida Lee and Tempie A.. He/she was the second oldest of the four children.1