In Mississippi, family money was not to be confused with wealth. It had nothing to do with cash or other assets. Family money was status, obtained by someone who was white, somewhat educated beyond high school, born in a large home with a front porch [...] and partially reared by a beloved black maid named Bessie or Pearl, partially reared by doting grandparents who once owned the ancestors of Bessie or Pearl, and lectured from birth on the stringent social graces of a privileged people.