Janet Randall Gillens

Many of the young people in the community used public transportation to travel to the District of Columbia to study piano under David Hines. For several years, the students presented a fundraising recital at Embry A.M.E. Church. This program on June 27, 1957, included, left to right, (first row) Reginald Keys, Rosetta Brooks, Cynthia Hines, Phyllis Smith, DeWana Gray, and Karl Alexander; (second row) Janet Randall, Jacqueline Randall, Barbara Brown, Diane Weems, and Frances Mason.

Thomas Albert Randall and Agnes Serena Ross both grew up in Lakeland and were married on December 24, 1941. They had four children at the time of this 1949 photo. They are twins Janet (far right) and Jacqueline (far left), Thomas, and Pamela. The youngest child, George, was born in 1953.

During performance held at University of Maryland's Memorial Chapel. The event was modeled after a benefit program held on May 16, 1958. Ms. Gillins also performed at that earlier event.

Rev. Dessie Carter, Spencer Briscoe, Betty Greene, Dessie Thomas, Shirley Anderson, jean Matthews, Lester Gray, Thomas Randall, Janet Gillians, Bubby Brown, Florence Lee, Vera Matthews, Fanny Douglas, James. Clemens

Jacqueline, Janet and Agnes Randall at wedding

Rev. Dessie L. Carter (far left), pastor of Embry A. M. E. Church, is shown here with members of the Embry Senior Choir. Pictured from left to right are (first row) Spencer Briscoe, Betty Thomas Green, Dessie Randall Thomas, Shirley Randall Anderson, Jean Gray Matthews, Lester Gray, and Thomas Randall; (second row) Janet Randall Gillens, Franklin Brown Jr., Florence Wethers Lee, Vera Johnson Matthews, Fannie Mae Randolph Douglas, and James Clemons.

May 16, 1958 program held at First Baptist Church of College Park. Artists were community members and friends

Janet Randall and Jacqueline Randall

Club left to right stand Audrey Smith, Bettye Greene, Shirley Anderson, Gloria Battle, and Naomi Carter and Naomi Carter and Janet Gillens.

Cover proof for publication with Arcadia Press, 0229

Cast photo is found in collection

Embry A.M.E. Church’s Junior Choir is shown here circa 1965 with their pastor, Rev. Robert H. Baddy. The group served under the direction of Dessie Randall Thomas and was accompanied by Janet Randall on the piano. A member of the group recalls, “The recollection of those old hymns I learned as a child has helped me through many difficult times. Their lyrics have been a continual reminder of God’s love and promises.”

standing left to right Pearl Lee Edwards, Monroe Dennis, Seated Janet Gillens, Elizabeth Hicks Campbell Adams and Charlotte King