Subject: Religionpage 3

Mr. Brooks speaks during event honoring himself and Pauline Gray. This celebration was held at Embry AME Church.

In the parish hall of Embry AME Church. Against the wall far left is William Gray and far left is Emma Harrison

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.

Contains a cover page for Campbell's memorial service, held on Sep 8 1993 at Zion Baptist Church of Eastland Gardens. Also contains an obituary for the deceased; as well as a short prayer; the order of service; a list of pallbearers; acknowledgements; and a short prayer.

Jean Gray Smith is seen in the hat center during a visit to Sandy Point Beach on a Sunday School Picnic sponsored by Embry AME Church. Smith was a New Yorker. The daughter of Lakelander Margaret Gross Gray she frequently visited her mother's home community. This day she was visiting the family members along with her own sons, Charles and Kevin.

Meal during event honoring Pauline Gray and Arthur Brooks

The newly wed Mary Ann and George Smith in the sanctuary of Embry AME Church

Embry AME Church

On a summer Sunday morning in 1942, from left to right, Martha Edwards, Evelyn Giles Tyner, and Tyner’s sister, Lucille Giles, ushers for Embry A.M.E. Church, walked to church with Tyner’s daughters, Edna and Shirley. The Edwards garden is visible on the left; the Giles house is off to the right.

Speaking during event honoring Pauline Gray and Arthur Brooks at Embry AME Church

Embry AME Church

Labor Day picnic on the grounds of Embry AME Church

Left to right unknown, Jacqueline Randall Gillens, Sylvia Lockerman , Florence Lee, Naomi Carter, Rev. Dessie L. Carter

Dent Chapel AME Church had services at Embry after their church flooded. It was near Peace Cross in Bladensburg. Shown is Rev. Fields of Dent AME Church. Embry shared their church building with the congregation of Dent from 1955 to 1956

Pauline Gray during event in her honor and that of Arthur Brooks at Embry AME Church

In addition to good, home-cooked food and the opportunity to visit with friends and family members, on this day in 1963 there was the added attraction of pony rides. On the left is Avis Matthews on a pony led by her uncle, Lester Gray; her sister Carol is riding a pony led by Ronald Brooks.

Embry AME Church celebrates 100th Anniversary--Gazette Community News

Rear left to right James Edwards II, Rev. Baddy, James Clemons, center William Gray, Mr. Hart, George Henry Gross front Thomas Randall, unknown. George Brooks Sr, Dessie Thomas, Arthur Brooks item 04307 shows this same group

At First Baptist Church of College Park

Mr. and Mrs. Smith depart after their wedding at Embry AME Church

Mock weddings such as this one at Embry A.M.E. Church, circa 1949, were popular dramatizations and fundraisers for churches. The church’s youth played the parts of bride, groom, minister, and wedding party. Sunday School superintendent Dessie Randall Thomas loaned her wedding dress for this activity. Jean Gray and Ellsworth Dory, both about age fifteen, are the bride and groom, and Yvonne Thomas and Betty Smith are among the attendants.

Unsure of what the specific event was celebrating; possibly a "Tom Thumb Wedding"? Myron's sister, DeWana Gray, is pictured; she is 4 years older than Myron. Pamela Boardley, Elwood Gross (Maxine's father), Manny Gray (a cousin), Regina Thomas, and Jimmy Edwards are also pictured. The Gray family was living in a family house that stood where Paint Branch is now, and then moved to a home at 8106 48th Ave., where student housing currently is. Dessie Randall Thomas usually managed youth programs at Embry.

Lakelanders George Smith and Mary Ann Campbell began their married life on Saturday, June 5, 1965, at Embry A.M.E. Church. The bride chose to honor her grandmother, Ethel Hicks Claiborne, by selecting her birthday as the date for her nuptials. During the reception in the church parish hall, the wedding party assembled for the photograph above. Theirs was the perfect June wedding held on a fine sunny day, and the parish hall was filled to capacity with well wishers. Below, many of the ladies were crowned in lovely spring hats.

First Heritage Weekend Sunday service in crossroads of Lakeland. Representative of various Lakeland churches are on stage. They include left to right Rev. David Barrozo of Washington Brazilian SDA Church, unknown, unknown, Rev. Edna Jenkins, Rev. and Rev.

Robert Fields, a familiar face at musical religious events in the community. Photographed in 1958, he was noted for his incredible singing voice, perfect for gospel music.

On the day of the wedding of Mary Ann Campbell and George Smith at Embry AME Church

Religious song lyrics, a folded napkin, and a small card from a friend.

Two 'In memory' cuttings for Arthur Essex, one written by Gladys herself. Also religious poetry, a gift card, another Parkdale card, and an embossed napkin.

Embry AME Church 100th church anniversary 1903 to 2003

Embry AME Church There is another image of this group taken on the same day in the archive

Worship Service on Grounds of First Baptist Church

Youth event Embry AME Church circa 1947

Block 44 Lot 1, 12, 13, 14& 15 Urban Renewal Parcel 19-1 & 2 Carter-Weygandt Engineering inc

Heritage Weekend event at Washington Brazilian SDA Church/ Lakeland School site

Embry AME Church

left to right Lockerman, Leon Robinson, Charles Carroll, and unknown

During event in honor of Pauline Gray and Arthur Brooks. Church pastor, Rev Baddy is seated

Vera Claiborne with children of First Baptist Church congregation. Pastor, Rev. Milton Covington is interacting from the pulpit

This Navahoe Street residence was built around 1900 and is believed to be one of the original houses built by Lakeland developer Edwin Newman. This house was once home for Leonhard and Elizabeth Exel, German immigrants who were the last white family to leave the community in the late 1940s. The home was purchased by Thomas and Agnes Randall in 1951. Since that time it has sheltered three generations of their family. The home was a frequent gathering place for the youngsters of Lakeland.

This interview was conducted with Dorothy Holman. It appears to have been done in two parts on the same day. The interview begins with Ms. Holman answering basic questions about her personal and family life. She was born on 12/24, in Lakeland, at home with the aid of a midwife. She was married twice and has one daughter. Ms. Holman describes some of the activities she has been involved with at her church and how the activities she participates in have changed as she has aged. YPD Clean Church Sunday School Missionary Work Cooking Ms. Holman talks about loss in her family and accomplishment of raising children. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ms. Holman elaborated on the role of religion in her and her family's lives. Everybody is human. Ms. Holman described the effects urban renewal has had on the Lakeland community. People leaving the neighborhood and not returning. Hasn't really harmed. Students moving in. Ms. Holman talks about living in her home. 70 years Left for two years during the War. Changes after World War II. Coming of the flooding. Current issues with students and parking. Meeting with Mayor and City Council. Ms. Holman then discussed her childhood memories. Snow days and ice skating on the lakes. Church activities including preaching, studying the Bible, and getting to know people. Everybody is human. Her family all lived nearby, including an aunt that helped take care of her and her siblings and her older cousins. Close community, neighbors would discipline you, no crime or fighting even in school. Family vacations to the beach near Annapolis. Ms. Holman describes gathering places for the community including the Beer Garden and Hall. Places are now torn down. Activities included dances and movies. Elks Club held dances. Ms. Holman describes her family life and the issues she and her family members are dealing with as they age. Her sister is in assisted living, because of Alzheimer's disease. Your mind leaves you. Mother raised her cousin and they remain close. Rely on young people and neighbors to drive her. At this point the interviewers attempt to wrap up the interview. Ms. Holman continues and shares more information about her family and aging. Parents passing. Father had brain cancer. Continues to talk about sister in assisted living. Lives with niece and nephew. Loneliness. No more Sunday dinners. The tape seems to shut off at this point and then to get turned back on in the middle of a conversation. In this part, Ms. Holman is discussing her house. Her father was able to buy the house for $2,000 by working at the University by waiting on tables. A white man named Mr. Watkins built the house. You get the land, I'll build you a house. Lived there approximately 70 years.

Located in the western section of Lakeland, the Elks Home, seen here circa 1965, was owned and operated by the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, an organization created in 1899 in answer to the exclusion of African Americans from the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The group was a social and charitable fraternal organization. To raise funds, it hosted regular events that were open to those living in Lakeland and the surrounding communities. Most fondly remembered are the annual carnivals held on the grounds of the building, and the parades through the streets of Lakeland.

Delivering sermon during Heritage Weekend Sunday Service at Washington Brazilian SDA Church, Lakeland High School site