Griffin Speaks

NINETY-FIVE YEARS AGO

The most important person to affect my life born in America in 1911, ninety-five years ago was not the fortieth president of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan; it was not the legendary actress, Butterfly McQueen, it wasn’t the singer Mahalia Jackson; or the actor Vincent Price, or comedienne Lucille Ball or actress Ginger Rogers or actor Roy Rogers. It was my grandmother-in-law, Mrs. Amy Lou Surles Stallworth Lawrence the only person among the persons that I previously mentioned still living today. 

My wife’s grandmother celebrated her ninety-fifth birthday Saturday at the Hayneville Plaza in Hayneville, Alabama. The after party was held at her daughter and son-in-law’s establishment, “Triple Spot” located in White Hall, Alabama. A third celebration will be held on her actual birthday, tomorrow, August 13, at the Ancestral home in Collerien, Alabama. We had a wonderful time. 

Mrs. Lawrence was born on August 13, 1911 to the late Amos and Sally Lou Stallworth in Gordonville, Alabama, the second of eight children. She graduated from high school and taught school for several years in the Lowndes County public school system until she married Mr. Willie James Lawrence in 1936. She would later decide to devote most of her time to raising her twelve children. She would eventually return to the workforce and serve honorably in the Lowndes County Head Start program. She eventually completed coursework at Alabama State University where several of her children would later graduate. 

Mrs. Lawrence was blessed to have all of her twelve children to attend her celebration. They were Carl (Annie Ruth), Jeraldine, my mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wilma (Joe Thomas, who told the audience that his mother-in-law wasn’t homemade, “she is a great mother-in-law”), Willie James (Barbara), Amos (Ella), Christine (James), Clarice (Thomas), Gloria (Henry Keeton, the self-proclaimed favorite son-in-law), Charlie, (deceased but there in spirit), (Pauline), Eudora (George Lee), Linda (Ceodis), Brenda (Sam Martin, another self-proclaimed favorite son-in-law). A step- daughter Celia (Jesse) was not able to attend. 

Mrs. Lawrence faithfully serves at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, while maintaining her membership at Woods Chapel Christian Church. She also served as an usher for several years at Shiloh and continues to be a longtime member of Bright Star Chapter No. seven forty-seven Order of Eastern Star. In addition to raising her own twelve children she has been a mother to many others. She has been blessed with 47 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren. 

Everyone in attendance had a wonderful time. We dined on fried pork chops; baked chicken, black eyed peas, corn, collard greens, candied yams, cornbread, salad and a variety of beverages. 

We are all looking forward to her 100^th Birthday Celebration in 2011. Y’all come you hear!