Carolyn Lawrence

This photo features Reverend Shed Barksdale, contributed by either Wanda Sloan or Sheryll Caldwell, both close friends of Ms. Lawrence. Rev. Barksdale was a minister who filled in for the ministers of Beloit’s New Zion Baptist Church and Beloit’s…

Carolyn Lawrence received this photograph from Mr. Jake Brickson, a professional photographer whose wife is close with Ms. Lawrence. It was taken in either the late 1960s or early 1970s, and depicts members of Beloit’s Women’s Culture Club. Made up…

Carolyn Lawrence received this descendants list from her former mother-in-law, Annie Inez Gordon Harris – the list dates back to 1795. The first individual listed, Peter Brummel Hughes (1794-1894), is believed to be a former slave. Family members’…

Carolyn Lawrence received this cookbook from her former brother-in-law, Gordon Harris. Compiled in 1996 by Barbara J. Harris Whitmore, it contains recipes from families who attended the now-defunct Ross Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Chickasaw…

This is Carolyn Lawrence’s own booklet, herself being an active member of Beloit’s Emmanuel Baptist Church. It is from the church’s 75th anniversary, and is a comprehensive account of the church’s history, including a short biography of the pastor at…