One of the Women of Bennett Road " Ada Coleman Wren"

Ada Coleman Wren
Photo Courtesy: Walter Wren III

It is estimated that Mrs. Ada was born abt 1916, she married Walter Wren. They had three children: Deloris, Dorothy, and Walter. According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, her parents were Dave and Jennie Coleman. 

Dave was born abt 1897 and was living in Kentwood, Louisiana. He was born in St. Helena Parish. He worked Kent Mills Co. His mother was named Ada Meredith Brown Coleman and his father was named William Coleman.

Mrs. Ada and her husband Walter lived on Bennett Road in Amite, Louisiana upon their death. They both worked hard to provide for their family.  She was a nurse and her husband was a farmer. 

My grandmother Josephine Richardson Harrell was very close friends. My grandmother didn't drive and on some Sunday's Mrs. Ada would drive home after church. She kept a beautiful smile on her face all the time. No matter when you saw her, she was always very neat. It was women on Bennett road like Mrs. Ada, Mrs. Genora Johnson Wheeler, Mrs. Helen Edwards, and my Aunt Lena Temple that help make their community a strong community. She passed away in 1991. 

Traveling Down Memory Lane Through Pictures

Her 6th Grade  Class at O.W. Dillion
Photo Credit: Ian Brown

The journey of family research has allowed me to meet other families throughout the Louisiana Florida Parishes.  Whether it is oral history or a collection of photographs everyone had something they are proud to hold on too. I couldn't wait to visit with Mrs. Grace Sanders Walker to see her collections of family photographs. Years ago she donated the first African-American community album book to the Amite Genealogy Library. 

Mrs. Walker understands the importance of holding on to the family photographs and heirlooms. She comes from the Vernon Clan of Tangipahoa Parish.  When she started pulling out all her pictures and naming the people in the photographs. "I said to myself what a piece of history we would lose if we if it wasn't for people like her!"

I was walking back down memory lane with her. Each time I look at photographs with individuals who are willing to share the image and the story with me. I feel like I'm traveling back with them and learning something about the person in the image.

Mrs. Grace S. Walker and Glyniss Vernon Gordon
Photo Credit: Ian Brown

Old photographs are treasures that many people hold on too tightly. Pictures that make them smile and often time they reflected upon a loved one who has passed on. Learning how to label the photographs are important. Everyone has photographs in their collection and may not know some of the people in the photograph. 

Her pictures are in great condition and you can tell that she handles them with gentle care. Our family photograph tells stories about our family and ancestors. There is an old saying that says...a picture is worth a thousand words. In earlier times taking a picture was a big deal. Everyone put on their Sunday's best and pose for the pictures. Most of the time everybody looked so serious. The women dressed up in the fancy dress and some wore hats. The men put on their finest suit and shine their shoes to get their pictures taken.  I can't forget the children how nicely dressed they were.  

Sitting on her dresser was pictures of her parents and other family members. She made several trips to bring out more pictures. One of the pictures she brought out for display was of Robert "Free Bob" Vernon. She is a descendant of Robert. The Vernon family had deep roots in the Florida Parishes. Nurturing Our Roots really appreciate everyone who has preserved their family photograph.