The legacy of black history is preserved by a local man

Walter Wren III
African American Funeral Collection

A local genealogist and historian, Dr. Antoinette Harrell, recently saw some of Walter Wren III,  extensive collections of African American funeral programs, church programs, and other historic items. He guards and protects the large container in which the collection is stored. Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes can greatly benefit from Wren's collection of African American materials. Harrell spent two hours browsing through the treasure box containing a piece of history. Each program in his collection was carefully examined by her during the evaluation process. 

Harrell received a copy of the duplicate from Wren for preservation at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies.  Nurturing Our Roots appreciates Wren's generosity in sharing his collection. Sadly, African American history would have been lost if not for Wren's and other contributions. Wren's willingness to share his collection with Nurturing Our Roots.

A funeral program for a woman born in 1886 caught the attention of Harrell's trained eye. In his collection, that individual was the oldest born. It was followed by a few in the early 1900s.  He worked at Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. in Amite for many years and some programs were from services he attended and others from his family and friends' funeral services.. 

Harrell received a copy of the duplicate from Wren for preservation at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies.  Nurturing Our Roots is grateful to Wren for sharing his collection with us. Unfortunately, without Wren's and other contributions, African American history would have been forgotten and lost to time. We are grateful for Wren's willingness to share his collection with Nurturing Our Roots and for Harrell's dedication to preserving it for future generations

There is a long history of African American contributions to Louisiana's Southeast Parishes that has been long forgotten and ignored. Wren  understands the importance of researching, preserving, and documenting these contributions.

The Legacy of Three Generations Vernon Men of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Each time I speak with members of the Vernon family and others who were a part of the community and have recollections of some of the  community leaders. The Vernon family names comes to their minds.  I learn some new history about the Vernon men who were pioneers and community leaders. Several years ago, one of my dearest friends, Glyniss Vernon Gordon a  relatives by marriage shared with me her Vernon family history. 

Her parents. Dr. Willard Vernon and his wife Alma Harrison Vernon, were my childhood icons. Both of her parents were educators in the Tangipahoa Parish School System. They held high standard for their students academic achievements. They were  two pillars in their community and both made a difference in the lives of so many students and people. 

The Vernon humanitarian works didn't begin with her father Dr. Willard Vernon. His great grandfather Robert "Free Bob" Vernon, a former slave who immigrated to Louisiana from Mississippi, Robert purchased more than 1, 100 acres of land and gave one hundred acres to each of his children in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. Robert also made a generous gift of land to established a church, school and cemetery in Arcola, Louisiana. 

Glyniss often recounts how her father and grandfather and others worked tirelessly to open the Good
Samaritan Nursing Home in Washington Parish, Louisiana. The nursing home was established in 1987. Glyniss was so proud of father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. 

Glyniss V. Gordon and Gregory Route, 
Mayor of Franklinton, La. 

Third District Bogue Chitto Baptist Association "Good Samaritan Nursing Home" Board of Director were as follows: Rev. Raymond Mims, President, Rev A.J. Manning, Rev. James Mahoney, Rev. Aaron Thompson, Rev. Carlis Hart, Mrs, Pearl Wilson, Rev. Leo Edgerson, Rev. R. He. Cornist, Rev. Dr. Altwood Luther, Bro. Jo Williams, Matthew Tate, David Wood, Ben Fussell, Harris Farris, Rev. Dr. Willard Vernon, Ex-Officio.

Glyniss and her family stood proudly by the cornerstone dedication. The Historical background was presented by Pastor Johnny Causey. The speaker for the hour was Rev. Dr. Raymond Mims, because he couldn't make the event, Rev. Dr. Bobby Showers was the keynote speaker. 

Comments was made by Glyniss Vernon Gordon, Mayor Gregory Route, and Mrs. Annie Grace. Glyniss  stand on the shoulders of her ancestors who were leaders, pioneers, and visionaries. Today, the legacy of the Vernon family continues. These are just a few of their major accomplishments and contributions to their communities and societies. Glyniss herself is a pioneer, as she was the first African American woman elected to serve on the City of Amite Council.  Gregory Route became the first black mayor of Franklinton, Louisiana.  "I knew that my parents were hard workers, but to me they was just daddy and mama," said Glyniss. I want my grandchildren to learn more about the legacy of my father's family she said. 

The offsprings of 
Rev. Dr. Willard Vernon and Mrs. Alma Harrison Vernon
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell