Waiting for the Wedding...

Here we all are, young and old. Rev. Lorenzo Laws, our brother, will marry her. Thank you, Lord!
Alcenia's daughter, Nikki, is getting married, September 4th. We will all go to Daytona Beach, Florida to Celebrate and be with her. Thank you, Jesus. She is sooooo happy.

The Reverend Lorenzo Laws!

Here he is, Jimmy and Rutha's younger son, The Reverend Lorenzo Laws. Allen Chapel is his second church since ordained as an AME pastor. Allen Chapel is located in New Smyrna Beach, FL. His first church is Mount Zion in Hastings, Fl. He completed his Master's in Divinity in May 2009! He is the only pastor in the family, and we depend on him to perform and attend to all weddings, funerals, and illnesses. Here he is also ministering to Jimmy and Rutha's first son, Jimmy James Jr, Laws III. Gertrude "Gertie" Calloway Laws is his supportive wife of about 30 years. We are very proud of them and pray for their safety and grace, daily. Thank you, Rev. Laws and Gertie. We love you and appreciate all that you do!

Rutha, the Matriarch "Center", of her family!

There she is, Rutha, Mama, lover of her children's soul. Here she is in the center of her five daughters. I look at us and wonder if we all remember how she poured her heart into us during some very difficult times in her life as a single mom of seven. Me, the oldest on the right and Marguerite, the youngest on the left and Alcenia, Mildred, K'netha in between. She loved us and did her best to provide for us. Standing with Lorenzo as he graduated from Bethune Cookman College. This task, of going to her children's graduation, she repeated many times as she watch us all graduate from high school, then from college. This legacy lives in each of her children. Me, as a mother of three, and a grandmother of ten, great-grandmother of one, I have been on field trips, on grade discussions, on college registrations, on family trips all modeling actions the single moms of Rutha Mae, Druscilla and Chelsey. Ask all of us, Alcenia with her son, Little Tuck and Nikki and grandchildren, Mildred with her sons Eric and Shawn and her grandchildren, Marguerite and her children and grandchildren, K'netha and her children, Lorenzo and Jimmy with their children. Thank you, Rutha, and all matriarchs of this family, for not only showing us the way, but sacrificing to provide the way! We are so proud to be your offsprings. Amen.

The Family that Prays Together, Stays Together!

The Children and Cousins of Rutha and Jimmy Laws

Here are six of their eight children with cousins. In the back is me,Cynthia LaVerne, born in 1948, the firstborn of Rutha's only, adopted by Jimmy. Below me on my left shoulder is Alcenia Glacilla, born October 31, 1950. She is standing next to Gwen Williams, Rutha's first cousin, also born October 31. On Alcenia's left is Mildred Chelsey, born October 11, l951. The boy to the far right is Jimmy James Jr Laws "the third", born September 26 l952, their first son. There was a baby, M'Linda" (deceased) born between the boys, but the other son is Loreno Laws, named after Jimmy's brother, born August 16, 1954. K'Netha is the caped child in the front middle. She was born January 7, 1958. Marguerite, not shown in this photo, is our beauty queen, was born May 5, l959! Laura "Gail" Bryd is our first cousin standing behind Jimmy's left shoulder. It's Easter Day at Grandma Druscilla's (Rutha's mom) home in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Rutha and Jimmy Laws Jr. "My Beloveth"

Here is Jimmy "Jr" James Laws, Jr. Handsome man who loved his Rutha. Look at the name he stroked across the top of her photo, "My Beloveth". Rutha, too, is a very beautiful person. She loved "Jimmy" and beared seven beautiful children for him. This blog is dedicated to them and their children, grandchildren and families!

Lady in Pink and White and a Young Man!

Rutha loved her sons! They were the joy and pride of her life--all of her seven children were! Here is her youngest son, Lorenzo--named after her husband, Jimmy's, baby brother, Lorenzo. (Rutha enjoyed naming her children after family members--it was her way of "passing on the legacy" Rutha older son's name is "Jimmy James Jr Laws the Third!" or so he called himself...) Her sons played instruments, like their father. They joined professional bands at 13 years of age. Lorenzo played the drums, Jimmy played the trumpet. Here is Lorenzo on Daytona Beach with his band, "Morning After". He is the band leader. He used the proceeds from this band to put himself through Bethune Cookman College. Here he is at graduation with Rutha, in the print dress, and sister, Alcenia. Can't you feel the PRIDE!!!!