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!!!!

Rutha's Siblings Celebrate with Portrait on Steps of Shiloh

Here is Rutha's sibling outside the church as she rests inside. On the back row from left to right is Lucinda, her youngest sister, and Vincent (Brother) her youngest brother. Next is Dot, Mildred, Jacq, then Juanita, D.L. and Elaine. Both Jacq and Juanita have joined Rutha in Glory.


Both, Mama Laws--as Rutha was lovingly called--Aunt Jacq and Aunt Juanita leave us here who loved and respected them. The brothers and sisters still here continue to grace us with love and support. Thank you Aunts and Uncles. WE LOVE YOU!!!! and Thank you for standing up for us in our mother's absence. Thank you!

Lady in White and Flowers!

Rutha was funeralized on Easter Saturday of 1992 (April). You can see she was loved and highly favored. Here she rests in Shiloh Baptist Church Sanctuary surrounded by beautiful flowers that overtook the choir loft and the pulpit. Mama, we miss you and look forward to joining you in that great "getting up morning" when it is our time to go. Thank you for your love and your smile. Your children just want to pass forward the love you showed. Amen.

Lady in White!

Here is Rutha with Jimmy "Jr"'s mother, "Mom". Mom's name is Alcenia Baker Laws---. The baby is Rutha's grandchild, Nathan, Jr. and Mom's great, grand child. Mom loved her older son,"Jr". She cared for him until his death. We miss her smile, elegance, and beauty.

Rutha--Lady in RED!

Hi Rutha.
Okay, yes she was only five feet tall, but she had a five feet tall heart as well. That is why she is in dressed in RED! Here she stands in the middle of her two of her sisters, Lucinda the youngest on the left and Mildred on the right. They are standing here on the driveway of Elaine, another sister, in Palmetto, Florida. Family was very important to Rutha. She lover her six sisters and two brothers. She taught her five daughters and two sons to also love each other and the family, no matter what! "Blood is thicker than water; always stay together". We are learning to do that, Mama. Thank you, family still comes first!

Rutha--Lady in White!

"I'll be there" was Rutha's motto for her children. Here she is sitting with her youngest daughter in l976. Marguerite (middle) just won Ms Spruce Creek High Prom Queen. Rutha sits next to Alcenia, who went to be with the Lord in April of 2007, me on right and Vanilla, family friend.

Rutha inspired us to always go for it!!! and we do! Thanks, Mama. We love you.

Rutha--The Lady in Pink

Daytona Beach, Florida--the world's most famous beach!

Rutha loved her seven children, their children and their children's children! Here she is on the beach with Cynthia's three daughters, Denise, Alicia and Cheryl. The child is her great grandson, Alvin. Rutha was scared of the water, but loved being with family,and would go just to be with them

Rutha Mae Horne Laws - 1943 Campbell HS Graduate

"My Beloved" are the words written across this photo. Everyone called her "beautiful". She never thought of herself as beautiful. She just loved deeply. Her life took some unexpected turns after this photo and 16 years later she was a widow with seven children. "How did she do it?" They asked. "Only with the help of God" was her answer. I say it was also her deep love and compassion that transended all hurt, harm and danger...

Thank you, Mama, for your gifts of love, beauty and education. This weblog is dedicated to you and to Daddy.
May you both Rest In Peace!

Jimmy James "Jr" Laws and his Legacy!

Here is the handsome dad of seven, at 30, died too young. "Jr", as he was called by his family, and "Jimmy" as he was called by Rutha was a treasure to his children. A very smart man, who graduated from Stanton High School in Jacksonville, FL at the age of 15 and attended Tuskegee College to become an Airman. As you can see, he achieved that goal. His desire for his children and family was they would live with integrity. He hated the limitations that the US tried to impose on him because of his color. He would often defy those rules by taking his family to "whites only" beaches, movies, and parks. As the oldest, I remember being hauled away from a movie theatre in Tampa because they said it was a "white only" theatre and he refused to leave. He had just come back from overseas and refused to be mistreated. He taught me never to look down--or act inferior--to anyone!. He would have me practice standing tall, look straight eye ball to eye ball and answering with a strong, "Yes Sir" or "Yes Ma'am" He would never accept me half doing a job, even at 3 years old. He would say, as he demonstrated for me the proper way to do it, "If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right the first time!" He would be proud of his children and their families. His legacy lives through them and their families. This weblog is dedicated to that defiant spirit that practice excellence and integrity.
Daddy, thank you!

Reverend Lorenzo Laws Graduates with Master of Divinity!

Rev. Lorenzo Laws, Rutha and Jimmy's younger son, graduated on May 16, 2009 from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Masters in Divinity. He is the Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Hastings, FL. Here he is in this family portrait with his wife, Gertrude Calloway Laws, and daughter, Brittany Laws. Gertie is an author and teacher. Brittany is a Junior at FAMU. Keep them in your prayers.

Another Off to College!!!

Jessica Jonal Kemper, another granddaughter, is off to college with over 30 college credits!!! Jessica graduated from Northeast Academy of Math and Science in Oklahoma City with almost her first year complete! Her major is Political Science and she plans not to stop until she has a law degree. Keep her in your prayers, also. She will attend first year in Oklahoma, but she wants to attend Spelman! Jessica is the daughter of Alicia Kemper, granddaughter of Cynthia Laws Calloway. "You go girl!"

Summa Cum Laude Graduates!

Another family Portrait! Kalyn graduates from Mainland HS in Daytona with honors. (She worked her off!) With God's help, she is on her way to Tuskegee! Here is Kalyn--in the middle--her mother, Denise and me, Denise's mother, Cynthia. Helen
her dad's mom is on the wall looking down. She passed a few years ago, but is in all our hearts. May God continue to give Kalyn all she needs to be successfully. Amen.

High School Queen turns 50!

Another Family Portrait! Marquerite turns 50! What a party! Everyone was there! On the sofa sits Marquerite,middle, 1976 Miss Spruce Creek High School, with Rutha Mae, mom, and sister, Alcenia on left--both gone to be with the Lord--and Cynthia and Vanilla on right. In Black is Marguerite dressed for the party!

First Children's Portrait

Here we are. Rutha and Jimmy's children with niece and cousin all dressed up for Easter 1959 or so. Cynthia at the top, Mildred, Alcenia, Cousin Gwen on back row from left to right; Lorenzo, niece Gail, Jimmy, on front row and Knetha in the middle. Marguerite not old enough yet. God has greatly blessed all of us with beautiful children and families. This blog is dedicated to Rutha and Jimmy James Laws, Jr. and their love and strength they passed on to their children and families. May all who come to this place find HOPE and PEACE! Amen.

Cynthia Laws Calloway, the originator.