Strawberries, Cotton & Sugarcane

    Rosemary Nelson Johnson was born February 22, 1928, in New Roads, Louisiana to Reverend Albert Nelson and Mariah Pierson Nelson. Her educational and spiritual journey was achieved from the inspiration of her parents. They gave her the opportunities that were never available to them, and she eventually struggled to give the same prospects to her children. This was the beginning of a legacy of spiritual growth through music and the word of God.   With the help and determination of her father, Rosemary made the necessary sacrifice to get an education. Her journey began at the age of 12 when she attended schools McKinley High School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Gilbert Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her travel was extensive and sometimes dangerous because there were no high schools in New Roads. To further ensure that Rosemary would get a proper high school education, her father paid several people to allow her to reside in their homes. Rosemary's father d...

Below is an article printed in the Southern University Alumni Magazine  highlighting the work of my Great Grandfather, H. A Dillon Sr. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI PROFILE To Seneca is attributed the statement, “A dwarf is small, even if he stands on a mountain; a colossus keeps his height, even if he stands in a well.”   Perhaps no case that could be cited better illustrates the strivings of a quiet, thrifty and conservative person  as HENRY AUSTINE Dillon, SR. Among Southernites and other alike, H. A.Dillon, SR., is a gigantic statue. At an early age he began his elementary education under his s isters  and from there took his education work under his brother, O.W. Dillon who  was at that time the principal of the Training School at Kentwood,Louisiana.   The school was later named O.W. Dillon High School. DILLON was greatly influenced by his brother while working under the older Dillon. O.W. Dillon instilled in him to become a leader or a he...