Family Connections: The Church ~ Religious Traditions

 Mrs. Anna Laura (Washington) Allen Walters was a member of the church community. She was affiliated with the Holsey Chapel Church, New Hope (Baptist Church) and St. Paul C.M.E. Church. ~ Here is an article about the church moved at 1718 Holman in 1935. Holsey C.M.E. at 3rd and Rubidoux

The Church And Holy Matrimony
Anna Laura was the daughter of William / John Washington and Susan (Leach) Washington. Her parents, Mr. William Washington and Miss Susan Leach were married by John M. Wilkerson, a minister of the Gospel and founder of the A. M. E. Church ~ Ebenezer A. M. E. Church.

William and Susan were married on Thursday, September 20, 1866 in  St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri. Susan passed at age 58 on Thursday, January 9, 1890. Her funeral was held at the A.M.E. Church. William death day is unknown.

Susan’s mother Mrs. Delilah Lewis was a member of the Baptist church and had been for fifty years. She was joined the Baptist Church in 1837. And she was active with the church until her death on Thursday, April 14, 1887.

Anna Laura and her first husband William Allen application license to marry was dated on Monday, December 24, 1888 in  St. Joseph , Buchanan, Missouri. Those listed on the marriage license were Miss Laura Washington and Wm Allen. (George Fermon who was a witness.) ~ The deputy was Dave ? and the recorder was Thos ? Their surnames unreadable.

The names on the marriage license : Miss Laura Washington and Wm Allen.
The marriage took place on Wednesday, March 6, 1889 in St Joseph, Buchanan, MO
They were married by Rev Alexander C. Terrell of Ebenezer Chapel
The church located at 311 Antoine.

(The crop photo is a part of the 1947 handwritten obituary of Mrs. Anna Laura Walters.
She passed on Tuesday, February 11, 1947 in St. Joseph, Missouri at the age of 79.
It was about four months from he 80th birthday.

As I looked back over Anna’s obituary, I read that she was active in most of the aux- doing what was asked of her during her good health. In the funeral booklet, there were names and the order of the service. The Rev W. A Holmes and Rev Horning were over the service. It took place at the Alexander Funeral Home on Friday, February 14, 1947 at 2 pm

The Scripture was from John 14

The Music played…

Let The Lover Lights By Burning
God Will Take Care Of You
There is a Fountain
Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Thanks for reading
Family Connections: The Church ~ Religious Traditions
I believe that most of my ancestors called upon Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Who was Anna to me?
She was my Great Grandmother Anna and my mother’s Grandma Anna.

Posted on another site dated  July 31, 2025 by Susan Ann Blakley

God bless
S.A.Blakley

Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors In 52 Weeks Challenge in 2025
The theme for Week 30 is “Religious Traditions.” Have you explored religious records for any of your ancestors? Do you have an ancestor who was active in his/her place of worship?

Living In The Shadow Of William Washington

 In the beginning, I knew very little about my Washington Family Connections. I made some discoveries from what my mother told me and what material she had on her family. And through years of searching, I came across more on the family through the name of William Washington in the city of St. Joseph, Missouri. William was well, know during his time.

William Washington married his first wife, Miss Susan Leach on September 20, 1866 in St Joseph, Missouri. They were my 2nd great grandparents. They had 5 daughters and a son.

Living In The Shadow Of William Washington And the address of 1801 Mulberry Street

Susan was the daughter of Delilah Lewis. Susan’s name was never mentioned in any of the city directories She was hard to trace. Susan and her family were living in the shadow of William Washington.

When Susan’s mother, Delilah Lewis passed in April of 1887, William was mentioned. Susan’s was not. When William’s and Susan’s son, James drowned at the 102 River in July of 1889. William’s name was mentioned. Susan’s was not.

When Susan passed in January of 1890, she was listed Mrs. William Washington. When Virginia “Jennie” Washington passed in February of 1897, she was listed as the daughter of William Washington.

The crop postcard photo is of what I believe to be, a photo some of the Washington Family.
From left to right: seated are Susan, her husband William and the elderly lady was Delilah, Susan’s mother. The oldest daughter, Anna (behind William,) was my Great Grandmother, Anna Laura. (Photo colorized and repaired via My Heritage.)



There is little known of the other daughters of William and Susan. However, through searching, I discovered more about their daughter, Anna Laura (Washington) Allen Walters. As for Anna’s first husband William Allen, his life is a mystery. Perhaps he was living in someone’s shadow.

Now, I’m wondering about Susan’s siblings. I believe that she wasn’t the only child of Delilah. Delilah lived to be at least 100. Delilah’s 1887 obituary stated that she was about 113.

I continue searching for the Tivis Family Connections. I’m finding shadows there as well. Women were hidden behind their husband’s names. It’s hard to trace women.

Thanks for reading
Living In The Shadow Of William Washington: Week 44 In 2022

I posted this blog on  November 4, 2022 by Susan Ann Blakley
I added the In Remembrance For March

In Remembrance Dade Family Connections

In Remembrance Bartlett Family Connections

In Remembrance Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections. 

God Bless
S.A. Blakley

Week 44 ~ Amy Johnson Crow ~ Generations Café #52Ancestors 52 Weeks ~ facebook group.
This week’s theme is “Shadows.” There are some ancestors who seem to hide in darkness, whose stories are hard to tease out. There are also people who “live in the shadow” of someone else. This week, shine some light on one of those ancestors

Clues From the Past: Part 2 ~ Mrs. Anna Laura Walters' Parents And Siblings

Searching For Information On Mrs. Anna Laura Walters

 A part of Mrs. Anna Laura Washington Walters' obituary, 1947.
The handwriting on this piece of paper is a question.
It appears to have been Anna's granddaughter, Sarah Belle (Lankford) Johnson.

I've been on the journey to find more info on my Great Grandmother Anna Laura (WASHINGTON) (ALLEN) WALTERS' parents. Anna was the daughter of John / William WASHINGTON and Susan (LEACH)WASHINGTON. Here's what I've discovered.

I've been searching cities directories for William / John Washington and Susan Washington. There were many Washingtons listed in St. Joseph, Missouri. I believe some were related to William and Susan. 

I haven't located Susan Leach or Susan Washington on the city directories. However, there were at least two or three William Washingtons at times and one Wiley.  How confusing.

I've been narrowing the Williams down by addresses and occupations. I think that Anna Walters' father was named John William Washington. Through searching the censuses and obituaries, I have come across other information.

 Anna's father was listed as William J. Washington, J. William Washington, Geo W. Washington, W. Geo Washington, etc..  Through researching, I came across a son of William Washington. His name was John W. or William Washington.

This John W. or William Washington lived with his father, William and his step mother, Mahala and his step sister Ella Lewis in 1910. Also, William Jr. may have went by Wiley Washington. William Jr. was married. His wife passed before 1910. Also, Wiley had a son named Charles Ernest Washington.

  On Mrs. Anna Laura Walters' obituary:
  List of her survivors . The son in law was Leo Lankford / Lankfard.

          Siblings Of Laura (Washington) Allen Walters       

Death Living

Nannie  Washington

Birth Aug 1869 in St. Joseph, Missouri                                              

Death Living

Death 15 July 1895 in St. Joseph, Missouri

Amelia Washington

Birth about 1871 in Missouri

Death Living

Death in Missouri, 

James A.  Washington

Birth about 1873 in Missouri

Death Living

Death 8 July 1889 in St. Joseph, Missouri

Virginia F. Washington

Birth about 1876 in Missouri                               

Death Living

Death 18 Feb 1897 in St Joseph, Missouri, 

          Lillie  Washington
          Birth 1879 in St Joseph, Missouri,
          Death in Missouri.                                                          

          John / William Washington's son

          William Washington Jr.
          Birth  about 1859 ?
          Death:
        

         Thanks for reading.
          S. A. Blakley

Death Living

 

         I hope to find more on the journey.