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?

Who Was William / John Washington?

What can I say about my 2nd Great Grandpa William / John Washington?

After doing some research, I've come up with some things about my mother's mother's mother's father, William. William Sr. was born around 1845 in MO. He was married first to a Susan Leach (1846 - ca1888.) They had 6 or 7 children.

Laura Anna WASHINGTON ALLEN WALTERS

Nannie WASHINGTON

Amelia WASHINGTON

James WASHINGTON

Virginia WASHINGTON

Lillie WASHINGTON

William WASHINGTON Jr

I searched the city directions. I came up with John Washington living with an Amelia LABLES for a couple of years. Perhaps she could have been his mother. William and John Washington could have been the same person.

Than there was a Lillie LEWIS who lived with the Washingtons. She lived with them during the 1880's. She was believed to have been Susan's grand mother.

William or John Washington remarried in 1890 to a Maliah Hill Wynn. William was listed as George W. Washington in the 1900 census. I don't know if George could have been William's slave name. There was a John W. Washington listed on the 1920 census. He was listed as William Washington's son.

The year of William Washington Sr. death is unknown. I have search the MO death records online. I can assumed that he died after 1920. His second wife, Maliah died in 1921. John was still living.

Discoveries While On The Journey,
Who Was William / John Washington?

I don't know when he died.
I checked the MO death records.
There were some William Washington.
I don't know which one could have been my 2nd Great Grandfather.

William was the father of Anna Laura.
Anna was the mother of Mary Allen
Mary Allen was the mother of Lula Lankford.
Lula Lankford was my mother.

Blessings,
Susan