She wore a flower in her hair EVERYDAY, if you got to know her, you felt the love and experienced her caring and uplifting ways. Her untimely humor is as legendary as the spontaneity that encouraged us all to dance with her - to join her in Dancing in the Street.
As a teacher in the Dayton Public Schools, “Ms. Love” as she was often called, decorated her room with orange, yellow and black laminated paper butterflies, that were a staple in family party decor as well.
Emily Caroline Johnson Smith was a Democratic committeewoman, historian and enviable soprano, who’s presentations in poetry and song were extraordinary. She constantly poured, whether or not you were a receptive receptacle, a vessel, upon any encounter, she filled your cup with history…overflowing with family history, American History. “Black America's contributions to the weaving of the great American tapestry,” she would say.
As her children, we cringed while shopping with her in the grocery stores of our youth, but today I am inspired by her off putting tenacity and dogged determination to uplift the legacy. A captivating woman inside and out. The pastor delivering her eulogy raised eyebrows when, flushed-face, he mentioned her beauty and head turning style.
We miss our mother.
In the sudden waning days of her life, we worked to provide to her the same love, strength and tender care she gave us, and that gives us peace.
July 28, 2024, The Montgomery County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society recognized little known Daytonians who made a difference with a walking tour of gravesites at the Woodland Historic Cemetery and Arboretum.
I was honored to present the history and biography of the Black abolition organization the American Sons of Protection and our beloved ancestor, my great-grandmother Jewelia Galloway Higgins. We thank the Montgomery County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society for the invitation honoring our history, and community contributions.
The Woodland Historic Cemetery and Arboretum; over 200 years of our family are there awaiting the great gettin' up morning. My mother is among them and the Woodland staff were kind and helpful adding to the rewarding, enriching experience.
Before the start of our presentation, as always, I whispered a prayer. My heart spoke to my mother as well, asking that she lend me a morsel of her courage and to let me know that she was there.
It was a beautiful, breezy day. We gathered under the tree where Charles & Jewelia rest with their only son Charles Laurence Dunbar Higgins.
Charity’s Children, by love and blood, gathered under the oak to greet the walking tour that respected and embraced our history. Community members, historians, genealogists and press were on hand to commemorate with us the 150th year since the birth of Jewelia G. Higgins. Honoring her life and her many contributions to the Dayton community.
When we gathered to leave, my daughters and I were the last to go. I took a moment to go back to the United Daughters of Zion burial plot where mother Charity Broady rests…Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness…
It was a beautiful day with our first grandchild babbling in the background, a beautiful day. Then I received a text from someone I admire and trust, it read in part.
Magnificent truth telling today. Wanted you to know a butterfly was flying above us the entire time you spoke. Looked like a precious monarch.
Stunned! I replied that the butterfly, that I did not see, was my mother to which they wrote…
I love that it was your mother!!!! She was flying with such peace and happiness and it was a joy to watch.
Yes, it was a beautiful, breezy day. Be inspired friend!
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