Wilson’s Gamma Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, recently celebrated its 85th anniversary. Read more about the chapter’s early years here.
Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority
AKAs hold annual bridge tournament.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 24 October 1942.
The local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority held its annual bridge tournament at Reid Street Community Center on 8 October 1942.
Chapter members included Odelle Whitehead Barnes, Lucy Barnes, Nettie Daniels, Norma D. Darden, Marian Davis, Doris Freeman, Esther Brown Goodwin, Vera Greene, Dolores Hines, Mae Murray McKoy, Marion Howard Miller, Helen Townsend Parker, Cora Miller Washington, Rosalyn Whitehead, Thelma Reid Whitehead, and Rosa Kittrell Williams.
Local guests included Grace B. Swinney, Ruth Jones Plater, Grace McNeil Johnson, Ethel Gray Howell, Flossie Howard Barnes, Dorothy Grissom Parker, Dr. George K. Butterfield, Robert A. Johnson, Ethel Cornwell Hines, Levi Jones, Tempsie Robbins Jones, Addie Davis Butterfield, E. Dortche Fisher, Letitia Lovett Fisher, Sarah P. Hines, Eleanor P. Reid, Georgia Cooke Gant, Flossie Dunston, Marie Mitchner, Maggie Barnes Crawford, Lurean Barnes Zachary, Catherine Turner Watson, Margaret Edwards Kornegay, Myrtle Lane Mitchell, Annie Gilliam, Annie Dupree, and Margaret Hines.
Congratulations, Gamma Beta Omega!
Congratulations to Gamma Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, which celebrated its 85th anniversary at a gala on 3 October 2025. Read about the chapter’s early years in Wilson here.
Photo courtesy of S. Richardson.
Della W. Murrain speaks of South Africa.
Wilson Daily Times, 9 December 1948.
The following Sunday, Della Whitehead Murrain spoke at First Missionary Baptist Church as well.
Lane Street Project: thank you!
My deep gratitude to Preservation of Wilson, the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Senior Force (and visiting grandson!), and all who came out for today’s workday!
There are only four scheduled clean-ups left in Season 3. We welcome all organizations to join the work of Lane Street Project in reclaiming and restoring historic Odd Fellows Cemetery. Wilson’s history lies here.
Photo courtesy of Anne Sauerborn Joyner.
The death of Ruby Jane Lassiter, student.
The obituary of Esther Brown Goodwin.
Arizona Daily Star, 31 July 1984.
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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 419 Hines Street, Lewis Townsend, 62; wife Henrietta, 60; daughter Alzie, 22; and daughter Geneva Brown, 24; son-in-law George Brown, 26; and grandchildren Ester, George Jr., and Martha.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 508 South Spring, pressing club operator George Porter, 34, divorced; Jeneva Brown, 30, divorced, housekeeping servant, and her children Brown, 15, Esther, 13, Martha, 12, and Olive, 9; and George M. Porter, 4.
George Brown died 1 October 1947 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 53 years old; was born in Edgecombe County to Sam and Martha Brown; was married; lived at 911 Robeson Street; worked as an auto mechanic; and was buried in Rountree cemetery. Informant was Mrs. Esther Goodwin, 408 East Hines Street.
In June 1955, the Goodwin family flew from Frankfurt, Germany, to New York after Capt. Felix Goodwin completed a tour of duty.
New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957, database on-line, http://www.ancestry.com.
The AKAs arrive in Wilson.
“The dream of establishing a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Wilson, NC had its origin in the mind of Soror Norma Darden during the late ‘30’s. As years passed, she decided to organize a chapter in Wilson. However, this was very difficult since she had to have at least seven members for the establishment of a chapter. After many years of searching for eligible ladies, her task was completed. On February 18, 1940, Gamma Beta Omega became a reality.”
The first members were Sorors Norma Darden, Dolores Hines, Rosa L. Williams, Vera G. Shade, Peggy Cooper, Marian Davis, and Odelle Barnes (a founder and charter member of Alpha Chi Chapter at North Carolina Central University, formerly North Carolina College, in 1932). Soror Darden served as the first basileus. In 1941 the first members to be initiated into the chapter were Sorors Mae Lord, Cora Washington, and Marian H. Miller.
- Norma Duncan Darden
- Dolores Hines — Dolores Lurline Hines (1915-1997) was the daughter of William and Ethel Cornwell Hines.
- Rosa Lee Kittrell Williams
- Vera Greene Shade
- Peggy Cooper
- Marian Davis
- Odelle Whitehead Barnes
- Mae Lord
- Cora Washington Artis
- Marian Howard Miller
Adapted from gboaka.com, the website of the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.