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MINNIE LYONS
GENERATION I.
MINNIE LYONS was born in Africa and transported by ship to South Carolina as a result of the
slave trade. The location of Minnie’s birthplace and her parentage are unknown. Upon arriving in
South Carolina, Minnie was bought by a slave master by the name “LYONS”, who resided in the
Abbeville Township, Abbeville County, South Carolina. She received her master’s last name
Lyons.
According to her great-granddaughter, Hattie Pickens Hearst, Minnie had one son
named Nick and a set of twin daughters named Edna & Ellen. The name of their father is
unknown, but he was said to be of Indian descent. Shortly after their birth of her twins, Minnie
was sold from the Lyons’ to the Smith’s. The wife of her former slave master kept and raised her
son and twin daughters because of their Indian descent and their light skin pigmentation (this
was not an uncommon practice during the time of slavery). No other history is known of Minnie
after she was sold to the Smith’s.
Children:
1. Nick Lyons, born in Abbeville County, South Carolina, 1836
2. Edna Lyons, born in Abbeville County, South Carolina, 1848
3. Ellen Lyons, born in Abbeville County, South Carolina, 1848
Reference:
Paul R. Begley and Steven Tuttle, South Carolina Department of Archives & History; African
American genealogical research.
1880 Census Schedule S.C. Vol., sheet 19, line 4, Abbeville County, South Carolina (Indian
Hills Township). Abbeville, South Carolina
ELLEN LYONS CHILES
GENERATION II.
ELLEN LYONS CHILES, daughter of Minnie Lyons, was born in Abbeville, South Carolina in
the year of 1848. Her father was said to be of Indian descent. Her race was listed as Black in the
1870 Federal Census. Ellen was one of the of twin girls (Ellen & Edna). Shortly after their birth;
Minnie their mother was sold. Their mother’s former master the Lyons raised the girls, Ellen,
Edna and Nick their brother. This practice was common for light complexion slaves.
Ellen married Moses Chiles; in Abbeville, South Carolina the year is unknown.
Moses Chiles was born in Abbeville County in 1844. He was Black and both were listed as farm
laborers in the Calhoun Mills Township, Abbeville, South Carolina according to the 1870
Federal Census. Ellen and Moses were not fortunate enough to attend school because schools
were not opened to non-whites at that time. Their limited training was received at the home.
Ellen and Moses later resided in the Indian Hills Township, Abbeville County as recorded in
1880 Federal Census. Ellen and Moses later separated, the date and reason is unknown. Ellen
then moved with her daughter Minerva. At the time of her death she lived with her daughter
Minerva Chiles Pickens in the Greenwood Township, Greenwood County, South Carolina. She
was believed to be buried in the family cemetery. The date and cause of her death is unknown
and no other history is known of Moses after their separation.
Children:
1. Eliza Chiles Widemon, born in Abbeville County, S.C. 1868 Married George Widemon
2. Minerva Chiles Pickens, born in Abbeville County S.C. April 8, 1873; Married William
Pickens; died March 8, 1918; Verdery S.C, Greenwood County.
3. Hayes Chiles, born in Abbeville County, S.C. 1874
4. Jeff Chiles, born in Abbeville County, S.C. 1879
5. Moses Chiles Jr., born in Abbeville County, S.C. year unknown.
References:
1870 Census Schedule S.C., Vol., Sheet `09 Line 31 Abbeville County, South Carolina
(Calhoun Mill Township).
1880 Census Schedule S.C., Vol., Sheet 19 Line 4 Abbeville County, South Carolina (India Hills
Township).
Death Certificate of Minerva Chiles Pickens, File No. 4589; Bureau of Vital Statistics;
Columbia, South Carolina.
EDNA LYONS
GENERATION II:
EDNA LYONS, daughter of Minnie Lyons, was born in Abbeville, South Carolina in the
year of 1848. Her father was said to be of Indian descent. Her race is listed as Black and her
occupation was that of a Farm worker, according to the 1880 Federal Census.
Edna was one of the twin girls (Edna & Ellen). Shortly after their birth; Minnie
their mother, was sold to the Smith’s. Minnie’s former master’s the Lyons’ raised Edna, her
sister Ellen and brother Nick.
As listed in the1880 census, Edna and her children lived with her brother Nick
Lyons and his wife Mary. Edna was blessed with eight (8) children. No other history is known of
Edna at this time. The date and cause of her death is unknown.
Edna’s daughter Janie Lyons never married, but had five sons. After her death,
Janie’s sister Chaney Lyons Widemon raised her boys, as told by Chaney’s daughter, and Edna
Widemon who was named after her grandmother. Martin and Janie’s daughter, Edna (also was
named after her grandmother) Lyons Thompson.
Children:
1. Janie Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C. year unknown; never married, she had five
(5) children.
2. Isaac Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C., 1868
3. Billie Turner, born in Abbeville County, S.C., 1872
4. Gibbie Lyons Widemon, born in Abbeville County S.C., 1874, Married Joe Widemon,
she had eight (8) children.
5. Charles Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C. 1876
6. Wince Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C., May 5, 1878, Married Sallie Patten Lyons,
he had eighteen (18) children
7. Chaney Lyons Widemon, born in Abbeville County, S.C., May 5, 1878; Married Nero
Widemon, she had six (6) children.
8. Walter Lyons, Born in Abbeville County, S.C., year unknown.
References:
1880 Census Schedule S.C., Vol., sheet 10 Line 4 Abbeville County, South Carolina ( Indian
Hills Township).
1992 Oral history, Edna Widemon Martin and Edna Lyons Thompson, Greenwood County,
South Carolina; July 3, 1992.
ELIZA CHILES WIDEMON
GENERATION III.
ELIZA CHILES WIDEMON, daughter of Ellen and Moses Chiles was born in Abbeville
County, South Carolina in 1868. She was the oldest out of five (5) children. During her
childhood, Eliza worked on the farm with her parents and siblings. She was the organist at the
family church, Cedar Grove Methodist; locate in Verdery Township, Abbeville County, South
Carolina. She later married George Widemon and to this union twelve (12) children were born.
She was remembered for the value she placed on dressing, as told by her niece Hattie Pickens.
No other history is known at this time.
MINERVA CHILES PICKENS
GENERATION III.
MINERVA CHILES PICKENS, daughter of Ellen and Moses Chiles was born in Abbeville
County, South Carolina; April 8, 1873. She married around the early 1890’s, in Abbeville, South
Carolina to William Pickens, son Andre and Catherine Pickens.
William Pickens was born July 4, 1874. He died of congestive heart failure April 18,
1956, in Greenville, S.C. Minerva and William was listed as Black. Williams occupation was
that of a General Farmer where his wife, Minerva and several of their children worked,
according to the 1910 census. Minerva attended a one-room schoolhouse located yards from the
Cedar Grove Methodist Church. The school is still standing as today, but no longer in use. Some
of the old furnishings used in the school can still be found in it structure. The church was
destroyed by tornado in the 1960’s, portions of the foundation of the church is still in view. The
church cemetery is still used, although the up keep is poor. It is not known if the church relocated
or continued its existence after its destruction. Minerva and William had fourteen (14) children.
All were born in Greenwood County, South Carolina. She died in Childbirth March 8, 1918,
Greenwood County, South Carolina, (Bradley Township). She was buried in Cedar Grover
Methodist Church Cemetery on March 10, 1918.
Children:
1. Oscar Pickens, born in Greenwood County, S.C., 1893; married Lula Logan Pickens;
died in Winston Salem, N.C.; he had seven (7) children.
2. Jesse Alonzo Pickens, born in Greenwood County, S.C. 1895; Married twice (1) Lula
Pickens and (2) Rubena White Pickens; died January 4, 1981 in Winston Salem, N.C.; he
and Rubena had three (3) children.
3. Hattie Pickens, Born in Greenwood County, S.C., September 17, 1897; Married James
Hearst; died June 24, 1989 in Winston Salem, N.C.; She had two (2) children.
4. Johnnie Pickens, born in Greenwood County, S.C., 1900; never married; died in
Philadelphia, PA (date unknown).
5. Herbert Pickens, born in Greenwood County, S.C., 1902; never married; died in
Philadelphia, PA (date unknown).
6. Paul Pickens, born in Greenwood County, S.C., 1904; never married; died in
Philadelphia, PA (date unknown).
7. Catherine Pickens Widemon born in Greenwood County, S.C., 1906; married John
Widemon; died July 3, 1950 in Greensboro, N.C.; She had five (5) children.
8. Annie Lee Pickens Steele Payne; Born in Greenwood County, S.C., 1908, married twice
(1) Robert Steele and (2) Jonas Payne: died in 1980 in Philadelphia, PA; She had no
Children.
9. Mary Elizabeth Pickens Miller, born Greenwood County, S.C., February 22, 1910;
married Jeff Miller; died in Greenville, S.C. June 13, 1982; she had three (3) children.
10. Willie Harries Pickens, Born in Greenwood County, S.C., July 31, 1912; died July
2005;never married; she had three (3) children.
11. T.S. Gansy Pickens, born in Greenwood County, S.C., May 24 1914; married Etta
Holmes Pickens; died March 18, 1987 in Winston –Salem, N.C.; he had four (4) children.
12. Maude Pickens Steele, born in Greenwood County, S.C., 1916; married Henry Steele;
died 1967 in Winston –Salem, N.C.; she had one (1) child.
13. Melvin Pickens, born in Greenwood County, S.C., 1916; never married; died 1968 in
Winston – Salem, N.C.
14. James Pickens, born Greenwood County, S.C., March 8, 1918; died shortly after birth.
References:
1910 Census Schedule S.C., Greenwood County, South Carolina (Greenwood Township) Death
Certificate of Minerva Chiles Pickens, File no. 4589; Bureau of Vital Statistics; Columbia, South
Carolina.
Death Certificate of William Pickens, File No. 56 008908; Bureau of Vital Statistics; Columbia,
South Carolina
Obituaries of Jesse Pickens, Hattie Hearst, T.S. Gansy Pickens; Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
WINCE LYONS
GENERATION III.
WINCE LYONS, son of Eden Lyons, was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, May 5, 1878. He
was one of a set of twins (male and female). His twin sister’s name was Chaney. He married
Sallie Patten Lyons. Sallie died in Childbirth May 13, 1927 with her eighteenth child. After the
death of Sallie, Hannah the eldest of Wince and Sallie’s children left South Carolina and moved
north, where she would send money, shoes, clothes and whatever was needed to help support the
family financially. She never married for the simple reason that her would be husband would not
allow her to support her family.. Wince and Sallie had eighteen (18) children. All were born in
Abbeville County, South Carolina. Wince later Married Amanda Lyons. He died in Abbeville,
South Carolina.
Children:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Hannah M. Lee Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C., 1904; never married.
Alf Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C., March 23, 1905
William D. Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C., August 1, 1906
Alice Lyons Rayford, born in Abbeville County, S.C., November 3 1907; married
Samuel Rayford; died March 20 1992; she had five (5) children.
5. Rosannah Lyons Wright, born in Abbeville County, S.C., December 28, 1908; married
Willie Wright; she had seven (7) children. She died November 21, 2002. Willie Wright
died August 18, 1986.
6. James Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S. C., March 4, 1910; married Julia Mae Pullen;
he had seven (7) children.
7. Abraham Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C., April 2, 1911
8. Wince Lyons Jr., Born in Abbeville County, S.C., July 25,1912; he has three (3) sons and
died October 30, 1946.
9. Sallie E. Lyons Wright, born Abbeville County, S. C., October 31, 1913; married Willie
S. Wright; Sallie Wright died February 16, 2002; Willie S. Wright died September 1,
1981.
10. Charlie Lyons, Born in Abbeville County, S. C., May 25, 1915; married; he has one (1)
child.
11. Willie Belle Lyons Waller Born in Abbeville County, S.C. December 19, 1916; married
Jessie Waller she had ten (10) children.
12. Mary M. Lyons Chiles, born in Abbeville County, S.C., July 5, 1918; married George
Chiles; she had seven (7) children.
13. Robert Frank Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C., March 23, 1929; married Martha
Kennedy Lyons; he had five (5) children.
14. Zenna R. Lyons Cain, born in Abbeville County, S.C., August 26, 1922; married Samuel
Cain; she had eight (8) children.
15. Jasper Lyons, Born in Abbeville County, S.C., August 26, 1923
16. George Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C., July 20, 1924; married Ruth Scovin
Lyons, died March 1992; he had seven (7) children.
17. Paul Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C., December 5, 1925; married Marie Lyons;
died October 31, 2001.
18. Addie Mae Lyons, born in Abbeville County, S.C., May 13, 1927
WINCE LYONS, JR
GENERATION IV.
WINCE LYONS, JR, son of Sallie Patten and Wince Lyons Sr. Born in Abbeville County,
South Carolina July 25, 1912. Wince had three (3) sons. He died on October 30, 1946.
Children:
1. Sammie Wright- No other history is known.
2. Ralph Brown born March 31, 1941, married to Agnes-Partee Brown. He has one (1)
daughter.
3. Louis Lyons born April 21, 1941; married to Robbie Perrin to this union three (3)
children was born.
References:
2008 Oral history, Ralph Brown, Salisbury, North Carolina; June 2008.
GEORGE LYONS, SR
GENERATION IV.
GEORGE LYONS, son of Janie Lyons was born in McCormick County, South Carolina; date
unknown. He died in 1974 in Laurens, S.C. He was buried at the Mount Zion Baptist Church
Cemetery, Lauren, S.C.
At an early age George’s mother Janie Died, he and his four (4) brothers moved with their aunt,
Chaney Lyons Widemon. Chaney raised the boys.
George married Marie Curry. Marie died in 1969. She was buried beside her husband.
There is a headstone on the family plot of the cemetery. Their son Roosevelt is also buried in the
family plot.
George and Marie resided in McCormick County. In 1938, they moved to Gray Court, S.C.
where George worked on the Marcus Byrd Farm. George was a farmer by trade. He later
purchased a 150-acre farm. Some of George’s children still live on portions of that land. Many
know this area as “The Lyons Den.” George was a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church,
where he held the office of trustee. He was a mason and was known as a hard worker.
Children:
1. Horace Lyons, Born December 18, 1924: died July 4 1971: buried at Arlington National
Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
2. Edna Lyons Thompson, born May 30 1926
3. George Lyons Jr. May 3, 1928
4. Charlie Lyons, born March 18, 1930
5. Roosevelt Lyons born January 9, 1932, he married Claree Spurgeon: he has nine (9)
children.
6. Nora Lee Lyons, born March 28, 1933
7. Rufus Lyons, born December 15,1934
8. Ruth Lyons, born December 15, 1934
9. Marie Lyons Kirk, born August 23, 1938; she married Ozell Kirk; March 14, 1959 in
Laurens. She has two (2) children
10. Larry Lyons, born October 22, 1942
11. Robert Lyons, born July 19 1945
12. Walter Lyons, born September 30, 1947
13. Joseph Lyons, born January 1, 1950
14. Mary Lyons, born March 9, 1953
OSCAR PICKENS
GENERATION IV.
OSCAR PICKENS, son of Minerva Chiles and William Pickens. He was born in Greenwood
County, South Carolina in 1893. He married Lula Logan Pickens around the early1900s; to this
union seven (7) children were born. He worked as a General Farmer in South Carolina and
Electrician in North Carolina. He married Lula Logan Pickens. He died in Winston Salem, North
Carolina.
Children:
1. Janie Pickens Shelton, born January 14, 1916 in Greenwood County, South Carolina. She
married Nick Foskey Shelton in 1936 and has three (3) children: died in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina in 1995.
2. Alonzo Pickens never married: birth and death unknown.
3. Rebie Pickens Potts, born December 30, 1923, married Roy J. Potts. She has six (6)
children; died in Greensboro, North Carolina on May 15, 1972.
4. Jerome Pickens, never married, birth and death unknown.
5. Johnny Homer Pickens, born November 7, 1928, married Doris Wilson Pickens. He has
nine (9) children; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 13, 2007.
6. Magellan Pickens never married: birth and death unknown.
7. Earlene Pickens attended what is now known as North Carolina Agricultural and
Technical State University (N.C. A &T), School of Nursesing. No other history is known.
References:
2008 Oral history, Janis Shelton Baines, Robin Potts Ellis, and Ronald C. Pickens, North
Carolina; June 2008.
WILLIE HARRIS PICKENS
GENERATION IV.
WILLIE HARRIS PICKENS, daughter of Minerva Chiles and William Pickens. She was born in
Greenwood County, South Carolina 1912. She was bless with three (3) children. She lived in
Winston Salem, North Carolina. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother. She died in
Winston Salem, North Carolina in July 2005.
Children:
I.
Bernard Pickens, born January 1937, he married Lucille Pickens; he has two (2) children.
II.
Gansy Pickens, born 1943, he married, he has four (4) children.
1. Ronald Pickens, born December 12, 1949, he married Delores Elainia Dillard Pickens; he
has two (2) children.
References:
2008 Oral history, Ronald and Chelsea Pickens, Winston –Salem, North Carolina; June 2008.
JANIE MINERVA PICKENS SHELTON
GENERATION V.
JANIE MINERVA PICKENS SHELTON, daughter of Oscar and Lula Logan Pickens, Named
after her grandmother, Minerva Chiles. She was born January 14, 1916 in Greenwood County,
South Carolina. She graduated from Atkins High School, in Winston Salem, N.C. in 1933. She
married Nick Foskey Shelton; to this union three (3) children were born. Janie and Nick were
married eleven years before being blessed with their first child. They spent the early years of
their marriage working in the war plant in Detroit, Michigan and building a home in WinstonSalem where they lived together for over fifty-six years. Janie was a dedicated Christian who
loved her family and her church. She especially loved her five grandchildren and traveling. She
died in June of 1995 at the age of 79.
Children:
1. Lula Nicole Shelton Transou (named after her grandmother) born December 31, 1947 in
Winston-Salem, N.C. She married Joseph F. Transou in September 5, 1971. Nicole lived
all of her life in Winston-Salem, NC. She died October 3, 2004.
2. Janis Elaine Shelton Baines was born August 26, 1949 in Winston-Salem, N.C. She
moved to Greensboro, N.C. in 1973 and married Phillip Eugene Baines in 1976. Janis has
two children and one grandson and still resides in Greensboro, N.C,
3. Timothy Ira Shelton was born August 22, 1955 in Winston-Salem, N.C. He went to
college at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte and has continued to reside in
Charlotte, N.C. He married Shawn Williston Shelton in 1976. He has three children and
one granddaughter.
References:
2008 Oral history, Janis Shelton Baines, Greensboro, North Carolina; June 2008.
REBIE MAE PICKENS POTTS
GENERATION V.
REBIE MAE PICKENS POTTS, daughter of Oscar and Lula Logan Pickens, was born
December 30, 1923; she was born in South Carolina. She attended Atkins Junior High School, in
Winston Salem, N.C. and graduated with honors. She married Roy J. Potts; to this union six (6)
children were born. She was a dedicated mother and homemaker. She was known for her stylish
dressing and dancing. She was a wonderful piano player and stressed her love for God music,
and education to her children. All of her children attended school and played an instrument. She
died 1972.
Children:
1. Roy Logan Potts born December 12, 1948 in Winston Salem, N.C., never married: died
October 8, 1989 at age forty-one (41).
2. Claire Ellen Potts Washington born December 16, 1949 in Winston Salem, N.C.; She was
a teacher’s assistant, married Kenneth Garry Washington; died in Greensboro, N.C. on
December 15, 1973 a year after her mother at the age of twenty-four (24).
3. Cyrus Gregory Potts born March 30, 1950 in Winston Salem, N.C.; married Lillie Mae;
he has one (1) child. No other history is known.
4. Nathan Lewis Potts born 1951 in Winston Salem, N.C., He is married and has four (4)
children. No other history is known.
5. Robin G. Potts Ellis born December 22, 1956 in Greensboro, N.C., married John Ellis Jr.,
She has two (2) children pasted always September 31, 2008. She was the Vice President
of the North Carolina Chapter.
6. Terri Lee Potts, born March 24, in Greensboro, N.C. She has one (1) child.
References:
Death Certificate of Rebie Mae Pickens Potts; Bureau of Vital Statistics; Greensboro, North
Carolina.
Death Certificate of Ellen Claree Potts; Bureau of Vital Statistics; Greensboro, North Carolina.
2008 Oral history, Robin Potts Ellis, and Terri Potts, Greensboro, North Carolina; June 2008.
JOHNNY HOMER PICKENS
GENERATION V.
JOHNNY HOMER PICKENS, son of Oscar and Lula Logan Pickens, born November 7, around
the 1920s in Winston Salem, N.C. Homer attended public school, along with his other brothers
and sisters. He married Doris Wilson Pickens; to this union nine (9) children were born. He
worked as a carpenter with his father. He enlisted in the United States Army, and was honorably
discharged. He worked on Railroad and then the United States Post office. He was known for his
sharp dressing and dancing. He was a dedicated Father and Grandfather. Johnny Homer Pickens
died May 13, 2007. He was a very hard worker. No other history is known of births and
marriages at this time.
Children:
Sons
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Kenneth Pickens married, with children.
Johnny Pickens,
Wayne Pickens married, with children
James Pickens married, with children
Broderick Pickens, No other history Known.
Terrance Pickens, birth and death unknown
David Pickens, No other history Known.
Daughters
1. Gwenda Pickens Saylor married Joseph Saylor, they have children, No other history
known.
2. Carolin Pickens Andrews married Theodore Andrews, Sr. She has children.
Reference:
Obituaries of Johnny Homer Pickens; References: Brandy and Jade Pickens; Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
RALPH BROWN
GENERATION V.
RALPH BROWN Agnes Partee have page. Correct page is in the book .
2008 Oral history, Ralph and Agnes Brown, Salisbury, North Carolina; June 2008.
LOUIS LYONS
GENERATION V.
LOUIS LYONS Agnes Partee have page. Correct page is in the book.
2008 Oral history, Ralph and Agnes Brown, Salisbury, North Carolina; June 2008.
RONALD COLEMAN PICKENS
GENERATION V.
RONALD COLEMAN PICKENS born December 12, 1949 in Winston Salem, N.C. As
of 2008, He is the president of the North Carolina chapter. He married Delores Elainia Dillard
Pickens; to this union two (2) children were born. He retired from R.J. Reynolds. He is known
for his dedication and love for his family. In fact, he traced back the history of his family to
create the genealogy of the Lyons and Pickens family. Ronald always stresses the import ants of
family and education. He is a dedicate father and grandfather.
Children:
1. Monica Corner, born 1978, married with four (4) children.
2. Chelsea Pickens, born 1993.
References:
2008 Oral history, Ronald C. Pickens, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; June 2008.
JANIS ELAINE SHELTON BAINES
GENERATION VI.
JANIS ELAINE SHELTON BAINES was born August 26, 1949 in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina. She is the daughter of Janie Minerva Pickens and Nick Foskey Shelton. She attended
public school at Carver Consolidated School from the first grade until the tenth grade before
going in the first group to integrate the all white, North Forsyth High School in 1965. Janis
graduated from North Forsyth High School in 1967 and then joined her sister, Nicole, at Johnson
C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C. She majored in English receiving a BA degree in 1971.
Janis began her teaching career at R.J. Reynolds High School where she taught for three years. In
1974, she began teaching at James B. Dudley Senior High in Greensboro, N.C. Janis married
Philip Eugene Baines December 31, 1976.While teaching, Janis attended North Carolina A & T
State University’s Master Degree program and received her Masters degree in English Education
in 1977. Janis taught at Dudley for twenty-eight years retiring in March of 2003. During her
teaching tenure, Janis was named Guilford County Teach of the Year in 2000. Currently, Janis is
working part time as a Coach for teachers through John Hopkins University and as a pat time
teacher for Guilford County’s Twilight High School. Janis attends the South English Street
Church of Christ where she is teacher/coordinator for the Ladies Bible Class, chairperson the
Scholarship Committee and assistant teacher for the high school Sunday school class. Janis
enjoys reading and traveling, especially cruising. She is the proud mother of two grown and
blessed children and one loving grandchild.
Children:
1. Stephen Anthony Baines (a graduate of the University of North Carolina Charlotte), born
August 26, 1971; married Raynetta Kennedy Baines (a graduate of A & T State
University) of Houston, Texas. They are the proud parents of one child, Logan Nicholas
Baines (named after her great grandmother) born July 20, 2007. Stephen and his family
reside in Greensboro, NC.
1. Jennifer Blair Baines, born July 15, 1983. Jennifer is a graduate of N.C. A & T State
University and currently employed as a personal banker with Bank of America.
References:
2008 Oral history, Janis Shelton Baines, Greensboro, North Carolina; June 2008.
ROBIN POTTS ELLIS
GENERATION VI.
ROBIN POTTS ELLIS born December 22, 1956 in North Carolina. She is the daughter of Rebie
Mae Pickens and Roy J. Potts. She attended public school at Dudley B. High School along with
her brothers and sisters. She attended Jefferson Community College and John Wesley College in
North Carolina receiving her Associate and Bachelor degrees. She is currently working for the
United State Post Office. She is the Pastor of Missions for Christ Church. She is the North
Carolina Chapter’s Vice-President as of 2008-present. She is known for her love of God, family
and her entrepreneurship. She married John Ellis Jr. who was the Elder of Missions for Christ
and He died in 1998. Robin Ellis has two children.
She past September 31, 2008.
Children:
1. Natasha Chanel Ellis Stevenson, born March 15, 1980; married Anthony Stevenson in
2001; and has two children. Natasha and her family reside in North Carolina.
2. Rebie Joniel Ellis (named after her grandmother), born October 23, 1984. She attended
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Alumni 08’
References:
2008 Oral history, Robin and Rebie J. Ellis; Greensboro, North Carolina; June 2008.
TERRI LEE POTTS
GENERATION VI.
TERRI LEE POTTS born March 24, in North Carolina. She is the youngest daughter of Rebie
Mae Pickens and Roy J. Potts. She attended public school with her other brothers and sisters at
Dudley B. High School. She worked for several well-known companies. She was enlisted in the
service and was honorable discharged. She has one son and several grandchildren. She is known
for her soft-heartiness and outgoing personality.She is the North Carolina Chapter’s Secretary as
of 2008-present.
Child:
1. Abram Potts born May 8 1978 reside in Seattle, Washington.
References:
2008 Oral history, Terri Potts; Greensboro, North Carolina; June 2008.