Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 23, 1995 TAG: 9503300035
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A highlight will be recognizing Laurie Beane Peery of Salem as Laywoman of the Year for the western region of the Virginia Conference. Peery, 71, has been active in Bethel A.M.E. Church of Salem for many years.
The meeting will open with worship Friday at Ebenezer Church, Cove Road at Lafayette Boulevard Northwest, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Preaching for this service will be the Rev. Harrilene Shackleford, pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church and one of two women pastors at Roanoke Valley A.M.E. churches. The other woman is host minister, the Rev. Andrea Cornett-Scott.
James St. Clair, chairman of the Western Region of the lay organization, said its main purpose is to advance education in beliefs and practices of the black denomination, which dates back 200 years in America and was founded by freed slaves.
Peery, born and reared in the Roanoke Valley, retired in 1986 after teaching for 40 years in public schools. St. Clair said her family has long been known for promoting education. Peery operated an early kindergarten for black children in Salem, tutored many children, served as a substitute teacher in both Roanoke and Roanoke County, and ended her professional career teaching English at Patrick Henry High School.
She was an early supporter of the A.M.E. lay organization, which was born in 1956 at a time of turmoil for integrated schools and adjustments in the church.
St. Clair said Peery is one of three women being honored in the Virginia Conference. The other two come from the Eastern Region and Virginia's Eastern Shore. As with the state's population in general, church growth has been greatest in the Tidewater communities though the lay organization was started in Roanoke and is marking its 39th year.
Following the Friday night service, conference participants will gather at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Holiday Inn-Airport for workshops. St. Clair said one will cover issues expected to arise at the General Conference of the denomination next year in Louisville, Ky.
A banquet Saturday at 6 p.m. will close the meeting. Barbara Pendergrass, assistant to the vice president for student affairs at Virginia Tech, will speak.
The Virginia Conference is one of 19 in the A.M.E. church. Of 64 congregations in Virginia, four serve the Roanoke Valley.
by CNB