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Strength of Two Great Women

Reverend Bonnie L. Louallen

My grandmother Bonnie (Miller) Louallen was born in Birmingham, AL in 1908. Grandma Bonnie once wrote that as a young girl she did not have pleasures like most girls. She had to care for her sister and brothers all the time. It was a hard life because to find work her father would pack up the family and move often. At a young age, the family moved to Jefferson, SC; where she eventually met and married my grandfather, Walter Louallen and they had seven children. In 1935, God called her into the ministry and she later was the founder, overseer, and pastor of four churches: Evening Star Church, Mt. Croghan, SC; Morning Star Holiness Church, Jefferson, SC; Lilly of the Valley Holiness Church, Chesterfield, SC; and Lillie Grove Holiness Church, Cheraw, SC. She also traveled throughout the country teaching and ministering God's word. She eventually traveled to Jerusalem (photo taken in Jerusalem at the Dome of the Rock) where she also studied and grew even stronger in faith.

Grandma Bonnie attended Morris College, which first opened its doors in 1911 and provided elementary and high school classes for people of color during the time when opportunities to go to school were meager or did not exist. She later attained her midwifery certification, became a licensed midwife, and began delivering many babies in her community and the surrounding areas. She knew the importance of a good education and work ethic. Many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have attended colleges, universities, attained degrees or are working toward degree attainment. Although she did not receive a college degree, she was a clever woman with a keen nose and flare for business. She was a farmer who owned and sold livestock, owned a Laundromat, was a licensed midwife, operated four churches, and even found time to teach and minister God's word to many.

Grandma Bonnie was also a member and Past Worthy Matron (a presiding officer) of the Golden Gate #234 Order of the Eastern Star a freemasonry which is dedicated to charity, compassion, and kindness toward one another and serving the needs of the community. She was a very independent woman who lived and led a clean Christian life. She was a helper of people and this is probably why she became an Eastern Star.

I know she would be proud to know that her family learned the importance of having a relationship with God and a good work ethic. She was an example for her entire family. At the time of her death in 1998, she had 29 grand-children, 51 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren. As for her children, one of which became pastor, one a deacon, and two who are very involved with their churches, she would be proud. God molded her into a strong woman—who was loved and respected by her family, church members, and her community.

Utha L. Louallen

Utha Lee Louallen was born and raised in Pageland, SC, a small town known as the watermelon capitol of the world. She was the oldest of four and although life was not easy she had a loving family. My mother married my father, and to this union, five children were born. My father and mother migrated to Washington, DC, where my siblings and I were born and raised. As time went on and after giving birth to my youngest sibling, my mother wanted to remain a stay-at-home mom but it was hard to survive on one income, especially for a middle-class family trying to make ends meet. For years and until retirement, she worked jobs where she was on her feet daily. She eventually retired from work in 2000, but did not stop working entirely because she decided to look after her grandchildren during the day while my sisters worked. She loves spending time and taking care of her eight grand-children and three great-grandchildren.

Utha attends Faith Outreach Community Church where she has been a member for many years. On special occasions, she sings with the choir and helps with the tape ministry. She is very compassionate when it comes to taking care of her family and others. Years ago, she volunteered at Washington Capitol Area Food Bank and assists with church related events. She is a very gentle soul but strong in her convictions and her faith. She taught us to be fair and not judgmental, and to always treat others, as we would want to be treated; to this day, we still live by that motto. She is a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, friend and a strong woman who has taught us values and a love for God which she feels is critical and of utmost importance. Mom taught us that love for God is a love that will never leave nor forsake you; this was always a way of life for our family that is strongly believed and encouraged. She is the anchor of our family and we never doubt she loves and cherishes God, our family, and her friends.

   —Submitted by Debra Louallen-Cole, Program Associate, OWHE
      Rosaline Phillips, Administrative Analyst, MDA
      & Lizzy Brown, retired, Department of Transportation