2022 Black Heritage Calendar - Presented by the Black Educators' Caucus Inc., of Hernando County

Annie Mae Lawson & Marie Lawson
12/17/1930 – 01/08/2013 09/10/49-12/20-1980
Annie Mae Chester Lawson was born in Sparta, Georgia. Her family moved to Mondon
Hill Community of Brooksville in Hernando County, Florida during the Great
Depression when she was a young girl. She attended the one-room Mondon Hill
School, Brooksville Colored School, and graduated from Moton High School in
1951. Annie was inspired to become a teacher by her mother. She was one of three
children of a sibling group of 10 to earn college degrees; all three from Florida
Agricultural and Mechanical University. One sibling earned their high school
diploma from Edward Waters College (at the time, this institution offered classes
at the elementary, high school, college and seminary levels).
There were no openings available in Brooksville when she finished college so her
teaching career began at Carver School in Bunnell, Flagler County, Florida when
her former principal, Mr. Hunter offered her a job. In1960, she joined the Moton
School staff as a second grade teacher. She initiated an adult education program
in the Mondon Hill Community where she assisted adults with basic literacy skills
such as alphabets, name writing, and primary school skills.
Annie Mae inspired her daughter, Marie to become a
teacher. Marie was a member of the first cohort of Black students to desegregate
Hernando High School in 1965. She graduated from HHS in 1967, and later earned
an associate degree from Miami Dade Jr. College, and a bachelors degree from
the University of South Florida. After earning her degrees, she returned to her
alma mater to teach special education. A plaque was placed on the Mid-Florida
Community Services Building on School Street in her honor by family.
Mother and daughter were both active members of Mt. Zion African Methodist
Episcopal Church, where they served in many capacities. Marie was active with
the Special Olympics and prison ministry. She also served as director of the
Kennedy Youth Club (KYC), prior to her demise. Marie enjoyed traveling
especially to Freeport and Nassau of the Bahamas. Annie Mae was a member of
the Moton High School Reunion 50th Anniversary Celebration, 1939-1989
Steering, Decorations, History, and Alumni Committees, Queen Elizabeth Chapter
of the Eastern Stars, Heroines of Jericho, Citywide Mission, Minister Layman-Alliance
of Hernando County, Inc., and the Friendly 12 Club. Annie Mae was a founding
of the Black Educators’ Caucus, Inc., of Hernando County.
Annie Mae was married to Sam for 63 years and they had three children: Calvin, Marie
and Pamela; and Marie had one daughter, Erica.
Sponsor: Calvin Lawson
"Virtue knows no color line." Ida B. Wells