PRESIDENT:

This Circle is named in memory of its first president’s father who was a Deacon at Union Baptist Church. Her name was Lula Adkins. The second president of the William Johnson Memorial Circle, Ms. Bertha Davenport, was the sister of Deacon Lionel Davenport. His niece, Kathy Cain, has served for many years as the Circle’s secretary. To give an idea of how long this Circle has been active, one of its current members, Mrs. Dorothy Padgett, joined in 1944 when Ms. Veda Beasley was its third president. Mrs. Henrietta Mosley, the fourth president, succeeded Mrs. Beasley. Mrs. Thelma Penn, the mother of Marlow Garnes (Deacon Davenport’s sister), became the fifth president, and the current and sixth president, is Dr. Claudia L. Brown. Mrs. Brown finds the Circle’s Vice President, Deacon Samuel Howze, to be an excellent supporter who undergirds the missions of the Church through service to his Circle. The Sergeant of Arms for the Circle, Mr. William H. Brown, III is well suited for his role. He is also the Circle president’s husband.

The William Johnson Memorial Circle’s 30 members have a fund raising goal to support the ministries of its servant church, through donations by 100% of its membership. Many members exceed the $50.00 ceiling set for giving, while others give as much as they can. Keeping track of monies collected, spent and/or donated is treasurer, Mrs. Terry Smith, the daughter of the Circle’s secretary. All members support the Church ministries through their time and talents. They participate in a variety of activities that support many ministries, organizations and events within Union Baptist Church. The membership includes two Associate Pastors, Reverend Hugh Daniels, and Reverend Lorenzo Handy, as well as the president of President’s Unit, Mrs. Melva Greene.