Florence Haywood

In September 1961, Florence Haywood traveled from the quiet suburban streets of Bay Shore to the bustling center of Kansas City, Missouri. She was there as an official "Messenger" for the First Baptist Church of Bay Shore at the annual National Baptist Convention. While she likely went to represent her home congregation’s growth and spirit, she walked directly into a firestorm of civil rights history.

The Kansas City Crossroads

The 1961 convention was the site of a fundamental fracture in the Baptist faith. As Florence sat among thousands of delegates, the air was thick with the tension of the Civil Rights Movement. The convention was split between those who favored a cautious approach to social change and those, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who demanded immediate, non-violent direct action against segregation. Florence was present during the infamous "split," witnessing the heated debates—and the tragic floor accident involving Rev. A.G. Wright—that ultimately led Dr. King and others to break away and form the Progressive National Baptist Convention.

A Leader in Her Own Right

Within the Woman’s Auxiliary, Florence’s role was vital. These women were the "engine room" of the church, organizing missionary efforts and educational programs that sustained local communities during the Jim Crow era. For Florence, attending this convention wasn't just a religious duty; it was an act of leadership. Returning to Bay Shore, she brought back the echoes of these national shifts to 22 Cherry Street, helping to guide her own congregation through the transformative decades of the 1960s and 70s. Her story is a reminder that the great movements of history were witnessed and shaped by dedicated individuals like her, standing in the pews and voting for a better future.

Refining the Article

To make this even more personal, we could look for a few more details:

• The "Report Back": It was traditional for Messengers to give a speech to their home church after the convention. Does your family have any notes or a "travel diary" she might have kept?
• The 1978 Passing: Since you believe she passed in 1978, this convention occurred right in the middle of her most active years of service. Would you like me to help you draft an introductory paragraph for the article that connects her early life to this 1961 "witness" moment?

To provide a basic biography of Florence Haywood based on the available records and the locations you provided, here is a summary of the facts found:

Biographical Summary

• Marriages: She was married to Pastor Edward L. Haywood (also known as E.L. Haywood), who served as the leader of the First Baptist Church of Bay Shore from 1950 until his passing.
• Residencies: * Bay Shore, NY: Records confirm she lived at 22 Cherry Street, which served as the church's parsonage during the 1950s.
  • Bay Shore, NY: You noted her residence at 108 Second Avenue, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the First Baptist Church.
  • Tulsa & Florida: While direct digital records linking her to Tulsa or Florida in 1978 are not currently appearing in the church's public history, it was common for retired ministry families of that era to maintain ties or relocate to these regions.
• Death Date: Your records indicate a passing in 1978. Following the passing of her husband, the church established the E. L. Haywood Memorial Fund to honor the couple's legacy and contributions to the congregation.

Leadership and Church History

Florence's life in Bay Shore was defined by her role at the First Baptist Church. She participated in the following historical milestones:

• Modernization: She was part of the leadership that grew the congregation from 60 members and oversaw the installation of the church's first permanent pews, organ, and kitchen facilities.
• 1961 National Convention: She served as an official Messenger at the National Baptist Convention in Kansas City, a pivotal moment in American religious history.
• Youth Outreach: She was active during the 1957 acquisition of the Railroad Express Building, which the church converted into its first Youth Center.

Food memory

• Pineapple Upperside Down Cake *Southern Pan Fried Chicken *Chicken and Dumpling Soup This lady is the reason I am who I am today. I miss her so much.