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The Grandmothers. . .My Queens: Laura Belle
April 25, 2016

—By Bruce Allen King

Laura Belle. Photo courtesy of Bruce Allen King
Laura Belle. Photo courtesy of Bruce Allen King

I have been blessed with having a very close and deep relationship with both of my grandmothers.

Laura Eubanks Hadley, born January 9, 1907 in Charlottesville, Virginia, was the daughter of John Eubanks. She never knew her mother and her father was, from all observation, a white man, but legally classified as a Negro because of that one drop of black blood coursing through his veins. John left his daughter in the care of relatives, one of which was her half-sister Ora Castleberry, who would later become an Evanstonian. Laura “Belle” wouldn’t see her father until her late-teens. She traveled to Pennsylvania and spent time with her dad while in route to Illinois to join her sister Ora in Evanston. Growing up as a farm girl, tending chickens, ducks, the garden, and honing the skills she would need later in life by also taking care of the household chores.

Grandma Laura was a short, slightly built, very light-skinned woman with freckles and straight auburn hair. She could neither read nor write, so she had to live by her very gentle spirit, her very humble nature and ability to perform hard work. She was well aware of who she was in society, but never hesitated to do whatever she had to do to better herself and others. She was a devout Christian and lifelong member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Clark Street in Evanston. Her laughter was soft and she offered few opinions.

It is from my Grandma Laura that I was gifted with oral history

Arriving in Evanston in late 1927, she did odd housekeeping jobs, sometimes “staying on the place”, as a live-in housekeeper. Soon after she met and married Lawrence Michael Hadley, an Evanston High School graduate, charismatic, dashing and very street wise. Within the first five years of the Depression she bore four children: Norwood, Delores, Nadine and Peter.

Grandma Laura struggled against amazing odds; those of our racially troubled society, with great poverty and few skills to overcome it, in addition to a troubled and dysfunctional marriage. Despite it all, she never uttered a bad word against anyone. In fact, she would cease to talk when the conversation became negative and driven by deprecating gossip. If you came to her with negativity, she would, without hesitation, say, “Don’t come tome with that he said, she said, who shot John!” All got the message.

It is from my Grandma Laura that I was gifted with oral history. Her memory was phenomenal, many times down to the day and most times even remembering what the weather was on any given past event.

If the truth be told, I think all people have their favorites, even parents and grandparents. It was apparent who her favorite grand boys were. I was not one of them, but I NEVER felt slighted in anyway. Her love was that great and complete.

Grandma Laura had an intense love for gambling, particularly “the horses”. Her off days from “the place”, she and her friend and companion Roosevelt Reeves, aka “Toby”, would take us to Arlington Racetrack to the north and Washington Park to the south. Sportsman’s “trotters” were their least favorite, but would fill the need for enjoyment many evenings. The experience was one that has given me smiles and personal laughs to this day. I would watch with great joy at the gestures and animated conversation, as she and Toby would pick and choose the day’s winners. On those days when they would win “big”, the ride home was full of laughter, songs and ice cream cones.

On our family trips to Pennsylvania to visit her dad, whom she doted over with great pride and pleasure, she would show us the point where the Allegheny and the Monongahela rivers merged behind her dad’s tiny house. I would watch with wonder and listen, mesmerized, to her dad and his many tall tales. The one that has stuck with me all my life was the story about his coming to Pennsylvania from Virginia.

He, in a drunken brawl, killed a man and ran up into the hills surrounding McKeesport, PA to escape the law. On the road up into the hills, he was met by the constable who asked him if he knew of a man called John Eubanks. My great-grandfather replied, “Oh yeah, I know that ole nigga, he’s down the mountain.” Knowing that “John Eubanks” was classified a black man and him looking like a white man, he used this ruse to make his escape. My great-grandfather was eventually caught and served out his time on the chain gang and lived out his life without further trouble with the law.

Grandma Laura’s love was shared with countless Evanstonians

My grandmother, most of my life, went to night school at ETHS to learn to read and write. I remember her great excitement upon being admitted to night school when I was in the second grade. Despite the fact that she always had two jobs and many times three and four, she would never miss school on an evening she was not working. Her great desire to learn was apparent because she would forgo the night races in order to go to night school. But, know this . . . thanks to the local bookie at Jack Pass’s store on Church Street, she was able to get her bet in and still go to school.

Many, many years later, she called me with great excitement and joy in her voice. She was then living at Ebenezer Primm Towers and I lived across the alley on Garnett Place. She told me to come quick because it was very important. I ran across the alley to meet her at the back door. She took me into her apartment and asked me to sit. She went to her room and brought out her checkbook. I thought she wanted me to write out a check for her, something I had been doing for many years. Instead, she sat down with pen in hand and began to slowly write the needed words on her check. Finished she beam with great pride. I cried with joy and we celebrated with her favorite . . . a cup of extremely strong black coffee.

Years after that, I graduated from college. My grandmother was sitting on the couch when we arrived at my dad’s for the graduation dinner. . . which I was tricked into cooking. As I entered and gave her my obligatory hug and kiss, she handed me a ballpoint pen with a congratulations card. I said thanks and read the card. I said thanks again and was about to move to greet others when she asked me, “Brucie, do you know why I gave you a pen?” I told her that I figured it was because I had graduated. She said, “Yes Brucie, but more importantly, you can read and write and because you can, you should always carry a pen with you”.

Grandma Laura’s love was shared with countless Evanstonians of all ages, races and socio-economic status. She would introduce herself to those she shared bus rides with, telling them proudly of her “boys”, Roy Jr., Bruce, Dion, Brian King and Joel Hadley.

Of all of my relatives and loved ones who have passed on, Grandma Laura has been the closest to an angel I’ve yet to meet. I am truly the better for all of my encounters and circumstances in life, because of her.

19 thoughts on “The Grandmothers. . .My Queens: Laura Belle
  1. Gloria Gardner-Daniels

    Bruce that was a wonderful article I love the way you bring people to life I thank you for sharing your family. You are the historian for our generation and your writing will help preserve our history Thank you My King I look forward to what’s next

    April 25, 2016 Reply
    • Bruce Allen King

      GG-D, I greatly appreciate your encouragement and interest. Both are heartfelt. Thank you. And there is more to come.

      April 26, 2016 Reply
  2. Janet Alexander Davis

    Bruce, once again, you took me back to visualize the richness of your early life. Thanks.

    April 25, 2016 Reply
    • Bruce Allen King

      I am truly honored and most thankful to and for you. You have awakened a long held desire to write and coupled with my memory, there is no better place to start than at home. Thank you so much for your encouraging words and guidance.

      April 25, 2016 Reply
  3. Delores a.Holmes

    What a great story, in my earlier days I had the pleasure of ushering with Ms. Hadley at Mt. Zion. she was faithful to the end and was always so very kind to all of us young ushers. Thank you for sharing your memories.

    April 25, 2016 Reply
    • Bruce Allen King

      Mrs. Holmes, I am touched that you read and remembered. Mt Zion was ALWAYS an integral part of my grandma Laura’s life. Thank you.

      April 25, 2016 Reply
  4. Gloria Gardner

    Bruce thank you for sharing another wonderful story. Your words bring people to life as well as give a look into the history of Evanston. You are a historian or storyteller for our generation

    April 25, 2016 Reply
    • Bruce Allen King

      Thanks so very much GG. I truly appreciate your kinds words and you support. There’s much more to come.

      April 25, 2016 Reply
  5. Donna Griggs

    I especially enjoyed this story as our grandmothers knew each other. Grandma Avery was one of a kind just like grandma Laura. Bruce she loved you so, I got a kick out of her calling you Brucie! She used to make those green apple pies I will never forget! She always had a gentle smile and spoke with the softest voice. Reading your story brings back many memories, especially on McDaniel! My family also belonged to Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

    April 25, 2016 Reply
    • Bruce Allen King

      Donna, your words of appreciation deeply touch my heart. I well know how very close our families were and will carry the memories of you and Grandma Laura and those apple pies. Thank you so much my dear friend.

      April 26, 2016 Reply
  6. Lonnie Wilson

    Tell our story Bruce, like only you can!!

    April 26, 2016 Reply
    • Bruce Allen King

      Thank you so much my brother…there are so very many stories to tell. I hope you will sit with me and collaborate because WE have quite a few to tell together.

      April 26, 2016 Reply
      • Donna Griggs

        What a Beautiful Story! I especially enjoyed this story because our grandmothers knew each other. Grandma Laura was special to me as you know! I loved when she called you Brucie!

        April 26, 2016 Reply
  7. nina kavin

    Beautiful story!

    April 26, 2016 Reply
    • Bruce Allen King

      Thank you so very much!!!

      April 26, 2016 Reply
  8. Deborah A Jones

    Bruce, I was able to visualize ever word your wrote!!! You brought back so many memories for me of my beloved home town & some “grandmas” I had in my life who also enjoyed the “ponies”. I too remember going to Arlington Race Track with my “grandmas”! You told you story beautifully!!! Keep writing!!! Now we need a great novel from you…:)

    April 26, 2016 Reply
    • Bruce Allen King

      My sister…My Queen. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart. We are connected so many ways in addition to our having Evanston as home. Trust me, as I practice with writing about my family, the novel is being developed. Please keep reading.

      April 26, 2016 Reply
  9. Adrienne Saunders

    Bruce this was beautiful, Grandma Laura gas always been close to my heart as she was filled w/such a loving spirit. Thank you for sharing her with the world. I’m sure she was more aware of your passion to share stories and information with others more than you did yourself, hence the pen! Looking forward to more from you, keep writing! Much love!!

    April 27, 2016 Reply
    • Bruce Allen King

      Thanks Adrienne, I remember many gathering where we all enjoyed her gentle laugh and true loving spirit. I do know this, the gift of memory and detail will not be squandered. There’s much more to come…even about YOU, as we were raised as family.

      April 28, 2016 Reply
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