Annette Woodbury Morgan
1939 - 2018 Baton Rouge, LA
Soror Annette Woodbury Morgan peacefully passed away Saturday November 24, 2018. Born April 30, 1939 in Roanoke, Virginia, Annette was the only daughter of David H. Woodbury Sr. and E. Louise Stanback Woodbury. She attended public schools in Roanoke and initially attended Lucy Addison High School before moving with her family to Birmingham Alabama. Annette graduated from Ullman High School in Birmingham and then attended and graduated from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated while in college. Annette received her Master’s in Mathematics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1961. Though records of her grades and other achievements during her formative years are not available, it is believed that Annette excelled in school and should be recognized as a “pioneer of the time”, given her love of math and technology; foreign disciplines to many African American women at that time.
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Annette began her professional career at The Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York on Long Island followed by a number of years at IBM. She was a master at computer use and programming which she later taught at several universities in Maryland. Her love of numbers, gadgets, and digital devices continued throughout her life and she continued to use these skills while employed at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC in their development office managing their database and providing statistical analysis. Annette also started “Annette’s Desktop Publishing” a company where she developed booklets, programs and directories for many organizations and family events.
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Annette married James Morgan, an IBM colleague, in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1967. They built a home together in Hopewell Junction, which was featured in Better Homes and Garden Magazine for its beautiful design and aesthetic detail. This marriage ended in divorce. Annette was a charter member of the Iota Alpha Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated located in Poughkeepsie, New York. She was helpful in bringing the Ebony Fashion Fair Fashion Show to the area as a major fundraiser for the sorority chapter. After moving to Maryland, Annette became a member of the Theta Omega Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Annette moved to Rockville, Maryland where she has lived ever since.
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A devoted Christian servant and worshipper at several African Methodist Episcopal Zion churches, Clinton AME Zion Church, in Rockville, Maryland was her home church that she loved dearly. Conversations with Annette often included activities, events, and acts of kindness with and from her church family to whom she was very committed. Her distinct tenor voice was heard as a member of the Gospel and Women’s Choirs and she was a Life Member of the Connected Lay Council, Member of the Steward Board, Statistician for the Baltimore District and the Philadelphia/Baltimore Annual Conference, Life Member of the Missionary Society, Former Ministry of Kindness Steward, Former Church Administrator, and Member of the GEMS (Senior Ministry).
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Annette loved to travel and visited Europe, South Africa, St. Maarten, and several states within the U.S. A lover of the arts, Annette enjoyed music concerts and plays often traveling to New York for Broadway shows. She is known for her style, fashion acumen, and avid sense of humor. We will miss her deep and hearty laugh.
IVY BEYOND THE WALL
Celebrating the Life, Love, and Legacy of our Sisters
Karen Faulding-Sorlie
1966 - 2018 Poughkeepsie, NY
Soror Karen Faulding-Sorlie became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on November 15, 2018. She was initiated in Lambda Chapter (Umoja - Fall 1985). In 1988, she transferred to Tau Omega (NYC). Later, Soror Karen joined Iota Alpha Omega Chapter (Mid-Hudson Valley) where she served as an Officer and Chairman of several Committees. Her love for AKA was evident to everyone. Soror Karen graduated from Norman Thomas HS, Pace University (BA) and Baruch College (Master’s in Education). She had a successful career in finance and accounting working for a wide range of companies in the advertising and media industry. An avid gardener and wine connoisseur, Soror Karen combined her love of both in her blog "Gardens and Wine" www.gardensandwine.com . She is survived by the love of her life husband, John Sorlie; mother, Laura Faulding; brother, Thomas Faulding (Carol); nephew, Brandon and niece, Ashley ; John Sorlie’s children - Michele (Seth), Eric (Chris), Beth (Albert); grandchildren, AJ, Rebecca, Sarah, Emily and Isabel; sisters in law, Lisa Sorlie and Linda Ferraro (Richard) and several other nieces and nephews.
Lorraine Roberts
1930 - 2015 Wappingers Falls, NY
Soror Lorraine Marie Pettie Roberts became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on February 23, 2015. Soror Lorraine loved to travel the world and would catalog all of her trips through picture and caption. She loved to learn of new places and the culture of different peoples. Her involvement with the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, her faith in God and church, along with countless community groups and organizations kept her endlessly involved. She was a member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Wappingers Falls, where she faithfully served as church historian and as a member of the Black History Ministry.
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Soror Lorraine was a charter member of Iota Alpha Omega, the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She held several offices, including past president and program leader for Ivy AKAdemy. She achieved the distinction of Golden Soror in 2000, having given 50 years of service to her beloved sorority at that time. She was a member of the board of the Catherine Street Community Center, the Dutchess County Historical Society (past president) and chairperson of its Black History Committee, the Dutchess County Girls Scouts, the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill, the March of Dimes, the United Way, as well as numerous other organizations. She received countless awards and honors including the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal Award in 2011, the Alexis de Tocqueville award presented by the Dutchess County United Way in 2010, was a 2007 Legends of the Hudson Valley honoree, was a 1997 Catherine Street Community Center MLK breakfast honoree, as well as a 1992 Black Achievers Award, presented by Beulah Baptist Church. In 2008, she led a campaign to honor Jane Bolin, the first black female judge in the United States and Poughkeepsie resident with the unveiling of her portrait which hangs at the Dutchess County Family Court building. She will be remembered as a faithful servant of God, community activist, educator, historian, and voice of reason.
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She leaves to cherish her memory her two sons, Kevin and Harlan; her daughter-in-law, April Massie Roberts; her sister, Doris Whaley; her brother, Lynwood Pettie; her sister-in-law, Cheryl Pettie; her three grandchildren, Lauren Barber, Tiffany and Danaya Jacobs; four nephews, Craig Whaley, William II, Richard, and Ronald Pettie; one niece, Dawna (Tai) Whaley; as well as a host of other family, Sorors, and friends.
Vivian Huey Walker
1930 - 2013 Baton Rouge, LA
Soror Vivian Huey Walker became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on August 28, 2013. Soror Vivian was initiated in the Iota Alpha Omega Chapter in 1972. Soror Vivian, who served as the chapters Vice-President for a term, composed the chapter hymn.
Soror Vivian was a Retired Teacher and Choir Director. She was a singer, teacher, and former directors of the Greater Baton Rouge Interfaith Federation. She also served in the following organizations: The American Guild of Musical Artists, Board of Directors for Operation Hope, Board of Directors for the Louisana Art and Science Museum, Advisory Committee for the Baton Rouge Council on Aging, HERITAGE and the Links, Inc., and directed the Caregivers Program for the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge. She achieved the distinction of Silver Star, having given 41 years of service to her beloved sorority at that time.
Katie G. Gafford
1944 - 2006 Newburgh, NY
Soror Kaitie Gafford became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on June 22, 2006. A retired elementary school teacher and an involved member of AME Zion Church in Newburgh, NY. She was a part of the Voices of Zion, served as the Sunday School Superintendent, Director of Christian Education, and class leader. Her community work consisted of Associate Director of Youth from the Westchester District, member of the Black and Hispanic Coalition, member of the NAACP, and a member of the Martin Luther King Commission.
Soror Kaitie was initiated in Delta Theta Chapter at Elizabeth City State University in 1964. She served two-terms as president of Iota Alpha Omega, the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In addition, she served as the Graduate Advisor and Official Hostess of the chapter. She achieved the distinction of Life Member, having given 42 years of service to her beloved sorority at that time.
Goldie Loretta Jenkins
1935 - 1999
Soror Goldie Loretta Jenkins became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on November 5, 1999. Soror Goldie was initiated in Beta Sigma Chapter at South Carolina State College in 1964. She was a founding member of the Iota Alpha Omega Chapter (1969) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. As a founding member of the chapter, Soror Goldie participated in the programs of the chapter for several years. She achieved the distinction of Silver Star, having given 35 years of service to her beloved sorority at that time.
Soror Goldie was an educator. While teaching she was known for Morse Early Childhood School's Food Festival. For a number of years, she arranged for a variety of different cultures to participate in the festival by bringing samples of their native foods. One of her greatest joys was to write poetry. She authored special books for each of her grandchildren. One of the highlights of her professional career was being selected in 1974 to study early childhood development in England.
Betty Elizabeth White
1935 - 1996 Poughkeepsie, NY
Soror Betty Elizabeth White became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on July 17, 1996. Soror Betty was initiated into the Iota Alpha Omega Chapter (1976) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Soror Betty gave 20 years of service to her beloved sorority at that time. Throughout her years of service, Betty was an active member who held many offices; President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary.
Soror Betty was the Executive Director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County. She was an active member of the community. She was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Poughkeepsie, NY, where she served as the Church Clerk, Sunday School Teacher, secretary of the Pastor's search committee, and Director of the Youth Program Committee. She chaired the Allocations Program and was Secretary to the Board of Governors of the United Way of Dutchess County. She served on the Dutchess County Child Development Council, Inc. Betty was also a member of the Nutrition Education Training Advisory Committee of the NY State Dietetic Association, and the American Dietetic Association. She was a Girl Scout Leader, member of the Millbrook Rotary Association and active with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Dutchess County.