Henry County’s history will once again be on display this month.
The Genealogical Society of Henry and Clayton Counties will hold its sixth annual Promenade Through History on June 25 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Performances will be in the Contemporary Chapel of Cannon-Cleveland Funeral Directors, 2580 Ga. Highway 42 N., in McDonough.
Alice Pendley and Dr. Joe Blissit are two of the Henry countians who will be portrayed at the upcoming Promenade Through History. Special photos
Society President Amanda Beck said the Promenade helps to preserve local family histories.
“Our program contains the family tree of each character and does spark interest in family research,” she said.
The Promenade is a fundraiser to improve the Brown House in McDonough and its resources, said society Vice President Cynthia Howard.
“Our library presently contains over 3,000 books and online services to assist people in tracing their family’s history,” said Howard.
Among the characters in the Promenade, said Howard, is author Vessie Thrasher Rainer, who will be portrayed by Denise Sowell.
“When she was a child her father, Gustavius Leviticus Thrasher, told her stories about pioneering Henry County families,” said Howard. “Most people don’t realize that Miss Vessie was in her early 70s when she wrote ‘Henry County, Mother of Counties.’”
William “Bill” Orr worked for Henry County Schools for 36 years, and will be portrayed by Jim McBrayer in the Promenade. McBrayer said Orr was “greatly responsible for integrating schools in the county” and had a profound influence as an educator.
“He was known as a disciplinarian, but the kids loved him for it,” said McBrayer. “I don’t think he thought of himself as a great man, but those who knew him thought of him as a great man. If you’re new to Henry County, and you hear about somebody like this, it makes you want to be a better person.”
Jamie Brown, secretary of of the Genealogical Society board, will depict Caroline Weems. Weems and her husband Thomas built and owned the Weems Plantation in Locust Grove prior to the Civil War.
Brown described Caroline Weems as a “strong, fascinating lady,” and said it is an honor to tell her story in the Promenade.
“People like to think about women in the antebellum era as not giving them as much credit as they should be given for their intellectual ability,” said Brown. “It was very hard to be a woman during that time.”
Alice Pendley, the first female postmaster in Hampton, will also be featured in the Promenade. Her daughter, Sarah, will travel from Maryland to portray her.
Sarah Pendley said her mother’s enthusiasm about public service led to recognition from Congress and from the Georgia House of Representatives.
“I think she was a remarkable woman,” said Sarah Pendley. “She’s always been telling me to encourage people to get involved in government and local activities beyond yourself.”
Dr. Joe Blissit, a family doctor in Henry County for 43 years, will be portrayed by his son, Doug. Doug Blissit said his father was instrumental in bringing what is now Piedmont Henry Hospital to the area.
“Henry County meant a lot to him,” said Doug Blissit. “I felt like he drove a lot of the efforts to build a stronger medical support infrastructure for the county.”
Doug Blissit said it is a “labor of love” to tell his dad’s story in the Promenade.
“My hope is, it’ll just reinforce what a wonderful man he was,” he said.
David Shedd will portray Coy Pridmore, principal at Stockbridge High School from 1964-84. Shedd said he was inspired by Pridmore’s connection to his students.
“It sounds like he was a very interesting, caring individual, and his students appreciated him as their leader,” said Shedd. “I have learned that he was devoted to his family, his school, and his church. It’s pretty impressive for him to be at the same school for 20 years. That kind of dedication is pretty incredible.”
Jeff Reeves will portray Otis Durwood “Eck” Brannan, who worked as a Henry County Sheriff’s deputy and a police officer in McDonough. Reeves, a lifelong resident of the city, called Brannan a “dignified, honorable, and friendly” man, and a “Henry County icon.”
Reeves said Brannan’s imposing 6’9” frame was not the only reason why people looked up to him.
“Deep down inside, he was about as loving as a man could get,” said Reeves. “When he would put me on his shoulders, I felt like I was on top of the Empire State Building.”
Admission to the Promenade is $15 for adults, and $6 for students with identification. Tickets are available at the Brown House, and the following locations: Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors and the Georgian Gallery in McDonough; Moseley Furniture in Stockbridge; Speak-Easy Bookstore in Hampton; and Warren Holder Equipment in Locust Grove.
For more information, call 770-954-1456 or visit www.hen ryclaytongenealogy.com/promenade-through-history-a-visit-with-the-past.html.
