[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 97 (Wednesday, July 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1284]]
                 TRIBUTE TO MRS. LAUNA BANKS BREWINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 17, 2002

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to your attention 
the momentous occasion of the 90th birthday of Mrs. Launa Banks 
Brewington of Greenville North Carolina. Mrs. Brewington was born in 
Pitt County on August 31st, 1912 to Oscar & Lena Banks. The 5th of 12 
children, her family included eight brothers and three sisters. Only 
two of her siblings are still living; Mrs. Lena R. Murrell-White and 
Mrs. Missouri (Lady) Wilkens. She married the late Jesse Brewington of 
Greenville North Carolina in 1930. They lived and she still resides in 
the home that her father built in 1925. Their marriage lasted until his 
death in 1993.
  Although she and her husband did not have children of their own, they 
adopted her niece Bernice Banks Forbes and raised her as their own 
loving daughter. Mrs. Brewington is now the proud grandmother of four 
children and great-grandmother to eight children.
  For 29 years, Mrs. Brewington worked in the Greenville City School 
system. After she retired, she still did not stop. She then joined the 
staff of East Carolina University becoming the first Black supervisor 
of the Custodial Department retiring after 10 years of service.
  During the 90 years of her life, Mrs. Brewington has exemplified 
those attributes we all attempt to embrace. She is a caring, generous, 
dedicated, honest, and faithfully religious woman. She always received 
great joy in helping and caring for others. If anyone suffered with an 
illness, she was always there to help. The neighborhood children were 
also her children. She was always taking them in and caring for them. 
She has been a member of the Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church 
since 1937. Her church activities included singing in the church choir 
for over 50 years and acting as Treasurer for the choir, serving as 
President of the Missionary Board, President of the Senior Ladies 
Auxiliary, serving on the Trustee Board, President of the Pastor's Aide 
organization, Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, and serving on the 
Pulpit Committee. In her community, she was the President of the 
Matrons Club which ministered to the bereaved in the community. In 
addition, she was a member of the Morning Light Tent Lodge, serving as 
leader and was also elected as Queen of the Royal Degree Circle.
  Friends and family will gather in Hampton, Virginia to celebrate Mrs. 
Launa Banks Brewington's 90th milestone.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, Mrs. 
Brewington's family and friends, and the city of Greenville in 
recognizing this momentous occasion of her 90th birthday.

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