[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 150 (Tuesday, November 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2116-E2117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  ELIZABETH BELL LAYTON PEEK, MOTHER OF REVEREND V. LONNIE PEEK, JR., 
                   MEMORIALIZED IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2002

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, on November 19, 2002, the mother of 
Reverend V. Lonnie Peek was memorialized at Greater Christ Baptist 
Church, whose renowned pastor is Reverend James Perkins.
  Mrs. Peek was an activist, writer and deeply religious person greatly 
admired in her community and throughout metropolitan Detroit. She 
raised and had a strong influence on her son, Reverend Peek.
  The following excerpts from her writings capture the style, wit and 
philosophy of this amazing 20th century African American woman. We are 
proud of her contributions and she will be sorely missed.

       Elizabeth Bell Layton Peek is my name and I was born on 
     March 27, 1921 in Northport, Alabama as the 7th child of 
     Willie Cunningham Layton and Vonnie Layton. Back then life 
     was simple and strong family values were the keys that bind 
     us together. I was the ``twinkle in my father's eye'' so I 
     didn't have to work the cotton fields, and besides I was kind 
     of skinny. So I became mother's helper--not in the kitchen . 
     . . my job was ironing the clothes for the family.
       Education was a vital part of our life, and we worked hard 
     to be good students. A very good speller, I won the 
     ``Spelling B'' and father showed his pride by telling 
     everyone I could pick a bale of cotton faster than anyone he 
     knew. Daddy died when I was 15. This event forcefully made us 
     not only endure but excel at what my father taught us about 
     survival and family. The older children quickly took on the 
     responsibility of the younger ones--my brother Mack was my 
     provider. Mack always bought me the best of clothes and 
     because of his generosity I out-dressed everyone in the 
     family.
       I had a special bond with my brother Vonnie, who would 
     sneak me out of the house to go dancing; I loved to dance, we 
     could really ``cut a rug'' together. Vonnie had a friend that 
     I met named Vassie who played on the football team. Boy, was 
     he something!! Vonnie would help us to see each

[[Page E2117]]

     other, because I was not allowed to date. Vassie later became 
     my husband . . . the love of my life. On January 8, 1939 we 
     eloped, and were married by Vassie's pastor Rev. Harvey. On 
     our wedding night I went back home to sleep without Vassie. 
     The word got out the next day and my younger sister Jessie 
     Ray came home and told mother ``Lizzie B (that's what they 
     called me) had married that gray haired Vassie Peek.'' He was 
     really something!!
       Soon Vassie decided that the only way to make a good life 
     for us was to move to Detroit. Vassie started out for 
     Detroit, but stopped in Asbury Park, New Jersey to work 
     temporarily. He immediately joined Mt. Pisgal Baptist Church 
     and became the surrogate son to two families, the Sims and 
     the Griffins. He decided to stay and sent for me soon after.
       I was a homemaker, who was accused by her friends of always 
     staying home ``shaking the pots and pans.'' My kitchen was 
     the gathering place for all my friends. Everyday I had a hot 
     meal ready for Vassie--a meat, starch, and ``fresh'' 
     vegetables, along with hot homemade bread . . . everyday!!
       To this Alabama girl Asbury Park was the ``big city.'' Two 
     of my brothers later joined us in New Jersey, Vonnie and 
     Mack, and you know what, I was the only female in my family 
     to ever leave home. One weekend we decided to really do it up 
     big since we were only 45 miles from New York City, we 
     decided to go to this club called Smalls Paradise in Harlem. 
     We stayed at the ritzy St. Theresa Hotel, and woke up with 
     bed bugs all over our bodies.
       After moving to Detroit and applying for social security I 
     found out that I was a whole year younger than I thought! 
     Throughout my married life, Vassie liked to brag about being 
     10 years older than me, but little did he know he was 11 
     years older.
       I now reside with Lonnie and my ``other daughter'' Eunice, 
     his wife, who helps me to get ready and takes me to church 
     with them.
       I am blessed to have had two wonderful sons-in-law, the 
     late Chuck Russell, who could always make me laugh and Freddy 
     Haynes who I love to cheat while playing Chinese checkers.
       Lonnie has given me my two oldest grandchildren: Monique, 
     who resides in Los Angeles and Lonnie III, of Detroit. Patty 
     has given me three grandchildren: Chalaze, Charles III and 
     Chavin all of Detroit. Debbie has given me my youngest 
     grandchild Abeni, who lives in Dallas. I am a great 
     grandmother of 4: Choree, Chambel, Charli and Chad-Elizabeth.
       I am blessed. My family and friends truly loves me and I 
     love them. I am loved and pampered in two states. I spend 
     part of the year in Detroit under the watchful eye of Lonnie 
     and Patty, and the other part in Dallas with the boss of the 
     family, Debbie.
       I hope you have enjoyed these little stories of my life. 
     It's always good to remember our unique link to the past . . 
     . I treasure mine. The world is moving so rapidly, and I know 
     we must move with it. I am bringing my ``values'' with me as 
     I go forward from day-to-day.
       Today I am blessed to have all of you celebrate my 80th 
     birthday before I leave for Dallas on tomorrow. Make sure you 
     all give me a big hug and at least 80 kisses and prayers!!!