Marie Toms

Lee County Woman Receives Flowers of Blessing While She Lives

Parlee Broadway’s Birthday Celebration in Marianna

Mrs. Parlee Broadway, mother of 10 children and resident of Lee County, AR recently (May 28, 2011) celebrated her 78th birthday. The event named Mother’s Celebration was planned and hosted by her children at the Civic Center inside the Marianna Housing Authority building.

During the event, the Lee County resident and well over 100 guest enjoyed a religious program. Seated at Mrs. Broadway’s table were honored guest: twin sister Mrs. Addlee Steele, Memphis TN; eldest sister Mrs. Corrine Gibson, Moro, AR; elder sister Mrs. Carrie Sain, Marianna, AR; sister-in-law Fannie Broadway Neely, Moro, AR; neighbor Laurenteen Garrett, Moro, AR. Also among her esteemed guest were Pastor and Mrs. Burton, Rev. Spencer Brown, Rev. Cecil Roberts, Coach Bailey and Garrett Grove M.B. church family.

Daughter and Mistress of Ceremonies Earma Broadway Brown orchestrated the program with a host of her children, grandchildren, senior citizen center friends, neighbors and local church pastor all paying tribute through kind words and gifts.

The event’s program participants included welcome remarks by daughter, Marie Broadway Toms, prayer by son, Lenner Broadway, Jr., solo by grand-daughter, Sharnetta Broadway; poems by grand-son, Joseph Howard; daughter, Minnie Broadway; friend, Coach Bailey; special remarks by son, Bernard Broadway; grand-daughter, Melissa Kates Brown; grand-son, Kilian Toms; son-in-law, Leonard Toms; Pastor Burton; special tribute by daughter, Marilyn Broadway Worsham and encouraging word (Proverbs 31 Woman) by Rev. Varn Brown. Friendly greeters at the event door were grand-children Meagan Worsham, Renford Broadway, Xavier Kates and Shekinah Broadway.

According to Mrs. Broadway, “It was a joy to see all my children in one place and one time. We haven’t been together like this since my husband Lenner Broadway passed, twenty years ago in 1991. It was like a dream come true.”

The event was decorated semi-formally by Cecelia Broadway Tasby and Broadway family volunteers. Tables were adorned with green and white accessories and table cloths. The chairs were draped with white covers and tied with whimsical green bows. The group enjoyed a summer menu provided by Bessie Jones, Jones-2-Go Catering.

Mrs. Broadway loves family history and pictures, so she and her guest were honored with a thank you card memento and family history booklet. The booklet was filled with a gallery of Broadway’s family pictures new and old from aged thirteen to present. The event was ended with food, laughter and a photo session with each family group surrounding Mrs. Broadway.

The Broadway family group ended the weekend celebration with a Sunday Meet Up at Sunday School taught by Pastor Burton, Garrett Grove M.B. Church and a Memorial service for Lenner Broadway, Sr. at same church’s cemetery.

She is a long-time member of Garrett Grove Baptist church, superintendent of Sunday school, a quilter, garden enthusiast and mother to ten along with a host of others who call her mother.

Video Interview with 3 Broadway Elders: Parlee Broadway, Samella Broadway Mckenzie and Frank Miller. They offer their thoughts and praise for the 2010 Broadway Family Reunion.