Corn
Lawrence Montgomery worked as a self-employed farmer to support his family. A family representative shared that he cultivated corn on his farm. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, corn cultivation is crucial to feed grain production. The crop is integral to domestic use and global trade as the United States is the world leader in corn production, consumption, and exports.
Sankofa Bird
“Sankofa” is a Ghanaian tribal word, is composed of three separate words: ‘san’ meaning return, ‘ko’ meaning go, and ‘fa’ meaning look, seek, and take. The image of the bird symbolizes this movement of looking into the past to guide one’s path to the present and future. A family representative shared that this was an important symbol in her family, which honors the family’s past and present.
Virginia
The Montgomery family formed their roots in Virginia, where they worked, married, had children, and passed away. The state is represented by an outline.
Corn on the cob
John William Montgomery Sr. was born in 1924 to Lawrence and Josie Montgomery. In 1946, John married Annie Lou McClannahan of Pulaski, and the couple had four children: John Jr., Mary Sue, Kenny, and Betty. As listed on the 1940 Census, John worked as a laborer on the family’s farm. Like his father, he cultivated corn.
Named Participant List
This image depicts the named participant list from the 1947 Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. lawsuit. Which reads "Charles W. Montgomery and Alberta Montgomery, infants, by Lawrence Montgomery, their father and next, friend."
Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. Plaintiff List (courtesy of the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Virginia Roanoke Division)
Lion
Charles Wesley Montgomery was born on July 26, 1936, to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery. On the quilt, an image of a lion symbolizes Charles’s zodiac sign, Leo. In astrology, Leo governs from July 23rd to August 22nd.
Racoon
Robert Edward Montgomery was born on January 1, 1927, to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery in Pulaski, Virginia. In 1949, Robert married Eva Adams in West Virginia, where the couple lived with the Montgomery family. Robert enjoyed hunting with family and friends, which is represented by an image of a raccoon as he hunted them.
Goat
The Montgomery family's farm was located relative to the Walker Creek area. 1940 Census placed them on Walkers Creek Valley Road. On their farm, the Montgomery family raised goats symbolized by a line drawing of a goat outside the home.
Learn more about the Montgomery Family
Bowling Pin
Alberta Montgomery Williams was born on September 22, 1934, to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery. Alberta had many hobbies. In her spare time, she enjoyed bowling with a league known as the “Nice Ladies.” A bowling pin on the quilt represents Alberta’s love for bowling.
Knitting Needle and Yarn
Beatrice Montgomery Spears was born in 1930 to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery. Not much is known about her personal life, but she thoroughly enjoyed knitting and quilting.
New Jersey
Members of the Montgomery family, Mary, Louehellen, John, Robert, Charles, Alberta, Beatrice, and Josie, relocated to New Jersey, where they lived the rest of their lives. Some family members returned to rest in Pulaski at the family’s cemetery. An outline of the state represents the family’s residency in New Jersey.
Burning Barn
On the quilt's right side is a barn representing the family’s farm. Emerging from the barn loft is a flame, which symbolizes the challenges experienced by the family. According to The Southwest Times, in 1946, the Montgomery family's home burned in a house fire, leaving the family displaced. Lucy Montgomery, Lawrence’s mother, temporarily took the family while they searched for a new place to live. Once again in 1967, according to The Southwest Times, a fire was started by
“children playing with matches” on the Montgomery land, burning approximately a quarter-acre. Despite the immense hardship the family experienced, they could rely on the support of their family and community. The 1946 fire occurred during the midst of the lawsuit, demonstrating the Montgomerys’ commitment to the fight for better educational opportunities for their young children despite personal struggles.
Flowers
According to a family representative, Josie Montgomery assisted Lawrence’s efforts and gardened on the family farm. This is symbolized by flowers on the quilt square.
Montgomery Family
Jill Williams
Created on August 13, 2025
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Transcript
Corn
Lawrence Montgomery worked as a self-employed farmer to support his family. A family representative shared that he cultivated corn on his farm. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, corn cultivation is crucial to feed grain production. The crop is integral to domestic use and global trade as the United States is the world leader in corn production, consumption, and exports.
Sankofa Bird
“Sankofa” is a Ghanaian tribal word, is composed of three separate words: ‘san’ meaning return, ‘ko’ meaning go, and ‘fa’ meaning look, seek, and take. The image of the bird symbolizes this movement of looking into the past to guide one’s path to the present and future. A family representative shared that this was an important symbol in her family, which honors the family’s past and present.
Virginia
The Montgomery family formed their roots in Virginia, where they worked, married, had children, and passed away. The state is represented by an outline.
Corn on the cob
John William Montgomery Sr. was born in 1924 to Lawrence and Josie Montgomery. In 1946, John married Annie Lou McClannahan of Pulaski, and the couple had four children: John Jr., Mary Sue, Kenny, and Betty. As listed on the 1940 Census, John worked as a laborer on the family’s farm. Like his father, he cultivated corn.
Named Participant List
This image depicts the named participant list from the 1947 Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. lawsuit. Which reads "Charles W. Montgomery and Alberta Montgomery, infants, by Lawrence Montgomery, their father and next, friend."
Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. Plaintiff List (courtesy of the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Virginia Roanoke Division)
Lion
Charles Wesley Montgomery was born on July 26, 1936, to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery. On the quilt, an image of a lion symbolizes Charles’s zodiac sign, Leo. In astrology, Leo governs from July 23rd to August 22nd.
Racoon
Robert Edward Montgomery was born on January 1, 1927, to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery in Pulaski, Virginia. In 1949, Robert married Eva Adams in West Virginia, where the couple lived with the Montgomery family. Robert enjoyed hunting with family and friends, which is represented by an image of a raccoon as he hunted them.
Goat
The Montgomery family's farm was located relative to the Walker Creek area. 1940 Census placed them on Walkers Creek Valley Road. On their farm, the Montgomery family raised goats symbolized by a line drawing of a goat outside the home.
Learn more about the Montgomery Family
Bowling Pin
Alberta Montgomery Williams was born on September 22, 1934, to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery. Alberta had many hobbies. In her spare time, she enjoyed bowling with a league known as the “Nice Ladies.” A bowling pin on the quilt represents Alberta’s love for bowling.
Knitting Needle and Yarn
Beatrice Montgomery Spears was born in 1930 to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery. Not much is known about her personal life, but she thoroughly enjoyed knitting and quilting.
New Jersey
Members of the Montgomery family, Mary, Louehellen, John, Robert, Charles, Alberta, Beatrice, and Josie, relocated to New Jersey, where they lived the rest of their lives. Some family members returned to rest in Pulaski at the family’s cemetery. An outline of the state represents the family’s residency in New Jersey.
Burning Barn
On the quilt's right side is a barn representing the family’s farm. Emerging from the barn loft is a flame, which symbolizes the challenges experienced by the family. According to The Southwest Times, in 1946, the Montgomery family's home burned in a house fire, leaving the family displaced. Lucy Montgomery, Lawrence’s mother, temporarily took the family while they searched for a new place to live. Once again in 1967, according to The Southwest Times, a fire was started by
“children playing with matches” on the Montgomery land, burning approximately a quarter-acre. Despite the immense hardship the family experienced, they could rely on the support of their family and community. The 1946 fire occurred during the midst of the lawsuit, demonstrating the Montgomerys’ commitment to the fight for better educational opportunities for their young children despite personal struggles.
Flowers
According to a family representative, Josie Montgomery assisted Lawrence’s efforts and gardened on the family farm. This is symbolized by flowers on the quilt square.