23/54 PROJECT

Celebrating Black Appalachian Community

Redd

Josephine Bland Redd was born on July 24, 1901, in Virginia and, after marrying Jack Redd in 1918, the couple had six children: Kathleen Redd Clifton, Juanita Redd, Dorothy “June” Redd, Glades Redd-Washington, Edith Bell Redd Parish, and Enoch Redd. In 1947, Josephine signed her daughter Edith onto the Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County (1947) lawsuit, standing with other Black parents in the fight for equal education. Although we do not know what Edith pursued professionally, her siblings’ lives hint at the family’s strength and determination—Glades Redd Washington is remembered for her deep faith, generosity, and devotion to family, while Dorothy “June” Redd served in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II and later trained to become a dentist. The Redd family’s story reflects a legacy of hard work, love, and service that continues to inspire their descendants.

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The quilt block features pieces of a circle, each symbolizing the various occupations held by different family members across generations. Each segment of the circle represents one individual’s occupation, starting with Josephine Redd’s early role as a housekeeper, progressing through the waiter role of Evert, the shoe repair profession of Robert, the farming occupation of William Redd, and Brian’s financial institution career. This circle represents the family’s progression from traditional manual labor to professional, service-based occupations in the modern economy, along with the cyclical nature of the family’s legacy. Each individual’s contribution builds upon the others, symbolizing continuity and the evolution of the Redd family across time.

Learn More About the Redd Family

Artifacts by Family Member

Josephine Redd (neé Bland)

Summary

Josephine Bland Redd was born on July 24, 1901, in Virginia.1 She married Jack Redd in 1918, and the couple had six children: Kathleen Redd Clifton, Juanita Redd, Dorothy “June” Redd, Gladies Redd-Washington, Edith Bell Redd Parish, and Enoch Redd. Josephine is remembered for her culinary skills as a baker and a cook, her lovingness, and her faith.2

Josephine Redd Photo

Older woman wearing all white with grey hair posing for a portrait. She has a large smile and is gazing to the left side of the frame.
Josephine Redd (courtesy of the Redd Family)

Housekeeping Tools

As a hardworking Mother, Josephine “was a hard-working woman who walked miles to work,” being paid between fifty and seventy-five cents daily. Josephine worked as a cook in the schools and her later years as a housekeeper at age fifty.3 4Josephine not only nurtured her family with her love, but she also worked extremely hard to provide for her children. Josephine is cited in the lawsuit alongside her daughter Edith, who would have been around sixteen at the time.5

1947 lawsuit transcript of the plaintiff list which reads "Edith B. Redd, and infant, by Josephine Redd, her mother 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)

Jack Redd

Summary

Jack Redd was born in Orange County, Virginia, in the 1860s to parents J. and E. Redd. On record, Jack is listed under many names such as Jack, Jackson, Felix, and Phillip. In 1888, Jack married Cora Miller, and the couple had several children: Earnest, William, Annie, Osker, Ellen, Savannah, Mae, and Frank. Then in 1918, Jack remarried Josephine Bland and they had seven children, Glades (Gladys, Gladies), Dorothy “June”, Juanita, Kathleen, Edith, June, and Enoch. According to the family, the two sets of children were unified, proclaiming that “[they] are one.” The two families did not recognize the labels of “step-sister,” “step-brother,” or “half-sibling,” they were one conjunct family. Despite being unable to read, write, or attend school, Jack’s family was always well taken care of due to his hard work as a laborer. In the family scrapbook under “Daddy Jack’s” entry, the family reflects upon the resilience of the family, recounting that they are immensely proud of their ancestors who “would be proud of our actions and that we are leaving a positive and worthwhile legacy for the generations to come.” 6

Jack Redd Photo

Older man wearing a white shirt and white tie. He has a blank expression and is looking directly ahead.
Jack Redd (courtesy of the Redd Family)

William Redd Sr.

Summary

William “Will” Charlie Redd Sr. was born on June 2, 1890, in Allisonia to parents Jack Redd and Cora Miller.7 Will married Sara Wood, and the couple had several children: Dorothy, Blanche, Janie, Helen, Frances, Walter, Stanley, William Jr., James “Budd,” Buford, and Robert.8

William and Sara Redd Photo

Black and white photograph of a couple standing outside of a wooden structure. The woman with short hair on the left is wearing a coat and skirt with stockings squinting. The man on the right is wearing a suit jacket and slacks with a cigarette between his fingers with a furrowed expression.
Sara (left) and William (right) (courtesy of the Redd Family)

Field

William worked hard for the entirety of his life, providing for his family as a farm laborer, this is represented by a line drawing of a field on the quilt square.9

William Evert Redd Jr.

Summary

Up close portrait of a young soldier gazing upwards with his head slightly bowed.
William Evert Redd Jr. (courtesy of Find a Grave)
Original 1917 Virginia birth certificate for William Evert Redd of Delton Virginia. Born at 3:30 AM on July 9, 1917.
William Evert Redd Jr. Birth Certificate (courtesy of Ancestry.com)

William Evert Redd Jr. (also listed as Everette or Everett) was born to parents Sara and William Redd Sr. on July 9, 1917.10 William grew up alongside several siblings, Dorothy, Blanche, Janie, Helen, Frances, Walter, Stanley, James “Budd,” Buford, and Robert.

On November 6, 19454, Evert enlisted in the armed forces during the Second World War.11 He served in the United States Army Air Corps, receiving several honors for his service, such as medals in the Pacific Theater, a Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal, and others. As seen at the top of the draft registration card, on February 3, 1947, Evert was discharged and returned to the States, settling in Richmond, Virginia.12

Originial World War II Draft Registration Card for 23 year old William Everett Redd from Allisonia Pulaski.
William Evert Redd World War II Draft Registration Card (courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Waiter Symbols

At the time of the 1940 Census, Evert worked as a waiter at a boarding house a series of symbols are stitched onto the quilt to represent this occupation.13

Brian Keith Redd

Summary

Colorized headhshot of a gentleman wearing a blue blazer and red tie smiling.

Brian Keith Redd was born on November 18, 1976, in Pulaski to parents Shirley and James Redd Jr. Brian’s grandparents were Lucy and James “Budd” Redd Sr, making his great grandparents William and Sarah Redd, and great great grandparents Jack Redd and Cora Miller. Brian attended Pulaski County High School and graduated from Ferrum College shortly after. Brian remained active in his Charlotte, North Carolina, community, working with his local football team and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.14 Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit organization that helps cultivate the potential of children by pairing them with adult mentors since 1904.15

Banking Symbols

Like his ancestors, Brian worked very diligently in many leadership positions within the banking industry. Brian started as a financial planner at American Express, then he served as Senior Vice President of Bank of America, Vice President of Small Business for Wells Fargo, Senior Vice President for Pinnacle Financial Partners, and Director of Business Development for LendEsy. Through generations of perseverance in manual labor professions, Brian’s ancestors paved the way for him to receive higher education and pursue illustrious careers. Brian passed away on July 30, 2024, in North Carolina.16

Buford Redd

Summary

According to records, Buford Redd’s birth year is contested, him being born either in 1925 or 1926 on October 16.17 Buford’s parents are William and Sara Redd. Buford married Rebecca Victoria Price of Pulaski in 1947.18 The couple had four children, Denise Johnson, Vicky Smith, Buford Jr, and Brian.19 Although their marriage ended in divorce20, Rebecca, retained her married name and is listed under that name on her headstone21 and in his obituary.22

  • Black and white yearbook photo of a young girl wearing a sweater with a collared shirt underneath with a soft expression.
    Denise Redd Johnson, 1968 (courtesy of 1968 Pulaski High Yearbook “The Oriole”)
  • Black and white yearbook photo of a young girl wearing a sweater and a collared shirt gently smiling.
    Vicky Redd Smith, 1969 (courtesy of 1969 Pulaski High Yearbook “The Oriole”)
  • Black and white yearbook photo of a young man with dark eyebrows and an afro wearing a black dress shirt and light-colored tie smiling
    Bufford Redd Jr., 1973 (courtesy of 1973 Pulaski High Yearbook “The Oriole”)
  • Black and white yearbook photo of a young man with an afro wearing a patterned collared shirt grinning
    Brian Redd 1974, (courtesy of 1974 Pulaski High Yearbook “The Oriole”)

Taxicab Symbols

1955 Newspaper Clipping from the Southwest Times which describes the town council's decision to limit the number of taxicabs that can operate at once to forty
The Southwest Times December 21, 1955 (courtesy of the Virginia Chronicle)

According to Dr. Michael “Mickey” Hickman, one of the Redd family members drove taxi cabs in Pulaski, Virginia.23 This is corroborated by several historical Southwest Times articles from the 1950s. In 1955, the Southwest Times reported that only forty “cabs [are] allowed to operate at one time in Pulaski, and anyone applying for a permit must wait until a vacancy occurs.” In the same article, Buford Redd, son of William Redd, is listed as a taxicab driver in the county.24 Additionally, Redd’s Cabs is mentioned as one of the taxicab businesses that continually petitioned to operate in Pulaski during the late 1940s25 and early 1950s, despite the taxi ordinances that limited the number of cabs.26

Robert Redd

Summary

Robert Lee Redd was born to Sara and William Redd Sr. in Pulaski, Virginia. In his early 20s, Robert worked as a shoe repairman in a shoe shop, which required much precision and craftsmanship.27 Robert continued this diligent work throughout his life, holding several jobs, including working as a farm laborer in Barren Springs in the early 1940s28 29 and operating a milk delivery service in Washington, D.C., in the 1950s.30 He lived the rest of his life in Northern Virginia, where he passed away in 1980.31

Shoe Repairman Symbols

The 1940 Census lists Robert’s occupation as a shoe repairman, several symbols on the quilt reflect his craftsmanlike abilities.

1940 Census with a list of several families, names, addressed, occupations, and schooling.
1940 Census featuring Robert in row 74 (courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Ester Brown-Williams

Summary

Ester Ella Brown was born on August 22, 1934, to parents Robert and Annie Redd-Brown.32 She is the granddaughter of Jack Redd and Cora Miller. In 1968, Ester married James Edward Williams Sr. of Princeton, West Virginia.33 Ester had three children: James Jr, Diann, and Karen. According to her family, Ester was “fiercely protective” of her children. Ester owned and operated a barber shop in the Black community of Gainsboro in Northwest Roanoke, Virginia.34 Her shop was located on historic Henry Street, a booming business district that housed several Black-owned businesses that served all the needs of Black residents, such as dining, shopping, healthcare, legal services, recreation, lodging, etc.35 36 Her role as a female barber gained her much respect from her patrons as she conducted her business professionally. Her short stature did not prevent her from giving some tough love to those who needed it, including her children’s friends. Outside of her occupation, Ester enjoyed fishing and watching Channel 7. Overall, Ester is remembered for her “mothering nurturing spirit,” and she demonstrated much love and care for everyone.37 Ester passed away in December of 2014.38

Ester Brown-Williams Photo

Photo of a woman standing on the bank of a body of water, facing the water wearing a yellow shirt and brown and yellow hat looking over her right shoulder to face the person taking the photo
Ester Brown-Williams (courtesy of the Redd Family)

Glades Redd Washington

Summary

Glades (Gladies, Gladys) Redd Washington was born in 1928 to parents Jack and Josephine Redd. Glades lived a life full of faithfulness to her religion, always putting God first and being involved in her church community. Glades was known to be “kind, caring, giving, concerned, loyal” and a great cook, leaving a lasting impression as an immensely loving woman. Glades married Louis Washington, and the couple raised eight children, Sherwin, Loretta, Thomas, Linda, Darryl, Steve, George, and Deon, to cherish their memories.39

Glades Redd Washington Photo

Ovular image of a woman with short hair wearing a white shirt smiling with squinted eyes
Glades Redd Washington (courtesy of the Redd Family)

James Richard “Budd” Redd

Summary

Original 1943 marriage certificate from Virginia for James and Lucy Redd.
James and Lucy Redd Marriage Certificate (courtesy of Ancestry.com)

James Richard “Budd” Redd was born on April 10, 1921 to parents William and Sara Redd in Barren Springs.4041 In 1943, James married Lucy Butler of Draper.42 The couple had eight daughters, Elizabeth Ann Peoples, Shelva Jean Montgomery, Charlotte Ann Montgomery, Kathryn Christine Williams, Madeline Howard, Mary Jane Brooks, Edith Mae Allen, Brenda Kay Redd. They also had three sons, James Lee Redd, Jr., William Thomas “Tommy” Redd, and Richard Walter “Dickie” Redd.4344

Original World War II Draft Registration Card for James Richard Redd of Pulaski.
James Redd World War II Draft Registration Card (courtesy of Ancestry.com)45

“Budd” Redd Photo

Black and white portrait of a man seated cross-legged with his hands over his hands draped over his ankles. He is waring a hat, ties, vest, button down shirt with the sleeves rolled to his upper arm, and relaxed pants with combat boots. He is smiling with a cigarette handing out of the left side of his mouth.
James “Budd” Redd (courtesy of the Redd Family)

Dorothy June Redd

Summary

Dorothy “June” Redd was born in 1926 to Jack and Josephine Redd.46 In 1944, she enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II.47 According to her family, she was the only woman in Pulaski who served in the WAC.48

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the WAC on May 15, 1942, to expand women’s roles beyond nursing. Women became a part of the military in roles such as switchboard operators, typists, postal workers, and sometimes in combat.49 In 1944, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, composed of 850 Black women, was created to tackle the massive backlog of mail that arrived in Europe. These women worked around the clock to sort through thousands of pieces of mail, clearing a six-month backlog in three months. Despite racism and sexism during their service, these women were immensely successful and eventually received formal recognition by the United States government.50

After June left the Army, she went to school to become a dentist. Throughout her life, June was a strong worshipper of God and relied on her faith in tough times. June had one son, Le’Roy Redd. In 1987, June passed away, leaving a lasting legacy of love, happiness, and service.

Dorothy Redd Photo

Black and white candid photograph. Three individuals in the foreground at a party. The woman to the far left is wearing a peacoat with a purse in her lap leaning her head upon the shoulder of the woman in the middle. The woman in the middle dressed in a leather jacket is sitting with her arm on the table. On the far right is a man waring a fedora with a drink in his hand learning over the table with his hand draped around the woman in the middle.
Dorothy Redd (left) with two unidentified individuals (courtesy of the Redd Family)

Unidentified Female Family Member

The image featured at the bottom right of the quilt depicts this unidentified female family member. However, this photograph is remarkable and was taken by a wonderfully talented photographer.

Black and white portrait of a woman sitting in the foreground wearing a patterned white blouse and a dark skirt. Her hans are placed in her lap and she is gazing directly ahead. In the background sits a wooden chair in front of a window with dark curtains.
Unidentified Female Family Member (courtesy of the Redd Family)

Sources

  1. “Deaths and Funerals, Josephine Redd.” The Southwest Times. September 4, 1981. Page 2. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive.  ↩︎
  2. “Josephine Bland Redd.” Redd Family Scrapbook. 2006. ↩︎
  3. Ibid. ↩︎
  4. Department of Commerce–Bureau of the Census. 1950 Census of Population and Housing. Pulaski, Virginia. Enumerated May 11, 1950. Sheet no. 29. Entry for Josephine Redd. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  5. Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. 84 F. Supp. 253 (W.D. Va. 1949) May 2, 1949. ↩︎
  6. “Phillip Jack Redd.” Redd Family Scrapbook. 2006. ↩︎
  7. Commonwealth of Virginia. Certificate of Death for William Charlie Redd. April 25, 1963. File no. 13014. Rural Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  8. “Deaths, William C. Redd.” The Southwest Times. April 25, 1963. Page 5. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  9. Department of Commerce–Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States. Pulaski, Virginia. Enumerated April 23, 1940. Sheet no. 6B. Entry for William Redd. ↩︎
  10. Commonwealth of Virginia. Certificate of Births for William Evert Redd. July 12, 1917. File no. 32866. Pulaski, Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  11. National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri. Records of the Selective Service System. World War II: First Registration. “William Everett Redd.” Serial Number 621. 1940. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  12. National Archives at St. Louis. Applications for Headstone for William Everet Redd. Record group no 92. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  13. Department of Commerce–Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States. Pulaski, Virginia. Enumerated April 23, 1940. Sheet no. 6B. Entry for Evert Redd. ↩︎
  14. “Brian Keith Redd.” Mullins Funeral Home. n.d. Radford, Virginia. https://www.mullinsfuneralhome.com/obituary/brian-redd. ↩︎
  15. “About Us.” Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Accessed on April 28, 2025. https://www.bbbs.org/about-us/. ↩︎
  16. “Brian Keith Redd.” Mullins Funeral Home. n.d. ↩︎
  17. Commonwealth of Virginia. Report of Divorce or Annulment for William Buford Redd. July 30, 1982. File no. 82-015826. Pulaski, Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  18. Commonwealth of Virginia. Certificate of Marriage for Bufford Redd and Rebecca Victoria Price. June 11, 1947. File no. 18807. Pulaski, Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  19. “Area Deaths, William Buford Redd.” The Southwest Times. January 23, 1998. Page 2. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  20. Commonwealth of Virginia. Report of Divorce or Annulment for William Buford Redd. ↩︎
  21. Memorial Page for Rebecca Victoria Price Redd. Memorial ID 147171478. Highland Memory Garden. Find a Grave. Created by SWVA Genealogy Searcher. Accessed on August 31, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147171478/rebecca-victoria-redd.  ↩︎
  22. “Area Deaths, William Buford Redd.” The Southwest Times. January 23, 1998. ↩︎
  23. “Conversation with Dr. Michael Hickman.” 23/54 Quilt Workshop. December 7, 2024. ↩︎
  24. “Town Renews Four Permits for Taxicabs.” The Southwest Times. December 21, 1955. Page 3. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  25. “Cabs off Streets.” The Southwest Times. August 10, 1949. Page 1. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  26. “No intervention.” The Southwest Times. October 7, 1951. Page 1. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  27. Department of Commerce–Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States. Pulaski, Virginia. Enumerated April 23, 1940. Sheet no. 6B. Entry for Robert Redd. ↩︎
  28. “Robert Lee Redd.” Serial Number 1486. 1940. National Archives, St. Louis, Missouri. Records of the Selective Service System. World War II: First Registration.Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  29. Commonwealth of Virginia. Certificate of Marriage for Robert Lee Redd and Josephine Brown. December 13, 1941. File no. 34807. Pulaski, Virginia. Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  30. Department of Commerce–Bureau of the Census. 1950 Census of Population and Housing. Washington, D.C. Enumerated April 12, 1950. Sheet no. 17. Entry for Robert L Redd. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  31. Commonwealth of Virginia. Certificate of Death for Robert Lee Redd. February 20, 1980. File no. 80-004728. Middleburg, Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  32. “Ester Ella Brown-Williams.” Redd Family Scrapbook. 2006. ↩︎
  33. Commonwealth of Virginia. Certificate of Marriage for James Edward Williams and Ester Ella Brown. February 3, 1968. File no. 68005469. Pulaski, Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  34. “Ester Ella Brown-Williams.” Redd Family Scrapbook. 2006. ↩︎
  35. The Historical Marker Database. Henry Street Business District. 2004. Gainsboro in Roanoke, Virginia. Accessed on April 28, 2025. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=134600. ↩︎
  36. Roanoke Higher Education Center. “Business in Gainsboro.” The Gainsboro History Project. n.d. Accessed on April 28, 2025. https://gainsborohistoryproject.org/chapters/chapter-4/businesses-in-gainsboro. ↩︎
  37. “Ester Ella Brown-Williams.” Redd Family Scrapbook. 2006. ↩︎
  38. Memorial page for Ester Ella Brown Williams. Memorial ID 186787077. Coyner Springs Cemetery. Maintained by Byron Dillard. Find a Grave. Accessed on April 28, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186787077/ester-ella-williams. ↩︎
  39. “Gladies Redd Washington.” Redd Family Scrapbook. 2006. ↩︎
  40. “James Richard (Budd) Redd.” Redd Family Scrapbook. 2006. ↩︎
  41. Commonwealth of Virginia. Certificate of Death for James Richard Redd. January 6, 1988. File no. 87-045481. Pulaski, Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  42. Commonwealth of Virginia. Certificate of Marriage for James R. Redd and Lucy Butler. December 23, 1943. File no. 33473. Pulaski, Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  43. “Area Deaths, James Richard Redd.” The Southwest Times. December 30, 1967. Page A2. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  44. Memorial page for James Richard “Budd” Redd. Memorial ID 89064580. Jim Schucks Cemetery. Maintained by Andrew M. Hamlin. Find a Grave. Accessed on August 30, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89064580/james-richard-redd. ↩︎
  45. “James Richard Redd” Serial Number 10686. 1942. National Archives, St. Louis, Missouri. Records of the Selective Service System. World War II: Third Registration. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  46. “Dorothy June Redd.” Redd Family Scrapbook. 2006. ↩︎
  47. National Archives Records Administration. Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 – 1946 (Enlistment Records). Enlistment Record for Dorothy J Redd. July 6, 1944. World War II Army Enlistment Records. Accessed on April 16, 2025. Accessed on www.archives.gov. ↩︎
  48. “Dorothy June Redd.” Redd Family Scrapbook. 2006. ↩︎
  49. Guepet, Haley. “The Women’s Army Corps (WAC).” The National WWII Museum New Orleans. December 23, 2024. Accessed on April 28, 2025. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/womens-army-corps-wac-world-war-ii. ↩︎
  50. Lange, Katie. “All-Black Female WWII Unit to Receive Congressional Gold Medal.” The United States Department of Defense. March 18, 2022. Accessed on April 28, 2025. https://www.defense.gov. ↩︎