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The following historical account was researched and compiled by Yvonne E. Tucker, former Carr Family Historian and Family Reunion Chairperson, with assistance from Robert Brade, Assistant Historian and Research Data Analyst. It was edited by Elodia Brade.
Biographical Sketches of Austin Clarence and Amanda Kate Carr
Austin Clarence Carr, known to his family and the community as Pa and Rev. Carr was born August 16, 1880 to Martha Sarah Carr in Halifax County, Virginia. He was the youngest of six children. From the oldest to the youngest, the children are Lee Scott (Scott name taken from Lee’s plantation master), Laura Carr, Paul Thomas Carr, Lelia Carr, and John Carr. His father, Joe Canady, originated from Lynchburg, Virginia and had a dental practice in Clarkton, Virginia.
At the time of Austin’s birth, Martha was a tenant worker on the Carr Plantation and during that time the plantation workers assumed the names of their plantation owners. Therefore, Martha’s name was Martha Sarah Carr. August grew up on the Carr Plantation. Later he worked on the Jack Scott’s Plantation where hard work under adverse conditions became ingrained in the moral fiber. As a adult with limited education, he was determined to become a provider and a survivor. To do this, he hauled wood, preached the gospel, and sold vegetables.
In 1902, he was ordained a minister by William S. Crowder, who was regarded as God’s special messenger. He admonished Austin to go to The White House to tell President McKinely and the world to keep the Sabbath. August was a guest in The White House for seven days. His mission was to pray for the President ad to deliver the prophetic warning of the impending World War II. He was given a letter of commendation by Governor Tuck. Because of his mission to warn the world, government officials thought that he was insane. They referred him to a psychiatrist who diagnosed him as being over-zealous. Austin became pastor of a church in Clover, Virginia and another in Bristol, Tennessee. He also conducted religious services in his home and in the community. He was a staunch believer in the Sabbath and the Gospel Commission to spread the gospel to the world.
Amanda Kate Panniel, lovingly known to her family as ma, was born to James Reed Panniel and Amanda Kathyrn Baker November 28, 1878, in Henry County, Virginia. She was the youngest of eleven children. In chronological order from the oldest to the youngest, they are Eliza “A. Panniel James Reed Panniel, John Tyler Panniel, Chaney Delaware Panniel, Hery Clay Panniel, Mary Ruth Paniel, Martha Panniel, George Samuel Panniel, Alexander C. Panniel, Byrdie Robinson Panniel. Amanda’s parents emphasized educational training to all her children. With the exception of Amanda, all were educated to be teachers, entrepreneurs, bank officers, etc. Amanda’s education was limited but she was able to read and write.
Austin Clarence Carr and Amanda Kate Panniel were married December 28, 1899, in Henry County Virginia where they bore eight children. Leslie Bernard Carr, Austin Lantry Carr, James Samuel Carr, Sarah Elizabeth Carr, Mary Esther Carr, Laura Bethel Carr, William Nathaniel Carr, and Leah Alberta Carr.The Carr family grew up in Clover, Virginia which was named by a train conductor who made regular stops in the village. It is legend to have been presented with a 4-Leaf Clover by a pretty maiden of the village. This village became known as Clover. As the village of Clover grew ad was chartered in 1895, so did the Carr Family grow. In 1929 Austin and Amanda moved to 1918 Jeffress Boulevard in South Boston, Virginia. Here they purchased a home with nine rooms which was the beginning of many childhood experiences and treasured memories for the grandchildren of Austin and Amada Carr, The house was eventually destroyed by fire.
Austin was regarded as the Patriarch of many families in the community. He was respectful, industrious, tenacious, honest, persistent, self-disciplined outspoken, self-directed, courageous and he persevered in his responsibilities as a husband, father, grandfather and minister of the Gospel. Amanda on the other hand was relatively quiet, soft spoken and submissive. She was faithful in performing her duties as a wife, mother, and grandmother. In her role as a housewife, she never worked outside the home. She assumed all the qualities of a virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31. She trusted in her husband and performed good deeds for him and the family. She arose early in the morning to provide meals for her family. She worked beside him in the fields, weeding the garden gathering vegetables from the field, canning fruits and vegetables, churning buttermilk, gathering wood for the winter preparing and preserving meat from slaughtered cows and pigs. She also attended the chickens and gathered eggs from the hen house.
Austin and Amanda were able to educate al of their children except for Mary Esther who died at childbirth. Austin died July 26, 1972, at the age of 91 in Newport News, Virginia. Amanda preceded Austin in death June 15, 1967, in South Boston, Virginia. She was 88 years old. Both lived a log, self-fulfilling life.
Honoring our ancestors
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Austin Clarence Carr Family
Mary Esther Carr (daughter of Austin Clarence Carr) died around 1910
James Sam Carr, known as Uncle Sam (son of Austin Clarence Carr) died May 15, 1967
Amanda Kate Pannell Carr, known as MA (wife of Austin Clarence Carr) died June 16, 1967
Austin Clarence Carr, known as PA, died July 25, 1972
William Nathaniel Carr, known as Uncle Dick (son of Austin Clarence Carr) died February 20, 1994
Essie Mae Webb Jiggets Carr (wife of William Nathaniel Carr aka Uncle Dick) died May 17, 1998
Clarence Jiggets (Uncle Dick’s stepson) died November 30, 1998
Wilbert Lawrence Jiggetts (stepson of William Nathaniel Carr) died January 4, 2018
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Leslie Benard Carr Sr. Family
Mamie Graves Carr (Wife of Leslie Bernard Carr Sr.) died May 25, 1990
Sean Carr (son of Leslie Bernard Carr Jr.) died October 9, 1990
Leslie Bernard Carr Sr. (son of Austin Clarence Carr) died January 2, 2004
Anita Jackson Carr (wife of Derrick Carr) died April 21, 2008
Washington Theodore Coleman (husband of Alice Carr Coleman) died June 15, 2008
Robert Brann Lipscomb Sr. (husband of Melba Carr Lipscomb) died December 30, 2010
James Clyde Carr (son of Leslie Bernard Carr Sr.) died April 5, 2011
David B. Carr (son of Leslie B. Carr Jr.) died May 20, 2021
Barry Conrad Cartwright (husband of Mary Carolyn Carr Cartwright) died January 26, 2022
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Austin Lantry Carr Sr. Family
Aacell E. Carr (son of Joe Carr) died September 14, 2022
Karla Thornhill Coleman (wife of Trevor W. Coleman) died May 5, 2023
Oren Thaxter Carr (aka Tuki) died May 24, 2024
Georgia E. “Dolly” Daniell died February 9, 2025
Arianna Harris (stepdaughter of Aacell Carr) died June 29, 2025
Robin Jewel Brandow (daughter of Art Coleman) died July 9, 2025
Estelle Meade Carr (wife of Austin Lantry Carr Sr.) – died December 3, 1943
Mark Coleman – died 1951
Douglas Carr – died 1972
Austin Lantry Carr Jr. (June) – died June 21, 1972
Troy Leslie Carr – died March, 1975
William James Daniel – died December 26, 1982
Dwain Lawrence Carr – died September 10, 1985
Lillian Mary Carr Coleman – died October 26, 1991
David Taylor Carr (Johnny) – died March 10, 1992
Drake Tory Carleton Carr – died September 19, 1992
Austin Lantry Carr Sr. (son of Austin Clarence Carr) – died January 28, 1995
Eric Coleman – died December 28, 1995
Waneida Wise Carr (wife of Joseph Reid Carr) – died April 24, 2001
Ebin Coleman Sr. (son of Carleton Coleman) – died October 2, 2003
Ebin Coleman Jr. – date of death needed
Beatrice Smith (mother of Gail Grant) – died June 20, 2005
Chandra Paullene Deal (daughter of Marylene M. Carr) – died December 18, 2006
Joseph Reid Carr – died May 21, 2008
Thomas Lee Carr, also known as “Tommy” (son of Austin Lantry Carr Jr.) – died September 11, 2008
Martha Lynn Carr, also known as ”Bunny” – died August 23, 2014
Patrice Virginia Carr McGirt (daughter of Joseph Reid Carr) – died July 21, 2016
Megan Kimberly Carr-Wilks (daughter of Martha Lynn Carr) – died September 19, 2017
Eileen Hunt (mother of Jackie Carr Godfrey) – died January 26, 2018
Kevin Coleman Sr., also known as ”Pop” – died October 27, 2019
Mamie Elizabeth Jones Carr (wife of David Taylor Carr) – died July 16, 2020
David Demitri Johnson (son of Janet Carr) – died April 2022
Sheldon L. Coleman (also known as Shelley) – died April 23, 2022
Aacell E. Carr (son of Joe Carr) died September 14, 2022
Karla Thornhill Coleman (wife of Trevor W. Coleman) died May 5, 2023
Oren Thaxter Carr (aka Tuki) died May 24, 2024
Georgia E. “Dolly” Daniell died February 9, 2025
Arianna Harris (stepdaughter of Aacell Carr) died June 29, 2025
Robin Jewel Brandow (daughter of Art Coleman) died July 9, 2025
Carleton Thomas Coleman (son of Mary and Arthur Coleman) died December 19, 2025
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Elizabeth Carr Ricks Family
Elizabeth Carr Ricks (daughter of Austin Clarence Carr) died October 10, 1961
Sylvester Roberts (husband of Margaret Ricks Roberts) died December 17, 1972
Charles M. Ricks Sr. (husband of Elizabeth Carr Ricks) died December 19, 1979
Charles M. Ricks III, known as “Chuckie” (son of Charles M. Ricks II) died December 16, 1982
Leonard Washington Smith Sr. (husband of Gladys Ricks Smith) died March 31, 1992
Gladys Ricks Smith (daughter of Elizabeth Carr Ricks) died December 22, 1999
Enola Palmer-Ricks (wife of Wilmer Ricks) died December 10, 2004
Robertnett Julius Hayes (husband of Evelyn Ricks Hayes) died May 20, 2010
Reginald Maurice Winfrey Sr. (husband of Lauretta Ricks Winfrey) died April 15, 2012
Evelyn Ricks Hayes (daughter of Elizabeth Carr Ricks) died July 21, 2015
Charles Moore Ricks, II (son of Elizabeth Carr Ricks) died July 16, 2021
Calvin Branch (son-in-law of Charles M. Ricks) died April 23, 2023
Lauretta Gwendolyn Ricks Winfrey died March 3, 2024
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Laura Carr Edwards Family
Laura Carr Edwards (daughter of Austin Clarence Carr) died September 28, 1954
William C. Edwards (husband of Laura Carr Edwards) died April 10, 1979
Gabriella Lee Tucker (daughter of Otis III and Michelle Tucker) died June 4, 2014
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Alberta Carr Mangana Family
Preston D. Mangana Sr. (husband of Alberta Carr Mangana) died in the spring of 1973
Alberta Carr Mangana (daughter of Austin Clarence Carr) died November 30, 1991
Preston D. Mangana II (son of Alberta Carr Mangana) died December 17, 2015
Floretta Mangana (mother of William Mangana II) died November 3, 2019
Katherine Mangana (daughter of Alberta Carr Mangana) died July 27, 2022
