For several years

For several years, sorors in the Farmville, Virginia area were anxious to charter a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. This was not possible because there were not enough sorors known in the area to meet the constitutional requirements of the National Directorate.

In July 1975, sorors met and wrote a letter to Soror Janet J. Ballard, Regional Director, and assured her that the Farmville area was ideal for sponsoring a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., which would include membership from five surrounding counties.

Under the excellent leadership of the late Soror Letha Mayfield, and with the assistance of Sorors Jacqueline Armwood, Mamie Morris, Connie Rawlins, Helen Stiff, and Elizabeth H. Washington, plans were made to find the other nine sorors needed to charter the chapter. Through personal contacts, visits, and phone calls, the goal of fifteen members was finally achieved. In Prince Edward County, Sorors Mary Redd, Ortygia Carnette, Adelaide Griffin, and Barbara Toney would join the noble organization. Soror Pernella Mosley answered the call from Buckingham County. Sorors Rachel Brydie of Lunenburg and Jacqueline Downs of Nottoway County were eager to affiliate and give their support. Soror Marbella Johnson of Charlotte County and Soror Grace Forrest of Appomattox County helped to complete the required number. Soror Letha Mayfield was elected Basileus and Soror Elizabeth H. Washington, Anti-Basileus.

The next step was to plan the chartering ceremony, which was conducted on March 6, 1976, at Longwood College by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Soror Janet J. Ballard. Sorors from Gamma Iota Omega Chapter, Lynchburg, Virginia; Gamma Lambda Omega Chapter, Lawrenceville, Virginia; and Upsilon Omega Chapter, Richmond, Virginia were present and participated in the activities. Soror Bernice L. Sumlin was Supreme Basileus at the time.

At the reception held at the Weyanoke Hotel, Soror Janet Ballard spoke about the objectives of the Sorority and welcomed the visiting friends and members of Greek letter organizations that were invited.

Following the chartering of Kappa Rho Omega, Sorors Helen Stiff and Barbara Toney later organized an Alpha Kappa Alpha interest group at Longwood College. This group led to the chartering of Lambda Delta Chapter at Longwood College on February 19, 1977.

Thirty-four years of excellent leadership has continued from the first Basileus, the late Letha Mayfield (76-78) to Elizabeth H. Washington (78-80); Vera A. Cooke (80-82); Theresa A. Clark (82-84); Helen R. Stiff (84-86); Linda Whitehead (86-88); Avis J. Gresby (88-90); Vera Cooke-Merritt (90-92); Angeles W. Christian (92-94); Barbara W. Toney (94-96); Jean E. Booker (96-97); Vera Cooke-Merritt (97-98) and (98-2000); Theresa A. Clark (2000-2001); Avis J. Gresby (2001—02) and (2002—04); Carolyn Cooper (2004—2006), Lalisha V. Fitchett-Bland (2006-2008) Vera Cooke-Merritt (2008 – 2010) and Cynthia Evans (2011-current).

Soror Thelma Hall became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on September 4, 1988. She was initiated into Kappa Rho Omega Chapter, Farmville, Virginia, on November 19, 1977. As an educator in the Charlotte County Public school System, Soror Hall served as elementary teacher, principal, supervisor of Special Education/Visiting Teacher. She was a dedicated chapter member who held several offices and served on many committees.

Soror Americus Harris became an Ivy Behind the Wall on January 12, 1991. She was initiated into Kappa Rho Omega Chapter when the chapter was chartered, March 6, 1976. As an educator, Soror Harris taught English, government, history, drama, choral and band music for more than 35 years in elementary and high schools in the counties of Fluvanna, Gloucester, and Buckingham. Soror Harris was an accomplished pianist, who played for many chapter activities. Mrs. Harris was active in the Reading/Tutoring Program and mentoring, community and churches in Buckiingham County.

Soror Letha Mayfield became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on December 11, 1994. She was initiated into Gamma Iota Omega Chapter, Lynchburg, Virginia in the spring of 1963. She served as the chartering Basileus of Kappa Rho Omega Chapter. As an educator, Soror Mayfield taught Home Economics at Robert R. Moton High School in Farmville. Later she became an Extension Agent/Home Economist in the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service where she served the counties of Bedford, Nottoway, and Buckingham until she retired in 1988.

Golden Soror Grace Ward, became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on April 25, 2003. She was initiated into Alpha Epsilon Chapter, Virginia State (College) University, Petersburg, Virginia, in the fall of 1952. Soror Ward, a librarian, retired after 27 years of service at John Paul Jones Middle School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There she also served as student advisor and mentor to numerous members of the faculty and staff. Returning to Prince Edward County in 1993, she was elected to the County Board of Supervisors for the Prospect District, 1998-2000. Soror Ward reactivated into Kappa Rho Omega Chapter in 2001. She was a faithful member until her health failed.

Soror Jacqueline Marie Allen Armwood became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on Thursday, February 11, 2009. She was initiated into the Alpha Upsilon Chapter, Saint Paul's College, Lawrenceville, Virginia in the spring 1965. Soror Jacqueline was a charter member of Kappa Rho Omega Chapter in Farmville, Virginia. She served as the chartering Grammateus and held several offices and served on many committees. Jackie taught Business at Prince Edward County High School. During her tenure she served as the head of the business department and varsity cheerleading coach. Jackie was a dedicated and inspirational person. She retired after thirty-four years in the educational field. Soror Jackie was the mother of Soror Tracey Armwood.

Golden Soror Marbella R. Johnson became an Ivy Beyond the Wall September 16, 2009. She was initiated into Alpha Upsilon Chapter, Saint Paul's College, Lawrenceville, Virginia, the fall of 1954. Soror Johnson was a charter member of Kappa Rho Omega Chapter, She was an active and helpful soror, held many offices and served on many committees when her health allowed. After graduating from Saint Paul's College, Soror Johnson embarked on a teaching career in Greensville, Charlotte, Appomattox and Prince Edward counties, and Southside Community College which spanned over 40 years. Her expertise was in the communication and writing area. She is the mother of Soror Shavonne Johnson.

Soror Ethel Watkins Wilson Fisher became an Ivy Beyond the Wall February 5, 2010. She was initiated into Kappa Rho Omega Chapter, Farmville, Virginia November19, 1977. She was active, held office and participated on many committees before her illness. Soror Fisher attended Hampton Institute (now University) and returned to Cumberland, Virginia to teach. After receiving her Master's in Educational Administration she moved to Lynchburg, Virginia and taught at Dunbar High School. When schools reopened, she returned to Cumberland, VA. to teach. Later in response to a job offer, she moved to Prince Edward County Schools as an Elementary School Assistant Principal. Her educational career spanned over forty years.

Soror Sylvia Eloise Drew Mosley became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. She was initiated into Kappa Rho Omega Chapter, Farmville, Virginia. She was an active and very helpful soror. She served on many committees when her health allowed. Soror Mosley attended Southampton County Public Schools. After graduating from high school, she attended Norfolk State University and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Special Education. She taught in the public school system in Buckingham County for twenty-nine and a half years and then retired. She was a member of the Virginia Education Association and NAACP local branch in Buckingham County, Virginia.

Kappa Rho Omega Chapter sorors participate in Memorial Moments annually during the May meeting. A time is set aside to remember our “IVIES BEYOND THE WALL”. The chapter’s three annual scholarships are named the Hall-Harris Memorial Scholarship. A fourth scholarship, the Dr. Albert G. and Connie Madden Rawlins Memorial Scholarship, is given by the family annually in memory of Soror Rawlins.