Ten Centenarians Named Centennial Homecoming Parade Honorary Grand Marshals

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Oct. 16, 2026) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has announced 10 centenarians will serve as honorary grand marshals for the centennial edition of the Greatest Homecoming on Earth Parade.

The recognition of these Aggies – all 100 or older – holds special significance as North Carolina A&T celebrates the 100^th edition of the Greatest Homecoming on Earth. Collectively, their lives span more than a century of history shaped by world wars, segregation, educational advancement, military service, civic leadership and social change. Their stories also reflect the enduring legacy of A&T and generations of alumni who have carried Aggie Pride into communities across the nation.

Honorary grand marshals are Dorethea M. Branch ’60; Virginia Horton Coverson ‘48; Dona Olivia Hendley Coward ‘48; Blanche Smith Earley ‘50; Beatrice Bailey Hill ’48, ‘73; Gilbert David Howell ‘50; William A. Lawson Sr. ‘46; George Manning ‘51; Joseph W. Sharpe ‘70; and Willie Williams ‘46.

“Honoring the centenarians during the Centennial Greatest Homecoming on Earth Parade creates a living connection between A&T’s past, present, and future as the university celebrates 100 years of hosting one of the most treasured traditions,” said Crystal W. Boyce, associate vice chancellor for Alumni Relations. “It has been my honor and privilege to speak with the families and several of our Aggie centenarians throughout this process. I have been humbled by their stories, their enduring love for North Carolina A&T, and the remarkable legacies they represent. We look forward to celebrating these Aggie legends and recognizing their extraordinary contributions as living links to our university’s rich history.”

The parade will be among the highlights of homecoming and will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Lindsay Street and Murrow Boulevard. The parade will travel toward campus along Lindsay Street before turning right onto Laurel Street, where the route will conclude.

The parade also will be livestreamed on YouTube to create a virtual experience for Aggies who cannot attend.

Dorethea M. Branch ‘60

Branch, of La Grange, North Carolina, was born July 5, 1926, in Dudley, North Carolina, and has called La Grange home since 1947. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from A&T and dedicated nearly three decades to social services. Her career advanced from social worker to director of Dobbs School in Kinston, North Carolina, and division director at the O’Berry Center in Goldsboro.

Branch also made history as the first African American member of the UNC-Lenoir Hospital Board of Trustees and was named La Grange Citizen of the Year in 1993.

A member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Branch and her late husband, Ira, owned and operated Branch’s Grocery Store for 52 years. She is the mother of Dennis Kelvin Branch.

Virginia Horton Coverson ‘48

Coverson, of Philadelphia, was born and raised in Lenoir, North Carolina, and attended A&T during an era shaped by the aftermath of the Great Depression, World War II and Jim Crow segregation.

The second-oldest of six children, Coverson grew up in a family whose father was determined that each of his children would attend college. At A&T, she earned a degree in education, played field hockey and joined Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc.

Coverson began her teaching career in Lenoir before moving to Philadelphia, where she served nearly 38 years with the School District of Philadelphia. She later taught home economics and science at Camden Catholic High School in New Jersey. She was married for more than 50 years to her husband, Willie, whom she met while attending A&T.

Dona Olivia Hendley Coward ‘48

Coward attended what was then known as the Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina with her sister, Mable Erlynne Hendley. The sisters graduated together in 1948.

Coward has credited her education and training at A&T with preparing her for a nearly 40-year career in education with Alachua County Public Schools. While at A&T, she was active in the Business Club, Florida Club and YWCA.

Blanche Smith Earley ‘50

Earley, of Hampton, Virginia, was born Aug. 18, 1926, in Turkey, North Carolina, and raised in Warsaw. In 1946, she boarded a train bound for Greensboro to begin her journey at A&T, where she majored in commercial education and joined the Alpha Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She is now a Diamond Member of the sorority.

With the men in her family serving during World War II, Earley returned home during summers to work in the fields. During her senior year, she took 23 credit hours to graduate on schedule. She later earned a master’s degree in business education from New York University.

Earley dedicated 38 years to education, teaching in Danville, Disputanta and Hampton, Virginia, including at C.A. Lindsay Junior High School during integration. She was married to the late James H. “Blue” Earley, an A&T Hall of Fame athlete and fellow Aggie. Her family legacy includes two children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, including granddaughter Brehonna Seimone Earley, an A&T alumna.

Beatrice Bailey Hill ‘48, ’73

Hill, of Lillington, North Carolina, made history as Harnett County’s first African American county commissioner and the first woman to serve on the Harnett County Board of Commissioners. First elected in 1990, she dedicated 24 years to public service, serving six consecutive terms as well as vice chair and interim chair.

A retired educator and former social worker, Hill championed projects that transformed Harnett County, including the development of the county government complex, Brightwater Science and Technology Campus, schools and parks. She also advocated for senior citizens, equal employment opportunities, and affordable housing. She taught social studies and English for more than 20 years and was the first recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from Campbell University’s School of Education.

Gilbert David Howell ‘50

Howell, of Greensboro, North Carolina, celebrated his 100^th birthday July 6, 2026. Born in Waco, North Carolina, and raised in Cherokee County, South Carolina, he served in the Army as a corporal from 1945 to 1946, supporting the war effort in Seattle.

Howell came to A&T in 1948 to study brick masonry and has called Greensboro home since graduating in 1950. In 1962, Howell and the Rev. Willie Gladney incorporated Gladney and Howell Masonry Co., which employed an estimated 100 men in the trade throughout the Greensboro area. Howell retired in 1996.

He and his wife, Rosetta Woods Howell, have built a family legacy that includes children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

William A. Lawson Sr. ‘46

Lawson, of Kinston, North Carolina, pledged Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. while attending A&T. He later earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Columbia University and dedicated his professional career to education, serving as assistant principal at Adkin High School and principal of Dobbs School.

An Army veteran, civic leader and recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, Lawson also became widely known throughout Eastern North Carolina for his photography. He was married to the late Bonnie Donald Lawson for 64 years. His Aggie legacy continues through his son, William Anthony Lawson Jr. ‘77, and grandson, William Anthony Lawson III ‘05.

George Manning ‘51

Manning is a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient whose life has been defined by military service, education, faith and ministry. After attending Kittrell College, he earned a B.S. in agriculture from the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina.

Manning began his career teaching agriculture at the historic Whittemore High School in Conway, South Carolina, before moving to Washington, D.C., with his wife, Dr. Virginia Manning. There, he worked as a supervisor with the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, earned an M.Div. from Howard University and answered the call to ministry. He later became a pastor and retired as a presiding elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Joseph W. Sharpe ‘70

Sharpe, a native of Leaksville, North Carolina, entered A&T at 16 in 1941 before being inducted into the Army on Dec. 23, 1943.

A World War II veteran, Sharpe made the military his career, serving 28 years despite experiencing segregation both in the Army and in civilian life. His service included assignments in Germany as a member of an honor guard and service as an Army ROTC instructor at A&T.

Sharpe retired from the Army in 1971 as a sergeant major, reaching the Army’s highest enlisted pay grade. Following his military career, he returned to A&T to complete his bachelor’s degree and later earned a master’s degree through the GI Bill. He then began a second career in education before permanently retiring in 1990.

Sharpe married his wife, Faye, in 1960 and now resides in Oregon.

Willie Williams ‘46

Williams, of Greensboro, is a native of Harrells, North Carolina, and graduated as salutatorian of her class at Garland High School. At A&T, she majored in home economics and was active in the Agricultural Association, Sunday school and student government.

Williams taught home economics in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, before supervising a home health care program. She later worked as a caterer and retired from the Greensboro Woman’s Club.

A longtime member of Mt. Olivet AME Zion Church, Williams served on the Chancel Choir, Stewardess Board and Deaconess Board and became one of the longest-serving members of the Greensboro District Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society.