Marion Native Barbara Campbell McLawhorn Pins “The Saga of Danny Jones”

The Saga of Danny Jones is a compelling coming of age account of a 15-year old's enlightenment through the practical teachings of his paternal grandmother, Bretta Jones (Granny). After cutting history class several times, fighting at school, and disrespecting an elderly neighbor, Danny's parents make a crucial decision on his first day of summer break that he needs an intervention and a rude awakening. They send him from Philadelphia to Marion County, South Carolina to spend time with Granny on her small farm, which Danny describes as "a nightmare in the middle of the woods, with no Wi-Fi, where there is nothing to do but sit around and listen to crickets chirping, mosquitoes buzzing, roosters crowing, and a lot of bloodsucking insects doing their thing." During his visit, however, Danny's perspective about Marion County and life evolves more than he could have imagined. The teenager, who is on the cusp of becoming a young adult, learns more about himself than he thought possible and how to treat others through his grandmother's love and guidance. Granny instills in Danny invaluable nuggets of wisdom and life-long lessons about humanity, African American history, and Christian principles.

Spending time with his inspiring grandmother and members of the Marion County community, including participating in a captivating summer revival, were impactful and helped change Danny's life for the better. Danny returns home refreshed and in a renewed state of mind, ready to live up to his fullest potential. The Saga of Danny Jones depicts what it means to come of age and come toward the church.

Barbara Campbell McLawhorn, a native South Carolinian, was reared in Trenton, New Jersey. She graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. Also, she earned a Master of Education degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a concentration in guidance. In addition to her master's degree, Ms. McLawhorn earned 30 plus hours in guidance. She also held a license in professional counseling prior to retirement. Ms. McLawhorn is the recipient of the National Council of Negro Women's Living the Legacy Award, the Columbia Ministerial Alliance's Drum Major for Justice Award in Education, and the Columbia Urban League Guild's Tower Award. She won several South Carolina State Fair blue ribbons for her southern gourmet pound cakes.

Ms. McLawhorn lives in Columbia, South Carolina with her husband and they are the parents of three adult children. She enjoys gardening, making homemade muscadine grape jelly, serving as an assistant Sunday school teacher, and spending time with her family. Twenty-eight years in education as both a teacher and a school counselor, not to mention having five grandsons, has taught her how to relate to young people and further supports her belief that, "There is good in everyone, seek and you will find it."

“The Saga of Danny Jones is a wisdom-filled book of practical adventures and guidelines for everyday living. The storyline is both entertaining and instructive for the reader. Life lessons can be learned from this excellent read and the name of Jesus is powerfully uplifted. As you read this book, get ready to learn and grow.”

Dr. Mark A. Smith, President , Columbia International University

“Everyone should read The Saga of Danny Jones, a story of the powerful intergenerational relationship between a grandmother and a grandson. It is a story of the wonderful transformation that Danny, a northern youth, makes as he gains useful knowledge from Granny while spending a few weeks during the summer on her southern farm. This book, which I read with my daughter, is a must read for both children and adults in connecting with the rich history and heritage of a persevering people of faith.”

Rev. Dr. Jamey O. Graham, Sr., Pastor, Saint John Baptist Church

Columbia, South Carolina