Corine Cannon celebrated her 102nd birthday with family and friends

Corine Cannon
Corin Cannon

By Fran Farrer

June 6, 2022 12:45AM
Fran Farrer
Fran Farrer

KANNAPOLIS, NC – Sunday, May 29, 2022, as Mrs. Corine Cannon celebrated her 102nd birthday with family and friends, Barber-Scotia College Interim President, Dr. Tracy Flemings (class of 1986), and Barber-Scotia College Board of Trustee President, Mrs. Roberta Pickney (class of 1969) presented Mrs. Cannon with an award for her community service.

Among those present was Mrs. Cannon’s great-grandson, Nick Cannon who was grateful for the support his grandmother received from the city and, is always proud to be in attendance to also support her in her efforts to do so.

Mrs. Cannon is part of a family that has always valued the importance of education. Her grandmother, Martha Barringer, was in the first graduating class of Scotia Seminary, that was founded in 1867 as a school for recently freed female slaves. It later became a coed institution, now known as Barber-Scotia College.

Barber-Scotia’s leadership teams’ decision to honor Mrs. Cannon due to many of her family members that matriculated through its halls. Her father, Emmanuel Lytle, had 21 children and 19 of them attended college. One of her daughters, the late Rev. Dr. Katie Cannon received her Bachelor of Science degree from Barber-Scotia and, was the first African American woman to be ordained in the Presbyterian church. Another daughter, Mrs. Sara Cannon Fleming, (1970), her great-grand-daughter, Courtney Love (2003) are pictured with her, and Dr. Tracey Hemmings, (1986), Interim president of Barber-Scotia, and Board Chair Mrs. Roberta Pickney (1969).

Mrs. Cannon also received a message from Congresswoman Alma Adams. Council Woman Renee Johnson, representing Mayor Vi Lyles read a proclamation declaring May 29, 2022, Corine Cannon Day. Young entrepreneur and philanthropist, Chris “CJ” Matthews presented Mrs. Cannon a handstitched blanket from their family organization, Blankets4mybuddies.

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