Mary Frances Walker Furlow (1923—2021) was born in Ramer, Alabama. The Walker Family moved to Massillon, Ohio, to escape prejudice in southern Alabama. When “Frannie” was seven, she tragically lost both of her parents to heart failure.
Though she spent her childhood years staying with different family members, by age fourteen, Frannie was on her own. She recalls her trials and triumphs. She credits her resilience to faith in God, as well as the fact that she is a strong, independent, Black woman. At the age of 93, Frannie shared her memories with Isabel Kathryn Thottam who recorded them in this book.
"Joy Comes in the Morning" by Mary Frances Walker Furlow (2017) is vailable in the Massillon Museum OHregionalities Shop.