Mr. and Mrs. J  lived together in their Gwynn Oak home in Baltimore County for more than 43 years. Mrs. J, age 83, originally from Florence, South Carolina, moved to Baltimore after her father left the military in 1942. The family first settled near Druid Hill Park before moving farther northwest. Mr. and Mrs. J moved their family into their forever home in  Gwynn Oak in 1976. They were drawn to the area by the promise of stable housing opportunities for middle-class Black families. In their community, they were surrounded by relatives, friends, and colleagues. Mr. and Mrs. J built a life rooted in faith, civic engagement, and service to others, values they would later pass on to their daughter.

​

Mr. J, a proud Morgan State alumnus, military veteran, and small business owner, ran his own contracting company for decades. His craftsmanship and care were evident in the family home he maintained with pride. Over the years, the home became a hub for family gatherings, neighborhood meetings, and Sunday dinners.

Over time, changes like aging, health issues, and most recently, the passing of Mr. J, made upkeep of the home a challenge. 

Since Mr. J’s death, maintaining the home has become difficult for Mrs. J, who is now facing dementia. Their daughter and Ms. J’s sisters help keep the house in good repair, determined to preserve the home’s legacy and the stability it represents for their family. “This house is more than walls, it’s our family’s story, and I want to be sure it can be passed on to my children,” their daughter shared.