history/legacy of love

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The descendants of Annie Catherine Pridgen in May 2020 established the Annie Catherine Community Development Foundation to fortify their mother’s legacy. The purpose of the foundation is to empower residents of under-served communities with vital resources to enhance their quality of life. 

Along with her siblings, Annie Catherine Pridgen was involved in community affairs in parts of southeastern North Carolina and the National Capital Region. Their parents ingrained this type of community involvement and service into their children.  

Her father, Obed Pridgen a WWI veteran, and her mother, Mattie Gross-Pridgen, had a profound and enduring impact on their local community.  In 1951, Obed Pridgen sold a substantial portion of land at a discounted rate to construct a school for colored children located in the western region of Columbus County. This school served as a full K-12 educational center for those children. This deep-rooted sense of service laid the foundation for the ACP Community Development Foundation.  

 Annie, as an active member of her community and a dedicated civil servant, raised her children with strong morals and a commendable work ethic. She exemplified resilience and commitment to her community, carrying forward the legacy of love established by her father. Annie and her siblings maintained a robust bond, offering mutual support through the challenges of parenthood. They imparted this legacy of love to their children, who grew into productive and industrious members of society.