Home - Barbara Campbell McLawhorn

A Journey to New Beginnings

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.

“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
Columbia, South Carolina

“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

Barbara Campbell McLawhorn

Barbara Campbell McLawhorn is a retired 28-year teacher and school counselor. She is a native South Carolinian, reared in Trenton, New Jersey. She 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. 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, including her five grandsons.