Blog – Toddtown Community Historical Society

July 4, 2026

2026 Awards Presentation

What an evening! Toddtown came together to celebrate our graduates, honor the people who’ve shaped our community for years, and remind ourselves why we do this work. Thank you to everyone who came out, dressed up, and showed our scholars just how much this community believes in them.

Congratulations to Our 2026 Scholarship Recipients

Kristen Smith

Kristen graduates from Jackson High School with a 3.5 GPA and a long track record of showing up for her community. She’s served as President of Interact (the Rotary-sponsored student service club), Captain of the Sound of the Aggie Nation Auxiliary Line, and Editor of the Jacksonian Yearbook — and last spring she earned her school’s award for Most Hours Volunteered. Her service résumé includes weekly shifts at the Lifeline Food Pantry, Special Olympics and Special Needs Day at the fair, the Regional Children’s Advocacy Center dinner and auction, and ringing the bell for the Salvation Army each Christmas. This fall, Kristen will study Business at the University of South Alabama. She is the daughter of Crystal Smith Wilson, granddaughter of Cossie and Marie Smith, and a fifth-generation descendant of Sam and Sarah Todd.

Keirsten Martin

Keirsten is a graduate of Clarke County High School with a 3.6 GPA, earned while carrying more responsibility at home than most of us could imagine — supporting her mother through health challenges and helping raise her younger sibling, all while staying active in school and community life. She’s served as an Upward Bound Ambassador and a Clarke County High School Ambassador, worked as a Teacher Assistant at Grove Hill Elementary, and picked up honors in band including Most Improved, Outstanding Clarinet, and Outstanding Leadership. She’s also earned certifications in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and customer service. Keirsten plans to pursue a career in Sonography. She is the daughter of Felicia Martin and a resident of Toddtown with family ties to Sam and Sarah Todd.

Whitney Chaney

Whitney is a graduating senior at Clarke County High School with a 3.8 GPA and a résumé that reads like a full-time job on top of a full course load. She’s served as Co-Captain of the Lady Dawgs basketball team — helping lead them to the Final Four this year after being named Defensive Player of the Year the year before — while also holding down leadership roles as SGA Treasurer, an Upward Bound Ambassador, and section leader of the Royal Band of Blue for six consecutive years. Beyond the classroom, Whitney is the founder of her own clothing brand, StarChild, which she launched back in 2020, and she’s worked as a Teacher Assistant with Grove Hill Elementary’s After School Adventure program. This fall, she heads to Troy University to study Graphic Design. Whitney is the daughter of James and Wendy Chaney, and she traces her Toddtown lineage through her great-grandmother, Daisy Todd Pugh, back to Sam and Sarah Todd.

Congratulations to Whitney, Kristen, and Keirsten — and to everyone who applied this year. Each of you represents exactly what this scholarship is about: hard work, service, and carrying this community’s legacy forward.

Honoring Our 2026 Legacy Award Recipients

This year we also paused to recognize four people whose lifetime of service and dedication has left a lasting mark on Toddtown:

Latrisa Pugh Griffin
Minister Vicki Smith Moore
Kathi Pines Godbolt
Otto Wilson

Thank you for everything you’ve given to this community over the years — the example you’ve set is exactly what we hope our scholars carry forward.

Legacy Award Recipient Latrisa Pugh Griffin being presented by Bridget Moye

Legacy Award Recipient Minister Vicki Smith Moore

Legacy Award Recipient Kathi Pines Godbolt

Legacy Award Recipient Otto Wilson

Legacy Award recipients with the TCHS President Yolanda Chpaman Houston

Scholarship recipient Kristen Smith

Scholarship recipient Keirsten Martin

Scholarship recipient Whitney Chaney

Our 2026 scholarship recipients

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our sponsors and everyone who came out to support the evening. Thank you for investing in our students and in the future of Toddtown.

Stay tuned for next year’s festivities!

June 27, 2026

Kennedy Richardson

We would like to recognize Kennedy Richardson, daughter of Sondraiena Richardson-Smith, granddaughter of Shernavian Vandiber, great-granddaughter of Hayward and Beatrice Roper, great-great-granddaughter of Hayward and Agnes Roper, and great-great-great-granddaughter of San Sarah Pugh. Kennedy earned a 3.7 GPA in the nursing program at Tuskegee University and was honored by the National Society of Leadership and Success for her outstanding academic achievements.

June 23, 2026

Brittany Johnson’s Initial Sermon

Brittany Johnson, the daughter of Francesca Talley, granddaughter of Edward and Brenda Smith, great-granddaughter of Raymond and Cornelia Ward, great-great-granddaughter of Condie and Jonnie Todd, and great-great-great-granddaughter of Sam and Sarah Todd, preaching the Word.

June 8, 2026

Lace Up for the Future

On July 2, 2026, the Toddtown Community Historical Society Board is bringing the community together for a night that’s equal parts celebration and investment in our future. We’re hosting the Sneaker Scholarship Banquet at the Gillmore Elementary School Gym in Jackson, Alabama—and we want you there on the dance floor with us.

Your ticket purchase directly funds scholarships for high school seniors pursuing higher education. It’s a night of style with a serious purpose: equipping our youth with the resources they need to succeed. During the ball, we are honored to present the scholarships to our 2026 recipients.

The attire is Semi Formal with sneakers. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Click Here To Secure Your Tickets or see other ways you can contribute.

April 14, 2026

2026 Scholarship

February 15, 2026

Todd Descendants on a Winning Streak on Family Feud!

Exciting news for the Toddtown family!

Five of our cousins are currently competing on Family Feud — and they’re on a roll!

Appearing as the Carmichael Family, the team includes:

Brian Carmichael – Husband of Valerie
Valerie Carmichael – Daughter of Condie James “CJ” and Carrye Todd, grand daughter of Condie “Babe” and Johnnie Todd, and great grand daughter of Sam and Sarah.)
Brandon Robinson (Valerie’s son)
Condie Jewone Todd (CJ’s grandson)
Deuana Todd (Condie’s wife)

The family began their run this past Wednesday and has already completed three winning appearances! They are scheduled to return again on Monday to continue their streak.

From Toddtown to the National Stage

Moments like this show that the Todd legacy is alive and thriving. Whether through history, community leadership, family reunions, or now television game shows, the Toddtown community and it’s descendants continue to represent with pride.

Be sure to tune in Monday and cheer them on!

August 30, 2025

2025 TCHS Scholarship Recipients

Vibrant confetti falling around the word 'Hooray!' on a white background, celebrating success and happiness.

Ava Hutchins-Vinson

First Place: Ava Vinson, a graduate passionate about both education and the arts, plans to double major in Educational Psychology and Theater to pursue a career as a teacher and counselor for elementary students. A former literacy coach who also starred as Cinderella in her school’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Ava is dedicated to academic excellence, creative expression, and serving her community. She is the daughter of Lauren and Jason Vinson, granddaughter of Kimberly and Elliot Vinson, great-granddaughter of Bernice and Edgar Vinson, and great-great-granddaughter of Johnnie and Condie “Babe” Todd .

Dysen Adams

Second Place: Dysen Adams is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice with the goal of becoming a criminal investigator dedicated to fairness, community trust, and helping victims. A strong student with experience in youth mentoring and volunteer work, he is committed to academic excellence, service, and leadership. Born and raised in Todd Town, Dysen carries forward the values of his community as he works toward a career in justice.

Destin Daffin

Third Place: Destin Daffin, a summa cum laude graduate of Davidson High School in Mobile, Alabama, is pursuing a degree in Radiologic Sciences at the University of South Alabama. With aspirations of becoming an x-ray technician, Destin is committed to academic excellence and campus involvement. He is the son of Cassandra and Yancy Daffin, grandson of Barbara and Asberry Daffin Jr., great-grandson of Condie and Johnnie Todd, and great-great-grandson of Sam and Sarah Todd.

Congratulations to our 2025 Todd Town Community Historical Society Scholarship recipients, and to all who applied. Each applicant demonstrated excellence, determination, and a have bright futures ahead. We are proud to support these students as they continue their education and carry forward the values of hard work, service, and legacy.

February 22, 2025

BRIEF HISTORY OF CHARLIE G. & VELMA PUGH

Charlie G. Pugh also called (Bud) was born March 8, 1895. He died on 8/26 1967 at the age of 72 in Grove Hill Hospital. Sarah Pugh Todd was Charlie G’s aunt. Sarah Pugh Todd’s mother’s name was Candance Bumpers Pugh. Charlie G’s father’s name was Lem Pugh and mother’s name was Florence Henry Pugh. Charlie G.’s father died in 1920. His mother was born in 1872, the year of death unknown. Sarah Pugh Todd was Charlie (Bud) Pugh’s aunt. Charlie G’s grandfather’s name was Idra Isham Pugh, born in North Carolina in 1830. Idra Isham Pugh was a farmer in North Carolina. Candace Pugh was a housekeeper. Charlie G had 7 siblings listed below:

Minnie Pugh
Blain Pugh
Nettie Pugh
Blonde Pugh
Matthew Pugh
Merritt Pugh
Donnie Pugh
Stella Pugh
Charlie G. Pugh
Alice Pugh

Nettie Pugh, the youngest sibling, passed away June 21, 2000. She was the last of her siblings. She was full of fun and joy and lived in Mobile, Alabama.

Charlie G. Pugh was 24 years old when he married Velma at 21 years old.

VELMA BROWN PUGH

Velma Brown Pugh was born October 4, 1895 and died December 23, 1989 at Jackson Memorial Hospital at the age of 90 years old. Velma’s father’s name was Zack Brown, her mother’s name was Rachel Brown. Velma had 4 siblings.

Darcus Brown
Liz Brown
Hester Brown
Zack Brown, jr.

Charlie G. and Velma Pugh had 9 Children:

Zack Pugh’s children were Roy, Susie, Margie, Charlie, Annie, Zack Jr. Jessie
Cephus Pugh’s child was Thomas Edward Pugh
Carlton Pugh children were Carlton James, Jessie, Glenda, Lawrence, Eunice, Marshall, Bernard, Darryl and Donald
Sam Pugh’s child was Sammie Pugh
Dennie Dell Pugh children were John Wesley, Della, Roberta, Gloria, Joe, L.C., John Henry, Thelma, Reba, LeVan, Hilbert and Tommy Earl.
Daphne Pugh children were Daphne Jr., Rodger and Joyce
Annie Zell Pugh children were Denise, Annette, Willie, Linda, Lindsey, Frank and Lela
Bryant Pugh children were Anita, Steve, Pamela, Deborah, Beverly, Michael, Vanessa and Valeria
Florilla Pugh children were Dorothy Ree, Lola, Raymond, Jacquline and Evenard

**They continue to have numerous generations added to the Pugh family.**

BLESSINGS, LOVE AND PEACE TO EACH OF YOU ALWAYS

July 20, 2024

Toddtown Land History

As told by the Elders in the Toddtown Community, here’s how Toddtown came to be.

A white man named Nathan Bolton moved into the McVay community. He ran a grocery and dry good store. He brought the land and sold 40 acres to Reverend Gross Todd. Gross married Litha Pugh. He was the only person that had a car in the community. Gross and Litha lived on what is now Todd Town Road. He had John, Tommy, Curtis and all of his children. He sold 10 acres to Tommy Todd. Otis Grayson married Ella Todd and he had 120 acres of land he brought from Nathan Bolton. Ella was one of the children of Sam and Sarah Todd.

Sam Roper married to Juliet brought his land of 100 plus acres from Judge Sam Pippens. Gross Todd sold Agnew Todd 10 acres.

Otis came from Mississippi and brought 120 acres. Gross sold 10 acres to Agnew Todd. Gross sold 10 acres to Condie Todd. Otis Grayson sold some land to Charlie Cox.

Charlie Pugh came from Winn and married Gross Todd’s daughter Mattie. Haywood Roper got his land from Sam Roper and Nathan Bolton. Charlie Pugh brought 40 acres from Nathan Bolton. Otis brought and additional 25 or 35 acres from Bolton down where Haywood Roper live.

Toddtown was named after the Todds by George McClendon because he took notice of them and their numbers. Sam and Sarah Todd had eight children and settled here from Coffeeville. Dr. T— Pugh raised Sarah Todd because she was a slave. She was not raised with her parents. Fred Grayson is Otis Grayson’s son who inherited the land where Otis lived. Charlie Cox sold land to Joe Meredith. Sam and Juliet Ann Roper gave the land for the church and cemetery .

Velma and Charlie G. Pugh aka Bud brought their land from Nathan Bolton. Quitman Beckham brought his land from Nathan Bolton. Quitman had a store and he brought some land from Sam Roper.

West Roper’s (per his children is really West Todd) land came from Gross Todd’s portion that was brought from Nate Bolton and he also brought some from Fred Grayson. The land that Melvin Bonner owned came from Fred Grayson’s land.

Sam and Sarah Todd house sat on the hill where Tommy Todd also stayed. Their house got burnt down, it was called a double pen house. The school house sat below where Litha and Gross Todd house was. Famous Parker inherited his land from Luke Robinson. Luke Robinson was married to Nettie Todd.

July 14, 2024

Evening of Elegance Gala

2023 Scholarship Recipients — Scholarship recipients pictured from left to right: Kyron Horn, Jazmine Jones, and Jeremie Houston

What a time we had last week in Toddtown! As we all recover, lets congratulate our TCHS scholarship recipients:

Jazmine Jones – $750: Attended Jackson HS (Volleyball/Basketball star) Academic GPA 4.0; Will be attending Medical School; Major considering: Nursing/Radiologist
Kyron Horn – $500: Attended Thomasville HS (Football star) Academic GPA 3.81; Will be attending Miles College; Major considering: Criminal Justice and Pre-Law (Also receiving athletic scholarship)
Jeramie Houston – $250: Attended Jackson HS Academic GPA 2.95; Will be attending Alabama State; Major considering: Secondary Education and teach history: He was also a place kicker at Jackson HS

Thank you to all of those who purchased tickets and/or made donations.

Stay tuned for next years festivities!