Ava Seabury, 68, waters the garden of the now-shuttered Rose M. Nolen Black History Library in Sedalia, Mo. on Sept. 28, 2023. The library housed artifacts from Sedalia’s segregated past, such as yearbooks from the all-Black high school. Ava is a Sedalia native who witnessed the town’s integration and now wants to preserve the memories housed in the library.

A sign sits at 68-year-old Ava’s feet at the replica slave cabin at the now-closed Rose M. Nolen Black History Library. 

Ava examines the contents of the replica slave cabin at the Rose M. Nolen Black History Library. The library, which housed many historical documents related to Sedalia’s Black community, received little support from locals and closed earlier this week.

Ava looks on as the sign for the Rose M. Nolen Black History Library is brought down by workers. The library was a source of controversy in the community and it never fully garnered the support of Sedalia’s residents. 


Ava sits among the remaining items from the Rose M. Nolen Black History Library searching for historical or notable artifacts before the items are discarded or donated. Some of the artifacts included year books from the long-closed, all-Black high school. The library received little support from locals and closed earlier in the week.


Ava stands in her front yard and holds up a sign that once stood in the Rose M. Nolen Black History Library for her friends and neighbors, Connie Washington and James Claxton. The library, which is a block from Ava’s home, is being shut down but Ava has brought many of the items from its archive to her own home in an effort to preserve them. 

Ava looks around the doctor’s office at Katy Trail Community Health. Ava has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure and gastroparesis. Her doctors have encouraged her to let go of the many family and community responsibilities she has taken on.

Ava sweeps the kitchen of her home after Cuddles, her granddaughter’s dog, ate a meal inside. The two dogs that live with Ava, Cuddles and Big Boy, were left at her home by relatives. 

Marcus Mcknight, a family friend, visits Ava at her home to pray with her. Marcus said he recently lost his job. 

From left, Ava her granddaughter Xeniya Jefferson and Ava’s daughter Cherrika Buckner-Jefferson sit in front of Ava’s home. That day, Xeniya returned to Sedalia to see family. 

Ava walks around downtown Sedalia. Ava sometimes struggles to go on walks since her health issues— including gastroparesis — put her at risk of malnutrition.