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Growing Up in Sykesville: A Conversation with Deidre Lynn Johnson Kimbrow

Last Updated 5/10/2026 • Posted in Black Individuals, Edna Johnson

For Deidre Lynn Johnson Kimbrow, Sykesville isn’t just a hometown, it’s the place where generations of her family have put down roots. Born and raised here, Dee traces her heritage to the Norris–Johnson families, who settled on Norris Avenue decades ago. Many of those family homes remain in the hands of relatives today, a testament to the strength and continuity of her family’s presence in town. “I was an only child, but I never really felt alone,” she recalls. “I had cousins all around, and our family was always close.”

School Days and Community Life

Dee attended Freedom Elementary, where her mother taught. When Eldersburg Elementary opened, many of her African American friends were redistricted there, leaving her as the only Black student at Freedom for several years. “It was isolating at times, but by middle school we were all back together again,” she says. She later graduated from South Carroll High School, before Liberty High was even built. Her school years were ﬁlled with music and community involvement. She played in the band and even ran for Miss Sykesville, earning runner-up. “I thought, why not try something different?” she laughs.

Main Street Memories

Like many longtime residents, Dee vividly remembers the Sykesville Main Street of her childhood: Forsythe’s Grocery Store, McDougall’s Pharmacy, Tubby Hayes’ Gas Station, the Firehouse, even a small five-lane duckpin bowling alley across from St. Paul’s Church. One memory that stands out is of a classmate from school who studied cosmetology at the vo-tech and went on to work in a Main Street beauty salon. “I believe she may have been the only African American to ever work there,” Dee notes. For her, it was a quiet but powerful example of representation in a time when such opportunities weren’t common. But not all memories were easy. “Not everyone was welcoming,” she admits, recalling a few encounters with prejudice. “I just chose not to entertain the negativity. My mom always taught me to stay positive.”

Faith and Service

Church has always been at the heart of Dee’s life. A lifelong member of St. Luke’s, she has served as an usher, acolyte, choir member, youth coordinator, and, since 2009, the finance chairperson. “I’d really like to pass that role along,” she says with a smile, “but giving back has always been important to me.”

She recalls summers when the area’s churches worked together to provide vacation Bible schools, swimming trips, roller skating outings, and bowling nights. “Everything really revolved around the church. It was our community hub.” Today, she hopes to see more young people and families drawn into church and community life. “We don’t have many children in the congregation right now,” she says. “It would be wonderful to see that change.”

Looking Back, Looking Forward

After marrying in 1991, Dee moved to Baltimore County, where she and her husband both worked. She still returns often to Sykesville to visit her mother and attend church. Though she has witnessed many changes, both in town and in society, her ties to Sykesville remain strong. She emphasizes the importance of inclusion and representation in building the town’s future. “The hardest part is going somewhere and not feeling welcome,” she says. “Every voice matters, and I hope Sykesville continues to grow into a place where everyone feels that way.”

Author’s Note: We thank Dee for sharing her story—a reminder of Sykesville’s rich family ties, its challenges, and the resilience that carries the community forward.