Noted Playwright Was a Guiding Light to Young People

Dr. Erma Clanton speaks to the assembly at New Sardis 

Baptist Church during a black history program in 2015. 

(Photo by Wiley Henry)

Dr. Erma Clanton had one life to live. Much of it was devoted to teaching, nurturing, mentoring, developing and illuminating the artistry within young people – whether it was in song, public speaking, or onstage in the theatre. 

Her reputation was widespread. She was known to bring out their best and shaped many of them into professional singers and actors on the local and national stages. A lyricist, playwright, stage director, and educator, she was their guiding light.

Dr. Clanton was born in Memphis on Feb. 5, 1923. She was 98 when she died Aug. 24 and left behind an enduring legacy that loved ones, and those she mentored, had no problem putting into words. The outpouring of love and respect for the pioneering educator/playwright was undeniable.

Deborah Manning Thomas, choked with emotion, reflected on her relationship with Dr. Clanton, whom she had spoken with just a few days before her passing.

“Even though she was planning her funeral…memorial service, we just did not accept the fact that she was gonna leave us so soon. The irony of it all is a bit overwhelming. [But] we accept what God has allowed,” said the singer and actor, who began her career as a young upstart under Dr. Clanton’s tutelage.

Thomas’ vocals were maximized in Dr. Clanton’s theatrical production in 1970 called “An Evening of Soul.” She was an undergraduate student at then-Memphis State University (currently the University of Memphis), where Dr. Clanton was an associate professor.

“She was my mentor and like a mother,” Thomas said. “The first airplane trip I ever took, she was designated as my chaperone. My mother did not trust anyone else with me, but her.” 

Thomas was accompanied to the 1972 Wattstax Festival in Los Angeles, where she was a featured singer. “She was special to me,” Thomas said, “and she called me daughter. That was a blessing.”

Losing Dr. Clanton has been quite painful, she said. “I loved her like I loved my own mother. It hurts. I'm reliving 2002 all over again. That's the year I lost my mother.”

Gospel singer Reginald Gaston thought of Dr. Clanton as a second mother as well. “She taught me quite a bit, not only about the theater, but about life,” said Gaston, a retired educator and retired probation officer.

Gaston was a budding singer in 1973 when he began performing in a few of Dr. Clanton’s productions including an “Evening of Soul,” “God's Trombones,” and “Black and White and Red all Over.”

He said Dr. Clanton’s death is heartbreaking. “She will be sorely missed in this community,” he said. “She gave a lot to the community. She helped people. Period. Sometimes she didn't know them.”

Social media is replete with comments, tributes, sympathies and heartfelt expressions. Many of the posters were mentored by Dr. Clanton or were impacted by her in one way or another.

Thomas said Dr. Clanton “wanted to do something to lift the spirits of the people and to try to bring us together” in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s after the trauma of Dr. Martin L. King’s death.

After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, Dr. Clanton went to Alabama State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in 1945; a master’s degree in theatre and communication at the former Memphis State University in 1969; and a doctor of humane letters from the Tennessee School of Religion in 2001.

She chose education as her career path and began teaching English and speech at Melrose High School, where her knack for writing and producing plays was apparent. While teaching theatre and communication at the U of M, she produced “Roots, Rhymes & Righteous Times (An Evening of Soul)” in 1971. 

Other productions would follow over the years including “Listen Children,” “God's Trombones,” “Black Pearls of the World,” and “Gifted & Black – On the Right Track.” She retired from the university in 1991.

“She was the GIFT that kept on giving! Erma Clanton played a huge role in my love for stage/theatre. As a child I performed in one of her productions God’s Trombones at Memphis State University,” posted Tracy Bethea, 95.7 Hallelujah FM radio personality on iHeartRadio. “Praying peace and comfort to her family. Her work will continue to shine through soooo many creatives.” 

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, representing Tennessee’s 9^th Congressional District, noted his friendship with Dr. Clanton. He posted: “A wonderful woman who was an icon of theatre and the arts in Memphis. My friend for 50 years. A life well lived.”

Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr., pastor emeritus of New Sardis Baptist Church, first met Dr. Clanton in the mid-seventies when he headed the Sickle Cell Anemia program. They would become good friends. 

In 1991, “she joined me at the New Sardis Church, and what a joy that was,” he said, noting that Dr. Clanton directed the Christmas and Passion Play productions. “She took on the drama ministry, man, and we went to a whole new level.”

She had magnetism, charisma, Dr. Gray said. “Erma Clanton could do it all and was just a gifted woman, unselfish. I mean, she just gave, gave, gave and gave. She was a beautiful soul.”

A memorial service for Dr. Erma Clanton is Sept. 4 at New Sardis Baptist Church, 7739 E. Holmes Road. Visitation will take place at 11 a.m.; a celebration of life will follow at noon.

New Sardis honors ‘Memphis Living Legends’

The 2019 Memphis Living Legends. (Photos by Wiley Henry)

On Sunday morning, Feb. 24, New Sardis Baptist Church invoked the spirit of African-American ancestry coupled with Afro-centric music and the unadulterated Word of God. This was the culmination of African-American History Month and the presentation of the church’s annual Memphis Living Legends program.

The morning worship service was devoted to the men and women whom the church honored and celebrated for blazing a path in their respective fields and making significant contributions in Memphis and beyond.

“We honor men and women who have made our society better,” said the Rev. Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr., New Sardis’ pastor emeritus and worship leader for the morning celebration.

The Rev. Darell Harrington, pastor of New Sardis Baptist
Church, delivers an impactful message to honor and
celebrate Memphis Living Legends.

Donning African attire, the church’s leadership team – headed by its pastor, the Rev. Darell Harrington – welcomed the 2019 Living Legends: State Rep. Karen Camper, Captain Albert T. Glenn, Dr. Howard Glenn, Bishop William Graves Sr., Estella Mayhue-Greer, Henry Hooper, Bobby O’Jay Jones, Clarence Jones, Jerry C. Johnson, John McFerren, Tajuan Stout-Mitchell, the Rev. Dr. Rosalyn R. Nichols, Rosetta Hicks Peterson, Dr. Larry Robinson, Mark Russell, Dr. Theresa James Shotwell, Madeleine C. Taylor and Fayth Hill Washington.

Jimmy Ogle, Shelby County’s historian and past chairman of the Shelby County Historical Commission, was presented The Frances Wright Award. Wright was a 19th century Scottish-born abolitionist, social reformer, lecturer, freethinker and writer.

Honoring “living legends” was the brainchild of Dr. Erma L. Clanton, a playwright, lyricist, former teacher and member of New Sardis. The inaugural salute to living legends began in 2003 after Clanton, now 96, pitched the idea to Gray.

Celebrating black achievement in the U.S. first began in 1926 as Negro History Week – the precursor of Black History Month – founded by Carter G. Woodson, an historian, author, journalist and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

Of course, James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” known as the “Black National Anthem,” was integral to the program – as it is each year – and key to setting the tone for the morning.

“Everybody here today – black, white, blue or green – that’s your native land,” said Gray, referring to the continent of Africa. “Native land should be replaced with Africa because we all came from the continent.”

Harrington posed the question: “How does our history impact the relevance of our present?” and composed his message, “The Transformative Power of Truth,” from John 8:31-36.

Recognizing the history of black contributions throughout his sermon, Harrington referred to the passage in John when Jesus said to the Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” Then he added: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

“What does it mean in the 21st century to be free?” Harrington asked the congregation. He followed up with an answer to the question: “It should mean you ought to serve God.”

He said Black people have offered the world the best that the world has to offer and added, “It’s easy to forget one’s history. It’s easy to forget because we’ve become comfortable.”

Using as an example, he said, “It was illegal to write, but God made a way.”

Harrington continued to espouse the relevance and cultural significance of black pioneers and trailblazers, and undergirded the message with the importance of keeping God first.

“We celebrate black history,” he said. “But we have to celebrate a risen Savior.”

Historical marker a fitting tribute to the Lee sisters

The story of the Lee sisters in now etched in bronze. From left: Peggy Jayne Lee, Sandra
Faye Lee Swift, Elaine Lee Turner, Ernestine Lee Henning and Brenda Lee Turner
(Photo by Wiley Henry)

Going to jail is not at all pomp and circumstance. But for a family of courageous sisters, it was a “badge of honor” to be carted off to jail 17 times during the turbulent civil rights movement.

On March 25, more than 50 years later, a historical marker was unveiled honoring Ernestine Lee Henning, Sandra Faye Lee Swift, Brenda Lee Turner, Elaine Lee Turner, the late Joan Lee Nelson, Peggy Jayne Lee and Susan Carlotta Lee.

“This is living history,” said Jimmy Ogle, county historian for the Shelby County Historical Commission, which preserves, educates and approves requests for historical markers.

The marker was unveiled in front of Royal Furniture at the corner of South Main and Gayoso, site of the former Black and White Store before it was renamed Shainberg’s, where Ernestine and Elaine were arrested.

“We’re here because we are indebted to the Lee sisters,” said the Rev. Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr., senior pastor of New Sardis Baptist Church and member of the Commission. “We’re here to pay a debt that we owe the Lee sisters.”

It was Gray and Markhum “Mark” L. Stansbury Sr., a WDIA luminary and fellow Commission member that set in motion the process to preserve the legacy of the Lee sisters after the death of Joan Lee Nelson last year in September.

“Tell the Lord thank you for the Lee sisters,” Stansbury told the intimate group of family and supporters that gathered around the marker to witness living history and the story of the sisters’ gallantry.

Vasco “Smitty” Smith III, son of the late civil rights activists Vasco and Maxine Smith, referenced the Lee sisters’ tenacity to stay the course despite the fact that some activists were injured or killed in their pursuit of justice and equality.

“This is one strong, brave group of women,” Smith said.  

Grace Meacham, a retired schoolteacher who attended the former LeMoyne College with Ernestine and likewise sat in with her at libraries and lunch counters, said the Lee sisters deserve recognition for their contribution to civil rights.

“It has taken 57 years for the sit-in movement to be recognized,” said Meacham.

There were accolades aplenty during the unveiling ceremony, including a reference to a 1965 Jet magazine article hailing the Lee sisters, and brothers, as the most arrested civil rights family in the United States.

“I was in high school at the time,” said Brenda Lee Turner, reflecting on her arrest record with three of her sisters at Peggy Jayne Lee’s law office a couple of days before the marker unveiling.

“We knew the risk we were taking,” said Brenda, adding: “We were excited about getting arrested.”

Peggy was around 12 years old when her older sisters were getting arrested for sitting in at department stores along Main Street. She couldn’t wait to follow their lead. Neither could Susan, the youngest sister.

“At night when they came in, they were like conquering heroes,” said Peggy. “We would be waiting on them so they could tell us what happened during the day.”

Ernestine, the oldest sister, was compelled to fight for justice, determined to end discrimination, and hell-bent on dismantling Jim Crow laws. She led the charge to desegregate lunch counters, libraries, stores and other facilities.

“It just wasn’t right,” said Ernestine, who lives in Los Angeles.

Elaine was arrested three times. “After Ernestine had been arrested for taking part in the first sit-in, we were just excited,” she said. “There was so much excitement in the Lee household.”

Getting up every day to picket, march or sit in was a “daily duty” the sisters took pride in. Elaine said their parents, the late Robert and Alversa Lee, encouraged their 14 children to stand up for justice.

They stood up and sat in, too, to call attention to the city’s unfair treatment of African Americans and the upheaval that had spread throughout the South across political and social spectrums.

“We brought attention to injustices,” said Brenda. “We made a difference and I’m glad that we got a chance to be a part of it.”

More than a decade after the civil rights movement, Elaine and Joan would continue to fight and educate people eager to learn about local African-American history. In 1983, they founded Heritage Tours.

“We have a civil rights tour,” said Elaine. “This [marker] will fit right into that type of tour, as groups come from all over the country. They come to learn the history of Memphis.”

And they will come to learn about the Lee sisters too.

'History makers' to be honored during New Sardis' African American history program

      Memphis is distinguished for its eclectic music, succulent barbeque and, of course, the “Ol’ Man River,” a familiar refrain put to music about the comings and goings of the Mississippi River.

      But Dr. Erma Clanton, a playwright, lyricist and former teacher, envisions Memphis as more than an attraction that beckons tourists; she sees the city as a hotbed of talented and creative individuals who often go unsung.

      “I feel that there are people in Memphis who’ve done some outstanding things and should be honored on the local level,” said Dr. Clanton, 92, who, for several decades now, brought to fruition many of the ideas that she’d envisioned while helping people to realize their potential.

      So after a 2003 interview with The History Makers, purportedly “the nation’s largest African American video oral history collection,” the idea of honoring Memphians prompted Dr. Clanton that year to create “The Living Legends Award” under the auspices of New Sardis Baptist Church at 7739 E. Holmes Rd.

The Memphis 13, part of an effort by the NAACP to desegregate
four all-white elementary schools in Memphis, were honored.

      “I got the idea from The History Makers after they honored me in Chicago,” said Dr. Clanton, a member of the church and director of its drama ministry.

      On Sunday, Feb. 22, the 2015 honorees will be fêted and bestowed the Memphis Living Legends award for their outstanding contributions during the church’s 11 a.m. African-American History Month program.

      “We will have trailblazers as well as living legends this year,” said Dr. Clanton. “There are outstanding young people who are trailblazers and not so much as living legends. I want to recognize the unsung heroes, people in the neighborhood, for example, who help other people.”

      Some of those trailblazers will be among the honorees, including The Memphis 13, a group of African-American first-graders mired in racial upheaval while integrating four all-white Memphis City Schools on Oct. 5, 1961 – Rozelle, Gordon, Bruce and Springdale elementary.

      Dwania Kyles, the daughter of the Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles, attended Bruce. So did Michael Willis, the son of the late civil rights attorney A.W. Willis. Willis, who was 5 years old then, now goes by the name Menelik Fombi.

      In 1961, there were 51,815 African-American students in MCS; and only 13 African Americans in desegregated schools, according to a documentary on the 13 that was executive-produced and co-written by Daniel Kiel. Kyles and Willis are perhaps two of the most familiar “history makers” among the group.

      Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr., New Sardis’ senior pastor and president of Memphis Rainbow PUSH Coalition, understands the significance of paying homage to the Memphis 13 and others who’ve blazed trails throughout history.

      “It’s tremendously important that we not allow our soldiers and trailblazers to even feel like they’re forgotten,” said Dr. Gray. “For the contributions they’ve made, we want to celebrate them.”

      Dr. Gray has extended an invitation to any of the antagonists who were hostile to the first-graders more than 50 years ago to come to the African-American history celebration for “a moment of reconciliation.”

      “This is a healing process,” he said. “Many of these people were psychologically injured, particularly these 13 students.”

      (For more information, call New Sardis Baptist Church at 901-754-3979.)