Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

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Preferred Citation

Clark Family Papers, Accession #10396-B , Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Clark Family Papers were placed on loan in the Library by Ervin and Lorraine Jordan of Charlottesville, Virginia, on April 13, 1993.

Biographical/Historical Information

Mary C. Stanley was born on January 11, 1901 to Barley and Alberta ("Bertie") Clark (her siblings included George, William, Gertrude and Violet), and was educated in Charlottesville public schools. She moved to Waterbury, Connecticut, and resided there until 1948. She returned to Charlottesville and operated a beauty shop at her home on 319 10 and a half Street, N. W., Charlottesville, circa 1950-1988. She was married to Hubert Stanley, and appears in miscellaneous published sources and documents as Mary E. Clark; Mary E. Cooper; Mary J. Williams; Mary E. Williams; Mary E. Stanley; and Mary C. Stanley. In various city directories she is listed as: 1950 Mary J. Williams, operator of Apex Beauty Shop 1951-52 Mary E. Williams 1953 Mrs. Mary Williams 1955 Mrs. Mary Williams beauty shop 1957 Mrs. Mary E. Williams beauty shop 1961 Mrs. Mary W. Stanley beauty shop & Hubert Stanley 1972 Mrs. Mary W. Stanley beauty shop 1988 Mary C. Stanley beauty shop 1989 George Clark (brother), retired Her mother, Bertie Clark, is listed at same address, 1931-1954, as a laundress and widow of Barley Clark.

Mary was a member of Zion Union Baptist Church and served on its Usher Board, Deaconess Board, and Flower Committee. She was a Past Daughter Ruler of the Elks, Blue Ridge Temple #67 [Daughters of the Improved, Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of The World]; a member the Seamstress Arts and Crafts Club, Charlottesville, and the Democratic Party for which she frequently volunteered as a city poll worker. Mary died on April 17, 1991 at a Charlottesville nursing home after an extended illness and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery

Items pertaining to Mary C. Stanley include a January 2, 1931 diploma from the Simplex College of Beauty and Culture and Hairdressing [signed by Rosamond Stewart and mentions an instructor named Mme. M. Mitnaul or Mitraul] awarded to Mary E. Cooper, perhaps one of the first diplomas awarded by this school (a typescript of this document is appended to this guide); a March 17, 1985 illustrated program, Anniversary Service Celebrating the 90th Year of the Zion Union Baptist Church/Preston Avenue/Charlottesville, Virginia, containing a brief history of this Charlottesville black church (founded in March 1865), with photographs of and advertisements by contemporary African-American individuals and organizations; and a funeral program, "Service of Triumph for Mary C. Stanley."

Other items pertain to her Elks activities: a 1925 bronze badge, "26th Annual Convention/I. B. O. E. of W." [Improved, Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of The World]. The I.B.O. W.'s the Grand Lodge Session was held in Richmond, Virginia, at the Rayo Theater, August 25-29, 1925. Also present is a 1957 Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand and Subordinate Temples/Grand Temple/Daughters of I. B. O. E. of The World [cover bearing as inscription "Dt. Mary C. Stanley/Blue Ridge Temple"; and the 1975 program for the Virginia State Association I. B. O. E. of W., 52nd Annual Session, May 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 1975, Headquarters Daughters/Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge/13th and West Main Streets; Headquarters Brothers/Rivanna Lodge #195/115 2nd St., N. W./Charlottesville, Virginia"--Mary Stanley is listed on page two as co- member of the Housing Committee and on the Patron List (her name is misspelled).

George Albert Clark was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, on June 15, 1910, to Bartholomew and Alberta Perkins Clark, and attended county schools. He lived and worked as a chauffeur in New Rochelle, New York, where he meet and married Anna Clark, who predeceased him shortly after World War II. George spent his winters in Florida and briefly resided in Aberdeen, Maryland. During World War II he served in the United States Army. Several years later, as his health began to fail, he returned to Charlottesville (the 1989 city directory describes him as retired and residing at his sister's home on 319 10.5 Street) and cared for his sister Mary until her death in 1991. For many years he was employed by Eljo's (a Charlottesville clothier) as a parking lot attendant. He was a member of Zion Union Baptist Church and died on December 28, 1992.

George's items pertain to his military service. Among these is a May 1945 V-Mail letter from fellow Private Thomas Burns, Seine, France, describing his (Burns's) visit to Rouen while on leave and his good times with members of the Women's Auxiliary Corps (WAC); a typescript is appended to this guide. Also present is an incomplete copy of the November 9, 1945 issue of "The Bell News" consisting of page 4 of a mimeographed sheet of a transport ship for returning American soldiers en route to New York; it describes world and ship's news.

The majority of his military items consists of army decorations and insignia, including two metal dog tags on a chain: "George Clark/32864457 T43 44/A/P" and "George Clark/32864457/T434/A/Mrs. A Clark/21 Morris St/New Rochelle NY/P." There is a row of three U. S. Army ribbons (in order of precedence): Good Conduct Ribbon--red ribbon of alternating red/white bars; American Campaign Ribbon--ribbon of light blue, white, black, red [faded orange], white, light blue, dark blue, white, red [faded orange], light blue, white, red [faded orange], black, white, light blue; blue indicating the Americas, black and white, Germany; red and white, Japan; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon--with Arrowhead (indicating participation in an initial assault landing) and three bronze stars, indicating participation in three campaigns or operations; ribbon of brown, green, white, red, green, dark blue, white, red, green, white, black, white, brown; green indicates Europe; green, white, and red, Italy; black and white, Germany; brown, Africa.

Collar pins, shoulder and sleeve patches include: a gold-color eagle with wings jutting beyond circle--Present War Service button (all armed forces), indicates wearer was discharged from armed forces subsequent to September 8, 1939 or was a member of same as of July 23, 1943; gold-color eagle with wings jutting beyond circle; same design as above, superimposed on a green shoulder patch (Present War Service?); two double- white chevrons above "T" (Technician Fifth Grade); five gold War Service bars on a green patch (worn on left sleeve)--one for each 6 month's overseas service indicating 30 months [2 and a half years]; gold-color collar button depicting a castle (Corps of Engineers); gold-color collar button depicting a ship's steering wheel, a shield and a winged wheel (Transportation Corps); "U. S." gold-color collar button (worn by enlisted personnel); Army Qualification badge, silver and blue enamel with flintlock and wreath (Combat Infantryman Badge); black "A" on green patch (First Army); and, a golden eagle gripping a submachine gun superimposed over an anchor against a blue field (Army Personnel Assigned to Amphibian Units, signifies collaboration of air, sea, and ground forces in amphibious warfare). His funeral program, "Homecoming Celebration for George Albert Clark," is also present.

There are three miscellaneous items, two of which it is unclear as to whom they belonged: a ca. 1959 souvenir china plate ["photograph plate"], "Future Home For The Needy--Richmond, Virginia/Purchased by Virginia State Baptist Deacon's Convention and Women's Auxiliary, Inc." (design mark "Taylor SMITH Taylor/U.S.A./858/Fotoware/Preston-Hopkinson Co./Appomattox, Virginia"). The building depicted is the Baptist Home For The Needy, 2000 Lakeview Avenue, Richmond, Virginia.

The second miscellaneous item is a May 3, 1985 program "A Night To Remember": Alpha Kappa Alpha Debutante Ball, Charlottesville Hilton; sponsored by the Eta Phi Omega chapter (Charlottesville-University of Virginia). It is illustrated with photographs and biographical sketches of the debutantes; includes patrons lists, acknowledgements and congratulations of African-American organizations including various black University of Virginia faculty and administrators.

The final miscellaneous item is a February 1993 advertisement by The Settlers announcing the sale of "the personal property of the late Mary Stanley and her brother George Clark."

Scope and Content Information

This collection consists of 26 items, 1925-1993, papers and miscellaneous related materials pertaining to the civic, social, and professional activities of two members of a Charlottesville, Virginia, African- American family: Mary C. Stanley (1901-1991), a beautician, and her brother, George Albert Clark (1910-1992), a World War II veteran. Items include Mary's beautician diploma and relevant materials regarding her membership in Blue Ridge Temple #67 [Daughters of the Improved, Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of The World]; George's military ribbons, insignia, and a letter to him from a fellow soldier while stationed in France, May 1945; and, a photographic china plate: "Future Home For The Needy--Richmond, Virginia."