One Man's Journey Clarence Lincoln Thomas Sr.

By Laverne C. Kenon, Betty T. Felder, Nancy M. Thomas and Clarence Lincoln Thomas Jr. DDS

People were on the move---more than six million over a period of 50 or 60 years. Four children, the oldest just 12 years old, were on a train heading north. They had what looked like a shoe box with them that probably held their food, and several small, rather old and worn looking suitcases. They were quiet, looking out the window, and occasionally glancing at each other as if to say, "what are we doing here?"

What was the reason for this journey? Where were they going? Where were their parents? How would this journey affect their lives---particularly the life of the older boy?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543454512

Laverne C. Kenon

LaVerne C. Kenon, an Educator and a National Paul Laurence Dunbar Scholar, hails from the glorious little town of Lake City, Florida. She spent four stimulating years at Hampton Institute, her “home by the sea,” after high school. Her extensive background as an Educator opened opportunities for her vigorous post-graduate study and specialized experiences from Chicago, Illinois, to Okinawa to Tokyo, Japan. As a National Paul Laurence Dunbar Scholar she applauds Dunbar’s forward thinking. He addressed the concept of America’s Negro migration in his fourth and last novel, The Sport Of The Gods, in 1902. His London edition of the same book was entitled, The Jest of Fate, also published in the year of 1902. LaVerne has retired from the Ohio Historical Society as Historical Site Manager and Steward of the Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial in Dayton, Ohio. Also, she now resides in Dayton, Ohio. This journey of Clarence Lincoln Thomas Sr. , reveals the migration of the Thomas family with focus on his personal journey which imparts: his challenges; his perseverance; and his accomplishments.

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Copyright © 2018 by LaVerne C. Kenon.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Print information available on the last page.

Rev. date: 10/24/2018

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Part One

The Toledo Years and Photographs

Part Two

The Dayton Years and Photographs

References

Afterword

Dedication

To those who labor

for the good of others

and

to those who support them.

This book is also dedicated to

Clarence and Hazel’s Grandchildren:

Gregory Gawain Felder

Aubyn Elaine Thomas

Kevin Lawrence Felder

Clarence Lincoln Thomas, III.

In memory of the love they shared.

Acknowledgements

Very Special Thanks To:

Mrs. Dolores Alston who kindly shared her experiences as a Central State University Intern at the Linden Community Center.

Dr. Jerry Rufus Cummings for so joyfully reflecting upon his many boyhood memories at the Linden Community Center.

Mr. Clay Dixon for describing and discussing his numerous associations with Mr. Thomas.

Ms. Donna Garrett for trusting us with the picture of her parents, Robert and Eva Garrett.

Mrs. Lilly McCutchen for lovingly revealing her many memories of life in the Linden Center neighborhood.

Mr. Jeremiah Stevens for his technical advice and constant support through the duration of this project.

Mrs. Lucretia Thomas for her invaluable help in providing information about the Thomas family.

Mrs. Marilyn Thomas for her ongoing support throughout this literary journey.

The late Mrs. Hazel Thomas for her foresight in collecting her husband’s papers.

Especially to our husbands, Frank Sci and James Felder, for lending their computer skills to this project and their unwavering patience in the face of many challenges.

HEARTFELT GRATITUDE GOES TO

ISABEL WILKERSON

FOR

ARTICULATING, DOCUMENTING AND STIMULATING INTEREST IN AMERICA’S GREATEST MIGRATION

THROUGH HER

PULITZER PRIZE WINNING BOOK, 1994

AND

DAYTON’S 2011 LITERARY PEACE PRIZE

THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS

Foreword

In this tribute to Clarence Lincoln Thomas, the fourth child of Sol and Agnes Thomas, it is fitting that the perspective of his family be included, for it was within his family that his core values were articulated, developed and cemented. Those values were instilled by his parents who did not have a formal education. It is appropriate, too, that the living children of Clarence Thomas salute the achievements of their father with their realization of the difficulties he likely encountered while achieving his many goals to help others in his community.

Preface

The Great American Migration

(1910-1970)

Changed the face of America as millions of Negro families

journeyed to the North, to the Midwest, and the West

seeking a better life for themselves

and their descendents. Some found the opportunities

they were looking for. Others were disappointed

in their search for a brighter future.

The Sol and Agnes Thomas family were among the

fortunate ones. Their ten children led varied and

productive lives that benefited their communities in a

multitude of ways. Education, perseverance

and

family solidarity were the keys to their success.

MS_Page_022.jpg

Sol and Agnes Brown Thomas

MS_Page_023.jpg

Introduction

Clarence had been settled in his seat for a while now. This was his first train ride! He looked around and saw that his sisters and younger brother were seated quietly. He wondered if they were feeling as he did; a little unsure about the future and just what it would bring. A few hours ago they had been living in the small farming community of Funston, near the town of Moultrie, Georgia.

Now as he watched the landscape of the South passing before his eyes, Clarence realized the magnitude of the change they were making. His family of ten – mother, father and eight children were drastically re-ordering the course of their lives. Little did he understand that they were part of the Great Migration of more than six million Negroes moving from the rural South to the urban North, North East and West that occurred between 1910 and early 1970.

His father was already in Toledo, Ohio, after first venturing to Cleveland. He had left Georgia some time ago under difficult circumstances.

Part One

Toledo Years and Photographs

As young Clarence sat on the train looking out of the window leaving Funston, Georgia, his thoughts began scattering.