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Offie E. Clark excels on the field and in the classroom.

Though his stellar collegiate career unfolded after Black Wide-Awake’s coverage cut-off 0f 1950, Offie Elliott Clark was born in Wilson in 1932 and graduated from Darden High School in 1950. His remarkable three-sport achievements at Atlanta’s Clark College are worth remembering and celebrating.

Clark played basketball for the Panthers.

Atlanta Daily World, 29 January 1953.

And ran track.

Tampa Bay Times, 15 May 1953.

And was a honor-roll scholar.

Atlanta Daily World, 23 October 1953.

And on the gridiron, despite having played only one year of high school football, he was an all-conference quarterback, who also ran the ball, served as kicker, and was a safety on defense. (He also was a member of Clark College’s modern dance troupe.)

Atlanta Daily World, 12 November 1953.

Alabama Tribune, 4 December 1953.

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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 502 East Vance Street, fertilizer factory laborer William Clark, 37; wife Katie E., 37, laundress; and children Romaine, 16, Elaine, 14, Geraldine, 12, Arthur [Offie] E., 8, Addie E., 5, and William T., 2.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1300 Washington Street, William Clark, 47, mechanical helper in guano factory; wife Katie E., 47; and children Offie E., 18, Addie E., 15, and William T., 12; and grandson Milton Grady, 2.

The Trojan, the yearbook of C.H. Darden High School, 1950.

Offie Clark died 16 March 2006.

Atlanta Constitution, 21 March 2006.

Ferrell’s School entertains the superintendent.

Wilson Daily Times, 10 November 1933.

Ferrell’s School, near Black Creek, entertained county commissioners and the school superintendent and laid out a spread of barbecue, cole slaw, fried chicken, potato salad, pumpkin pie, and “cakes of every kind.”

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  • Ferrell’s School — see also here.
  • Dora Godwin — in the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 910 Wainwright Avenue, Robert Godwin, 29, odd jobs laborer; wife Dora, 23, public school teacher; and stepson [sic] Paul Helpler, 16.
  • Emily Wilson — in the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Wilson Emily (c) sch tchr r 711 E Green
  • Augustas Woodard — in the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Gus Woodard, 49; wife Lizzie, 38; and children Eva M., 20, Mamie, 19, Daisye, 18, Ruth, 14, Augustus, 16, Purrell, 15, and James, 8.

The obituary of James D. Barnes.

Wilson Daily Times, 26 March 1948.

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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: John A. Barnes, 65, garden worker; wife Sarah J., 71; son John A., Jr., 39, works at Hackney Bus Bodies; daughter-in-law Emma, 35; son Wade, 36; and grandchildren James D. Barnes, 17;  George, 15, Odell, 13, and Margaret McAllister, 10, and Inez Tart, 9.