Clark Samuel Brown was born on this day in 1911, in Roanoke, Virginia, and he was educated in New York.
He came to Winston-Salem in the early 1930s, and worked for the Fraternal Funeral Home and eventually purchased the business.
Brown’s Funeral Directors, named for the new owner, was located at Seventh and Chestnut Street.
Clark’s father and his twin brother, Perry J. Brown, were also in the funeral business.
Clark married Macie E. Brown (her maiden name), a native of Winston-Salem.
Clark was known for his many “firsts,” such as being the first African-American to: be a member of the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, to serve on the board of the local chapter of the American Red Cross, to serve on the Civil Defense Advisory Council, to serve on the city recreation commission, and to serve on the state ABC board.
Clark passed away in 2001.
Today, the business is Clark S. Brown and Sons Funeral Home and is located at 727 N. Patterson Avenue.
Photo courtesy of Molly Grogan Rawls.
