Collection (1945-circa 1980s, undated) of clippings, photographs, Christmas cards, World War II ration books, relating to the Parker family, "Pitch a Boogie Woogie" a film with an all-black cast, the Corner Stone Baptist Church, and Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church of Greenville, North Carolina.
The Lester and Mary Parker and their daughter Agnes were an African American family who resided in Pitt County during the World War II period (earliest known) until their deaths. Agnes Parker died on July 12, 2003, at the age of 73 and is buried at Homestead Cemetery in Pitt County, N.C. Janice L. Rice found the materials in their home at 1226 Davenport Street in Greenville, N.C., and later donated them. Rice worked for Joyner Library before retiring circa 2007.
Sources: Raleigh, N.C., News & Observer newspaper for July 15, 2003. Cemetery Survey of Pitt County, North Carolina by William "Bill" B. Kittrell. 1940 U.S. Census for Greenville, N.C.
The collection consists of one photograph with Agnes Parker surrounded by other unidentified people and several Christmas cards featuring images of who are assumed to be family friends. The collection also contains two World War II-era ration books which belonged to Lester and Agnes Parker. Also included is a newspaper clipping that describes a 1985 re-showing in Greenville, N.C. of "Pitch a Boogie Woogie". The film, described as a "lively Jazz Review," was produced in Greenville during 1947, and featured an all-African American cast. The collection also contains a small number of artifacts. These consist of an undated eagle-themed, metal belt buckle and matching key chain and two decorative ceramic plates. The plates feature ca. 1950s images of Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church and Cornerstone Baptist Church located in Greenville, N.C.
Gift of Janice L. Rice
Encoded by Lindsay Flood, April 1, 2008
Processed by Christopher Early April 2007
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.