Clarence Everett Lightner was born in Raleigh, North Carolina back in 1921 to Calvin and Mammie. He attended public schools in Raleigh. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in North Carolina Central College where he was the quarterback and joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, graduating in 1941.
After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving four years. After being discharged, he enrolled in the Echols College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1959 following his brother’s death, is father game him charge of the funeral home. He later served as president of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association and chaired the National Life Membership Foundation of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. In 1973 he announced his candidacy for the office of Mayor or Raleigh. The election was the first contest in which the mayor was elected instead of being selected by the city council.
Needless to say, Clarence won making him the first African American elected a mayor of a most-white major Southern city in the United States.
NW Arkansas, come for a visit, stay for a lifetime.
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