Susie H. Weaver Collection, 1950-1961

Collection Number: 05951

Collection Title: Susie H. Weaver Collection, 1950-1961

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.

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Size	2.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 1000 items)
Abstract	Susie H. Weaver and her husband Bynum owned three businesses in the area from the 1950s-1970s, including Weaver's Grocery and the Chapel Hill Funeral Home and Ambulance Service, the only African American funeral home in Chapel Hill, N.C. Susie also directed the Weaver Gospel Singers, which toured to churches, prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes, and had a weekly Sunday program on the Durham, N.C. radio station WSRC. This collection includes images chiefly depicting African American funerals and other African American community gatherings photographed by Susie H. Weaver. Among the community gatherings are a few photographs of debutante socials. The majority of the images range from circa 1957-June 1961, with a few dating earlier in the 1950s. The collection also includes a vinyl record of "Freedom in Chapel Hill" and "Your Smiling Face" by Susie H. Weaver.
Creator	Weaver, Susie H.
Curatorial Unit	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.
Language	English

Expand/collapse Information For Users

Restrictions to Access: No restrictions. Open for research.

Restrictions to Use: No usage restrictions.

Copyright Notice: Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], in the Susie H. Weaver Photographs #05951, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Acquisitions Information: Acquired by Southern Historical Collection from Wanda Weaver in August 2017.

Sensitive Materials Statement: Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.

Expand/collapse Processing Information

Processed by: Jennifer Overstreet and Rebecca Stubbs, December 2017

Encoded by: Jennifer Overstreet and Rebecca Stubbs, December 2017

Container list updated by: Dawne Howard Lucas, July 2020; Anne Wells, June 2021

Expand/collapse Subject Headings

The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.

Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.

Expand/collapse Related Collections

Oral History Interview with Nate Davis, Interview K-0538 (#4007); Southern Oral History Program Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Expand/collapse Biographical Information

Susie H. Weaver and her husband, Bynum, of Chapel Hill, N.C., owned three businesses in the area from the 1950s-1970s. One of these was the Chapel Hill Funeral Home and Ambulance Service, the only African American funeral home in Chapel Hill. The funeral home was owned and operated by Bynum, a licensed funeral director, with Susie acting as the assistant director. As a beautician, she was also the funeral home's main hairstylist. Susie was an ordained minister and singer, and was asked to perform as a soloist at many of the funerals. The building still stands and is currently known as the Knotts Funeral Home.

Susie directed the Weaver Gospel Singers, which toured to churches, prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes, and had a weekly Sunday program on the Durham, N.C. radio station WSRC. As an activist, Susie was a leader in the civil rights movement in Chapel Hill. She produced her own civil rights song, "Freedom in Chapel Hill," which was later pressed into a vinyl record by JCP Records out of Raleigh. Susie often volunteered at the North Carolina Memorial Hospital, offering non-medical care to patients. She passed away in 1984. Both Susie and Bynum were inducted into the Chapel Hill-Carborro Business Hall of Fame in 2014.

Expand/collapse Scope and Content

This collection includes images chiefly depicting African American funerals and other African American community gatherings photographed by Susie H. Weaver taken in and around Chapel Hill, N.C. Among the community gatherings are a few photographs of debutante socials. Most of the original slide boxes have handwritten notes or family names but contain little descriptive information pertaining to the date, location, event, etc. The majority of the images range from circa 1957-June 1961, with a few dating earlier in the 1950s. The collection also includes a vinyl record of "Freedom in Chapel Hill" and "Your Smiling Face" by Susie H. Weaver. JCP Recording Company released the recording, which was recorded live at the First Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Contents list

Expand/collapse Susie H. Weaver Photograph Collection, circa 1950s-1961.

Approximately 1000 items

Chronological

Images chiefly depict African American funerals and other African American community gatherings in and around Chapel hill, N.C. Among the community gatherings are a few photographs of debutante socials. The majority of the images range from circa 1957-June 1961, with a few dating earlier in the 1950s. The collection also includes a vinyl record of "Freedom in Chapel Hill" and "Your Smiling Face" by Susie H. Weaver.

Processing Note: Image titles were derived from original slide boxes and contents of images. Descriptions from original enclosures are included in the notes.

Audiodisc 45rpm-5951/1	Sister Susie H. Weaver, "Your Smiling Face", "Freedom in Chapel Hill" 45-rpm record JCP Recording Company, recorded live at First Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, N.C., N.C.A.R.
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/01	Vacation photographs, May-June 1956 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 10 images Original enclosure read: "home and family groups, Home pictures, Mary Blair, P.K Michey Kev- packing for trip to Europe, Portias garden." The box indicates "Mrs. J. L. Sutton cenry's given me" (possibly a misspelling of scenery)
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/02	Vacation photographs, May-June 1956 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 25 images Original enclosure read: "home and family groups, Home pictures, Mary Blair, P.K Michey Kev- packing for trip to Europe, Portias garden." The box indicates "Mrs. J. L. Sutton cenry's given me" (possibly a misspelling of scenery)
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/03	Debutante cotillion ball, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 14 images Original enclosure read: "Betsy D Stone (?) & her sis Ella & group (?), Fench (illegible) Mitchel"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/04	Craig & Stepson, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 27 images Images depict what appears to be a family trip
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/05	First Baptist St. Paul, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted), Black and White 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 18 images Box contains a range of slides, several of which either say "black out" or "dark"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/06	Lane Funeral Home, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 4 images Slides are numbered 1-4 in pencil and labeled "Rhods". Original enclosure read: "Funerals, Burnett, Mrs. Margrett, Mr. Clarnne (?)"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/07	Chapel Hill, N.C., Funeral Directors, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 11 images Original enclosure read: "Funerals, Burnett, Mrs. Margrett, Mr. Clarnne (?)"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/08	Funeral, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 11 images Original enclosure read: "Funerals, Burnett, Mrs. Margrett, Mr. Clarnne (?)"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/09	Funeral, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 3 images Original enclosure read: "Funerals, Burnett, Mrs. Margrett, Mr. Clarnne (?)"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/10	Funerals, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 30 images Slides are from approximately 3 or 4 different funerals. Original enclosure read: "Funerals, George Booth, Mr. Molphers (?),
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/11	Funerals and group meeting, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 26 images Original enclosure read: "at A & T meeting, Edna Barbee Funeral, Friendly Circle at (illegible), Lena Edward & Baby".
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/12	Funerals, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 13 images Original enclosure read: "Betsy D Stone (?) & her sis Ella & group (?), Fench (illegible) Mitchel"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/13	Water scenery, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 27 images Customer name on original label reads "Mrs. J L Sutters"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/14	Street scenes, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 25 images Original enclosure read: "Peach Farm, Melvin Family, Mollies, Pap Parker, Nelas (?) F"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/15	Street scenes, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 36 images Original enclosure read: "Calif., Wash., C. Hill, By Mom". Slide holders within box read: "Emma & Mother, Carroll & Baby" and "Washington & Chapel Hill"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/16	Group photographs, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 4 images Original enclosure read: "Planterns (?), Martin L King (Images do not appear to include Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., 1929-2968) , Rev Larkins"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/17	Funerals, circa 1957 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 23 images Original enclosure read: "Nello's (?) Funeral, Pap Parker"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/18	Funeral, March 1958 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 25 images Original enclosure read: "Funeral Mr Hemart (?) Miss Partin"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/19	Street scenes, circa 1957-June 1958 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 10 images Original enclosure read: "Nello's (?) Funeral, Pap Parker"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/20	Children, June 1958 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 5 images Original enclosure read: "the Clarks (?), little of Brides Contest"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/21	Debutante & Brides Contest, June 1958 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 11 images Original enclosure read: "the Clarks (?), little of Brides Contest"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/22	Family photos, June 1958 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 29 images Original enclosure read: "Robert's mom & dad, Fannie (?) Davis Sue Fight"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/23	Funeral and group pictures, June 1958-July 1958 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 13 images Original enclosure read: "Webbs truck, Pepsi cola man, Mrs. Jack Davis Funeral".
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/24	Funeral and birthday party, August 1958 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 35 images Original enclosure read: "Easter (?) stars, Fredies Party, Mollie Bell"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/25	Funeral and home, August 1958 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 31 images Original enclosure read: "Funeral McClinton Greensboro Sis Saddie Horton Pittsboro, Circle Picnic Snips Farm"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/26	Funeral, September 1958 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 32 images Original enclosure read: "Peach Farm, Mrs Booth Funeral, Buddy Boys, Gillsmore (?)"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/27	Christmas party, February 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 17 images Original enclosure read: "Sis Etta, March 12, Christmas Party 58 at Bumps"
Image Box 1 Image Folder PF-5951/28	Funeral, February 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 13 images Original enclosure read: "Sis Etta, March 12, Christmas Party 58 at Bumps"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/29	Mr Luther Edwards funeral, March 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 14 images Original enclosure read: "Mr Luther Edwards F, Mrs Durhart's (?) Home"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/30	Mrs Durhart's (?) home, March 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 7 images Original enclosure read: "Mr Luther Edwards F, Mrs Durhart's (?) Home"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/31	Funeral, May 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 19 images Original enclosure read: "Rev Swain F"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/32	Funerals, July 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 38 images Original enclosure read: "Bunch 1 Jones, Fancyville"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/33	Funerals, July 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 34 images Original enclosure read: "Lompley (?) Margrett, the Devel (?)"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/34	Children's graduation, July 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 18 images No descriptions on original enclosure.
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/35	Funerals, August 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 16 images No descriptions on original enclosure. Includes one image from circa 1957 that may belong to a different box
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/36	Funeral, September 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 22 images Original enclosure read: "Lilift Hargrove Sr, Sis G.S. Doug South Carolina"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/37	Debutantes, September 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 11 images Original enclosure read: "Lilift Hargrove Sr, Sis G.S. Doug South Carolina"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/38	Funeral, September 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 30 images Original enclosure read: "Bittomore (?) Home 4 BD (?) Party"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/39	Funeral, December 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 20 images No descriptions on original enclosure.
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/40	Funerals, December 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 17 images Original enclosure read: "Swain and Joe Funerals"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/41	Family photographs, December 1959 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 12 images Original enclosure read: "Rev & Mrs C Strond (?), Clime Time, Some snips Family"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/42	Miscellaneous slides, circa 1950s Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 11 images Loose slides that may belong to various boxes
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/43	Home life, circa 1950s Black-and-White 35mm Roll Film 20 images No descriptions on original enclosure. Images are on one continuous roll of film.
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/44	Funerals and Christmas, circa 1950s Black-and-White 35mm Roll Film 22 images No descriptions on original enclosure. Images are on one continuous roll of film.
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/45	Dinner for the Blind, February 1960 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 7 images Original enclosure read: "Blind School Dinner"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/46	Funerals, circa 1957-June 1960 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 31 images Original enclosure read: "Funerals Mama Jacky Perry an". Box contains slides from c. 1957, April 1960, and June 1960. Slides from c. 1957 are titled "Carl Farrors (?) Funeral"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/47	Funeral and group photographs, February 1959-June 1960 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 18 images No descriptions on original enclosure. Majority of slides are from July 1959. Other slides may belong to different boxes.
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/48	Graduation and buildings, June 1960 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 16 images Original enclosure read: "Planterns (?), Martin L King, Rev Larkins"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/49	Children's Graduation and scenery, August 1960 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 19 images Original enclosure read: "event at Hargroves"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/50	Funeral, August 1960 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 12 images Original enclosure read: "event at Hargroves"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/51	Miscellaneous slides, circa 1957-1961 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 37 images Original enclosure read: "Meeting (?) at Lolie Merrit (?) Durharts (?), Rachel Arlena in Kinston, Johnnie & Sue in Bel (?), Mrs Annie Burnett, some children". Inner enclosure read: "Kinston trip, J & S, Lars (?) children, Durharts (?)". Includes funeral images. 2 images have small punctures.
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/52	Family photographs, June 1961 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 14 images Original enclosure read: "Kokomo and Nick from Hotel and around hotel Hilton Hono(?)"
Image Box 2 Image Folder PF-5951/53	Funeral, June 1961 Color 35mm Slide Film (Mounted) 18 images Original enclosure read: "Kokomo and Nick from Hotel and around hotel Hilton Hono(?)"

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Audiodisc (45-5951/1)

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Collection Number: 05951 Collection Title: Susie H. Weaver Collection, 1950-1961