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Willie Stratford Finds - _ Tailor Made Attire Unnecessary By Deborah Gates Post Staff Writer He even wanted creases in his overalls back when "jeans’’ weren't popular No wonder Willie J. Stratford, manager of the West Trade Street station Post Office and public information officer of the U.S. Postal Service of Charlotte became one of The Charlotte Post’s 10 best dress ed men. The son of Rosie Stratford, with a son Willie Jr. and daughter Pi Denise, Willie said “I don’t want anybody to give me ties,” adding, "they don’t buy what I want.” Willie grew up in Charlotte where he graduated from Se cond Ward High School and Johnson C. Smith University earning a degree in History and Social Science. "There weren’t to many jobs for blacks except to preach and teach," he said for his reason going to Washington, D.C. and ,, Massachusetts to work in the railway will service and as a milling machine operator, re spectively, in his young adult hood. Back in Charlotte in 1952, Willie said he became the first black to work in the transfer office of the U.S. Postal Ser vice at the old Southern Sta tion. If the saying “clothes maketh the man” holds water then maybe the root to Willie's success* came from the dam pened eyes of his employers. Willie said he buys his clo thes from Belk, Harris Hart, Ivey’s, Tate Brown, or “any where I see something I like,” he said. Not so ordinary about his shoes, Willie likes them Ita lian made. “I’m not caught up in brand or store names but I like foreign made shoes,” Wil lie said. Wearing a 39 regular at 5 feet 7V4 inches and weighing 153 pounds, Willie feels his unique size allows him to buy clothes “off the rack,” finding tailor made attire unnecessa ry. "A lot of times I’ve been asked to model but had other committments,” he ad ded. Willie revealed hi« favorite WILLIE STRATFORD ...Clothes maketh the man colors as being blue and brown. He said his outfits are business orientated, allowing for casual attire depending on the occasion. "A lot of times you may see me in pin stri pes," he said. Free time activities for Wil lie include writing poetry and short stories. He is a member of-get ready-executive board of the Boy Scouts of America, Charlotte Mecklenburg Hu man Relations Committee, U nited Christian Ministry's In corporated, National Confe rence of Christian Jews, Sun day School teacher at Asen sion Lutheran Church, Society of Wing Haven Foundation, Friends of UNCC, Good Fel lows Club, Black Political Caucus, board of directors of Youth Homes, Inc., board of directors of Echo Advisory Board, Charlotte Public Socie ty, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Mental Health As sociation of Mecklenburg County, board of directors of Central Charlotte Association, board of directors of Charlotte Council on Alcoholism, Alum ni Association of Johnson C. Smith University, Metrolina Native America Association, Political Black Leadership Caucus and executive board of directors of Charlotte Little Theatre. Willie said his business clo thes are conservative, but on Saturday he can be caught in shorts or of course, blue jeans. "I put a lot of money in clothes,” Willie admitted and added, "I’m a compulsive buyer.” What the heck, "eve rybody’s got their own thing,” Willie confessed. Another one of Willie’s things is dating his mother and grandmother whom he says he loves very much. If you want to step out like Willie J. Stratford, in a pin stripped suit and Italian shoes, step into one of his favorite stores and get an offer you can’t refuse. Kev. Norman Kerry Wouldn’t Be Caught With A Hand Bag By Deborah Gates Post Staff Writer “I don’t consider myself a student of dressing," Rev. Norman E. Kerry said. How ever, someone does, tor he has been chosen as one of The Charlotte Post's 10 Best Dres sed Men. The Pastor of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, 1243 West Boulevard, Rev. Kerry is mar ried to Ms. Willie Jean Kerry, and has one son, Norman Jr. If you don’t know who this best dressed fellow is, you best be sure he isn’t the one wear ing the pocketless trousers ' carrying the clutch bag. “I’ll never be caught with a hand bag," Rev. Kerry said of the new fad in Europe that has caught on in the U.S. fjt He shops all over, from Tate • Brown to Belk and Ivey’s, “wherever there's a bargin," he said. Wearing a 46 long, Rev. Kerry revealed that the sales don’t always be to his advantage "because of my size." Rev. Kerry said he is a Texan by birth. Born in Den ton, Texas, he has been in Charlotte for 13 years. Graduating from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, where he received a B.A. degree in Religion, Rev. Ker ry also attended Shaw University in Raleigh and Southwestern Theological Se minary in Fort Worth, Texas. Practicing ministry in Bel mont, N.C. for 2*/» years. Rev. Kerry said he came to Char lotte "because a church be came vacant so they asked me to serve.” “Belmont was a small town and I wanted a challenge," he added A conventional dresser, I Rev. Norman E. Kerry . ...Keeps up with styles Rev. Kerry said he likes to keep up with the styles just as long as they aren’t too way out. Brown being his favorite color, Rev. Kerry tries to wear a variety of colors, wearing basic suits that complement many occasions. Revealing that his wife likes to buy nice things, he said, "she encourages me to buy more," and admitted, “some times she helps me pick out clothes." Considering himself a stingy man, Rev. Kerry said his wife wishes that he buy more. "I seiect, ne said, and conclud ed, "I’m picky.” Rev. Kerry said when he came to Mt. Sinai, a reported 300 members turned out to be 100 or less. He confessed that the situation frustrated him but he said "I rolled up my sleeve and started working ” According to Rev Kerry, re novating the church gave the congregation a sense of pride, and since their moving into a new facility, the congre galion has reached a total of 900 members. Kev. Kerry said that people today are con stantly talking about churches going down, but he said he would like the reading audi ence to know that his church takes in new members almost every Sunday. "The persona lity of the minister helps make decisions of the congrega tion,” Rev. Kerry said. Rev. Kerry said his church is a friendly one, with a bit of old-fashionism drawn in. ‘‘People feel like they are at home,” Rev. Kerry said. He also revealed being an "old car buff.” The restora tion of an old ‘56 Lincoln is his collector's item. He is also a sports fan, who enjoys basket ball, football and baseball. Rev. Kerry is a member ol the NAACP, Baptist Ministers Conference, the Baptist State Conference of North Carolina, Black Ministers Fellowship and the National Baptist Con ference of America, Inc. Rev. Kerry said he most admires his father, who was also a Baptist minister. "He was an outstanding preacher, who dedicated his life to help ing men and women,” Rev. Kerry said. At 6 ft. l>/» in. and 215 pounds, Rev. Kerry wears ties to accentuate his suits. He buys shoes "wherever I can find them." Very fond of hats and caps. Rev. Kerry usually wears hats on Sunday. "I wear caps weekly," he said. So if you still don't know who this best dressed man is, in this age of the afro, he'll be the one NOT wearing the pocket less trousers, but wearing a hat WITHOUT the clutch MERCHANTS WHO ADVERTISE IN THE POST ARE TELLING YOU THEY APPRE CIATE YOUR BUSINESS! PATRONIZE THEM! I Retirement Party Held For Mrs. Booton A retirement party was held Friday. June 24 in the lobby of Mechanics and Farmers Bank main branch to honor Mrs. Laura M. Booton, former bank secretary and present admi nistrative assistant The w ife of Ray Booton of 1722 Van Buren Avenue. Mrs Booton has been employed at Mechancis and Farmers since 1962 and as administrative assistant since early this year According to Sandra Heart - ley, assistant cashier at the main office, "a tribute recall ing her past with the bank" was made to Mrs. Booton by A.E. Spears, senior vice pre sident and chairman of the local board of managers Out of town guests who r attended the party included John H Wheeler, president of Mechanics and Farmers. J B Anglin Jr . bank comptroller and Helen Chavious. note tell er all from the Durham of fice. Other party attenders were members of the Charlotte Board of Managers and their wives and officers and staff members of the three offices in Charlotte. Ms. Heartley said that Mrs Boolon was one of those who picked the site of the main office of Mechanics and Far mers bank. Mail your social news to Editor. Charlotte Post. Post Office Box 97. Charlotte. N.C —1 ' I 4 Ply Poly White Walls A78-13 22.95 F78-14 26.95 G78-14 29.95 G78-15 29.95 H78-15 31.95 Plu* F.E.T. 2.40 to 2.83 FRF£ Mounting Balancing TIRE $4Viy(;<> Inc. 596-1 724 Remember - Go To Church Sunday --1 r ree Estimates - Terms Charlotte Remodeling Company General Contractors Job s Of Any Size 332-8414 Or 892-8609 W. A. Ford 430 W. Morehead St. I lm J-gJJ L11.w_1^2JJ^JJJXl1 11U m-r> I n s j r> LH n tO } 1 v';', ^ ‘vf -.- HPH H H|^^gH . HMH liill ^^^HMIBiP^BillB4HH!HBHflBMBiviBHIHHABaBBB^Ell^^ issl. ^BBBBI^^BBB^B^^^B Warning The Surgeon General Hae Dererrirprl T ' r , ir ■ nrg ; , ,, , • 'M. .e ;.. -.' Jv:‘./ ^ • \/ - *'V *” r*, * ‘"'';**■ -t .'\!’ .’ . „ \^>J ‘\V“ ^ V LIGHTS II mg tar" 0 8 mg meow* av per cigarette FTC RepoH OEC 76 LIGHT 100 $ 12 mg tar". 0.9 mg. MOW* ar per cigarette by FTC method. _ _ ✓
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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June 30, 1977, edition 1
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