From Anson County NC History

Dr. Clarence Sherman Massey was Anson County's fourth African American Doctor, His medical practice in the Wadesboro area began in 1929 & ended with his untimely passing in 1947.

Anson County's fourth African American Doctor -- Dr. Clarence Sherman Massey was born June 22, 1899 in Monroe NC. He attended Shaw University in Raleigh NC & Howard University in Washington D.C. where he received his medical degree in 1926. He practiced medicine in Monroe NC for 2 years & in 1929 moved to Wadesboro & continued with his medical profession for 18 years.

He died on October 15, 1947 after being sick for over 2 weeks, following a heart attack. He was 48 years old. He was survived by his wife & daughter. Dr. Massey was buried at Old Westview Cemetery off of Salisbury Street in Wadesboro.

After searching for his photo for over one week, but preparing myself for defeat, a discovery was made. Photo of Dr. Clarence Sherman Massey at his graduation in 1926 from Howard University, where he received his medical degree. Copied from his granddaughter, Marie Suzanne Turner McCleave's Facebook photos, which she originally posted on October 30, 2024 on the History of Anson County Facebook Group.

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From Find A Grave - submitted by Patricia Poland

Born 21 Jun 1899 in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina
Died 15 Oct 1947 (aged 48) in Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina,


Clarence, son of Dr. John S. & Katie Massey, was born in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina. His middle name is confirmed on both his WWI draft registration (Monroe, NC) and his WWII registration (Wadesboro, NC).

He graduated from Howard University in 1925.

His first wife was Birdie Blondell Edwards (born in SC) who died Sept. 13, 1929 in Monroe, NC (at the "Massey Hospital" with the attending physician being Dr. G. M. Smith). No record of marriage, but her death certificate records her spouse as "C.S.Massey," he is also the informant and lists their residence in Wadesboro, NC. She is buried in the "Methodist Cemetery," the original burying grounds now part of Hillcrest City Cemetery.

He is seen as a widower on the 1930 Anson County, NC, census. Shortly after this census he would marry Susie W. (maiden name unknown at this time and no record of marriage). They would have one daughter, Mary (seen on the 1940 Anson County census).

Clarence had a private medical practice in Wadesboro, NC and was the only African-American doctor there for approximately the twenty years preceding his death. He listed his office as being at 306 Salisbury Street of that city (with residence at 303) on his WWII draft registration card (Feb. 1942).

Death notices appeared in both The Monroe Enquirer (10-16-1947, p. 1) and The Monroe Journal (10-17-1947, p. 7). The larger obit was published in The Messenger and Intelligencer, Wadesboro, NC on 10-17-1947. The Hampton B Allen Library shared a digital image of this notice, paraphrased as follows:

"Colored Doctor Will Be Interred Sunday"

Dr. Clarence S. Massey, the only Negro physician in this section, passed away at his home in Wadesboro Wednesday morning. His parents were the late Dr. And Mrs. J. S. Massey, of Monroe, his father...a physician before him.

Dr. Massey was a graduate of Howard University, Washington, D.C. He practiced medicine in Wadesboro...about 20 years. He was generally well regarded, likable...and filled a valuable place of service in the community. He is survived by his wife...and a daughter.

Funeral services will be held in the Kesler Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Wadesboro...Burial will be in the...colored cemetery.

Notes:
Clarence Massey’s South Carolina death certificate indicates he died in Sumter on October 15, 1947.

From the Monroe Journal, 10-17-1947, p. 7, death notice his "step-mother [Ola Sellers Brewer Massey] lives in the Massey residence in Monroe."

The above information was gathered from the Massey family/obit file of the Union County Public Library, Monroe, NC.