by Lou64JLL | Jul 26, 2022 | Churches, Educators, People
Ada Pauline Brady of Bethlehem, PA, was born in Newport News, VA, in 1922. Ada was the daughter of the late Redmond Brady and Julia (Jones) Brady-Williams. Ada was reared in Bethlehem and is a graduate of Liberty High School. She received her Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Hampton University and a K-3 Teaching Certificate from Bank Street College of Education. She worked as a Social Worker in New York City and was an elementary teacher in the Bethlehem School District for 21 years.
Ada was a community activist, serving with South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center, Bethlehem Branch NAACP and Church Women United. A devout Christian and active member of St. John A.M.E. Zion Church, she served as organist and Minister of Music, Class Leader, Trustee, Missionary and sang in two church choirs. She also served as the Local Life Members Chair of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society.
by Lou64JLL | Jul 26, 2022 | People
Mrs. Maria Palmer Walton, born 1894 in Virginia, was the local beautician/hairdresser in Bethlehem beginning in the late 1950s through the 1960s. With a college education from Hampton University, she was able to be proprietor of her own beauty salon located on Brodhead Avenue, South Bethlehem.
Maria was born in 1894 and passed away in 1978. Her husband was William M. Walton who was bus driver for the Bethlehem Steel plant in 1950. Maria is the sister to Olivia Palmer Clark.
by Lou64JLL | Jul 26, 2022 | Bethlehem Steel, People
Bert Tarboro Jr., of Bethlehem, a Blue Mountain League and Tri-County League baseball hall-of-famer, passed away August 17, 1999. He was the husband of the late Louise (Edmondson) Tarboro. He worked for Bethlehem Steel Corp. for 43 years before retiring as a foreman in 1979. Simultaneously, he was a counselor for troubled youth in Northampton County. Born in Wilson, N.C., he was a son of the late Bert Sr. and Patti (Mercer) Tarboro.
He was the former owner and manager of St. John’s Baseball Church League, which he started in 1961.
Also founder and manager of the Bethlehem Giants, he was inducted into the Blue Mountain League Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Tri-County League Hall of Fame in 1996. On his induction into the Blue Mountain League, BML committee member Bob Schustter said Tarboro was a “class act from the moment he entered the league.”
Tarboro was a deacon of St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Bethlehem, and the Central Baptist Association Layman’s League.
He was a past master of Wyoming Masonic Lodge 135, Bethlehem.
Family members: sons, John L. and Bert III, both of Bethlehem, and Ricardo Saunders of Easton; daughters, Mary Ellen Biggs, Vivian Hungerford and Elsie Luciano, all of Bethlehem; brothers, Robert L. of Philadelphia and Roy Lee of Freemansburg, 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
by Lou64JLL | Jul 25, 2022 | Educators, People
James F. Goodwin, Jr., one of six children, was born in Kingston, Georgia, March 30, 1905, to Anna Sledge Goodwin and James F. Goodwin, Sr. He attended elementary school in Rome, Georgia and at the age of 12 moved with his parents north and settled in Steelton, PA. He continued grammar school and graduated from Steelton High School in 1924. Jimmy or “Brownie” as he was known, was determined to go on to school and study medicine, so off he went to Howard University in Washington, D.C. September 1924. Of course no one believed that he was going to college because he only had enough money to last approximately a month. While in college he applied for scholarship aid through various sources and all of them refused, stating that due to their constitution he did not meet the requirements. It was this experience which inspired him to start a scholarship club which could and would help deserving Negro students who needed financial assistance. James entered the college of Liberal Arts in 1924, graduated in 1934 from Howard University, Washington, D.C., (10 years), and served his internship at St. Louis, Missouri.
In September, 1935 he opened his office as a general practitioner in Bethlehem, PA
The J. F. Goodwin Scholarship Club was founded in 1935 by Dr. J. F. Goodwin, who saw a great need in the Negro community of Bethlehem. Along with practicing medicine, he preached a gospel of education beyond high school to equip young people to meet the challenges of life. In 1940, Dr. Goodwin moved to Reading, PA where he continued his work with young Negro students, people and founded the sister club. During this period he married Elizabeth Waters. Dr. Goodwin found the time through the years to remain active in both clubs. He practiced medicine until his illness forced him to retire and he departed this life on March 28, 1973.
Scholarship grads in cap and gown along with their parents and Scholarship Club supporters at Broughal Junior HS in 1938. J.F. Goodwin standing center.
by Lou64JLL | Jul 25, 2022 | Educators, People
Mrs. Olivia W. Clark of Roosevelt, N.Y., formerly of 622 Cherokee St., Bethlehem. Born in Roanoke, Va., she was a daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (McDaniels) Palmer. She was the widow of Harry J. Clark.
Mrs. Olivia Clark came to Bethlehem in the 1920’s around the same time as her sister, Maria Palmer Walton. Olivia was a graduate of Hampton University and from there became teacher, she also was a cook for the University Club, located on Market Street, Bethlehem. She was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, Bethlehem.
Mrs. Clark and her husband Harry became acquainted with Dr. James F. Goodwin after he moved to Bethlehem, PA. At that time he lived and maintained his practice from the home of Andrew Fauntleroy, located two doors down on Cherokee Street. Across Cherokee street was the home of Abraham Lane, Bethlehem’s first black business man.
Most of the Scholarship Club meetings were held at the Clark home. After Dr. Goodwin moved to Reading, PA a few years lapsed and the Bethlehem student asked Mrs. Clark to start the Scholarship Club again. And she did.
The annual graduation programs were significant. Each student was expected to develop and present a graduation speech before the community and their parents. Everyone was encouraged to seek education beyond High school.
Mrs. Clark was responsible for the musical programs presented. She involved parents, who sewed the costumes which she had designed. As she taught students to sing and dance, assisted by her daughter Audrey Clark Blue. Anyone who had the least bit of talent and coordination was inducted. IT WAS LIKE BROADWAY! Everyone participated. These programs were developmental as well as fundraisers. Mrs. Clark was always an unselfish person – always giving of herself. For those that found it difficult to attend, transportation was provided. The productions and programs were held at the Jewish Community Center, then located at the corner of Brodhead and Packer Avenues, adjacent to Broughal Junior High School. Productions were also held in local black churches. (Photo: Annual Queen Contest)
We here in Bethlehem are all the better today because of this Great Lady – Mrs. Olivia Clark.
J. F. Goodwin Annual Sweetheart Dance
From left to right: Marian Kent, Anna Ayers, Beulah “Chick” Grimes, Millie Ayers, Geneva Smith, Dorothy Lewis, Lillian Lewis.
In the background are the male guests.
J.F. Goodwin Scholarship Fund Board of Directors 1960s.
