James Weems

City volunteer awards event Shown are Hattie Sandidge and James Weems

Citizen Service Award for James Weems - move to Publicity/Other folder

Presented to James Weems during City of College Park Awards program.

When the United States entered World War II, the Navy's African-American sailors had for decades been limited to serving as mess attendants. However, the wartime pressures of a manpower shortage, the willingness of thousands of African Americans to serve, plus political pressure, forced important changes. Though the Navy remained racially segregated in training and in most service units, in 1942 the enlisted ranks were opened to all qualified personnel. Weems sent the photograph below to his wife, Mary, while he was serving aboard a ship in the Pacific theater.

James Weems Lot 15 Block 4

Bottom row left to right: Leon Thomas, Floyd Brown, Hurley Brooks, William "Junebug" Fields, Willie Lee Rita, Tommy Hill, Elwood Gross (Maxine's father); Middle row, left to right: Clarice Briscoe, Elmore Adams, Dorris Prayther, Edward Dory, Helen Prayther (Dorris's sister), Emma Dory, Mary Jackson, James Weems, Jean (Ann) Gray; Top row left to right: Catherine Walls, didn't remember, Mary Douglass, Carl Cager, Mary Hamilton, Percy Power, Margaret Anderson. Written in cursive on the back of the photo: "The picture belong[sic] to Clarice M. Briscoe."

May 16, 1958 program held at First Baptist Church of College Park. Artists were community members and friends

In US Navy uniform during WW II

Funeral of Mr. Weems

James Weems (third row, second from right) was inducted into the U.S. Navy in 1944 and went for training at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, MD.

At Lakeland's Tavern left to right George "Duke" Smith, George Brooks, Jr, Jenette Brooks, James Weems, Mary Weems

Cast photo is found in collection

City of College Park awards James Weems 2nd from left. Mayor William Gullett 3rd from left Hattie Sandidge 4th from left There is another copy of this image in the archive from another collection

Left to right are Mary Braxton, Mary Day Hollomand and James Weems

In the 1940s and 1950s much of the organized entertainment in Lakeland was provided by social clubs. These clubs met monthly at the homes of the members. Dinners were part of the gathering and provided the host an opportunity to showcase both their cooking ability and their tableware. The Duchesses and the Counts social clubs sponsored an annual formal dance at Lakeland Hall and sometimes posed for professional photographs. The Counts appear here in formal tails and white gloves. The gentlemen are, left to right (left row) Gasson Bradford Sr., James Weems, Anderson Walls, George Walls, Charles Carroll, and Harry Braxton Sr.; (right row) Mack Allen, John Webster, William Sharps, Aubrey Corprew, Chesley Mack, and Ashby Tolson.

City of College Park awards program James Weems 2nd from left Mayor William Reading 3rd from left Hattie Sandidge 4th from left There is another copy of this image in the archive from another collection/

In honor of 50th Wedding Anniversary of James and Mary Walls Day Weems