Erma Clanton, noted educator and pillar of Black theater in Memphis, dead at 98

Erma L. Clanton, the noted Memphis playwright, stage director, songwriter and educator, has died. One of the truly influential forces in Black theater in Memphis, her work included the groundbreaking African American history "An Evening of Soul." Clanton died on Tuesday night. She was 98. 

The news of her passing was confirmed by her pastor LaSimba M. Gray, of New Sardis Baptist Church, as well as various friends on social media, including Veronica Hayes, the daughter of the late soul star Isaac Hayes, who was close with Clanton. 

"You were such a big part of my Dad's life and in turn became a large part of mine," wrote Hayes. "You were so encouraging and always said what I needed to hear without mincing your words. I love you Erma L. Clanton May you R.I.P."

Born in Memphis on Feb. 5, 1923, Clanton was the fourth of eight children. A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, Clanton earned her bachelor of science from Alabama State University in 1945. Starting in the mid-1940s, and continuing for a quarter of a century, Clanton worked as an English teacher at Melrose High School, where she sparked a love of language and literature for several generations of students in Orange Mound. 

In the late-1960s, Clanton would earn a master's degree in theater and communication from the University of Memphis, where she became an associate professor. 

In addition to teaching, she began to organize and direct shows, including “An Evening of Soul.” The production was scheduled for a single performance, but it would yield a lasting legacy. 

As former Commercial Appeal theater critic Jon Sparks wrote in a 2014 profile of Clanton and “An Evening of Soul”: “At a time when there were few black students enrolled, she beat the bushes for talent and got a score of performers that would tell a story of the black experience in America through two dozen musical numbers,” Sparks wrote. “That one performance was packed and a critical smash.” 

Among the fans of the show was the then-reigning figure in popular music at the time, Oscar-winning Stax Records star Isaac Hayes, who helped promote and champion the production and would remain a close friend of Clanton until his passing. 

Clanton’s signature work would go onto become a perennial performance piece in Memphis, running for years, and enjoying revivals during its 20th and 30th anniversaries. The show was also performed in St. Louis as part of Clanton’s 90th birthday celebration. 

Clanton would go on to direct a number of other groundbreaking shows, including “Listen Children,” “God's Trombones,” “Black Pearls of the World” and “Gifted & Black – On the Right Track.” 

Clanton wrote or co-wrote much of the music and lyrics for the productions, including the classic “Diamond in the Rough,” a song that would be covered by R&B stars Syl Johnson, Otis Clay and Albert King, among others. 

Clanton eventually retired from the University of Memphis in 1991, but continued to direct. She returned to teaching in the late-‘90s working with at-risk students at Hamilton High School, and later serving for a year at LeMoyne-Owen College. In more recent years, Clanton oversaw the drama ministry at New Sardis Baptist Church, where she directed the Christmas and Passion Play productions.

An active member of her community, Clanton served on the Evening of Soul Foundation, and was a longtime member of the NAACP. 

Clanton would be recognized for her lifetime of work with a number of honors, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Distinguished Service Award from the University of Memphis, the Bronze Jubilee Award from PBS Radio & TV, and a doctor of humane letters from the Tennessee School of Religion. 

Memorial services are planned for Sept. 4 at New Sardis Baptist Church, 7739 E. Holmes Road. Visitation will take place at 11 a.m., with a celebration of life to follow at noon.