Ozell Sutton (1925 - 2015)

Born 13 Dec 1925 in Gould, Lincoln, Arkansas, United States

Died 19 Dec 2015 at age 90 in Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States

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Biography

Ozell Sutton is a part of US Black heritage.

Ozell Sutton is Notable.

Ozell Sutton served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II
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Ozell Sutton is a notable figure due to his groundbreaking achievements and unwavering commitment to civil rights. Born in 1925, he became the first African-American to serve in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, leaving an indelible mark on history. His tireless advocacy for equality continued post-war, as he played pivotal roles in various civil rights organizations, including organizing the Arkansas Council on Human Relations and contributing to the formation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. His active participation further highlighted Sutton's dedication to the Civil Rights Movement, marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965, and being present during the tragic moment of Dr. King's assassination in 1968. Throughout his life, Ozell Sutton held influential positions, earned prestigious awards, and consistently appeared on lists recognizing the most influential African Americans. His legacy as a trailblazer, advocate, and leader in the pursuit of justice and equality cements his status as a notable and influential individual in American history.^[1][2]

Ozell Sutton came into this world on December 13, 1925, in the small town of Gould, nestled in Lincoln County, Arkansas.^[3][4] Born to Charley Sutton and Lula Belle (Douthard) Sutton, adversity marked his childhood when his father passed away around 1929, leaving his mother to single-handedly raise him and his seven siblings. The Sutton children, six boys working as cotton sharecroppers and two girls managing household chores, faced the challenges of a demanding life.^[5]

In 1930, young Ozell lived in Choctaw Township, Lincoln County, Arkansas, and began his education at a one-teacher country school near Gould.^[6] Despite his early struggles, he transitioned to a five-teacher Negro School at Gould, where he repeated the third grade due to the inadequacy of his first school. Ozell vividly remembered the white school bus passing them by, prompting him to vow that his own children would not face such injustice. Despite the hardships, he persevered, walking three miles to school and ultimately graduating as the valedictorian from Gould with eight completed grades.^[5]

By 1940, Ozell could be found living on Highway 65 in Gould^[7], and in 1943, he moved to Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, registering for the draft and listing his occupation as a post office worker, cafe employee, and student.^[3] In 1944, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, making history as the first African-American to serve in the Marines. His service during World War II took him to the Pacific, where he actively participated in missions from the Soloman Islands to Saipan.^[8]

Post-war, Ozell married Joe Ann Freeman on May 9, 1947, in Saline County, Arkansas.^[9][10] Following his discharge, he pursued higher education at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, earning a B.S. degree in 1950. Despite his ambitions to become an attorney, racial barriers hindered his enrollment at Little Rock Law School.^[8]

In 1950, Ozell worked as a reporter for the Daily News^[11], becoming the first African-American on the news staff of the "Arkansas Democrat," a major daily white-owned newspaper. His commitment to civil rights was evident, as he served as one of the escorts for the historic Little Rock Nine in 1957.^[5][12]

March 1957 marked the beginning of Ozell's service at Rockefeller's home atop Petit Jean Mountain. In 1961, he played a pivotal role in organizing the Arkansas Council on Human Relations (ACHR), and later assumed responsibility for the civil rights and opportunity groups that evolved into the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 1964.^[5][12]

Ozell marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965 for equal rights, and joined the Justice Department Community Relations Staff in 1966. His dedication to the Civil Rights Movement was evident when he was in Memphis in 1968, in the room next to Dr. King at the Lorraine Hotel, when the civil rights leader was assassinated.^[5][12][2]

Following Dr. King's assassination, Ozell served as a special assistant to Governor Winthrop Rockefeller until 1970. He then relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was appointed director of the Community Relations Service (CRS) in the southeast region in 1972, a position he held until his retirement in 2003.^[2]

Ozell Sutton's impactful legacy continued to grow. In 2012, he earned a Congressional Gold Medal for his groundbreaking service in the U.S. Marine Corps. He consistently appeared on "Ebony" magazine's list of the "100 Most Influential African Americans," receiving the Medallion of Freedom from the NAACP. His leadership extended to national roles in organizations like the National Assault on Illiteracy and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Additionally, he played a founding role in the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and co-chaired the Atlanta Black-Jewish Coalition.^[2][13]

On December 19, 2015, Ozell Sutton passed away in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.^[12] He rests in peace at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, a man whose life exemplified resilience, service, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality.^[14]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. Ozell Sutton. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. January 10, 2024, 11:21 UTC. Available at: Ozell Sutton. Accessed January 19, 2024.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Riffel, Brent E., University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last updated 26 Aug 2023. "Ozell Sutton (1925–2015)." Accessed 19 Jan 2024.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947: The National Archives at Fort Worth, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For Arkansas, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147 Ancestry Record 2238 #4427749
4. ↑ U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current: Wiki; Publication Place: USA; URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozell_Sutton Ancestry Record 2190 #500686299
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4} Negro Named to Head State HR Council, Baxter Bulletin, Mountain Home, Arkansas, 27 Jun 1968, Thu. - Page 6. Newspapers Clip: 139119883, Accessed 19 Jan 2024.
6. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Choctaw, Lincoln, Arkansas; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0012; FHL microfilm: 2339816 Ancestry Record 6224 #86760921
7. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Gould, Lincoln, Arkansas; Roll: m-t0627-00150; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 40-14 Ancestry Record 2442 #99774933
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Biographical Description for The HistoryMakers Video Oral History with Ozell Sutton, (n.d.). "Biographical Oral History." Accessed 19 Jan 2024.
9. ↑ Arkansas, U.S., County Marriages Index, 1837-1957: Ancestry.com. Arkansas, U.S., County Marriages Index, 1837-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: "Arkansas County Marriages, 1838–1957." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2011. "Arkansas County Marriages, 1838–1957," database, FamilySearch; from Arkansas Courts of Common Pleas and County Clerks. Digital images of originals housed at various county courthouses in the State of Arkansas. Marriage records. Ancestry Record 2548 #71960
10. ↑ Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Marriage Certificates; Year: 1947; Film: #11 Ancestry Record 61775 #981271
11. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas; Roll: 1818; Page: 72; Enumeration District: 77-145 Ancestry Record 62308 #31050484
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3} Longtime civil rights activist who marched with King dies, The Tampa Tribune, Tampa, Florida, 21 Dec 2015, Mon. - Page 4 Newspapers Clip: 139120535, Accessed 19 Jan 2024.
13. ↑ Ozell Sutton installed as Alpha president, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, 11 Jan 1981, Sun. - Page 18. Newspapers Clip: 139120803, Accessed 19 Jan 2024.
14. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156228132/ozell-sutton: accessed 19 January 2024), memorial page for Dr Ozell Sutton (13 Dec 1925–19 Dec 2015), Find A Grave: Memorial #156228132, citing Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by along_the_road (contributor 48010147).

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q7116548