Clarence Lightner

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Clarence Lightner

| image = Clarence Lightner.jpg

| caption =

| order = 30th Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina

| term_start = 1973

| term_end = December 1975

| deputy =

| predecessor = Thomas W. Bradshaw

| successor = Jyles Coggins

| office2 = Member of the Raleigh City Council

| term_start2 = 1967

| term_end2 = 1973

| state_senate3 = North Carolina

| district3 = 14th

| term_start3 = August 9, 1977

| term_end3 = 1978

| predecessor3 = John W. Winters

| successor3 = William Ayden Creech

| alongside3 = I. Beverly Lake Jr., Robert Webb Wynne

| birth_date = {{birth date|1921|08|15|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2002|07|08|1921|08|15}}

| death_place = Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.

| resting_place = Mt. Hope Cemetery, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.

| party = Democratic Party

| spouse = {{marriage|Marguerite Massey|1946}}

| profession = Mortician

| alma_mater = North Carolina Central College
Echols College of Mortuary Science

| allegiance = {{Flagcountry|United States}}

| branch = United States Army

| serviceyears = 1942–1946

}}

Clarence Everett Lightner (August 15, 1921 – July 8, 2002) was an American politician and mortician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina from 1973 to 1975. He was the first popularly elected Mayor of Raleigh since 1947, and the first African American elected mayor of a mostly-white, major Southern city in the United States.

Lightner was born in 1921 in Raleigh. He attended North Carolina Central College, where he played as a quarterback on the school football team. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army and served on a tour of duty during World War II. He subsequently enrolled in the Echols College of Mortuary Science, and in 1959 he assumed control of his father Calvin E. Lightner's funeral home. He was elected to the Raleigh City Council in 1967. During his council tenure he chaired a committee tasked with studying mass transit and for one term acted as Mayor pro tempore. In 1973 he launched his candidacy for the office of Mayor. Backed by a coalition of blacks—who comprised less than 16% of all registered voters—and white suburban residents who were growing increasingly concerned about urban sprawl, Lightner won the November election, surprising observers and garnering national media attention. During his mayoral tenure the city council bolstered floodplain construction regulations, rejected large road construction projects, and instituted a mass transit system.

Though Lighter's service was largely uncontroversial, members of his family were mired by legal troubles. His reputation suffered as a result, and he placed last in the mayoral primary election in 1975. In 1977 he was appointed to fill the vacant North Carolina State Senate seat for the 14th district, serving through 1978. He chaired the Southeast Raleigh Improvement Commission from 1993 to 2001. Lightner died in 2002.

Early life

Clarence Everett Lightner was born on August 15, 1921, in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Mammie Blackmon and Calvin E. Lightner. He was the youngest of four children. Calvin Lightner founded the Lightner Funeral Home in 1911 and made an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the Raleigh City Council in 1919.{{cite web| url = https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/05519/| title = Clarence E. Lightner Papers, 1967-2002| last = Smith| first = Laura| publisher = University of North Carolina Libraries| access-date = December 5, 2018}} Though the city was racially segregated at the time, Clarence—who was black—was raised at the edge of a white neighborhood and frequently played sports with white children in his youth.{{cite news| title = Mayor Says Pigment of Skin Doesn't Matter| newspaper = Burlington Daily Times| page = 49| date = November 8, 1973| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-nov-08-1973-p-49/| access-date = August 5, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190805032941/https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-nov-08-1973-p-49/| archive-date = August 5, 2019| url-status = live}} He attended public schools in Raleigh,{{cite news| title = Clarence E. Lightner New Manager of Funeral Home| newspaper = The Carolinian| page = 3| volume = 18| issue = 23| date = March 7, 1959| url = http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn99061519/1959-03-07/ed-1/seq-3/| access-date = June 14, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200614004205/http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn99061519/1959-03-07/ed-1/seq-3/| archive-date = June 14, 2020| url-status = live}} and spent much of his free time in high school assisting his father in the funeral home.{{sfn|Bunch-Lyons|2015|p=64}} In his younger years he also worked at Chavis Park, a recreational area in Raleigh for black people.{{sfn|Little|2008|p=6}}

In 1938 Lightner enrolled in North Carolina Central College. While there, Lightner played on the football team as a quarterback and joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He graduated in 1941. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army, serving for a total of four years,{{sfn|Bunch-Lyons|2015|p=64}} including a tour of duty during World War II.{{cite web|title=The Life of One Man Who Made a Difference| publisher=The Clarence E. Lightner Leadership Endowment Fund| url=http://www.lightnerfund.org/about.cfm?Section=Background| access-date=March 18, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727032020/http://www.lightnerfund.org/about.cfm?Section=Background| archive-date=July 27, 2011}} He subsequently enrolled in the Echols College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lightner aspired to become a physician and did not intend on assuming control over his father's business. However, in 1959, following his brother's death, his father gave him charge of the funeral home.{{sfn|Bunch-Lyons|2015|p=64}} Lightner later served as president of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association and chaired the National Life Membership Foundation of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was a member of the National Business League{{citation| title=A Joint Resolution Honoring the Life and Memory of Clarence Lightner, Prominent Civic Leader, Politician and Businessman| publisher=North Carolina General Assembly| date=June 19, 2003| url=http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Resolutions/PDF/2003-2004/Res2003-21.pdf| pages=1–2| access-date=February 23, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175347/http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Resolutions/PDF/2003-2004/Res2003-21.pdf| archive-date=March 3, 2016| url-status=live}} and worked as an official for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

Lightner met Marguerite Massey while studying at North Carolina Central College. They married in 1946,{{cite news| last = Friedman| first = Leah| title = Marguerite Lightner, 84, former mayor's widow: She was noted for love of children| newspaper = The News & Observer| date = November 22, 2008}} and had two sons and two daughters: Bruce, Lawrence, Debra and Claire.{{sfn|Profiles of Black Mayors in America|1977|p=134}} Lightner was a parishioner at Davie Street Presbyterian Church, and served on its Men's Council.{{sfn|Cape Fear Presbytery centennial|1986|p=45}}

Political career

= Activism and city council tenure =

Lightner was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,{{sfn|Matney|1978|p=556}} and the Democratic Party, and held moderate political views. He was a member of the "Oval Table Gang", an informal group of community leaders that met in Ralph Campbell Sr.'s home to discuss strategies to desegregate Raleigh schools, plan demonstrations, and assist black candidates for public office.{{cite news| last = Price| first = Jay| title = Ralph Campbell, 64; broke color barrier in state politics| newspaper = The News & Observer| date = January 13, 2011}} He was elected to the Raleigh City Council in 1967,{{sfn|Profiles of Black Mayors in America|1977|p=134}} thus becoming the second black person to serve on the body. As he became increasingly involved in politics, Lightner handed over the responsibilities of his funeral home to a manager.{{sfn|Bunch-Lyons|2015|p=66}} During his council tenure he served on the Law and Finance Committee{{cite news| title = Two CATV Services Added For Raleigh Customers| newspaper = Boxoffice| volume = 95| issue = 9| pages = SE6| date = June 16, 1969}} and chaired a committee tasked with studying mass transit. He supported a proposal by community activists to change the election method of city council seats from an at-large model to a district system; it was later implemented after a referendum.{{sfn|Heilig|Mundt|1984|pp=47–48}} In his third term (1971–1973) he served as Mayor pro tempore.{{sfn|Profiles of Black Mayors in America|1977|p=134}}

=Mayor of Raleigh=

In 1973 Lightner announced his candidacy for the office of Mayor of Raleigh. The 1973 election was the first contest in which the mayor was to be directly elected,{{efn|The Mayor of Raleigh had been directly elected until 1947.}} instead of being selected by the city council. The change had been made via referendum the previous year at the behest of community organizations, collectively dubbed the "Community Coalition".{{sfn|Blythe|2012|p=5}} They felt that municipal offices were being too heavily influenced by business interests at a time when Raleigh's population was rapidly growing and various development projects were being proposed. In the election Lightner faced G. Wesley Williams, the executive director of the Raleigh Merchants Bureau who was popular among local businessmen. He characterized Williams as a lobbyist for Raleigh's business interests. Though Lightner was a black candidate in a Southern city, the topic of race did not play a significant role in the campaign.{{efn|Journalist Rob Christensen attributed this to "Williams’ sense of decency, the middle-class nature of Raleigh, and Lightner's record and demeanor as a black version of the sort of respectable, not particularly exciting white businessmen who had long run the city."{{cite news| last = Christensen| first = Rob| title = When Raleigh elected a black mayor| newspaper = The News & Observer| date = November 10, 2017| url = https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/rob-christensen/article183884041.html| access-date = December 1, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181202025402/https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/rob-christensen/article183884041.html| archive-date = December 2, 2018| url-status = live}}}} He received the endorsement of the retiring mayor, Thomas W. Bradshaw, and Raleigh's two daily newspapers, the Raleigh Times and The News & Observer.{{cite news| title = Raleigh Elects A Black Mayor| newspaper = Race Relations Reporter| page = 35| volume = 4| date = 1973| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EUcrAQAAIAAJ}} Though he trailed his opponent in the primary contest by 700 votes,{{cite news| title = N.C. politicians stand by runoff primaries| newspaper = Burlington Daily Times| page = 8| date = April 30, 1984| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-apr-30-1984-p-8/| access-date = December 18, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181218193309/https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-apr-30-1984-p-8/| archive-date = December 18, 2018| url-status = live}} Lightner won the November 6 election with 17,348 votes, or 52.9 percent of the ballots, cast in his favor.{{cite news| title = John Lewis Analyzes Recent Raleigh Election| newspaper = Oakland Post| page = 2| date = December 12, 1973| id = {{ProQuest|371665867}}}} His support came from a coalition of blacks—who comprised less than 16% of all registered voters—and white suburban residents who were growing increasingly concerned about urban sprawl.{{sfn|Bass|1995|p=243}} His victory was given national media attention, as he was the first black mayor of a large, mostly-white city in the South.{{efn|Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a smaller city with a mostly-white population, elected a black mayor in 1969.}} Most observers were surprised by his win.{{cite news| title = Significant Victory : Raleigh, N.C., Elects First Black Mayor| newspaper = The Oracle| volume = 57| page = 21| date = 1974| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=qK_jAAAAMAAJ| publisher = Omega Psi Phi Fraternity}}

Lightner acted as a charter member of the Southern Conference of Black Mayors. He also actively participated in the National League of Cities—including service on its steering committee{{sfn|Matney|1978|p=556}}—and made personal connections with members of the federal administration and other black mayors.{{cite news| title = Raleigh: "Establishment" Man| newspaper = U.S. News & World Report| volume = 78| date = 1975| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Bz4vAAAAYAAJ}} In 1974 he devised the Downtown Housing Improvement Corporation to "help people with low incomes find housing."{{cite news| url = https://dhic.org/dhic-newsletter-april-2015/| title = New Look Reflects New Area| date = April 23, 2015| newspaper = DHIC Newsletter| access-date = December 2, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181202112706/https://dhic.org/dhic-newsletter-april-2015/| archive-date = December 2, 2018| url-status = live}} That year he also supported the creation of 18 neighborhood "Citizen Advisory Councils", which were meant to facilitate resident input on housing, transportation, and governmental accountability in the city. Lightner hoped that instituting the councils would also make it easier for Raleigh to earn block grants from the federal government, but this did not occur.{{cite web| url = https://www.citylab.com/equity/2020/02/raleigh-community-planning-citizen-advisory-councils-housing/605770/| title = Raleigh Wants to Raze and Rebuild the Community Meeting| last = Holder| first = Sarah| date = February 6, 2020| website = CityLab| access-date = March 13, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200306143645/https://www.citylab.com/equity/2020/02/raleigh-community-planning-citizen-advisory-councils-housing/605770/| archive-date = March 6, 2020| url-status = live}} During his mayoral tenure the city council bolstered floodplain construction regulations, rejected large road construction projects, and instituted a mass transit system. Raleigh was also bestowed with the All-America City Award during his term,{{sfn|Blythe|2012|p=5}} with the awarding organization, the National Civic League, citing in-part the institution of the Citizen Advisory Councils.{{cite news| title = Citizens Bring All-American Award| newspaper = The News & Observer| page = 3| date = July 1, 1975| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50640010/raleigh-wins-all-american-city-award/}} In November 1974 he supported an unsuccessful attempt to create a police review board, citing mistrust of police impartiality by "a great segment of the population".{{cite news| last = Christensen| first = Rob| title = Police Review Proposal Tabled by City Council| newspaper = The News & Observer| pages = 31, 33| date = November 15, 1974| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52235642/the-news-and-observer/}}

Though his tenure was largely uncontroversial, members of Lightner's family were befallen by legal troubles. In November 1974 police arrested a woman in Pittsboro for shoplifting. Investigators found she had a notebook with the names and clothing sizes of several North Carolinians, including Clarence and Marguerite Lightner. Police theorized that the woman had been stealing items on order.{{cite news| title = Raleigh mayor's supporters split after wife indicted| newspaper = Edmonton Journal| page = 17| date = December 26, 1974| url = https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/471108279/}} On November 26, 1974, Marguerite Lightner was arrested for conspiracy to receive stolen goods; prosecutors announced they had no intentions of charging the mayor. Lightner was criticized for refusing to comment publicly on the case.{{cite news| title = The Mayor's Wife| newspaper = Newsweek| volume = 84| page = 701| date = 1974| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NmE6AQAAIAAJ}} Marguerite Lightner's defense attorney suggested during her trial that the prosecutor had pursued charges against her because she was the mayor's wife.{{cite news| title = Mayor's Wife Found Innocent of Conspiracy Rap| newspaper = Jet| pages = 22–23| date = February 13, 1975| publisher = Johnson Publishing Company| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ILIDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22}} She was ultimately acquitted, but in July 1975 Lightner's son, Lawrence, was found in contempt of court after allegedly making obscene gestures to a judge (Lawrence was in court to face assault charges which were later withdrawn).{{cite news| title = Raleigh's Mayor Defeated; Family Had Legal Woes| newspaper = The New York Times| page = 44| date = October 8, 1975| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1975/10/08/archives/raleighs-mayor-defeated-family-had-legal-woes.html| access-date = December 1, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190726140333/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/10/08/archives/raleighs-mayor-defeated-family-had-legal-woes.html| archive-date = July 26, 2019| url-status = live}} Announcing his bid for reelection the following month, Lightner appealed to the electorate to ignore his relatives' problems and evaluate his performance as mayor.{{cite news| title = Lightner To Run Once More| newspaper = The High Point Enterprise| page = 3| date = August 16, 1975| url = https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43110555/| access-date = December 2, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055504/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43110555/| archive-date = December 3, 2018| url-status = live}} Scrutiny was brought against him personally for urging the city to purchase a pool from his former campaign manager, and for his backing of a planning commissioner that had run afoul of local activists for maintaining close ties with real estate developers.{{sfn|Blythe|2012|p=5}} In early October his daughter, Debra, was indicted for credit card fraud. The mayoral primary election took place the following week.{{cite news| title = Clarence Lightner, Raleigh's First Black Mayor, Defeated| newspaper = The High Point Enterprise| page = 9| date = October 8, 1975| url = https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43125633/| access-date = December 2, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055431/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43125633/| archive-date = December 3, 2018| url-status = live}} Lightner faced two challengers for his position. Though they avoided discussing the Lightner family's problems, the legal troubles damaged Lightner's reputation. Jyles Coggins won the primary, and Lightner placed last with only 5,644 votes. He urged the black electorate to unify behind Coggins,{{sfn|Blythe|2012|p=10}} and his term ended in December.{{sfn|Profiles of Black Mayors in America|1977|p=134}}

=Later activities=

In 1977 State Senator John W. Winters of the 14th district (representing portions of Wake, Lee and Harnett counties) resigned.{{sfn|Cheney|1977|pp=334, 336}} Governor Jim Hunt, at the advice of the executive committee of the Democratic Party of the 14th district, appointed Lightner to fill the vacancy on August 3. He was sworn in on August 9{{sfn|Journal of the Senate|1978|pp=1332–1333}} and served the remainder of Winters' term through 1978. Over the course of his term he cosponsored 10 bills.{{sfn|Journal of the Senate|1978|p=1495}} In 1979 he chaired the North Carolina Black Caucus.{{cite news| last = Johnson| first = Thomas A.| title = North Carolina Blacks Support Troubled New Town: Suit and Countersuit H.U.D. Denies Political Role| newspaper = The New York Times | page = A12| date = August 27, 1979}} Three years later Lightner served as general chairman of the Raleigh chapter of the United Negro College Fund.{{cite news| title = UNCF Telethon Volunteers Honored| newspaper = The Carolina Times| page = 2| date = May 16, 1982| url = http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn83045120/1982-05-15/ed-1/seq-2/| access-date = December 5, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181205145826/http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn83045120/1982-05-15/ed-1/seq-2/| archive-date = December 5, 2018| url-status = live}} In November 1983 Walter Mondale appointed him to the steering committee of the North Carolina branch of his 1984 presidential campaign.{{cite news| title = Mondale denies Jackson impact in Demo race| newspaper = Kannapolis Daily Independent| page = 2| date = November 23, 1983| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-nov-23-1983-p-2/| access-date = December 5, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181205193313/https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-nov-23-1983-p-2/| archive-date = December 5, 2018| url-status = live}} Lightner eventually rose to serve as co-chairman of the state section of the campaign.{{cite news| title = DNC Caucus Welcomes '84 Run| newspaper = The Washington Post| page = A2| date = July 15, 1983}} In 1986 Lightner served as co-chair of Terry Sanford's U.S. Senate campaign.{{cite AV media| title = Black Caucus Luncheon| medium = Television production| publisher = C-SPAN| date = August 14, 1986| url = https://www.c-span.org/video/?150340-1/black-caucus-luncheon}}

After Lightner pointed out the state of limited economic growth in southeast Raleigh, the city assembled a team under Mayor Avery C. Upchurch to promote commercial development in the area.{{cite news| last = Perry| first = Miriam S.| title = RBTC pacesetter program makes a difference| newspaper = The Triangle Tribune| volume = 15| issue = 22| page = 5A| date = July 21, 2013| url = http://now.dirxion.com/Triangle_Tribune/library/TRIANGLE_TRIBUNE_07_21_2013.pdf| access-date = February 22, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190223074533/http://now.dirxion.com/Triangle_Tribune/library/TRIANGLE_TRIBUNE_07_21_2013.pdf| archive-date = February 23, 2019| url-status = live}} He served as chairman of the Southeast Raleigh Improvement Commission from 1993 to 2001, where he led a study of economic development, implemented the Small Business Success Program, and created an incubation program for small businesses.{{cite web| title=Raleigh's First Black Mayor Dies| website=WRAL-TV| publisher=Capitol Broadcasting Company| date=July 9, 2002| url=http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1089794/| access-date=December 1, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204836/http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1089794/| archive-date=March 3, 2016| url-status=live}} He acted as chair of the Board of Trustees of Saint Augustine's College and was a member of the Board of Trustees of North Carolina State University for 10 years. Lightner attended the 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 Democratic National Conventions as a delegate.{{cite news| last = Conway| first = John| title = N.C. Democrats Launch First Volley| newspaper = News & Record| date = June 20, 1992| url = https://www.greensboro.com/n-c-democrats-launch-first-volley/article_9c13a949-37cd-593d-9620-e31d23f27f51.html| access-date = December 5, 2018}}{{cite web| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/elections/dem2000guide/states/nc.htm| title = Democratic Delegation: North Carolina| last = Goetzel| first = Aron| date = 2000| publisher = The Washington Post Company| access-date = December 2, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123304/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/elections/dem2000guide/states/nc.htm| archive-date = March 4, 2016| url-status = live}} He retired from the funeral business in 2000.{{sfn|Mount Hope Cemetery|2008|loc=section 8, page 27}}

Death and burial

Lightner died at about 11:30 on July 8, 2002, at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh after suffering from a long illness.{{cite news| title = Former Raleigh Mayor Clarence Lightner Dies| newspaper = News & Record| date = July 8, 2002| url = https://www.greensboro.com/former-raleigh-mayor-clarence-lightner-dies/article_dd319f7a-d14d-505d-838a-4393df31ae33.html| access-date = July 14, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190714041333/https://www.greensboro.com/former-raleigh-mayor-clarence-lightner-dies/article_dd319f7a-d14d-505d-838a-4393df31ae33.html| archive-date = July 14, 2019| url-status = live}} A funeral was held at Davie Street Presbyterian Church and he was subsequently buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Raleigh.{{cite news| title = Clarence Lightner| newspaper = The Robesonian| date = January 15, 2009| url = https://www.robesonian.com/archive/47168/view-full_story-1628617-article-clarence_lightner| access-date = February 21, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190222042245/https://www.robesonian.com/archive/47168/view-full_story-1628617-article-clarence_lightner| archive-date = February 22, 2019| url-status = live}} In April 2011 a large storm passed through Raleigh and damaged Lightner's tombstone.{{cite news| last = Shaffer| first = Josh| title = Sacred ground was gnawed| newspaper = The News & Observer| date = April 25, 2011}}

Honors and legacy

In May 1974 Lightner awarded an honorary doctoral degree from North Carolina Central University (formerly College).{{cite news| title = Black Southern Mayor Honored| newspaper = Philadelphia Tribune| page = 5| date = May 28, 1974}} He also was granted honorary doctoral degrees from Shaw University and Saint Augustine's College. He was inducted into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame and North Carolina Central University's Alex M. Rivera Athletics Hall of Fame in recognition of his football career.{{cite web| url = https://nccueaglepride.com/hof.aspx?hof=56| title = Clarence Lightner| website = North Carolina Central University Athletics| access-date = December 7, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181207102911/https://nccueaglepride.com/hof.aspx?hof=56| archive-date = December 7, 2018| url-status = live}}

File:Lightner Funeral Home.jpg

After Lightner died, Mayor Charles Meeker of Raleigh said he was, "one of Raleigh's foremost political and civic trailblazers, combining integrity, a gentle spirit and an indomitable will to make the world a better place for all people."{{cite news| title = Lightner, Raleigh's first black mayor, dies| newspaper = The Associated Press State & Local Wire| publisher = Associated Press| date = July 8, 2002}} In 2004 the Clarence E. Lightner Youth Foundation was created to teach local students the importance of civic participation.{{cite web| url = https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2005/10/12/96401/| title = Banquet to honor former mayor| last = Cyr| first = Sandra| date = October 12, 2005| website = Philanthropy Journal| publisher = North Carolina State University| access-date = September 29, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190930002207/https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2005/10/12/96401/| archive-date = September 30, 2019| url-status = live}} Lightner's name was added to the list of local activists honored on the Martin Luther King Water Monument, located in the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens in Raleigh.{{cite web |url=http://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/PRecDesignDevelop/Articles/MLKJrMemorialGardenExpansion.html |title=Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens Expansion |work=City of Raleigh |date=January 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329014634/http://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/PRecDesignDevelop/Articles/MLKJrMemorialGardenExpansion.html |archive-date=March 29, 2014 |access-date=September 8, 2020}} The garden was designed by Lightner's son, Bruce.{{cite web| title=The Martin Luther King Water Monument| publisher=The Raleigh/Wake Martin Luther King Celebration Committee| url=http://www.king-raleigh.org/pgms/waterm.htm| access-date=March 18, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304122634/http://www.king-raleigh.org/pgms/waterm.htm| archive-date=March 4, 2008}}

In 2003, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a joint resolution honoring Lightner's life and achievements. That year a committee was formed in Raleigh to decide on a public space to name after Lightner. After some deliberation, it resolved to affix Lighter's name to a new public safety center to be built in the downtown. In 2010 over 250 people, led by a police detective, lobbied in an attempt to have the center named after a public safety worker instead of "a politician".{{cite web| url = https://abc11.com/archive/7411973/| title = Call to rename Lightner Center| date = April 29, 2010| publisher = WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham| access-date = December 7, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181207194020/https://abc11.com/archive/7411973/| archive-date = December 7, 2018| url-status = live}} After being accused of urging the change with racist motivations, the detective backed away from his suggestion and apologized.{{cite news| last = Wade| first = Melissa| title = Controversy Over Safety Center Name| newspaper = The Light| date = May 11, 2010| url = https://thelightnc.com/315771/controversy-over-safety-center-name/| access-date = July 14, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190714052001/https://thelightnc.com/315771/controversy-over-safety-center-name/| archive-date = July 14, 2019| url-status = live}} High projected costs and proposed tax increases to fund the construction of the building were met with public opposition, and in 2013 the city council abandoned the project.{{cite news| last = Knopf| first = Taylor| title = Raleigh leaders consider building new government campus| newspaper = The News & Observer| date = March 11, 2016| url = https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article65509122.html| access-date = December 7, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181207150135/https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article65509122.html| archive-date = December 7, 2018| url-status = live}} In 2009 Lightner was inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame.{{cite web| url = https://www.wral.com/news/local/noteworthy/story/6074067/| title = Local leaders inducted into Raleigh Hall of Fame| date = September 24, 2009| publisher = WRAL-TV| access-date = December 2, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150926192424/http://www.wral.com/news/local/noteworthy/story/6074067/| archive-date = September 26, 2015| url-status = live}} The following year a mural portraying prominent North Carolina African Americans was dedicated at the University of North Carolina's Knapp-Sanders Building. It included a depiction of Lightner.{{cite web| url = https://uncpressblog.com/2010/09/07/the-story-of-service-part-5-nc-school-desegregation/| title = The Story of Service, Part 5: NC School Desegregation| date = September 7, 2010| website = UNC Press Blog| publisher = University of North Carolina Press| access-date = July 14, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190714053312/https://uncpressblog.com/2010/09/07/the-story-of-service-part-5-nc-school-desegregation/| archive-date = July 14, 2019| url-status = live}}

In 2010 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released several files pertaining to Jesse Helms, a conservative Republican politician who had served as a United States senator. According to the files, in 1978 the FBI was given a letter from an anonymous source which indicated that Lightner was given $10,000 to bribe black voters on behalf of Helms to not participate in that year's elections. Bruce Lightner called the allegation "ridiculous" and said, "My Daddy, like most African Americans, did not like or agree with anything Jesse Helms stood for."{{cite news| last1 = Kane| first1 = Dan| last2 = Christensen| first2 = Rob| title = Files indicate Helms was 'contact' for FBI| newspaper = The News & Observer| date = May 26, 2010}}{{cite web| url = https://www.wral.com/jesse-helms-fbi-file-death-threats-spying-and-vote-buying-accusations/7671228/| title = Jesse Helms' FBI file: Death threats, spying and vote-buying accusations| date = May 26, 2010| website = WRAL-TV| publisher = Capitol Broadcasting Company| access-date = February 23, 2019}}

Notes

Citations

References

{{cite book| last = Bass| first = Jack| title = The Transformation of Southern Politics: Social Change and Political Consequence Since 1945| publisher = University of Georgia Press| edition = reprint| date = 1995| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=W09OtCyHMI4C| isbn = 9780820317281}}
{{citation| last = Blythe| first = John| title = The Little Old Lady Grabs the Mayor's Shoes: Isabella Cannon, Neighborhood Activism, and the 1977 Raleigh Mayoral Election| series = Historical Political Campaigns in North Carolina Conference| date = September 2012| publisher = University of North Carolina| url = https://dcr.lib.unc.edu/indexablecontent/uuid:6ca8e2ca-72b2-4431-88d4-845daac92724| access-date = July 26, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190726141704/https://dcr.lib.unc.edu/indexablecontent/uuid:6ca8e2ca-72b2-4431-88d4-845daac92724| archive-date = July 26, 2019| url-status = live}}
{{cite journal| last = Bunch-Lyons| first = Beverley| title = 'Ours is a Business of Loyalty': African American Funeral Home Owners in Southern Cities| journal = The Southern Quarterly| volume = 53| issue = 1| pages = 57–71| edition = Fall 2015| url = https://ncr.vt.edu/docs/53.1.bunch-lyons.pdf| issn = 2377-2050| ref = {{harvid|Bunch-Lyons|2015}}| access-date = December 2, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161001225845/http://ncr.vt.edu/docs/53.1.bunch-lyons.pdf| archive-date = October 1, 2016| url-status = live}}
{{cite book| title = Cape Fear Presbytery centennial, 1886-1986 : preserving the past - claiming the future.| publisher = Presbyterian Church (USA)| date = 1986| url = https://archive.org/details/capefearpresbyte00pres/page/n1| oclc = 21920343| ref = {{harvid|Cape Fear Presbytery centennial|1986}}}}
{{cite book| last = Cheney| first = John L. Jr.| title = North Carolina Manual| publisher = North Carolina Secretary of State| date = 1977| location = Raleigh| url = https://archive.org/details/northcarolinaman1977nort| oclc = 1245537}}
{{cite book| last1 = Heilig| first1 = Peggy| last2 = Mundt| first2 = Robert J.| title = Your Voice at City Hall: The Politics, Procedures and Policies of District Representation| publisher = State University of New York Press| date = 1984| location = Albany, New York| url = https://archive.org/details/yourvoiceatcityh0000heil| url-access = registration| isbn = 9780873958219}}
{{cite book| title = Journal of the Senate of the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina : Second Session 1978| publisher = North Carolina Senate| date = 1978| location = Raleigh| url = https://archive.org/details/journalofsenateo1978nort/page/| oclc = 647942741| ref = {{harvid|Journal of the Senate|1978}}}}
{{Citation| last = Little| first = M. Ruth| title = Chavis Park Carousel Landmark Designation Report Prepared for the Raleigh Historic Districts Commission| publisher = Longleaf Historic Resources| edition = revised| date = February 2008| url = https://rhdc.org/sites/default/files/Chavis%20Park%20Landmark%20Report%20for%20web.pdf| access-date = September 26, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200604000744/https://rhdc.org/sites/default/files/Chavis%20Park%20Landmark%20Report%20for%20web.pdf| archive-date = June 4, 2020| url-status = live}}
{{cite book| last = Matney| first = William C.| title = Who's Who Among Black Americans| publisher = Who's Who Among Black Americans, Inc.| volume = 1| edition = 2nd| date = 1978| location = Northbrook, Illinois| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=36ZYE0NdIusC| isbn = 9780915130160}}
{{Citation| title = Mount Hope Cemetery| publisher = United States Department of the Interior| series = National Register of Historic Places| date = 2008| url = https://rhdc.org/sites/default/files/MountHopeLandmarkApplicationAndReport2017web.pdf| ref = {{harvid|Mount Hope Cemetery|2008}}}}
{{cite book| title = Profiles of Black Mayors in America| publisher = Joint Center for Political Studies| date = 1977| location = Washington, D.C.| url = https://archive.org/details/profilesofblackm0000join| url-access = registration| isbn = 9780874850741| ref = {{harvid|Profiles of Black Mayors in America|1977}}}}