Tom Lee Character Traits

Tom Lee was born February 18, 1885; just 20 years after the 13 amendment, which prohibited slavery nationwide. Although slavery was abolished, the south was long from a place of equality, for a Negro male or female. In the 1920’s the south was a place, thick with “the Jim Crow law of; segregation, prejudice, hatred, and inequality toward blacks, conflicts was prominent everywhere. However, the characteristics and behavior of Tom Lee on May 8, 1925 reflect the values that were instilled into his life regardless of the way he may have been treated. Tom Lee was just an ordinary black man striving to make a living for his family, by working on the Mississippi River as a field hand and levee worker for C.W. Hunter Co. His unselfish deed and heroic act earned him the honor of being called “A Worthy Negro” by some of Memphis elite

He was introduced and greeted numerous dignitaries and officials, including Mayor Paine of the City of Memphis. Eight days later Lee was invited to the White House to meet President Calvin Coolidge. A few weeks later, in an interview, Lee was asked what would he like, he replied “I would like a small place for me and my wife.” The Engineers’ club members, showed their gratitude, by combining efforts with the Commercial Appeal, and raised more than $3,000, which was used to purchased and renovate a house, at 923 Mansfield in North Memphis for 800.00, a bank account was open with the remaining to pay the taxes. The City also gave Lee a lifetime job with the sanitation department earning twenty cents a week; this also made him the first black man to work for the City of Memphis Sanitation Department. He retired early at the age of 62 with a pension of 75.00 per month. Tom Lee died, April 1, 1952 from cancer, at his home; a simple head stone marks his grave at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, on Hernando Rd. in Memphis. There was no mention of his heroic