Susie P. Gandy


Susie Gandy (Torrence)
 Musical director and principal

Born:June 5, 1901, Huntsville, Alabama
Died:March 12, 1993, Huntsville, Alabama
Buried:Glenwood Cemetery, Madison County, Alabama
Mother of:Clarence Powers Gandy

Notes:

•  Daughter of C. C. And Rosetta Powers. - 1940 Census

•  There is a marriage recorded in Madison County with Susie "R." Powers. The "P." could easily be mistaken for an "R." or she could have taken her maiden name as a middle name. The marriage was recorded on December 27, 1930 between Susie R. Powers and Ellis O. Gandy. - MCRC

•  Mother of Willa C. and Clearance Gandy. - Tribute

•  Lived at 727 Adams St. SE - 1940 Census

•  "Mrs. Gandy was a graduate of Alabama State College and had studied music at the University of Vermont. She had a master's degree in education and served as principal of William Hooper Councill School during World War II. She was well liked by her English students and esteemed by her choir members of St. John A.M.E. Church where she would serve for several decades." - Torrence

•  "We were taught to appreciate excellence no matter the form. Whether we were singing The Hallelujah Chorus under the baton of Mrs. Gandy or playing a 12-bar blues such as The Hucklebuck (we didn't realize the more sophisticated title was Now's the Time) with Mr. Hill or Mr. Rooks, it had to be done well, with style and grace. The same for the many spirituals done by the choirs (both the junior and senior choir). As I look back, I realize the role played by our musical groups in helping us to develop a healthy respect for the beauty of African American culture as well as music from the European or so-called classical tradition. We were made to understand that we were heirs to it all, that it was all ours and, moreover, that it all had merit." - Lacey, Lacey & Ward

•  Mrs. Carmelita S. Gandy, former WHCHS Music Educator, shares her experiences at William Hooper Councill High School which include her late husband, Mr. Clarence Gandy and her late Mother-in-Law, Mrs. Susie P. Gandy (both were WHCHS Educators) and the impact of school integration during the late 1960's in Huntsville, Alabama. She also covers some Gandy family history, including stories about Mrs. Susie P. Gandy. - Tribute


Related Links:

•  1940 Census - The Census is viewed through an Ancestry.com paid subscription. (Originally found at http://www.ancestry.com/1940-census/usa/Alabama/Clarence-P-Gandy_236y9p.)

•  Lacey, Lacey & Ward - Articles titled, "REMEMBERING COUNCILL SCHOOL" by Henry C. Lacey, PhD and "HISTORY OF WILLIAM HOOPER COUNCILL HIGH SCHOOL (1867-1970) Compiled by Marguerite Lacey and Perry O. Ward for Huntsville Historical Review, Volume 21, #1, Jan-94, Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society, pages 4, 6, and 13.

•  MCRC - Madison County Marriage Records

•  Torrence - Dulcina DeBerry: Door Opener, by Missouri L. Torrence, 1996, pages 49, 56, 57.

•  Tribute - WHCAA Tribute - Mrs. Carmelita S. Gandy.


The Following Pages Link to this Page:
•  Clarence Powers Gandy
•  Lacey, Lacey & Ward