Joshua, Clay

Interview 218a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, brothers Clay, James, and Thomas Joshua reminisce about growing up in Diboll as African Americans. Though brothers, they had very different experiences since their growing up years spanned the eras of racial segregation, the desegregation and integration process, and full integration. James grew up during total racial segregation and attended H.G. Temple School throughout his childhood. He reminisces about teachers Inez Sibley, Willie Massey, Mrs. Gilbert and others and recalls the school facilities and sports teams. He also played baseball for the Diboll Tigers community baseball team. Clay and Thomas Joshua were in Junior High and High School during racial integration and they discuss the differences in the schools, their social interaction with both races, and playing sports for Diboll High school. In particular they credit Mrs. Stubblefield, Mr. Massey, and Coach Wyatt for easing the transition to racially integrated schools. The brothers also remember Jay Boren, Frank Weeks, Diboll Day, Juneteenth, family dynamics, little league baseball and Mr. Arthur Temple, Jr.