Thomas Desire Pawley III was an educator, theatrical director, playwright, and author. His articles on theater have appeared in several periodicals including SADA Encore, Negro College Quarterly, and the Quarterly Journal of Speech.
Pawley was born in 1917 in Jackson, Mississippi. He received his education at Virginia State College and the University of Iowa. After completing his education, Dr, Pawley served as Professor Emeritus of Theater and former Dean of Arts and Sciences atLincoln Universityin Jefferson City, Missouri. He built the Speech and Theatre Department at Lincoln where he taught for 40 years.
Dr. Pawley was one of the first African Americans to be accepted in the old American Theater Association and distinguished ATA College of Fellows. Above all, Dr. Pawley was a leader in the National Association of Speech and Dramatic Arts (NADSA) and the HBCUs Summer Theatre Program.
He built the Speech and Theater Department at Lincoln where he taught for 40 years. He was also one of the first blacks to be accepted in the old American Theater Association and distinguished ATA College of Fellows. Dr. Pawley was a leader in the National Association of Speech and Dramatic Arts (NADSA) and the HBCUs Summer Theatre Program. His book, The Black Teacher and the Dramatic Arts, ranks as one of the leading anthologies and scholarly dialogues in African-American Theatre. In 1952, he initiated one of the first college summer-theater programs for black students at Lincoln and, during his Lincoln tenure, directed 75 student plays.
His book, The Black Teacher and the Dramatic Arts, ranks as one of the leading anthologies and scholarly dialogues in African-American Theatre. In 1952, he initiated one of the first college summer-theater programs for black students at Lincoln and, during his Lincoln tenure, directed 75 student plays.
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Thomas Desiré Pawley, III, PhD, 98, of Jefferson City, passed away Monday, August 1, 2016, at Adams Street Place.
He was born on August 5, 1917, in Jackson, Mississippi, the son of the late Prof. Thomas D. Pawley, Jr., and Ethel John (Woolfolk) Pawley.
Dr. Pawley began his education at the lab school on the Virginia State University campus and graduated from high school at the age of fifteen. He then continued his higher education earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia State College at age nineteen. He enrolled in the University of Iowa where he was awarded both a Master degree and Doctoral degree.
He was united in marriage on August 14, 1941, in Texarkana, Texas to Ethel Louise McPeters who preceded him in death on October 23, 2012.
Dr. Pawley took his first teaching position at Atlanta University. In later years he was a visiting professor at the University of California, Northern Illinois University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Missouri.
In 1940, Dr. Pawley came to Missouri and took a temporary appointment at Lincoln University as instructor of English and Director of Dramatics. The temporary appointment turned into forty-eight years of educational instructions before he retired in 1988 from Lincoln University. During those years he served as University Marshal, head of the departments of English, Speech, Theatre, and Communications, as well as chairman of the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts. From 1977 to 1983 he served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He was also Writer in Residence and Curator's Distinguished Professor of Speech and Theatre.
Dr. Pawley was honored for his career with Lincoln University when the Langston Hughes Little Theatre was renamed the Thomas D. Pawley, III, Theatre. In 2015, Lincoln presented Dr. Pawley with an honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts.
in 1970, Dr. Pawley co-authored a book entitled "The Black Teacher and the Dramatic Arts." He wrote more than thirty plays, hundreds of poems, articles, and papers, and was published in college papers, national magazines, anthropologies.
During his career he was honored with numerous awards including Meritorious Service to NADSA from 1953-1955, Outstanding Educator of America in 1970, two Unity Awards from Lincoln University, honored as an American Theatre Fellow in 1979; and presented the prestigious Mister Brown Award of the National Conference on African American Theatre in 1986. The City of Jefferson honored Dr. Pawley on October 12, 2014, as the Dr. Thomas Pawley, III, Day and presented the Jefferson City Coin with the number 80 engraved on the coin in recognition of his years of service to his fraternity. He received resolution from the 83rd Missouri House of Representatives, a Senate Resolution from the 97th General Assembly, and a Proclamation from Governor Jay Nixon. He received the Professor Emeriti Service Award from Lincoln University in 2003, and the Missouri Arts Award from the Missouri Council of the Arts in 1999.
Dr. Pawley was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Jefferson City where he served on the Vestry, taught Sunday School, and presented programs and poetry readings for many years.
Jefferson City Mayor John C. Christy appointed Dr. Pawley to the Library Board of Directors which he served on for many years including serving as President of the Board during the ground breaking of the current Jefferson City Library.
Dr. Pawley was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity , Inc., on December 15, 1934, and became life member #636 in 1970. He was a dedicated brother to the fraternity for over eighty years. In 1996, the fraternity honored Dr. Pawley with their highest award, the Award of Merit.
In his spare time he enjoyed family genealogy, traveling with his wife to Las Vegas to play slot machines, visit with friends, play golf and tennis, and attend theatrical shows.
Survivors include two sonS, Thomas Pawley, IV, (Debbie Enright), Jefferson City, Larry Pawley, Jefferson City; one sister, Gloria Martin, Maryland; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and two brothers, Melvin and Bruce Pawley.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2016, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home.
The Funerary Ritual, inducting a Brother into Omega Chapter, the Chapter for all deceased Brother's, will be conducted 10 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Richardson Auditorium Fine Arts Center on Lincoln University campus. The service is open to the public.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Grace Episcopal Church with the Rev. Harvel Sanders and the Rev. Shariya Molegoda officiating.
Burial will be in Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.
Memorials are suggested to theAmerican Cancer Society, 2413 Hyde Park Road, Jefferson City, MO 65109; or to theAmerican Heart Association, 915 Country Ridge Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at thewww.dulletrimble.comwebsite.
Published by The Progress-Index from Aug. 5 to Aug. 6, 2016.
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Thomas Desire “TD” Pawley, IV, age 80, of Jefferson City, passed away Friday, February 9, 2024, at Capital Region Medical Center.
He was born January 27, 1944, the son of Dr. Thomas Desire Pawley, III and Ethel Louise (McPeters) Pawley.
Thomas received his Juris Doctorate from Harvard University.
TD worked in the private counsel sector for several years. He was also active with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
During his younger years, TD was an Eagle Scout, played football and ran track for Jefferson City High School, was a member of the Honors Society in high school, and enjoyed being a DJ on Harbor Radio. He attended Grace Episcopal Church where he served as an Acolyte.
Survivors include his brother, Lawrence "Larry" Austin Pawley, Jefferson City, MO; aunt, Gloria Pawley Martin, Upper Marlboro, MD; cousins, Harriette Pawley Fields, Silver Spring, MD; Melva Pawley Wharton, Roanoke, VA; Robert William Martin, Adelphi, MD; David Pawley Martin, New York, NY. "TD" will also be missed by many other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held 11 a.m. to 12 noon Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. A graveside service will follow at Hawthorn Memorials Gardens.
Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com
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