Clarence Bullock

Clarence C. Bullock NORFOLK - Clarence Charles Bullock, a resident of Philadelphia, was born April 10, 1937 to the late Clarence Cornelius Bullock and Susie Bullock (Harden) in Norfolk. He passed away July 18, 2010. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk. He went on to receive a bachelor's degree in fine arts from North Carolina A&T State University and a master's degree in Fine Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. He worked as an art teacher in the Philadelphia public school system for more than 37 years. He taught at Stoddart-Fleisher Junior High, Shoemaker Junior High, Daniel Boone, Logan Elementary and Guion Bluford Elementary School. Clarence was also a world-renowned artist who painted numerous portraits. Noted among them is a life-size portrait of President John F. Kennedy that he presented in 1963 in the East Wing of the White House after overcoming the effects of paralysis in his lower limbs from a brain injury and an emergency brain operation 2½ months earlier. His other great works include a painting of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. entitled, "He is Still Watching Us" depicting the march on Washington, D.C., for which he received the Philadelphia Human Rights Award. Both portraits are registered with the National Portrait Gallery-Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., as well as his portraits of former President Jimmy Carter, Senator Sam Ervin and Pablo Picasso. He also painted a life-size portrait of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former President Nelson Mandela which was presented to Mandela. Clarence was also an accomplished author of the book entitled, "The Autobiography of an Artist" that is in the Artbibliographics Modern-Oxford, England Smithsonian Institution and two other publications entitled, "Born Again" and "Bullock the Artist." Throughout his life, he was an avid supporter of civil rights involving himself in activities such as the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (The Paul Robeson House) Operation Move and as well as being instrumental in the campaign to declare the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a national holiday. He leaves behind to carry on his legacy his devoted daughter, Calandra D. Bullock of Phoenixville, Pa.; his sister, Roma B. Jones and niece Babette Jones, both of Duluth, Ga.; and his companion/special friend, Patricia Thompkins of Philadelphia. Viewing will be held at Pinn Memorial Baptist Church, 2251 N. 54th St., Philadelphia, PA 19131 on Saturday, July 24, from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by the funeral. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Norfolk Monday, July 26, at 10 a.m. Hale Funeral Home is handling local arrangements. www.halefuneralhome.com.