By Paul R. Jervay, Jr.
Publisher
An untold story in the history of The Carolinian is the impact of the late Brenda Hazel Yancey had on the building of the business. A native of Atlanta, Ga., she met P. R. Jervay, Sr. at Hampton University when he was an instructor in the trade school in Linotype operation.
My father once told me when he saw my mother descend the stairs of her dormitory at Hampton Institute, he had to get to know that lady. And in his getting to know “Ms. Brenda” he came to know a loving, but very focused individual who knew what goals she had in life, and knew how to cooperate with a mate to achieve them.
Brenda Hazel Yancey went on to Columbia Teachers College in New York to do further study in her chosen field of Home Economics, and pursue her chosen field in the workplace, and to marry P.R. Jervay, Sr.
One hallmark of their union was that once “Mr. P.R.” and “Ms Brenda” planned a course of action, they stayed that course. This commitment pervaded home, work, and virtually every avenue of their life.
Through the years business and personal successes were realized. The couple was blessed with two children, Prentice Jervay Monroe, and Paul R. Jervay, Jr. They moved from Wilmington, N.C. in the late 30s to become part of the Capital City fabric with Ms. Jrvay pursuing her teaching career at Shaw University, heading the Home Economics Department, and Mr. Jervay realizing a dream of owning and operating a newspaper, The Carolinian.
One of Ms. Jervay’s cherished affiliations was her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Theta Omega Chapter, in Raleigh. She often talked of her sorors, and drew from the pool of knowledge that organization offered.
In her later years, even though stricken with Multiple schlerosis, Ms. Jervay was a joy to friends and family alike a she greeted them from her bedside. Although in the autumn of their lives, P. R. Jervay and Brenda Jervay could still be seen at their Brenda Drive residence sharing the precious communication and commitment that had sustained them for a lifetime.
Thank you mom, for all you have meant to us!
