Title
Sue Clarkson Phifer, 1918-1999
Subject
Businesswomen
Description
Sue Clarkson Phifer worked with her husband, J. Reese Phifer, to build a screen manufacturing giant, Phifer Wire Products, Inc. in Tuscaloosa. The couple founded the company in 1952.
Mrs. Phifer was chairman of the board of directors, having been an officer of the company since its formation with only five employees. Mrs. Phifer helped build the company that employed 1000 at the time of her death in August,1999.
Phifer was a native of Tuscaloosa and the great niece of Ellen Clarkson Bryce, the wife of the first superintendent of Bryce Hospital. She attended Tuscaloosa High School and the University of Alabama where she earned a degree in journalism.
She married Tuscaloosa native, J. Reese Phifer. After serving as a pilot in World War II, Mr. Phifer returned to Tuscaloosa to practice law and Mrs. Phifer became his secretary.
Mrs. Phifer shared her husband's love of flying and in 1940 became one of the first women to fly solo from the Van de Graaff Airport in Tuscaloosa.
In 1964, the Phifers established the Reese Phifer Jr. Memorial Trust in memory of their late son who was killed in an airplane accident. The Phifers are survived by three daughters, Beverly Clarkson Phifer, Karen Phifer Brooks and Susan Phifer Cork.
Mrs. Phifer was chairman of the board of directors, having been an officer of the company since its formation with only five employees. Mrs. Phifer helped build the company that employed 1000 at the time of her death in August,1999.
Phifer was a native of Tuscaloosa and the great niece of Ellen Clarkson Bryce, the wife of the first superintendent of Bryce Hospital. She attended Tuscaloosa High School and the University of Alabama where she earned a degree in journalism.
She married Tuscaloosa native, J. Reese Phifer. After serving as a pilot in World War II, Mr. Phifer returned to Tuscaloosa to practice law and Mrs. Phifer became his secretary.
Mrs. Phifer shared her husband's love of flying and in 1940 became one of the first women to fly solo from the Van de Graaff Airport in Tuscaloosa.
In 1964, the Phifers established the Reese Phifer Jr. Memorial Trust in memory of their late son who was killed in an airplane accident. The Phifers are survived by three daughters, Beverly Clarkson Phifer, Karen Phifer Brooks and Susan Phifer Cork.
Source
Phifer, Incorporated
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Contributor
Betty Slowe (Description)
Type
Photograph
Identifier
906
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Photograph
Physical Dimensions
4 inches x 6 inches