Funeral arrangements are set for the University of Tennessee at Martin’s first black administrator. The Rev. Harold Conner Sr. died last Sunday at age 97.
His services are set for 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Fuller Street Baptist Church in Dresden with burial to follow at Eastside Cemetery in Martin. Visitation will be held at the church starting at 11 a.m. the day of the service and continue until service time.
Conner came to UT Martin in 1969 as assistant dean of students and was later named assistant vice chancellor for student affairs. He helped start the Black Student Association and the Highest Praise Gospel Choir.
Conner also played a role in the integration of UT Martin and public schools in Weakley County. Jesse Arnold Pryor was the first African American student to enroll at UTM in 1961. She credited Conner for encouraging her to attend the university. Conner retired in 1981.
