Edward S. Ailor

Edward S. Ailor Jr., the son of the late Edward and Daisy Ailor Sr. was born November 4, 1907 in Baltimore, Maryland. He departed this life Sunday, December 11, 2005. Raised in the Sandtown Winchester area, he was among the first students to transfer from the old colored high school to Frederick Douglass High School, which opened in 1924. While in school, he played football, basketball and baseball. As a young man, he worked as a waiter. He worked at several clubs including the Suburban Club and the old Rodgers Forge. Ed also worked the Maryland racing circuit in the Pimlico, Laurel and Bowie Clubhouses for the Harry M. Stevens Caterers. While serving as the Head Waiter for the restaurant in the Friendship Airport, he asked Jane Mansfield for an autograph for his grandson. She signed, “To Eric, you have a handsome grandfather.”At the beginning of the Social Security Administration in the mid-1930’s, he became a clerk at the Candler Building on Pratt Street in downtown Baltimore, During World War II, he served the Army in England in a transportation unit known as the Red Ball Express, which kept troops supplied with gasoline, food and ammunition. He was then 37 years old and they called him Pops. He was befriended by a family in Wales and they corresponded. The story of his letter-writing to the family, The Bowen-Braverys, was detailed I a 1986 Evening Sun Article, “Friends—across a wide sea, across 41 years.” After the war, he learned to drive and became a route salesman for the old Leon Levi jewelers at Lexington and Eutaw streets. He was the first black route salesman they had.His customers bought jewelry, irons and home appliances on time, and collected payments weekly. “He was an affable man, full of personality,” said Frank M. Conaway, clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. “He was always nattily dressed and was the epitome of sartorial splendor.” In his later years, Ed Ailor became a chauffeur for city solicitors George Russell and Benjamin Brown.Throughout his life, he was a sports fan. He avidly followed the Orioles and Colts and, while in his 90’s attended Ravens games. He also never gave up his affection for thoroughbred racing—he attended the Kentucky Derby while on assignment in the Army during World War II when he was stationed in the U.S.In later years, he took bus trips to the Belmont Stakes in New York and was a regular at Maryland’s tracks. Ed Ailor was a longtime member of Metropolitan United Methodist Church. He was also an honorary member of a social club, The Esquires. His wife of 52 years, the former Corrie Carter, died in 1985.Survivors include sons, Edward Ailor III and Cordell Ailor of Baltimore; a sister, Hilda A. Carter, also of Baltimore; two grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

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Edward S. Ailor

November 4, 1907 - December 11, 2005