Thereasea Elder

Thereasea Delerine "T. D." Elder (September 2, 1927 – January 5, 2021) was the first African American public health nurse in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Early life and education Elder was born Charlotte, North Carolina. She was the sixth child of Booker T. and Odessa Clark. Her father worked as a porter and her mother did domestic work in homes. That same year she married Willie Elder, a World War II veteran who ran a service station. During her time at Good Samaritan Hospital, she completed a certificate program in public health nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Elder also devoted herself to community improvement, earning local and state recognition. She was the president of the Greenville Historical Association was an active member of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women. She founded the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Historical Society and was on the Board of Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross. She was recognized in 2013 by Johnson C. Smith for her work in strengthening the Rockwell neighborhood.

In 2001, Governor Mike Easley conferred upon her the Order of the Long-Leaf Pine for doing "great service to [her] community the state" The Thereasea Clark Elder Neighborhood Park was created in her honor by the Charlotte Parks and Rec. Department.