Muriel Logan Potts papers

Muriel Rose Logan Potts was born in Petersburg, Virginia on July 16, 1920, to William M. Logan D.D.S and Effie Gaskins Logan. She received a bachelor’s degree from Virginia State College in music, and her master’s in Public School Music from the University of Michigan. Logan returned to Virginia State to pursue a second master’s degree in English. She taught English and Music classes at Carver Junior High School, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Logan married John Foster Potts, Sr. (the last principal of Avery Institute High School) in 1943, and they raised five children, Leila, John, Jr. Paula Camille, and the adopted Alma Young.

In 1951, Potts taught music and English at Haut Gap School on Johns Island. She also established a library at this school. Potts taught classes at Avery Institute to assist African American teachers in Charleston and Georgetown pass the state teacher's exam. In the summer months, she taught at South Carolina State University.

When Dr. John F. Potts was recruited to be Voorhees College's president, in Denmark, South Carolina, Mrs. Potts served as First Lady, a faculty member, chair of the Humanities Department, organist for college assemblies and director of the Voorhees Concert Choir.

After serving sixteen years at Voorhees, the Potts’s retired to East Flat Rock, North Carolina, where Mrs. Potts became the curator at the Carl Sandburg Home.

Among Potts’ numerous social and civic affiliations, she chartered the Charleston Chapter of the Links Incorporated, and Jack and Jill of America Incorporated. She was a dedicated member of the Gamma Zi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Black Arts Festival (presently known as the MOJA Festival).

In 1983, Governor Richard Riley presented Logan Potts the Order of the Palmetto-South Carolina's highest civilian honor. Muriel Potts passed in March 2008.