Arthur Purcell Yancey was born in Crimora, Augusta County Virginia 4 March 1889. His father was Clarence Edward Yancey and his mother was Susan M (Clark) Yancey. Arthur was drafted into the Army on 2 Aug 1918, assigned as a cook, and was Honorably Discharged due to demobilization on 8 May 1919. He married Beatrice Selestine Joaquin on 16 May 1919 in Patchogue, Suffolk County New York. Arthur, Beatrice, and several in-laws (Arthur Joaquin, David Joaquin, Glenwood Hunter, Elisabeth Joaquin) founded the Grace A.M.E. Zion Church in 1919. Between 1920 and 1929 they had six children: Evelyn Viola, Carolyn Beatrice Mae, Arthur Purcell Jr, Helen Jeanette, Frederick James, and James Edward. Arthur was an entrepreneur and started The Yancey Hand Laundry in Patchogue, New York. After being successful for many years, his business became a casualty of the Great Depression in 1929. Needing work he found a job as head waiter at the Rose Hotel. From there he went to work as a waiter for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, working his way up to head waiter until his death in 1957. In 1937, he moved his family to Washington, DC so that he could be closer to home and work.

Arthur Purcell Yancey was born in Crimora, Augusta County Virginia 4 March 1889. His father was Clarence Edward Yancey and his mother was Susan M (Clark) Yancey. Arthur was drafted into the Army on 2 Aug 1918, assigned as a cook, and was Honorably Discharged due to demobilization on 8 May 1919. He married Beatrice Selestine Joaquin on 16 May 1919 in Patchogue, Suffolk County New York. Arthur, Beatrice, and several in-laws (Arthur Joaquin, David Joaquin, Glenwood Hunter, Elisabeth Joaquin) founded the Grace A.M.E. Zion Church in 1919. Between 1920 and 1929 they had six children: Evelyn Viola, Carolyn Beatrice Mae, Arthur Purcell Jr, Helen Jeanette, Frederick James, and James Edward. Arthur was an entrepreneur and started The Yancey Hand Laundry in Patchogue, New York. After being successful for many years, his business became a casualty of the Great Depression in 1929. Needing work he found a job as head waiter at the Rose Hotel. From there he went to work as a waiter for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, working his way up to head waiter until his death in 1957. In 1937, he moved his family to Washington, DC so that he could be closer to home and work.