Historical Truxtun Civic League

MRS LUCY OVERTON        THOMAS TUCKER


PICTURES ABOVE 

WILLARD "BIG MOON" BOWSER

JOHN CASEY.THADDIUS CHAPMAN, VIRGINIUS CARNEY, WILLIE O.CONNER SR. WILLIAM RAY SR.

FLOYD ATKINS JR AND JUDGE JAMES A. OVERTON 

The Historical Truxtun Civic League established a plan in 2005 to restore pride in the community. Truxtun's  great  heritage was built  by many. The Historical Truxtun  Civic League decided to honor persons from Truxtun   who made a  lasting imprint on the community and who had life  achievements that set them apart from the restby enshrining them on the Truxtun Wall of Fame. The 2005 list will include over 20 names. in the following years after 2008 only 5 person per year will be added.Here are the first inductee and a brief biography of their life and accomplishments.

(1) Fred D. McCracker  General Manager of Truxtun in 1919 .He had the distinction of being.the only black town manager in the United States from 1919 until 1921. McCracken was charg by the USHC to directly supervise the sale of house and provide general guidance to the town of  Truxtun Va. Truxtun School was originally named in his honor.

(2) Viginius Carney.. a native of Portsmouth and a Yale University graduate. The first principal of truxtun School. Virginius and his wife started many social programs while living in Truxtun.he was also a community leader

(3) Thomas Tucker.considered by many to be the "Mayor of Truxtun" served as Chairman of the Truxtun Town Council and School Committee before Truxtun was annexed by Norfolk County. One of the first to buy a home in Truxtun.(58 Key Rd) .now Portsmouth Blvd. he served on many committees and gave many years of untiring service  until his death in 1954.

(4)Queenie Esther Lassiter,Mattie Chesson and Clara Harris The original three teaches at Truxtun School  and the Fred D. McCracker School. these three teacher taught 102 students  and were the only teachers from 1917-1920

(5)Mr John Rodgers   John Rodgers was the first person to buy and move in the the new Truxtun Homes in 1919 . the 5 room home cost about $2600. John Rodgers was very active in the early development  of the Truxtun community.

(6)  Ada Gardner,Linwood Trotter,Austin Booker Edgar Gardner and Geraldine Foster The first class enrollees at Truxtun School.

(7) Dr.Corine Wilson Wright. a part of the Truxtun community for over 60 years.She  taught at at  Truxtun School from 1945-1958.As a community leader she worked on the planning committee for Truxtun's 30th Reunion. Dr.Wright was very active in youth affairs at Mt.Carmel Baptist Church.

(8) Dr John A. Jackson   Dr Jackson was one of four doctors who live in Truxtun. Dr Jackson was very active in community affairs in the 40's 50's and 60's.

the doors of his ofice were always open to those in the community even if their funds were low. Dr jackson was one of the last doctor in portsmouth to make house calls. 

(9) Irene B.Gray and Mrs  Pauline Dillard Jeffers  

these were the two most popular teachers at Truxtun School. When you ask Truxtun residents who were your role model growing up the names Miss Gray and  Mrs. Jeffers always come up..Both taught for over 40 years..Mrs Jeffers started in 1922 and Miss Gray in 1925. Miss Gray  taught the first grade and

Mrs.Dillard Jeffers the third.

(10)Mrs Hattie Russell.  A teacher in the Portsmouth School system for over 30 years.As a six grade teacher at Truxtun School she taught the important of music the hundred of Truxtun students.As Choir Director she did the musical arrangements for the famous Truxtun variety shows

(11)Mrs Lucy M. Overton known for herhard work in rebuilding Truxtun  with the Old Truxtun Community League .It's was her leadership that lead to Truxtun's designation in 1983 as a Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission's Historical District.

Mrs Lucy Overton"s achievements started long before her movement  in the 70's with the Old Truxtun Community League.During World War ll

she worked in the blueprint shop in the Norfolk Naval shipyard, from 1962-1982 she was a business owner, she served as president of the Truxtun School PTA in the 60's,she was the first black to work as a cashier at Portsmouth's Lyric Theatre,the first female president of the Harrrison Ward Civic League and the first black female appointed to the Portsmouth Election Board. Lucy Overton was a graduate of I.C. Norcom and Norfolk State University

(12) John Carey  was a leader in the Truxtun community for over 60 years.He worked on many community projects and was the historian and keynote speaker for the 76th Truxtun Anniversary Ceremony.John Carey worked for the Portsmouth School system from 1937-1971 serving as principal of Truxtun School from 1947-1966. 

PICTURES ABOVE

JOHNNIE DAY  HATTIE RUSSEL

CORINE WILSON WRIGHT

DR JAMES A. JACKSON 

(13) Willie O Connor Sr. Mr.Connor had a gift for leadership and a knack for working with youth.He worked with the Cub Scouts ,Boy Scouts and many other youth organizations. In 1957 Mr. Connor realized the kids in Truxtun needed and outlet so he and some friends formed the first Little League for black youth of Portsmouth.If there was one lesson the kids of Truxtun learned from Mr.Connor it was to be a  true winner you must  work hard and play fair. Respect others and they will respect you.

(14) Judge James A. Overton Sr. was the first Black (substitute) Judge appointed in Portsmouth District Court.

Judge Overton paid his dues as a principal in the Norfolk County School system he tackled the harsh disparity in the systems pay ..Whites were receiving higher salaries than black who held the same jobs.As a lawyer he filed law suits against the Portsmouth Municipal Golf course.  Judge Overton was the first black appointed to the portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority. He also served as a Portsmouth Planning Commissssioner and was President of the Central Civic Forum.

  (15) Floyd Atkins Jr.  Floyd grew-up in Truxtun at 73 Hobson Street, Chief as he was called by his staff and peers joined the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain Mas in 1984. He served as chief of cardiology for 18 years. Dr Floyd Atkins Jr also served as the assoicate professor of medicine and assistant dean of students affairs at Tufts School of medicine.After his death in 2003 he was honored by having the intensive care unit at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital named in his  honor

(14)Willard "Big Moon" Bowser grew up in Truxtun and was a member of the Mt Carmel Baptist Church.As a scout leader for Troop 88 he lead many hikes from Mt Carmel to Camp Moonyard in Deep Creek. All of Truxtun"s young scout love for him to call cadence and sing the 88 boogie. Willard later became a assistant Scout Executive with the James E. West district  in Washington DC.upon return home he was named  the Assistant Scout Executive in the Norfolk district . Wllard later served as personnel director for Norfolk Community Hospital and St Mary's Home for Disabled Children.         (15) Thaddius Chapman Jr. Thaddius chapman was know as a soldiers soldier.He wore his uniform well.In Vietnam he was known for his leadership, bravely and courage. He role to the rank of Colonel .As a Major he was one of 58 soldiers selected world wide to be on the honor guard in a ceremony honoring former President Harry S. Truman's birthday. Thadduius grew up on Hobon street in Truxtun attended Truxtun School,he graduted from I.C.Norcom and Va. State  College in Petersburg 

(16) Johnnie Day.. Although was known as a great band leaders ,and a hard worker in the community. Johnnie organized the Gosport Block Security,was President of Police Community Relations Advisory council from 1983-1992 and president of the Wilson Ward Civic League.. Johnnie will be remembered in Truxtun for his fight to obtain curbs and gutters in North Truxtun.He was also the first black General Foreman of shop #02 in the NNSY.

(17) William Ray Sr. At 90 years old Mr ray still managed to coach little league baseball for the Charles Pete Little League.He started in coaching career in 1945.For more than 62 years he has dedicated his life to setting youth on the right path.Many boyswith little skills are better   men today..because Mr. ray gave them a chance to play.                                

(18) Big John Baker  Now retired from pro sports Big john baker was th fist athlete from Truxtun to play professional football. John was a standout player at I.C.Norcom and Norfolk State. Big John Baker upon retirement from pro sports taught and coach football on the high school level. John stil own a home in Truxtun and he satill  love the community.

(19) Alonzo E. Short,Jr. (LT General USA RET) General Short retired from duty on September 1 1994 after a impressive military career.LTG Short held a variety of assignments throughout his 30 year career including executive officer of a Signal battalion in Euope;staff planning and engineering officer in Vietnam;battalion S-3 ececutive officer and battalion commander in Okinawa; he also did a second tour in Vietnam as an adviser.  His honors,awards and decorations include,The Defense Distinguished Service Medal,The Distinguished Service Medal with oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit,a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster,The National Defense Service Medal,The Vietnam Honor Medal , Parachutist and  Air Assault Badges.