Historical Truxtun Civic League

(1) Dr A.C. Johnson: Dr Johnson was one of the first home owners in Truxtun. In Truxtun's early years  when  it was  a township before being annexed by Norfolk County Dr Johnson served on many committees. In 1921 Dr. A.C. Johnson and other colored citizens of Portsmouth launched an intense campaign to raise $50,000 to erect a hospital to service blacks in Truxtun and surrounding areas. The proposed location was known as the Old Codd Site.the hospital never materialize but the efforts of Dr. Johnson and others will not be forgotten.
(2)  The Johnson Family: The Johnson Family of Bagley Street were a family of entrepreneurs. Gattie, Talmadge, Joe,  William, & Luther . The list of Johnson owned businesses include a grocery store,beatuy shop, a Pure Oil gas station, a coal yard, recreation hall,grill and night club,and carwash. The Johnson family was also very active in Truxtun community affairs. In 1936 the Johnson family opened a community park next to the Vikin's Club.  In 1949 Gattie was on the planning committee for Truxtun's 30th anniversary celebration.

(3)  Kelly Briley : Kelly Briley was a entrepreneur and a community leader.  Kelly worked in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard from 1945-1957. In 1957 he started his own taxi cab company in Portsmouth which werved the city until 1994. In the 60's & 70's  the corner of Effingham & County(Portsmouth Central Business District was known as Kelly's Corner.  he owned and operated a motel, restaurant , barbershop, shoeshine parlor, and clothing sote on that corner.  Kelly Briley was active mason, member of the Portsmouth Democratic party, the Y.M.C.A. and a founding member of the Inspirational Club.  

 (4) Andrew T. Jones: Andrew T. Jones owned  one of  the first black interstate bus transportation companies in the United States. Andrew started his company with one bus in the early 50s and it grew to as many as 11 buses by the 80's. In the 60's many Portsmouth students had no transportation to Norfolk State  University and Mr. jones commissioned a bus he named the Blue Goose. Mr Andrew T. Jones was very active in the community affairs of Truxtun .Jones Bus Company was one of the first bus lines to take Portsmouth students on field trips, church groups to events and students to the away sporting events. He received the Bridge Builders Award for being the service provider  for hundreds of area students who might not have been able to obtain their education due to lack of transportation.

 (5) SAMUEL "Sam" Avery Montgomery:Sam Montgomery grew up in Truxtun , as a young man he attended Mt Carmel where is was active in the Boy Scouts Troop 88. Sam shall forever be remembered as Portsmouth's  first Black Motorcycle Officer and one of Portsmouth's first black detectives. Sam served the Portsmouth Police Dept .for 17 years. Sam was very community minded ,he initially organized the Block Security Program and the Slow Down for Tots Program.He also involved in created programs for seniors.After retiring from the police force he ran two time(unsuccessfully ) for the office of Portsmouth Sheriff. 

 Elder  Dr.Rachel O Harris: Rachel O. Harris has been a resident of Truxtun for over 50 years and first secretary of The Old Truxtun Civic League. Dr. Harris was one of the first woman ordained as an Elder in the Third Jurisdiction of The Church of God in Christ.Elder Dr. rachel O Harris,an anointed teacher,prayer warrior and a woman of God.  

Edinburgh"Tip" Corprew : Tip Corprew as he was known by all in Portsmouth and throughout the state was a true community leader. He was very active in civic leader and community affairs,he served as a member of the Portsmouth City Council for two terms and served as Vice Mayor. Tip was also the former President of the Va.State Board of Funeral Directors>

Wilfreta Gourdine Baugh: Wilfreta Baugh is a member of the Manley Street Gourdine Family. Baugh has been a solo practitioner in internal medicine with her offic in Germantown Pa.She is a past President of the Jefferson Medical College Alumni Association.Wilfreta Gourdine Baugh was also a past President of the National Medical Association of Eastern Pennsylvania.She serves on its Executive Committee and chairs The Minority Intership.
Lula Mae Price lived in Truxtun on Hobson Street for over 30 years..She worked with the kids of Truxtun and since 1936 she has worked with youth projects at St Mark Missionary Baptist Church.In her 90's she is the chairperson of the Youth Advisor Ministry and stil work with Youth Ushers and Youth Missionaries. 


Deloris Overton Short: Deloris Overton Short grew up on Hobson Street in Truxtun. Deloris worked with her mother Lucy on many of the Old Truxtun Civic League Projects. Deloris is the first African-American General Registrar in Greater South Hampton Roads and only the fourth African -american out of 136 in Virginia. She was appointed in 1993. Her list of awards for community service include the Liberty Bell Award in 1997, the Presidents Award for the NAACP in 1996 and was a 1999 Women of Excellence honoree. Deloris is married to 2007 Truxtun Wall Of Fame honoree Army Retired Lt. General a Alonzo E. Short Jr

James L. Whitehurst Jr: James Whitehurst was one the pioneer black students at Virginia Tech. He entered Tech in 1959,after his sophomore year Whitehurst demanded a room on campus and was given an entire bay in Lane Hall. In his Junior year he rebuffed  Va. Tech "s Presidents request not to attend the ring dance.James became the first black to be appointed to Va. Tech's Board of Visiors. As a fighter pilot he flew over 117 combat missions over North Vietnam. his awards include The silver Star, Korean Service Medal and Combat Readiness Medal.He Flew F-105's in the Va. Air National Guard.

Harrison Benton Jr. :.Harrison Benton Jr

"June" benton was raised in truxtun on Hobson street.he earned his bachelor of Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College of Divinity. Dr. Benton is an Ordained Itinerant Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.he founded the Word Of Life Christian Academy. In 2006 he organized and developed the Sterling Bible College. A recognized Professional Illustrator/Portrait Artist whos has a number of commissioned works. Two of his most noted works are painting of Gen Chappie James,and The Honoerable Clifford L. Alexander the 13th Secretary of the Army.both are hanging in the Pentagon. Harrison Benton jr was the first black to serve as the Chief of Programs and Evaluation Graphics Branch at the Pentagon. He retired in 1994 after 32 years of service.