The Iconic Walton Family: A Legacy of Courage, Community Service, and Educational Excellence!
- Donald V. Watkins
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
By: Donald V. Watkins
Copyrighted and Published on March 11, 2026
AMERICAN HISTORY ---
After my father left the presidency at Owen Junior College in Memphis, Tennessee, the Watkins family returned to Montgomery, Alabama in 1959. There, my dad became Business Manager at Alabama State University and then its President. We had lived in Montgomery once before.
This time, we lived in the last house on Faculty Circle near Union Street until dad became president in 1962. Then, we moved into the President's Residence.
A block from Faculty Circle -- on Deer Street -- lived the Walton family: Dr. Norman William Walton, Jr., Mrs. Jimmie Pearl Thomas Walton, Norman “Nicky” Walton, III, Edward “Chico” Walton, Wanda Walton, and Renee Walton.
The Waltons came to Montgomery in 1950 when Dr. Walton got a job at ASU. They became outstanding community service leaders and staunch supporters of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his Montgomery civil rights movement.
In fact, the Walton family was widely recognized as one of the pillars of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where Dr. King pastored. Everybody respected the Waltons.
The Waltons Promoted Educational Excellence at Home and at Work
Dr. Norman Walton, Jr., graduated from Tennessee State University with B.S. and M.Ed degrees. In 1970, he earned a Ph.D in African American Studies from Carnegy Melon University.
Dr. Walton was chair of the History and Social Sciences Department at ASU until his retirement. He was also the men's swim team coach. In 1976. Dr. Walton was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame as a swim coach. The Norman Walton Aquatic Center on ASU’s campus is named in his honor. Dr. Walton died on April 28, 2005.
Mrs. Walton graduated from Tennessee State with a B.S degree. She also earned a Master’s degree in education from ASU.
Mrs. Walton taught in the public schools in Montgomery and was one of the first Black teachers assigned to integrate the faculty at Danelley Elementary School in the city. She was also my mother’s best friend until the end. Mrs. Walton, who was affectionately known throughout Montgomery as the “queen of nice,” died on April 22, 2020.
Family Life
The Walton couple met at Tennessee State University and married shortly after graduating from college. They had four exceptionally gifted children, all of whom are depicted with their mom in the photo below.
The Walton children grew into very successful adults. They are:
Nicky Walton, who graduated from Alabama State College Laboratory High School. Nicky received his undergraduate and medical school degrees from Howard University. He became a world-class, board certified dermatologist with offices in Montgomery and Birmingham. Nicky was the Watkins family's dermatologist until he retired. He was also the very first financial contributor to my 1979 Montgomery city council campaign.
Chico Walton, who graduated from Lab High and Howard. Chico earned his from PH.D. in chemistry from the University of Maryland. Chico taught chemistry at the U.S. Naval Academy and California Polytechnic State University.
Wanda Walton Jackson, who graduated from Lab High and Howard with a degree in chemistry. She is a Phi Beta Kappa who acquired 14 patents from working at Johnson & Johnson and other companies.
Renee Walton, who graduated from Lanier High School and the University of Alabama with a bachelor's, master's, and MBA in electrical engineering. Renee worked at and retired from the Boeing Company.
The Walton and Watkins children grew up together, went to school together, played together, went to church together, attended vacation Bible school together, and did everything else together until we left Montgomery for college.
My brother, Levi Watkins, Jr., and Nicky Walton were high school classmates, co-valedictorians, and best friends for life. Chico was a year older than me, but we were best friends, as well.
James Watkins and Wanda and Renee Walton tagged along with us as younger siblings.
A Lifetime of Mutual Respect and Admiration
The Walton and Watkins families have been extremely close throughout the years. We have respected each other, admired each other, supported each other, inspired each other, and protected each other for over seven decades.
The Walton family is iconic in America history. Their parents were world-class human beings and dedicated freedom fighters. Their brilliance was unquestioned. Their children became some of America’s best intellectual capital.
The Watkins family is extremely proud to have known and been loved by the Walton family. Nobody and nothing ever came between us.
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