JULIUS WALKER, JR.’S LEGACY IS CEMENTED IN STONE

I was recently contacted by Mrs. Lucy Beamon, SOZ Contributor and member of Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church, Elizabeth City, NC, requesting that the SOZ share an article (which is printed below) published in the Roanoke Beacon Newspaper about Julius Walker, Jr.

 Mr. Walker is a member of Morning Star A.M.E. Zion Church in Roper, NC (Edenton District; Albemarle Conference), where the Rev. Fondella Leigh serves as the Presiding Elder.  Julius Walker is 79 years old and has been a member of The A.M.E. Zion Church his entire life. For over 20-plus years, Mr. Walker has served as the Preacher's Steward, Class Leader, Superintendent of Church School, and Church School teacher. He has also served as a Trustee. On the District level, he is the Director of Men of Zion; on the Conference level, he is the Albemarle Conference Lay Council President.

On October 17, 2024, the Central Support Office Building of the Washington County School District was named “The Julius Walker Jr. Administrative Building,” a designation meant to honor a lifetime of tireless service, unwavering commitment, and leadership. Julius Walker Jr.’s over 40-year legacy in the Washington County School District has been etched into the hearts and minds of generations. From the classroom to the halls of administration, Walker has left an undeniable mark on his community and his name is spoken highly across vast swaths of Eastern North Carolina.

As one might imagine, Thursday afternoon’s ceremony was well-attended, with scores of family members, friends, old coworkers, and many more gathering on the grounds of Central Support for the occasion. Several visitors, many of whom also possessed hefty legacies, rose to share their stories about Walker and the impact he’s had on their lives. 

Unsurprisingly, some of the greatest speeches and tributes of the day came from members of Walker’s extended family. Walker’s grandson, Shawn Walker Jr., spoke briefly about the impact his grandfather had on his upbringing. In particular, the young Murray State University basketball star spoke about how proud he was of his grandfather and how important it is to leave a legacy of love and wisdom to a community.

“I just want to say how proud I am to have you as my grandfather,” Shawn Jr. said. “I’m also proud of your success. To me, success is about how many people you’ve blessed. Everyone that’s here in this audience today, my grandfather has blessed you in some way, whether that was in love, wisdom, understanding, or monetary means. Seeing what he has accomplished should make all of us ask the question, what is it that we all want to leave behind…we can’t all have our name on a sign, and we can’t all hold public office... But what we can do is love each other...which is the greatest legacy we can leave behind for generations to come.”

Walker’s children, Kendra Walker Powell and Coach Shawn Walker Sr., also heaped similar praises on their father.  As far as Powell was concerned, it was her father’s attitude towards his fellow man, rather than his myriad of accolades, that had made all the difference in his life.

CONGRATS TO JULUIS WALKER, JR.