Volma Overton
| Volma Robert Overton | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 26, 1924 Maha, Texas |
| Died |
October 31, 2005 (aged 81) Austin, Texas |
| Residence | Austin, Texas |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Education | BS in chemistry |
| Alma mater | Tillotson College |
| Occupation | Civil rights activist, marine, postmaster |
| Employer |
United States Marine Corps, United States Army Reserves, United States Postal Service |
| Known for | Efforts to end racial segregation in Austin schools |
| Movement | Civil Rights Movement |
| Spouse(s) |
Warneta Hill (m. 1946) |
| Children | 1 son, 3 daughters |
| Relatives | Richard Overton (cousin)[1] |
Volma Overton (September 26, 1924 - October 31, 2005) was an African-American civil rights activist and president of NAACP's Austin, Texas chapter from 1962 to 1983.[2][3] He is best known for his legal efforts to end racial segregation in Austin schools.[4]
Overton was born in Maha in the rural southeast of Travis County.[4] He served in the Marines in World War II,[1] then in the Army Reserves, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.[4] After World War II, he attended Huston-Tillotson College, where he studied chemistry and met his wife, Warneta.[4] They had four children, who were often involved in Overton's civil rights work; their daughter DeDra was named the plaintiff in the federal lawsuit he led to desegregate Austin schools.[4] The lawsuit lasted a decade and Overton, backed by the NAACP Legal Defense, the U.S. Justice Department and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, ultimately prevailed.[4]
References
- 1 2 Izadi, Elahe (November 11, 2014). "Meet America's oldest living vet. He smokes cigars, does yard work, drives and drinks whiskey. And he's 108". Washington Post. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ↑ Overton, Johnnie M. (June 13, 2013). "Overton, Volma Robert, Sr.". The Handbook of Texas. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ↑ Civil Rights: From Black & White to Color (PDF) (DVD set). Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum. March 2004. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Smith, Amy (November 11, 2005). "Local Civil Rights Hero Overton Dies". Austin Chronicle. Austin, Texas. Retrieved January 25, 2015.