Jesse Walton Sr.

Jesse Walton, Sr., was born with a fraternal twin in Augusta, GA, to John and Elease Walton on December 1, 1946. He was the third of their seven children. At a young age, Jesse was baptized at Second Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. He attended Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School and graduated in the Class of 1965. In 1967, Jesse was drafted by the United States Marine Corp and became a veteran of the Vietnam War. He served honorably, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal. For his service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a Purple Heart. Prior to being drafted, Jesse was introduced to Rosa Kate Vandergriff by one of his Atlanta cousins. They stayed in touch throughout his military duty and later married on May 26, 1968, and resided in Augusta, GA. In January 1969, Jesse and Rosa started their family with the birth of Angela Denise Walton, the first of their two children. Just a few months after Angela’s birth, Jesse was offered a civil service job to become a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service. He accepted the job and they moved their family to Decatur, GA. A few years later in October 1972, Jesse Walton, Jr., was born, their second child. Jesse had a 31-year career at the United States Postal Service before retiring in the 2000. While with the Postal Service, he built lifelong friendships with many co-workers, and cultivated a multitude of relationships throughout the Decatur community. Jesse also received numerous acknowledgements throughout his career, such as Letter Carrier of the Month and Letter Carrier of the Year. Jesse dedicated his life to being the leader of his home and a loving, devoted spouse to Rosa for 55 years. Throughout his years, he focused his energy on family by being a devoted, involved father to his children and influential in the lives of those around him. He was extremely passionate about watching his son, Jesse Jr., play little league baseball and football, high school football, and college football at Howard University. In addition, Jesse was an avid fisherman, bowler, and huge Atlanta Falcons fan. Jesse’s strength and vision for his family included ensuring that his children graduated with a four-year college degree. Furthermore, he was a shining example of being a strong black father, devoted to shaping, molding, and bettering his family and future generations through high character, integrity, loyalty, sacrifice, and work ethic. Jesse is survived by: his loving and devoted wife, Rosa, and their two children, Angela (Tony) Nelson and Jesse (Angela) Walton, Jr.; four grandchildren, Miranda, age 13, Dante, 25, Bryce, 10, and Duke, 5; siblings, twin brother, James “Huck” Walton, and sisters, Sarah (Clarence) Grier, Mary “Bet” Porter, Joann (Robert) Madison, and Dorothy (Jerol) Dunbar; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elease Walton; brother, Robert “R.W.” Walton; and nephew, Royal Marshall.

Tributes

Jesse Walton Sr.

December 1, 1946 - May 16, 2023