01/09/08 - NNHS Newsletter - Nelson Overton
Judge Nelson Tilghman Overton Newport News High School Class of June 1945 |
Dear Friends and Schoolmates,
The sad news
continues to mount.
The Honorable Nelson Tilghman Overton,
Class of June 1945, husband of
Margaret Lee Payne Overton (June '45) passed away at his home in Hampton on Monday, January
7, 2008 at the age of 79.
From Fred Field (June, '45) of CA - 01/09/08 - "
Nelson Overton Dies":
Thank you, Fred. My sincerest condolences on the loss of your classmate.
From the Daily Press - 01/09/08:
BY MIKE HOLTZCLAW and DAVID MACAULAY | Daily Press
Overton took his law degree from the University of
Virginia in 1952 and was appointed to the Circuit Court on Dec. 31, 1964. He
took the oath of office to sit on the State Court of Appeals on Aug. 23, 1995.
He oversaw many prominent and sometimes controversial trials from the bench,
but none garnered as much attention as the trial of Iverson, then a prep
basketball and football star at Bethel High School, on charges related to a
brawl at a Hampton bowling alley. Iverson was tried as an adult, convicted of
maiming by mob and sentenced to 15 years. Gov. Douglas Wilder eventually
granted Iverson clemency, and his conviction was overturned on appeal.
Overton's family has tentatively planned a service at 2 p.m. Friday at
Trinity United Methodist Church in
Newport News.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Hampton Roads judge who oversaw the trial of a
young Allen Iverson has died.
Nelson T. Overton died on Tuesday at age 79. He spent 31 years as a Hampton
circuit judge before rising to the State Court of Appeals in 1995.
Overton oversaw the trial of Iverson, then a prep basketball and football star
at Bethel High School, on charges related to a brawl at a Hampton bowling alley.
Iverson was tried as an adult, convicted of maiming by mob and sentenced
to 15 years. Then-Governor Doug Wilder eventually granted Iverson clemency, and
his conviction was overturned on appeal.
Iverson now plays for Denver and is No. 2 in the NBA in scoring.
From Sarah Puckett Kressaty ('65) of
VA - 01/09/08 - "
Judge Nelson Overton":
Hi Carol:
Judge Overton’s
wife is on our Corporate Board (Virginia
Choral Society) and they have been involved with us for a long time. I
wonder how
Fred (Field - '45 -
of CA) got a hold of that article so soon? There is nothing in the paper
today! He was a sweet man and we just love his wife! Some of us are attending
his funeral on Friday.
Sarah
Thank you, Sarah.
Fred's advantage over you was that he was reading the online edition of the Daily Press which could be updated as necessary throughout the day (and in this case, was), whereas you were reading one which had to go to print and be delivered hours in advance.
Please express my
sympathies to Mrs. Overton. I remember the Overton and Tilghman families
from my days at
Trinity Methodist.
Judge Overton's mother, Lucile Tilghman Overton, was a friend of
my
own mama,
the late Maxine Frix Buckley (John
Marshall HS - '25).
From the Daily Press - 01/10/08:
|
Nelson Tilghman Overton | |
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HAMPTON - The Honorable Nelson
Tilghman Overton, 79, died unexpectedly at home on Monday, Jan. 7, 2008,
with his bride of 55 years by his side. Born in Newport News, Va., on Feb. 7, 1928, he was a native of the Peninsula and the son of the late Nelson Chilcoat Overton and Lucile Tilghman Overton. He attended local schools and was graduated from Newport News High School in 1945. He attended The Virginia Military Institute graduating with a BA in English in 1949. While at VMI, he was a Cadet Captain, the Regimental S-3, and the Vice President of the Student Government, of the Honor Court, and of the First Class. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate, a member of the Beta Commission, and a member of Kappa Alpha Order. His portrait hangs in the Library at VMI, the only portrait of a cadet in full regimental dress. |
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Nelson Overton |
Judge Nelson T. Overton sits
in his office in 1980. (Daily Press / January 14, 1980) |
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My
memories of Nelson Overton are very special. As a young attorney, he helped
me, he taught me by his example, and most importantly. he instilled in me a
respect for the legal system. More importantly, he treated me with respect
and fairness. He was a gentleman and a friend. My deepest sympathies go out to his wife, and children. I will always have very fond memories of the Judge. |
Thomas Gallo
(Valrico, FL) - January 10, 2008 Contact me |
Margaret Lee: It was an honor and privilege to know your wonderful husband, Judge Overton. I have only the fondest memories of him and his warm, friendly, welcoming nature that belied his position and station in life. My sincerest and deepest sympathies to you and your family. |
Michael Martin
(Williamsburg, VA) - January 10, 2008 |
To:
Mrs. Overton, Nancy, Steve, and Abby Smith, Waverly and his family, and
Peggy and her family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Steve, Julie, and Elizabeth LoCicero |
Julie LoCicero
(Newport News, VA) - January 10, 2008 |
With deepest sympathies on the loss of your husband and father... |
Laurel Tsirimokos
(Virginia Choral Society, VA) - January 10,
2008 |
Margaret Lee: Sincere sympathy to you and the family on Nelson's passing. |
Fred W. Field (Fullerton, CA) - January 10,
2008 Contact me |
Dear
Mrs. Overton, Nancy, Waverly and Peggy, My heart and prayers are with you and your families. Sincerely, |
Mary Beth (Morris)
Scruggs (Williamsburg, VA) - January 10,
2008 |
To the family of Judge Overton:
So sorry to hear of your loss as I had the pleasure of knowing Judge Overton
and he will be greatly missed! May God Bless you all and your in my thoughts
and prayers. Sincerely, |
Shelly V. (Newport News,
VA) - January 10,
2008 Contact me |
Waverly and Family-we're heartbroken that you've lost your Dad. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. |
Janet (Dupont), Pat,
Susan (Murray), Julie (Nicholls) The Piper's (Hampton, VA) - January 10,
2008 Contact me |
Dear Margaret, Nelson will be sorely missed by his Brother Rats and the entire community. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Carel and Ikey Humme |
Carel Humme
(Williamsburg, VA) - January 10,
2008 Contact me |
Nancy and family, I was so sorry to hear about your dad. I know this is a very difficult time and that words will not change that, but you have wonderful memories that will carry on forever. Take care and know we are thinking of you Sue |
Sue Laughrun (Newport
News, VA) - January 10,
2008 Contact me |
With heartfelt good wishes to you all and with enormous gratitude for Judge Overton's many acts and expressions of kindness and friendship to me over the years, I have been blessed by my association with this family. God bless and sustain you all. |
Jim Powers (Wilson, NC) - January 10,
2008
Contact me |
Nancy and family, My deepest sympathy is with you during this most difficult time. I pray that mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. May God continue to bless you always. Philiece & Family |
Philiece Mills (Yokota,
Japan) - January 11,
2008 |
To the entire Overton family: I am so sorry for your loss. Judge Overton was one of the two judges I worked for when I started my career as a Probation and Parole Officer in 1976. I had the utmost respect for him, and have very fond memories of the 19 years in our working relationship. |
Larry Beam (Hampton, VA) - January 11,
2008 Contact me |
As a police officer I knew and worked with Judge Overton for many years. He was always fair and consistent. He did what was right, not what was popular or politically correct. Judge Overton was one of the most honorable and respected men that I have ever known. We will miss him very much. |
Nolan S. Cutler , III '
72 (Hampton, Virginia, VA) - January 11,
2008
Contact me |
Our sincere condolences for your loss. Judge Overton was a delightful man whose loss will be felt by many. Love to you, Margaret and Peggy. |
Pam and Calvin Geiss
(Suffolk, VA) - January 11,
2008 Contact me |
Margaret, Nels will be sorely missed by all of the VMI family, especially his brother rats and their wives. Our love, hugs, and deepest sympathy to you and your family. John and Mary Haggerty |
John Haggerty (Carlsbad,
CA) - January 11,
2008
Contact me |
I remember Nelson Overton from our Newport News High of 1945 at 17 as self-assuredly brilliant. When I last saw him about twenty years ago, as a warm and gracious host. My condolences to his wife and high school sweetheart, Margaret Lee, and family. He will be missed. |
Charles Wicke (Victoria,
BC) - January 12,
2008 Contact me |
My brother just told me the news of the passing of Judge Overton. There is a big heavy heart in a little school in St. Petersburg today. |
B. Jones (St. Petersburg,
FL) - January 14,
2008 Contact me |
Margaret Lee, Nobbie and I were shocked and saddened to learn of Nelson's death. You may not know it, but when we were Cadets at VMI, I always regarded Nelly as the outstanding member of our class officers and a true friend and leader. He will be terribly missed by all of the Brother Rats at our 49B reunions. Please express our condolences to all of the family. |
James Patton (Melbourne,
FL) - January 14,
2008 |
Dear Margaret: I have read the
beautiful remarks here in this guest book. and there is really nothing more
left to say. Nelson, as the passing years and reunions moved on, became
closer to me (as you did). He was a very special Bro Rat, but more
importantly, a wonderful, kind and caring person. I will miss him a great
deal, and reunions will never be the same again for me, Love, Hotz |
Hotz Lardon (San Diego,
CA) - January 16,
2008 Contact me |
|
Our deepest sympathies are extended to the Overton family and their friends.
Y'all take good care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe!
Love to all, Carol
==============================================
NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE:
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PERSONAL WEB SITE:
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==============================================
Carol Buckley Harty
219 Four Ply Lane
Fayetteville, NC 29311-9305
910-488-9408
Nearer My God to Thee
Words: Sarah F. Adams, 1805-1848
Music: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872
1. Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer
to thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
yet in my dreams I'd be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
3. There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;
all that thou sendest me, in mercy given;
angels to beckon me
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise,
out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;
so by my woes to be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
5. Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
"Nearer My God to Thee" midi courtesy of http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/2360/midi.html - 04/05/06
"Nearer My God to Thee" lyrics courtesy of http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh528.sht - 04/05/06
Greg Olsen Paintings courtesy of http://gregolsengallery.com – 01/27/05
Navy Seal clip art courtesy of http://www.onemileup.com/miniSeals.asp - 05/29/06
Blackwork Flowers Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.bravenet.com - 08/12/04
Justice Scale clip art courtesy of
Cheryl White Wilson (JMHS - '64) of VA - 10/13/05
Thanks, Cheryl!
Animated Army Flag clip art courtesy of http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/KevsGifsGalore/Patriotic.html - 06/18/03