Levy Walston, Sr.

Levy Walston, Sr. was born on January 6, 1922, to the late Mercer Walston, Sr. and Cora Hill Walston, in Pinetops, North Carolina. Due to a terrible snow storm, the midwife could not record his birth until January 11, 1922, which became his legal birthdate.

In January 1945, Levy met Maggie Orabell Dew.  After almost three years of courtship, they married on December 16, 1947. They were married for 53 years. In December 1952, looking to have a better life, they moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where they settled in and began a family. From their union, they were blessed to raise 6 children.

Realizing the importance of raising their children to serve God, they began to seek out a place where they could worship God in spirit and in truth.

They began attending Antioch Baptist Church.  Later, they worshipped at United Christian Church, Norfolk.  On the first Sunday in August 1964, Dea. Levy Walston Sr., along with his wife, and a band of other believers, began the Abyssinia Baptist Mission.

At Abyssinia, Dea. Walston served as a Trustee and Deacon for many years. He would often use his carpentry skills to make repairs around the church. As one of the founding members and the oldest living member of Abyssinia, Dea. Walston regularly attended worship services until his health would no longer allow him to. 

Levy was a great provider for his family.  To provide for his family, Levy worked for the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. After over 30 years of service, he retired in 1983.

A favorite pastime for Levy was watching the early morning, noonday, evening, and nightly news.  He also enjoyed watching golf, especially if Tiger Woods was playing.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maggie Dew Walston; daughter, Selma Walston; sisters, Gladys Jenkins, Henrietta Purdie, and Molly Jenkins; and brothers, Mercer Walston Jr., Johnnie Walston, Lloyd Walston, Richard Walston, Connie Walston, Lee Walston, and James Smith. 

Levy leaves to cherish his memories: three daughters, Angela Lake (Leslie) of Byron, GA, Janice Jackson (Warren) of Suffolk, and Phyllis Collins (William Sr.) of Norfolk; three sons, Levy Walston, Jr. (Sharon), Kelvin Walston, and Randy Walston (Brenda), all of Norfolk. He also leaves to cherish his memories: 11 grandchildren, Harold Brown (Niki), Anthony Brown (Diane), Demetria Rawls (Rodney), Shanika Pledger, Kimberly Lake, Dennis Gorham, William Collins Jr. (Colethea), Levy D. Walston, Andrae Collins (Jamicia), Shante Nieves (Andres), and Kelvin Nicholson; 17 great-grandchildren;  a beloved brother, Elsie Walston; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.