The Prince of the South

THE PRINCE OF THE SOUTH

Growing up, I came from an intact family in a small southern town. I grew up privileged. I grew up in a big pretty house. My parents never divorced. Everyone in my family was highly educated. I thought that was the norm. I did not realize until I became an adult how rare my family structure was. I had a charmed upbringing because of my dad's rich heritage. There will never be another man like my dad for many reasons. Men like my dad are very rare. Why? Because my dad was the Prince of the South.

I knew that my dad was tall and good looking. However, no one ever told me that my dad was the Price of the South. I know that I grew up in a big pretty house. But, I did not know that my dad was the Prince of the South. I knew that I grew up privileged. I never knew that my dad was the Prince of the South. I knew that my dad was a well-respected dentist, I never knew that my dad was the Prince of the South. I wonder if my dad knew that he was the Prince of the South.

My dad, Dr. D.T. Walton, Jr., was a son, a father, a brother, a husband, an uncle, a dentist, a politician, a trailblazer, an athlete, a veteran, a Boule Archon, an Omega man, a friend, a classmate, a philanthropist, a member of the 100 Black Men, a leader in his community, a family man, a business owner, a descendant of slaves, a descendant of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, a giver, a protector, a provider, an elder in the Presbyterian church, and a man of God. He knew politics and the bible better than anyone that I know! Fondly known as “Doc”, “DT”, “Uncle D”, or “Daddy”, my dad came from black royalty! My dad was the Prince of the South!

What is a prince? A prince is a male ruler or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. Prince is also a title of nobility, often hereditary. A prince is humble. A prince is an officer and a gentleman. My dad was a prince because he came from a legacy of giants! My dad was a prince because he was a descendant of trailblazers. My dad was a prince because he was a descendant of some of the first black dentists and doctors in the South. My dad was the son of Dr. D.T. Walton, Sr. and Mrs. Jimmie Aline Braswell. My dad was the Prince of the South!

My father came from an historical family. His father, Dr. D.T. Walton Sr., (A.K.A. Papa D) was a prominent dentist during the Civil Rights era in Central Georgia. Papa D fought in World War I, while stationed in Paris. Papa D was one of the founding members of the Georgia Dental Society, the first black dental association in Georgia. He was a trailblazer in the dental profession. Papa D left a legacy. He was also a philanthropist, an Omega man, and a dentist. Papa D was one of the wealthiest men in Macon, Ga. He owned a mansion on College Street in Macon, GA that he would rent out to white families. When he asked the white families move out so that he could move his family in, the Klu Klux Klan burned a cross in his front yard. Most people would never have guessed that Papa D was the son of a slave.

The beautiful Ms. Jimmie Aline Braswell was my dad's mother. Grandma Jimmie was gorgeous and came from a very historical family. The Braswell's were very well respected in Macon, GA. Her father, James Braswell, was the barber for the wealthy whites in Macon. Her Mother, Theodosia Toomer Braswell, was the daughter of the famous Nathan Toomer! Her uncles, William and Joseph Braswell, owned the Meharry Dental Clinic in Macon before they moved up north to pass for white. Jimmie Aline Braswell attended a conservatory school for music, as well as Clark Atlanta University. Grandma Jimmie had a master’s degree. Grandma Jimmie was black royalty! Her aunt, Minnie Braswell married a Sheftall out of Savannah, GA. The Sheftalls of Savannah are descendants of the first Jew to settle in Georgia. Unfortunately, I never got a chance to get to know Grandma Jimmie because the died tragically when my dad was a toddler.

My dad was the grandson of William Henry Walton, Sr., a former slave. William Henry Walton was a slave that purchased his freedom, built a church, and then built a school to educate his children. He was a carpenter by trade. William Henry Walton had two families. His second wife, Papa D's mother Ms. Sara Anderson, was Dutch. William Henry Walton had 13 children. Of those 13 children, William Henry Walton raised the first African American mail carrier in Thomasville, GA, as well as the wife of the first black doctor in Thomasville, GA. His daughter, Emma Walton Moseley, married Dr. William A.J. Mosely, the first black doctor in Thomasville, GA. His grandson, Dr. Martin Luther Walton, was the first black dentist in Thomasville, GA.

My dad was the nephew of the first black doctor in Thomasville, GA, Dr. William A.J. Moseley. It was Dr. William A.J. Moseley that got Papa D interested in medicine. My dad was also the nephew of the first black dentist in Thomasville, GA, Dr. Martin Luther Walton. Both homes are on the black history trail in Thomasville, GA. Dr. Martin Luther Walton's son, Dr. Martin Luther Walton, Jr. taught dentistry at Meharry Dental School. His grandson, Dr. Martin Luther Walton, III, taught dentistry at the University of Virginia. My dad came from an educated family.

My dad had a disability. He stuttered. His speech impediment resulted from losing his mother at the tinder age of six. According to his sister Jack, my dad went from weeks without being able to speak after losing his mother. When he was able to finally speak, he stuttered. He and Jack used to cuddle in the corner and cry about how they did not have a mother. I think that is why my dad was so family oriented. He and Jack were so close! I have found notes from Jack to my dad, thanking him for being the BEST brother is the world!

My dad was the great great grandson of Nathan Toomer. Nathan Toomer was a slave in NC. He won his freedom when he moved to Georgia. Nathan Toomer is famous because his second wife was Amanda America Dickson. Amanda America Dickson was known as the richest woman of color after the Civil War. Nathan Toomer also married Nina Pincback, the daughter of P.B.S. Pinchback. His son, Nathan “Jean” Toomer was a famous writer during the Harlem Renaissance. By the time Nathan Toomer passed away, he was known as the richest freed man in Hancock County, GA.

My dad was a “Girl Dad”. He was a family man. He had 4 beautiful smart daughters that he called his “Girlsy Wirlsies”. He expected a lot from us because he gave a lot. My dad was not perfect. At times, he was too strict. I always felt that he had favorites. But my dad always put us first. My dad married Joan Robinson and made sure that she never wanted for anything.

My dad was an athlete. He ran in the Peachtree Road Race every year until he started having health issues. He Played tennis and won several tennis tournaments. My dad loved biking. One of my favorite memories of my dad is riding bikes with him on Hilton Head Island. My dad was a country boy. He was simple. All my dad wanted was to eat salmon at Houston’s, go running, and ride his bike on Hilton Head Island. I wish that he were still living to enjoy those things.

My dad had a charmed college life. He followed in his dad’s footsteps and attended Howard University undergrad, as well as Howard University Dental School. My dad was at Howard with such greats at Vernon Jordan and Doug Wilder, the first black governor of Virginia. Doug Wilder taught my dad how to shoot pool. He and Vernon Jordan pledged the Omega fraternity together. While at Howard, he was a waiter during the inauguration of President of John F. Kennedy.

There will NEVER be another “D.T.”, “Doc”, or Dr. D.T. Walton, Jr. He was blessed, anointed, and one of a kind! Since he was not afraid to share his anointing, he blessed a great deal of people! Living without my dad is like living in a desert without water. My dad was the Prince of the South!