Lindsays Establish Legacy of Educating Family Members

George A. and Lillie Mae Lindsay were married for 65 years and raised nine children in Norfolk, Virginia. Since both of them were born in 1920, family obligations hindered them from acquiring a high school diploma. They constantly instilled in their children that education was the key fo advancement.

Hortense and George Jr., the two oldest ones, received their high school diplomas from Princess Anne County Training School (later renamed Union Kempsville High School) and the other seven graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia. George Jr., Margaret and Jerome received B.A. degrees from Norfolk State University while Michael received one from Morehouse College. They have 26 grandchildren and 11 of them are college graduates.

In 1997, the Lindsay siblings began meeting on the third Saturday in July to have a picnic and form a corporation which they named the Hortense Lindsay Watson Corporation. Hortense lost her battle with breast cancer in 1984; thus the name was chosen to honor her memory. They made a constitution for this corporation and collected dues from its members. They decided that they would award 80 percent of the money collected to family members who are attending college or a trade school. The last 20 percent of the money would be invested in the stock market.

In July, 2017 the corporation celebrated its 20th anniversary. It has awarded over $120,00.00 to 24 family members during that time. It has also awarded $6,000 to 12 nursing students at Norfolk State University to buy books. Family members have received degrees from Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, East Carolina University, Hampton University and Indiana University-Purdue at Indianapolis just to name a few universities. Hopefully, future descendants of George A. and Lillie Mae Lindsay will continue this legacy.

Hortense Lindsay Watson Scholarship Recipients: 1997-2017

Stefanie Watson; Dominique Harris; Tobias Platt; Sierra Platt; Sebastian Platt; Mariah Barber; Nigel Barber; Taja Bell; Tyra Lindsay; Robert Jones Jr.; Darrius Jones; Joi Belton; Otis Gordon; Geneva Gordon; Sebrina Lindsay Law; Richard Law; Rhonda Lindsay; Brittney Jackson; Kristin Morris; Patrice Lindsay Berry; Everett Lindsay; Coy Lindsay; Jonathan Lindsay; Kenneth Lindsay.

Submitted by Dr. Margaret L. Morris
S.C. State University