San Diego Democratic Women's Club Verna King Tribute

CELEBRATING A LIFE OF SERVICE: A TRIBUTE TO MS. VERNA KING
Lovingly Compiled and Written by Pat Washington, Ph.D.

Some lives define an entire generation. Some define our very humanity. Sometimes a single life—a
single someone—serves as a beacon of light for those who seek justice, fairness, and equality. Verna
Lee King exemplifies such a life. Through years of dedicated service to San Diego schools, the
Democratic Party, the faith community, her family, and numerous community organizations, Ms. King
has used her talents, her wit, her seemingly boundless energy, resources and sense of “style and
grace” to advance civil and human rights in every way imaginable.

Childhood and Early Education in the South
Verna Lee Eugenia St. Clair is the granddaughter of a runaway slave and an English sea captain. The
eleventh of thirteen children, she was born in Berwick, Louisiana to Florence Ellen Calvin St. Clair and
John Wesley St. Clair. The Berwick, Louisiana parish of Verna’s youth was typical of American towns of
that era—highly segregated, with limited educational opportunities for Black youth. Nonetheless, Black
families such as Verna’s found creative ways to make educational access a reality for their children.
For example, Verna’s uncle and aunt, John and Melinda Roberson, built a little red schoolhouse in
their backyard. Verna’s parents enrolled her in Aunt Melinda’s school “almost as soon as she started
walking.”

By the time Verna was ready to enroll in the third grade, her parents sent her to Shreveport, Louisiana
to live with her older sister Mamie and brother-in-law Dr. Theopholus Johnson. It may have been from
Mamie & Theopholus that Verna first acquired her trademark flair for elegant entertainment and
gracious hospitality, for the Johnson family hosted frequent social gatherings and regularly opened
their home to prominent out of town guests who were not allowed to stay in the city’s “whites only”
hotels. Among some of the more famous visitors to the Johnson household were Dr. Charles Drew and
Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis.

Verna remained in Shreveport until she graduated from high school. While growing up, she was
exposed to many cultural advantages—music lessons, parties, fine foods, and good clothes. An
accomplished actress and pianist in high school, she often performed in the school’s theater group
and was frequently asked to provide the musical accompaniment for various performers and singers
who came to town. Verna’s acclaim as a young pianist culminated in her being part of a duet that
performed for her high school graduation ceremony. In later years, Verna would put aside her musical
calling to
pursue a competing passion for serving others through education, community service and political
involvement.

After graduating from high school, Verna St. Clair attended Wiley College in Marshall Texas, where
she earned an A. B. degree in 1937. That same year, she earned the title of “Miss Louisiana State.”
By 1940, a Black high school opened in Morgan City (a town founded by her grandfather St. Clair),
and Verna taught at Morgan High for one year before moving to California.

Marriage and Family:
Verna St. Clair and Alonzo King first met in Shreveport when she was a 6th grader and he was high
school senior. They started dating after she graduated from college. The couple married and moved
to San Diego in 1942. There they raised five children: Joyce, Verna Lee Eugenia, St. Clair, Reginald
and Alonzo, Jr.—the latter two of whom died tragically while still young men. Verna and Alonzo were
subsequently blessed with five grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and an abundance of nieces
and nephews.

In 1992, Verna and Alonzo King renewed their wedding vows, with over 600 friends and family
members joining them for a fiftieth wedding anniversary extravaganza given by daughters Joyce and
Eugenia in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel del Coronado. Reverend George Davis, officiated at this
momentous occasion.

Though now deceased, Alonzo continues to be remembered as a loving husband, father and
grandfather. Like Verna, Alonzo was a dedicated professional educator, and he shared her passion
for politics and civil rights.

Verna somehow managed to do it all—raise a family, educate our youth, get involved in politics, serve
her church and community, pursue advanced training and earn advanced degrees. Verna also
attended a number of professional development programs, including the J. R Powers Self Improvement
School, where she earned a modeling degree in 1969.

She would put this latter training to good use as a classroom teacher and parent advocate at Memorial
Junior High. In addition to certification she received from the University of California in 1970, Verna
earned a Masters Degree in Curriculum from San Diego State University in 1977.

To a person, Verna’s friends and family talk about her capacity for making people feel welcomed,
valued, and appreciated. Invariably, they refer to Verna’s “winning smile,” generous nature, and great
sense of style. Politicians, educators, community activists, and family members, alike, talk about
Verna’s flair for entertaining and share stories about the gatherings she has hosted, as well as her
culinary skills. Granddaughter Katrina fondly recalls first meeting “Granny Verna” when she was
fourteen years old.

While Katrina is proud of her grandmother’s political and educational accomplishments, she is equally
struck by Granny Verna’s “phenomenal hostess flair.” For Katrina, whatever Verna cooks is great, but
among her favorites are “Granny Verna’s homemade eggnog and dirty rice.” Another admirer of
Verna’s cooking, fellow First Methodist Church congregant Richard Peerson, puts Verna’s ambrosia
and gumbo at the top of his list.

Door Opener, Educator, and Change Agent
In 1946, Verna King became the first Black food checker in a southeast Safeway store. Verna’s
courage and persistence opened the door of employment opportunities for others and set her on a
course of social and political activism and educational empowerment that would touch and transform
lives for decades to come.

Verna was a dedicated special education teacher and parent counselor at Memorial Junior High
School for thirty years. From 1968 to 1984, she worked exclusively as a student counselor and parent
coordinator. As such, she helped children by empowering their parents. She facilitated parent
participation in the education of their children, connected parents to needed social services, and
motivated parents toward careers and job opportunities.

In her role as parent counselor, Verna King created opportunities for parents to interact with each
other and with pivotal members of the educational and political community. Long before the concept of
“cultural diversity” became popular, Verna recognized that it was essential for students and parents to
have opportunities to value and celebrate their own cultural heritage. For example, Verna organized
the first Cinco de Mayo celebration at Memorial Junior High. She continued to take the lead in such
celebrations—always in collaboration with Mexican residents in San Diego and Mexico to ensure that
the dances and music presented at the school were authentic and rich in historical significance.
Under Verna’s tutelage, parents became adept at lobbying on behalf of themselves and their children.
She initiated opportunities for cultural appreciation and respect, self-improvement and growth, and
political engagement.

Longtime admirer and devoted friend Julia Christian was one of the many parents Verna mentored to
take on a greater level of educational advocacy. Julia has many fond memories of the years when
Verna was “the parent’s champion,” speaking to political and educational bodies about the concerns
and needs of underserved students and their parents.

Today, Julia and Verna enjoy a deeply held respect for each other and share a loving friendship that
was forged in the early years of Verna’s parent counseling career.

Verna quickly rose to prominent leadership positions in the field of education. Working in such
organizations as the San Diego Teacher Association, she represented the interests of parents,
students and teachers at local, state and national levels. Verna has been a representative to the
National Education Association, where she has served on both the Women’s Caucus and the Black
Caucus. Within the California Teachers Association, Verna has held positions as varied as Board
Member, Secretary, and Council Representative. She has also been actively engaged in the work of
the American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma Society and the Pact Education
Council of San Diego County.

Verna’s service to and advocacy on behalf of education has been acknowledged in numerous circles
throughout the years. She received the National Education Association-PAC Certificate of Appreciation
in 1982 and 1983. In 1985, she received the “Citizen of the Year” award from the City Club and the
Junior Chamber of Commerce. She is a life member of the Ninth District Parent-Teacher Association,
which has recognized her with an Honorary Service Award.

Even today, Verna’s impact on the values and perspectives of her former students is readily apparent.
Because of her ongoing commitment to community service, Verna’s life continues to be intertwined with
the lives of her former students and protégés.