James Turner Jr.

Skip Turner entered Norview Jr. High School in 1959 with his sister, Patricia Turner. He was 12 years old, entering 7th grade in February 1959.

He died in November, 2003 after suffering a stroke and heart attack. While his own recollections from this time period have not been recorded, his obituary* tells us that "he didn't talk much about that turbulent time.... 'He was quiet and reserved,' said his sister Patricia."

Skip went on to get a political science degree from Howard University and did graduate work at Central Michigan University and the University of Kansas, where he was Director of Affirmative Action.

In 1991, he returned to Hampton Roads, where he lived until his death in 2003.

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* "'Norfolk 17' Member James A. Turner Integrated Schools," By Philip Walzer, The Virginian-Pilot, 14 November 2003, B9.

Four of the five Negro children at Norview Junior High

Left to right are James Turner, Claudia Wellington, LaVera Forbes and Edward Jordan in class on their first day of school at Norview Junior High School, February 2, 1959.