When parents envision the life they want for their children, , it sometimes includes achievements they were never given the opportunity to achieve. For Zelna Haywood Parson Sr. and Vivian T. Parson, who only had a 6th and 8th grade education, they aspired for their 11 children to have something they didn’t have—opportunity. For the Parsons, the key to opportunities such as a career, independence and financial security was a college education. Their goal was to convince the eldest child to attend college and hope the others would follow, which indeed happened. Eight of their 11 children are graduates of Norfolk State University spanning from 1966 to 1988.
The Parson family grew up in Surry County, Virginia, a rural town known for its agriculture. Zelna was a retired Navy Veteran who worked for the National Park Service in Jamestown, Virginia, who also farmed, and Vivian was a homemaker until the last child went into kindergarten, when she became a bus driver for the local public schools. Growing up on a farm, the children learned firsthand the importance of hard work with the emphasis on having an education. “On the farm, we took care of the livestock, gardening, cleaning, and cooking. My parents stressed education a lot. This was indeed a topic that was spoken about daily,” says Sharon Parson Lofton B.S. ’83, M.A. ’91.
The eldest child, Carolyn Parson Jones ’66, became a Spartan in 1962 when the school was known as Norfolk State College. Her parents chose this institution since it wasn’t too far from home and with dormitories not being on the campus at the time, she could stay with relatives that lived nearby. This was the same path for the next siblings, Wayman Parson ’70, Allen T. Parson Sr. ’74, Eunice Parson Gay ’77, Sharon Parson Lofton B.S. ’83, M.A. ’91, Esther Parson Pierce B.A. ’81, MSW ’91, Elvis Parson ’86, and Tunisia Parson-Jones ’88.
To further the tradition, eight grandchildren, including two sets of siblings went on to choose the green and gold to continue the family legacy—Allen Parson Jr. ’94, Angela Parson-Hameed M.D. ’99, Sherita Parson Thompson ’00, Brian Gay B.S. ’04, M.S. ’12, Kimberly Parson-Dixon ’13, Tiffany Pierce ’13, Britney Pierce ’15, and Rodney Pierce ’23. The tradition has gone on to reach great-grandchildren Edward Lee Patten III ’19 and Deshawn Thompson, who is currently attending the university. NSU has also been the meeting place for two marriages within the family.
Spanning over three generations, the family has seen the transformation Norfolk State has taken while in attendance. From tuition that was $265 per semester in the 1970s, to no dormitories on campus, to the demolition and rebuilding of prominent buildings, they experienced it all. “Seeing the old Lyman Beecher Brooks Library be torn down and see the new library be built in its place was a huge change,” says Britney Pierce ’15, “The library is a cornerstone to the campus and the original library was a safe haven for groups meeting in the 24-hour room. It was difficult seeing the old one go but a wonderful sight having the updated library accommodations.”
Even though all the family members did not attend NSU, the family’s education legacy was still fulfilled through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). “We have been blessed over the years to be in a family of scholars. Not all have attended NSU; however, the vision was accomplished as others chose to pursue higher education at HBCUs such as Hampton University and Virginia State University,” states Tunisia Parson-Jones ’88. “Future generations may decide not to attend Norfolk State, but the importance of education will always be used as a platform to excel and to make a difference.”
Graduating from Norfolk State not only gave the Parson family a foundation for their careers but also gave them a stronger bond with one another. “Three generations have attended NSU since 1962, and I am convinced there will be a fourth generation due to the many offerings, caring professors, and the success we have all obtained,” reflects Wayman Parson ’70. “In our family, Norfolk State University has produced a lawyer, doctor, computer scientist, lab technician, engineer, artist, agriculture specialist and many educators.”
Zelna and Vivian’s vision for their children has truly come to fruition through the generations that followed. The Parson family legacy is truly something to Behold.
Carolyn Parson Jones '66
Eunice Gay '77
Sharon Parson Loftin B.S.'83 M.A. '91
Esther Parson Pierce B.A '81 MSW '91
Elvis Parson '86
Tunisia Parson Jones '88
Angela Parson Hameed '99
Sharita Parson Thompson '00
Brian Gay B.S. '04 ms '12
Tiffany Pierce '13
Britney Pierce '15