TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
in Thibodeaux, Louisiana in 1951, he served his country during the Korean War era for four (4) years as a member of the United States Air Force. After being honorably discharged from the military in 1955, Eddie established resi- dency in New Orleans and joined the student population at Dillard University. While a student at Dillard, he majored in Sociology and became a fall 1956 Ini- tiate of the Dillard University Chapter, the Beta Gamma of Kappa Alpha Psi where he subsequently met the lady who would become his life partner, Laura Marie Vinnett. Brother Triggs’ career began shortly after his graduation with a Bachelor of Science (BS ‘59) from Dillard Univer- sity, when he landed his initial job as a welfare visitor in Orleans Parish. As he moved up the employment ladder, he became a case manager. Eddie’s ambition led him to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW ‘94) degree from Southern University at New Orleans School of Social Work and in later years he became an adoption specialist, the position from which he retired in 1998. He was also employed with the Com- munity Improvement Agency and the Housing Authority of New Orleans; both vocations addressed issues of hous- ing for the indigent. Eddie remained committed to profession of social work addressing the social, physical, mental health & wellbeing of citizens in the community before ultimately returning to the social service sector as an adop- tion specialist. Additionally, he sought & obtained a real estate license, became a realtor and property manager. He was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated and a mem- ber of the New Orleans (LA) Alumni Chapter. Eddie exemplified the best of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity serving in many leadership positions at both the local (New Orleans) and Province levels. Brother Eddie J. Triggs chronicled a record of leadership in Kappa beginning with two terms as Polemarch (1976 - 1977) of the New Orleans (LA) Alumni Chapter during the Super 60th Grand Chapter Meeting in 1976 and during
the Centennial in 2011 (2010 - 2012) as well as Southwestern Province Board of Directors from 1971 - 1973 and twice as the Southwestern Province Senior Province Vice Polemarch in 1971 and from 1980 - 1984 and as Southwestern Province Life Membership Chair- man from 2005 – 2011. He was very instrumental in assisting & securing the City of New Orleans as the host of two Grand Chapter Meetings - Super 60th Grand Chapter Meeting (1976) and the 82nd Grand Chapter Meeting (2015). Three generations of Kappa men named “Triggs” (Kevin, Keith and grandson Damarris) along with two brother-in-laws John Dubriel, Lawrence Vinnett and a nephew Shawn Vinnett is a testament to the love, commitment, and dedication Eddie had for his “Grand Fraternity”. Brother Eddie Joseph Triggs leaves to cherish his memories, his beloved wife of 59 years, Laura Vinnett Triggs, chil- dren: Valerie Delecia (Reginald), Kevin (Shawni) and Keith (Shannon); grand- children: Damarris (Kristi) and Karlin Triggs, Christian and Gabrielle Delecia, Brennan and Sydney Triggs, Charlton Jones; one brother Willie Triggs, Sr. He is also survived by a host of other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Arthur and Lawrence, one sister Bessie and grand- son Cameron Delecia. Submitted by Dr. Samuel Odom Leon Walker 1938–2020 CPA, Husband, Father
High School. Upon graduating from high school, he attended Virginia State College, now Virginia State University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Sci- ence degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Accounting. Garnering the moniker, ‘Wonderful Walker,’ Brother Walker was considered royalty on the campus of Virginia State for his tutoring prowess and his ability to help students grasp the most difficult phenomena of their curriculum. Brother Walker was an Achiever early on in his career. He was considered the vanguard of African American Certi- fied Public Accountants, becoming the third African American to pass the CPA examination in the state of Virginia. As a result, he was granted licensure to practice in the states of Maryland and Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia. In 1969, after a short term with the US Census Bureau, Brother Walker joined Bert W. Smith, Jr., fellow Virginia State University alumnus, working as a CPA at the Washington, DC-based accounting and consulting firm, Bert Smith & Com- pany. During his remarkable 30-year career with the company, the firm gained recognition as one of the top minority CPA firms in the Washington Metro- politan Area. As a senior partner, he was responsible for accounting services, audits, consulting, business valuations, litigation support and management advisory services. Later in his career, he was primarily devoted to tax planning and client representation before federal and local taxing authorities. He was the third full time employee of Bert Smith & Company and retired in 2010. During his career as an accountant, he also served on many boards and advisory panels, such as Universal Bank, First Combined Federal Credit Union, Prince George’s County Property Tax Appeals Board and National Association of Minority CPA Firms, as well as several publicly traded, early-stage development companies. As a result of his outstand- ing success and work ethic, he was named the Small Business Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Admin-
Leon Walker (Hyattsville/ Landover (MD) Alumni 1984) transitioned to the Chapter Invisible on Friday, April 3, 2020, at the age of 82, while at home
with his beloved family by his side. He was born in Lawrenceville, Virginia on February 28, 1938 to Thomas James Walker and Annie Mae Handy Walker. He attended James Solomon Russell
150 | SPRING 2020 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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