Welcome to the NAACP #6185
Where our vision is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or discrimination.
Zephaniah Timmins
Zephaniah Timmins was born in Marshall, Texas, to the late Cubie and Retha Dunn Timmins. He is the youngest of nine siblings and graduated from Marshall High School in 1973. He also attended classes at Kilgore Junior College. Timmins is married to Glenda Brown Timmins, and they have three children, Brandon, Wesley, and Whitney, and four grandchildren.
Timmins was elected as the City Commissioner for District 2 in May 2007 and served until November 2014. During that time he became the Mayor Pro Tem from 2011 until his departure in 2014. He now serves as the County Commissioner of District 2 and has recently been appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Marshall Texas Depot. He does this with sincere gratitude for the citizens of the City of Marshall, Texas.
In 2008, Timmins received the Outstanding Service to the Community Award, and in 2014, he was honored with the Humanitarian Award for his significant contributions to community leadership. In 2015, he received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Nu Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Service Award.
Timmins is also a former State CE member, a division of Vista College, that partnered with Exam FX, the industry leader of online training and assessment for professional pre-licensing in securities and insurance. This partnership gave Timmins the comprehensive licensing and registration exam preparation materials he needed to thrive.
Timmins as a member of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, has completed the Commissioners Court Advanced Curriculum, "Governing Texas Counties," because he wanted to serve his community. This training was sponsored by the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. It was conducted in cooperation with the Texas Association of Counties and The V.G. Young Institute of County Government. This training enabled him to graduate from the 2017-2018 Commissioners Court Leadership Academy, Class VII, in May 2018 held at Texas A&M in Bryan, College Station.
Timmins retired from the American National Life Insurance Company after 21 years of service, where he received several awards; including The Presidents Club Award, the Silver Eagle Award, the Executive Eagle Award, and the Summit Club Award. In 2007, he received the Biltmore Who's Who Award, recognizing him among top businessmen.
Timmins is the President of the local chapter of the NAACP #6185, where he is a Silver Life Member. He is also a member of the National Black Caucus, which is associated with the National League of Cities. He is involved with the Harrison County Industrial Development Authority and has served on the board of The University Kiddie Kollege of Marshall, Texas. He is a member of the Texas Association of Counties and a board member of East Tex Connects, the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, and the Marshall Texas Police Department Advisory Board.
Timmins attends Peoples Missionary Baptist Church of Marshall, Texas where he sings in the choir, serves as the Sunday School Superintendent, and is the Chairman of Deacons and Trustees. He enjoys spending his leisure time with his family, attending sports events, and traveling. His greatest joy comes from serving God and others.
MRS. CHARLES WILSON
The NAACP No. 6185 of Marshall, Texas began with many members, but the one individual who stands out is Mrs. Charles Wilson. Mrs. Wilson was the President of #6185 for more than 50 years and a school board trustee for 28 years until her passing in 2018 at the age of 85. As an advocate for the residents of Harrison County, Wilson was well-loved by everyone because of what she stood for. What is right and honest and her tireless work in support of the achievements of African Americans.
The election of the first African American county commissioner can be attributed to Wilson’s efforts during a time when minorities did not have representation from predominantly minority-populated communities. The election of Dr. Telly Miller changed that, thanks to Wilson’s tireless efforts.
Wilson filed a lawsuit against the City of Marshall and Harrison County with the NAACP through the “One Man, One Vote” movement. By doing so, Wilson wanted to ensure that county representation was diversified and reflected the true population.
Wilson was concerned because the funding used to support the predominantly white schools didn’t trickle down to help the predominantly black schools, yet the funds came from both areas of the community. Wilson filed an additional lawsuit and won to have the seven at-large district positions changed to the current five single-member districts. The lawsuit's success gained Wilson and Barbara Alexander a place on the school board in 1990. They were the first two members to be elected to single-member districts.
Ms. Wilson knew the NAACP and what it stands for were bigger than her and that it stood for civil rights for all. Growing up during the time when Jim Crow laws and segregation were enforced, Wilson strived to be an advocate of change. As a young member of the NAACP, Wilson took a stand during the sit-ins in Marshall, by Wiley and Bishop College students, to integrate lunch counters. Beginning as a member during high school, she served as secretary for years, and when two male leaders relocated, Wilson stepped in as president and continued to be re-elected every two years for over five decades.
Wilson described her job as president as a thankless job that she was willing to do without pay. Wilson was adamant about honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., and as the NAACP president, began hosting an annual three-fold celebration, consisting of a noonday parade, talent show, and an evening banquet. The Chapter continues to have annual banquets to support this effort and continue Ms. Wilson’s legacy today.
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