Houston Transport
From the book Preserving Our Heritage Copyright © 1998 Republished with permission from Secure Development Corporation
Even when they were attending the old Morningside Junior-Senior High School and were actively involved in any number of extracurricular activities, it was apparent that the Houston brothers, Lonnie, John Wesley and Milton, had the potential to achieve in adulthood. Achieve and make a contribution to the advancement of the community.
Each of them, with modest but winning personalities, which they still maintain, has earned the right to be listed as a young adult who is making it.
Perhaps their determination to make it stems from the legacy provided by their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis (Emma) Houston. That legacy is the family business, Lewis Taxi and Houston Transport Company.
The company now operates seven taxis and four tour buses. Headquarters for the company and maintenance shops are located on South Center Street in Statesville. Lonnie, the oldest of the young men, graduated from Morningside in 1959 and migrated north to New Jersey where he worked in the chemical industry while taking a crack at broadcasting before returning to Statesville to take an active part in the family business.
Under their reorganization plan, Lonnie is the vice president in charge of daily operations. John Wesley, known locally as J.W., finished Morningside in 1967 and, following a three-year tour in the United States Army and enrollment at Mitchell Community College, holds the position of secretary-treasurer of the family business. He attended and completed courses of study in auto mechanics and business administration.
Milton, who lives and works in Winston-Salem, does not have an everyday role in the operation but is a stalwart member of the Board of Directors of the company.
All of the Houstons, including Milton, are staunch members of St. John Baptist Church in Poplar Branch area of Statesville and are dedicated workers in that church.
Too much cannot be said for the foresight of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Houston nor for the determination of the Houston boys who are determined to keep the Houston company a vital force in the progress of Statesville and Iredell County.
Lonnie and his wife, the former Mary Louise Swingler, have three adult children, Sharon, who finished Winston-Salem State University; Andrea, who graduated from Elon College, and Shree, who finished St. Augustine’s College.
John Wesley is married to the former Linda Turner. They have two sons, John Wesley Jr. and Brandon.
Milton is married to the former Wyomia O’Neal and lives in Winston-Salem and has a daughter, Genee, who attended Forsyth Technical College. Milton served a two-year hitch in the armed forces after which he graduated from the Piedmont Aerospace School in Winston-Salem and from Catawba Technical College.
