The remarkable journey of the Ficklin family spans from the era of slavery to the highest echelons of American power, with multiple generations serving presidents at the White House for nearly eight consecutive decades. This extraordinary legacy represents one family's enduring presence through thirteen administrations, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Barack Obama.
A Family Constant Through Presidential Transitions
Presidents typically occupy the White House for four or eight year terms, but the Ficklin family maintained a continuous presence for approximately eighty years. The family's service began with James Woodson Ficklin, who worked an impressive forty-four years on the White House residence staff, and continued with his son, John Wrory Ficklin, who served forty years on the National Security Council staff.
The family's significance became particularly apparent to young Wrory Ficklin in 1963, when he was just seven years old. Watching President John F. Kennedy's funeral coverage on television with his mother and brother, he saw his father standing beside Kennedy's casket wearing formal morning attire. Jacqueline Kennedy had specifically requested that Woodson Ficklin, then a White House butler, join the ushers for that solemn occasion.
Three Generations from Slavery to Service
The family's story begins with James Strother Ficklin, born enslaved around 1854 in Rappahannock County, Virginia. During the Civil War, Strother served as a water boy for the Confederate army before emancipation changed his circumstances. After gaining freedom, he performed odd jobs for the family that had previously owned him.
Following multiple marriages and relocations, Strother eventually purchased thirty-seven acres of land in Amissville, Virginia, in 1901. There he built a home and farmed the land to support his family. Among his ten children with his third wife was John Woodson Ficklin, who would become the family's first White House servant.
Brothers Building White House Careers
Woodson Ficklin moved to Washington at age fifteen in 1934, living with an older sister while working odd jobs and attending night school. His White House opportunity came when his older brother, Charles Ficklin, already employed as a White House butler, helped him secure a part-time position washing dishes and assisting butlers with overflow tasks.
Though World War II military service briefly interrupted their White House careers, both brothers returned to receive promotions. Charles Ficklin eventually became maître d'—the most senior butler position—while Woodson Ficklin advanced to head butler, overseeing six full-time staff members.
Decades of Presidential Trust and Recognition
Woodson Ficklin's responsibilities grew to include planning and executing White House social events ranging from intimate luncheons to elaborate state dinners. His expertise earned him the trust of multiple presidential families, with first lady Patricia Nixon writing in October 1969 about "the great number of complimentary remarks we receive following each White House social event."
President Jimmy Carter similarly expressed appreciation in March 1979 for Woodson Ficklin's work surrounding the Egypt-Israel peace treaty signing, noting "Everything was perfect and we are grateful." Perhaps the most significant recognition came in 1983 when, following his retirement after forty-four years of service, the Reagans invited Woodson Ficklin and his wife Nancy to a state dinner for the emir of Bahrain—believed to be the first time a White House residence staff member attended as a guest.
A Son Continues the Legacy
Wrory Ficklin followed his father's path, beginning his White House connection with a high school summer job delivering sealed envelopes during the Watergate investigation. He joined the National Security Council staff in 1975, eventually rising to special assistant to the president for national security affairs under Barack Obama.
Before retiring in 2015, Wrory Ficklin made a special request to attend a state dinner like his father had. He and his wife Patrice were invited to the 2015 state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Wrory wore his father's tuxedo jacket and cummerbund with minor alterations. He described the experience as "a legacy to my dad" and the highlight of his career.
Documenting an American Story
With his 2015 retirement, Wrory Ficklin became the last family member employed full-time at the White House, concluding nearly eight decades of continuous service. He has documented this extraordinary family history in his book, "An Unusual Path: Three Generations from Slavery to the White House."
"The book is my family's history, it's African American history and it's our country's history," Wrory Ficklin explained. "My dad and I both stand on my grandfather's shoulders, and I like to think that we both contributed a lot to our country." This multigenerational narrative represents what he calls "a truly American story" of perseverance, service, and remarkable achievement against historical odds.
