Douglas J. Sexton was born in about 1896 and was a long time resident of Freeman, WV. He served on the WV Mercer County Board of Education for many years.

Douglas J. Sexton was the only person from Bramwell, WV to ever be a member of the Mercer County Board of Education. His successful efforts to obtain funds for building a new gym at Bramwell High School that opened in the early 1960s. The new gym was then named in honor of Mr. Sexton.

He owned and operated a furniture/dry goods and grocery store his one commercial building in Freeman, WV for over 40 years. He was well known throughout the community. His community grocery store that was operated in the 1950s by Mr. Sexton's nephew, Reginald Mason Sexton.

Douglas Sexton and wife, Ora B. Sexton lived in an apartment over the stores.