His mother died when he was young , and he and his seven siblings were reared among extended family in Montgomery .
As a child , Nixon received 16 months of formal education , as black students were ill - served in the segregated public school system .
Nixon 's mother died when he was young , and he and his seven siblings were reared among extended family in Montgomery .
As a child , Nixon received 16 months of formal education , as black students were ill - served in the segregated public school system .