Obituaries - Washington D.C. | The Afro-American Newspapers | Your Community. Your History. Your News.

May 29, 2013 - Fred Allen Brown was born on June 8, 1950 in Washington, D.C., to the late Joseph and Edith Nicholas. On Feb. 21, 2013, he transitioned from his earthly life to his heavenly home.more

Howard C. Ury, 74

May 29, 2013 - Howard C. Ury was born and raised in Washington, D.C. along with his younger sister, Venessa. He was the only son of Howard N. and Ruth Wilkins Ury, who both preceded him in death. more

Ruth C. Hall, 93

May 29, 2013 - Ruth C. Hall died on March 4, 2013, after a long illness. She was 98 years old. Born on December 23, 1914, in Washington, D.C. to the late Mary F. Rose, she was an only child, with one first cousin, the late Albert Johnson, who she treated like a son.more

Hilda O.L. Thomas, 85

May 08, 2013 - Hilda Odel Lewis Thomas was born in Washington, D.C. on June 11, 1927 to the late Deacon Edward and Deaconess Mary Lambert Lewis. She peacefully transitioned at home surrounded by her family on Jan. 30, 2013.more

Cardiss Collins, 81

May 08, 2013 - Cardiss Collins, who served in the U.S. House from 1973 to 1997, died Feb. 3 in Alexandria, Va. more

Gia R. Jones, 36

May 08, 2013 - Gia Rondora Jones “GiGi” was born on April 2, 1976 to the late Deacon Ronald A. Jones and Amy Ann Anthony Jones at Columbia Hospital for Women in Northwest Washington, D.C.more

Willis J. Martin

May 08, 2013 - Willis Jefferson Martin was born in Decherd, Tenn. and raised in Gary, WV. He graduated Cum laude from Bluefield State College in W. Va. and held a teacher’s certificate award by the West Virginia Board of Education. He did two years of graduate work in economics at the Catholic University of America, and earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law School in 1956.more

Barnette R. Holston Sr.

May 01, 2013 - Barnette Rhetta Holston Sr., also known as Barney, the son of the late Rosa Carter Holston and Ned Rhetta transcended this life on Feb. 17, 2013. He was born in Trafford, Ala. His parents moved to Colliers, W. V. and then to Wellsburg, W. V. At a young age he was adopted by his stepfather Joseph Holston and subsequently changed his name to Barnette Rhetta Holston.more

Thomas A. Hart Sr., 94

May 01, 2013 - Thomas A. Hart Sr., 93, former professor and athletic coach at Howard University and executive at Westinghouse Electric Corporation died at the Residences at Thomas Circle in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 5. Mr. Hart moved to the District of Columbia in 1948. He was born in Williamstown, Mass. in 1919. He attended Hampton University (where he met his wife, the late Adalyne Monroe Hart), New York University and the University of Illinois. He earned his doctorate in education from NYU. more

Thomas A. Hart Sr., 93

April 03, 2013 - Thomas A. Hart Sr., 93, former professor and athletic coach at Howard University and executive at Westinghouse Electric Corporation died at the Residences at Thomas Circle in Washington, DC on January 5. Mr. Hart moved to the District of Columbia in 1948. He was born in Williamstown, MA in 1919. He attended Hampton University (where he met his wife, the late Adalyne Monroe Hart), New York University and the University of Illinois. He earned his doctorate in education from NYU. more

Marion LeRoy Fleming, Jr.

April 03, 2013 - Marion LeRoy Fleming, Jr, an early innovator in the Washington DC Go-Go Funk sound, entered into eternal rest on 12 March 2013. Mr. Fleming was a Gold Record recipient during his tenure with Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, selling one million copies of the chart topping single record “Bustin’ Loose.” more

Williard Woodson ‘Woody’ Brittain Jr., 65

April 03, 2013 -

Born on Nov. 26, 1947 in Washington, D.C., Woody Brittain was the son of Mary D. and Willard W. Brittain Sr. Woody spent his Arlington childhood excelling in school, playing sports, attending Mount Olive Church and working on cars and other hobbies. After graduating from Wakefield High School, he went on to earn a B.A. in economics at Yale University in 1970, where he was one of 28 Black students in a class of 1,000. Woody became a campus leader, helping to establish the Black Student Alliance and Afro-American Cultural Center. more

Julia Lorraine Avent Murchison

April 03, 2013 - Julia Lorraine Avent Murchison, the only daughter of the late Jesse and Marion Avent, was born in Washington, D.C. Her brother, Melvin Avent, also preceded her in death.more

Lt. Wylie W. Seldon, Jr., 93

April 02, 2013 - On Dec. 17, 2012, Lt. Wylie W. Selden Jr., World War II Tuskegee Airman, passed away peacefully and comfortably at his Springhouse Assistant Living home in Silver Spring, Md. Wylie, “Cool Papa,” served primarily in the war in Europe.

At 93, he had a full and wondrous life, serving as a test pilot for planes such as the P-40 Warhawk and the P-51 Mustang, “Red Tails,” for the 99th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group. more

Rosa B.F. Prince, 84

March 31, 2013 -

Rosa Belle Franklin Prince was born in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 1929. The fourth child of Deacon Claude Franklin and Deaconess Cynthia Lowe Franklin (both deceased), Rosa’s siblings were Paul Franklin, who died in infancy, Lucy Franklin Jefferson and Helen Franklin Haskins, both of whom are also deceased. Rosa is survived by her husband, Lonnie Richardson Prince, son Christopher Prince, daughter Dr. Sabiyha Prince, sons-in-law Dr. Steven Eversley and her granddaughters, Mariama Sojourner Eversley and Thandiwe Harriet Eversley. She is also survived by family members, Lee Folia Fletcher, Sarah Harley, and Terry Handy, and will be missed by a host of family members and friends.more

Cleveland Johnson Sr., 77

March 30, 2013 - Cleveland Johnson Sr., departed this life on Dec. 19, 2012 at the Washington Hospital Center. He was born in Fayetteville, N.C. to the late Willie and Nannie Johnson. He attended public school in Fayetteville, N.C. He moved to Washington, D.C. in 1957. He worked for Embassy Dairy for six years and Safeway for thirty-two years as a truck driver.more

Angus P. Wood Jr, 86

March 30, 2013 -

Angus P. Wood Jr., husband of Pauline Hendricks Wood, was born in Richmond, Va., June 30, 1926, the second child of Angus Percy Wood Sr., of Richmond, Va. and Mozelle Anderson Wood of Boston, Mass.more

Gloria E. Cobbs, 82

March 30, 2013 -

Gloria Elizabeth Cobbs, the youngest of three children, was born on August 30, 1931, to the late James and Bertha Cobbs, in Roanoke Va. She accepted Christ early in life and was a member of the Episcopal Church prior to joining Ridgley United Methodist Church which merged with Gethsemane United Methodist Church where she continued her membership and service.more

Anne B. Turpeau, 88

January 30, 2013 - Anne Stuart Brock Turpeau was born March 6, 1926 in Charleston, W.Va. more

Thomas A. Hart, Sr., 93

January 17, 2013 - Thomas A. Hart, Sr., 93, former professor and athletic coach at Howard University and executive at Westinghouse Electric Corporation died at the Residences at Thomas Circle in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 5. Mr. Hart moved to the District of Columbia in 1948. He was born in Williamstown, MA in 1919. He attended Hampton University (where he met his wife, the late Adalyne Monroe Hart), New York University and the University of Illinois. He earned his doctorate in education from NYU. more

Katherine H. Martin, 98

January 02, 2013 - Mother Katherine H. Martin daughter of the late Herman and Elizabeth Taylor of Washington, DC, after a long battle with multiple illnesses went to sleep in Jesus, Nov. 21, 2012. more

Edward Winslow, 72

January 02, 2013 - Edward M. Winslow, Jr., “Eddie Moe,” Owner and Operator of Providence Opticians, dies at 72 (D.C.)
more

This photo taken Aug. 1, 1980 shows Jesse Hill Jr., an Atlanta businessman and a leader in the civil Rights Movement. Hill has died at the age of 86. Hill was born in St. Louis and served on the board of directors for a diverse set of companies and nonprofits. He joined the Atlanta Life Insurance Company as an actuarial assistant and became the first African-American president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, now called the Metro Atlanta Chamber. In 1960, Hill and other civil rights leaders founded the Atlanta Inquirer, a newspaper created to serve the city

Black Insurance Exec and Business Leader Jesse Hill Dies

December 19, 2012 - Jesse Hill Jr., an insurance executive and Black newspaper publisher who was a backstage colossus in business, politics and the civil rights movement in Atlanta died Dec. 17 of an undisclosed illness. He was 86.more

Joyce E. Gainey, 45

November 28, 2012 - Joyce Ellen Gainey was born on August 22, 1966 at Freeman’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. Joyce was the youngest child born to Jerome and Catherine Gainey.more

Robert Merritt Jr., 86

November 28, 2012 - Robert Merritt Jr. (Bob) was born on Oct. 11, 1926, in Henderson, Ky. He was the son of the late Allena Grizzard. He had one sister who he looked up to and adored, the late Jessye Reese. At an early age, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1946. While in high school and college, he was a stellar athlete and scholar. He received numerous awards for football, basketball, track and field, citizenship and service.more

Jeanne P. Brown, 77

October 03, 2012 - Jeanne Yvonne Pinkett Brown was born on March 19, 1935 in Washington, D.C. to the late Alfred and Leland Pinkett. She was the youngest child of a devoted and loving family of seven girls and one boy. With six older sisters, Alfrieda, Irma, Juanita, Mildred, Gloria, Leland and one brother, Alfred Jr., Jeanne was that sassy baby sister who was “in charge” even at an early age. Although Jeanne was her given name, her many nieces and nephews called her “Sweet Aunt Jeanne.” God called her home to be with the Lord on August 21, 2012.more

Bishop Imagene Stewart, D.C. Social Advocate and Founder of House of Imagene, Dies at 69

June 06, 2012 - Bishop Imagene Bingham Stewart, a revered D.C. social advocate and founder of the House of Imagene Shelter and Women's Center, died on May 30 after a lengthy illness. She was 69. more

Hessie P. Hightower, 85

November 05, 2011 - Hessie Hightower lived in great anticipation of the day she would go home to be with the Lord and she passed peacefully into his house on Monday October 17, 2011.more

Thelma L.J.V. Groomes, 100

November 05, 2011 - Thelma Lucille Jarmon Vass Groomes was born Jan. 3, 1911, in Kinston, N.C. An only child, she was born to Ozias “Rev. Otis” Jarmon and Cora Becton Jarmon.more

Robert M. Mills, 80

November 05, 2011 - Robert Melvin Mills (Bobby), son of the late William Francis Mills Sr., and Emma Hall Mills, was born on August 16, 1931, in Washington, D.C. He departed this life on Sept. 29.more

Donald E. Mills, 75

November 05, 2011 - Donald Edward Mills, son of the late William Francis Mills Sr., and Emma Hall Mills was born on June 23, 1936 in Washington D.C. He departed this life on Aug. 26 at the Washington Hospital Center.more

Professor of Physics at Morgan State University for 37 years, Avid Golfer for life, Dr. Julius Henry Taylor

DR. JULIUS HENRY TAYLOR, 97

August 27, 2011 - Professor of Physics at Morgan State University for 37 years, Avid Golfer for life.more

Mildred H. Blackwell, 92

July 25, 2011 - Mildred Hayes Blackwell was born to the late Annie Hayes Dade and James Dade on June 26, 1919 in Richmond, Va. At age 5, she and her family moved to Baltimore, Md., where Mildred continued her education in the Baltimore schools, graduating from Frederick Douglass High School and continuing her education at Cortez Peters Business School in Baltimore.more

Abner Sampson, 78

June 25, 2011 - Abner “Sam” Sampson Sr. was born Oct. 6, 1932, to the late Clarence and Pearline Faulkner Sampson in Goldsboro, N.C.more

James V. Janifer, 91

June 25, 2011 - World War II veteran Major James V. Janifer, also known as “Jim,” was a lifelong Washingtonian. He was born on Champlain Street to Albert and Lula (Thompson) Janifer on Nov. 15, 1919.more

Julius “Lester” Sturdivant, 85

April 26, 2011 - Julius Sturdivant was born on Nov. 15, 1925, in Wadesboro, N.C. He was the eldest child of the late Lester William Sturdivant and Ethel Robinson Sturdivant.more

Jessie S. Thomas, 100

April 26, 2011 - Jessie Shorter Thomas was a proud and witty fourth- generation Washingtonian. On Sept. 16, 2010, she was blessed to celebrate her 100th birthday. Jessie’s life journey began Sept. 16, 1910. She was the fourth of five children born to Charles and Jessie Freeman Shorter.more

George E. Keith, 92

April 01, 2011 - George Edward Keith was born Jan. 25, 1919, to Charlie and Daisy Moone Keith in Canton, Ga. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of March 2.more

Elaine B. Washington, 46

April 01, 2011 - Elaine Barbara Washington was born Sept. 22, 1964, to the late James Hargrove and Elizabeth Barber. She grew up in the community of Westphalia Estates in Upper Marlboro, Md., and attended Prince George’s County public schools. She also attended college at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.more

Alice Johnson, 79

April 01, 2011 - Alice Perry Johnson was born Sept. 5, 1931, in Newark, N.J. She passed away Feb. 26 at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Md.more

Berdie O. Odom, 85

February 26, 2011 - Berdie Onez Odom was born Feb. 12, 1925, in Florence County, S.C., to the late Ola and Janie McWhite. She attended Florence County public schools and graduated from Wilson High School in 1945. She came to Christ at a young age and joined St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Pamplico, S.C.more

Ralph B. Thomas Jr., 28

February 26, 2011 - Ralph Bernard Thomas Jr., aka “BJ” and also known to many as “Sleepie,” the son of Ralph Bernard Thomas Sr. and Rosetta Dolorse Thomas, died Feb. 13.more

Otto Ungar, 84

February 26, 2011 - Otto Ungar, 84, died Jan. 1 in Washington, D.C. He was born Feb. 27, 1927, to the late Gertrude and Herman Ungar in Vienna, Austria.more

AFRO Poll Question

Diane Jordan, 58

Previous Obituaries