Search Archived Marriage Records
DAVIS, HELMS - Jesse D. Davis and Wilma Davis Helms - Joint services for Jesse D. Davis and his daughter, Wilma Davis Helms, were held Friday, November 1, at Puritan Avenue Baptist Church. Pastor Donald F. Failes officiated. Mr. Davis died October 25 in Riverview Hospital at the age of 78. Mrs. Helms died later in the day at Grace Hospital. She was 49. A native of Alamo, Tennessee, Mr. Davis married
the late Floatee Evans in Chicago in 1944 and they became the parents of four children. A self-employed electrician, he had been a Detroit resident since 1985. Mrs. Helms was born March 6, 1947 in Chicago. She lived in Marston, Missouri before moving to Detroit with her son, Victor L. Davis, in 1969, and in 1988, married
William J. Helms. Employed by the federal government, she worked at the VA hospital in Allen Park and later at the Social Security Administration in Detroit. At Puritan Avenue Baptist, she served as a deaconess, Sunday School teacher and member of the Women's Group, Mission and Inspirational Choir. Mr. Davis is survived by a son, Larry J. Davis; two daughters, Lillian M. and Mary L. Davis; five other children, George, David, Jimmy Lee, Melvin and Rosemary Hunt; ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many other relatives. In addition to her brothers and sisters, Mrs. Helms is survived by her husband and son, a daughter, Brandi Helms; two step-daughters, Cynthia Helms and Stephanie Davis; two aunts, three uncles and many other relatives. Mr. Davis was buried at Mason's cemetery in Point Pleasant, Missouri, and Mrs. Helms at Detroit Memorial cemetery in Warren. Arrangements were handled by the Swanson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, December 24 - 31, 1996, page 7-D).
DAVIS - Herman V. Davis Jr. - Services for Herman Van Buren Davis Jr. were held Feb. 1 at the Thompson Funeral Home Greenfield chapel. Mr. Davis died Jan. 28. He was 81. Born April 9, 1915 in Nashville, Tennessee, Mr. Davis grew up in Chattanooga. He later married
Motis Senette Hester, with whom he celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary in 1996. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he attended upholstery school on the GI Bill after moving to Detroit. A true craftsman, he also studied fabrics and furniture design. His numerous customers kept him in constant demand. Mr. Davis' hobbies included reading and philosophical discussions. In addition to his wife, Mr. Davis is survived by his daughter, Doris Jean Hodge, Ph.D; granddaughter, Angela Karen Nasir, MD, and many other relatives. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-West. (Michigan Chronicle, February 12-18, 1997, page D-5).
DAVIS - Vernittie Davis - Services were held at Oak Grove AME Church, April 18 for Vernittie Davis, with the Rev. Gregory G.M. Ingram officiating. Mrs. Davis, 64, died April 13. Born February 18, 1933 in Westfield, Alabama, Mrs. Davis worked for Michigan Bell for 38 years as a telephone operator. She was an unsung hero, who always put her family first. Mrs. Davis is survived by her mother, Ella Wooten; husband Robert; son, Anthony; daughter, Regina Scales; granddaughters, Brooke and Taylor Davis; and many others. Interment was at Woodlawn cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, April 30 - May 3, 1997, page D-6)
BOLTON - Raymond Leon Bolton - Services for Raymond Leon Bolton were held Sept. 9 at Whole Truth Church of God in Christ with Superintendent Ernie M. McCutchen Sr. officiating. Raymond Bolton was 16 when he died Sept. 4, 1997. Born May 11, 1981, Bolton, who was affectionately called "Ray-Ray," was educated in the Detroit Public Schools and was pursuing a business and music education. He was a member of Whole Truth Church of God in Christ, where he was active in the Youth Choir and played the drums for the church. Bolton is survived by his brother, Michael Bernard Johnson; grandparents, Herman and Nellie Bolton; aunts and uncles, Gloria J. Bailey, Sandra Montgomery, Chaunne Yancey, Larry Macklin, Allen L. Bolton and Kenneth S. Bolton; great grandmother, Gladys Parham; eight great aunts; six great uncles; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Swanson Funeral Home Inc. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-East.
CHRISTIAN - Lloyd Marcus Christian - Services for Lloyd Marcus Christian were held Oct. 10 at St. Stephen A.M.E. Church with Rev. Dr. Delano L. Bowman officiating. Mr. Christian was 72 years old when he died Oct. 10, 1997. Born Feb. 8, 1925 in Camden, Ark., Mr. Christian graduated from Camden High School and moved to Detroit where he joined St. Stephen's A.M.E. Church. Lloyd was a member of the Male Chorus, the Gospel Choir and the Steward board. Mr. Christian is survived by his wife Ernestine; son, Lloyd Jr. (Stacey); daughter Marilyn and step-daughter Linda and her two children, Manita Tridgean and Marcus Royal; two brothers, William and Alberry; three sisters, Lorena Green, Edwina Patrick, and Mattie Swanegan; three grandchildren, Kelly, Ryan and Rusty; a step-granddaughter, Ravynn; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens.
COBB - Leroy C. Cobb - Services for Leroy C. Cobb were held Sept. 16 at Thompson Funeral Home with Bishop Philip Pulliam officiating. Mr. Cobb was 51 years old when he died Sept. 9, 1997. Born June 29, 1946, Mr. Cobb joined the Armed Forces in 1967 and served honorably for two years. Mr. Cobb is survived by two sisters, Delores Hughes and Princetta Spencer; one brother-in-law, Robert Simpson; one aunt, Margaret Saline Anderson; four nephews; 7 nieces; 10 great nephews, 10 great nieces; cousin, Alonzo McKissack; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-West.
DENNIS - Judith E. Dennis - Services for Judith Evelyn Dennis were held Sept. 23 at Thompson Funeral Home with Bishop Philip Pulliam officiating. Ms. Dennis was 41 years old when she died Sept. 16, 1997. Born June 9, 1956, Ms. Dennis was educated in the Detroit Public School system. Ms. Dennis is survived by her four children, Donald, Keith, James and Dolores; her grandmother, Vergel Ross; sister, Cynthia Dennis; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Lincoln Memorial Park cemetery.
FURLOW - Erma Jean Furlow - Services for Erma Jean Furlow were held at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles G. Adams officiating. Ms. Furlow was 55 when she died Sept. 8, 1997 at home. Born Sept. 12, 1941, in Americus, Ga., to Flora Walker and Boman Wiley, Ms. Furlow joined Campbell AME Church at an early age and later moved to Hartford, Connecticut. She moved to Detroit in 1978. Ms. Furlow was the editor and publisher of the Northwest Courant, a local publication, as well as vice president of the Black Yellow Pages until ownership changed early this year. She joined Hartford Memorial Baptist Church Jan. 13, 1993, and became a volunteer for many community activities, politicians and causes throughout the city. She also did many things for her grandchildren, so many that she was dubbed the "car pooling Grandma." She even often brought along a friend's grandchild. Mrs. Furlow is survived by her father; son, Jack; brothers, Wade W. Fuller, Willie J. Fuller, Jerry H. Fuller, Bernard Fuller, Boman Wiley Jr.; sisters, Bobbie J. Wiley, Gwenvre L. Bullard and a host of other relatives and friends. Interment was at Gethsemane cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home Inc.
FUQUA - Robert C. Fuqua - Services for Robert C. Fuqua were held Sept. 13 at Canaan Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Arthur officiating. Mr. Fuqua was 48 when he died Sept. 8, 1997 in Henry Ford Hospital. Born June 20, 1949 to Wallace and Georgia Fuqua in Lauderdale County, Rodgersville, Ala., Mr. Fuqua was the youngest of six children. He came to Detroit at age 1 and attended church and public school. He married
the former Patty Harrison in 1969. Mr. Fuqua, who loved to sing and watch television, is survived by his mother; son, Robert Charles Jr.; brother, Dempsie; sisters, Hazella Smith, Ada Johnson; and a host of other relatives and friends. Interment was at Gethsemane cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home.
HOOPER - Walter Hooper - Services for Walter Hooper were held Sept. 22, at Thompson Funeral Home with Bishop Phillip Pulliam officiating. Mr. Hooper was 57 years old when he died Sept. 22, 1997. Born April 6, 1940, Mr. Hooper was educated in the Detroit Public Schools and served in the United States Army in the 101st Air Borne Division. He was employed with Chrysler Corporation of Toledo, Ohio, where he worked for a number of years. Mr. Hooper is survived by his companion, Trena; brother, Clarence Sherman Hooper; five children, Donny, Wanda, LuWanna, Marcus and Courtney; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Entombment was at Woodlawn Mausoleum.
MADGETT - William H. Madgett - Services for William H. Madgett were held Sept. 12 at Swanson Funeral Home Inc. Mr. Madgett was 83 when he died Sept. 7, 1997 at Cottage Hospital in Grosse Pointe. Born Dec. 4, 1913 to the late Bill Madgett and Isabelle Madgett Pitts, Mr. Madgett married
Geraldine Glasco and the couple bore two children. He later married
Naomi Long. Mr. Madgett served in the Army Signal Corps in World War II and retired from his job at the U. S. Post Office. He is survived by his sons, William Harold, Alpha Gerald; a daughter-in-law, Mary; two grandchildren, Steven, Nicole; and a host of other relatives and friends. Arrangements were made by Swanson Funeral Home Inc.
ROWDEN - Elma T. Rowden - Services for Elma T. Rowden were held Sept. 13 at Gerard Catholic Church with Fr. Don Archambault officiating. Mrs. Rowden died Sept. 6, 1997 at 9 p.m. at the age of 74. Born to Matthew "Hack" Jackson and Flora Jackson Dec. 28, 1922 in Peoria, Ill., Mrs. Rowden graduated from Mound City High School in Mound, Ill., and later became a licensed cosmetologist. After moving to Detroit, she married
John Rowden March 11, 1955. For more than 30 years she was a member of the Subud Association, an international organization of people who work and worship together for peace. She was a regional helper for 16 Midwestern states. Mrs. Rowden became a Catholic and joined St. Gerard Church April 14, 1979. She is survived by her husband; sisters, Geneva Archibald, Juanita Madison, Ruby Robinson, Norma Sanders; a niece, Elree Watkins; and a host of other relatives and friends. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-West, Redford Twp. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home Inc.
SCHIFF - Jacob Jack Schiff - He was known as "Jack" to his family and friends and could have been fondly dubbed "The Bard" by those who frequented his drugstore in Lafayette Park. Jacob Jack Schiff, a Detroit businessman for 68 years, parlayed his sense of humor into "Jack's Jingles, a series of witty slogans, that he posted in his store. Some of the slogans drew customers who stopped in to see what he had come up with that day. Mr. Schiff succumbed to prostate cancer Sunday, Sept. 21, 1997.
Born in New York, he had been a resident of Detroit since his family moved here in 1911. He attended Cass Technical High School and graduated from Wayne State University Pharmacy School in 1929 after working his way through college selling fruits and vegetables at the Eastern Market. In 1929, he opened Jefferson Hall Pharmacy, serving the near-east side of Detroit until 1959 when the land was claimed for redevelopment. In 1962, at the age of 54, with the enthusiasm of a much younger man, he opened Richard's Drugs in the Lafayette park. He worked there seven days a week until age 88 when his illness forced his retirement. In 1966, he was presented a Detroit City Council testimonial resolution for his long years of service to the community.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, Sept. 23, 1997, at Adat Shalom cemetery in Livonia. Arrangements were by the Dorfman Funeral Home of Southfield. Mr. Schiff is survived by his wife, Rose; son, Richard; daughter, Cynthia Bovitz, and three grandchildren. The family requests that contributions in his name be made to Hospice of Michigan, 16250 Northland Dr., #121, Southfield, MI 48075, or any charity of choice.
SHAW - Leslie Frank Shaw - Services for Leslie Frank Shaw were held Sept. 19 at Thompson Funeral Home with Pastor John Greer officiating. Mr. Shaw, 43, died Sept. 14, 1997. Born Aug. 25, 1954, Mr. Shaw was educated in the Detroit Public School and Seventh Day Adventist School system. He graduated from Highland Park High School and later attended Highland Park Community College. Mr. Shaw is survived by his two sons, James and Davonne; mother, Mary Lee Collins; two sisters, Christine Everett and Connie Shaw; one granddaughter, DeJanette; one great grandmother, Emma C. Henderson; two nephews, Klye and Calvin; an uncle, Harding Fears Sr., and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-West.
SMITH - Harvey E. Smith Jr. - Services were held at Solomon's Temple for Harvey E. Smith Sr., with Bishop Fred Rubin officiating. Mr. Smith, 77, died Sept. 13, 1997. Born May 29, 1920 in Opelika, Ala., Mr. Smith graduated from Parker High School and Miles College in Birmingham, Ala. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945, then moved to Detroit, where he was employed by Chrysler for 33 years. Mr. Smith is survived by his sons, Elder Harvey E. Smith, Jr. and Sherman Anthony; daughters, Virginia (Jenni), Frankie (Regina) and Shirley; 37 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and many others. Interment was at Lincoln Memorial Park cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home Inc.
WELCH-HENDERSON - Edwina Welch-Henderson - Services for Edwina Welch-Henderson were held Sept. 17 at Chenault Funeral Home with the Rev. Celeste Davis officiating. Mrs. Welch-Henderson, 63, died Sept. 12, 1997 at home. Born to Genie and Eula Gardner Oct. 27, 1933, Mrs. Welch-Henderson was the eighth of eleven children. She attended Detroit Public Schools, graduated from Miller High School and attended Wayne State University before becoming a dietary supervisor. She worked at Burton Mercy Hospital, Southwest General Hospital and St. Michael's Nursing Center. Mrs. Welch-Henderson is survived by her husband, James Henderson; son, Mark K. Grafton; daughter, Latonia L. Welch-Minus; brother, Lawrence Gardner and a host of other relatives and friends. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-East Warren.
WILLIAMS - Tamara La Sonya Williams - Services for Tamara La Sonya Williams were held Sept. 17 at East Lake Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael G. Cunningham officiating. Ms. Williams, 20, died Sept. 23, 1997. Born Sept. 29, 1976 in Chicago, Ms. Williams was educated in the Detroit public school system and graduated from Osborne High School. She was a student at the University of Michigan, anticipating a May, 1998, graduation. Ms. Williams is survived by her mother, Yvonne Williams; father, James Akridge II; stepmother, Kim Akridge; daughter, Kiara LaSonya Williams; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. James Akridge Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Hart; grandmother, Alva Akridge; sisters, Lalonda and Tonika Williams; and many others. Interment was at Gethsemane cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home Inc.
CLARK - Ruth Clark - Services for Ruth Clark were held Oct. 14 at New St. Paul Tabernacle Church of God In Christ with Bishop P. A. Brooks officiating. Mrs. Clark was 73 years old when she died Oct. 8, 1997. Born Sept. 8, 1924, Mrs. Clark was dedicated to her church and served many years in several positions, most notably as financial secretary. On the state level, she also served as assistant chairlady of the YPWW Department, president of the State Teenage Department and field representative of the Sunday School Department. Mrs. Clark is survived by five sons, Ronald Benson (Johnnie Mae), Charles Clark (Ann), Richard Benson (Lula), Dave Benson III, and Tyrone Benson; six daughters, Alfreda Antoine (Kevin), Sandra Woods, Patricia Bradley, Diane Gist, Marilyn Harvill (Otis) and Sylvia Jones (Walter); 18 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; one sister, Willie Mae Curry (James); one brother, Robert Dean; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens.
