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CURTIS-SMITH - Mary E. Curtis-Smith - Services for Mary E. Curtis Smith were held Oct. 4 at New Light Baptist church with Rev. Dr. Benjamin Stanley Baker officiating. Mrs. Curtis-Smith was 89 years old when she died Sept. 29, 1997. Born Aug. 23, 1908 in Monroe, Louisiana, Mrs. Curtis-Smith had two children from a prior marriage who preceded her in death. Mrs. Curtis-Smith is survived by her daughter Susietta (Aaron) Williams; three sons, Claude, Dave and James; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-West.
FINCH - Ruby S. Finch - Services were held at People's Community Church Oct. 10 for Ruby S. Finch, with the Rev. Martin E. Bolton officiating. Ms. Finch, 83, died Oct. 3, 1997. Born Dec. 9, 1913 in Macon, Georgia, Ms. Finch graduated from Northeastern High School where she was an honor student. She was employed at the U. S. Army Tank Command in Warren for 32 years until her retirement in 1973. A charter member of People's Community Church, Ms. Finch served as a steward, youth sponsor, treasurer of the December birthday club, and as church financial secretary. Ms. Finch is survived by her daughter, Florence; sisters, Helen Johnson, Alice Marie Richardson and Margaret Solomon; niece and care-giver, Gloria Williams; and many others. Interment was at United Memorial Gardens in Plymouth. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home Inc.
GAMBLE - Fuller B. Gamble - Services for Fuller B. Gamble were held at the Greenfield Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home Inc. Oct. 7 with Bishop Phillip Pulliam officiating. Mr. Gamble, 86, died Oct. 2, 1997 at Sinai Hospital. Born Feb. 10, 1911 in Belton, South Carolina, Mr. Gamble was educated in the Detroit Public Schools. He was an employee of Grand Trunk railroad for more than 40 years and enjoyed sharing stories of his days on the railroad with his nieces and nephews. Mr. Gamble is survived by his sisters-in-law Florine Collins and Jimmie Lee Hall; and a host of nieces and nephews. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park East in Warren.
JONES - Asbury Jones - Services for Asbury Jones were held at Thompson Funeral Home Inc., Oct. 15 and 16. Mr. Jones died Oct. 11, 1997 at Saratoga Hospital. He was 47. Born Oct. 25, 1950, Mr. Jones graduated from Northwestern High school in 1968. He was employed by the Detroit Water Department. Mr. Jones was a true friend, who gave willingly and unselfishly of his time and talents to his family, friends and co-workers. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie; sons, Steven, Nakai ("Nick"), Eliathan ("Late") and Adrian ("Big One"); grandson, Eliathan Jr.; siblings, Mary Lavon, James Jr., Estell, Delores, Willie, Nathaniel, Lillie McGee and Doris Ann; and many others. Cremation was at Gethsemane Crematory Association.
CLOVER - Diane Clover - Services for Diane Clover were held Aug. 2 at Swanson Funeral Home Inc. - West Chapel with Rev. Erik Jensen officiating. Ms. Clover was 47 when she died July 26, 1997. Born Sept. 27, 1949 to Ernest and Valeria Clover in Camden, New Jersey at Cooper Hospital, Ms. Clover moved to Detroit with her family when she was 4 years old. She claimed Jesus as her savior at an early age, was educated at Detroit Public Schools and attended Shaw College. She was a secretary for the Detroit Board of Education before retiring from Fairbanks Elementary School. In her spare time she also worked with the Karmanos Cancer Research Institute. Miss Clover is survived by her sons, Daryl, Jason; mother; father; four brothers; four sisters; three nieces; four nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Interment was at Woodlawn cemetery. Arrangements were made by Swanson Funeral Home Inc.
FOX - Mattie Lee Fox - Services for Mattie Lee Fox were held Aug. 2 at Church of our Father Baptist Church with Rev. Mack E. Vincent officiating. Mrs. Fox was 88 when she died July 26, 1997. Born July 4, 1909 in Weir, Mississippi, to Bloomer Shannon and Mary Ellen Turnipseed, Mrs. Fox confessed Christ at an early age and joined Weir Chapel Baptist Church. Mrs. Fox married
the late Isaiah Kennedy. They had two children, the late Ethel Lee and Archie Lee Kennedy. She later married
the late Jack Fox. In 1967, Mrs. Fox moved to Detroit and joined Greater St. John Baptist Church and later became a member of Greater Providence Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Southern Wonders singing group. She is survived by her son; six grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives. Interment was at Forest Lawn cemetery. Arrangements were made by Swanson Funeral Home Inc.
GRIFFIN - Elizabeth Griffin - Services for Elizabeth Williams Griffin were held Aug. 2 at Eagles Way Full Gospel Tabernacle with Bishop John Adams officiating. Mrs. Griffin was 88 when she died July 26, 1997. Born July 25, 1909 in Shelby, Mississippi, Mrs. Griffin moved to Detroit in 1944 and became an ordained minister. She was later appointed Mother of the Universal Temple of God. Mrs. Griffin is survived by 39 grandchildren; 71 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Swanson Funeral Home.
KIRKLAND - Willie Jewell Dear Kirkland - Funeral services for Willie Jewell Dear Kirkland were held July 9, 1997 at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist church with her granddaughter, Bernice Kirkland of Stone Mountain, Georgia, delivering the eulogy. She was 83 at the time of her passing. Mrs. Kirkland was born in Meridian, Mississippi on July 13, 1914 to Louis and Lula Dear. She had one brother, Ozell, who preceded her in death. On May 20, 1933 she was united in holy matrimony to Willie James Kirkland. From this union came three children, Willie Jr., Deloris and Jacqueline. After moving to Detroit in 1942, Mrs. Kirkland, a devout Christian, joined Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, where she was president of the Senior Club and the Nurses Guild, and a member of the Golden Age Fellowship. She was also a long standing member of the Order of Eastern Star, Ruth Chapter #6. Mrs. Kirkland leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 64 years, Willie James Kirkland Sr.; two daughters, Deloris Rose and Jacqueline Kirkland; one son, Willie Jr.; son-in-law Dr. Jorge F. Rose; six grandsons, three grandsons, three great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.
LIPSCOMB - Clyde Cohen Lipscomb - Services for Clyde Cohen Lipscomb were held Aug. 2 at St. John's C.M.E. Church with Rev. Tony Curtis Henderson officiating. Mr. Lipscomb, 66, died July 28, 1997. Born June 6, 1931 in Trinity, Alabama, Mr. Lipscomb moved to Detroit in 1944 and graduated from Miller High School in 1948. He retired with the Chrysler Corporation after 34 years with the company, where he served as a supervisor and general foreman. Mr. Lipscomb is survived by his wife, Betty Lipscomb; father, Willie Lipscomb. Sr.; two sisters, Bernice (Lipscomb) Johnson and Mygene (Lipscomb) Carr; one brother, Willie G. Lipscomb Jr.; three daughters; one son; two grandchildren and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home Inc. Interment was at Trinity cemetery.
THOMPSON - Rev. Richard Thompson - The Lord blessed us with Rev. Richard R. Thompson on June 26, 1955. He was received as a gift of joy to his parents, Richard and Juanita Thompson. The Rev. Thompson died of kidney failure July 10, 1997 at Detroit Riverview Hospital. He was 42. Rev. Thompson matriculated in the Detroit Public Schools. He received his B. A. from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and has completed graduate studies at the University of Detroit and the University of Michigan. Rev. Thompson married
Carol Scott on Oct. 21, 1989. Their love stands as a testimony of a Christian marriage and how a Christ centered marriage can withstand against many odds.
Rev. Thompson's parents introduced him to Jesus Christ and Richard grew up in the Russell Street Baptist Church. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized by the late Rev. Stephen Campbell at he age of 8. Rev. Thompson preached his first sermon in November, 1972 at his home church. He was licensed to preach the Gospel by the late Rev. Stephen Campbell. Pastor Thompson was ordained in 1978 by Dr. Cullian Hill. From 1977 to 1981, Rev. Thompson served as an assistant pastor at Russell Street Baptist Church and at Detroit's Greater Concord Missionary Baptist Church from 1981 -1 1984. God's first call to pastorship for Rev. Thompson was with the Union Baptist Church in Dresden, Ontario, Canada, where he served as pastor from 1984 to 1991. During his first assignment Rev. Thompson drove at least 100 miles to minister in Dresden, where he met his wife, Carol. Rev. Thompson became pastor of the Second Corinthian Baptist Church in 1991.
He had been a board member of the Michigan Housing Coalition and of the Michigan Housing Coalition and of the Michigan Housing Trust Fund. Rev. Thompson also served as assistant vice president of First of America Bank, where he helped many churches and low income families get mortgages or improvement loans. Rev. Thompson made it his personal mission to represent the religious communities' financial needs. He was blessed with many talents. He balanced these skills to meet the banking needs and mortgage needs of churches and low income families. Pastor Thompson was at the forefront of many initiatives in Detroit's Empowerment Zone. He loved his community and was committed to helping the churches in his community. Rev. Thompson served as Chief Chaplain for the Detroit Police Department. He not only rode with the Police Officers weekly, but spent many hours counseling and coaching them on a regular basis. Rev. Thompson said "being chaplain is very demanding, but when you are needed and God has blessed you with something to give, then you should do just that. It's your duty and responsibility to do so."
Pastor Thompson served with the Police Chaplains for seven years. As Pastor of Second Corinthian, Pastor Thompson had many accomplishments. His visions for the Second Corinthian family are numerous. His plans included building a strong education ministry rooted in the richness of Christ, establishing an outreach ministry for the local community surrounding Second Corinthian.
Rev. Thompson now rests with the Lord. He is mourned by his wife, Carol; mother, Juanita; (father, Richard Thompson Sr. preceded him in death); stepdaughter, Pamela Handson; stepson, Scott Handson; mother-in-law, Gladys Scott; brothers-in-law, Murray and Dennis Scott; uncles, James, Alphonso, (Uncle Harry preceded him in death); aunts, Sarah, Willie and Maggie; first cousins, Laura Ann (Rev. Percy Hall preceded him in death), Bridget Jean, Claudia, Meta, Rev. Henry Hall Jr., James Hall Francis, Sarah, Olga, Rev. Henry Hall, Kim Hall; the Second Corinthian Church family; and a host of other relatives and friends from around the country.
KELLEY - Doris Jean Kelley - Services for Doris Jean Kelley were held at the Greenfield Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home Inc., Oct. 17. Mrs. Kelley, 52, died Oct. 11, 1997. Born 23, 1945 in Pell City, Fla., Mrs. Kelley graduated from Mumford High School in 1963. She continued her education at Wayne County Community College, where she studied nursing. She practiced her nursing skills at Mercy Hospital, and later continued her education at Phoenix University. Mrs. Kelley is survived by her children, Ophelia Kay and Tyrone Anthony; granddaughter, Sylvia; sisters, Nancy Glover and Harriet Turnbow; and brothers, Donnie, Solomon, Jr., David and Clarence. Cremation was at Tri County Cremation Services in Ypsilanti.
LYLES - Naomi Wells Lyles - Services for Naomi Wells Lyles were held Oct. 18 at Thompson Funeral Home with Rev. John Peoples officiating. Mrs. Lyles was 76 years old when she died Oct. 12, 1997. Born Aug. 21, 1921 in Ponchantas, Miss., Mrs. Lyles attended Jackson State College and graduated from Ruby's School of Cosmetology Hair and Beauty Culture. Mrs. Lyles was a hair stylist for many years. She later began working for J. L. Hudson's Co. until she retired August 1983. Mrs. Lyles is survived by her daughters, Frances Lyles Harris, Clemmie Lyles Underwood, and Margaret Lyles Giles; son-in-law, George Harris Sr.; nephew, David Wells Jr.; two granddaughters, Kimberly Lyles-Smith and Helen Manning; three grandsons, Will Underwood, Sandy Underwood and George Harris Jr.; two grandsons-in-law, Dr. Melvin Manning and George Gregory Smith; three great grandsons; three stepchildren, Frank Lyles Jr. (Janice), James Lyles (Bessie) and Ellen Lyles; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Trinity cemetery.
MADDEN - Shannon Ann Madden - Services for Shannon Ann Madden were held Oct. 7 at Thompson Funeral Home Inc. Ms. Madden was 47 when she died Oct. 2, 1997. Born Sept. 30, 1950, Ms. Madden attended the Eastside School for the Deaf and graduated with honors and merit certificates from Chadsey High School. Ms. Madden was employed as a mail clerk at the post office for 10 years and at the Mercy University of Detroit for 10 years. Ms. Madden is survived by her mother, Annie Mae Brooks; sisters, Betty Jean Brooks, Scenus Jean DeJesus and Georgetta Brooks-Duru; brothers, George Brooks Jr., Melvin Brooks, Jerome Powell, Kelvin Ray Brooks and Ronald Brooks; aunts, Carrie Walker, Bertha Madden and Ruth Madden; nieces and nephews, Jack Harper Jr., Renee Harper, Larry Harper, Sabrina Gibson and Tanya Harper; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home Inc. Interment was at Grandlawn cemetery.
MITCHELL - Robert Hugh Mitchell - Services were held at Williams Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Oct. 10 for Robert Hugh Mitchell with the Rev. Flemon Stokes officiating. Mr. Mitchell, 72, died Oct. 3, 1997. Born Feb. 26, 1925 in Damesferry, Georgia, Mr. Mitchell, known as "Mitch," moved to Detroit in 1943. He was employed by Chrysler corp. He retired from Chrysler in 1974 to devote all his energy to boxing. He joined forces with Henry Groom's Kalamazoo Boxing Academy where he trained several number one contenders, including Len Hutchins, Vonzell Johnson, Greg "Candyman" Coverson, Floyd Mayweather and former heavyweight world champion Leon Spinks. Mr. Mitchell was a man determined to follow his dreams. He began a self taught course for which he was recognized as Boxing Trainer of the Year on June 2, 1996. Mr. Mitchell is survived by his wife, Irene; daughters, Audrey, Carole and Katrina; adopted sons Donald, Tommy Lee, Raymond, Vonzell and Greg (Liz, Christopher and Jessica); grandchildren, Rodney Jr., Roland, Ross and Justin; adopted sister, Dorothy Stone; and many others. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home Inc. Interment was at Woodlawn cemetery.
REED - Catherine Reed - Services for Catherine Reed were held Oct. 14 at Thompson Funeral Home with Rev. Pulliam officiating. Mrs. Reed was 74 years old when she died Oct. 14, 1997. Born July 15, 1923 in Comilla, Ga., Mrs. Reed graduated from public high school and married
the late Green Houston Reed. They remained married
for 54 years. She owned El Morocco Restaurant in Detroit. She was also the force behind Action Hardware, the company her husband and her son, Irving, managed since 1954 until retirement. Mrs. Reed is survived by her son, Irving Reed; granddaughters, Kim (Gary) Harris, Irvette and Cherie Reed; three great granddaughters, Ashley and Erika Harris, and Kristian Reed-Clark; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-East.
RICE - Keith Dennis Rice - Services for Keith Dennis Rice were held Oct. 13, at Liberty Temple Baptist Church with Pastor Samuel Thompson officiating. Mr. Rice was 45 years old when he died Oct. 8, 1997. Born March 28, 1952, Mr. Rice was educated in the Detroit Public Schools System and attended Northwestern High School. He joined the United States Army in 1974 and received an honorable discharge. At the time of his death, he was an entrepreneur as a partner in the JDK Transportation Company. Mr. Rice is survived by a host of relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home.
