Search Archived Marriage Records
MCCRACKEN - Willia L. McCracken - Willia Leah McCracken, 96, was born May 12, 1900 in Crockett, Texas. She was one of three children born to the late Mary Elizabeth and Professor J. W. Williams. In 1922, Leah was married
to Elder Hane McCracken of the Presbyterian Church. She and her husband were both very active. Mr. McCracken died April 1. She is survived by a son, a daughter-in-law, seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends. Services were held April 5th at Greater Grace Temple, 19161 Schaefer in Detroit. Final arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, May 14-20, 1997, pg. D-6).
MCCREARY - Gertie M. McCreary - The Rev. Al Hamilton officiated at the Feb. 1 services held for Gertie M. McCreary at John Wesley AME Zion Church. Mrs. McCreary, 80, died Jan. 26. Born in Mobile, Alabama on Nov. 1, 1916, Mrs. McCreary was educated in the Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Northeastern High School. Married to the late Edward McCreary in 1933, she was among the first Black women to work as a conductorette on the street cars during World War II. Following the war, she attended the Fleming Beauty and Barber College. Following graduation, Mrs. McCreary worked as a cosmetologist for 40 years. A long-time member of John Wesley AME, she served on the Senior Usher Board, Deaconess Board and the Life Members Council. Mrs. McCreary also volunteered at the Detroit Police Department. Over the years she had received many awards, including ones from the president, the governor and the mayor. Mrs. McCreary is survived by her daughters, Janice Berry and Edwina Jasper; 10 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, sisters, Renetta Asberry and Helen English, and many other relatives. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Woodmere cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, February 12-18, 1997, page D-6).
MCCREE - Priscilla McCree - Services for Priscilla McCree were held Feb. 12 at Greater Macedonia Baptist Church with the Rev. Lee Artis Ruff officiating. Mrs. McCree died Feb. 6. Born Priscilla Reed in Francisville, Louisiana, Mrs. McCree was educated in the public schools of Shelby, Mississippi. She relocated to Detroit in 1938 and joined Greater Macedonia Baptist Church. She had been an active member of the Myrtle Polk Sunday School, Fannie Harwood Missionary Circle, Club Macedonia and the senior choir until her health failed. She was also a member of the NAACP and the C.W. Morris Memorial Scholarship Committee. Affectionately called "Auntie," she worked with numerous political and neighborhood groups. She also enjoyed nourishing her family with the results of her vegetable garden. She had been employed at the Briggs Plant for a few years and worked for the French family for more than 30 years. She had continued doing domestic work until poor health forced her to retire. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert. Mrs. McCree is survived by her cousins, Henry Park and Emma Anderson; nieces, Hattie Cotton-Jones and Rubie Riley-Coleman, and many others. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Gethsemane cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, March 5-11, 1997, page D-2).
MCGILL - Scherryl A. McGill - The Reverend Martin Bolton officiated at the December 11 services held for Scherryl Ann McGill at People Community Church. Mrs. McGill, 46, died December 5. Born May 29, 1950, Mrs. McGill graduated from Central High School in 1968. She later attended Detroit Business School and Virginia Farrell School of Cosmetology. Affectionately known as Susie, Mrs. McGill had been employed by the federal government for 14 years, working at the data center and tank arsenal. She also assisted her father, William Dudley, in his family-run business, Mr. T. Fine Cleaners. She was later employed at Health Alliance Plan. A member of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, she was known as a loving woman who nurtured everyone she came in contact with. Mrs. McGill is survived by her husband, Lawrence; son, Michael; father, William; step-mother, Gladys; brother, Ronald; sister, Emma Gullegde, and many others. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Memorial Park-East. (Michigan Chronicle, December 24 - 31, 1996, page 6-D).
MCINTYRE - Melvin James McIntyre Jr. - Last rites for Melvin James McIntyre Jr. were held Tuesday, Dec. 31 in the Thompson Funeral Home Greenfield chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Eddie Flounory. Mr. McIntyre died December 26 at the age of 59. Born Feb. 21, 1937 in Georgianna, Alabama, he was a graduate of that city's Robert L. Austin High School. He joined St. John AME Zion Church at an early age and served as secretary of the Sunday School and member of the Young Adult Choir. Mr. McIntyre moved to Detroit at the age of 17 and worked as a cement finisher until his health began to fail. Fondly called "Big Mac" by his friends, he was a founder of the Road Runner Motorcycle Club and served as president. Survivors include his wife, Frances; son, Tyrone; daughters, Beatrice, Darlene, Felicia, Lori, Tara and Dana; his mother, three bothers, Richard, Oliver and Andrew, and many other relatives. Burial was at Woodlawn cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, January 22-28, 1997, page 4-D)
MCKINNEY - Henry D. McKinney - Bishop Jessie T. Stacks officiated at the Jan. 18 services held for Henry Dallas McKinney at Swanson Funeral Home. Mr. McKinney, 93, died January 13. Born Dec. 8, 1903 in Summerville, Tennessee, Mr. McKinney was an early African American businessman on Detroit's east side. He was married
to the late Celia Ann Duke. Known as Hank, he was known as a hardworking, honest man. Owner/operator of service stations located at Mack Avenue and St. Aubin, and another at Dubois and Forest, the McKinney Standard stations became institutions in the community, providing jobs for many young people in the area. In addition to his service stations, Mr. McKinney had worked for United Parcel Service (UPS). He retired after 30 years of service. Mr. McKinney is survived by his children, Mary, Rosetta, Henry Jr., Mildred, Daisy, Jerry, Pearl, Larry, Henrietta and Shirley; 42 grandchildren, including Dominique and Christopher Walker who helped care for him; 69 great-grandchildren, and many other relatives. Interment was at Elmwood cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, March 5-11, 1997, page D-2).
MCLEOD - Mary Lee Banks McLeod - A celebration of the life of Mother Mary Lee Banks-McLeod was held October 15 at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church with Pastor Charles G. Adams officiating. Mother McLeod died October 9 at the age of 78. Born March 2, 1918 in Griffin, Georgia, she moved to Detroit in 1945 and joined the congregation at Church of our Prayer. She later became a member of United Temple of Christ, then Hartford Memorial, where she was a member of the Mothers Board. She is survived by a son, Walter Johnson; daughter, Henrietta Vann; two brothers, Arthur and Charles Brown; a sister, Annie Bell Oliver; ten grandchildren, a number of great and great-great-grandchildren, and many other relatives. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park. Arrangements were by the Swanson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, December 31 - January 7, 1997, page 6-D).
MCNAIRY - Mary McNairy - Services were held for Mrs. Mary Etta McNairy on March 27 at King Solomon Baptist Church. Rev. John Cole officiated. Mrs. McNairy, 78, died on March 21 at Beaumont Hospital after a long illness. Born on January 7, 1919 in Kansas City, Missouri, Mrs. McNairy moved with her family to Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1927. She graduated from the Manual Arts High School there in 1937 and attended Kansas Vocational College in Topeka, Kansas where she majored in music. After a seven-year marriage, Mrs. McNairy moved to Chicago where she worked at the Martin and Morris Music Publishing Company as a music notation transcriber and sheet music demonstrator. The company was owned by the gospel soloist, Mrs. Sallie Martin and Professor Kenneth Morris. IN 1948, Mrs. McNairy helped start the Victory Singers, a Chicago-area church choir directed by Mrs. McNairy's aunt, the late Mrs. Jeannette Sims, who was a well known church musician and affiliated with the "Southland "Spirituals" radio broadcast. The Victory Singers appeared in concert and on local Chicago radio shows and began touring other cities in the midwest. Mrs. McNairy and aunt moved to Detroit in 1950 and soon reorganized the Victory Singers with Detroit singers. The group became the Victorettes and gained popularity. They toured local churches throughout the state and midwestern, northern and southern states. They were featured weekly on the "Southland Spirituals" radio broadcast on WJLB on Sunday mornings. Mrs. McNairy's daughter, Mary Louise Morris was a member of the group from 1953 to 1960. At that time she married
and moved to Harbor City, California where she and her husband currently reside. In 1960, Mrs. McNairy married
Deacon Robert McNairy of King Solomon Baptist Church, where Mrs. McNairy had been a member since 1959. Mr. McNairy died on June 21, 1960. She served as Minister of Music at King Solomon from 1971 to 1987 and choir director since 1959. But she was affiliated with other churches as choir director, including Russell Street and First Institutional Baptist church, 1950 to 1953; and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 1953 to 1959. Mrs. McNairy is survived by her daughter, Mary Louise; son-in-law Dwight Morris; grandson, Darren Morris; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Cynthea and Ezequiel Magana; nephew and niece-in-law, Elroy and Theresa Carroll; foster daughter, Mary McKinley; and a host of relatives. Interment was at Metropolitan Memorial Park. Arrangements were handled by James H. Cole Home for Funerals Inc. (Michigan Chronicle, April 9-15, 1997, page D-6).
MCQUEEN - Wyatt A. McQueen - Services for Wyatt Aaron McQueen were held Dec. 28 at the Greenfield chapel of Thompson Funeral Homes with Bishop Phillip Pulliam officiating. Mr. McQueen died Dec. 17. He was 38. Born December 29, 1958 in Detroit, Mr. McQueen was educated in the Detroit Public Schools system. Known to family and friends as "Earp," they say Mr. McQueen will be remembered for his great athletic ability and true sportsmanship. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he received an honorable discharge in 1977. He is survived by his wife, Reva McQueen; sons, Wyatt A. Drew, Marcus A. Burk and twins Keanta and Deante McQueen; stepchildren, Andre and Omari Brown and Kea Raqryah Trotly; granddaughter, Devion Boyd; parents, Mayme and John McQueen Sr.; brothers, John Jr. and Calvin; sisters, Kathryn A. Carafelli, Darrielle L. McQueen and LaVesta R. McQueen, and many others. Interment was at Grand Lawn cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, January 22-28, 1997, page 4-D)
MIXON - Owhedon Holding-Mixon - Services were held at St. Phillip's Missionary Baptist Church, April 25, for Owhedon Holding-Mixon, with Rev. Theron Hodges Sr. Officiating. Mrs. Holding-Mixon, 62, died April 17. Born March 23, 1935 in Montgomery, Alabama, Mrs. Holding-Mixon moved to Detroit in 1947. She was employed by Botsford Health Center in Farmington, where she worked as a Supervising Geriatric Aide. She received various awards of recognition and enjoyed her work immensely. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, and sewing and working with arts and crafts. She was the top of her millinery class at Wayne State University. Mrs. Holding-Mixon is survived by her husband, Ervin Mixon; daughters, Sharon Lewis, Valerie Myles and Crystal Rucker; son, Robert L. Holding Jr.; stepchildren, Shirley, James, Mae, Gerald, Albert and Olivia; grandchildren, Michael, Shayla, Erica, Craig, Marquita, Andre and Brian; sister, Sandra Lee; brother, Hollis Parks; and many others. Interment was at Westlawn cemetery in Wayne. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, May 14-20, 1997, pg. D-5).
MOORE - Bennie Wade Moore - Services for Bennie Wade Moore were held Monday, December 23, at Central United Methodist Church. The Reverend Edwin A. Rowe officiated. Mr. Moore died Thursday, December 19, at the age of 83. Born August 31, 1913 in Lexington, Mississippi, he was educated in the Mississippi Public Schools system and attended Alcorn College. A U.S. Army veteran, he moved to Detroit in 1945 and worked at Chrysler Corporation from which he retired as a supervisor. At Central Church, he served as an usher, treasurer, church school superintendent and with the United Methodist Men. He was a former worshipful master of Prince Hall Lodge No. 24. Mr. Moore is survived by his wife, Florine; two daughters, Joyce and Benetta; two grandchildren, William Thomas Jr. and Carylin Joyce; a great-granddaughter, JaiDa Ayante, and many other family members. Arrangements were handled by the Thompson Funeral Home. Burial was at Elmwood cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, December 31 - January 7, 1997, page 6-D).
MOORE - Bobby Moore - Pastor Normal Allen II officiated at the December 20 services held for Bobby Moore at the Thompson Funeral Home Dexter chapel. Mr. Moore, 59, died December 15. Born December 22, 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri, Mr. Moore was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he had won the boxing Golden Gloves Award. Employed for 30 years at Carboloy Inc., he was well liked and respected by his co-workers. An avid reader, Mr. Moore also enjoyed sports and music. Mr. Moore is survived by his sons, Jeffrey Moore and Haussa Farrackan; stepson, Lamont Farrackan; daughter, Cricia Farrackan; stepdaughters, Karolyn and Sharon House; grandchildren, Paris, Taneesha, Trina, Shantey, Shawn and Daron, and many other relatives. (Michigan Chronicle, December 24 - 31, 1996, page 6-D).
MOORE - James H. Moore - Services for James Howard Moore were held January 17 at the Murdock Funeral home with the Rev. Beverly Brooks officiating. Mr. Moore, 66, died January 10. Born May 30, 1930, Mr. Moore was educated in the Detroit Public Schools system. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he fought in the Korean War, serving in Company B, 44th Armored Infantry Division. Mr. Moore was employed by Michigan Metable for many years until the company relocated. He was also briefly employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a mail handler. He retired in 1993 from a prominent Detroit hotel. An avid jazz fan, he was known to frequent area jazz clubs where his late brother Donald played saxophone. With a basic Christian belief in God, Mr. Moore attended church at Rose of Sharon COGIC and Bethel AME Church. Mr. Moore is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Felicia, Vincent and Ronald; sisters, Barbara Roundtree and Renelda Moore; brothers, Samuel, Kent, Norris, Harold and Jackie Moore; sister-in-law, Juanita, Augustene, Rosalee, Mother Jerry Moore and Maggie Moore; brother-in-law Andrew Jackson; aunt, Marie C. Bailey, and many other relatives. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-West. (Michigan Chronicle, March 12-18, Page D-4).
MORROW - Clara LeGrange Ovetta Morrow - Services for former educator Clara LaGrange Ovetta Berry Morrow were held Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Warren Avenue Baptist Church. Mrs. Morrow, who taught here at Northeastern High School, died Jan. 25 at the age of 97. Born in 1908 in Uniontown, Alabama, she began her teaching career after graduating from Lincoln Normal and Industrial School in Marian, Alabama. She married
the late Freddie Morrow and they became the parents of 13 children. After moving to Detroit in 1941, Mrs. Morrow joined the congregation at Warren Avenue Baptist Church where she served with many church auxiliaries through the years. She was active in community service with the George Elementary School Parent-Teacher Club, the Helping Hands Guild of Detroit, 4-H Club and Focus: HOPE auxiliaries. She was also featured in a Focus: HOPE public service commercial. Her professional affiliations included the Northeastern Student Faculty Parent Community Council, National Congress of Parents and Teachers of Chicago and the Detroit Retired Teachers Organization. Twice elected "Mother of the Year," she was recipient of many plaques and other awards for her service to the community and mankind, including providing clothes for the needy, helping the homeless and hungry, and taking in abandoned and problem children. Mrs. Morrow is survived by five daughters, Anna Hampton, Lillie DeCuir, Effie Creighton, Pamela Bohler and Doretta Sisco; two sons, John and Jackson Morrow; 36 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and many other relatives. Burial was at Mount Hope cemetery in Livonia. Arrangements were handled by the O. H. Pye Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, February 5-11, 1997, page D-6)
MULLEN - Willie M. Mullen - Bishop Phillip Pulliam officiated at the Feb. 15 services held for Willie Mae Mullen at the Dexter chapel of Thompson Funeral Homes. Mrs. Mullen died Feb. 11. She was 84. Born Aug. 9, 1912 in New Castle, Alabama, Mrs. Mullen moved to Detroit with her family in 1920 where she attended St. John CME Church until her health failed. Educated in the Detroit Public Schools, she graduated magnum cum laude at the age of 16 from Northeastern High School. She later earned her beautician degree from Poro Cosmetology Institute and then became an instructor at the institute. Married to the late Thomas J. Mullen, their child, Ellen Francis, also preceded her in death. Mrs. Mullen is survived by her daughters, Harvelette Dellihue, Helen Mays, Barbara McGlown, Caroline Edwards and Mary Anderson; sons, Samuel Anderson and William Rhodes; nine grandchildren, mother, Mary Frances Scott and many others. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-East. (Michigan Chronicle, February 19-25, 1996 Page D-6).
MURPHY - Rosie Murphy - Services for Rosie "Mama Rose" Murphy were held January 31 at New Liberty Missionary Baptist church. Mrs. Murphy, 78, died on January 26. Born Rosie B. Weatherspoon on August 9, 1918, in Whiteville, Tennessee, Mrs. Murphy married
the late Jerry Lee Murphy in 1938. She moved to Detroit in 1958 and became an active member of New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. She is survived by one son, Jim; five daughters, Florine Brewer, Lois McCurrie, Ernestine Edwards, Gladys Robinson and E. Ada Murphy; a stepdaughter, Clara Riley of Chicago; sons-in-law David Brewer, Joe Randolph and Eddie Robinson; daughter-in-law Vassie Murphy; sisters, L. Francis Beard of St. Louis and Maine Anderson; s special daughter, Diane Batic; 30 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Interment was at Lincoln Memorial Park cemetery. Arrangement were handled by Swanson Funeral Home-East. (Michigan Chronicle, March 26 - April 1, 1997, pg. D-4).
