Search Archived Marriage Records
WOODLAND - Dixie Woodland - Services for Mr. Dixie Woodland were held July 9, at the Greater Grace Temple with District Elder Charles H. Ellis III officiating. Mr. Woodland died July 3, 1997 in Veterans Hospital. Born March 14, 1912, Mr. Woodland was the fifth of eight children born to Dixie and Louise Woodland in Fayette County, Tennessee. He attended Fayette County Training School in Sommerville, Tennessee, and later became a member of the Young Black Tennessee Farmers Association. He was a sergeant in the United States Army in World War II. After leaving military service, Dixie moved to Detroit, where he attended and graduated from the Michigan Barber College in 1947. He was the proprietor of Woody's Barber Shop on Woodrow Wilson and Tyler for many years. He also worked at Chrysler in Highland Park and retired in 1972. He is survived by his devoted wife, Jelema; a daughter, Alberta (Dr. Jeff Richburg); sons Calvin (Jackie), and Treneir (Cathryn); brothers, Dave and Thomas (Carrie); sisters, Mary Lou and Ruth; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Interment was at Elmwood cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Ellis Memorial Funeral Home.
SMITH - Bre'on Daesha Smith - Services for Bre'on Daesha Smith were held Wednesday, September 11, at Peace Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronald F. Turner officiating. Little Bre'on died September 2, 1996; she would have been two years old on October 26. Born prematurely, she was diagnosed with a rare immune deficiency at the age of five months and subsequently underwent an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant. Her survivors include her parents, Tiffany Smith; father, Brian McIntosh; half-brother, Dalvea McCarty; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Mills, Anthony Kendrick and Felicia Smith; great-grandmothers, Valadia McIntosh, Pricilla Smith and Mary Kendrick; great-grandfather, Willie Murphy Smith, and other relatives. Burial was at Detroit Memorial Park. Handling arrangements was the Swanson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, December 24 - 31, 1996, page 6-D).
SMITH - Crawford A. Smith III - Services for Crawford Alfonso Smith III were held Saturday, March 29 at Thompson Funeral Home in Detroit. Rev. David Rocquemore officiated. Mr. Smith, 52, died on March 25, 1997. Born on January 20, 1945 in Philadelphia, Mr. Smith was educated in the Detroit Public Schools and graduated from Northwestern High School. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force and was a Vietnam Veteran. Mr. Smith worked for the state of Michigan for over 25 years and became a licensed masseur in 1989. He returned to Wayne State University and, at the age of 50, earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology. He was very active with Tots and Teens and served as an ambassador for the Detroit chapter. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Phyllis; three children, Craig, Kecia and Kyle; his mother and father, Lillian and Crawford Smith; grandmother, Justine Hamilton; brother, Charles; sisters, Shirley and Lillian; mother-in-law, Gertrude Heagmon; sister-in-law, Diane; brother-in-law, Arthur Heagmon; nieces, Kelly Heagmon and Erica; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Interment was at the Forest Lawn Crematory. Thompson Funeral Home Inc. handled the arrangements. (Michigan Chronicle, April 9-15, 1997, page D-5).
SMITH - Kevin V. Smith - Bishop Phillip Pulliam officiated at the December 16 services held for Kevin Vaughn Smith at the Thompson Funeral Home Greenfield chapel. Mr. Smith, 38, died December 9, 1997 at Prince George Hospital in Washington, D.C. A native of Detroit, Mr. Smith was born December 24, 1957. He was educated in the Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Finney High School in 1975. While in school he had excelled as an athlete in both basketball and track and field. A veteran of the U.S. Marines, he later attended Washburn University in Kansas. Having worked many years in the food service industry, Mr. Smith had anticipated opening his own deli in the near future. In 1994 he relocated to Laurel, Maryland with his wife, Cynthia. A musician, Mr. Smith had played keyboards and organ in church, The Church of God in Christ, under the direction of his father and pastor, Thomas Lee Smith. In addition to his wife, Mr. Smith is survived by his mother, Lula Smith; twin brother, Keith; step-daughter, Aletha Kimbrough, and many other relatives. Interment was at Elmwood cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, December 24 - 31, 1996, page 6-D).
SMITH - Susie G. Smith - Susie Smith, first of 18 children, was born June 9, 1918 and died February 28, 1997. She was 79. Services were held at St. Paul AME Zion Church, 11359 Dexter in Detroit, where Susie was an active member of the "Emergency Club." Mrs. Smith was born to the late Thomas and Bertha Gaylord in Philadelphia. The Gaylord's moved to Plymouth, North Carolina, later to New York and finally to Detroit in 1943. Mrs. Smith worked at the New York Central Railroad Company until retirement. She was married
to William Smith who was her devoted husband for 48 years. Mrs. Smith was remembered as the mother figure for all her brothers and sisters after the death of their parents. She daily made phone calls to those here in the city and out of town to see how they and their families were doing. Mrs. Smith is survived by her husband, Williams S.; brothers, Utah Gaylord, Dr. Melvin Gaylord of Olivette, Missouri, and Dick and Milton Gaylord of Chicago; sisters, Virginia Ross of New York, W. Beatrice Neithropp of Englewood, New Jersey, Mary Williams of Long Island, New York, and Dr. Gladys Little of Bronx, New York; one sister-in-law, six brothers-in-law, and a host of other family and close friends. Swanson Funeral Home handled all final arrangements. Interment was at Forest Lawn cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, April 9-15, 1997, page D-6 and May 14-20, 1997, pg. D-5).
SMITH - Sylvester Smith - Services for Sylvester Smith were held January 4 at Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church with the Reverend James Wiggins Jr. officiating. Mr. Smith, 74, died December 27, 1997. Born March 22, 1922 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mr. Smith graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Oklahoma City in 1941. Shortly after he moved to Detroit where he began a long-time career with the City of Detroit. He retired in 1977 as an engineer after 30 years of employment. He later began employment with the Detroit Public Schools as an engineer, working there for 10 years. At the time of his death, he was still working for the school system on a part-time basis. Affectionately known as "Smitty," his hobbies included golfing and bowling. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Mable; sons, Mark, Jerry, Donald and Stephen; daughter, Michelle; grandchildren, Carmen, Harrell Jr., and Navisha; three great-grandchildren, and many other relatives. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Woodlawn cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, January 22-28, 1997, page 4-D).
SNOWDEN - Janet P. Snowden - Services for Janet Payne Snowden were held at Bibleway Outreach Christian Center, March 14. Rev. Jack Barnett Jr. officiated. Mrs. Snowden, 40, died of systemic lupus March 7, 1997. Born January 9, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Mrs. Snowden attended the Detroit Public Schools and graduated from Chadsey High School in 1975. A seamstress by trade, Mrs. Snowden attended Mercy College of Detroit for three years. She joined Bibleway Outreach Christian Center where she worked on the Usher Board, the Outreach Ministry, and the Intercessors Prayer Group. She is survived by her husband, Thomas; mother, Elsie Payne; father: James L. Payne Sr.; brothers, James and Joshua; sister, Cheryl Ingram; and many others. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park West. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, March 26 - April 1, 1997, pg. D-4).
SOLOMON - Lester F. Solomon - Services for Lester Frederick Solomon were held December 17 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Odell Jones officiating. He was 43. Born June 28, 1953 in Detroit, Mr. Solomon was educated in the public schools of Hamtramck. Known to his family and friends as "Squirt," Mr. Solomon was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist. Mr. Solomon is survived by his daughter, Ellise; sons, Manchez and Lebon; mother, Lee Esther; sister, Jean Farmer, and many others. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, January 22-28, 1997, page 4-D).
SPENCE - Denise Spence - The Rev. Haman Cross Jr. officiated at the Feb. 22 services held for Denise Spence at Second Corinthian Baptist Church. Mrs. Spence died Feb. 16, 1997 in her home after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 52. Born April 2, 1944 in New York, Mrs. Spence was raised in Columbus, Georgia. A graduate of Howard University, she earned her bachelor of science degree in zoology. She later earned her master's degree in education from the University of Detroit and her doctorate in education from Wayne State University. A proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Dr. Spence was a teacher with the Archdiocese of Detroit before joining the Detroit Public School system in 1978. She worked as a middle school English teacher, academic games coach and profession development consultant. She also taught at the University of Toledo and Oakland University. Mrs. Spence is survived by her husband, Roger; sons, Stephen and Timothy, and many others. Arrangements were handled by O.H. Pye Funeral Home. Interment was at Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens. (Michigan Chronicle, March 5-11, 1997, page D-2).
SPILES - Ruth M. Spiles - The Rev. W. Long Jr. officiated at the Jan. 11 services held for Ruth Mae Spiles at Swanson Funeral Home chapel on East Grand Boulevard. Mrs. Spiles, 95, died Jan. 7, 1997. born Ruth Mae Green on Dec. 22, 1901 in Alabama, Mrs. Spiles was a member of the Loyal Temple Missionary Church of God. She had been married
to the late Jesse Garner. Mrs. Spiles is survived by her son, Jesse Garner; grandchildren, Laure Crawford, Pat Garner Harrold, Evelyn Sheley, Fred Calloway and Jesse Garner; 11 great-grandchildren, special friend, Robert Hughes, and many others. She was preceded in death by her son, Harrold Garner. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park. (Michigan Chronicle, February 12-18, 1997, page D-5).
STEPP - Gerald Ed. Stepp - Services for Pastor Gerald Ed. Stepp were held Thursday, May 1, in the Swanson Funeral Home Northwest Chapel. Mr. Stepp died Friday, April 25, 1997, in Henry Ford Hospital. He was 57. The pastor of Assembly of Yaweh, he was the father-in-law of O'Neil D. Swanson II, vice president of Swanson Funeral Home, and father of Dr. Diane Elizabeth Swanson. A graduate of Pershing High School, Mr. Stepp attended the Center for Creative Studies and Wayne State University. He was the first African American computer analyst at City National Bank and also worked for Michigan Bell and Taylor and Gaston. In addition to Dr. Swanson, Mr. Stepp is survived by his wife of four months, June Mims Stepp; two other daughters, Helen Joyce Hampton and Carla Renee Stepp; a stepdaughter, Michelle Mims; three sons, Gerald Ed. II, Jerome Edward and Jeren Allen Stepp; his father, Alfred Emanuel Stepp; mother, Ester Brewer; two brothers, Alfred Dun and James Stepp; two sisters, Joyce Ward and Esther Clayton and nine grandchildren, O'Neil D. Swanson III, Brianna, Arianne, Maria, Diane, Rachel, Jonathan, Erin Alex Hampton and Caitlin Elizabeth Hampton. Burial was at Detroit Memorial Park. (Michigan Chronicle, May 14-20, 1997, pg. D-6).
STERLING - Mary Jo Sterling - Services were held at Thompson Funeral Home March 12 for Mary Jo Sterling. Mrs. Sterling, 64, died March 5, 1997. Born March 13, 1932 in Toccoa, California, Mrs. Sterling graduated from Stephens County High School in Eastanolle, California in 1949. In 1958, Mrs. Sterling, a self-trained seamstress, married
the late Johnnie Sterling in Detroit, and they had three children. She is survived by her son, Michael; daughter, Patricia Byes; granddaughter, Angel M. Cole; sister, Tewel B. Dowis Baldin; and many others. Interment was at Metropolitan Memorial Park in Belleville. Arrangements were handled by the Thompson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, March 19-25, 1997, page D-6).
STEWART - Gregory Stewart - Services for Gregory Anthony Stewart were held Friday, March 14, 1997, at Swanson Funeral Home's east side chapel. Stewart was 39. Mr. Stewart was born October 29, 1957, growing up in Detroit but spending childhood summers in Mississippi. He was a 1975 graduate of Pershing High School. Left behind to cherish the memory of Gregory Anthony Stewart are a brother, Stephen Stewart; grandparents, Earl and Emma Stewart; two aunts, three uncles and many other relatives. His mother, Edna Stewart, preceded him in death. Interment was at Gethsemane cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, April 30 - May 3, 1997, page D-6)
STINSON - Lucille Stinson - Bishop Phillip Pulliam officiated over funeral services for Lucille Stinson on Thursday, April 2, 1997. Mrs. Stinson, 83, died on March 28 in Southfield's Providence Hospital. Born on September 12, 1913 in Montgomery, Alabama, Mrs. Stinson married
the late Mr. James Henry Stinson in 1934 and then moved to Detroit in 1943. Mrs. Stinson is survived by three sons, Harry, Johnnie and Charles; four daughters-in-law, Betty, Carolyn, Bernadette and Gloria; 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Jessie Hendrix and Mary Jones of Birmingham, Alabama; nephew, Arthur McDaniel and his wife, Suddie; three nieces, Queenie Albert of Cleveland, Leola Dillard of Montgomery, Alabama and Nellie Albert of Rochester, New York; and a host of relatives. Interment was at Lincoln Memorial Park cemetery. Thompson Funeral Home handled the arrangements. (Michigan Chronicle, April 9-15, 1997, page D-5).
STOUTMIRE - Belle Stoutmire - Services were held at Rock of Ages COGIC for Belle Stoutmire, March 8, with Elder Fred Mitchell officiating. Mrs. Stoutmire died March 2, 1997. Born April 24, 1906 in Planterville, Alabama, Mrs. Stoutmire moved to Detroit in 1937 with her husband, Jules. She was a gifted seamstress, whose designs showed up at hundreds of wedding parties. She was employed as an inspector and seamstress at Youngblood's Cleaners for many years. She is survived by a special daughter, Thelma Daye; seven nieces; five nephews; and six godchildren. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Woodlawn cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, April 9-15, 1997, page D-6).
TARRANT - Ossie Tarrant - Services for Ossie Yvonne Tarrant were held March 11 at Scott Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Andrew A. Allie officiating. Mrs. Tarrant was 67 years old. Born March 3, 1910 in East St. Louis, Illinois, Mrs. Tarrant graduated from Lincoln High School and came to Detroit in the 1930s. Mrs. Tarrant was a devoted member of Scott Memorial United Methodist Church and loved traveling and entertaining. She was the 1986 recipient of Wayne County Clerk Teola Hunter's Pre-Mother's Day Award. Mrs. Tarrant is survived by her stepdaughter, Carmen Tarrant Carpenter; three grandsons, Spencer III, Kevin and Brent Carpenter; two granddaughters-in-law, Millicent Skipwith Carpenter and Angela Jackson Carpenter; five grandchildren and one great-grandson; nieces Lillian Chatman Robinson and Carrie Chatman Bratcher; her lifelong friend and legal guardian, Loretta Bledsoe; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park. (Michigan Chronicle, March 26 - April 1, 1997, pg. D-7).
