Search Archived Marriage Records
WARMACK - Estella J. Warmack - Services for Estella J. Warmack were held Saturday, October 11, at Greater New Light Baptist Church. The Rev. D. W. Rocquemore officiated. Mrs. Warmack died October 6, 1996 in Riverview Hospital. She was 79. Born August 31, 1917 in Covington, Kentucky, she married
the late Thomas Warmack in 1937 and was a member of St. James AME Church in Covington. A Cincinnati General Motors retiree, she moved to Highland Park in 1988 to live with her daughter, Janice Freeman, and family. In 1991, she was baptized at Greater New Light Church. Mrs. Warmack is survived by a son, Dr. Bonnie W. Warmack; her daughter, two stepchildren, Harold Warmack and Muminiah Abdullal; seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many other relatives. Interment was at Elmwood cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, December 24 - 31, 1996, page 7-D).
WASHINGTON - Johnnie C. Washington - Services for Johnnie C. Washington Jr. were held January 8 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church with father Ronald DeHondt officiating. Mr. Washington died January 2, 1997. He was 55. Born February 6, 1941 in Natchez, Mississippi, Mr. Washington graduated from St. Francis High School in 1959. He relocated to Detroit in 1966 where he began working for the Chrysler Corporation. He was employed with Chrysler until his retirement. Always civic minded, Mr. Washington was involved in the civil rights marches of the 60's and served many needy families throughout Mississippi and Louisiana, making trips to the South during the Christmas holidays to bring cheer, food and clothing to poor sections of various towns. Locally, he also enjoyed playing Santa Claus to terminally ill adults and children at Henry Ford and Harper Hospitals, and cooking and donating meals to the hungry in area parks. A devoted member of St. Gregory Catholic Church, Mr. Washington was president of the Usher Board and a member of the Parish Council. As founder of the Willing Hand Corp., he was the proud recipient of President George Washington Bush's "Heart of Gold" medal. He had also received the United Way Commission Service Award and numerous other accolades for his generous work. Mr. Washington is survived by his wife, Mary Asenath Washington; daughter, Laverne Washington; step-daughter, Dawnell Patton; son, Lionell Washington; mother, Ruth Washington; sisters, Melvia Mason, Sophronia Bias, Doris Wyre, Barbara Stewart and Danielle Washington, and many others. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Pine Hill Memorial cemetery in Natchez. (Michigan Chronicle, January 22-28, 1997, page 4-D)
WEBB - Sudie Bell Webb - Services for Sudie Bell Webb were held Oct. 12 at New Israel Baptist Church with the Rev. Willie J. Hamilton Sr. officiating. Mrs. Webb died October 3, 1996 at home. She was 99. Born November 27, 1896 in Kemper County, Mississippi, Mrs. Webb was educated in the Lauderdale, Miss. public school system. Married to the late Garrett Webb, the couple raised their four children and five nieces and nephews. In 1987 Mrs. Webb moved to Gary, Indiana. In 1994 she came to Detroit to live with her youngest daughter, where she joined New Greater Faith Baptist Church. Mrs. Webb is survived by her daughters, Lemmie Johnson, Fannie Allen, Bubie Carter, Sudie Howard and Mary Shepherd, and many other relatives. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Riverside Memorial Gardens. (Michigan Chronicle, January 8-14, 1997, page 4-D).
WELCH - Mitchell Welch - Funeral services for Mitchell Cotton Welch were held Thursday, March 13, at Wings of Love Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Alvin Jackson officiating. Mr. Welch died March 7, 1997 at the age of 86. Mr. Welch was born January 25, 1911 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama to Hannah Chapman Welch and Captain Lewis Welch, and was one of nine children. He was baptized at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and educated in the Talladega County school system. In 1938, after moving to Detroit, Mr. Welch married
Otha Baker, who preceded him in death. They had one daughter, Janet. Mr. Welch served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked at Packard Motors and Reynolds Aluminum before retiring from the Chrysler Corporation in 1973 after 27 years of service. Mr. Welch joined New Bethel Baptist Church in the 1940s, then Enon Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and finally Wings of Love. He was frequently recognized for being an outstanding deacon. Left behind to cherish the memory of Mitchell Cotton Welch are his longtime companion, Virginia Ellis; daughter, Janet Welch Bennet; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and other relatives. Interment was at Grand Lawn cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, April 30 - May 3, 1997, page D-6)
WHATLEY - Barbara Jean Whatley - Services for Barbara Jean Whatley were held Wednesday, May 7, at Berea Lutheran church. Officiating was the Rev. Brant Engel. Mrs. Whatley, a retired educator, died Thursday, May 1, 1997, after a valiant struggle with leukemia. Her death came eight days before her 63rd birthday. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she received her early education in Gary, Indiana, then spent her high school years in Mt. Clemens. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education at Wayne State University in 1955. Mrs. Whatley taught at Chaney Elementary School for more than 30 years, then spent her final years of teaching at Mason Elementary from which she retired in 1989. During her retirement years, she enjoyed traveling, playing bridge with the Fair Ladies Guild and Thursday Lunch Bunch, and doing volunteer work with the Berea Ladies Guild. She was a Golden Heritage member of the NAACP and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Mrs. Whatley's early religious training was in the CME Church pastored by her father. After her marriage to Thomas L. Whatley in 1959, she embraced the Lutheran Faith and became a member of Berea where she served with the Ladies Guild and as acting church school principal. She is survived by her husband, Thomas; daughter, Danita; son, Craig; three grandchildren, Craig II, Kayla and Sherrod; brother, Dennis; stepmother, Jean; stepson, Tommy, and many other relatives. Interment was at Elmwood cemetery. Arrangements were handled by the Barksdale Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, May 14-20, 1997, pg. D-5).
WILLIAMS - Clarence Williams - Services for Clarence A. Williams were held March 10 at Ebenezer AME Church. Rev. Robert Phillips officiated. Mr. Williams, 78, died on March 5, 1997. Born on February 5, 1919 in Clayton, Mississippi, Mr. Williams graduated from Tunica Colored High School. He moved to Detroit in 1942 and served in the U.S. Army. He owned and operated Mary's Auto Wash for 25 years. Mr. Williams was a member of Ebenezer AME for 33 years and received the Hattie Steward Award in 1996 for his work as finance chairman for the Harris Family Club. Mr. Williams is survived by three daughters, Cheryl and Saundra of Southfield and Kim of West Bloomfield; sisters-in-law, Juanita Wright, Coleen Parrott and Glendyne Gilmore of Chicago; brothers-in-law, Nunn C. Bailey and Jerome Bailey of Chicago; ten grandchildren, seven special nieces and a host of nephews. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home and interment was at Woodlawn Memorial cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, March 19-25, 1997, page D-6).
WILLIAMS - Cornelia Williams - The Rev. Robert Smith Jr. officiated at the Jan. 7 services held for Cornelia Williams at the New Bethel Baptist Church. Mrs. Williams, 69, died January 2, 1997. Born Cornelia Pankey on January 28, 1927 in Detroit, Mrs. Williams was educated in the Detroit Public schools. A long-time employee of Ford Motor Co., she retired in 1984 after 31 years of service. Known for her outgoing personality, Mrs. Williams was called Carnell by her friends and was referred to as "Big Mama" by her grandchildren. With a fun-loving personality, she enjoyed helping others. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Williams. Mrs. Williams is survived by her children, Rosemary Lewis, Barbara Ingram, Janice Williams, James Jr. and William Williams; grandchildren, Chaundra, Anita and Julius Williams and Thomas Adams; great-grandson DaeLon Williams; sister, Lela Lockhart, and many other relatives. Arrangements were handled by the James H. Cole Home for Funerals. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-West. (Michigan Chronicle, January 8-14, 1997, Page 4-D).
WILLIAMS - Jonetta Williams - Services for Jonetta Williams were held Jan. 11 in the chapel of Church of the Living God with Minister Willie Townsel officiating. Mrs. Williams died Jan. 5, 1997. She was 57. born Jonetta Cannon in Albany, Georgia on Sept. 20, 1939, she moved to Detroit in 1940. Educated in the Detroit Public Schools, she later attended the Detroit Institute of Commerce. Married to the late Roosevelt Williams Sr., Mrs. Williams had been employed by the Engleside Nursing Home and Visiting Nurse Association until becoming disabled. Known as "Joe," she became a member of the Undenominational Church of God in 1949 where she served on the board of directors, Usher Board and the Nurses Guild. Mrs. Williams was known as someone who would feed the hungry and give a place to sleep if needed, touching the hearts of many. She is survived by her daughters, Delzena Neal, Beverly and Regina Cannon; stepdaughter, Maxine Williams; stepsons, Michael and Roosevelt Williams, Jr.; grandchildren, Timiko, Terry Jr., Shantonna, Regina, Delano, Roosevelt III, Steve Jr., Michael Jr., Jasmine and Jeremy; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Johnetta Parks and Rosetta Woody, and many others. She was preceded in death by her son, Antonio Cannon. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Lincoln Memorial Park. (Michigan Chronicle, February 12-18, 1997, page D-5).
WILLIAMS - Mabel Lee Williams - Mabel Lee Williams, 88, was born January 11, 1909 in Pittsburgh to Charles and Mary Jane Robinson. She married
Henry Williams and later moved to Detroit where they had two children. Mrs. Williams died April 2, 1997. She is survived by five grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Williams had a very large extended family that called her "Grandma." Services were held at the Peace Temple Church of God in Christ, 15041 W. Chicago, Wednesday, April 9. Final arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-West. (Michigan Chronicle, May 14-20, 1997, pg. D-6).
WILLIAMS - Margaret Williams - Brother Lucky Dawson officiated at services for Margaret Virginia Shelton Williams on Friday, March 14, at Swanson Funeral Home's west side chapel. She died March 8, 1997 at the age of 58. Mrs. Williams was born April 20, 1939 in Lebanon, Tennessee to William Eugene Shelton and the late Thelma Shelton. She attended public school in Detroit and accepted Christ at an early age. Her marriage to John Calvin Williams (who preceded her in death) yielded six children. Left behind to cherish the memory of Margaret Virginia Shelton Williams are three daughters, Helena Barnes, La Fredia Clark and Evelyn Williams; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, five sisters, two brothers, and other relatives. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park West. (Michigan Chronicle, April 30 - May 3, 1997, page D-6)
WILLIAMS - Willie Jean Williams - Mrs. Willie Jean Williams was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to the late Mr. William and Luella Sheard. She was the fourth child of five, three who preceded her in death. The family relocated to Detroit when she was six months old. Mrs. Williams accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Cook. She attended Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Northeastern High School. Willie Jean later married
Curtis Bernard Williams and had three children. As an adult she attended New Jerusalem Baptist Church and in 1992 she joined the Aijalon Missionary Baptist Church, where her son, Rev. Curtis C. Williams was pastor. She enjoyed singing and was an active member of the Chorale Choir. She also served as secretary of the Pastor's Aide. She worked for Chrysler Corporation in Highland Park and Russell Industries in Detroit. Mrs. Williams enjoyed helping others and extended her maternal love to her nieces and nephews. She led an active life, and during her earlier years, enjoyed ballroom dancing. She died on Sunday afternoon, April 6, 1997. Willie Jean leaves to cherish her memory one brother, John Sheard (Evelyn); three children, Willie Maurice, Corinda Olanda Crawford (Odell), Rev. Curtis Cortez Williams (Joyce); five grandchildren, Yolanda, Lolita, Jaclyn, Curtis II and Janel; four great-grandchildren Latreece, Derricka, Terry, Jimmy; one great-aunt, Laura Jones of Cincinnati, Ohio; one great-uncle, Cecil Hill; one aunt, Margie Dotson; two mother-in-laws, Katie Cousin and Salley Mae Wright; her sister in Christ, Sister Orelia Thomas; two nieces, Marilyn and Sharon, and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and relatives. Willie Jean Williams was the mother of Rev. Curtis C. Williams, pastor, Aijalon Missionary Baptist Church and administrator of the Trinity Chapel Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, April 16-22, 1997, pg. D-4).
WILLIS - Woodrick Willis - Woodrick Willis was born in Columbus, Georgia on July 20, 1918. The Willis family migrated to Detroit during World War I. A devoted baseball and softball player, Mr. Willis was on the starting roster of factory teams at the old Hudson's Auto Plant, Ford in Highland Park, Pepsi Cola and the Bombers sponsored by former Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis. In the mid 1930s he met Mary Lee Davidson while playing baseball near what was then Miller High School. They married
in 1937. The Willises began to study the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses in 1946 and symbolized their dedication by being baptized in 1947 in Port Huron. Mr. Willis was ordained in the ministry in 1948, often spending 100 hours a month preaching. He continued to study with others, give talks and experience the joy of building new Kingdom Halls. The Willises prayers were answered when they began to plan for both of them to enter full-time service as "pioneers." In 1963 they drove south on a journey that would take them from coast to coast, studying with hundreds of people and touching the lives of thousands of others. After his wife's death in 1990, Mr. Willis returned to Detroit where he continued to supervise a number of congregations as a circuit servant. He was serving as a ministerial servant and Watchtower conductor until suffering a stroke this past summer while attending the district assembly at the Pontiac Silverdome. He died at the age of 83. Mr. Willis is survived by his daughter, Patricia; sons, Woodrick Jr. and Ernest; grandchildren, Jael Woodrick III and Ernest; great-grandson, Freddie, and many others. Arrangements were handled by Stinson Funeral Home. Interment was at Lincoln Memorial Park. (Michigan Chronicle, January 22-28, 1997, page 4-D)
WILLOUGHBY - Edgar Willoughby - Services for Edgar Willoughby were held December 20 at Corinthian Baptist Church with the Reverend Joseph R. Jordan officiating. Mr. Willoughby died December 12, 1996 at Detroit Receiving Hospital. He was 75. Born August 3, 1921 in Milford, Mr. Willoughby was educated in the Detroit Public Schools system. A 1983 spelling bee champion, he graduated from Lincoln High School in Ferndale. He later attended Wayne County Community College pursuing a career in auto mechanics. Before entering the U.S. Army in World War II, Mr. Willoughby was an airplane mechanic at Ford Motor Company. He later worked at General Motors Chevrolet Gear and Axle plant retiring after 30 years. His hobbies included bowling, golf and gardening. Mr. Willoughby is survived by his wife, Rosemary; daughters, Shirley Edwards and Cynthia Willoughby; grandson, Ouma Edwards; brothers, Jesse and Elmer Willoughby; and many others. Arrangements were handled by the James H. Cole Funeral Home. Interment was at South Lyon cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, December 24 - 31, 1996, page 6-D).
WILSON - Evelyn L. Wilson - Services for Mrs. Evelyn Leona Wilson were held Tuesday, May 6 at New Greater Love Baptist Church. Rev. Willie E. Brooks officiated. Mrs. Wilson, 65, died May 1, 1997. Mrs. Wilson was born July 4, 1931 in Cedars, Oklahoma. She attended Northwestern High School and was employed by the U.S. Postal Service. She became a supervisor before her retirement. Mrs. Wilson married
Jessie Wilson and was the mother of two daughters. She is survived by her daughters, Regina Calhoun and Donna R. Wilson-Brown; one sister, JoAnn DeVille of Beaumont, Texas; three grandchildren, Donica and Darian Brown and Justine Calhoun; one great-grandchild, Summer Joi Calhoun; a special friend, Ivory Farris; and a host of other relatives. Interment was at Gethsemane cemetery. Arrangements were handled by the House of Johnson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, May 14-20, 1997, pg. D-6).
WILSON - Kevin Wilson - Services for Kevin Wilson were held April 21 at Thompson Funeral Home. Mr. Wilson was 24 years old when he died on April 15, 1997. Born February 3, 1973 in Detroit, Mr. Wilson graduated from Cooley High School in 1992. Mr. Wilson is survived by his mother and father, Margaret and William Wilson Jr.; sister, Lynette Wilson and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-West. (Michigan Chronicle, April 30 - May 3, 1997, page D-6)
WRIGHT - Milton Wright Sr. - Bishop Phillip Pulliam officiated at the Feb. 20 services held for Milton Wright Sr. at the Thompson Funeral Home Dexter chapel. Mr. Wright, 67, died Feb. 13, 1997. Born April 28, 1929, Mr. Wright was known as a devoted husband and father. His hobbies included smoking turkeys, gardening and talking on the phone with family members and friends. Active in the community, he had been a member of the Connecticut Block Club. Mr. Wright is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mildred; son, Kelvin; daughters, Tamara Fulton, Tanya Wright and Siketta Hamilton; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two brothers, five sisters and many others. He was preceded in death by his sons Milton Jr., Kenneth and Jeffrey. Interment was at United Memorial Gardens. (Michigan Chronicle, March 5-11, 1997, page D-2).
YARBROUGH - Idella Yarbrough - Services for Idella Yarbrough were held Feb. 10 at Metropolitan United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sandra Sanganza officiating. Mrs. Yarbrough, 75, died Feb. 5, 1997. born May 29, 1921 in Athens, Alabama, Mrs. Yarbrough was educated in the Detroit Public Schools. She received an associate's degree from the Wayne State Urban Extension Center. Known as a devoted wife and mother, she was preceded in death by her husband George Yarbrough. Mrs. Yarbrough is survived by her sons, Sherman Michael Sr. and Reginald; daughter, Sandra Rene; grandsons, Sherman Jr., Wallace and Cash Jr.; brother, William Henry Malone, and many others. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Gethsemane cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, March 12-18, Page D-4).
