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TAYLOR - Bonds Taylor - Services for Bonds Taylor were held March 7 at Thompson Funeral Home's Dexter Chapel. Bishop Phillip Pulliam officiated. Mr. Taylor, 69, died at Ford Hospital after a long illness. Mr. Taylor was born November 1, 1929 in Detroit. He was educated in a Catholic school system. He is survived by his companion, Caroline Jordan; brothers, Alfred, Frederick and Gregory; sisters-in-law, Marzella and Wanda; sisters, Ethelynn Brown and Cardealia Walker; nieces, nephews and many more relatives. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home and interment was at Detroit Memorial Park West. (Michigan Chronicle, March 19-25, 1997, page D-5).
TAYLOR - Yvonne Taylor - Hundreds gathered Jan. 24 for the services held for former Detroiter Yvonne Marie Taylor, wife of Sony Music executive LeBaron Taylor, at First United Methodist Church in Moorestown, N.J. Mrs. Taylor, 53, died following a brief illness. The Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr. gave the eulogy and noted saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. and singer Jean Carne provided a musical interlude. A graduate of Northwestern High School, Mrs. Taylor later pursued a degree in physical education at Central State University. At the time of her illness, Mrs. Taylor was administrative director of the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Assn. A member of Bethel AME Church in Moorestown, she was also active in the South Jersey chapter of Links Inc. and For Women Only. The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Assn. has established a scholarship fund in memory of Mrs. Taylor. Contributions may be sent to 504 Sunshine Lakes Dr., Voorhees, N.J., 06043. (Michigan Chronicle, March 5-11, 1997, page D-2).
TELL - Ida Mae Tell - Services for Ida Mae Tell were held October 3 at Shiloh Baptist Church. The Reverend William H. Crews officiated. Mrs. Tell died September 28, 1997 in her home. She was 82. A native of Newton, Georgia, she moved with her parents to Detroit and joined Shiloh Baptist where she became a member of the choir. She married
Joseph Bolton and they became the parents of six children. She later married
the late John Wesley Tell. Mrs. Tell is survived by a son, Wallace Bolton; three daughters, Florence May, Fern Maxine Blackshear and Patricia Moore; a sister, Martha Sims; 26 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and many other relatives. Burial was at Detroit Memorial Park-East. Handling arrangements was the Swanson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, December 31 - January 7, 1997, page 5-D).
TILLMAN - William H. Tillman - The Rev. David Ford officiated at the Oct. 2 services held for William Henry Tillman at Wayside Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Tillman, 74, died Sept. 25. Born October 18, 1921 in Columbus, Georgia, Mr. Tillman was educated in the Columbus Public Schools system. Employed at Ford Motor Company for 35 years, he had previously worked at Midland Steel. He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola. Mr. Tillman is survived by his children, Josephine Johnson, William, Rosalind Washington and Rose Marie Griffin; four grandchildren, and many other relatives. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Evergreen cemetery.
THAMES -Charles L. Thames - Services for Charles Les Thames were held Jan. 21 at Swanson Funeral Home with the Rev. Gregory Ingram officiating. Mr. Thames died Jan. 17, 1997 at Riverview Hospital. He was 70. Born August 12, 1926 in Laurel, Mississippi, Mr. Thames graduated from Oak Park High School in 1947. Before graduating, he served a two-year tour of duty in the Army. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Mary Alice Newell, the Thames moved to Detroit where he became a member of Greater Christ Baptist Church. Employed by the U.S. Post Office, he retired in the mid-80s. He was known for his barbecues, trivia questions and pleasurable outings with his friends to Tiger Stadium. Mr. Thames is survived by his son, LeDrew; daughter, Cherryl Thames Dudley; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; mother, Willie Ruby Brown, and many others. Interment was at Elmwood cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, Feb. 26-March 4, 1997, Page D-5).
THOMAS - James Otis Thomas - A service for James Otis Thomas was held Wednesday, October 23 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Highland Park. Fr. Robert B. McGrath officiated. Mr. Thomas died Saturday, October 19, 1996, at the age of 63. Born January 12, 1933, in Selma, Alabama, he moved to Detroit in 1965 and joined St. Benedict Church. An expert in electronics and telecommunications, he was employed with the General Motors Corporation. Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Cora; stepfather, Henry Lockhart; daughters, Decilla, Beverly, Linda, Helen and Mary; sons, James III, Daryl, Patrick and Ernest; 28 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two sisters, Margaret Morten and Rose Mary Carter; two brothers, Clifford and Ernest, and many other relatives. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, December 24 - 31, 1996, page 6-D).
THURMAND - Kenneth Thurmand - Services for Kenneth Thurmand were held April 19 at Faith Temple Full Gospel with Pastor Wesley Thurmand officiating. Mr. Thurmand was 38 years old when he died April 15. Born September 30, 1958, Mr. Thurmand attended the Detroit Public Schools. He is survived by his mother Castoria Thurmand; six brothers, four brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law and a host of other family members. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Elmwood cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, April 30 - May 3, 1997, page D-6)
TRAYLOR - Marie Traylor - Services for Marie Traylor were held February 1 at Messiah Baptist Church with the Rev. McKinley Williams officiating. Mrs. Traylor died Jan. 24, 1997 at Friendship Manor Nursing Home. She was 82. Born January 6, 1915 in Mantau, Alabama, Mrs. Traylor was raised at Tuscaloosa, Alabama where she attended Central High School and Stillman College. A member of the Alvina Chapter 158 Order of the Eastern Star, she taught school for a number of years in Alabama before relocating to Detroit. She married
the late Oscal Traylor in 1945. Mrs. Traylor later retired from the Detroit Board of Education and a family owned business. She was a member of New Light Baptist Church. Mrs. Traylor is survived by her only child, Horace Martin; stepchildren, Mattie Ruth Traylor, Oscar Traylor and JoAnn Organ; five great-grandchildren, and many other relatives. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at United Memorial Gardens. (Michigan Chronicle, February 5-11, 1997, page D-6)
TRIPLETT - Patricia H. Triplett - Services for Patricia Triplett were held Jan. 22 at Hope United Methodist Church with the Rev. Hilda Harris officiating. Mrs. Triplett died Jan. 17, 1997. She was 69. Born Patricia Hutchins on June 27, 1927 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, she moved to Springfield, Illinois at the age of 12 to live with her adoptive parents following the death of her mother. A graduate of Feithsans High School in Springfield, she later attended Muducks School of Nursing and trained at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Married to the late Norman Triplett, Mrs. Triplett attended the Detroit Swedish School of Swedish Massage before opening her own business, Antoinette's Reducing and Health Salon. Offering massage therapy, facials and health baths, she owned and operated the business for 25 years. In 1980, Mrs. Triplett closed her shop and went to work as an assistant to City Council President Erma Henderson. With a great love for writing, she later wrote a book, "Tiptoe to Beauty," which is now housed in the Burton Historical Collection in the Detroit Public Library. Mrs. Triplett is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Antoinette and Isaac Bryant; grandchildren, Shelly and Kyle, and many other relatives. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Elmwood cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, March 5-11, 1997, page D-2).
TURNER - Rebecca Turner - A celebration of the life of Mother Rebecca Turner was held Friday, May 2, at Evangel Church of God in Christ. Supt. James Smith Jr. officiated. Mother Turner died Saturday, April 26, 1997, at the age of 81. Born August 21, 1915 in Uniontown, Alabama, she was married
to the late Willie Turner. She lived in Cleveland, Ohio before moving to Detroit in 1980. At Evangel COGIC, she served on the Mothers Board and as president of the Nurse Guild. Mother Turner's survivors include five daughters, Francis Black, Nazarene Williams, Carolee Thomas, Estella Louise Stephens-Milander, and Barbara Eppes; a son, Theodore Stephens; five sisters, Betty and Hattie Coleman, Chanie Robinson, Jannie Curtis and Gertrude Clancey; two brothers, James Stephens and Charles Palmer; 20 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and many other relatives. Burial was at Trinity cemetery. Arrangements were handled by McFall Brothers Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, May 14-20, 1997, pg. D-5).
VANN - Dr. Edgar Leo Vann - Services for Dr. Edgar Leo Vann Sr., presiding elder of the AME Church's North Detroit District of the Michigan Annual Conference, were held Friday, December 20, 1996, at Ebenezer AME Church. Dr. Vann, father of the Rev. Edgar L. Vann, Jr., pastor of Second Ebenezer Baptist Church and president of the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, died at the age of 76. Born August 20, 1920 in Kerrville, Tennessee, he was a graduate of Barrett's Chapel High School in Arlington, Tennessee. After moving to Detroit, he attended the Detroit Institute of Technology, Detroit Bible College, Wayne State University and Payne Theological Seminary. He also held honorary doctorate of divinity degrees from the University Bible Institute of Birmingham, Alabama and University of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. In 1946 he married
Annie Louise Singleton and also acknowledged the call to the Christian ministry, serving as minister, pastor and subsequently presiding elder. In addition to his wife and son, Dr. Vann is survived by a daughter, Debra Jean Vann; one daughter-in-law, Sheila R. Vann; four grandchildren, and other relatives. Burial was at Evergreen cemetery. Arrangements were handled by the Swanson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, December 24 - 31, 1996, page 6-D).
VERGE - Willie J. Verge - Services for Willie J. Verge were held Feb. 8 at Christian Faith Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Levert Shell Sr. officiating. Mr. Verge, 79, died Feb. 3, 1996. Born April 24, 1917 in Morgan County, Alabama, Mr. Verge worked on a railroad. He later moved to Detroit where he married
Evelyn Cole in 1955. A member of Christian Faith since September 1996, Mr. Verge became a member of the Jesus Oldest Youth group. He enjoyed traveling with the group, which had recently gone to Niagara Falls and Frankenmuth. In addition to his wife, Mr. Verge is survived by his children, Milton, Willie Mae, Bonnie Anne Harrison, Ruby, Cynthia, Willie Jr., John, Tiny and Terry; stepdaughter, Alma McCluke; 20 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and many others. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-West. (Michigan Chronicle, February 19-25, 1996 Page D-6).
WADE - Myleka M. Wade - Services were held at United Memorial Gardens in Plymouth for Myleka Mary Wade, with Mr. Byron Kearney officiating. Myleka died April 24, 1997 at six days of age. Born April 18 at Mercy Hospital, she is survived by her parents, Lamont and Naomie; grandparents, Clarence and Shirley Wade; grandfather, James Ingram; great-grandparents, Lillie Mae Henning, Annie Lee Wade, and Robert and Ida Bell Foutner; great-great-grandmother, Lula Mae Hopkins, brother, Lamont, Jr.; and many others. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, May 14-20, 1997, pg. D-5).
WALKER - Bernard D. Walker - Services for Bernard Dockery Walker were held Dec. 30 at Hope Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Coleman Gilchrist officiating. Mr. Walker, 69, died Dec. 26, 1996. Born Jan. 22, 1927 in Ahoskie, North Carolina, Mr. Walker graduated from high school at the age of 15. A veteran of World War II, he later attended Howard University and New York University, earning a master's degree in chemistry and mathematics. After moving to Detroit in 1950, he worked in both the chemical and automotive industries at Chrysler Corporation, retiring in 1980. Mr. Walker also served as an elder at Witherspoon, Calvary, Covenant and Hope Presbyterian Churches. He is survived by his wife, Annie Blanche; daughters, Rev. Margaret Ventour, Mia Roberts and Vanessa Hartsfield; grandchildren, Keera, Christopher, Bernard and Brian; great-grandson, D'Juan; siblings, James Jr., George, Dorretha Evans, Anna, Jeanneta Gadsden, Rose Ross, Muriel Cureton, and many others. Arrangements were handled by C. W. Morris Funeral Home. Interment was at Fort Custer National cemetery. (Michigan Chronicle, January 8-14, 1997, page 4-D).
WALLACE - Alexander T. Wallace - Last rites for Alexander T. Wallace were held October 17 at New Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Highland Park. Pastor Julius C. Hope officiated. Mr. Wallace, a retired postal worker, died October 13, 1996 at the age of 78. Born August 10, 1918 in Columbus, Ohio, he attended the public schools in Kimberly, W. Virginia, graduating from Montgomery High School. Following military duty during World War II, he moved to Detroit and was employed by the Post Office. He retired in 1968. A member of New Grace Church, he especially enjoyed working in his garden. Mr. Wallace is survived by his wife, Alma Lois; two step-daughters, Freita Hargrove and Kim Jackson; three grand-daughters, two grand-sons, a great-grandson and great-granddaughter; three sisters, Gertrude Davis, Ada Lewis and Brenda King; three brothers, George, Austin and Leroy, and many other relatives. Burial was at Evergreen cemetery. Arrangements were by the Swanson Funeral Home. (Michigan Chronicle, December 31 - January 7, 1997, page 6-D).
WALLACE - Ora Wallace - Services for Ora Wallace were held April 8, at Scott Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Andrew Allie officiating. Mrs. Wallace, 84, died on March 31, 1997. Born September 30, 1912 in Mississippi, Mrs. Wallace was graduated from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She taught school there before moving to Detroit. Mrs. Wallace and her late husband were prominent business people in Detroit. They operated a grocery store and later owned the Randora Hotel and Garfield Lounge. When her husband died in 1963, Mrs. Wallace co-founded the Randolph Wallace Sr. Kidney Research Foundation Inc. She was active with Scott Memorial Church, the Cotillion Wives Auxiliary, Sigma Wives, NAACP and March of Dimes. Mrs. Wallace is survived by her daughters, Jean Nash and Juanita Crump; son, Randolph Wallace Jr.; four grandchildren; a sister, Ida Mae Floyd; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park. (Michigan Chronicle, April 16-22, 1997, pg. D-5).
WARD - William Ward - Services for William Ward were held March 15 at St. Paul AME Church with Rev. William Newborn officiating. Mr. Ward was 78. He died March 11, 1997. Born August 25, 1918 in Montgomery, Alabama, Mr. Ward was educated by the Booker T. Washington High School. He moved to Detroit in 1942. He is survived by his wife, Minnie Ward; sisters-in-law, Francis Ward and Maude Barrow; and a host of nieces and nephews. Arrangements were made by Swanson Funeral Home. Internment was at Detroit Memorial Park. (Michigan Chronicle, April 9-15, 1997, page D-5).
