Area Obituaries
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Loses a Legend, Sacramento Native and Attorney June LaVerne Long, Esq. Passes
On Thursday, February 26, 2021 Ms. June LaVerne Long, Esq., long-time women’s civil and human rights activist, transitioned to eternal life. For her years of service to the city and state of Sacramento, California, the California Attorney General’s Office, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., June was awarded several accolades of outstanding accomplishment. June had a passion for community service. As a leader and Board Member of Delta…
Read MorePassing of Mary Wilson, Founding Member of The Supremes
Mary Wilson, founding and original member of The Supremes, passed away suddenly this evening according to a statement from her longtime friend and publicist, Jay Schwartz. She was at her home in Las Vegas, NV. She was 76. She is survived by: her daughter Turkessa and grandchildren (Mia, Marcanthony, Marina); her son, Pedro Antonio Jr and grandchildren…
Read MoreBERRY GORDY STATEMENT ON PASSING OF MARY WILSON
I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson of the Supremes. The Supremes were always known as the “sweethearts of Motown.” Mary, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, came to Motown in the early 1960’s. After an unprecedented string of number one hits, television and…
Read MoreFarewell To One of the Greatest Actresses of All Times, Cicely Tyson
By Gloria Zuurveen Editor-in-Chief “I come from lowly status. I grew up in an area that was called the slums at the time,” “I still cannot imagine that I have met with presidents, kings, queens. How did I get here? I marvel at it.” Cicely Tyson spoke these words when she was presented with an…
Read MoreObituary: Remembering Walter Scott Hawkins, Data Researcher, Scholar and Black Students Advocate
Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media Walter Scott Hawkins was a California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) administrator for 33 years where he was a champion of providing minority students the tools they needed to succeed academically. Hawkins passed away on Nov. 18. He was 72 years old. Hawkins was a resident of Rialto,…
Read MoreFamily Announces Private Funeral Service for Hon. Gwen Moore
By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media A private homegoing celebration for the Hon. Gwen Moore is scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Angelus Funeral Home in Los Angeles, her family has announced. Immediately following the funeral service, the internment, open to the public, will take place at Inglewood…
Read MoreCharles Evers, Civil Rights Activist and Politician, Dead at 97
Charles Evers passed away this week. He was 97. (AP Photo/Rogelio Solis) by Geoff Pender, Mississippi Today Civil rights activist and politician Charles Evers, brother of slain NAACP leader Medgar Evers, died Wednesday morning in Brandon, his family said. He was 97. “The world lost a fearless Civil Rights leader this morning,” a statement from his…
Read MoreA Real Fighter for the People, the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian,1924-2020
Cordy Tindell (C.T.) Vivian was born on July 30, 1924 in Howard County, Missouri. As a small boy he migrated with his mother to Macomb, Illinois, where he attended Lincoln Grade School and Edison Junior High. Vivian graduated from Macomb High School in 1942 and went on to attend Western Illinois University in Macomb, where…
Read MoreA Requiem to a Beautiful Life: Remembering Rev. C.T. Vivian (July 30, 1924 – July 17, 2020)
By Dr. Randy Short In 1995, I was blessed to make acquaintance via phone with the late C.T. Vivian when I was working for PBS Newhour with Jim Lehrer. It was a cold call to a stranger that I had admired for years, and I did not let the fact that I did not…
Read MoreCongressman John Lewis dies at the age of 80
By Roz Edward From The Atlanta Daily World ATLANTA, GA — Seventeen-term Georgia Congressman John Lewis, often referred to as “a living saint,” died Friday night following a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Lewis was a member of the “Big Six” leaders of the 1960s civil rights movement and spent his life fighting for racial integration.…
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