Institute of Divine
Metaphysical Research®

Obituaries

INTERNATIONAL BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dr. Jennie Ruth Eastland Turner, longtime member of the IDMR Banning Branch, passed away peacefully at home on September 1, 2025. She was the mother of Dr. Nashala Bryd, sister of Drs. Jackie Allen, Carnell White, Karen Bryant, all of the IDMR Banning Branch, and Patricia Nelson, Dean of IDMR Banning and International Trustee Board Member.  A Public Viewing will be held Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Wiefels & Son Memorial Chapel, 50 East Nicolet Street, Banning, CA 92220.  A Memorial Service will be held Friday, September 26, 2025, at 1:30 pm at Albert A. Chatigny Sr. Community Recreation Center, 1310 Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont, CA 92223. Expressions of condolences may be sent to her daughter, Dr. Nashala Bryd, 1524 Big Sky Drive, Beaumont, CA 92223. Watch the Live Stream Here. Live Stream part 2. View Announcement here.

Mr. Sheldon Jones, son of Dr. Valarie Ann Jones of the IDMR Banning Branch and brother of Drs. Keith and Brian Gilkey of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, passed away April 9, 2025.  There are no plans for a memorial service at this time. Any mail correspondence or condolences can be sent to the home of Drs. Brian and Shannon Gilkey, 14818 Fox Ridge Drive, Fontana, CA  92336.  Please hold off on phone calls at this time while the family works to get matters in order. 

Dr. Ralph Wellmaker, one of the original members of the IDMR St. Louis Branch, passed away Monday, January 20, 2025.  He was the son of Dr. Vivian Wellmaker (also known as Mama Niecey), and the brother of Dr. Ellsworth Wellmaker, International Trustee Board Member, and Dr. Kathy Wellmaker, all members of the Los Angeles Branch.  Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, January 30, 2024, at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.  For additional information contact Dr. Kathy Wellmaker; her telephone number is (510) 410-1948.  Expressions of condolences may be sent to the family at 3615 West 21st Street, Apt, 1, Los Angeles, CA 90018.

Dr. Aaron Bryant, IDMR International Dean and Vice President, took off the flesh on Thursday evening, May 16, 2024.  A memorial service was held on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at the Ontario Convention Center, 2000 E. Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764. 

Dr. Gary Mathess, IDMR Trustee Board Member, former International President, and longtime member of the Los Angeles Branch, took off the flesh on Thursday evening, June 6, 2024, at 9:30 pm.  A memorial service was held  on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Founders Church of Religious Science, 3281 West 6th Street Los Angeles, CA 90020.   


BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dr. Judy Schiesser, of the Spring Texas Branch, took off the flesh, Monday, November 17, 2025. A Memorial service will by announced and held at a later date. 
 
Dr. Bruce Geller of the IDMR Oceanside class took off the flesh on September 7, 2025. Celebration if life services will be held virtually Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 11:00 am. Watch live stream here.  Cards and expressions of condolences may be sent to his wife, Dr. Jeri Geller, 10644 Caminito Derecho, San Diego, CA 92126 and jerilynny@aol.com.
 
Dr. Jesse Bennett, longtime member of the IDMR Akron Branch, took off the flesh on Monday, October 27, 2025. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 1:00pm at 926 E. Tallmadge Avenue, Akron, OH 44310. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Mrs. Joyce Bennett, 1265 Ottowa Avenue, Akron, OH 44305. The contact person is Dr. Joyce Meadows, 330-245-4141.
 
Mr. Rudolph Wells, Jr., father of Dr. Angela Townsell of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, took off the flesh on Sunday, November 9, 2025. A Memorial service will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Preddy Funeral Home in Charlottesville, Virginia. Cards and expressions of condolences may be sent to Dr. Townsell via text; 216-835-5266.
 
Dr. Lois Cornin of the South Bend, Indiana area took off the flesh November 3, 2025. All cards and condolences may be sent to Palmer Edwards, 351 Catalpa Drive, Apt B, Mishawaka, IN 46545.
 
Dr. Carletha Denise Lee, formerly Carletha Poe, longtime member of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, took off the flesh on October 1, 2025. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11:00 am at Agua Dulce Murillo Mortuary, 16653 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country, CA 91351 View obituary here.
 
Dr. Gloria Matthews, longtime member of the IDMR Atlanta GA Branch, took off the flesh on October 21, 2025. She is the mother of Dr. Bianca Evans of the Los Angeles Branch, sister of Drs. Elaine McKnight of the Spring TX Branch, Anna Marie Jones of the Toledo, OH Cottage and the grandmother of Dr. Imani Taylor of the Atlanta, GA Branch. Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 4:00 pm at 2807 Lakewood Avenue Suite B19, Atlanta, GA 30325 (Crossroads Shopping Center).
 

Dr Ronald Newton, longtime member of the IDMR Raleigh North Carolina Branch took off the flesh on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. He was the husband of Dr. Deborah Newton, father of Drs. Terrence Scarborough of the Raleigh North Carolina Branch and Nicholas Scarborough of the High Point, North Carolina Branch. Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday, December 6th at 12 noon at West Durham Baptist Church, 1901 Athens Avenue Durham, NC 27707. Expressions of condolences may be sent to: Dr. Deborah Newton 5003 Vistawood Way Durham, NC. 27713. The live stream is hosted on The Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor Facebook Page here at the time of the service.

Dr. Patricia Boyce-Wilcox, longtime member of the IDMR, took off the flesh September 16, 2025. Patricia was a member of the Hazel Crest, IL Branch and a former member of the Indianapolis, IN Branch. Expressions of condolence may be sent to: Dr. Stephanie Miller, 1427 Speechley Blvd. Berkeley, IL 60163. (708) 712-0247

Mrs. Debbie Smith, sister of Dr. Linda Hopson-Blake of the IDMR Dallas, Texas Branch, took off the flesh on Sunday October 5, 2025. The memorial service will be held on October 17, 2025 at 11:00 am at The Ark of Jesus Ministry Church located at 1000 N. Winton Rd, Rochester, New York 14609. Expressions of condolences may be sent to Dr. Linda Hopson-Blake  3226 Wexford Rd. Garland, Texas 75043. (214) 448-1565.

Dr. Tyler Jackson, a longtime member of the IDMR Cleveland Ohio Branch, took off the flesh Thursday, October 2, 2025.  He was the father of Dr. Victor Jackson and grandfather of Leah Ashley Jackson of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch. There will be no service. Expressions of condolences may be sent to Dr. Victor Jackson, 5122 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90056.

Dr. Patricia JoAnne Cook, a longtime member of the IDMR Akron Ohio Branch, passed away unexpectedly on September 22, 2025. She was the niece of Dr. Richard (Joyce) Meadows. Her Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, October 6th, 2025 at Rhoden Memorial Home, 1101 Palmetto Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44306. Visitation is from 11:30 am – 12:00 pm, the funeral service starts at 12:00 pm. Expressions of condolences may be sent to her daughter, Ms. Karlesha Cook, 1075 Harpster Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44314 and to Drs. Richard and Joyce Meadows, 699 Garnette Road, Akron, OH 44313. www.rhodenmemorialhome.com/obituary/PATRICIA-COOK

Ms. Lillian Vaughan, the mother of Vanessa Jordan (Lydell Jordan) and grandmother of Desmond Jordan of the Northern Virgina branch passed on September 1, 2025. The service will be held on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 10:30 am at the St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church – 1009 Stafford Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Text messages and phone calls are welcome: 540-373-6491. Cards can be sent to the Jordan family at 12 Meares Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22406.

Mr. Dexter Cormier, Sr., son of Dr. Covington Cormier Dean of the IDMR Las Vegas Branch, passed away Friday, August 15, 2025.  The service will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Jeff Davis Parish Fairgrounds, 810 S. Lake Arthur Avenue in Jennings, LA 70546.  There will be a slideshow presentation from 9:30 am CST until 10:45 am CST.  The service will begin at 10:45 am. Watch the live stream Here at 7:35 PDT.  Plants and floral arrangements may be sent to the Mortuary Center of Southwest Louisiana, 16388 LA-26, Jennings, LA 70546.  Cards and condolences may be sent to Dr. Covington Cormier, 1962 Lily Pad Circle, Las Vegas, NV 89142.     

Mrs. Mary E. Brown,  mother and grandmother of Drs. Erma Mahone of the Cleveland, OH Branch, Patricia Suttles, Antonio Lumpkin, and Chanel Benette of the Banning, CA Branch and Dr. Aaron Suttles of  the Virginia Beach, VA Branch took off the flesh August 8, 2025. Celebration of Life Services will be held Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Central Bible Baptist Church, 2285 Noble Road, Cleveland, Heights, OH  44121. The Wake will be held at 10:00 am and the Service will be held at 10:30 am.

Dr. Gerard Baptiste, Jr., took off the flesh on Friday, July 4, 2025.  He was a longtime member of the IDMR New Orleans Branch and currently a member of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch.  A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 11:00 am at Founders Church, 3281 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA. 90020  He was the husband of Dr. Lacey Baptiste, father of sister Kennedy Baptiste, the son of Drs. Gerard & Roslyn Baptiste and brother of Dr. Mia Milbry, all of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, and brother of Shamika Morgan-Baptiste of the Houston area.  Expressions of condolences may be sent to his wife, Lacey Baptiste, 9600 19th Street, Unit #23, Rancho Cucamonga CA, 91737 and to his mother, Roslyn Baptiste, 764 Armstead Street, Glendora, CA, 91740. Click Here to view livestream.

Dr. Georgia Baker, a longtime member of the IDMR Cleveland, Ohio Branch, mother of Drs. Arline Adams of the Akron, Ohio Branch, Latonya Oliver and Tracey Baker of the Cleveland Ohio Branch, Lonnie Baker, William Baker and Melvin Baker, previously members of the Cleveland, Ohio Branch and grandmother of Drs. Danielle Montgomery of the Akron, Ohio Branch, Nakkia Baker of the Cleveland Ohio Branch, Sonya Brown of the Mesa, Arizona Branch and Melanna Moore of the Los Angeles Branch, took off the flesh on Monday, July 7, 2025, peacefully at home. Family Visitation (1:00 pm) and Celebration of Life (1:30 pm) will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home, 2165 East 89th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, and live-streamed via www.efboyd.com at 12:50 pm. Expressions of condolence and sympathy may be sent to the Baker Family at 12337 Chesterfield Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44108, or to her individual children’s and grandchildren’s addresses found in the IDMR Akron, Cleveland, Mesa and Los Angeles directories.

Mr. Perry Smith, brother of Dr. Wilma Smith, uncle of Drs. Delana Smith and Carmen Smith of the Shreveport, LA Branch, Denise Moore of the Banning, CA Branch, Delaney Smith of the Los Angeles, CA Branch, and Camille Smith of the Dallas, TX Branch, took off the flesh on Thursday, July 3, 2025. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 1028 Patton Town Road, Lisbon, LA 71040. Condolences may be sent to Dr. Wilma Smith at 103 Taliaferro Drive, Shreveport, LA 71101.  Her cell number is 318-560-4874.

Viola Horton, member of the Columbia, MD Branch, mother of Dr. Sheilia Horton-Carter and grandmother of Dr. Terri Carter-Wilson both of the Columbus, OH Branch took off the flesh on Friday, June 13th, 2025 in Loganville, GA. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Gregory B. Levett & Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 914 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, GA 30045. Repast immediately following the service. Cards and condolences may be sent to Sheilia Horton-Carter, 1322 Stone Ridge Drive, Apt. C, Columbus, OH 43213.

Dr. Joel Porter, Treasurer and  longtime member of the IDMR Banning California Branch, and husband of Dr. Betty Porter of the IDMR Banning Branch, passed away on May 6, 2025.  A Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 13, 2025, at 12 pm at James A. Venable Community Center, 50390 Carmen Avenue, Cabazon, California 92230. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.  Plants or flower arrangements for the memorial service can be sent to James A. Venable Community Center, 50390 Carmen Avenue, Cabazon, California 92230, the day of the service only between 9:00 am – 10:00 am. Please do not deliver before this date.  A Viewing will be held Friday, June 13, 2025, from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at Weifels & Son Mortuary, 50 East Nicolet Street, Banning, CA 92220. Expressions of condolences may be sent to  Dr. Betty Porter, 35556 Hogan Drive, Beaumont, CA 92223.  For information contact: April Cook (951) 522-7510 or Ty-Juania Hall (951) 961-9362, Text preferred.

Dr. Sherry Blackmon, a longtime member of the IDMR Mobile Branch, wife of Dr. Herman Blackmon of the IDMR Mobile Branch, mother of Dr. Kenya Williams of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, and sister of Dr. Ivan Williams of the IDMR Mobile Branch, passed away Monday, June 2, 2025.  Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 1:00 pm, at Small’s Mortuary West, 3809 Moffett Road, Mobile, Alabama 36618.  Repast immediately following the service.  Cards and condolences may be sent to Herman Blackmon, 513 Michigan Avenue, Mobile, Al 36604.