Obituaries

BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Leo Hall, Jr. of Illinois, the father of Dr. Gezanne Baker of the IDMR Spring Texas Branch, passed away Saturday, March 25th.  Arrangements have been finalized for Thursday, March 30, 2023 with Visitation at 10:00 am and Mass at 11:00 am at St. Joan of Arc Church, 820 Division St., Lisle, IL  60532. Expressions of condolences may be sent to Dr. Baker at 4530 Chateau Creek Way, Spring, TX  77386
 
Mr. Dane Warren, brother of Dr. Carla Poullard of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, passed away Sunday morning, March 26, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Expressions of condolences may be sent to Dr. Carla Poullard, 2928 Park Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068.  For additional information, please contact Dr. Carla Poullard, (504) 512-1919.
 

Mrs. Leola Redmond passed away March 7, 2023 in Lynwood, CA. She was the mother of Drs. Alvin Redmond, Jr., Earnestine Redmond, Stephanie Chatman, Bobbie Redmond and Veronica Redmond, all of the Los Angeles Branch. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 11 am, at Founder’s Church, 3281 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA  90020. Expressions of condolence may be sent to the family as follows:  Dr. Alvin Redmond, Jr., 3219 Syracuse Avenue, Baldwin Park, CA 91760.

Dr. Diana LaFaro, a longtime, beloved member of the IDMR Hornell NY Branch, passed peacefully the evening of Thursday, March 16, 2023. She served as Choir Director and Assistant as well as Public Relations Director. Expressions of condolences may be sent to her husband, Dr. James LaFaro, 16 Fulton Street, Hornell, NY 14843.

Dr. Laverne A. Cheeks exchanged time for eternity on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.  He was formerly a member of the IDMR New Orleans Branch, and later attended class in Gary, Indiana and Hazelcrest, Illinois until he was no longer able.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. All services will be held at the Guy & Allen Chapel, 2959 W. 11th Avenue, Gary, Indiana.  Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Dr. Lionel Leonard, a longtime member of IDMR, passed away Monday, March 13, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA. Expressions of condolences may be sent to his wife, Dr. Katherine Leonard at 2527 1/2 2nd Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90018. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Founder’s Church, 3281 West 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020. Please, no phone calls, until further notice.

Dr. Nikki Fishback of the Los Angeles Branch, passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023.  She was the mother of Dr. Tia Fishback Brown. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 11 am, at Founder’s Church, 3281 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020. Expressions of condolence may be sent to her daughter, Dr. Tia Fishback Brown, 2146 S. Orange Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90016.

Mr. Earl Payton of New Orleans, Louisiana, passed away Wednesday March 8, 2023.  He was the brother of Drs. Earnest Peyton of New Orleans West Bank Branch, and Charles Kevin Wilmore and Keith Wilmore of the Los Angeles Branch. For additional information, the contact person is Dr. Sharon Wilmore 504-957-3812.

Dr. Muriel M. Mathis, a longtime member of the IDMR Detroit Branch, made her transition Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Texarkana, Arkansas where she currently resided. As a member for 40+ years, Dr. Mathis served as the State and Head Secretary of the Detroit Branch for many years. Memorial services will be handled by the Jones Stuart Mortuary, located at 115 East 9th Street in Texarkana, Arkansas 71854. Expressions of condolences may be sent to her sister, Ms. Jeanetta Burkins, 4702 Sanderson Lane, Texarkana, AR 71854. Everyone is welcome to call any time. If you would like to speak with the family, please contact Ms. Jeanetta Burkins at 870.772.4798 (home) or 903.277.4437 (cell).

Dr. Jeffery Brown, a longtime member of the IDMR Dallas Branch passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Public Viewing will be held from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm on Friday, March 10, 2023 at Rolfe Funeral Home, 2936 NE 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Rolfe Memorial Chapel, 2936 NE 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111. Expressions of condolences, please contact the Dallas PR Director, Dr. Lola Brown at (972) 217-0294 for further information.

Dr. Jerome “Jay” Woodward, a longtime, beloved member of the IDMR Columbus Ohio Branch, passed peacefully on the morning of Friday, March 03, 2023.  Expressions of condolences may be forwarded to his wife of 50 years, Dr. Pamela “Pam” Woodward, at 704 Moreno Drive, Reynoldburg, OH  43068. There will be no services held. Please click here to view the obituary: https://www.diehl-whittaker.com/obituaries/Jerome-Woodward?obId=27481944#/celebrationWall

Mr. Owen C. Faust, father of Dr. Tara Bruce of the IDMR Little Rock Branch and father-in-law of Dr. Gail Bruce of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedle Court, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 on March 13, 2023, from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held on March 14, 2023, at 10:00 am at McCabe United Methodist Church  (Johnnie Davis Officiant) 1523 Pine Street, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72214.  The contact person is Dr. Tara Bruce, 501-454-0205.
 

Mr. Adrian Glover, husband of Dr. Audrey Glover and brother of Dr. Juqua Glover of the IDMR Las Vegas Nevada branch, passed away on Friday, February 24, 2023. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 1:30 pm at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130. Expressions of condolences may be sent to Dr. Audrey Glover at 77 Day Trade Street, Unit 2, Henderson, NV 89074.

Dr. Elizabeth (Betty) Green passed away Monday, February 20, 2023. She was a longtime member of the Akron Ohio Branch, then relocated to the Mesa Arizona Branch in 2022. Funeral information will be forthcoming.

Dr. Naomi Watson a longtime member of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, passed on Friday, February 17, 2023.  She was the wife of Dr. Reao Watson and the mother of  Dr. Katrina Johnson, both of the Los Angeles Branch.  A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 12 pm, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1320 W. Williams Street, Banning, CA 92220. Expressions of condolence may be sent to her daughter, Dr. Katrina Johnson, 289 N. El Molino Avenue Apt. 405, Pasadena, CA 91101. Please, no phone calls or text messages at this time.  

Mr. John Francis, Sr., father of Dr. John Francis, Jr. of the IDMR New Orleans Westbank Branch, passed on Monday, February 13, 2023.  Services will be held Thursday, February 23, 2023, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 5953 Bowman Roberts Rd, Fort Worth, Texas 76179.  Condolences may be sent to 6840 Delta Ridge Avenue, Slidell, LA 70461. The phone number to contact the family is (504) 491-9655.

Mr. James Crawford, grandfather of Drs. Michael and Leonard Crawford of the IDMR New Orleans Westbank Branch, passed on Saturday, February 11, 2023.  Services will be February 25, 2023 at St. Stephens Baptist Church, 1738 LB Landry Avenue, Algiers, LA., beginning at 10 am.

Dr. Dennis Graham, Sr., father of Dr. Dennis Graham, Jr. of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2023 in Norfolk, VA.  A Memorial service will be held at 12 pm on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church, 538 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Memphis, TN 38126.  Cards and expressions of condolences may be sent to Dr. Dennis Graham, Jr., 5230 Van Nuys Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91401.

Ms. Dana Brooks, sister of Dr. Eric Brooks of the IDMR New Orleans Westbank Branch, passed on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.  There will be no services.  

Mr. Joseph Young III, father of Dr. Jeannine Young of the IDMR New Orleans Westbank Branch, passed on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.  There will be no services. 

Mr. Larry Cambrice, husband and father of Drs. Darleen Cambrice, Brittaney Bonnee’ and Brandace Anthony of the IDMR New Orleans Westbank Branch, passed on Monday, February 6, 2023.  Funeral services were held on Thursday, February 16, 2023.  Condolences may be sent to 1513 Gardena Dr., New Orleans, LA 70122. The phone number to contact the family is (504) 908-3030.

Dr. Genniev Gray, a longtime member of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, passed on Thursday, February 2, 2023. She was the mother of Drs. Paul Gray and Leon Gray of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, and Teresa Gray and Billy Gray.  At this time, there is no information regarding services. Cards and expressions of  condolences may be sent to the family in care of Dr. Paul Gray, 1733 W. 50th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90062.  His phone number is 323-632-9385.

Dr. Georgia Robinson of the Sacramento Branch passed on Friday, January 27th, 2023.  Her funeral is scheduled for February 18th, 2023, at Wiggins Knipp Funeral Home, 524 Capitol Street in Vallejo, CA. Viewing of the body is Friday, February 17th from 3 to 8 PM.  Services on Saturday will begin at 11:00AM. Questions or inquiries may be directed to the Sacramento Branch President or other Sacramento Branch Officers.

Dr. Johnny Johnson, a longtime member of the Columbus, Ohio Branch for many years, passed on peacefully at his residence on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.  Dr. Johnson was a faithful member until the last few years when his health began to decline.  There are no final services planned as of this date.  “Dr. Johnny’s” body will be transported to Mount Airy, North Carolina, where the members of his physical family reside.

Mr. Wilbur Charles, father of Dr. Leslie Hill of the Los Angeles Branch, passed on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 in Pasadena, CA. Services will be held at Pasadena Church (East Campus), 425 Sierra Madre Villa Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91107 at 11 AM on Friday January 27, 2023. Expressions of condolence may be sent to Dr.Leslie Hill, 1151 W. Avenue J14, Lancaster, CA 93534.

Ernest Marable of the Banning CA Branch passed on Saturday, December 31, 2022.  He was the stepfather of Brianne Woodward of the Los Angeles Branch. Expressions of condolence may be sent to his wife, Dr. Jackie Marable, of the Banning Branch at 1625 Beaver Creek, Unit B Beaumont, CA 92223.

Dr. Debra Elaine Brinson, a longtime member of the IDMR Los Angeles Branchpassed quietly on Sunday, January 1, 2023.  She was the wife of Dr. William Brinson, the mother of Drs. Renny (William),  Wesley, and Whitney Brinson, all members of the Los Angeles Branch. There will be no services. Please, no phone calls. Expressions of condolence may be sent to The Brinson Family  at 5607 S Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90062.

Dr. Selwyn May of the IDMR Cleveland Ohio branch passed on Friday, December 16, 2022. Expressions of condolences may be sent to his wife, Dr. Patricia May, at 20112 Gardenview Drive, Maple Heights, OH 44137. The Wake will be held on Thursday, December 29th, 2022 From 4 pm – 8 pm. at Calhoun Funeral Home 23000 Rockside Road Bedford Heights, OH 44146

Dr. Mariel Renee Patton of the Northern Virginia branch passed on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. Mariel was the daughter of Drs. Robert and Marquel Patton and sister of Dr. Marissa Patton, all of the Northern Virginia branch. She was also the granddaughter of Drs. Malcolm and Gladys Lias of the Los Angeles, CA branch; Drs. Fred and Joan Bond of the Franklin-Middletown, OH branch. On behalf of the family, expressions of condolences can be sent to Dr. Marquel Patton at 16354 Gangplank Lane, Woodbridge, VA 22191. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Miller Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Woodbridge, VA 22192 on Saturday, January 14, 2023. Family visitation will begin at 10:30 am with the Service to start at 11:00 am. The service will be livestreamed via Miller Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. Facebook page as follows: https://www.facebook.com/miller.f.home/videos/564928595220683

Dr. DeLynn Gill of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch passed on Thursday, December 15, 2022. DeLynn was the wife of Dr. Bryan Gill. Information regarding the Memorial Service is forthcoming. Expressions of condolence may be sent to:  Dr. Bryan Gill, 2112 Via Pacheco, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274.

Dr. Linda Peyton, a longtime member of the IDMR New Orleans and New Orleans Westbank Branches passed on Friday, December 9, 2022.  Dr. Peyton served as the Choir Director for many years.  Expressions of condolences may be sent to her husband, Dr. Earnest Peyton at 5530 Maple Ridge Drive, New Orleans, LA  70129. A service will be held on Friday, January 6, 2023, at Boyd’s Funeral Home, 5001 Chef Menteur Highway, New Orleans, LA 70126.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 am – 10:00 am Central Standard Time (CST).

The service will begin at 10:00 am CST and can be viewed via livestream on the funeral home’s Facebook page by clicking here:  

For those without Facebook, the service can also be viewed via livestream on the homepage of the funeral home’s website by clicking here: https://www.anewtraditionbegins.com/   Please scroll to the bottom of the homepage.  The link will be located at the bottom right corner of the homepage.  Please note, the link for the livestream will not be available until 10:00 am CST. 

The complete obituary may be viewed at this link: Click Here

There will not be a Repast.

Dr. Topsy Chapman Edwards, member of the IDMR New Orleans Westbank Branch passed on Friday, November 25, 2022.  Dr. Edwards was the wife of Dr. Joseph Edwards, Sr., the mother of Dr. Jolynda Phillips, Dr. Yolanda Thomas, and Dr. Joseph Edwards, Jr., the grandmother of Dr. Caleb Windsay and Dr. Michael Windsay, Jr., the sister of Dr. William Chapman, and mother-in-law of Dr. Alonzo Thomas.  There will be no service.  The family requests no phone calls, texts, or visitors at this time.
 
Dr. Thelma Ford of the Los Angeles Branch passed on peacefully,  Monday, November 7, 2022.  She was the wife of Dr. Leonard Ford, the mother of Dr. Ericka Seay and the twin sister of Dr. Selma Bagley.  A memorial service will be held Friday, December 2, 2022, at 11 am at The Living Room (Faithful Central Church), 400 W. Florence Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301. Cards and expressions of condolences may be sent to the family at 2315 W. 116th Street, Hollypark, CA  90250.
 
Dr. Paul Turner,  previously the dean of the IDMR South Bend Indiana branch passed on Sunday, November 6, 2022. Services will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Alford’s Mortuary, 1222 Napier Street, South Bend IN 45501. Viewing will be held from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Click the following link to view the obituary:  www.alfordsmortuaryinc.com/obituary/Paul-Turner