Obituaries
INTERNATIONAL BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dr. Jennie Ruth Eastland Turner, 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, 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. Barbara Etienne, a longtime member of the IDMR Lake Charles Branch, departed the flesh Friday, April 10, 2026. She was the wife of Dr. Justinian Etienne and mother of Dr. Keturah McCree and Justiena Sinegal. Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at Lake Charles College Prep (Gymnasium) 2801 Power Center Parkway, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70607. Guests are warmly invited to wear any shade of blue in honor of her favorite color. A repast will immediately follow the service at The Chandelier Room, located at 3365 East Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles, LA 70615. Expressions of condolences may be sent to 4412 Monticello Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605. For additional information contact Dr. Keturah McCree. To properly accommodate all family and friends, the Family and Host Branch School kindly ask all attendees to complete the Celebration of Life Travelgram by Sunday, April 26, 2026, for seating purposes. For those who wish to stay overnight, a listing of local area hotels has been attached within the form in the following link: https://forms.gle/
Mrs. Margaret Anderson (sister of Dr. Tyrone Lofton, longtime member of the Oklahoma City Branch) passed away on Sunday evening, April 5th, 2026. Dr. Lofton is accepting calls and texts: 405-698-4904. His address is 1429 NE 48th, Oklahoma City, OK 73111. A memorial service will be held on 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 16, 2026 at Temple & Sons, 2801 N Kelley Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73111, (405) 427-8321
Mr. Darryl Sexton, brother of Dr. Reginald Sexton of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, took off the flesh on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Please, no calls or texts to Reginald at this time. Texts are welcome to Dr. Sadie Sexton at (909) 452-6552. Condolences may be sent to their home, 10950 Church Street, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, Apt. 4322.
Mr. George Albert Finley, Sr., took off the flesh on Sunday, March 22, 2026. He was the father of Dr. Christopher Finley of the IDMR Fresno Branch. You may contact Dr. Finley at 559-917-9177. Calls and texts are welcome.
Dr. Doris Jean Murphy, longtime member of the former Southeast Los Angeles Branch and Los Angeles Branch, current member of the Shreveport Branch, took off the flesh on Sunday, March 8, 2026. She was the mother of Dr. Terrance Murphy of the Los Angeles Branch, sister of Drs. Katie Smith and Tonya Stephens of the Shreveport Branch, and Dr. Synthia Murphy of the Dallas Branch. Cards and expressions of condolences may be sent to her son, Dr. Terrance Murphy at 3207 Marine Avenue, Gardena, CA 90249, telephone number is 323-855-7537. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71109. Memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m. The live stream may be viewed here: https://www.winnfieldfuneralhome-shreveport.com/obituaries/doris-murphy A Repast will be held at the IDMR Shreveport Branch, 2120 Jewella Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71109, immediately following the service.
Mr. Charles McDaniel, the brother of Dr. Emma Hodoh and uncle of Dr. Marcel McDaniel of the IDMR Akron Branch, passed away unexpectedly on March 1, 2026. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 12:30 pm at Portage Trail Village Assisted Living, 45 Cathedral Ln., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 44223. Expressions of Condolences may be sent to Dr. Emma Hodoh, 14 Ross Dr., Akron, Ohio, 44313.
Mr. Rush Collins, Jr., father of Dr. Debby Collins and Dr. Sharia Collins, members of the IDMR Donaldsonville Louisiana Branch, and grandfather of Courtney D. Collins, passed on March 12, 2026. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 12:00 pm, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2129 Hwy 1 South, Donaldsonville, LA 70346. The live stream may be viewed here: https://youtube.com/@emmanuelbaptistchurch-dona869?si=ftCNyvnyvBZgCAf0 A Repast will be held immediately following the service. Expressions of condolences may be sent to Dr. Sharia Collins 220 Chetimatches Street, Donaldsonville, LA 70346.
Funeral Services for Dr. Carol Bell Starks, member of the IDMR Cleveland Ohio Branch will be held Friday, March 13th, 2026. Viewing at 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Funeral Services to follow at Thomas G. Smith Funeral Home, 14601 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44110. Cards of condolences may be sent to her daughter, Nicoy Darden, 230 East 242nd Street, Euclid, Ohio 44123.
Ms. Shirley Walton, mother of Drs. Wendy and Garmond Blackston of the IDMR Columbia Maryland Branch, passed on Monday, February 23rd, 2026. Services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 411 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70122. Viewing: 8:30 am – 10:00 am. Mass: 10:00 am. Interment immediately following at St. Louis Cemetery No. 2. 300 N. Claiborne Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112. Repast: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm at The Christopher Room, 6254 Vicksburg Street, New Orleans, LA, 70124. Floral arrangements can be sent to the church address. Please, no flowers to the home address. Cards can be sent to Wendy and Garmond Blackston at 5103 Northern Fences Lane, Columbia, MD 21044.
Dr. Carita (Hardin) Mitchell-Hawkins, a longtime member of IDMR and previously a member of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch, passed away February 9th, 2026, in Gary, Indiana. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 21st, 2026, from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Chateau, 530 W. 61st Avenue, Merrillville, Indiana 46410. The obituary is available on Smith Bizzell & Warner Funeral Home’s website or via the following link: https://www.
Dr. James Allen, Sr., of the IDMR Los Angeles Branch passed away Monday, January 19, 2026 in Los Angeles. He was the father of Dr. Debra Allen of the Los Angeles Branch and Drs. Diane Allen Turner and James Allen Jr., both of the Banning Branch. He was also the brother of Dr. Bertha Reasby of the Los Angeles Branch and Dr. Bennie Allen, former Dean of the Banning Branch. The Viewing will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm at House of Winston Mortuary, 9501 S. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90044. The Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11:00 am at Center of Hope, 9550 Crenshaw Boulevard, Inglewood, CA 90305. The contact person is Dr. Debra Allen.
The Celebration of Life for Dr. Rosie Dyer, longtime member of IDMR New Orleans and New Orleans Westbank Branch, will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the VFW Hall located at 475 Monroe Street, Gretna, LA 70053. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until 10:00 am. The service will start at 10:00 am. Celebration colors are navy blue and pink. Repast will be held at the Oakdale Playground located at 650 Wall Blvd, Gretna, LA 70056, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. For expressions of condolences, please contact Dr. Rose Williams of the New Orleans Westbank Branch.
Dr. Brian Land, longtime IDMR member, past Treasurer and President of the New Orleans Westbank Branch, took off the flesh on Thursday, January 15, 2026. There will be no service. Condolences may be sent to Dr. Penny Land, 1700 Celtic Drive, Marrero, LA 70072.
Dr. Barry Block, longtime Superintendent and member of the IDMR Tulsa Oklahoma Branch, departed the flesh Sunday, January 11, 2026 10am. He was the husband of Dr. Levone Block of the Tulsa Oklahoma Branch. The Memorial Service has been rescheduled from Saturday, January 23, 2026 to Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 11 am, at the Biglow Funeral Home, 1414 N. Norfolk Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74106. A Repast will be held immediately after the service at Hutcherson YMCA, 1120 E. Pine Street, Tulsa, OK 74106. The YMCA is located directly across the street from the Funeral Home. Cards and expressions of condolences can be sent to Dr. Levone Block, at 5242 S. 67th E. Place, Tulsa, OK 74145. Please no calls or texts to Dr. Block at this time. The contact person for the family is Ms. Laquinda Carey.
Dr. Larry Nelson, longtime member of the IDMR Banning Branch and stepfather of Dr. Ty-Juania Hall , Secretary of the Banning Branch, took off the flesh Sunday, December 28, 2025. The viewing will be held on Thursday, January 15, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, at Wiefels & Son Memorial Chapel in Banning CA 92220. The ceremony will be held on Friday, January 16, at 1:00 pm. at James, A. Venable Community Center, 50390 Carmen Ave., Cabazon, CA 92230. Cards and expressions of condolences may be sent to Dr. Patricia Nelson, 1433 G Court, Banning, CA 92220 or Dr. Ty-Juania Hall, 2374 Moon Beam Drive, Banning, CA 92220.
Dr. Vernita Jefferson took off the flesh December 18, 2025. She was a longtime member of the IDMR Monroe Branch, and more recently the Los Angeles and Banning Branch. She was the wife of Dr. Rodney Jefferson, Banning Branch and mother of Drs. LaShauna Paige, New Orleans West Bank, Roxie Amos, Fort Worth, TX Branch, and William Jefferson, Los Angeles Branch. There will be a private family service. Please, no phone calls at this time; however, text messages are welcome.
Dr Ronald Newton, 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 at the time of the service.
Dr. Patricia Boyce-Wilcox, 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.
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.
Dr. Tyler Jackson, 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, 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