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Obituaries

Richard R. Jiggetts, who was instrumental in rebuilding of First Baptist Church Centralia, dies at 98

When arson destroyed the historic but vacant former sanctuary of First Baptist Church Centralia in 1996, everyone bemoaned the fiery loss of an irreplaceable church building.

Funeral service Saturday at Hampton University for NASA's Katherine Johnson

A funeral service has been set for Katherine G. Johnson, the trailblazing mathematical genius whose calculations for NASA influenced every major space program from America’s first manned space flight in 1961 to the first lunar landing in 1969 to the …

Katherine G. Johnson, trailblazing NASA mathematician immortalized in the film 'Hidden Figures,' dies at 101

Katherine G. Johnson, the mathematical genius whose calculations took her from a behind-the-scenes job in a segregated NASA as portrayed in the film “Hidden Figures” to a key role in sending humans to the moon, died on Monday, Feb. 24, …

Dr. Levy M. Armwood Jr., retired pastor, music teacher, dies at 79

Dr. Levy Mack Armwood Jr., retired pastor of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Jackson Ward and a 32-year music teacher for Richmond Public Schools, has died.

Restaurateur, model B. Smith dies at 70 from early onset Alzheimer’s

Barbara “B.” Smith, one of the nation’s top African-American models who went on to open restaurants, launch a successful home products line and write cookbooks, has died at her Long Island home at age 70 after battling early onset Alzheimer’s …

Actress and film festival co-founder Ja’Net DuBois succumbs at 74

Ja’Net DuBois, who played the vivacious neighbor Willona Woods on the 1970s sitcom “Good Times,” composed and sang the theme song for television’s “The Jeffersons” and was one of the founders of the largest black film festival in the United …

Thousands fill the Staples Center for Kobe Bryant’s ‘Celebration of Life’

A gallery of basketball legends joined thousands of Kobe Bryant fans in Los Angeles on Monday to pay tribute to the transcendent NBA star, his daughter and seven others who died in a helicopter crash last month that shocked the …

Thelma M. Robinston, longtime Richmond educator, dies at 99

Fueled by a love of education, Thelma Mealy Robinson rose from teacher to principal to assistant superintendent during a career largely with Richmond Public Schools that spanned more than 40 years.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala dies

The founder of the South African multi-Grammy Award-winning music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Joseph Shabalala, has died at age 78, the group and the government have announced.

Emmy-nominated actress Paula Kelly has died at 77

Actress, singer and dancer Paula Kelly, who earned an Emmy Award nomination on the sitcom “Night Court” and co-starred with Chita Rivera and Shirley MacLaine in the film “Sweet Charity,” has died. She was 77.

Longtime area photographer Waverly L. Williams Sr. succumbs at 76

Have camera, will travel. That was the motto of photographer Waverly Lee Williams Sr., who was always on the go to capture images of people, places and events, mostly in the Richmond area.

Dr. Aaron L. Dixon, former principal at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, dies at 62

“Impact children’s lives today for tomorrow.” That slogan shaped the career of Dr. Aaron Lorenzo Dixon, his family said.

Frank Tunstall III, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1220, dies at 70

Frank Tunstall III, the veteran president and business agent for GRTC’s unionized bus drivers, has died.

Willie H. Gillenwater, one of the city's first certified special education teachers, dies at 91

Willie Harris Gillenwater was a pioneer in educating children with mental challenges in Richmond Public Schools.

Anthony 'Pete' Rogers, retired educator, principal with RPS, dies at 92

Anthony Warren “Pete” Rogers was an advocate for teaching Richmond students how to work with their hands during his 35-year career with the city’s public schools.