Joe Jackson was admired by some, detested by others
When Joe Jackson, the patriarch and architect behind the musical Jackson family dynasty died on June 27, some media organizations focused on the negative stories. However, at least one Richmonder who found his own success in show business, remembers the …
Jackson family patriarch dies
Joseph “Joe” Jackson, the patriarch who launched the musical Jackson family dynasty, died Wednesday morning, June 27, 2018, in a Las Vegas hospital.
Lydia M. Jiggetts, prayer warrior and activist, dies at 70
Dr. Lydia Mercedes Jiggetts sought to help people in multiple ways. In the 1970s, she was part of a team of activists that helped force Richmond area radio and television stations to end their whites-only employment policies and open their …
One of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers dies
Samuel Tom Holiday, one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers, died in Southern Utah on Monday, June 11, 2018, surrounded by family members who raised money through a crowdfunding campaign to be by his side.
Louis Farrakhan Jr., 60, oldest son of Nation of Islam leader, dies
A Janazah service, a Muslim burial service, was held Friday, June 8, at Mosque Maryam in Chicago for Louis Farrakhan Jr., the eldest son of Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, and Mother Khadijah Farrakhan. Mr. Farrakhan …
William A. Thornton, longtime historian for Richmond Crusade for Voters, dies at 93
William Armstead Thornton always was considered the indispensable dependable man at the Richmond Crusade for Voters, his church and other organizations in which he participated.
Helen Peyton Wallace, among first teachers to integrate Westhampton Elementary, dies at 90
Helen Winfree Peyton Wallace had a passion for helping Richmond children master reading. An avid reader, Mrs. Wallace was best known for her work as a Title I remedial teacher who helped untold numbers of city elementary students overcome reading …
Maxine L. Black, longtime school counselor and civic leader, succumbs at 77
Maxine Lewis Black wore multiple hats as an educator and in leadership roles with women’s organizations. Mrs. Black was a foreign language teacher and late served as a guidance counselor with Richmond Public Schools in a career that spanned nearly …
Jean L. Fountain, longtime educator, civic leader, dies at 75
Jean Lankford Fountain wore different hats as an educator, but always under the banner of Richmond Public Schools.
Lillie L. Taylor, longtime RPS administrator, succumbs at 88
The life and faith of Lillie Lipscomb Taylor, a former teacher and longtime supervisor of business and economic education programs for Richmond Public Schools, was celebrated during a funeral service Thursday, April 26, 2018, at Great Hope Baptist Church.
Blanche A.B. Washington, retired teacher, musician dies at 86
Blanche Amanda Barcroft Washington spent 36 years teaching elementary students reading, writing and the rudiments of science.
Rita J.T. Williams, former teacher, Head Start instructor, dies at 66
Carver Elementary School is mourning the loss of one of staff members, Rita Jane Taylor Williams, who succumbed to illness on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. She was 66.
Yvonne Staples of Staple Singers fame dies at 80
Yvonne Staples, whose voice and business acumen powered the success of the Staple Singers, her family’s hit-making gospel group that topped the charts in the early 1970s with the song “I’ll Take You There,” has died. She was 80.
Former First Lady Barbara Bush dies
A private funeral for former First Lady Barbara Bush, the only American woman to see her husband and son both sworn in as president, will be held on Saturday, April 21, at a Houston church where her family has been …
‘Mother of South Africa’ dies at 81
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who emerged as a combative anti-apartheid campaigner during her former husband Nelson Mandela’s decades in jail but whose reputation was later tarnished by allegations of violence, died on Monday, April 2, 2018, at the age of 81.
