Obituaries from the Michigan Chronicle October 22 - 28, 1997 Page D-5 and D-6 Obituaries Home BALDWIN - Edward Baldwin Sr. - Services were held at Swanson Funeral Home Inc. Aug. 22 for Edward Baldwin Sr. The Rev. Wilma Johnson officiated. Mr. Baldwin, 67, died Aug. 17. Known as "Tip," Mr. Baldwin was born April 26, 1930 in Tunica, Miss. He attended Northwestern High School and participated in various high school sports. He had a lasting devotion to and interest in football. Mr. Baldwin was an Air Force veteran of the Korean war. After the war, he was employed at Chrysler's automobile assembly plant. Mr. Baldwin also founded the Detroit Checker Club. He was a strong believer in the power of checkers to improve concentration and to help one focus on daily tasks. Mr. Baldwin is survived by his daughter, Cynthia George; granddaughter, Chantel George; cousin, Lillian Mack; and many others. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery. BOLTON - Raymond Leon Bolton - Services for Raymond Leon Bolton were held Sept. 9 at Whole Truth Church of God in Christ with Superintendent Ernie M. McCutchen Sr. officiating. Raymond Bolton was 16 when he died Sept. 4. Born May 11, 1981, Bolton, who was affectionately called "Ray-Ray," was educated in the Detroit Public Schools and was pursuing a business and music education. He was a member of Whole Truth Church of God in Christ, where he was active in the Youth Choir and played the drums for the church. Bolton is survived by his brother, Michael Bernard Johnson; grandparents, Herman and Nellie Bolton; aunts and uncles, Gloria J. Bailey, Sandra Montgomery, Chaunne Yancey, Larry Macklin, Allen L. Bolton and Kenneth S. Bolton; great grandmother, Gladys Parham; eight great aunts; six great uncles; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Swanson Funeral Home Inc. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-East. CHRISTIAN - Lloyd Marcus Christian - Services for Lloyd Marcus Christian were held Oct. 10 at St. Stephen A.M.E. Church with Rev. Dr. Delano L. Bowman officiating. Mr. Christian was 72 years old when he died Oct. 10. Born Feb. 8, 1925 in Camden, Ark., Mr. Christian graduated from Camden High School and moved to Detroit where he joined St. Stephen's A.M.E. Church. Lloyd was a member of the Male Chorus, the Gospel Choir and the Steward board. Mr. Christian is survived by his wife Ernestine; son, Lloyd Jr. (Stacey); daughter Marilyn and step-daughter Linda and her two children, Manita Tridgean and Marcus Royal; two brothers, William and Alberry; three sisters, Lorena Green, Edwina Patrick, and Mattie Swanegan; three grandchildren, Kelly, Ryan and Rusty; a step-granddaughter, Ravynn; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens. CLARK - Ruth Clark - Services for Ruth Clark were held Oct. 14 at New St. Paul Tabernacle Church of God In Christ with Bishop P. A. Brooks officiating. Mrs. Clark was 73 years old when she died Oct. 8. Born Sept. 8, 1924, Mrs. Clark was dedicated to her church and served many years in several positions, most notably as financial secretary. On the state level, she also served as assistant chairlady of the YPWW Department, president of the State Teenage Department and field representative of the Sunday School Department. Mrs. Clark is survived by five sons, Ronald Benson (Johnnie Mae), Charles Clark (Ann), Richard Benson (Lula), Dave Benson III, and Tyrone Benson; six daughters, Alfreda Antoine (Kevin), Sandra Woods, Patricia Bradley, Diane Gist, Marilyn Harvill (Otis) and Sylvia Jones (Walter); 18 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; one sister, Willie Mae Curry (James); one brother, Robert Dean; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens. CURTIS-SMITH - Mary E. Curtis-Smith - Services for Mary E. Curtis Smith were held Oct. 4 at New Light Baptist church with Rev. Dr. Benjamin Stanley Baker officiating. Mrs. Curtis-Smith was 89 years old when she died Sept. 29. Born Aug. 23, 1908 in Monroe, Louisiana, Mrs. Curtis-Smith had two children from a prior marriage who preceded her in death. Mrs. Curtis-Smith is survived by her daughter Susietta (Aaron) Williams; three sons, Claude, Dave and James; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-West. FINCH - Ruby S. Finch - Services were held at People's Community Church Oct. 10 for Ruby S. Finch, with the Rev. Martin E. Bolton officiating. Ms. Finch, 83, died Oct. 3. Born Dec. 9, 1913 in Macon, Georgia, Ms. Finch graduated from Northeastern High School where she was an honor student. She was employed at the U. S. Army Tank Command in Warren for 32 years until her retirement in 1973. A charter member of People's Community Church, Ms. Finch served as a steward, youth sponsor, treasurer of the December birthday club, and as church financial secretary. Ms. Finch is survived by her daughter, Florence; sisters, Helen Johnson, Alice Marie Richardson and Margaret Solomon; niece and care-giver, Gloria Williams; and many others. Interment was at United Memorial Gardens in Plymouth. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home Inc. GAMBLE - Fuller B. Gamble - Services for Fuller B. Gamble were held at the Greenfield Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home Inc. Oct. 7 with Bishop Phillip Pulliam officiating. Mr. Gamble, 86, died Oct. 2 at Sinai Hospital. Born Feb. 10, 1911 in Belton, South Carolina, Mr. Gamble was educated in the Detroit Public Schools. He was an employee of Grand Trunk railroad for more than 40 years and enjoyed sharing stories of his days on the railroad with his nieces and nephews. Mr. Gamble is survived by his sisters-in-law Florine Collins and Jimmie Lee Hall; and a host of nieces and nephews. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park East in Warren. JONES - Asbury Jones - Services for Asbury Jones were held at Thompson Funeral Home Inc., Oct. 15 and 16. Mr. Jones died Oct. 11 at Saratoga Hospital. He was 47. Born Oct. 25, 1950, Mr. Jones graduated from Northwestern High school in 1968. He was employed by the Detroit Water Department. Mr. Jones was a true friend, who gave willingly and unselfishly of his time and talents to his family, friends and co-workers. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie; sons, Steven, Nakai ("Nick"), Eliathan ("Late") and Adrian ("Big One"); grandson, Eliathan Jr.; siblings, Mary Lavon, James Jr., Estell, Delores, Willie, Nathaniel, Lillie McGee and Doris Ann; and many others. Cremation was at Gethsemane Crematory Association. KELLEY - Doris Jean Kelley - Services for Doris Jean Kelley were held at the Greenfield Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home Inc., Oct. 17. Mrs. Kelley, 52, died Oct. 11. Born 23, 1945 in Pell City, Fla., Mrs. Kelley graduated from Mumford High School in 1963. She continued her education at Wayne County Community College, where she studied nursing. She practiced her nursing skills at Mercy Hospital, and later continued her education at Phoenix University. Mrs. Kelley is survived by her children, Ophelia Kay and Tyrone Anthony; granddaughter, Sylvia; sisters, Nancy Glover and Harriet Turnbow; and brothers, Donnie, Solomon, Jr., David and Clarence. Cremation was at Tri County Cremation Services in Ypsilanti. LYLES - Naomi Wells Lyles - Services for Naomi Wells Lyles were held Oct. 18 at Thompson Funeral Home with Rev. John Peoples officiating. Mrs. Lyles was 76 years old when she died Oct. 12. Born Aug. 21, 1921 in Ponchantas, Miss., Mrs. Lyles attended Jackson State College and graduated from Ruby's School of Cosmetology Hair and Beauty Culture. Mrs. Lyles was a hair stylist for many years. She later began working for J. L. Hudson's Co. until she retired August 1983. Mrs. Lyles is survived by her daughters, Frances Lyles Harris, Clemmie Lyles Underwood, and Margaret Lyles Giles; son-in-law, George Harris Sr.; nephew, David Wells Jr.; two granddaughters, Kimberly Lyles-Smith and Helen Manning; three grandsons, Will Underwood, Sandy Underwood and George Harris Jr.; two grandsons-in-law, Dr. Melvin Manning and George Gregory Smith; three great grandsons; three stepchildren, Frank Lyles Jr. (Janice), James Lyles (Bessie) and Ellen Lyles; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Trinity Cemetery. MADDEN - Shannon Ann Madden - Services for Shannon Ann Madden were held Oct. 7 at Thompson Funeral Home Inc. Ms. Madden was 47 when she died Oct. 2. Born Sept. 30, 1950, Ms. Madden attended the Eastside School for the Deaf and graduated with honors and merit certificates from Chadsey High School. Ms. Madden was employed as a mail clerk at the post office for 10 years and at the Mercy University of Detroit for 10 years. Ms. Madden is survived by her mother, Annie Mae Brooks; sisters, Betty Jean Brooks, Scenus Jean DeJesus and Georgetta Brooks-Duru; brothers, George Brooks Jr., Melvin Brooks, Jerome Powell, Kelvin Ray Brooks and Ronald Brooks; aunts, Carrie Walker, Bertha Madden and Ruth Madden; nieces and nephews, Jack Harper Jr., Renee Harper, Larry Harper, Sabrina Gibson and Tanya Harper; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home Inc. Interment was at Grandlawn Cemetery. MITCHELL - Robert Hugh Mitchell - Services were held at Williams Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Oct. 10 for Robert Hugh Mitchell with the Rev. Flemon Stokes officiating. Mr. Mitchell, 72, died Oct. 3. Born Feb. 26, 1925 in Damesferry, Georgia, Mr. Mitchell, known as "Mitch," moved to Detroit in 1943. He was employed by Chrysler corp. He retired from Chrysler in 1974 to devote all his energy to boxing. He joined forces with Henry Groom's Kalamazoo Boxing Academy where he trained several number one contenders, including Len Hutchins, Vonzell Johnson, Greg "Candyman" Coverson, Floyd Mayweather and former heavyweight world champion Leon Spinks. Mr. Mitchell was a man determined to follow his dreams. He began a self taught course for which he was recognized as Boxing Trainer of the Year on June 2, 1996. Mr. Mitchell is survived by his wife, Irene; daughters, Audrey, Carole and Katrina; adopted sons Donald, Tommy Lee, Raymond, Vonzell and Greg (Liz, Christopher and Jessica); grandchildren, Rodney Jr., Roland, Ross and Justin; adopted sister, Dorothy Stone; and many others. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home Inc. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery. REED - Catherine Reed - Services for Catherine Reed were held Oct. 14 at Thompson Funeral Home with Rev. Pulliam officiating. Mrs. Reed was 74 years old when she died Oct. 14. Born July 15, 1923 in Comilla, Ga., Mrs. Reed graduated from public high school and married the late Green Houston Reed. They remained married for 54 years. She owned El Morocco Restaurant in Detroit. She was also the force behind Action Hardware, the company her husband and her son, Irving, managed since 1954 until retirement. Mrs. Reed is survived by her son, Irving Reed; granddaughters, Kim (Gary) Harris, Irvette and Cherie Reed; three great granddaughters, Ashley and Erika Harris, and Kristian Reed-Clark; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Detroit Memorial Park-East. RICE - Keith Dennis Rice - Services for Keith Dennis Rice were held Oct. 13, at Liberty Temple Baptist Church with Pastor Samuel Thompson officiating. Mr. Rice was 45 years old when he died Oct. 8. Born March 28, 1952, Mr. Rice was educated in the Detroit Public Schools System and attended Northwestern High School. He joined the United States Army in 1974 and received an honorable discharge. At the time of his death, he was an entrepreneur as a partner in the JDK Transportation Company. Mr. Rice is survived by a host of relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. ROBERTS - Lewis Roberts - Services for Lewis Roberts was held at Swanson Funeral Home Inc. Aug. 23 with the Rev. Robert Dulin officiating. Mr. Roberts died Aug. 17 at age 52. Born July 13, 1945 in Nashville, Tennessee, Mr. Roberts later moved to Detroit. A Vietnam veteran, Mr. Roberts earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan. He was employed by Michigan Bell for 20 years, and was most recently employed with Dickson and Associates. Mr. Roberts is survived by his father, Willie Roberts; sons, Tyrone and Brian; former wives, Debra and Mia; companion, Maxine Phillips; brothers, James Roberts, Robert Fry, Michael Fry, Henry B. Fry Jr., and Ronald Fry; sister, Opheila Fry; and many others. Interment was at Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens in Livonia. SPANN - Christel O. Spann - Services for Christel O. Span were held Aug. 16 at Christland Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. C. L. Branch officiating. Ms. Spann was 37 when she died Aug. 12. Born July 25, 1960 in Chicago, Ms. Spann was educated in Chicago's Public School System. She was baptized at an early age and recently joined Christland Missionary Baptist Church where she sang in the choir. Ms. Spann is survived by her sons, Antoine and Calvin Spann; mother, Yvonne Brown; father, Julious Spann; grandfather, David Porter; two sisters, Denise (Lee) Souza and Alana (Billy) Evans; three brothers, Orlando, Ronald and Julious; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Grand Lawn Cemetery. TAYLOR - Marvin V. Amerson-Taylor - Services for Marvin V. Amerson-Taylor were held at Swanson Funeral Home Inc. Aug. 16. Mr. Amerson-Taylor, 21, died Aug. 11. Born Oct. 15, 1975, Mr. Amerson-Taylor was educated in the Detroit Public School System and graduated from Martin Luther King High School. He planned to attend Wayne State University. He loved basketball and was quiet, peaceful and mild mannered. Mr. Amerson-Taylor is survived by his parents, Marvin and Florence Taylor; grandfathers, Hoggie Taylor and John Amerson; grandmothers, Augustine Taylor and Elvira Amerson; brothers, Melvin and Raphael Taylor; sisters, Tomika Coleman, Tamika Simpson and Sha'Tika Taylor; and many others. Interment was at Gethsemane Cemetery. THOMAS - Charles Edward Thomas - Services were held at Northwestern Church of Christ Oct. 10 for Charles Edward Thomas, with Pastor Arthur Williams officiating. Mr. Thomas, 56, died Oct. 2. Born Aug. 28, 1941 in Atlanta, Ga., Mr. Thomas, affectionately known as "Ditley," moved to Inkster at age 2, and was educated in the Inkster school system. A Navy veteran, Mr. Thomas received an associate's degree from Oakland Community College, and attended Wayne State University in pursuit of higher education. He also taught in the Detroit Public Schools. At the time of his illness, he was employed by the city of Detroit. Mr. Thomas is survived by his mother, Dorothy F. Thomas; children, Felitia, Deneeka, Charles, Edward, Drake, Andre and Wayne; 12 grandchildren; grandmother, Minnie McCoy; siblings, Diann, Andrea, Marcus, Darrlyn, Alfeeria, Iteeah and Morrison; adopted sisters, Juanita and Janet; and many others. Interment was at United Memorial Gardens in Plymouth. Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home Inc. VAUGHN - R. Conrad Vaughn - Services for R. Conrad Vaughn were held Oct. 11 at New Bright star Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Lonnie Joe Sr. officiating. Mr. Vaughn was 83 years old when he died Oct. 7. Born Sept. 14, 1914 in Birmingham, Alabama, Mr. Vaughn moved to Detroit after he graduated from Tuskegee Institute. Mr. Vaughn received an Accounting Degree from Detroit Institute of Technology and attended the University of Michigan, where he studied for his Master's Degree. Mr. Vaughn started his own Accounting and Bookkeeping service in 1949, where he employed many high school and college graduates. His desire for higher education and training led him to teach Accounting at Wayne State University. Mr. Vaughn is survived by his wife, Lois Vaughn; sister, Susie Johnson; brothers, Robert Vaughn and Jackie Vaughn; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery. WILLIAMS - John W. Williams Sr. - Services for John W. Williams Sr. were held Aug. 30 at Greater Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. E. J. Patterson officiating. Mr. Williams was 77 when he died Aug. 23. Born June 25, 1920 in Wilkinson County, Ga., Mr. Williams attended public schools in Georgia and was married to the late Alberta Knight Williams. He moved to Detroit in 1951. Mr. Williams is survived by a devoted friend, Mary Meriweather; two daughters, Carolyn Turk and Jane Marie Rogers; stepdaughter, Mary Adams; two sons, John Jr. and James W. Whipple; two stepsons, Jessie and James Wiggins; two adopted daughters; three daughters-in-law and two sons-in-law; 13 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 15 nieces; 10 nephews; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment was at Elmwood Cemetery. WILLIAMS - Mary G. Williams - Services were held at the Dexter Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home Inc. for Mary G. Williams, with Bishop Phillip Pulliam officiating. Ms. Williams was born and raised in Memphis, Tenn. Before her passing, she rededicated her life to the Lord. Ms. Williams is survived by her long time friend William Thomas; sons, Ernest Paul Love, Navarro Winston and Morgan Raynard Winston; daughter, Tracie A. Williams; grandsons, Mark-Anthony Williams and Christopher Williams; brothers, Emery Adams and Charles Byas; and many others. Cremation was at Tri County Cremation Services in Ypsilanti. WYCHE - Eunice Naomi Martin-Wyche - Services for Eunice Naomi Martin-Wyche were held Oct. 13, at Thompson Funeral Home with Rev. Melvin L. Williams officiating. Mrs. Martin-Wyche, 79, died Oct. 9. Born Dec. 5, 1917 in Waynesboro, Ga., Mrs. Martin-Wyche moved to Morristown, N. J. at an early age, where she later met and married Riley T. Martin III. From this union came four children. Mrs. Martin-Wyche III was preceded in death by her five brothers and second husband, Willie Wyche. Mrs. Martin-Wyche is survived by her four children, Riley, Theodore, Christine and Barbara; sister, Josephine Russell-Whiteman; seven grandchildren, Sabrina, Carron, Dorian, Daphne, Monette, Bettina and Melisa; 10 great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives. Arrangements were made by Thompson Funeral Home. Cremation was at Tri-County Cremation Services.