Category: Obituaries

Ann Elizabeth McClenney was born April 10, 1924 to Rosa Lee and Matthew McClenney.  She was number two of three girls, Sarah (Baker), and Bernice (Scott) who both preceded her in death.  She later gained five siblings who she loved, Percell McClenney, Joseph McClenney (deceased), Alvester McClenney, Annie McClenney-Benbow, and Eva McClenney. Oct 16, 1946,…

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “I am sorry to make a very sad announcement,” wrote Hagler’s wife, Kay. “Today, unfortunately, my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.” By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Marvelous…

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Mary Wilson was a friend to the Black Press of America, a neighbor to the world, and the radiance she exuded never seem to fade. At 76, the Supremes legend is gone too soon. Wilson died suddenly late Monday, Feb. 8, at her home just outside…

By Lauren Victoria Burke Actress and model Cicely Tyson, a legend of the stage and screen whose roles showcased the lives of famous African American women died on January 28 in New York at 96. Tyson was a much respected and revered artist. Her acting was replete with authenticity and her portrayals won her many…

By Dr. Nsenga K. Burton, NNPA Newswire Correspondent THE BURTON WIRE — Known for wearing shorts, cowboy boots and a Zorro hat, Fletcher’s swagger, good looks, soulful voice and smooth delivery made him a sex symbol among early Hip-Hop fans. Their live shows were legendary, holding their own with superstar groups like Run-DMC, the Beastie…

By Nsenga K. Burton Ph.D The Internet is weeping over the Covid-19-related deaths of beloved character actor Tiny Lister, country music legend Charlie Pride and veteran theater and tv actress Carol Sutton. Tommy “Tiny” Lister, 62 The character actor best known for his performance as Deebo in the cult classic Friday (1995) was found dead…

Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media  Walter Scott Hawkins was a California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) administrator for 33 years where he was a champion of providing minority students the tools they needed to succeed academically. Hawkins passed away on Nov. 18. He was 72 years old.  Hawkins was a resident of…

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Boseman was no stranger to playing iconic characters, bursting onto the big screen in 2013’s 42 as baseball legend Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in major league baseball. Boseman went on to star as Soul legend James Brown in 2014’s Get On Up and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall in 2017….

  By Roz Edward on January 27, 2020 NNPA NEWSWIRE — Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Maria Onore, were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday, January 26, 2020. Bryant was 41, and his daughter, affectionately known as GiGi, was 13. “The death of Kobe Bryant is…

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Conyers, who was the first African American to chair the powerful House Judiciary Committee, also helped spearhead the 1994 Violence against Women Act. Conyers and 12 other African American members of the House of Representatives founded the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971. By Stacy M.Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia  Former U.S….

He was tireless in the fight for access and respect for Black journalists and relentless in championing for Blacks to have a seat at the proverbial table. Sacramento OBSERVER publisher emeritus Dr. William H. Lee went on to his glory, having passed away on Sunday, September 22. Dr. Lee was 83 years old. Dr. Lee…

On Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at the age of 107 years old the Lord called Emma Shaw home. She’s had her bags pack since she was 90, so 17 years later the matriarch of the Shaw family has finally moved to her eternal address. Emma was the 2nd born to James and Gertrude Armstrong on…

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor Prominent American civil rights activist and Washington, D.C. politician Sterling Tucker passed away on July 14, in Washington, D.C. Tucker was the first chair of the District of Columbia City Council and ran for mayor in 1978. He was defeated by Marion Barry by 1,500 votes. Tucker was…

By Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., NNPA Newswire Contributor The world is mourning the loss of Disneystar Cameron Boyce who passed away Saturday due to an ongoing medical condition. Boyce, 20, who starred in Disney’s Descendants franchise, was found unresponsive at his home and could not be revived by paramedics. Boyce grew up in front of…

Shirley Ann Shirrells, daughter of the late Anne E. Shirrells, civic leader in San Bernardino, died peacefully after a long illness at her home in Pasadena, CA, April 8th, 2019, at the age of 83. With her were her son and daughter. Shirley moved to San Bernardino as a child with her mother and sister,…

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Frank Robinson, a trailblazing figure who was Major League Baseball’s first African American manager and one of its greatest players during a career that spanned 21 seasons, died Thursday after a prolonged illness, according to pro baseball’s premiere website, MLB.com. Robinson was 83. The Hall of Famer…

ANDREW DALTON and HILLEL ITALIE of The Associated Press Published: 15 December 2018 Nancy Wilson, the Grammy-winning “song stylist” and torch singer whose polished pop-jazz vocals made her a platinum artist and top concert performer, has died. Wilson, who retired from touring in 2011, died after a long illness at her home in Pioneertown, a…

Eullas Jim James was born September 16, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois to the union of Eullas and Margaret James. He was the eldest of seven children. In the year of 1947 his family relocated to Los Angeles, California where Jimmy attended elementary and middle school, then graduated from San Bernardino High School. Jimmy was employed…