Philadelphia Tribune - Index

Philadelphia Tribune - Sunday, September 07 2008 - Index

Page 6-D Sunday, September 7, 2008
Donald Black, 86, ‘Mayor of Mt. Airy’
Stephanie Guerilus
Tribune Staff Writer
Donald Melvin Black was committed
to the greater community through his
active participation in a number of civic
organizations, which garnered numerous
awards. He was often referred to as
the “Mayor of Mt. Airy” because it
seemed everyone knew who he was. He
died Aug. 28, 2008.
Donald was born Sept. 26, 1921 to
Roman H. and Rena M. Black in
Philadelphia. Donald was raised in the
Frankford section of Philadelphia and as
a youth was a member of Campbell
African Methodist Episcopal Church
and educated in the Philadelphia school
system.
After high school, Donald was one of
the first Blacks to enlist in the U.S.
Marine Corp and was honorably discharged
in 1944 for medical reasons.
Donald was very proud of his service
with the Marines.
As a young man, he joined Faith
Presbyterian Church, which later
merged with Second Presbyterian
Geraldine Elaine McKissick
ierce had a quick wit and a wonerful
sense of humor, both of
hich made her popular with
amily, friends and acquaintancs.
She was a trusted adviser and
ounding board to many who
new her. She died Aug. 27,
008.
Geraldine was born in Ashville,
.C., on May 27, 1920. She was
he oldest daughter of Ernest
oyce and Magnolia Esther
hompson McKissick.
Geraldine graduated from
tephens Lee High School in
une of 1937 and went on to
raduate from Livingstone
ollege in Salisbury, N.C. As a
tudent, she pledged the Alpha
appa Alpha Sorority.
She began her professional
eaching career in 1943 at the
dmund Emburry School in
ryon, N.C.
Lila E. Neville had many
favorite past times. One of them
was playing cards. Her favorite
card game was pinochle. Up to
the very end, her eyes would
light up if she heard the word
“cards.” She was always looking
for formidable opponents. She
was also a member of the
Eastern Stars. Affectionately
called Mom-Mom by many, she
died Monday, Sept. 1, 2008 in
Salem, N.J. She was 91.
Lila was born in Ridgeway,
S.C., on Oct. 5, 1916, to the
late John and Hariette Nelson.
She was the oldest of 10 children.
As a young woman, Lila
attended Mather Academy in
Camden, S.C. She remained in
Camden until she met and
married her true love. She married
her late husband Harry
Neville in Baltimore, Md., at the
age of 20. She eventually moved
to Philadelphia where she settled
down and made a beautiful
home for her and her husband.
She called Philadelphia home
for close to 70 years. For many
of those years she remained
employed by the city of
Philadelphia as a seamstress.
She also made many friends
and close associates.
Lila leaves behind to cherish
fond memories of her: four
grandchildren, Tyler (Athena),
Derrick, Brett (JoAnne) and
Paul (Evelyn) Johnson; three
great-grandchildren, Jenelle,
LaVon and Malcolm; two sisers,
Arthenia Clark and Bobbie
Louis) Boykins along with a
ost of nieces, nephews, relaives
and friends.
Church to become Germantown
Community United Presbyterian
Church. There he served as a deacon,
elder and a chair of the Building and
Property Committee.
Donald’s first child, Annette, was born
in Johnstown, Pa. In 1954, he met
Vivian Elaine Mack. They married on a
snowy January day in 1955 and moved
to West Mt. Airy. To this union four children
were born. Donald was devoted to
his family and he always had time for his
children and grandchildren. Despite the
distance, Donald, Vivian and Annette’s
mother, Irene, always made sure the
children remained very close, including
spending summers together. In the late
1970s, Donald, along with his brother
Royal and cousin Theodore, founded
“Families United” where he reconnected
with over 150 family members — the
Blacks, Browns, Berry’s, Downses and
Collinses. The group still gathers for
summer picnics, most recently in 2006.
Donald was a long-time employee of
the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and he
retired early from the Naval Air
Propulsion Test Center in Trenton, N.J.
Geraldine met Thomas Waddell
Pierce, a military veteran while
attending Livingstone. They were
married on June 6, 1948, and
lived in New York for a short time
before moving to Philadelphia.
Three daughters were born
from this union.
Gehri, as she liked to be called,
was a creative and dedicated
teacher. She worked for the
Philadelphia school system for 30
years. Gehri touched many
young lives as a special education
teacher.
She believed in the abilities of
her students and she went out of
her way to find or create special
teaching tools to help her students
learn. She was very big on
phonics.
Former students kept in touch
to let her know how they were
doing and she celebrated their
successes along with them.
She was proceeded in death
by her husband, Harry; her
daughter Vivian D. Johnson;
four brothers, William, Thomas,
John and Theodore Nelson; and
three sisters, Norine Stovall,
Margaret Tyus and Pauline
Lenix.
Services will be held Monday,
After his retirement, he worked at the
YWCA of Germantown and Unitarian
Society of Germantown.
Donald was a founding and charter
member of Northwest Victims Services
and served on many boards, including
the West Mt. Airy Neighbors at Mt. Airy
USA and Northwest Interfaith
Movement. He was honored as one of
the 40 Good Neighbors during the 40th
anniversary of WMAN. He was even featured
in a July 1991 article in U.S. News
and World Report, titled “Black and
White in America,” about West Mt. Airy’s
unique diversity.
For several years he was a Democratic
committeeman in the 22nd Ward 7th
division and Westview Street’s Block
Captain. He served as a volunteer on
numerous political campaigns and on
Election Day he shined, making sure
neighbors made it to the polls to vote
and transporting those who encountered
problems to the 14th Police
District to sign affidavits. He was
involved with the Boy Scouts of America
as one of the leaders of Cub Scout Pack
611 at GCPC and Boy Scout Troop 404
Gehri continued her education
by taking master’s level courses
at Temple University, obtaining a
certificate from the commonwealth
of Pennsylvania to teach
special education.
Gehri was a member of the
First Corinthian Baptist Church
in West Philadelphia.
She enjoyed music and played
the piano throughout her life for
church, at events and for her
own enjoyment. She even played
the piano for other residents at
the nursing home where she
lived.
Gehri was open to new ideas
and she enjoyed conversing
about current events, politics,
sports and fashion. Before her
respiratory and mobility problems
restricted her, Gehri could
out shop anyone. She also
enjoyed games and puzzles and
playing pinochle. She was a whiz
Sept. 8, at the Deborah Wilson
Funeral Home, 214 Coulter St.
The viewing will bee from 9 to
11 a.m. The service will start at
11 a.m.
with crossword puzzles and cryptograms
and she always did them
in ink!
Gehri enjoyed variety and
changed her look, or her surroundings,
to suit her mood. As
her health failed, she even found
a way to decorate her walker and
her oxygen tank with fabric or
stickers. She joked through her
pain and talked about “Arthur”
giving her a bad time.
Gehri was proud of her family’s
legacy to contribute to the greater
good through civic leadership,
at Summit Presbyterian Church.
Among some of the other numerous
organizations and activities, he was
involved in were: coaching community
football in Frankford, Big Brothers of
America, Neighborhood Town Watch,
Philadelphia College of Textiles and
Science Advisory Board and past president
of Martin Luther King Jr. High
School Home and School Association.
Donald loved music and the theater.
He had a beautiful and melodious
singing voice. He sang for Campbell
AME Church Jr. Choir, Singing City,
Ebenezer Seventh Day Adventist
Church Choir, Paul Roberts Choir and
GCPC choirs. He could often be found
singing along with his daughters to old
show tunes. He was also a thespian and
participated in theater for social change
as a member of the Full Circle Theater
Company.
Donald loved bike riding, tennis, gardening
and the outdoors. He had a
warm smile and had friendly words for
all who met his acquaintance.
Donald’s health began to decline last
year.
community service and academic
achievement in the fields of education,
law, administration, religion,
counseling, public health,
rehabilitation, human resources
and business. In addition, her
family’s contributions did much
to advance civil rights in this
country.
Those left to celebrate her life
are: three children, Janice Pierce
Kopelman, of Harrisburg, Pa.,
Rosalyn D. Pierce, of Wyndmoor,
Pa., and Erica A. Pierce, of N.Y.;
two grandchildren, Adrienne J.
Donald is survived by: his devoted
and loving Vivian; daughters Annette
Johnson, Donna Lee, Lynda Black and
Melanie Sellers; son Donald Black Jr.;
son-in-law Julian Sellers; daughter-inlaw
Tonya DeVoue-Black; grandchildren
April Johnson, Mario Johnson
(Deidre), Brande Johnson, Brentt
Johnson (Jamonya), Ariane Lee, Nadja
Matthews, Christopher Sellers and
Tyler DeVoue; great-grandchildren
Darryl Johnson, Niani Johnson, Jacob
Johnson, Camren Johnson, Cadence
Johnson; brother Royal M. Black;
brothers-in-law Edward Campbell and
William Bertha; sister-in-law Lorraine
Campbell; nieces, nephews, cousins
and many friends.
Donald was preceded in death by: his
parents, brother Roman Black Jr., and
sisters Rena Evelyn Williams and Grace
Rowe.
Services will be held Friday, Sept. 12,
at Germantown Community
Presbyterian Church, 6141 Greene St,
Philadelphia. It will start at 11 a.m.
Bruce Hawkins Funeral Home handled
the arrangements.
Geraldine Pierce, 88, dedicated teacher
Lila E. Neville, 91, game lover
Lila E. Neville
Obituaries compiled by
Stephanie Guerilus
Clark and Jason J. T. Clark, of
Philadelphia; step-grandson,
Jesse Kopelman, of Virgian; sonin-law
Jerry Kopelman; younger
sister, Jean McNeill, of North
Carolina; and beloved nieces,
nephews and cousins.
Gehri was preceded in death by
her sister Frances and her brother
Floyd.
Services will be held Saturday,
Sept. 6, at Bruce Hawkins
Funeral Home, 6826 Old York
Road. The service will start at 11
a.m.
DEATH NOTICES
ADAMS, Gradies F. Viewing Wed.,
9/10/08, 9AM, Yarborough & Rocke Funeral
Home, 1001 N. 63rd St. Service
11AM. Int. Fernwood Cem.
BENJAMIN, Donte. Viewing Tues.,
9/9/08, 10AM, Greater St. Mark Tabernacle
N.D.C., 1520 N. Marshall St. Service 11AM
Int. Merion Memorial Park. Arr. Turay Memorial
Funeral Chapel.
CARTER, JR., George. Viewing
Mon., 9/8/08, 10AM, G. Choice Funeral
Chapel, Inc., 2530 N. Broad St. Service
11AM. Int. Mt. Peace Cem.
CHEESEBORO, Kent. Viewing
Tues., 9/9/08, 9AM, Mother Bethel AME,
6th & Lombard. Service 11AM. Int. Merion
Cem. Arr. Savin Funeral Home.
JONES, Pearl. Viewing Mon., 9/8/08,
10AM, James L. Morse Funeral Home,
Inc., 4000 Haverford Ave. Service 11AM
Int. Merion Cem.
MARTIN, George L. Viewing Mon.,
9/8/08, 9AM, Greater St. Matthew Ind
Church, 56th & Race St. Int. Fernwood
Arr. Julian V. Hawkins Funeral Home.
NICHOLSON, Terrell. Viewing
Mon., 9/8/08, 9:30AM, Savin Funeral
Home, 802 N. 12th St. Service 11AM. Int
Chelten Hills Cem.
REAVIS, Laura. Viewing Wed.,
9/10/08, 9AM, Julian V. Hawkins Funeral
Home, 5306 Haverford Ave. Service
10:30AM. Int. Rolling Green Cem.
SHERARD, Inez M. Viewing Mon.,
9/8/08, Camphor United Methodist Church,
56th & Wyalusing Ave. Service 10AM. Int
Mt. Lawn Cem. Arr. Waller-Robinson Gray
Funeral Home.
SMITH, Martha D. Viewing Tues.,
9/9/08, 9AM, Oak Grove Baptist Church,
21st & Cambria St. Service 10AM. Int
Northwood Cem.
TEMPLE, Raymond Tyrone. Viewing
Mon., 9/8/08, 10AM, Cannon Baptist
Church, 5430 Pulaski Ave. Service 11AM
Int. White Chapel Cem.
THOMAS, Samir R. Viewing Tues.,
9/9/08, 9:30AM, Savin Funeral Home,
802 N. 12th St. Service 11AM. Int. Greenmount
Cem.
UNGERER, Donald. Military Buria
was held Fri., 9/5/08, 9AM at Indiantown
Gap National Cem. Arr. Ervina White
Beauford Funeral Services.
WHITE, Mattie Small. Viewing Tues.,
9/9/08, 10AM, Vernon Baptist Church,
11th & Lehigh Ave. Service 11AM. Int. Ivy
Hill Cem. Arr. Baker Funeral Home.
W I L L I A M S ,
Ralph B. Passed Sept.
2, 2008. Survivors include
a host of relatives
and friends. Funeral
Service will be held on
Mon., Sept. 8, 2008,
6pm (Viewing: 5-6PM)
at Terry Funeral Home
M e m o r i a l C h a p e l ,
4203-05 Haverford Ave., Phila., PA. Int
Private www.terryfuneralhome.com