Mrs. Ophelia A. Newsome
Sunrise: May 31, 1930 Sunset: April 6, 2011
Ophelia A. Newsome was born May 31, 1930, to the union of Rev. Robert A. Austin and Gertrude Jackson Austin in Chicot, Arkansas. She was the oldest of eight children. She was preceded in death by both parents, two brothers, Robert Jr. and Raymond Austin, two sisters, Mamie Lee Austin and O. T. Gray, one son, Ross E. Newsome, a grandson, Jordan C. Newsome, mother-in-law, Flaveila Newsome, brother-in-laws, James Newsome, C. J. Newsome, Levi Cephas and Jay B. Dickens and a sister-in-law, Clotee Cephas.
She received her education in the Eudora, Arkansas Public Schools, graduating in 1951, from East High School.
Ophelia met and married Joe Heath in 1948. To this union one son was born. This marriage was later dissolved. She later met and married Levon Newsome in 1951. Levon also preceded her in death.
She confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and joined Bright Morning Star Baptist Church in Eudora, Arkansas. In 1952, she became a member of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a faithful choir member. Ophelia also expressed her love of singing as a member of the Stars of Faith singing group of Eudora, Arkansas.
Ophelia was employed as a nurse's Assistant at Chicot Memorial Hospital in Lake Village, Arkansas for several years. After relocating to Kansas City in 1973, she joined the Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church where she attended faithfully until her health began to fail. She was employed at the Osteopathic Hospital for several before seeking employment in the insurance industry. She was a licensed agent and manager for Mammoth Life & Accident Insurance Company, before working with Supreme Life Insurance Company. She was a member of Palestine Senior Citizens Activity Center. Ophelia truly enjoyed serving and working with people. She never met a stranger and she lived her life to the fullest.
This earthly life of Ophelia A. Newsome came to a close at 4:03 P.M., Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at John Knox Village House in Lee's Summit, Missouri.
She leaves to forever cherish her memory: three sons, Willie C. Heath (Marilyn) N. Little Rock, AR, Elder James L. Newsome, Sr. (Linda) Kansas City, MO and Robert E. Newsome (Pearlie) Lansing, MI; daughter, Vonnie M. Newsome Ware Kansas City, MO; two brothers, James R. Austin (Leslie) Dermott, AR and Demetrius Austin Denver, CO; two sister, Dorothy Dickens Chicago, IL and Lillie A. Austin; stepmother, Lillie B. Austin both of Eudora, AR; three stepbrothers, Johnny Higgins (Pearline) Garland, TX, Michael Higgins Eudora, AR and Mack Elroy both of Eudora, AR; stepsister, Barbara Ford (Samuel) Garland, TX; brother-in-law, Bobby L. Foster (Irleane) Kansas City, MO; sister-in-law, Gertrude Newsome Oklahoma City, OK; grandchildren, Sheon Mattic, Yolanda M. Ware, James L. Newsome III, Jennifer L. Newsome-Fells, Mont'e Washington, Roshun Dickens, Sara Taylor, Jasmine Washington, Robert E. Newsome, Jr., Rosyln R. Rochell Reliford, Eric Ware, Latasha Rogers, Jamar Bennett and Antonio Bennett and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Services for Mrs. Newsome will be held Friday (today), April 15, 2011, at Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Olin Shurn, Pastor Emertius officiating. Burial in XII Gates Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. until service time Friday at the church.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.
Mr. William B. Bruce
"Beaumont"
Sunrise: November 8, 1948 Sunset: April 9, 2011
William B. Bruce "Beaumont" as he was forever known was the first born child to Lauretta Mae and Mansfield D. B. Bruce in Fort Scott, Kansas. Both parents preceded him in death.
At the age of eight his family relocated to the Leeds/Dunbar Community of greater Kansas City, Missouri area. For the remainder of his journey, "Beaumont" would call Kansas City, Missouri home.
He graduated from Central High School. Later in life he earned an Associate’s Degree in Computer Sciences from Penn Valley Community College. Throughout his life he had involvement and memberships in various organizations, such as The Cub Scouts, The Boys Scouts and his daughter's PTA. William was a lifelong member and a Trustee of Gilbert Memorial A.M.E. Church, at 3700 Topping Avenue Kansas City, Missouri. He worked for McCune Boy's Home, The KCI Airport and the I.R.S. until retirement.
William "Beaumont" Bruce is survived through widow, Beverly Clark Bruce; his only child, Tabatha Loretta Samuel-Bruce from his first marriage to Dian Samuel (deceased); brothers, Sidney C. Bruce, Sr. of Grandview, Missouri and James Bruce of Kansas city, Missouri; sisters, Stella M. Bruce of Kansas City, Missouri, Carolyn O. Parker of Indianapolis, Indiana; one uncle, Mr. Roland Bruce of Fort Scott, Kansas; an aunt, Mrs. Lessie Merriweather of Jackson, TN; his parents-in-law, Joan and William Clark of Kansas City, Missouri and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, god children relatives and friends.
William "Beaumont" Bruce shall be forever memorialized in the hearts and minds of his extended circle of family-friends and friends. Many BLESSINGS......
Services for Mr. Bruce were held Thursday, April 14, 2011, at Gilbert Memorial AME Church with Rev. Brenda J. Smith, Pastor officiating. Cremation.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.
Mr. Carl D. Johnson
"Blue"
Sunrise: July 5, 1961 Sunset: April 7, 2011
Carl D. Johnson was born July 5, 1961, to the union of Walter Johnson and Anna Johnson in Kansas City, Kansas. He was a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area. He was preceded in death by a sister, Rhonda Johnson.
He attended school in the Kansas City Public School District. He was employed as a sales person for Kim's Industries. Carl loved spending time with family and friends.
Mr. Johnson departed this life on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at the home.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Robin Johnson; three sons, Carlos Bennett, Charvez Davis and Cameron Jenkins; three daughters, Carnayla Johnson, Breanna Barr and Keaira Jenkins all of Kansas City, Missouri; his mother, Anna Johnson of Tulsa, OK; father, Walter Johnson; brothers, Walter Johnson, Walter Johnson, Jr., William Johnson, Milton Johnson, Donald Johnson and Anthony Johnson; Verna Sexton (Jackie) and Flora Johnson all of Kansas City, Missouri; mother-in-law, Anna Jenkins; brothers-in-law, Khymiko Jenkins and Vernell Jenkins; sister-in-law, Deborah Jenkins; one grandchild, Darrell Ransburg all of Kansas City, Missouri and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services for Mr. Johnson will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 16, 2011, at E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel North with Rev. Kenneth Ray officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. until service time Saturday at the church.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.
Mrs. Virginia Mae Jacobs
Sunrise: February 19, 1918 Sunset: April 18, 2011
Virginia Mae Jacobs was born to the union of Rubin Tillman and Mary Irving Tillman in El Reno, Oklahoma.
She was preceded in death by both parents, her husband, Walter G. Jacobs, three daughters, Joyce Jacobs, Rosemary Rhode and Sheila A. Johnson, brother, Rubin Tillman, a sister, Zella Rippey, one grandson, Gerald Wiggins and a great-grandson, Lucas Wiggins.
She retired from Lake City Ammunition Plant. Virginia was also employed as a mail carrier for the U. S. Postal Service, a Crossing Guard for the Independence Public School District, the Kansas City Royals Base Ball Club and was the owner of her own Early Childhood Development Day Care. She was Regional Secretary for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the American Legion and president of C.O.R.E. Independence, Missouri Chapter.
Virginia Mae Jacobs departed this life on Monday, April 18, 2011, after a lengthy illness. Her memories will be cherished by her children, Ricky (Jackie), Gregory (Linda), Deborah (Melvin), Lolita, Lawrence (James); sister, Helen and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
Services for Mrs. Jacobs will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 23, 2011, at Second Baptist Church 116 White Oak Street Independence, MO with Pastor Sam Nero, Pastor officiating. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. until service time Saturday at the church.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.
Mr. Robert J. Larry, Jr.
Sunrise: June 24, 1936 Sunset: April 17, 2011
