Mrs. Hattie Bernell Farmer
"Shug"
Sunrise: October 22, 1922 Sunset: June 2, 2011
Hattie Mae Bernell Franklin was born October 22, 1922, in Monticello, Arkansas to the union of A. L. and Emma Franklin. She attended public school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her family later relocated to Kansas City, Missouri where she graduated from Lincoln High School in 1941 and attended Junior College. There were three children to this union.
Saundra Bernell married William Farmer in 1950. There were three children to this union, Saundra “Tedge” Farmer, William “Pops” Farmer, Jr. and Karen “Lil Girl” Farmer. Her husband and a stepdaughter, Audrey Newton preceded her in death.
After accepting Christ at a young age, she became an active member of St. Paul Presbyterian Church. While there she served as the Youth Choir Director, and Youth Fellowship coordinator. After receiving a profound message from the Lord, she placed her membership with Sheffield Family Life Center, where she volunteered with “Keenagers” and was a positive example for the youth. She led many to Christ through her message, involvement and commitment. She was a volunteer in Prison Ministry for over ten years for residents of the Jackson County Department of Corrections.
Bernell “Mrs. B.” to most, worked for over 60 years in several capacities such as: a beautician, operator at Western Electric/AT&T, culinary concepts in Crown Center and Durham School Bus Company. She loved to travel with her closet friends, while making sure she visited her daughter in California often. She possessed a passion for music, singing, swimming, gardening and walking. She also enjoyed visiting Palestine Senior Citizens Activity Center and various community events. She was loved by all and known for her beautiful smile, generosity, kind heart and passion for life. One of her favorite quotes was “I’m too blessed to be depressed!”
She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Saundra Farmer, of California, William Farmer, Jr. (Tonya) and Karen Farmer (Darrick Shelton); grandchildren, Renita Shelton, Dainelle Nelson (DeJay) and Brian Tucker (Lynette and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Services for Mrs. Farmer were held Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at Sheffield Family Life Center. Burial Forest Hill Cemetery.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.
Mrs. Linda J. Neal
Sunrise: August 7, 1950 Sunset: June 5, 2011
Linda Neal was born August 17, 1950, to the union of Obus Grainger and Ophelia Minnis Grainger in Portageville, Missouri. She was preceded in death by both parents and a brother.
She attended Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri. Linda confessed a hope in Christ at an early age. She was a faithful member of Paseo Baptist Church where she served on the hospitality committee. She was employed for several years as a Home Health Aide. She enjoyed watching movies, shopping and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory: one son, Benjamin Neal; two daughters, Sandra Hoskins (Antonio) and Malinda Neal all of Kansas City, Missouri; brother, Donald Grainger; three sisters, Marceline Smith of Oklahoma, Sharon Kimbrough of Olathe, Kansas and Karla Smith of Kansas City, Missouri; three aunts, Priscilla Breaux of Kansas City, Missouri and Gloria Grainger of St. Louis, Missouri; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Services for Mrs. Neal will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 11, 2011, at Paseo Baptist Church with pastor Gregory E. Ealey officiating. Burial in Brooking Cemetery.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.
Mr. Gerald L. Rice, Sr.
Sunrise: February 28, 1980 Sunset: June 9, 2011
Gerald LaVaughn Rice, Sr. was born February 28, 1980, in Kansas City, Kansas as the youngest child to O’Dell and Ruby Rice.
Gerald gave his life to Christ at an early age. He joined Palestine Missionary Baptist Church when he was eight.
Gerald was educated in the Hickman Mills School District. He was an active youth who was engaged in various activities some of which include; boy scouts, choir, band, baseball, and football. Not only did he excel in sports, he was also an academic scholar. Some of his scholarly achievements include The Old Timers award and many science fair competitions. He graduated with his high school diploma from De LaSalle Educational Center in 1998.
Gerald went on to further his education by attending Vatterott Career College graduating in 2004, obtaining his associates degree in Business Administration. He also received his certificate in Electrical Engineering during that same year.
On August 28, 2008, he exchanged vows with his beloved wife, Bridget. Gerald was a very devoted family oriented man. He spent every weekend with his mother, his sister, Felicia, his children and nieces while waiting for his wife to get off work. He continued to remain a loving and protective husband, father, and family man until his death. Gerald will be remembered most by his kind and loyal spirit along with his punchy sense of humor.
Preceding him in death are his brother, Timothy William Rice; paternal grandparents, O’Dell and Agnes Rice and maternal grandparents, Reverend Bennie and Lorinza Smith.
Gerald departed from his earthly home on June 9, 2011, with his wife and his family by his side. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife, Bridget, his children Gabriel, Sylvester, Daishana, Breah, and Gerald Jr.; his loving and committed parents, Dell and Ruby Rice; his brother, Dell Rice and sisters, LaVenia and Felicia Rice along with many family and friends.
Services for Mr. Rice will be held 11:00 A. M. Friday, (Today) June 17, 2011, at Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ with Pastor Leonard P. Butler, Jr. officiating. Burial in Forest Hill Cemetery.
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.
Mrs. Lillian Shelton White
Sunrise: January 5, 1931 Sunset: June 9, 2011
Both parents, one brother, one sister, Roosevelt Sr. (husband), Mitchell (son), and Deloise (daughter), preceded her in death.
Lillian spent her formative years of life receiving a portion of her education in West Point. At the age of twelve, she confessed Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in her hometown. Lillian Shelton and Roosevelt White Sr. were united in marriage on May 16, 1948, and to this union five children were born. The couple later moved to Kansas City, MO.
In 1951, to seek gainful employment and Sister White sought to advance her formal education by attending Central High School. On Easter Sunday, 1953, Sister Lillian united with Friendship Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Dr. I. H. Henderson, Jr. when the church was located on 15th Street.
Sister White worked hard to help support her family in various industries such as Sum–R Spice Company, Central Mill, and ultimately retiring from Kingswood Manor in 2002. She continued to work parttime at the 24th St. Laundromat, even though her health had begun to fail. She was equally as active in Christian endeavors: attending Class #8 in Sunday School; serving on usher board #1; working in the Women’s Missionary Union/Ruth-Naomi Circle; and served in the Joseph Sheepfold under Deacon Henry Dixon. She served faithfully with the New Era District Ushers Association, Missouri State and National Baptist Convention Usher Units. She eagerly share her joy of having been crowned “Queen” for her efforts and dedication in the National Baptist Convention, USA., INC. Recognition was given to her for having served more than 30 years with the Usher’s ministry.
She leaves to cherish her memories three sons: Roosevelt, Jr., Willie White, Sr., and Raymond White; eleven grandchildren; two brothers, Lamar Shelton of the City, and Nathan Shelton of St. Louis, MO and a host of great-grand children, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Services for Mrs. White will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 18, 2011, at Friendship Baptist Church (A Congregation of Jesus Christ) with Rev. James A. Terrance, Jr., pastor officiating. Burial in Forest Hill 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. Curtis Jackson
Sunrise: November 13, 1934 Sunset: June 10, 2011
Curtis C. Jackson was born to Lillie Jackson in Richmond, Virginia November 13, 1934, the second of two children. Both his mother and brother preceded him in death.
Curtis enlisted and served his country in the Unites States Marine Corp. Serving in the Korean War during his tour of duty and received an honorable discharge. He remained active in the Wayne Minor Post 149.
He married Annie Mae Johnson and to this union two sons were born Curtis Jackson Jr. and Michael Jackson.
Curtis relocated to Kansas City where he united with the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. There he served faithfully until the time of his transition. Curtis had a beautiful voice and sang with the mass choir and the male chorus of the church. He also loved Sunday School and was a member of Sunday School class #1. While attending Mt. Zion, Curtis met and married Pinky Hull who also preceded him in death.
Curtis began a career at the Sunshine Biscuit Company before finding his passion as a cook, working at several area restaurants before retiring from the First National/Boatmen's Bank of Kansas City.
Curtis met and was united in matrimony to Augustine Thomas on July 17, 2005. They loved to travel and were members of The Well Seasoned Seniors Group and the Golden Eagle Family.
Curtis leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Augustine Jackson of the home; two sons, Curtis Jackson, Jr. and Michael Jackson (Shirley) both of Louisiana; the Hull and Irving families; members of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services for Mr. Jackson were held Wednesday, June 15, 2011, at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Kansas City, KS with Rev. C. L. Bachus, pastor officiating. Burial in Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.
Mrs. Gloria McShann Blue
Sunrise: August 11, 1929 Sunset: June 11, 2011
On August 11, 1929, in the farming community of Larned, KS, Gloria Jean Bradshaw was the second of five children born to Levi and Hazel Pulley Bradshaw. She graduated from Larned High School. Gloria completed her nurse’s training at the National Institute of Nursing in Chicago., IL; she went on and earned a B.A. from William’s College, San Pedro, CA. In 1960, she graduated from the University of Kansas (KU) School of Radiology. In addition, she earned a Masters degree from the University of Central Missouri in Medical Sociology and a Certificate in Health Ministry from Avila University, under the supervision of Rev. Raymond Handy.
Gloria stated that “medicine was number one in her life.” She began her medical career as a Charge Nurse at Gleason Hospital in Larned. She continued her career at KU Medical Center as a Radiological Technologist, retiring as the supervisor and instructor for the medical center’s surgical and portable radiology department. Under Dr. Charles Brackett, Gloria did research in Parkinson’s disease, coauthoring two published articles.
She had one daughter and best friend, Virginia L. “Dixie” Kissam Henderson, a grandson, Steven K. Mitchell and a son-in-law, Emery L. “Spanky” Henderson.
In 1999, after both being widowed, Gloria and Lester E. Blue Sr. wed. Gloria McShann Blue always said that she “gained a son,” Lester E. Blue Jr., Ph.D.
In 1959, Gloria joined Allen Chapel AME Church, where she served on the Steward Board for over 30 years; in addition, she said she was involved in almost every auxiliary except the choir and Trustee board. She was a cofounder and charter member of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church. Gloria was proud to note that her name is on that church’s cornerstone. In 1997, she rejoined Allen Chapel.
Gloria was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) and Alpha Pi Chi Sorority. She was a chaplain in the Gideon Society Auxiliary, giving Bibles to hundreds of nursing graduates every year. She was a Life member of the VFW Auxiliary and a member of the Urban League Guild and its Quarter Century Club. Through the Guild she helped set-up the Teenage Pregnancy program. In 1991, she received the Difference Maker Award. In honor of the first African American filmmaker, Oscar Micheaux, she helped to establish a scholarship at Barton County Community College.
Being a very proud KU alumna, she was a charter member of the Jayhawk Society and the Elizabeth Watkins Endowment, a member of KU Black Alumni, the Allied Health Steering Committee and an advisory board member of KU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Gloria passed away at St. Luke’s Medical Center Lee’s Summit on June 11, 2011. She was predeceased by her parents, Levi H. and Hazel E. Bradshaw, and a half-brother, Robert Anderson. She is survived by her husband, Lester E. Blue Sr. of Independence, MO; daughter, Virginia L. “Dixie” Henderson of Parkville, MO, Grandson, Steven K. Mitchell of Kansas City, MO, “son”, Lester E. Blue, Jr., Ph.D. of Kansas City; two sisters, Thelma R. Young of Lawndale, CA and Ardythe Bradshaw Brown of Kansas City, and two brothers, Gerald H. (Wilma) Bradshaw of Colorado Springs, CO, Dennis N. (Martha) Bradshaw of Denver, CO; sister-in-law, Dorothy Anderson of Leavenworth, KS and many nieces, nephews, special friends, godchildren and “grandchildren”.
Services for Mrs. Blue were held Wednesday, June 15, 2011, Allen Chapel AME Church with Pastor Clinton Stancil officiating. Burial in Mt. Moriah Cemetery.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.