Elder Lilbon H. Clark, Jr.
Sunrise: September 18, 1931 Sunset: November 7, 2009
Lilbon one of six children and the only son, born to Susie Belle and Lilbon H. Clark, Sr. was born September 18, 1931, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by both parents, his wife of over 59 years Piccola Christine Clark, one daughter, Piccola Yvonne Davis, Los Angeles, California, and one sister, Lada Nadine Witcher, Los Angeles, California.
He was educated in the Kansas City School District and graduated in the top of his class from R. T. Coles High School in 1948, as the highest ranking ROTC officer in the city.
After graduation, he worked at the Brockett Cement Company, and then at the Missouri National Guard Armory. At the recommendation of his Colonel, Lilbon was later hired at the U. S. Postal Service where he retired after 37 years of service. Lilbon received 7 promotions throughout his postal career and retired from the position of Manager, Delivery and Retail Programs for the Kansas City District.
Besides his postal career, Elder Clark was called into the ministry. He served for 25 years as Assistant Pastor at his father’s church, Martin Temple Church of God in Christ in Kansas City, MO. He was the Founding Pastor of the Phillipian Church of God in Christ in Independence, MO until in 1981, when he was installed as pastor of Wright Memorial Church of God in Christ where he served until incapacitated by illness in 2006. For 30 years he served as the State Secretary Treasurer for Western Missouri Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ, and was the first appointed Administrative Assistant to Bishop E. Harris Moore, 2nd Jurisdictional Prelate Western Missouri. He was also appointed the 2nd Youth President of the Western Missouri Jurisdiction, and served in this capacity for over 30 years.
As a young family man, Lilbon volunteered for over eleven years at the 39th Street Boys Club, and worked as the Game Room Counselor, and the football, baseball, and basketball coach. He loved to sing and was a skillful musician of the piano, organ, trombone, and guitar. He also loved to hunt and fish, but none surpassed his love of Bible study and research.
Lilbon Henry Clark, Jr. was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at the Carmel Hills Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, in Independence, MO.
He is survived by: his wife, Dorriss F. Clark; sons, Lilbon (Francis) Clark, III, Laurence (Linda) Clark, Mark (Jacquetta) Lyman, and Marvin (Charlette) Lyman; daughter, Sandra (Roy) Boykins; sisters, Eugetta Harris, Hercules, California, Wynona Timmons, Rio Vista, California, LaVergne Williams, Los Angeles, California, and Arminta Thomas, Carson, California; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, extended family and friends.
Services for Elder Clark will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday (today), November 13, 2009, at Beth Judah Ministries with Bishop Frank Douglas, Jr., pastor, 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.
Mr. Rufus Johnson
Sunrise: January 15, 1923 Sunset: November 12, 2009
Rufus Johnson, Sr. of Kansas City, MO. passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 12, 2009, at Johnson County Care Center in Warrensburg, MO. He was born and educated in Mississippi. He served his country in the services of the U. S. Army. Rufus retired from Swift and Company Packing House and spent his leisure playing dominos and visiting friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Georgia Johnson, his loving wife of 49 years, Clara Johnson, son Rufus Johnson, Jr., and brother, Clarence Johnson.
He is survived by his children, Doris J. Haynes of Fort Worth, TX.; Charles E. Johnson and Linda Pointer, Kansas City MO; Fay Peterson, Colton, CA. and Dwain Johnson, Warrensburg, MO. a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, extended family and friends.
Services for Mr. Johnson will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday (today) November 20, 2009, at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Kansas City, Kansas with Dr. D. D. Miller, pastor, officiating. Burial in Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS. Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until service time Friday at the church.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Three Rivers Hospice and their very caring and loving staff.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.
Mr. Tilton Cage, Jr.
Sunrise: January 16, 1924 Sunset: November 11, 2009
Tilton Cage Jr. was born January 16, 1924, in Okmulgee, OK the youngest of four children born to Tilton Cage and Willie Mae Penn Cage. He was preceded in death by both parents, brother and two sisters.
He was educated in Okmulgee school system as well as daily country living, experiences and expectations of his parents. At a young age, Tilton accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized down by the riverside. He rededicated his life to Christ in 1994, at St. Peter’s AME Zion Church under the leadership of his son, Pastor Thomas Cage. He worked in a tent factory in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He married Gladys Katherine McElwee of Sapulpa, OK in 1945. They resided in Okmulgee for five years raising two nieces, Lucille White and Lois Murphy and later two sons, Thomas and Kenneth.
After relocating to Kansas, Tilton worked for Frisco Railroad (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) as a laborer for thirty two years before retiring. Many knew that Tilton was an avid walker, walking from Paola, KS to his home in Kansas City, KS and to Union Station in Kansas City, MO from his home at 201 Greeley in Kansas City, KS. To get his check so his family would be cared for. At the age of 83, the family finally retired is walking shoes with a fight.
Tilton Cage Jr. departed his earthly journey on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, KS.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 64 years, Gladys K.; five sons, Thomas (Kaye), Kenneth (Gina), John Willard all of Kansas City, KS, Preston of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Andrew (Constance); three daughters, Eva Renee (Marlyn), Connie (David) and Teresa (Michael) all of Kansas City, KS; twenty six grandchildren; thirty four great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Services for Mr. Cage will be held 12:00 Noon Saturday, November 21, 2009, at Metropolitan AME Zion Church Rev. Michael Murray pastor with Rev. Thomas Cage, son officiating. Burial in Chapel Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until service time Saturday at the church.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.
Mr. John Wesley Stigger, Sr.
Sunrise: February 25, 1928 Sunset: November 14, 2009
John Wesley Stigger, Sr. was born February 25, 1928, to Booker T. Stigger and Ida Mae Stigger. He was the second of eleven children. He was preceded in death by both parents, his wife, stepson, stepdaughter and two brothers.
He received Christ at a very early age and rededicated his life to Christ in 2007. John attended Emmanuel School in Crockett Bluff, Arkansas. He worked twenty five years for Grant Reneee & Sons Construction Company at 19th and Vine Street in Kansas City, Missouri until his health failed.
At 7:25 P. M. on Saturday, November 14, 2009, with his daughter by his side with his last one final tear, the Angels came to put his body to rest and take his soul home to be with his Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ.
He leaves to mourn his homegoing: his daughter, Jacquelyn (James) Spencer; son, John (Treva) Stigger, Jr. both of Kansas City, Missouri; adopted daughter, Alice Hayes; adopted son, Sylvester Hayes; stepdaughter, Anita Martin; stepson, Robert Peeler all of Los Angeles, California; brothers, Siree Stigger of Kansas City, Missouri, Elmer Stigger, Ozzo Stigger and Sterling Stigger all of Stuttgart, Arkansas; sisters, Alice Hatch and Ida Mae Henderson both of Kansas City, Missouri, Minnie Carter and Della Ackles of Stuttgart, Arkansas; special niece, Verda Michelle Parker of Kansas City, Missouri; seven grandchildren; fourteengreat-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Services for Mr. Stigger will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 21, 2009, E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel North with Rev. Kevin Jerls pastor of Northland Abundant Life Worship Center officiating. Burial Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 8:00 A.M. until service time Saturday at the chapel.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.
Mrs. Odessa H. Brown
Sunrise: June 3, 1929 Sunset: November 21, 2009
Mrs. Odessa Hodge Brown was born to Wilbur Hodge and Minnie Hodge on June 3, 1929, in Panola County, Texas.
Odessa in her late teens left Texas with her Husband William C. Brown who was looking for a better opportunity they both arrived in Kansas City, Missouri. To this Union Seven Children were born.
Odessa worked as a Nurse Aide in the old Children’s Mercy Hospital for several years, retiring early to raise her children at home. She was a devoted Baptist and loved the Lord.
She departed this life, Saturday November 21, 2009, at the Kansas City Hospice House after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Brown Sr. both of her parents and her sister, Calene Tucker.
She leaves to cherish her memory; her sisters, Doletta Pipkens of Fort Worth, TX; Lavelle Hunter of Henderson, TX; Clementeen Paige of Nacogdoches, TX; and her Children, Patricia Mooney (Adolphus) of Lee’s Summit, MO, William Brown Jr. of Kansas City, MO, Marshall Brown Sr. (Linda) of Independence, MO, Donald Brown of Kansas City, MO., Ronald Keith Brown of Kansas City, MO, Elaine Tammy Moore of Kansas City, KS; Lee Brown and Douglas Perkins of Kansas City, MO who was like a son; grandchildren, Danielle (Brian), Marquetta, Jamila, Frances, April, Rainna, Marshall Jr., Moniece, Patrick, Kaylan, Kerenza, Don Jr., Demetrius, Dominick; sixteen great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services for Mrs. Brown will be held 11:00A.M. Saturday, November 28, 2009, at New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church 2701 E. 43rd Street, Kansas City, Missouri. Rev. James Howard, Sr. pastor with Bishop Alfred L. Williams 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.
Ms. LaToya Fay Whitebear
Sunrise: June 1, 1981 Sunset: November 19, 2009
LaToya Fay Whitebear was born June 1, 1981, in Kansas City, Missouri to James L. Belcher and Queen Ester Blackmon. She was the youngest of six children born to Queen Esther. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Freddie Blackmon and Laura Faye Blackmon; two sisters, Erica West and Alisandra Davis.
LaToya attended school in the Greater Kansas City Area. She enjoyed cooking and eating. Plus, LaToya loved to laugh, smile and tell jokes. She enjoyed life.
Ms. Whitebear departed this earthly life on Thursday, November 19, 2009, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
She leaves to cherish her memory: one son, Christopher Leonard Carter of the home; father, James L. (Gwen) Belcher of Kansas City, Kansas; mother, Queen E. West; step father, Royce Turner; two brothers, Alexander G. (Latreska) West II and Anthony McGee-West all of Kansas City, Missouri; two sisters, Zandria West of Columbia, Missouri and Vernice J. Belcher of Kansas City, Kansas; step brothers, Christopher West and Walker West of Kansas City, Missouri; stepsister, Alexandria West; god brother, Byron Fowler of Lawrence, Kansas; two god sisters, Lanita Davis and Karen Fowler of Kansas City, Missouri; grandparents Elder Fred (H. Kristine) Parker; special friend, Prunie and a host of aunts, uncles, cousin, relatives and friends.
Services for Ms. Whitebear will be held 12:00 Noon Saturday, November 28, 2009, at Wabash Avenue Church of God Rev. Algerone Baker pastor with Rev. Dwight Finnell Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church Warrensburg, Missouri officiating. Burial in XII Gates Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until service time Saturday at the church.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL NORTH.