THE JOURNEY OF LILLIE L. COLSTON           I, Lillie LuCretia Colston was born on June 14, 1932, in Bertie County, North Carolina.  I was born to the late Charlie James Wilson and Arrington Bunch Wilson.  They were two God fearing parents and made sure we were raised up to be God fearing children.  I was the 9th child born to that union.  I had to go to Sunday...

Rayford James Sanders, affectionately known as “Ray Ray” or “Uncle Ray” entered into eternal rest peacefully at INOVA Hospital on Monday, May 24th, 2021.  Rayford was born to Grady Sanders, Sr. and Lillie Wigfall Sanders on February 13, 1966 in Washington, DC.  Rayford was the youngest of seven siblings.   Rayford was educated and resided in the Washington, DC area for the majority of his life until more recent years when he settled in Arlington,...

Carl E Bumbry Jr was born on February 20, 1945 to Carl E Bumbry, Sr and Mary Elizabeth Cox.  He married Emma V Bumbry and had two children, Danita Renee Roy and Mark Anthony Bumbry.  He also leaves behind one sister Carolyn Fraley and a host of grandchildren.

Charlotte Anita Dortch Spires was born in Farmville, Virginia on July 18th, 1958 to parents Charles William and Pinkie Goode Dortch, along with her twin brother Charles Dortch, Jr. She was raised in South Hill and Mecklenburg County, VA. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Union Level, VA. From her early childhood, Charlotte only wanted to be a veterinarian. She stayed with and achieved that goal. She attended John Groom Elementary, and after desegregation,...

Delesta G. Cross, 96, of Washington, DC, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2021.  She was born in Corapeake, NC Oct. 15, 1924, the youngest of seven children, to Rev. Elijah Harris Griffin and Mary Etta Parker Griffin. As the daughter of a preacher, she grew up and participated in many church activities.  She excelled at public speaking and sang in the choir. After graduating from Gates County High School in 1941, Delesta attended Hampton Institute in Hampton, VA and graduated...

Alma Yvonne “Cookie” Sydnor, a native Washingtonian, the first child of the late Boyd C. Barnett, Sr. and Vernon Barnett quietly and peacefully slipped away to be with the Lord on Friday, May 14, 2021. She transitioned to eternity at Howard University Hospital with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her father Boyd C. Barnett, Sr., her brother Boyd C. Barnett, Jr, and sister Mabel T. Chaplin. Cookie as she was called by almost all that knew her, was born on...

Jacqueline Lennette Scott Crowder, age 89, of Silver Spring, MD, passed away on May 15, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.   She was educated in the public school system of Maryland and the District of Columbia, achieving outstanding scholastic awards. After high school, she became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Miner Teachers College in 1965 and went on to earn a Master of Teaching from Trinity College in 1971, and a Bachelor of Science...

Saunders Ritson Elcock was born in Caroni, Trinidad on November 24, 1945 to Mildred and Ritson Elcock. He is survived by his children Darrell Elcock and Leslin Elcock and also by his siblings Jackie Elcock, Laurel Baird, Ruth Elcock, Eugene Elcock, Anderson Elcock, and the late Greta Elcock and Cynthia Elcock. Saunders had a deep relationship with his late mother which allowed her to have a good rapport with her son, and was able to have a positive influence him. She encouraged him to doing...