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Page 50 March 2003 The AC Phoenix “A Passage Home” AC Phoenix Obituaries 3RuasjII« Bratton, Reuben Crockett Mr. Reuben Crockett Bratton, 74, of 3065 Bainbridge Drive passed away Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, at his residence following a period of illness. He was born Feb. 9,1929, in Winston-Salem, the son of the late Robert and Ola Bratton. He was a graduate of Atkins High School, class of 1947 and attended Winston-Salem Teachers College (WSSU). He was a retired employee of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Bratton, and a brother, Johnny Bratton. He is survived by a loving and devoted wife, Annie Mae Thomas Bratton of the home; two daughters, Michelle Bratton of Winston-Salem and Delaine Brown of East Orange, N.J.: two sons, Reuben (Vanessa) Bratton Jr. of Winston-Salem and Donald (Iris) Bratton of Greensboro; nine grandchildren, Katherine B. (Ray) Agnew of Chesterfield, Mo.; Marguerite B. (Henry). Murden, Lakisha S. Bratton, Dawn M. Bratton, Janava J. Price, Fredrina Pinkney and Anthony Miller, all of Winston-Salem, Donna N. Bratton of Charlotte and Kisha Diaab of East Orange, N.J.: five great-grandchildren, Ray III, Malcolm and Keenan, all of Chesterfield, Mo. and Henry and Riana Murden; his mother-in- law. Mrs. Jessie Neal; an aunt, Mrs. Ora Mae Rich; two devoted friends, Robert Jackson and Robert Witherspoon, both of Winston-Salem; and a host of other relatives and friends. The funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, at Mount Zion Baptist Church with Dr. Serenus T. Chum Sr. officiating. Russell Funeral Directors were in charge of services and arrangements. Brown, Nancy Myrtle Ellis Mrs. Nancy Myrtle Ellis Brown, the wife of the late Jessie Brown departed this life Feb. 9, 2003. She was born July 11, 1907, in Anderson, S.C., and resided there until moving to Winston- Salem. She was a Gold Star Member of First Baptist Church, where she was a faithful and dedicated member serving in the Choral Club, Home and Foreign Missionary Circle and Church School for many years. Singing was a joy to her soul. Mrs. Brown was employed by the Sosnik family of Winston-Salem for all of her employed years. She leaves to cherish her memory a sister, Mrs. Catherine Harris of Chicago, III.; a brother, the Rev. Larry Ellis of Salisbury; a nephew, Curtis Ellis of New Mexico; two nieces, Mrs. Evelyn Hawkins Simmons and Mrs. Norma Cherry Wright (Barnard), all of Winston-Salem; and a host of other relatives and friends. The funeral service was held at noon Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Wendell A. Johnson officiating. (Russell) Buford Jr., Fred Douglas Fred Douglas Buford Jr. died Sunday, Feb. 23 2003, in Winston- Salem. He was born Dec. 18, 1959, in Newark, N.J., to Evelyn Geter Buford and the late Fred Douglas Buford Sr. He was a 1978 graduate of Weequahic High School in Newark,’ N.J. He honorably served his country for eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps (Transportation Unit), earning the rank of sergeant. He was most recently employed with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system, and was formerly employed as a driver for the Piedmont Coach Lines and USA Coach. He joined the fellowship of Mount Zion Baptist Church under the pastorate of S. T. Churn Sr., and was a member of the Inspirational Choir. His prior religious affiliation was with Grace Presbyterian Church, where he also enjoyed membership in the church choir. His social and civic involvement in the community included memberships in the Ionic Lodge No. 72, Sethos Temple No. 170, TIU. He was also a past patron of Beauty of the West OES and former member of The Winston-Salem Sportsmen Club. He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Douglas Buford Sr.; and a sister, Mary Rogers. He is survived by his wife, Sharon J. Buford, of the home; a son, Taurean Buford of Decatur, Ga; his mother, Evelyn Geter Buford of Hickory; two sisters, Winifred Hatcher (Richard) of Vineland, N.J., and Sherry Ford (Wayne) of Glassboro, N.J.; a brother, Kendall Buford (Regina) of Hickory; his mother-in-law, Malissa D. Johnson of Winston-Salem; a brother-in-law, George H. Johnson Jr. of Winston-Salem; two sisters-in-law, Audrey J. Davis (Melvin). and Mary Springs (Harold) of Winston-Salem; three goddaughters, Lauren Bradsher of Midway, and Brandi Glenn and Asia Parker of Winston-Salem; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Mount Zion Baptist Church with Dr. Serenus T. Churn officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Tbe family will receive friends at the File-Goodwin Center from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Thursday. (Russell) Byers, Maurice Orlando Mr. Maurice Orlando Byers, 42, of 1918 Kentucky Ave. passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, at the Forsyth Medical Center. He was bom to the late Amos Byere Jr. and Ella Mae Byers on May 1, 1960, in Winston-Salem. He was a 1979 graduate of Parkland High School. Mr. Byers was employed with Adele Knits and was a former member of Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he accepted Christ at an early age. He was a faithful member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, where he served on the usher board, Bible study and other duties of the church. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ozzie Johnson. He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Mrs. Vanessa H. Byers of Atlanta, Ga.; a son. Dr. Prophet Marcus 0. Barr of Winston-Salem; two stepchildren, Ms. Temeka Abbott and Mr. Edward Abbott Jr., both of Winston-Salem; two sisters, Ms. Gwendolyn Byers and Ms. Aretha Byers, both of Winston-Salem; four brothers, Mr. Rodney (Stacey) Byers Sr., Mr. Vernon (Esthelita) Byers, Mr. Edward Byers, and Mr. Tony Ray Crosby, all of Winston-Salem; a devot ed special friend, Ms. LeDell Cooper; four aunts, Mrs. Mentoria Miller of Winston-Salem; Ms. Tecora Byers of New York, N.Y., Ms. Virginia Byers of Winter Park, Fla., and Mrs. Wilhemenia Byers of Winston-Salem; a great-aunt, Mrs. Eron Smith of Winston-Salem; an uncle, Mr. Earl (Patricia) Byers of Winston-Salem; a great- uncle, Mr. George Smith of Gaffney, S.C.; a spiritual father and mother, Mr and Mrs. Elgent Cooper of Winston-Salem; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral services were held on Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, at 1 p.m. at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church with Dr. A.T. Griffey III officiating. (Russell). Claggett, Phyllis Ann Joyner Mrs. Phyllis Ann Joyner Claggett, 68, of 5148 Britt Dr. passed away on Friday, Jan. 31,2003, at the Forsyth Medical Center. She was born on Feb. 6,1934, in Winston-Salem, the daughter of the late Essie and Samuel R. Joyner. Phyllis was a retired employee of the Oaks Retirement Center and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Samuel Joyner, Herbert Joyner and James Charles Joyner. She is sur vived by her loving children, a daughter, Sharon Claggett, of Winston-Salem and five sons, Karl (Donna) Claggett, Michael Claggett, Howard (Beverly) Claggett and Eric Claggett, all of Winston-Salem, and Derrick (Sharon) Claggett of Martinsville, Va.; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred Kirkland and Barbara Carson, both of Winston-Salem; two brothers, Frank Joyner and Douglas Joyner, both of Winston- Salem; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, at the chapel of Russell Funeral Home, with the Rev. Thomas White officiating. (Russell) Cook, Annie Riley Mrs. Annie Riley Cook, 87, of 5755 Shattalon Drive passed away Sunday, Feb. 16, 2003, at Forsyth Medical Center. She was a native of Winnsboro, S.C., born Jan. 28, 1916, to Fleming and Minnie Jackson Riley. She had resided in Winston-Salem for most of her life. She was a devoted homemaker and member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses-East Congregation. Surviving are two sisters, Marie Washington and Dorothy Riley; three grandchildren, Ferdinand Cook, Reginald Cook and Genene “Eugene” Baker; five great-grandchildren, Ta-Shei Cook, Taurean Cook, Ashley Cook, Breanna Cook and Eugene Baker III; a daughter-in-law, Mary Lee Cook; and a host of nieces and nephews. The funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses-East Congregation on North Hampton Drive. (Russell) Eldridge, Emma Jean On Sunday, Feb. 9. 2003, our loving Lord called his daughter, Emma Jean Eldridge, to rest. She was born Aug. 26, 1942, in Forsyth County to the late Daniel and Emma Mae Eldridge. Before her illness, she faithfully attended New Light Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Gordon Smith Jr.; a son, Linville Allen Smith; a sister, Elsie Wiley; three brothers. Early, Paul and David Eldridge; and her stepfather, Harry Williams. Surviving are her two daughters, Beveriy (John) Ford and Gloria (Robert) Loyd; three sons, Robert, Darwin (Arlene) Eldridge and William Gordon (Monica) Smith III; two sisters, Betty (Kie) Gray and Bertha Mae Jones; a brother, Arthur Eldridge; nine grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. The funeral service was held at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Samuel RL. Hickereon officiating. (Russell) Ewing, Margaret Kathleen Garner Mrs. Margaret Kathleen Garner Ewing, 83, of 2645 Royal Dale Lane passed away Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, at her residence. She was born Sept. 16, 1919, in Gibson-ville, attended school in Giatto, W.Va., spent most of her adult life in Mount Vernon, N.Y, and had lived in Winston-Salem for one year. She was of the Baptist faith and was a nursing assistant in private homes. She is survived by a daughter, Dorothy Craig of the home; three grandchildren. Penny Davis, Paul Craig and Cassandra Craig; 11 great-grandchildren, Talut Oakes, Malcolm Davis, Tyrone Davis, Malika Davis, Vanessa Curton, Denise Curton, Ketory Witherspoon, Mark Tabb, Jamel Tabb, Jamar Tabb and Essence Tabb; six great-great-grandchil-dren, Malik Louatien, Mahycie Louallen, Tynaysha Davis, Rodniquah Mckey, Annayiah Craig and Camara Johnson; two sisters, Nannie Lee Troxler of Gibsonville and Hilda Moore; and many other relatives and friends. Homegoing services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, at Russell Funeral Home Chapel, with Bishop Alice Norwood offici ating. (Russell) Goldsmith, Margaret Sweeney Mrs. Margaret Sweeney Goldsmith, 83, of 107 Troonsway Road was called home to rest Monday, Feb. 17,2003, at her residence. She was born March 20,1919, to the late Arthur and Sally English Sweeney. She was a dedicated member of Community Baptist Church in Inglewood, N.J. She was preceded in death by her parents: her mother-in-law, Nannie B. Hairston; two sisters, Theola Sweeney and Daisy Allen; and a brother, Ed Sweeney. She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband, Reuben Beeks Goldsmith of the home; a stepson, Rudy Hill Sr. (Jackie) of Winston-Salem: a sister, Frances Pierce of Binghampton, N.Y; five grandchildren, Renee Hill, Rudy Hill Jr. of Winston-Salem, Eric Richberg of Greensboro, Reuben Richberg of Florida and Willie Neil Richberg of New Jersey: two nieces, Michelle Saunders of Binghampton, N.Y, and Phytis Blandon-Allen of Inglewood, N.J.; a sister-in-law, Ruth Sweeney of Teaneck, N.J.; and a host of other relatives and friends. The funeral service was
The AC Phoenix News (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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March 1, 2003, edition 1
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