Obituaries

Bettye Jean Pepper was born the second of seven children on the spectacular day of January 23, 1936 to Charlie and Barbara Pepper. She departed this earthly realm on April 13, 2017. She was a loving and devoted mother, sister, and aunt. She was raised in Bedford County, Tennessee before moving to Nashville, TN. In 1952, Bettye graduated from Pearl...

Charlesetta Owens was born to Ruffus and Vessie Lee Hoskins on April 5, 1956 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the third of five children. Her mother Vessie preceded her in death on April 10, 2000. Charlesetta attended St. Louis County public schools and graduated from University City High School in May 1974. She continued her education at Fontbonne University...

Mr. Kevin Brooks, Sr was born on July 30, 1963 to the union of Howard Brooks Jr and Mary Grafton Brooks in Centerville, Illinois. Kevin received his education from the East St Louis, IL School District 189, attending Dunbar Elementary School, King Junior High, and graduating from East St. Louis Sr High School in 1981. He received his BA in...

Tommy James Roberts (Hightower-Hamilton) was born March 12, 1945 in Houlka, Mississippi to Artis Hightower and Katherine Hamilton. He was the eldest child of Katherine; and the second born, eldest son of Artis. Tommy remained in Houlka, MS with his grandparents, Lula Bell and Harvey Lee Hamilton while growing up with 3 special cousins, Johnny Wayne, Magdeline “Puddin” and Jonnie...

Mrs. Melanie Sherese Riddle-Johns was born August 8, 1968 in East St. Louis, IL. to the Union of Surlander Samuel-Riddle and Melvin Eugene Riddle. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Alanie Thomas and son, Montre Palmer and father, Melvin Eugene Riddle. Melanie accepted Christ in her life at an early age. She attended East St. Louis School District...

Albert Randle Jr. was born to the late Albert and Clara (Williams) Randle Sr. on February 14, 1941 in E. St. Louis, IL and grew up in the close-knit community of Goosehill. He was preceded in death by one sister, Demetres Stewart, and is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia A. Randle of O’Fallon, IL and one...

Mr. Charles E. Williams was born on June 29, 1947 to the union of Lemit Williams, Sr. and Joanna (Taylor)Williams in St. Louis, Mo. He is preceded in death by both parents, brothers, Lemit Williams, Jr. Joe Leonard and sister; Sarah Williams. Charles better known as Hosea to family, friends and his church family here at Southern Missionary Baptist where...

Joseph Jaron Henagan, 29 passed away March 6th , 2017. Joseph, was born on September 9th ,1987 in Centreville, Illinois. Joseph (aka Buggy) attended school in East St. Louis, where he later graduated from Belleville East in 2006. Joseph then continued on in his career as a production worker till the time of his death. Joseph was a fun, loving,...

Mr. Johnny Ware is a Life Time member of Blacks In Government, Past President of the Southern Illinois Chapter of Blacks In Government (BIG), Past First Vice president of the Great Lakes Midwest Region V of Blacks In Government; a Life Time Member of the NAACP East St. Louis Branch 3013; a member of the Alton-St. Clair County Chapter of...

James E. Singleton was born September 3, 1971 in E. St. Louis, IL. to Wilma Singleton and James Eric Belk. He was preceded in death by one brother; Lynsee Johnson, grandparents; Pervis and Beulah Singleton. He attended Cahokia Elementary School District and was a graduate of E. St. Louis Senior High School/Class of 1989. He was active in school and...

Visitation: Saturday February 18, 2017 11AM Service: 12:00 Noon at Teat Chapel

Pauline Gaston was born to the late Eddie and Anner Rose Gaston on June 12, 1934 in Carbon Hill, Alabama. She was preceded in death by both parents, three brothers, James Dunlap, Richard “Puddin” Dunlap and Joe Carter; six sisters, Willie Carter, Ruth Gaston, Minnie Gaston, Helen Kelly, Cora Dillard and Barbara Lane. Pauline accepted Christ at an early age...

Was Born February 10, 2017 at Touchette Regional Hospital in Centreville, Illinois. Service will be private

Ollie R. Tate (Ezell) was born August 22, 1935 in Blytheville, Arkansas to McKinley Ezell and Maggie Baker Ezell. She was preceded in death by both parents, one son, Ronald Tate, five brothers, Floyd Ezell, McKinley Ezell, Frank Ezell, Joe Ezell, Russell Ezell, and one sister, Louise (Punch) Ezell. She confessed her hope in Christ at an early age while...

Visitation: Friday,January 27, 2017 6-8pm Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church 1111 Pennsylvania Ave East St. Louis,IL 62201 Service: Saturday, January 28, 2017 11am Burial: Sunset Gardens of Memory Millstadt, IL

Tamika Nicole Thornton, affectionately known as “Meka”, was born December 29, 1984 in St. Louis, Missouri to the union of Eric G. Thornton and Gail Yvette Thornton. She was the youngest of three daughters in this family. She was preceded in death by her daughter C’mia Thomas, her father, Eric Thornton, paternal grandparents Eloyd and Erma Thornton and Maternal grandfather...

Mr. Lawrence Edward Brazil Sr. was born January 7, 1954 in Mounds City, IL. to Lillie and Percy Brazil. He was preceded in death by his father; Mr. Percy Brazil, daughter; Kim Angeleeta Brazil, brother; James Brazil, sister; Eugenia Perkins, three aunts; Mildred Lofton, Lucille Norman and Ivory McClendon. Lawrence was educated in East St. Louis District 189. He was...

Sweet Jean Holden passed away in St. Louis surrounded by family. She was the mother of eight:Tom, Jeff, Bill (deceased), Kevin, Colin, Cindy, Matt, and Jackie. She was the grandmother of many grand and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. A memorial service is being held on January 7 (10:00am) at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton with a private...

Julia Adams, of E. St. Louis, IL. Departed this life on December 20, 2016 in E. St. Louis, IL. Julia Adams leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Deborah(AL) Holman of E. St. Louis, IL. Five sisters; Lillie Loving Bertha, Cheryl (Phillip) Bradford, Sandra (Ken) Adams, Colinda Adams, and Brenda Bickham. Four brothers; Obie (Mary) Adams, Tommie (Melvina) Adams, John...

Edward Montez Lewis, 34, of Belleville, Il . departed this life on December 19, 2016 in Belleville,IL. He leaves to cherish his love his mother; Angela(Lonnie Wills)Lewis of Belleville, IL. four daughters; Tamya Lewis, Ja’lynn Lewis, Jorday Lewis, and Emani Lewis, three sisters; Lonetta(Taylor)Glen, Needra Lewis and Erica (Jamon Hardiman)Harvey. A host of nieces, nephews, cousin’s other relatives and friends.