Obituaries

Feb 18, 2014

Mrs. Ernestine R. Smith went home to be with the Lord on February 18, 2014. Mrs. Smith was born in Milan, Tennessee to Fonnie and Susie (Powell) Robinson. Mrs. Smith was living in Des Moines with her son and daughter in law, John and Debra Smith at the time of her transition. Funeral services will be held in Milan, Tennessee...

Jan 25, 2014

Willetta Carter was born April 23, 1925 in Kansas City, MO, the daughter of the late Thomas and Gertrude Wheeler Bibbs. The birth was assisted at home by a midwife with her siblings Olga, William (Little Will) and John in attendance. Willetta's family moved to Des Moines, IA and shared a home with their Grandfather, William Wheeler. Willetta completed school...

Jan 20, 2014

Mother Dorothy Lewis passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 20, 2014 at her winter home in Fountain Hills, AZ. Mrs. Lewis, a life long resident of Des Moines will be honored with a Celebration of her Life on May 3, 2014 at Corinthian Baptist Church. A full obituary and further details will be provided at a later date....

Jan 15, 2014

Ashley Nicole Bell was born March 17, 1988 in Des Moines, Iowa to James Childs and Idell Bell. Ashley was educated in the Des Moines Public Schools and graduated from North High School. She attended Grandview University where she received her Bachelors in Human Services and was planning to go back for her Masters. Ashley had a passion for helping...

Jan 13, 2014

Jan 2, 2014

Trixie Wells Ward was born March 26, 1932 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa to Florence Wells and Peter Waples. She was the second of eight children. Trixie attended the local schools and graduated from Mount Pleasant High School, in 1950. She moved to Des Moines, Iowa and attended Broadlawns School of Nursing and graduated with her L.P.N. license. She was employed...

Jan 2, 2014

Dorothy Ann (Todden) Van Pelt was born April 1, 1929 in Clarke county, Iowa to William and Phoebe Hill Todden. Dorothy graduated from Osceola High School and after a brief stint working in a factory as a munitions assembler, Dorothy settled into married life with John Van Pelt. Dorothy loved being a homemaker. She and John were blessed with a...

Jan 1, 2014

Mr. James Wilbert Cook, Jr. was born in Alabama on June 8, 1925 to James Cook, Sr. and Georgia Ford. James enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a young man and worked as a self-employed entrepreneur most of his life. James married the love of his life Mary Coplen in 2004 at Morningstar Baptist Church where they were...

Dec 28, 2013

George was born August 12, 1926, in Des Moines, Iowa, to George M. & Rena Rector. He was the youngest of their three children, including sister Flossie and brother Wilmer. George attended McKinley Elementary School and then Lincoln High School. Shortly after he was born, he moved to Hamburg, Iowa, and then he moved back to Des Moines in 1936....

Dec 26, 2013

Leroy Williams was born July 12, 1959 to Walter Williams and Annie Marshall Williams in Des Moines, Iowa. Leroy was educated in the Des Moines Public School System where he graduated from Des Moines Tech High. Leroy loved to tinker with things and he loved cars. Tech had an automotive class, so he fit right in. He developed his love...

Dec 26, 2013

Mr. James Michael Manuel was born September 6, 1949 to Alvin Henry Manuel, Sr. and Carrie Jane Williams in Des Moines, Iowa. "Mike" was educated in the Des Moines Public Schools and lived in Des Moines all of his life. Mike was someone you just had to get to know to understand his personality. He was outspoken and had a...

Dec 22, 2013

Mrs. Maria Hawkins was born January 6, 1945 in Des Moines, Iowa to Charles and Eleanor Boston. She remained a resident of Des Moines her entire life. Additionally, Maria was a dedicated member of St. John's Catholic Church. Maria graduated from East High School in 1963 and went on to attend Grandview College. She worked for over ten years at...

Dec 19, 2013

Mrs. Dorothea Parker, the mother of Minister Lacinda McClendon, passed away on December 19th, 2013. Cemetery Details Iowa Veteran's Cemetery Van Meter, IA, Funeral Service DEC 27. 11:00 AM Union Baptist Church East University and McCormick Des Moines, IA, US

Dec 19, 2013

Mrs. Leona Galbreath was born on March 12, 1923 in Des Moines, IA to Orfice Boyers and Martha Goodwin. She was educated in the Des Moines Public School District and graduated from East High School. She was self employed for the majority of her career, working in the domestic cleaning service industry. Mrs. Galbreath was joined in holy matrimony to...

Dec 7, 2013

Reverend Harold Davis, Jr. 81 passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2013. He lived in Des Moines for the past six years. Rev. Davis was Pastor of King of Kings Missionary Baptist Church, Des Moines, IA for 3 years; interim pastor at Corinthian Baptist Church for 1 year and pastor of Second Baptist Church in Fort Madison, IA for 35...

Dec 6, 2013

Viola Mozella Jones was born January 11, 1951 in Des Moines, Iowa to James Williams and Mary Magdeline Allen. Viola was educated in the Des Moines Public School system where she graduated. After graduation she found employment as a guest room attendant until her retirement. Viola was a very social person who loved family gatherings. She enjoyed cooking and playing...

Dec 2, 2013

Herbert 'Herbie' Louis Whitfield was born September 16, 1954 in St. Louis, MO to Herbert Sargent and Melvina Whitfield. He was one of eighteen children. Herbie did a brief stint in the United States Navy after his graduation from North High School. He was pursuing a degree in Language Interpretation from DMACC. Herbie loved fishing and woodworking and man could...

Dec 2, 2013

Marva Marie (Keyes) Harris was born August 24, 1939 in Des Moines, Iowa to Thomas and Ada Mae (Freeman) Keyes. Marva graduated from East High School and also took some college level classes. Marva loved the Lord and was a long time member of Shiloh Baptist Church where she was the Minister of Music. Marva's contralto voice was a rich...

Nov 22, 2013

Mr. Edward ' Babe' Holt, Jr. went to heaven on November 22, 2013. Funeral services will be held 12p.m., Monday December 2,2013 at Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home. Edward is survived by his wife, Yolanda Holt; his children, Arichica Holt and Shi-lea Holt; step-son, Shamair Gainey; Grandmother Laverne Burrell;four grandchildren; his mother Trudy Holt; his siblings, Harold, Leesa, Arichica, and...

Nov 22, 2013

Lynda L. Carr, 65, went to her resting place on November 22, 2013. A memorial visitation will be held 11 a.m., November 27, 2013 at Henderson's Highland Park Funeral home. Lynda is survived by her children LaTonya Walter, Charles and Wanda Swanson; her grandchildren, Carlos Jr. ,Ashely, Reinaldo, Orlando, Adrien, R'E'onna, Lavios, Antonio, Alzavier, Teirra, and Jeziah; Her great-grandchildren; her...