Obituaries

Jul 30, 2015

Mrs. Rowena Aquilla Saywahn, the wife of Steven Saywahn passed away July 30, 2015. She will be laid to rest in New Jersey, where she was born, on August 21, 2015.

Jul 27, 2015

Samuel Marcellus Williams, Sr was born April 9, 1973 to Dwight Lee Redditt and Mary Lou (Williams) Huhnky in Helena, Arkansas. Sam received his primary education in Arkansas and graduated from Central High School in Helena. He left Arkansas to play football and attend the University of Nebraska. Marcellus, as he was affectionately called, loved watching the Cornhuskers and the...

Jul 22, 2015

.Lorraine Jean (Vanderwerf) Stemler was born April 9, 1936 in the town of Ackley, Iowa. Her twin brother, Lawrence was also born on that day. They were two of six children born to Peter and Loretta (Stockton) Vanderwerf. Lorraine graduated from Geneva High School and moved to Des Moines. She married Lawrence Hitchcock and together they raised five children. Lorraine...

Jul 16, 2015

Mrs. Vera (Underwood) Spencer was born on June 28, 1928 to Joseph and Mary (Morrow) Underwood, in Birmingham, AL. She was educated in the Birmingham School District and graduated from Westfield High School. Shortly after graduating, Vera planted her roots in Des Moines, IA. She would continue her education at Drake University and join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She...

Jul 9, 2015

Mary Margaret (Stubbs) Smith was born September 3, 1948 in Mississippi. Mary was born with a twin brother (Gary), the last of fourteen children born to Leo and Ethelene McLaurin Stubbs. Mary attended McLaurin Vocational Attendance Center in Magee, Mississippi where she graduated in 1966. Some of Mary's sisters had moved north looking for better opportunities. She decided to follow...

Jul 1, 2015

Charlie "Chuck" Albert Taylor, Jr. was born December 23, 1931 in Birmingham, Alabama to Charlie Taylor, Sr. and Alberta (Davis ) Taylor. Charlie received his primary school education in Birmingham before the family relocated to Des Moines. Before graduation, Charlie enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1954. After...

Jun 29, 2015

Jun 28, 2015

Deacon John Mosley was born on January 19, 1935 in Lauderdale, AL. He was educated in the local school district. After graduating Mr. Mosley enlisted into to the United States Air Force. He proudly served his country until he was honorably discharged in 1956. Following his military service, Mr. Mosley would settle in Fort Dodge, IA. There he worked as...

Jun 23, 2015

Benjamin Dant, Jr. was born on August 2, 1927 in Ottumwa, IA to Benjamin and Mabel Dant. Benjamin was educated in the Des Moines Public School district and graduated from North High, Class of 1945. He was later drafted in to the Army and served his country as an Mechanic. Benjamin served in World War II, the Korean Conflict. After...

Jun 16, 2015

On a hot August morning in 1941, Tommy Parker Williams and Lyda May (Gaines) Williams welcomed a baby boy into their family. They would name him Tommy Patrick Williams. Tommy was educated in the Des Moines Public school system, where he graduated from North High in 1959. In 1965 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Tommy served in Viet...

Jun 14, 2015

Mary Etta McQuerry was born on March 17, 1915 to Jesse and Mayme Goldie (Black) Bundy, in Hannibal MO. She was educated in the local school district and graduated from Douglas High School. Mary briefly lived in Denver, CO but would eventually make Des Moines, IA her home. She worked in a variety of career fields throughout her life. She...

Jun 13, 2015

Kevin Michael Jackson was born on December 28, 1972 to Stephen Weber and Jackie Jackson in Des Moines, IA. He was educated in the Des Moines Public School District and graduated from Lincoln High School. He continued his education at Des Moines Area Community College where he studied Liberal Arts. Kevin worked a variety of labor jobs throughout his time...

Jun 10, 2015

Obituary Samuel Phillip Palmer Sr. was born on December 2, 1982 to Samuel Boone and Sonja Palmer in Des Moines, IA. Samuel grew up in Des Moines and was educated in the Des Moines public school system. He later received a Business Clerical Certification from the Woman's Center at the Evelyn Davis Center. Samuel was an aspiring rapper and spent...

Jun 8, 2015

Arleatha Emma Martin, daughter of John Albert Knox, Sr. and Kathleen Woods Knox, passed away June 8, 2015 at Mercy Hospital. Arleatha graduated from Bernard High School in McMinnville, TN. She lived in Marshalltown, Minneapolis and Cleveland before settling in Des Moines over 30 years ago. A quiet woman with a smile that would light up a room, Arleatha was...

Jun 1, 2015

Agnes Louise Williams was born July 4th, 1931 to Richard Williams and Pearl McClain Dudley. Agnes was raised by her mother and step- father, Sexton Dudley, in Des Moines, Iowa where she graduated from Tech High School. She furthered her education by attending DMACC. Agnes was employed by MIDAC. She was a drug and alcohol counselor and was also a...

May 29, 2015

James Edward "Babe" King Sr. was born on January 17, 1952 to John King Sr. and Geraldine (Coats) King-Gordon, in Columbia, MO. Early in life, Babe served in the US. Navy where he was a Golden Glove Champion. After his service in the military, he would plant his roots in Des Moines, IA. Babe attended Des Moines Area Community College...

May 28, 2015

Bessie Lee Greene was born on September 23, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois to Herbert and Lucille Austin. Bessie was a homebody and enjoyed watching TV. She was a card player, her favorites were pitty pat and deuces wild. She worked at various restaurants including Hasty Tasty. Bessie had an easy going spirit and loved to entertain her family and friends....

May 27, 2015

Terry Gean Brassell was born on January 13, 1968 to Robert and Hattie (Dean) Brassell in Des Moines, IA. He was educated in the Des Moines Public School District and graduated from Des Moines Technical High School. Terry was blessed with five children: Tannal, Ariole, Ashley, Tory and Kiyon. Along life's journey he would meet Wala Al-Hameed. The two would...

May 25, 2015

Edgar Charles Edwards was born October 2, 1950 in Louisville, Mississippi. Edgar was educated in the Louisville public school system. After graduation, Edgar struck out to see the world and make a place for himself. After a brief time in Davenport, Iowa, Edgar settled in Des Moines and found employment at Eagle Iron Works. Edgar worked as an iron worker...

May 25, 2015

Maurice (Moe) Eubanks, Jr., the son of the Maurice Sr. and DeVelma (Hall) Eubanks, was born on December 7, 1963 in Des Moines, Iowa. He departed this life on Monday, May 25, 2015. Moe was educated in the Des Moines school district graduating from Roosevelt High School and then receiving a degree from American Institute of Business in 1984. He...