Robert L. Hicks
Robert L. Hicks, of New Haven, passed away on October 12, 2006 at his home. He was predeceased by his parents Roy and Beatrice Hicks, and is survived by his son Michael Whittley of New Haven; sister Elizabeth of New Haven and LaVerne Thompson of San Diego, CA. He also leaves to mourn a special friend Elizabeth Watts. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at Howard K. Hill Funeral Services 1287 Chapel St. New Haven, CT on Saturday October 21, 2006 at 12 pm. Online sympathy messages available here.
Reverend Elnora Elizabeth Smith Bess
Reverend Elnora Elizabeth Smith Bess was born on November 16, 1911 to the late Rev. Alexander Wesley Smith & Elsie Smith, in Fayetteville, N.C. She moved to New Haven Connecticut in 1935, and joined Immanuel Baptist Church in 1940 where she was an active and devout member. She was ordained as the first woman deacon in 1978 and ordained as a full preacher of the gospel at Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church in 1993 by the Reverend Dr. Curtis Cofield. She was also a member of The National Association of Fashion Designers, President of The Business and Professional Woman’s Club, Life Member of Pocahontas Temple #55 (Daughters I.B.P.O.E.W) and many other community and fashion organizations. She aided in the political campaigns of outstanding New Haven’s politicians including Henry Parker, and former Mayor John Daniels. Reverend Elnora Bess leaves to mourn sisters Mrs.Annie Huckaby, and Mrs. Rose Evans both of New Haven, brothers in law, Reuben Huckaby Sr. of Hamden and William Brown Sr. of Homosassa, FL, daughters, Cordelia Thorpe of New Haven and Raydora Drummer Francis of Syracuse, New York and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Bess; brothers, Acey, Herbert, Percy, Milton and Louis Smith; sisters, Runetta Green, Viola Brown, Mattie Huckaby and a daughter Stephanie Richard. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 am Friday, October 20, 2006 at Immanuel Baptist Church at 1324 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT. Friends may call from 9:00 – 11:00 am at the church. The Elks ceremony will begin at 10 am. Interment will be in Beaverdale Memorial Park Hamden, CT. Arrangements are being handled by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel Street, New Haven, Conn. Online sympathy messages available here.
Dora O. Branch
Mrs. Dora O. (Herring) Branch, 71, of New Haven died Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at home. Born April 28, 1935 to parents Willie Herring and Gracie Chambers Herring in Kinston, N.C. She was predeceased by her husband Mr. Henry Branch. Mrs. Branch is survived by her five daughters, Pamela Branch, Deveria B. Peterson, Karen Branch-Stanley, and Linda DuBose all of New Haven, CT and Hazel Crawford of Dorchester, MA. Six sons, Elsworth Branch of Boston, MA and Watt S. Darden of Wilmington, Del., Michael Branch, Sidney Branch, David Herring, and Dwayne Branch all of New Haven. She also leaves two sisters, Vernell Moore of Warsaw, NC, and Elsie Arnold of Middletown, CT and one brother, Lynwood Herring of Maryland. A celebration of her life will be held at 11a.m. Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at Morning Star Freewill Holiness Church at 125 Dixwell Avenue. Friends may call from 10:00 – 11:00 am at the church. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven. Arrangements are being handled by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel Stree. Online sympathy messages available here.
Mrs. Ernestine (Snow) Brown, 66, of New Haven, departed this life on October 10th, 2006, at The Connecticut Hospice in Branford. Born August 4th, 1940, in Scottlandneck, NC. She leaves sons Ronald, Ernest L., and Darris W. Snow; daughters Mary L. Hyman, Linda Y. Snow, and Deborah A. Snow-Williams all of New Haven; brothers, James E. Hannan, Leroy, Roy, Thurman, and Nathan Jr. Hyman all of North Carolina; sisters Minnie Wilson of Hampton, VA, Saddie, Emma, Ella, Delores, Maxine, and Linda Hyman all of North Carolina; sister-in-law, Brenda Hannan of North Carolina, twenty-two grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren, and a host of relatives, and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Curtis Brown, son Donald Snow, daughter Monique Snow, and sister Florence Hyman. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 14th at 11:00 a.m. at Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St. New Haven. Friends may call from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m at the funeral home. Interment will be private. Family and friends will be receiving guests at Victory Gardens. 309 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven, CT. Online sympathy messages available here.
Mitchell “Chip” Dirton
In Decatur, Ga., Oct. 9, 2006. Born Aug. 4, 1958, in New Haven, to Eugene and Sara Morrison Dirton. A celebration of his life will be held Monday October 16, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1324 Chapel St., New Haven. Friends may call Monday at the church from 9 – 11a.m. Burial Monday in Beaverdale Memorial Park.
Arrangements in the care of Howard K. Hill Funeral Services 1287 Chapel St. New Haven. Online sympathy messages available here.
Janie Parker
Mrs. Janie Parker, 104, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 7th, 2006, at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Born May 22, 1902 in Louisville, GA, widow of Mr. Harry Parker she was a member of Varick Memorial AME Zion Church for over 60 years. She leaves one son, Thomas E. Suggs of West Haven, sister-in-law, Louise Hall of Hamden, CT, one grandchild, Howard Saunders, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Nine brothers and sisters predeceased Mrs. Parker. A celebration of her life will be held Friday, October 13th at 11:00 a.m. at Varick Memorial AME Zion Church at 242 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven, CT. Friends may call at the church from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Hamden Plains Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St. New Haven. Online sympathy messages available here.
Letha Bell Allen, 81, of Orchard Street died Sunday, September 24, 2006, at The Connecticut Hospice in Branford. Born March 29, 1925 in Havana, Florida, the daughter of the late Gorden McCutcheon and Laura Jackson McCutcheon. Mrs. Allen was the mother of four daughters, Geneva Jackson and Denise Gomez (Tyrone) of New Haven, and Denise Martin of Georgia. She also leaves two sons Anthony Allen of Maine and Raymond Allen of New Haven and one half-sister Edith Bell of Havana, Florida, 19 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brothers, sisters and daughter Linda Edwards. A celebration of her life was be held on Monday Oct. 2, 2006, at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s UFWB Church, 49 Goffe Street, New Haven. Friends may call at the church home from 5 – 7 pm. Interment will take place on Tuesday October 3, 2006 in Hamden Plains Cemetery at 10 am. Online sympathy messages available here.
Herbert Leon Reid
Herbert Leon Reid, 81, of Plant St., passed away on Wednesday September 27, in New Haven. He was the son of the late Daisy Octavia and Walter Frederick McGregor Reid of Sweet Vale, St. George Barbados. He was for many years a noted building contractor in his homeland of Barbados. He leaves to cherish his memory wife Evangelist Daphne Lorina Reid also of New Haven, daughter Shirley Reid of Brooklyn, New York, sons Hugo and Bert Reid, and grandsons Neil, Shaun, Christopher, Vijay, Akeel, Antonio and granddaughter Kimberley and brother Charles Reid. Also mourning his loss are his nieces Everil Pilgrim, Junay West, Karene West, Carol Phillips, Marva Holder, Sheila Reid, Gloria Skeete, nephews George, Errol, Winston, David Reid and Ricardo Phillip and Caleb Pilgrim. He was also the brother-in-law of Joyce Holford, Glyne Prout and Joan Skeete. A celebration of his life will be held Friday October 6, 2006, at 10 am at St. Lukes Church, 111 Whalley Avenue, New Haven. Friends may call from 9 —“10 am at the church. Howard K Hill funeral services 1287 Chapel Street, New Haven, is in charge of arrangements. Online sympathy messages available here.
Charles Clark
Charles Clark, Sr., 64, of Winchester Avenue in New Haven passed away at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, September 27, 2006. He was born on April 26, 1942, in Washington, D.C, the son of the late Paul Clark and Fannie Bracey. Mr. Clark was retired from Bilco Company of West Haven. He leaves to cherish his memory four sons, Raymond Holloway of Meriden, Charles Clark, Jr. of West Haven, Paul Emery and Xavier (Jermaine) Poindexter of New Haven; four daughters, Dawn Poindexter, Danus Henry, and Tachema Clark-Griffin all of Hamden, CT and Tasheima of New Mexico; four sisters Evelyn Knight and Joanne Sockwell of New Haven, Casandra MeReynolds of New Jersey and Paulette Clark of Washington, DC; one brother Larry Henderson of New Haven,one brother-in-law John Sockwell; and one sister-in-law Ruth Henderson. He was predeceased by his brother Clarence (Berto) Henderson of New Haven. He leaves to mourn Brenda Patterson of New Haven. A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday October 4, 2006, at 11 a.m. at Love Center Ministries at 19 George Street in Hamden. Friends may call from 10 – 11 am at the church. Interment will be in Hamden Plains Cemetery. Online sympathy messages available here.
D. Altgracia Luciano
Mrs. Altgracia D. Luciano, 83, of Front Street in New Haven passed away on Monday, October 2, 2006. She was born on June 6, 1923, in Dominican Republic. She was loved by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. A graveside burial will be held Wednesday October 4, 2006, at 11 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, CT. Processional will leave from Howard K. Hill Funeral Services at 1287 Chapel Street New Haven, at 10:30 a.m. Online sympathy messages available here.
Johnny V. Peele, 55, of New Haven passed away at home surrounded by his family on Monday, Sept. 25, 2006. He was born on March 15, 1951 in Bethel, N.C., the son of the late Jesse B. Peele, Sr. and Clara Wilkins Peele. Johnny was employed at Yale New Haven Hospital as a Laboratory Technician Supervisor for 36 years. He leaves to cherish his memory one daughter, four sisters, one brother, and four grandchildren. Mr. Peele was predeceased by one brother. Friends may call from 8 – 9 am at Howard K Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St., New Haven. A celebration of his life will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Beaverdale Memorial Park. Online sympathy messages available here.