Dexter Scott King, son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., dies of cancer at 62
Dexter Scott King, who dedicated much of his life to shepherding the civil rights legacy of his parents — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King — died Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, after battling prostate cancer. He was …
Remembering a trailblazer
Bernadine A. ‘Bernie’ Simmons, the late television news anchor and creator of Richmond’s popular “12 About Town” segment for WWBT-NBC12, was remembered by friends and colleagues on Saturday, Jan. 13, at Joseph Jenkins Jr. Funeral Home in Richmond.
Retired Armstrong High School teacher Conrad L. Dandridge, 87, remembered
Conrad Lewis “Mr. D” Dandridge spent more than 35 years teaching and mentoring countless students at Armstrong High School from which he graduated.
Anita G. Lester, former lawyer with Hill, Tucker & Marsh, dies at 64
Anita Gene Lester,65, is being remembered as a caring lawyer who spent part of her career defending those accused of crimes and part of her career prosecuting them.
Victoria S. Oakley, former RPS educator, dies at age 63
Victoria Stender “Vickie” Oakley, a former principal and instructional leader for Richmond Public Schools, has died.
Dr. Linwood Jacobs who opened doors for Black Greek organizations at UVA, dies at age 90
Dr. Linwood Jacobs is credited with spearheading the establishment of Black fraternities and sororities at the University of Virginia. And later he focused on student development as the dean of students at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and helped start …
Janette Lewis Allen, 80, remembered for her work with Carver Elementary students
Whenever one or more Carver Elementary School students needed refuge from a troubled home, guidance counselor Janette Lewis Allen allowed them to spend the night at her house. “She had a passion for education and community service, particularly when it …
Musician and mail carrier Harold Lighty Sr. dies at age 90
Harold Ronald “Van” Lighty Sr., who often received standing ovations after making his drums speak, was a fixture on the Richmond jazz scene for more than 60 years.
Attorney Derrick Thomas dies at age 61
Protecting the injured was a calling for Attorney Derrick Thomas.
Retired educator Eva W. Hicks remembered
Eva Mae Wilkins Hicks, whose career as a teacher and guidance counselor for Richmond Public Schools spanned nearly 45 years, has died.
Retired Richmond educator Shirley E.S. Harris dies at age 89
Shirley Estelle Savage Harris spent four decades seeking to instill a love of learning in local Richmond schoolchildren. Mrs. Harris was best known for the more than 30 years she taught at William Fox Elementary School.
Shining stars
The world had Oprah. Richmond had Bernie. Longtime television journalist Bernadine A. “Bernie” Simmons, who died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at age 79, was well known to many in Richmond and surrounding communities as the creator and face of NBC12’s …
Longtime Henrico County educator Marilyn Hinson Royal dies
Marilyn (Elise) Hinson Royal, a trailblazing force at the intersection of teaching, learning, and leadership, died on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, leaving behind a legacy as vast as the universe she inspired her students to explore.
Harold C. Glenn, also known as ‘Soul Santa,’ dies at age 90
During a time that it was rare for a Black person to play the familiar holiday role of Santa Claus anywhere in the country, that fact did not deter Harold Cecil Glenn.
Journalist, educator, public relations specialist Sylvina R. Poole dies
Veteran Richmond journalist, educator and entrepreneur Sylvina Renee Poole has died. Ms. Poole, 59, succumbed to illness Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023.
