Melvin E. Banks, whose publishing company revolutionized Bible study by incorporating positive images of Black people, dies at 86
Melvin E. Banks, whose company portraying positive images of African-Americans in the biblical experience has grown from its start in the basement of his Chicago home into the largest independent Black Christian publishing house in the United States, died Saturday, …
Mary Wilson, the longest reigning original Supreme, dies at 76
Mary Wilson, an original member of The Supremes who is considered the force that kept the hugely popular trio together through the internal strife that mounted with their success, has died. She was 76.
Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks dies
Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, died Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. He was 67.
Roxie Raines Kornegay Allison, whose activism led to diversity on state boards and commissions, dies at 83
Roxie Raines Kornegay Allison championed Black inclusion in government and public contracting while also opening her heart and her home to children and adults who needed a helping hand.
Sheila K. Mandt, fundraising consultant and wife of former Councilman Chris A. Hilbert, succumbs at 55
Sheila Kavanagh Mandt, wife and political adviser to former 3rd District City Councilman Chris A. Hilbert and a fundraising guru for nonprofits, has died.
Legendary Coach John Chaney dies at 89
Retired Temple University basketball Coach John Chaney, who was among the most successful Black coaches in basket- ball history, died Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, following a short illness. He was 89.
Algenon L. Brown, longtime educator and member of the Capital Region Airport Commission, dies at 95
Algenon L. Brown, a career educator in Richmond for 36 years who also fought for Black business inclusion in the operation and development of the Richmond International Airport, has died.
Former Virginia Squires and NBA player George Carter succumbs at 76
George Carter, a former ABA All-Star with the Virginia Squires, died Nov. 18, 2020.
Thomas H. Francis, whose political skills aided candidates in Chesterfield and elsewhere, dies at 77
For decades, Thomas Henry Francis pushed to make inroads for Democrats in Republican-controlled Chesterfield County where he lived most of his life.
Doris E. Day, a longtime educator and librarian, dies at 71
Doris Day influenced the lives of thousands of children as a teacher and school librar- ian for more than 40 years in Richmond and Chesterfield County.
Sandra K. Martin, assistant superintendent of the James River Juvenile Detention Center, dies at 63
Sandra Kaye Martin, who spent nearly 35 years helping troubled youths in the Richmond region find the pathway to success, has died. Ms. Martin, 63, succumbed to illness on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021.
Best-selling novelist Eric Jerome Dickey dies at 59
Eric Jerome Dickey, the best-selling novelist who blended crime, romance and eroticism in “Sister, Sister,” “Waking With Enemies” and dozens of other stories about contemporary Black life, has died at age 59.
Tuskegee Airman Theodore Lumpkin Jr. dies in L.A.
One of the famed Tuskegee Airmen — the first Black pilots in the segregated U.S. military and among the most respected fighter pilots of World War II — has died from complications of the coronavirus, it was announced last Friday. …
Mary P. James, first lady of Trinity Baptist Church, succumbs at 74
The first lady of Trinity Baptist Church in North Side has died. Mary Peebles “Mary P” James, wife of Dr. A. Lincoln James Jr., who has led the church for 40 years, succumbed to illness on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. …
Denver Broncos Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little dies
Dynamic running back Floyd Little, among the most revered athletes in the annals of Syracuse University and the Denver Broncos, died Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.
