Martha Norris Gilbert, who led the former Virginia Department for Children, dies at 82
Martha Norris Gilbert, who led the first Virginia agency that focused on children and was involved in expanding pre-school programming in public school divisions across the state, has died.
Olympic champion and American hero Rafer Johnson dies
Rafer Johnson, widely regarded as among the greatest athletes of all time and the man who helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He was 86.
Dr. Andrew M. Mosley Jr., retired pastor of Quioccasin Baptist Church, dies at 80
Dr. Andrew Monroe Mosley Jr., who served as pastor of Quioccasin Baptist Church in Henrico County for three decades during his 52-year ministry career, has died.
Faye B. Walker, a backbone of the African dance and culture group Ezibu Muntu, dies at 66
Faye Bettina Walker spent 47 years teaching and spreading interest in African dance in the Richmond area and beyond.
Bruce Boynton, who inspired 1961 Freedom Rides after Richmond arrest, dies at 83
Bruce Carver Boynton, a civil rights pioneer from Alabama who inspired the landmark “Freedom Rides” of 1961, died Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. He was 83.
David N. Dinkins, NYC’s first Black mayor, dies at 93
Few American leaders have faced the battery of urban ills that confronted David N. Dinkins when he became New York’s first Black mayor in 1990.
Tuskegee Airman Frank Macon dies
One of only two original, remaining Tuskegee Airmen in Colorado has died. Frank Macon died Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, at his home in Colorado Springs. He was 97.
Larry J. Bland, whose leadership of The Volunteer Choir spanned more than 45 years, dies at 67
Larry Jerome Bland left his mark on gospel music in Richmond and beyond during an artistic career that spanned more than a half century.
Alex Trebek remembered for grace that elevated him above TV host
Alex Trebek never pretended to have all the answers, but the “Jeopardy!” host became an inspiration and solace to Americans who otherwise are at odds with each other.
5-time Grammy nominee Bishop Rance Allen, known for blending rock, south and R&B with traditional gospel music, dies at 71
Gospel legend Bishop Rance Allen, a Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee perhaps best known for his gospel hit “Something About the Name Jesus,” has died at 71.
William Blinn, screenwriter of miniseries ‘Roots’ and film ‘Purple Rain,’ dies at 83
William Blinn, a screenwriter for the landmark TV projects “Roots” and “Brian’s Song” and the Prince film “Purple Rain,” has died. He was 83.
NFL Hall of Famer herb Adderley dies at 81
Herb Adderley, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys, died Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. He was 81.
Dr. Irving P. McPhail, president of St. Augustine’s University, dies from COVID-19 complications
Dr. Irving P. McPhail, president of St. Augustine’s University, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, of complications from COVID-19, just three months after taking the helm of the historically Black university in Raleigh, N.C.
Lawyer who successfully argued Loving case legalizing interracial marriage dies
Bernard S. Cohen, who won a landmark case that led to the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of laws forbidding interracial marriage and later went on to a successful political career as a state legislator, has died. He was 86.
NFL Hall of Famer Fred Dean dies at 68
Fred Dean, the relentless defensive end who helped the San Francisco 49ers win two Super Bowl titles, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, of complications from the coronavirus. He was 68.
