State executioner who turned against the death penalty dies at 67
For 17 years, Jerry Bronson Givens carried out death sentences as Virginia’s chief executioner. The Richmond native then spent the rest of his life crusading against the death penalty.
David C. Driskell, noted artist, art historian, curator and collector, dies at 88
David C. Driskell, one of the nation’s most influential African-American artists and a leading authority on black art, has died. He was 88.
Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter Wallace Roney dies
Award-winning jazz trumpeter Wallace Roney, who studied under and collaborated with the Miles Davis, Art Blakey and other jazz greats during his 40-year career, died Tuesday, March 31, 2020, of complications from COVID-19.
Rev. Frank Lomax Jr., minister of stewardship at Quioccasin Baptist Church, dies at 89
The Rev. Frank Lomax Jr. spent his working life as an auditor for the Internal Revenue Service. But after retiring, he found his way into the ministry.
Popular Richmond musician Herbert Allen ‘Debo’ Dabney III dies at 68
Herbert Allen “Debo” Dabney III, a popular and beloved Richmond musician, died Thursday, April 9, 2020. He was 68.
Grammy Award winner Bill Withers dies at 81
Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean on Me,” “Grandma’s Hands” and “Just the Two of Us,” died Monday, March 30, …
Jazz pianist, professor and family patriarch Ellis Marsalis Jr. dies at 85 of complications from coronavirus
Ellis Marsalis Jr., the jazz pianist, professor and patriarch of a New Orleans musical clan, died late Wednesday, April 1, 2020, from pneumonia brought on by coronavirus, leaving six sons and a deep legacy. He was 85.
Robert W. “Bob” Peay, longtime social work educator, dies at 75
Robert W. “Bob” Peay helped train two generations of social workers in the Richmond area and beyond during his 27 years as a faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work.
Earl G. Graves Sr., founder of Black Enterprise magazine and champion for black economic empowerment, dies at 85
Earl G. Graves Sr., who inspired generations of African-Americans to build wealth through stories published in Black Enterprise, the magazine he founded, died Monday, April 6, 2020, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 85.
Preddy D. Ray Sr., longtime affordable housing advocate who sought to keep people in their neighborhoods, dies at 69
In 1971, Preddy Drew Ray Sr. was among a group of nine Richmond college students who packed their bags and went to a Cincinnati conference on af- fordable housing and the role community groups could play.
Corine R. Farrar, veteran Richmond educator, dies at 90
Veteran Richmond educator Corine Ransom Farrar was best known for helping elementary students master arithmetic and the rudiments of algebra.
NASA pioneer Katherine Johnson takes her place among the stars
Three African-American astronauts joined hundreds of other mourners Saturday, March 7, at a funeral service for trailblazing mathematician and NASA pioneer Katherine G. Johnson.
John Merchant, who broke barriers at U.Va. law school and in golf, dies at 87
John F. Merchant broke racial barriers in the legal profession and in the game of golf.
Jazz master pianist ‘McCoy’ Tyner dies at 81
“McCoy” Tyner, the ground- breaking and influential jazz pianist and the last surviving member of the John Coltrane Quartet, has died. He was 81.
Rev. William E. Clarke, longtime teach and minister, succumbs at 83
The Rev. William Edward Clarke built a reputation as a kind, helpful person in following two career paths — teaching and the ministry.
