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This page is to honor our CACBIG brothers and sisters that have gone on before us but are not forgotten. We love you and miss you and ask for your guidance from the heavens above. To see the National BIG memorial wall, please visit http://bignet.org/index.php/national-memorial-wall |
Yolanda Brown-Harris
1949-2024
Yolanda Maria Brown-Harris was born on April 14, 1949, in Columbus, Ohio to Willie Littleton Brown and Melberta Starks (Brown) Cole at Grant Hospital.
At age four and with her father's marriage to Martha Mae Cassimere, she moved with her older brothers, Glenn and Philip to Houston Texas. She attended school in the Houston Independent School District. Yolanda's mother married Clayton Cole and had two more brothers, Michael and Mark.
Yolanda was different and decided she would not attend college. She was convinced by her brother, Philip, that she would do good in the US Army. In December 1972, Yolanda entered the Women Army Corp (WAC) under the Civilian Acquired Skills (CAS) program as a Private First Class (E3). In other words, she had a skill the Army was looking for - Clerk Typist.
In 1998, women in the WAC became Soldiers and Yolanda was transferred to the 718th Transportation Battalion under 83rd ARCOM. She started as a Truck Driver, then became an Equal Opportunity Advisor for 5th Army. In August 1997, she retired at the US Army rank of Master Sergeant (E8). She paid for not going to college because the Army provided her with plenty of education and schooling. Her justification was "I learned, I ate, I had a cot to sleep on, and they paid me".
Yolanda eventually went to work for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) at Defense Supply Center, Columbus (DSCC), and retired in December 2011 as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist.
Yolanda was a Life Member of Blacks In Government (BIG), Columbus Area Chapter. Yolanda was an active forward-thinking member of BIG. She served at the National level as the National AE/EEO Chair, served on the National Legislative Committee and as a National Delegates Sergeant-at-Arms. At the Region V level, she held positions as a Council Representative, Region Legislative Chair, Region Secretary and Region Assistant Treasurer. During her time in the Chapter, she served as President and twice as Secretary. She would be found working on many committees behind the scenes at all levels. She attended many National Conferences as a Delegate.
Yolanda is preceded in death by her beloved husband Stanley A. Harris, her mother, Melberta Cole, her brother Glenn and her dad, Willis L. Brown.
She leaves to mourn her son John (Johanna) C.D. Williams Sr., her daughter Marshana Maria (Paul Sr.) Price, her foster daughter Latisha (Bubbles) Jones, her India Ghee from Virginia. Her 6-grandchildren and 7-great-grandchildren.
At age four and with her father's marriage to Martha Mae Cassimere, she moved with her older brothers, Glenn and Philip to Houston Texas. She attended school in the Houston Independent School District. Yolanda's mother married Clayton Cole and had two more brothers, Michael and Mark.
Yolanda was different and decided she would not attend college. She was convinced by her brother, Philip, that she would do good in the US Army. In December 1972, Yolanda entered the Women Army Corp (WAC) under the Civilian Acquired Skills (CAS) program as a Private First Class (E3). In other words, she had a skill the Army was looking for - Clerk Typist.
In 1998, women in the WAC became Soldiers and Yolanda was transferred to the 718th Transportation Battalion under 83rd ARCOM. She started as a Truck Driver, then became an Equal Opportunity Advisor for 5th Army. In August 1997, she retired at the US Army rank of Master Sergeant (E8). She paid for not going to college because the Army provided her with plenty of education and schooling. Her justification was "I learned, I ate, I had a cot to sleep on, and they paid me".
Yolanda eventually went to work for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) at Defense Supply Center, Columbus (DSCC), and retired in December 2011 as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist.
Yolanda was a Life Member of Blacks In Government (BIG), Columbus Area Chapter. Yolanda was an active forward-thinking member of BIG. She served at the National level as the National AE/EEO Chair, served on the National Legislative Committee and as a National Delegates Sergeant-at-Arms. At the Region V level, she held positions as a Council Representative, Region Legislative Chair, Region Secretary and Region Assistant Treasurer. During her time in the Chapter, she served as President and twice as Secretary. She would be found working on many committees behind the scenes at all levels. She attended many National Conferences as a Delegate.
Yolanda is preceded in death by her beloved husband Stanley A. Harris, her mother, Melberta Cole, her brother Glenn and her dad, Willis L. Brown.
She leaves to mourn her son John (Johanna) C.D. Williams Sr., her daughter Marshana Maria (Paul Sr.) Price, her foster daughter Latisha (Bubbles) Jones, her India Ghee from Virginia. Her 6-grandchildren and 7-great-grandchildren.
Homer Williams
1935-2021
Born in Jackson, MS on June 2, 1935, Homer was raised from an early age by his sister Henrene Williams. Through hard work and diligence, he won admission to Jackson State University, where he studied Math Education. Following college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving on active duty as a commissioned officer at Fort Polk, LA.
After serving his country honorably, he transferred to the Army Reserves, and got a job with the U.S. Department of Defense. Homer would go on to serve for 35 years as a management analyst with the Defense Construction Supply Center. He also retired from the Army after 32 years at the rank of major. Pretty good for a southern boy whose career began as a busboy!
The story of Homer cannot be told in full without Ruth, his wife, his travelling companion, his partner, the mother of his children...essentially, the center of his life. So the full story of Homer is the tale of Homer and Ruth.
Homer and Ruth met at Jackson State University. Mama once confided to me that while he was much interested in her, she was more focused on her studies. But persistence pays, and when she graduated (he had graduated the year before), she agreed to be his wife.
Both taking jobs with the defense department, Homer and Ruth uprooted their young family, moving from the south to Columbus, During their tenure with DCSC, they each earned their Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University, all while raising three kids.
Homer and Ruth are two of the original founders of the Columbus chapter of Blacks in Government, a non-profit organization. Each has served as President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. They were also delegates at many national conventions. Homer served on the Board for a few years.
Homer and Ruth became members of St. Philip Episcopal Church shortly after becoming residents in Columbus, Ohio. It was a compromise between Ruth's Baptist background and Homer's Catholic background. Homer and Ruth were involved in civic organizations and the church. Homer was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Toastmaster, St. Philip Episcopal Church Men, St. Philip Episcopal Church Business Manager, and was a Church Lay Reader.
Homer and Ruth loved all kinds of music; she and Homer had an extensive record collection covering almost all genres. She and Homer also loved to travel; in their time together, they visited Morocco and Canada, and several times drove across the US to California and back.
Homer and Ruth have an extensive family including sons, Harlan and Bretton (Stephannie); daughter LaNelle (Mounir); nephews, Donovan Williams and Rodger Williams; grandchildren, Lavell, D’Mitri, Bretton, Ramzy; four great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends, including Homer’s sister Henrene Williams, who preceded him in 2013.
After serving his country honorably, he transferred to the Army Reserves, and got a job with the U.S. Department of Defense. Homer would go on to serve for 35 years as a management analyst with the Defense Construction Supply Center. He also retired from the Army after 32 years at the rank of major. Pretty good for a southern boy whose career began as a busboy!
The story of Homer cannot be told in full without Ruth, his wife, his travelling companion, his partner, the mother of his children...essentially, the center of his life. So the full story of Homer is the tale of Homer and Ruth.
Homer and Ruth met at Jackson State University. Mama once confided to me that while he was much interested in her, she was more focused on her studies. But persistence pays, and when she graduated (he had graduated the year before), she agreed to be his wife.
Both taking jobs with the defense department, Homer and Ruth uprooted their young family, moving from the south to Columbus, During their tenure with DCSC, they each earned their Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University, all while raising three kids.
Homer and Ruth are two of the original founders of the Columbus chapter of Blacks in Government, a non-profit organization. Each has served as President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. They were also delegates at many national conventions. Homer served on the Board for a few years.
Homer and Ruth became members of St. Philip Episcopal Church shortly after becoming residents in Columbus, Ohio. It was a compromise between Ruth's Baptist background and Homer's Catholic background. Homer and Ruth were involved in civic organizations and the church. Homer was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Toastmaster, St. Philip Episcopal Church Men, St. Philip Episcopal Church Business Manager, and was a Church Lay Reader.
Homer and Ruth loved all kinds of music; she and Homer had an extensive record collection covering almost all genres. She and Homer also loved to travel; in their time together, they visited Morocco and Canada, and several times drove across the US to California and back.
Homer and Ruth have an extensive family including sons, Harlan and Bretton (Stephannie); daughter LaNelle (Mounir); nephews, Donovan Williams and Rodger Williams; grandchildren, Lavell, D’Mitri, Bretton, Ramzy; four great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends, including Homer’s sister Henrene Williams, who preceded him in 2013.
Ruth Williams
1936-2020
Ruth Lanell Stennis Williams, born in Columbia, Mississippi on March 9, 1936, passed away March 28, 2020. Ruth earned a Masters of Public Administration from Central Michigan University while maintaining a job and a family. Her undergraduate degree was earned from Jackson State University, B.S. in Biology Education. She did this at a time when very few blacks were even completing high school, much less attaining advanced degrees.
Ruth retired from the Federal government after 42 years of service. She began as a computer systems trainee for the former Defense Construction Supply Center, working as a mainframe computer programmer. She finished her service as a computer specialist with Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), where she was the project manager for one of the first telecommunication networks in DLA.
Ruth was involved in a number of civic organizations, including La Leche League, Toastmasters, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, St. Philip Episcopal Church Women, and St. Philip Episcopal Church Altar Guild. She was co-founder of the first Columbus Area Chapter of Blacks In Government.
Ruth loved all kinds of music; she and Homer had an extensive record collection covering almost all genres. She and Homer also loved to travel; in their time together, they visited Morocco and Canada, and twice drove across the US to California and back.
Ruth was preceded in death by parents Rufus Benjamin Stennis and Julia Odessa Barnes, and sister Shirley Pearl Floretta Stennis (Robert Williams). Ruth leaves behind an extensive family including her husband, Homer; sons, Harlan and Bretton (Stephannie); daughter, LaNelle (Mounir); nephews, Donovan Williams and Rodger Williams; grandchildren, Lavell, D'Mitri, Bretton, Ramzy; four great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Due to the current public health restrictions, a private family ceremony took place in the chapel of DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long St. Loved ones and friends will be invited to join the Williams family for a memorial celebration to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to St. Philip Episcopal Church, 166 Woodland Ave., Columbus, OH 43203. To express condolences to Ruth's family, please visit her online tribute wall at
www.diehl-whittaker.com.
Ruth retired from the Federal government after 42 years of service. She began as a computer systems trainee for the former Defense Construction Supply Center, working as a mainframe computer programmer. She finished her service as a computer specialist with Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), where she was the project manager for one of the first telecommunication networks in DLA.
Ruth was involved in a number of civic organizations, including La Leche League, Toastmasters, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, St. Philip Episcopal Church Women, and St. Philip Episcopal Church Altar Guild. She was co-founder of the first Columbus Area Chapter of Blacks In Government.
Ruth loved all kinds of music; she and Homer had an extensive record collection covering almost all genres. She and Homer also loved to travel; in their time together, they visited Morocco and Canada, and twice drove across the US to California and back.
Ruth was preceded in death by parents Rufus Benjamin Stennis and Julia Odessa Barnes, and sister Shirley Pearl Floretta Stennis (Robert Williams). Ruth leaves behind an extensive family including her husband, Homer; sons, Harlan and Bretton (Stephannie); daughter, LaNelle (Mounir); nephews, Donovan Williams and Rodger Williams; grandchildren, Lavell, D'Mitri, Bretton, Ramzy; four great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Due to the current public health restrictions, a private family ceremony took place in the chapel of DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long St. Loved ones and friends will be invited to join the Williams family for a memorial celebration to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to St. Philip Episcopal Church, 166 Woodland Ave., Columbus, OH 43203. To express condolences to Ruth's family, please visit her online tribute wall at
www.diehl-whittaker.com.
Patrice (Yarborough) Ware
1951-2006
Patrice (Yarborough) Ware born May 13, 1951 in Columbus OH, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2006 in the early morning. Preceding her in death was her father George L. Yarborough. Her loss is mourned by her devoted husband, Tyrone Ware; adoring son, Jason T. Ware; and loving mother, Mattie (Gerald) Yarborough-Pace. Other respected survivors include uncles, Eugene (Bettye) Yarborough, John (Jean) Head, and David (Marjorie) Head; aunts, Martha (Ernest) Penn, Esther, Oretha Yarborough and Lois Dearing; mother-in-law, Catherine Ware-Martin; Marlene (Robert) Ewey, Maxwell (Beverly) Ware, Dwight (Darla) Ware, Kim (Aaric) Watson, Brenda (Thomas) Bowman, Marchell (Glenn) Foster, Jacqueline (Rev. William) Birtha; many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Homegoing Service 11 a.m., Monday, February 20, 2006 at Trinity Baptist Church, 461 St. Clair Avenue, where the family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the start of service. Pastor Victor M. Davis, officiating. Arrangements entrusted to DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long Street.
Jereline (Jerri) McMahan
1948-2011
Jereline McMahan, 62, of Columbus, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 6, 2011, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born June 9, 1948, in Spartanburg, S.C., daughter of the late James and Lizzie Mae Ballenger McMahan. Jereline was of graduate of Central High School and received her degree from CTI (aka Columbus State). She was employed for 21 years at Defence Supply Center of Columbus were she worked as an Equal Employment Officer. In addition, she was a member of Blacks In Government. In addition to her parents, Jereline was preceded in death by her sister Betty Mae, and brothers Robert, Walter and Freddie Marvin McMahan. She is survived by her daughter, Tammy (Don) Smith; son, William Lawrence (Latashia) Johnston III; sisters, Willie Ruth Harris and Dianna McMahan; brothers, James "Jimmy" Earl, Edward Eugene, Jerry Wayne and Ronnie (Kim) McMahan; grandchildren, Saniqua, Patrice and Tamara McMahan, Arrman, Jalen and Giovanni Scott, Azavier and Justyce Johnston; great grandchildren, Danielle Jackson, Jadon McMahan and Aramis Hakeem; aunts, Aileen Wilkes, Coreen Gould, Betty Williams and Louise Thompson; uncle, Daniel Ballenger. Also, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be Thursday, March 10, 2011 from 10-11 a.m. at Rhema Christian Center, 2100 Agler Rd. Columbus, OH 43224, with the funeral beginning at 11 a.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME NE CHAPEL, 3047 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Columbus. Interment will be in Green Lawn Cemetery. To leave a special message for the family visit www.NewcomerColumbus.com
