All Obituaries

Datha Jean Posey, age 51, of Hammond, Indiana, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2023, after battling a prolonged health condition. She was born to James Day and the late Sybil Day on June 16, 1971. Preceded in death by her husband of more than 15 years, Keith Posey; and mother, Sybil Day. Datha is survived by her son, Ryan Posey; daughter, Emily Posey; father, James Day; two brothers, Craig and Curtis (Tracy) Day; niece, Laura Johnson; and many other extended family members and...

Geneva "GiGi" or "Mother Brooks" Houston Brooks was born on August 28, 1938, in Clarendon, Arkansas, to Booker Taliaferro Houston and Marie Thomas Houston. She was the first daughter of this union and the second child. She has one sister and three brothers. GiGi graduated from George Washington Carver Public School in Clarendon, Arkansas. She began her post-secondary at St. Phillips College in San Antonio, Texas, followed by Arkansas AM&N in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and...

Robert Corbett Shelton, aka "Bobby Joe Amoco", passed away on May 10, 2023 in Merrillville, Indiana. A resident of Merrillville for more than 25 years, Robert was born to Willie and Doris Shelton on October 19, 1962. He grew up in Casper, Wyoming and graduated from Natrina County High School. He worked for Amoco, now BP, for over 35 years at locations in Wyoming, Texas, and Illinois. Bob had a soul of gold. He loved hard and gave with all he had. Visits to theme parks with Bob...

Virginia M. Cerros was born January 28, 1935, in Jalisco, Mexico, to Faustina Rivas.  She came to the United Staes at the age of 15 years old, where she lived with her mother, brothers and sisters.  She later met and married Francisco Cerros, and to this union 10 children were born.  They lived in East Chicago for a short time then moved to Gary, Indiana where they lived for over 50 years. Preceded in death by her husband, Francisco Cerros; and 2 sons, Cecilio and Francisco...

Alice Jeanette Perry, Merrillville, Indiana, age 78, passed away on April 29, 2023. She was born in Chicago, Illinois to the late Walter and Marie Mitchell. Alice was a graduate of Tolleston High School class of 1962. She was employed by Lever Brothers, where she retired in 2002. She was an active member of Family Christian Center in Munster, Indiana for 34 years and served on the Usher Board. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Marie Mitchell; sister, Carolyn Mitchell;...

Clara Imogene Smith Williams was born in Atlanta, Georgia on April 1, 1921, to Rosa Lee and Clarence Smith, she was the youngest of 3 daughters. At an early age Clara's mother moved to East Orange, New Jersey with Clara and her two sisters. She graduated from East Orange High School in 1939. After high school she attended Nannie Burroughs National Trade and Professional School for Women and Girls, one of the nation's first vocational training schools for African American girls and...

James lee Brooks, age 73, was born on April 3, 1950 in Mercer, Tennessee. He was the oldest child of three born to the union of the late Alfred Brooks and Emma Lee Cunningham- Brooks. James transitioned peacefully from this earthly realm on April 28, 2023. James' father, Alfred Brooks relocated from Tennessee to Gary, Indiana with the family in the 1950's to work at USX Steel Mill. Gary, Indiana is where James resided for the remainder of the majority of his life. James was raised...

Rose Yvonne Thornton, first born child of Thomas Lee Davis and Marchioness M. Davis, was born September 11, 1953, in Decatur, Alabama. Following the completion of grade school, Rose earned her high school diploma from Westside High School in Gary, Indiana, also attending Andrean High School until her senior year. Rose earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology in 1976. Rose, a passionate educator, specialized in Special Needs and Art for 30 plus years at Gary Community School and...

Alfred Alexander Connell, Jr. was born October 5, 1954, in Gary, Indiana, to Sarah and Alfred A. Connell, Sr. Al was the eldest son of five boys. He accepted Christ at an early age and even served as an altar boy, who'd have thought that ! He graduated from West Side High School Class of 1975.  At the age of seventeen Al met fifteen years old, Shirley, they later married in 1979, and to this union they gained three children, Rashaun, Alexis, and Alexander. Al worked briefly...

Henry William Lee, Sr. finished the race on April 16, 2023. Now resting in heaven by his Savior's side. Henry was born as one of nine children on May 4, 1933, to William Lee Sr. and Geneva (Carter) Lee. 8 Siblings preceded him in death. Marie, Nathaniel, Aaron, Bertha, Frances, William Jr., Vivian, and Loyell. A graduate of Roosevelt High School class of 1952. Henry Lee Sr. married the love of his life, Birdie Mae Lee, on November 21, 1954, together for 68 years, three children were born...