All Obituaries

Vernell Williams, age 80, of Moraine, OH, passed away Friday, March 3, 2023. Calling hours 9 am- 11am Thursday, March 23 at House of Wheat Funeral Home, 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave, Dayton, OH. Family to receive friends from 10 am-11 am. Memorial service to begin at 11 am. (Mask Required)

Samuel James Morgan, age 70, was born on February 23, 1953, in Dayton, Ohio. He departed this life on Saturday, March 11, 2023. He was a resident of Dayton, Ohio and graduated from Nettie Lee Roth High School. Samuel was enlisted into the United States Air Force in May 1972, as a Psychiatric Clinical Specialist.  He received a National Defense Service Medal.  He later attended Central State University. He went on to live his life later working at the Ford Plant in Troy,...

George A. Holmes, age 81, of Dayton, OH, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023. Visitation 9 am- 11 am Tuesday, March 21 at House of Wheat Funeral Home, 2107 N. Gettysburg Avenue, Dayton, OH. Family to receive friends 10 am- 11am. Funeral service to begin at 11 am. (Mask Required). Interment Dayton National Cemetery.

James "Michael" Thornton (JT), age 71, was born on September 26th, 1951, in Dayton, Ohio to the late James H. Thornton and Annie B (Griffin) Thornton, he was the fifth child and the only boy out of six children. He graduated from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School, class of '69. He went on to earn his Undergrad Bachelor of Science in Analytical Chemistry from HBCU Central State University c/o '75, then his Master’s in Education Administration from University of...

Dr. Arthur E. Thomas, affectionately known to many as “Doc”, was born in Philadelphia, PA, on June 21, 1938, and passed on February 9, 2023. Dr. Thomas dedicated his entire adult life and career to championing the cause of the poor, the oppressed, and the denied.  Dr. Thomas was a teacher and educator for Dayton Public Schools (DPS), President Emeritus for Central State University (CSU) , Presidential Fellow for the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher...

Mark Morri Mayo, age 69, transitioned from this life on Monday, March 6, 2023, at home in Columbus, Ohio. God dispatched an angel to his bedside, as he slipped peacefully away to eternal rest. Mark was born on January 29, 1954, to the late Mark Mayo Jr. and Pauline Mayo in Dayton, Ohio. He was a devoted and loving son, father, and brother. He was a man of few words, but he had heart of gold. Mark will be remembered as a longtime staple at the Hoover Skate Arena in Dayton,...

Arzella Taylor, age 84, a longtime resident of Dayton, Ohio peacefully passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2023, in Streetsboro, Ohio. Arzella better known as “Zell” was born on June 6, 1938, in Parkdale, Arkansas to Floyd Lowe and Aris (Nelson) Lowe. Arzella attended Rock Island High School and Winola High School. She graduated from Western University with a Bachelors in Education. Zell was a public-school teacher in Rockford, Illinois, Decatur, Illinois and Dayton, Ohio. She...

Julia Beasley, age 93, passed away on February 22, 2023, at her residence. She was a native of Georgetown, Kentucky and the second child to the late Irma and William Carter. In 1948, Julia Mocham Carter married James Thomas Beasley. She gave her life to Christ. She also served as a church secretary for numerous ministers. She retired from Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority. Julia enjoyed Martial arts in her spare time. She earned a black belt. Julia was a 20+ year breast cancer...

Pastor Ethel Rea Watts, age 72, of Huber Heights, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Visitation 9 am- 11am Thursday, March 9, at Christ Temple Apostolic Church, 3241 Denlinger Rd. Dayton, OH. Family will receive friends 10 am-11 am. Funeral service to begin at 11 am. Interment West Memory Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to the House of Wheat Funeral Home, Inc.

Mildred Deloris Bryant was born in Dayton, Ohio on June 26, 1945 to Moses and Joyce Bryant. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Melvalyn Clark; and great nephew, Daniel Clark. Mildred accepted Christ at ten-years old. As a high school senior, she was amongst the first African Americans to integrate NCR as a student secretary. In 1963, she graduated with honors from Roosevelt High School. She earned several degrees including an MBA from Central Michigan University. Mildred was...