Obituaries

“Dean of the City Council” and “Community Caretaker” James F. (Jim) Maddox, a stern support of our senior citizens and our youth, had stated that we must “keep supporting and mentoring young people.” Maddox was elected to public office in 1977 and served the people of Atlanta with distinction. He retired in 2009 after 32 years of leadership. Maddox served as the chair of Atlanta’s Community Development and Human Services committee, created the city’s E-911 system, | Read more...

Goodbye ‘Bo-legs’ Atlanta Native Marvin S. Arrington, Sr. Laid to Rest February 10, 1941 – July 5, 2023 Political, social, fraternal, athletic and just plain regular folks congregated Friday, July 28th at historic Ebenezer Baptist Church to bid a final farewell to Atlanta native Marvin Stephens Arrington, Sr. “It has been said that great leaders don’t mind getting their hands dirty,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “Marvin embodied that spirit. He came straight | Read more...

By Reverend Jacqueline Williams There are seven characteristics of a virtuous lady. Dignity, Patience, Diligence, Generosity, Courage, Wisdom, and Devotion. A “virtuous lady” has high moral standards. These characteristics exemplifies Dr. Christine King Farris unselfish acts, public services, and dedication to the world! Dr. Christine King Farris passed on June 29,2023 at the age of 95. Dr. Christine King Farris was the oldest sister of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King | Read more...

Dr. Christine King Farris Lying in State at the Georgia State Capital ... as we remember her journey and the road she walked. Photos by Lashley / Zeriba | Read more...

Events, Celebrations of Life, Tributes for Dr W. Christine King Farris and Marvin Stephens Arrington, | Read more...

September 11, 1927 - June 29, 2023 The Atlanta Inquirer was there as Dr. Willie Christine King Farris and friends and family gathered on September 11, 2022 to celebrate her 95th birthday at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Though she was known as the sister to the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., she was heavily involved as a Civil Rights activist herself… along with her parents, brothers and sister-in-law Coretta Scott King. She died in Atlanta on | Read more...

The only fitting way to affix a funeral program to esteemed broadcast and print journalist Maynard Eaton would be to design it like a magazine. And that is exactly what his wife-colleague Robin Williams-Eaton and his circle of family and friends did for him. A colleague and friend of this writer since Eaton’s birth in Newark and childhood residence in Orange, New Jersey moved to the ATL in 1977, the grim reaper masquerading as lung cancer claimed his life on May 23 of | Read more...

By Dr. Renee Sunshine Lewis In 1986, when being a female Pastor was not popular, Apostle Collette Lewis Gunby, along with her late husband Pastor Ronald E. Gunby founded the Green Pastures Christian Ministries. Under their great leadership, Green Pastures Daycare (for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old), Elementary School and High School were opened. Soon afterwards, Pastor Ron passed, leaving Apostle Collette a widow at the age of 32 with two children, Kelley and | Read more...

Entertainer and Civil Rights Activist Harry Belafonte Dies "King of Calypso" "Day-o, day-o, Daylight come, and we want go home" Harold George Bellanfanti, Jr. March 1, 1927 - April 25, 2023 Singer, actor Harry Belafonte died on April 25, 2023 from congestive heart failure at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City, at the age of 96. He was born Harold George Bellanfanti, Jr. on March 1, 1927, in Harlem, New York City, the son of Jamaican-born | Read more...

Carolyn Long Banks October 30, 1940 – April 12, 2023 Carolyn Long Banks was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Ralph A. Long, Sr. and Rubye Carolyn Hall Long. Long Banks and her family played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement in Atlanta. She graduated from Atlanta’s Henry McNeil Turner High School. She graduated from Clark College (now, Clark Atlanta University). While at Clark, she was initiated into Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (1959). She | Read more...

Thomas W. “Tommy” Dortch, Jr. April 12, 1950 - February 15, 2023 Atlanta businessman and mentor Thomas W. “Tommy” Dortch, Jr. died on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. He was 72. He was a long-time friend to The Atlanta Inquirer. Dortch, Jr.’s mother, originally from LaGrange, Georgia, was a homemaker and later returned to school as an adult and became a childcare specialist. His father, from Toccoa, Georgia, was an entrepreneur, owning and operating pawn shops and | Read more...

Burnella Jane “Bunnie” Hayes Jackson Ransom November 16, 1940 - February 2, 2023 Burnella Jane “Bunnie” Hayes Jackson Ransom was born on November 16, 1940 in Louisburg, North Carolina to Burnell James Hayes and Elizabeth Day Hayes. She was more affectionately known by her nickname, Bunnie. Her father, Burnalle James Hayes (1903 - 1969), was nicknamed “Bun” and was a baseball pitcher with the Negro Leagues from 1928 to 1935. He had played with the Baltimore Black Sox, | Read more...