Services for Willie Vera Ranson will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 22, at Maranatha Church, 422 NE 12th in Portland.

Alexandria Jessie Martin passed away on Monday May 20^th, 2013 in Lithia Springs, Georgia, from complications of Lupus. She was born on Saturday January 26^th, 1991 to Dayle Martin and Joseph Almond Jr in Portland, Oregon.

Mother Cration aka Mema was the eldest of 11 children, she was saved and baptized at an early age at Israelite Baptist Church--her unfeathered access to God's internal power made her a rock even until the end, where she died in peace at Fernhill Manor from complications of Alzheimers. She was 94.

Long-time equity champion, Jerry Wayne Walker passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2013, at the age of 61.  Jerry Walker was a strong supporter of inclusion and equity.

She enjoyed traveling to Seattle, Wash. and Portland, Oregon, where she visited her nieces and nephew. Two highlights of her travels were going to see Lena Horne perform in Seattle, and visiting the Oregon Coast and the monument where the Lewis and Clark Trail ended.

Chermaine Lombard-Hayes died peacefully at home in the early morning of March 17, 2013. Chermaine was born to Louis and Lucille (Douroux) Lombard in Algiers, La., Nov. 5, 1931.

Portland Observer Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Charles H. Washington died Saturday. He was 60 years old.

(CNN) -- Sherman Hemsley, who played the brash George Jefferson on "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," died Tuesday at 74, his booking agent said.

Portland businessman, youth advocate and public servant Harold Williams Sr. has passed away after suffering a stroke last week. A towering figure on the Portland landscape for more than 50 years, Williams many achievements include serving as Oregon's first Affirmative Action Director, reporting to Gov. Bob Straub.

Evelyn Burell was born Earline-"Evelyn" Deloris Bowden on Jan. 12, 1942, in the little town of Osceola, Ark. On June 25, 2012, at the age of 70, the Lord called Evelyn home to be at peace.