In Loving Memory of Ms. Versie Marie Black, 10 August 1951 - 11 August 2006, Memorial Service, Tuesday, August 15, 2006, 11:00 a.m., Cascade United Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, Reverend Marvin A. Moss, Senior Pastor, Reverend W. Kimbrough, Pastor Emeritus - Officiating

In Loving Memory of
~s. o/ersie ~arie (]3facft

ugust 1951 + 11

:M.emuriaf. ervice

I

fl'uesift:t], Jlugust 15, 2006
11:00a.m.

Cascaae Vnitea9detlioaut Cliurcli Atfan~ fieqtrgia

~end'!MttrU~t~~ N:oss, SeniorCJ'astor
'%flere1ftlW. 7(jm6roug6~ lstor lmeritus - Officiatino

Versie Marie Black was called to her heavenly home on Friday, August 11, 2006. Born on August 10, 1951 to Bertha Louise Black & Alexander (Bessie) Black Sr., Versie was the third of eight children.
She graduated Valedictorian from Monroe County Training School in Beatrice, Alabama in 1970; and, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Math from Alabama State University in May, 1974.
A sociable, positive, dynamic woman, Versie loved people and lived a purposeful life. She had a passion for her church and was actively involved in numerous organizations. She was a member of Cascade United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA, where she served on the Staff Pastor Relation Committee; was District Coordinator for the Membership Nurturing & Outreach of the United Methodist Women; and served as a Board Member of the Walter L. Kimbrough Leadership Institute.
After accomplishing many endeavors and moving up the success ladder, Versie retired as past Vice-President of Sales at SCA Tissue, North America. She was the first woman and first person of color to hold this position. She became Director of SalesChain Distribution at Georgia Pacific Corporation. In addition, Versie was the first woman inducted into the "Million Dollar Club" at Wisconsin Tissue, 1986; and her name was on the list of "10 Women of Achievement" at Georgia Pacific in 2000. Expanding her horizon and touching more lives, she became a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, workshop facilitator and motivational Speaker. Eventually she found her true passion as CEO and founder of Diverse Sales, Inc., and Versie Consulting, Inc. She shared her personal habits and principles for success in her book, Choose Your Shoes .. .Then Take a Walk, published in 2003.
Versie was Vice President and a Member of Toastmasters International - DiVerse Dream Makers Club; a member of Alabama State University Alumni Association; a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and an active member of Kappa Omega Chapter. She was CEO and founder of the Versie M. Black Scholarship Fund and an active volunteer in many community programs including her favorite, the Atlanta Day Shelter.
Versie leaves to mourn her death a devoted daughter, Valerie M. Black-Dixon, her loving and dedicated parents: Bertha Louise Black, mother and Alexander Black Sr., father, and seven siblings; three brothers, Alexander (Shirley) Black, Jr., Dayton, OH; Elgin (Jacqueline) Black, Montgomery, AL; Lawrence (Carolyn) Black, Beatrice, AL; four sisters, Evelyn B. Stiner, Montgomery, AL; Loretta D. Black, Beatrice, AL; Glenda Jean Black-Prevo, Beatrice, AL; and Naomi Black Harris, Alexandria, LA; a devoted uncle, Theodore "Ted"(Verna) Montgomery, Colorado Springs, CO; thirteen nieces and nephews, eleven grand nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives, extended family and friends.

rder if' 01Jervicc

Prelude Greeting

"'Total Praise"

Mr. Kenny Banks, Organist Rev. Bernice W. Kirkland

Hymn of Celebration

"'Pass Me Not, 0 Gentle Savior" # 351

Scriptures

Old Testament Ne1.o Testament

Prayer

Reflections

(Three minutes please)

Psalm 139:1-7, 13-14 I Corinthians 15:55, 57-58

Lighting of Candle of Rememberance

Rev. John R. Brown Rev. Lisa D. Gorman
Rev. Bernice W. Kirkland
Ms. Patricia Bell, UMW President Ms. Melissa Adams, Friend Rev. Yvette D. Massey, Senior Pastor, Warren Memorial UMC
Ms. Valerie Dixon, Daughter Mr. Theodore Montgomery, Uncle

Celebration in Song Words of Comfort
Musical Reflections

"'In The Garden"

Ms. Jennifer Freeman, Soloist

Rev. Walter L. Kimbrough, Pastor Emeritus, Cascade UMC

"'Amazing Grace"

Mr. Kenny Banks, Organist

"'I Want Jesus To Walk With Me"

"'Great Is Thy Faithfulness"

Acknowledgements Sending Forth Recessional

"'Gain' Up Yonder"

Minister Tonya Lawrence Rev. Bernice W. Kirkland Mr. Kenny Banks, Organist

~

~

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@ntermcnt

Wednesday, August 16,2006 New Purchase CME Cemetery
Beatrice, Alabama

Adieu, Never Goodbye
On Friday n1orning, Mother, You were greeted by your Lord. You gave your child a final stare And began to climb the stair.
Standing with Him to call you home Where your Grandmother has been long gone.
Your namesake, Versie, is also there, Telling you, uBaby, you are much better for the wear."
uThis battle was never yoursIt has al-ways been the Lord's. Your body's simply a vessel-
No more pain for you now; You are with the Lord."
Oh, I miss you uMommie!" This much is true,
No words can express My loss ofyou, . I am not mad! am simply sad.
God has brought you home Leaving me here alone.
No matter what! know that God will heal me, And I pray for your safe journey.
Yau left us in your sleep, So I should not weep. No more peaceful way
Should one be called home. You were ready to go,
So I will fulfill your wishes.
Our world has lost a pearl Now you can be at rest
We acknowledge you did your best. God said unto you, uWell Done!"
No higher praise is there Than to be greeted by the Master.
No, there is no goodbye; Simply, Adieu
For in His time I will see you.
Valerie

My Child Has Been Set Free
Daughters hold a special bond That nothing can replace.
Their smiles can chase the blues azuay And brighten up aface.
Joys we've knozun, a special day Shared behueen us hvo,
Secret talks and peacefulzvalks Just to name a fezu.
Times ofreminiscing, The day you learned to crazul, Looking through the photos
I've ahuays kept them all.
But one sad day, the phone did ring. It tore my world in two
A voice came on the other end, 11 I have bad news for you. 11
The precious girl, I loved so much Was quickly leaving me.
So many things we might have known Will never come to be.
Thoughts ofher are everywhere I cannot let her go;
But somewhere up in heaven A star does softly glow .

She sees a Joy unknown to me, Her face is full of Light.
She walked into the Promised Land God holds her hand so tight.
Just as the shifting sands of time Flozu gently out to sea
Here today and gone tomorrow, My Child Has Been Set Free.
With Love, Mom

We Only Wanted You
They say memories are golden; Well, maybe that is true.
We never wanted memories, We only wanted you.
A million times we needed you, A million times, we cried.
If love alone could have saved you
You never would have died.
In life, we loved you dearly, In death, we love you still. In our he~rts you hold a place
No one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway And heartache makes a lane, We'd walk the path to heaven And bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same. But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.
With Love from Your Brothers, Alexander Jr., Elgin, and Lawrence

Goodbye Versie
Saying goodbye is a difficult thing to say, But even harder to do;
So we zvon ' t speak the words Or let it become true.
Though we are separated, We'll never be apart. Where ever we go
We'll take you with us in our hearts. We'll keep you in our hearts In this place you'll stay. We'll carry you with us
Every second ofevery moment ofevery day. We hear ofa wonderful place Ofits beauty and grace.
What a wonderful day it will be When we can all go and see;
We won't prolong this any longer We must let you go,
But you will always be our 11 Big Sister. 11 So wait for us, 11 Versie, 11
For just a little while and take your rest. Remember we love you, But God loves you best!
Love from Your Sisters, Evelyn, Loretta, Glenda and Naomi

Our Father Knows
Our Father knows what's best for us, So why should we complain We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there must be rain We love the sound oflaughter And the merriment of cheer,
But our hearts would lose their tenderness If we never shed a tear. Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow, He tests us, not to punish us, But to help us meet tomorrow...
For growing trees are strengthened When they withstand the storm, And the sharp cut of the chisel Gives the marble grace and form ... So whenever we are troubled And when everything goes wrong, It is just God working in us To make our spirit strong.
Love, Uncle Ted

Aunt Versie,
Little did we know that morning God was going to call your name,
In life we loved you dearly In death we'll do the same. It breaks our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone, For part of us went with you, The day God called you home. You leave us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide, And though we cannot see you You are always by our side. Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.
Love Always, Your Nieces and Nephews

"Don't Cry For Me"
forme n't you see.

So dYM our eyes and stop crying. Don' y \ worry about my dying.
This is a debt w must pay, We aU must sleep ght on away.

.

'.

Don't cry for me; plea ~ be strong.

Yo be sad but notfor long.

I want yo make pre arations everyday,

Then y ' l be ready o come m way.

Versie

.AckntJW!cdg-(}111enf
We gratefully acknowledge the countless expressions of your love and concern during the homegoing of our beloved, Versie. Your thoughtfulness eased our sorrow and made us aware again of how wonderful it is to be blessed with good friends. May God, in his infinite wisdom, bless and keep you always.
The Family

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution I ajc.com

4

FAMILY -PLACED DEATH NOTICES

BLACK, Versie

CRAWFORD, Juanita

Homegoing Service f9r Ms. Versie M. Funeral Services for Mrs. Juanita White

Black of Smyrna, Ga. will be held Wednes- Crawford, of 3041 Landrum Dr., SW, Apt..

day, August 16, 2006, 11:00 A.M. GST. at 37A, Atlanta, GA 30311, will be held Tues-

New Purchase C.M.E. Church, 17289 day, August 15, 2006 at 12:00 PM at Sell-

ON THE WEB:
To view family-placed death notices, news obituaries and find past obituaries or death notices
VlsH www.ajc.com/obits

Hwy. 21 North Beatrice, AL. Rev. C. Snowden, Pastor, Rev. Dr. Walter L. Kimbrough Eulogist officiating. Interment New Purchase. Church Cemetery. AKA Sorority lyy- beyond the Waif'Ceremony will be held tt11s EVENING at 6:00 P.M. Gus Thombill's

ers Brothers Chape.l, 889 M. L. King, Jr. Dr. NW, Pastor Portia T. Minter, offlciaiting. Interment will be at Crestlawn Cemetery. The family will assemble at Antoine Graves Highrise, 126 Hilliard St. SE, Atlanta, 30312 at 11:00 AM on the day of

Chapel; 1315 Gus Thornhill, Jr. Dr. East the service. She is survived by Qne son,

A COMPLETE LISTING BY FUNERAL HOME

Point, Ga. Memorial Services will be held Tuesday, AUP.USt 15, 2006, 11 :00 A.M. at

Leon Crawford; a daughter, Caroline D. Crawford; one sister, Evelyn McGee; five

ANDREW'S MORTURARY INC.

Cascade United Methodist Church, 3144 grandsons, Jeffery M. Clark, Sr., Quentin

DYER, Constance

Cascade Rd. S.W. AHanta, Ga. Rev. Marvin Robinson, Ricardo Joiner, Akeem Leon

mRNAL HILLS F.H.
BUTLER, Doris PEEK. Marion

Moss Pastor and Dr. Walter L. Kimbrough, Crawford and Daniel Gresham; and a host officiating. She leaves to cherish her mem- of other relatives and friends. Sellers ory a devoted daughter: Valerie M. Dixon, Brohters, Inc., 404-522-6924. .

FLANIGAN FUNERAL HOME
BOLEN, E.O. "John" O'CONNELL. Muriel

loving and dedicated mother: Bertha Lou- Express condolences at ajc.com/obHs ise Black, loving father: Alexander Black, Sr.; seven siblings; three brothers: Alexan-

GOOLSBY MORTUARY
BURNETT, Shawn
GRINER FUNERAL HOME
PENSON, Lamar
INGRAM FUNERAL HOME
ABERNATHY, Elma

der Black, Jr. (Shirley), Elgin Black DYER, Constance

(Jacqueline), and lawrence Black (Caro- Funeral Service for Constance Dyer of Pal-

lyn); four s1sters: Evelyn B. Sti.ner, Loretta metto, GA. will be announced later by Alex-

D. Black, Glenda Jean Black-Prevo and ander's Mortuary Inc. 770-964-1200.

Naomi Black Harris, a devoted uncle: Theodore "Ted" (Vema), thirteen nieces,

Express condolences at ajc.com/obHs

nephews, eleven grand nieces, nephews

G.B. LEVm I SONS
BILLINGSLY, John GREY, Robert HINTON, Rosa
THORNTON, Jamie Lynn
MEADOWS MoRTUARY
SHERFIELD, Nancy

and a host of other family and fnends. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the church at 10:00 A.M. CST. Gus Thornhiil's Funeral Home, Inc. 404-768-2993-4. Express condolences at ajc.com/obltl

GEIGER, Earl
Mr. Earl Francis Geiger of 4275 Owens Rd., Evans, GA., entered into rest on Friday, August 11, 2006, at St. Joseph Hospital. Mr. Geiger, the son of Frank A. and Emma was born in Buffalo, NY. on Apr.il 3,

1920. He served during WWII as an officer

MURRAY BROTHERS

BOLEN, E. 0. "John"

in the United States Army and Aide to the

BAGLEY, Tanya PYE, Margaret

Mr. E. 0. "John" Bolen, age 68, of Flow- Commanding General of the First Army. ery Branch, GA passed away on Friday, After the war, he joined Orkin Pest Control

NORTHSIDE CHAPEL F.H.

August 11 , 2006. He is survived by: his based in Atlanta, GA., and held avariety of

TURNER, Janice

Wife of 47 years, Mrs. Shirley Bolen, Flow- senior managerial positions prior to its ac-

PLAITS FUNERALHOME
GEIGER, Earl

ery Branch, GA; daughters, Angela Anne quisition by Rollins, Inc. He finished his Bolen, Light House Point, FL. Cindy Maria career at Rollins as Vice-Chairman. After

ROSWELL FUNERAL HOME
SMENTEK, Kelly

Magnuson, Coral Springs, FL; son and retiring from Rollins, Mr. Geiger joined daughter-in-law, Jonathan Scott and Sam Edward's Pie of Atlanta, where he served Bolen, Scottsdale, AZ; 5 grandchildren, as President and Chairman. After retiring

RALEIGH RUCKER

Jon Magnuson, Aubree Magnuson, Alexfs from Edward's Pie, Mr. Geiger lived briefly

REDMON, Ernest

Magnuson, MacKenzie Bolen, Cole Bolen; in Tifton, GA. before moving to Augusta;

SANDY SPRINGS F.H. No'W~~. ~~

sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Ray where he was a very active member of the McAdoo, Conyers, GA. Lou and Ross Brandon Wilde Retirement Community.
Withrow, Pineville, 'IN. Helen and Mick Survivors include three so11s, Willard Wy-

SELLERS BROTHERS
CRAWFORD, Juanita

McConkey, Cocoa Beach, FL; brothers and man Geiger (lynn) of Augusta, GA., sister-in-law, Elmer and Marie Bolen, ChristOJ)her Theuman Geiger (Cathy) of

GUS THORNHILL'S F.H.
BLACK, Versie
DONALD TRIMBLE MORTUARY

Lawrenceville, GA. Elvin Bolen, Daytona Jersey City, NJ. and Peter Wyman Geiger Beach, Fl; several nieces, nephews and (Donna) Of Atlanta, GA.; a daughter, cousins. Mr. Bolen was born on July 2~. Haynes .Geiger Dooley (John) of Atlanta,
1938 in West Virginia. He was aveteran of GA.; two s1sters Ruth G. f<eatlng and

DIXON, Mary INGRAM, Mary TUCKER, Orlando

the U.S. Air Force having s~rvea in tha Doris Chillog; four grandsons, William "Cold" War". He was a retired manager Henry Geiger of Savannah, GA., Christo-

A. S. TURNER I SONS
HUNTER, Johnnie LONGLEY, Ftance
TOM M. WAGES F.S.
BARTEL, Gala BROOKS, Mary Lou
HORIS A. WARD
RAMEY, Mamie

from J.C. Penney Company after 38 years of service. He was a member of the Ivy Creek Baptist Church, Buford, GA, where he was a member of the Auditorium Bible Sunday School Class. His hobbles were his grandchildren and helping other people. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 1tOO a.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with Dr.

pher Earl Geiger of Atlanta, GA., Connor Wyman DOoley and Gavin Geiger Dooley both of Atlanta, GA. A private family memorial service will be hefd on Monday, August 14, 2006. If so desired, memorials may be made to Brandon Wilde, 4275 Owens Rd., Evans, GA. 30809 or St. Joseph Hospice, 2260 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta, GA. 30904.

MAYES WARD-DOBBINS F.H.

Jim Ferguson officiating. Interment will be Express condolences at ajc.com/oblt

JONES, L.V. PORTO, Sans
WILLIE A. WATKINS F.H.

in Hamilton Mill Memorial Gardens, Buford, GA. The family will receive friends at the
funeral home on Monday evening from GREY, Robert

JACKSON, William JOHNSON, Curtis

6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Arrangements Homegoing services for Mr. Robert L. by: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Grey, Jr. of Lithonia, GA will be held TO-

WHEELER FUNERAL HOME

Home and Crematory, Buford, GA. DAY, Monday, August 14, 2006 11:00 AM

TURNER, Rev. David

7 7 0 - 9 3 2 - 1 1 3 3 at our South De~alb Chapel, Pastor Joshua

WHITLEY GARNER
MELTON, David

www. flaniganfuneralhome.com
Express condolences at ajc.com/obHs

Goodrum, officiating. Interment Hillandale Cemetery. He is survived by wife, Valerie

OTHER
CLARK. Jacquelin
ABERNATHY, Elma
Elma ~ae Starr Abernathy, age 95, of Cummmg formerly of College Park passed away Saturday, August 12, 2006. She was preceded in death by her husband, John A.b~mathy, infant son, Earl Abernathy and Slbhnas. Elinor Sweatt. Mollie Davis. Genr-

BROOKS, Mary Lou
Mary Lou Brooks, age 81, of Covington, Georgia, died August 12, 2006. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Tim Maddox, Covington; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Tammy Brooks, Canton, Dennis and Cindy Brooks, Ball Ground; sister; Martha Bryant, Conyers; sister and brother-in-law, Ann and ~~m,e.s Mill~.. Covlngton; _ gr~ndc~ld.r~n.

Grey; two sons, Kevin and Lorenzo Grey; two daughters, Aleshia Grey and Shawonda (Juan) Grey Davis; mother, Vassie Mae Grey; father, Robert L. (Elise) Grey, Sr., and a host of other relat1ves. Family will assemble at 85 Willowick Drive, Lithonia, TODAY at 10:00 AM.Gregory B. Levett & Sons, South Dekalb Chapel (404) 241-5656. Express condolences at ajc.com/obHs