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 ~ ~ ~ @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