The Honorable Herman Marable Jr.
67th DISTRICT COURT
FIFTH [FLINT] DIVISION

630 S. Saginaw St.  Flint, Michigan  48502
 
    Phone: (810) 766-8985    
 

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The Herman Sr. & Iris B. Marable
Senior Citizen of the Month Award


.......and we are honoring:

 

Mr. Green Wedlow and Mrs. Catherine Wedlow
Mr. Green Wedlow and Mrs. Catherine Wedlow has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for January 2006. 
(Posthumously)

The Wedlows were well known in the local religious community for their active membership at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Green Wedlow, 75, was President of the Senior Usher Board, a faithful member of the Sunday School department, and a vital part of the Willing Workers Ministry often visiting the homeless. Mr. Wedlow was a volunteer at Carriage Town Ministries. He was also an avid bowler with the church bowling league. 
Catherine Wedlow, 74, was also active in church activities. She was known as an outstanding homemaker and wife to Mr. Wedlow during their 58 year marriage. Although the Wedlows had no children, they were known as the "parents of the community" due to their mentorship of many young people and relatives throughout their lives.

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Ms. Virgie Warren
Virgie Warren of Flushing has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
 Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for February 2006. 

Warren 69, is a country music writer/recording artist and magazine publisher. She has organized and performed at many music events in the community. She is an active member of the Flushing Senior Center, and the Flushing Historical Society Ms Warren has utilized her talents to organize fundraising events for various charitable organizations including the Area 13 Special Olympics, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, and the Leukemia Foundation.  Ms Warren has previously been honored and inducted into the National Traditional Country Music Association Hall of Fame, the Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Michigan Pioneer Music Walk of Fame. She was named as an Honorary Kentucky Colonel, and an Honorary Tennessean. She has received proclamations from the mayors of Flint and Flushing for her community service, and was nominated twice for Flushing Citizen of the Year. She will soon release her fourth record album.

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Mrs. Shirley Jean Scott
Shirley Jean Scott has been awarded the Herman Sr. & Iris B. Marable
 Senior Citizen of the Month Award for March 2006. 

Mrs. Scott, 66, is active volunteer with several community organizations, poet, and servant of her fellow senior citizens. She has been a mainstay with the Beecher Salvation Army for over 15 years serving there as a soldier, assistant recorder, council board member, librarian, volunteer, nurse, secretary/treasurer, and home league member. She has raised funds to expand the Beecher Salvation Army as well. She is the secretary of the local gospel group "The Anointed Zionaires."  A resident of the Slidell Senior Residence Center, she has served her fellow residents as the Activities Coordinator, operated Bingo games, and assisted residents with their needs and concerns. Many there have described her as the "Florence Nightingale" of Slidell. Scott has utilized her talents as a poet and received Diamond Homer Award in 1995 and was recognized by FamousPoetry.com.  Her other honors include Special Congressional Recognition by Congressman Kildee, several awards from former Flint Mayor Stanley, Honorable Mention for Senior Citizen of The Year, and many awards from the Slidell Center. Scott was also honored by the Flint Housing Commission, and was named an Honorary Northwestern High School Wildcat.

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Mr. John Hightower
 John Hightower has been awarded the Herman Sr. & Iris B. Marable
                  Senior Citizen of the Month Award for April 2006.
(Posthumously)

Mr. Hightower, who died on April 25, at the age of 80, was active in the Flint community and well known as a civil rights activist, labor leader, business pioneer, political consultant, and humanitarian. Born in St. Louis, MO., he moved to Flint in 1952 where he married the late Marie Hightower. 
He was employed by Buick where he served as a Committeeman and Executive Board member of UAW Local 599. He was the Chairman of the Civil Rights Committee at UAW Local 659.  As a civil rights advocate Mr. Hightower marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and advocated that local companies hire minorities. As a businessman and licensed electrician, he owned Hightower Construction, Hightower Electric Companies The Travel Centre of Flint, and the Colonel's Drive-In. He was proud of the fact that he had constructed many Flint churches, and trained 22 electricians. He frequently provided jobs and shelter to homeless persons in the community.  Mr. Hightower was a World War II veteran, and he was a founder, and the first Post Commander of Flint's George Washington Carver VFW Post #3791. He was an active Life Member of the NAACP.  Mr. Hightower received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime including the State of Michigan Veteran of the Year, The Edgar Holt Human Rights Award, University of Michigan, B1ack Labor History Award, and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional, Women Frederick Douglas Award. He was honored in 2000 when then-Mayor Woodrow Stanley declared it "John Hightower Day" in Flint.

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Mr. Willie "Big Bill" and Mrs. Mary Williams
Mr. Willie "Big Bill" and Mrs. Mary Williams of Flint has been awarded
the Herman Sr. & Iris Marable Senior Citizen. of the Month Award for May 2006.

Mr. Williams 82. has been an active local union leader and civil rights activist throughout his
adult life. He served as a committeeman, shop committee chairman, vice-president of the fair employment practices committee and international representative during his many years as a UAW member while working at Buick. He was one of the founding members of Unity for Justice. Mr. Williams was active on the local political and civil rights scene, working with Flint NAACP official Edgar Holt, former Flint Mayor and Genesee County Register of Deeds Floyd J. McCree, Former Genesee County Commissioner Nathaniel Turner, and Former State Representative Roger B. Townsend. Mr. Williams was awarded the UAW Civil Rights Pioneer Award for his efforts. He has been a member of New Zion Baptist Church since his childhood. Mr. Williams has been supported in his efforts by his wife of 65 years Mrs. Mary Williams. Mrs. Williams, 84, worked at Chevrolet for a while, but later decided to be a homemaker rearing their six children. She has been active in her church, Ebenezer Ministries working with senior citizens there.

    * * * * * * * * * *
  Ms. Annie Jackson
Ms. Annie
Jackson has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
 Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for July 2006. 

Annie Jackson has been very active in the community. She serves with the Flint Neighborhood Coalition, Flint-Genesee Neighborhood Roundtable, Genesee Action Agency CYO #1, Northland Block Club, Flint North Central Weed and Seed, Great Lakes Baptist Women's Association, Northeast Village Community Development Corporation, and the Flint Urban Gardening & Land Use Corporation. She is an active volunteer with the Beecher Schools.

 

    * * * * * * * * * *
  Ms. Lucille Hawkins
Ms. Lucille Hawkins
has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
 Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for August 2006. 

 Lucille Hawkins is a life member of the NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the Phi Delta Kappa Sorority. She participates in the Ladies Auxiliary of Peter Claver, the St. Cecilia Society, Hooper High School Alumni Flint Chapter, and the Alabama State University Alumni. She has been honored for her contributions to teacher preparation in Flint Schools, awarded the Dukette Memory Award from Christ the King Catholic Church, the Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church Humanitarian Award, and the National Association of Negro and Business & Professional Women's Club Parent Award. Ms. Hawkins supports the Father Dukette Century Club, Creative Expressions Dance Studio, and the American Cancer Society. She regularly visits nursing homes and supports various youth organizations.

    * * * * * * * * * *
  Ms. Devonna Watson
Ms. Devonna Watson
 has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
 Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for September 2006. 

Devonna Watson is active at St. Paul Lutheran Church serving as the captain of ushers. She is involved in civic affairs; is a regular attendee at city council meetings; and has participated in many political campaigns. She is a cancer survivor and, she gives of herself, often volunteering to help youth, seniors, and those in need.

 

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  Mr. Roscoe Roberts, Sr.
Mr. Roscoe Roberts, Sr.
has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
 Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for September 2006. 
 (Posthumously)

Roscoe Roberts, Sr., who died on November 23, 2006 at the age of 88, was a faithful member of House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church where he served on the deacon and usher boards. A retired member of UAW Local 659, He was among the first African-Americans to serve as a Flint Police Reserve Officer. He was devoted to his family, friends and the young men for whom he served as a mentor. He was known as an avid gardener who often gave crops away to his neighbors.
 

 

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Dr. J. Merrill Spencer
Dr. J. Merrill Spencer Named The Herman Sr. &
 Iris Marable Senior Citizen of the Month For November 2006.
(Posthumously)
 

Dr. Spencer, who died November 6, at the age of 86, was active in the Flint community and well known as a mortician, civil rights activist, civic leader, teacher and elected official. Born in Americus, GA he moved to Flint in mid 1950's. He was a 1948 graduate of Atlanta's Morehouse College where he met his wife, Edith Iola Prunty. They were married for 59 years at the time of his death. He served as a teacher in several cities in Georgia. Dr. Spencer also graduated from the Atlanta College of Mortuary Science, and he earned his Masters degree from Atlanta University in 1952.  He was employed in Flint at Hurley Hospital and the U.S. Post Office. He opened The House of Spencer Mortuary in 1955. He operated his funeral home for over 40 years.  He was an early sponsor of the Flint College and Cultural Center. Dr. Spencer was a founding member of the Community Civic League, elected to the Genesee County Board of Supervisors, and elected to the Flint Board of Education. He was a Vice-President of the Flint NAACP and he was active in Democratic Party politics and served as a delegate to the 1976 Democratic National Convention. Dr. Spencer became known internationally when he successfully sued Flint Memorial Park Cemetery in the mid-1960's because they discriminated against minorities prohibiting their burials. His lawsuit was filed when he was not allowed to bury his mother there. Dr. Spencer also filed a lawsuit that helped to establish a precedent in the area of housing discrimination. Dr. Spencer was a World War II veteran, and he was a life member of Flint's George Washington Carver VFW Post #3791. He was an active Life Member of the NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Society of Afro-American Police, Disabled American Veterans, Morehouse Alumni Association, The Eureka Lodge F and AM, PHA, Oman Temple No.72, and local, state, and national mortuary associations. 
Dr. Spencer received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime including an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Morehouse. He was proud to have received the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women Frederick Douglass Award.

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  Mr. John Vorrice, Sr.
Mr. John Vorrice
Sr. has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
 Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for
December 2006 (Posthumously)

John Vorrice, Sr. who died on May 10, 2007 at the age of 64, was an active community leader  participating in numerous organizations including the North Pointe Neighborhood Association, Flint-Genesee Neighborhood Roundtable, Flint Boys and Girls Club, Flint Neighborhood Coalition, Community Foundation of Flint, FUDLUG, AARP-News Alliance and Fraud for Seniors, COPC, Undoing Racism, and the Coalition for Positive Youth Development. He was a member of Faith Baptist Temple where he served as Treasurer, and sang in the choir. A native of Bunkie, Louisiana, he moved to Flint in 1964 and worked for General Motors at Buick Plant #36 until his retirement in 1991. He was devoted to his family, friends and his community. 
Mr. Vorrice is survived by his wife of 30 years Amie L. Vorrice, five sons and two daughters, 15 grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. He was awarded the Marable Senior citizen award for December 2006.

    * * * * * * * * * *
  Ms. Sybyl Atwood
Ms. Sybyl Atwood has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
 Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for January 2007. 

Ms. Atwood, who lost her battle on July 31, 2007, with cancer at age 72, was a community activist, social worker, and director of what would later be known as the Resource Center in Flint. She promoted volunteerism and linking those in need with help available from community agencies for over 40 years. She was a mainstay in the community, who found the time to continue her work in helping others even during her final battle. Ms. Atwood was nominated and selected for the award because she gave so much to our community.
A native of West Tennessee, Ms. Atwood came to Flint in 1965 with her late husband the Rev. Robert Atwood, & worked at what was known at the time as the Volunteer Bureau. She developed a reputation for inspiring others in the community to help the less
fortunate. She is survived by her daughter, Johanna, grandson, Desmond, and son-in-law Robert Brown and other relatives and  friends.

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Pastor James Flowers, Sr.
Pastor James Flowers, Sr. has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
 Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for February 2007. 

Rev James Flowers, Sr., who pastors North Star Baptist Ministries on Flint's eastside is  active in the community as a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint.  He is active in the religious community serving as an officer in the Concerned Pastors for Social Action, the Great Lakes District Association, and as an honorary Bishop with T.D. Jakes Ministries. North Star Ministries has made great strides in 'investing in programs for youth, the needy, and in the community recently opening a new edifice in the inner city.
 

    * * * * * * * * * *
  Ms. Annie Dye
Ms. Annie Dye
has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
 Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for March 2007. 

Annie Dye, who is a member of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, has long been active in religious and civic affairs. She is President of the Great Lakes Baptist District Association Women's Auxiliary, and hostess of state and city events. At Metropolitan she has Participated numerous activities including, the choir, trustee board, teaching Sunday School, Nurses Guild, Thursday Afternoon Religious & Social Club, youth director, chairperson of the Education Department, and Missionary Society.  She has been honored for her work with Church Women United and the Wolverine State Baptist Sisterhood.. In the community she has served the Advisory Board of the McKinley Senior Citizens Center, and as a Big Sister in the Big Brothers/Sisters program.
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Ms. Kathrine Price
Ms. Katherine Price has been awarded the Herman Sr. &  
Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for April 2007.

Kathrine Price has been very active in the community.  She serves as President of the Flint Neighborhood Coalition, President of the East Austin Avenue Block Club, member of the Flint-Genesee Neighborhood Roundtable, Flint North Central Weed and Seed, Northeast Village Community Development Corporation, City of Flint Board of Review, Operation Restoration and as a volunteer with Flint Odyssey House.  She also is a member of New Creations Church of God where she sings in the choir.

 

    * * * * * * * * * *
  Ms. E. Wanda Pierce
Ms. E. Wanda Pierce has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for May 2007.

E. Wanda Pierce is the founder and director of the Families of Murdered Children (FOMC). Her organization provides support, counseling, food, clothing, and other services to surviving families. FOMC has been involved in community clean up efforts, and has acquired land for a memorial park where crime victims will be honored. A member of New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, Ms. Pierce, who lost her son to a violent crime, has chosen to turn tragedy into a vehicle to help others in the community.
 

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  Mr. Larry Foster
Mr. Larry Foster
has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
 Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for June 2007.  (
Posthumously)

Larry Foster, who died on June 10th, 2007 at the age of65, had a long career in public and community service. He served on the Beecher Board of Education for 17 years. He was the first African-American to serve as a township supervisor in Genesee County when he was elected Mt. Morris Township Supervisor in 1992 serving until his death. He worked as the Director of the Detroit Street and Hasslebrink Senior Citizen Centers in Flint for over 15 years in the 1970's and 1980's. He coached hundreds of young people in football and baseball for many years. Mr. Foster was the recipient of numerous honors and awards over the years. He was a member of St. James C.M.E. Church and later St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church where he served on the Trustee and Usher Boards. A native of Shannon, Mississippi, he moved to Flint in 1963 after graduating from Mississippi Industrial College. He served in the U.S. Army for two years. Mr. Foster is survived by his wife of 40 years, Deborah, three daughters, 6 grandchildren, and a host of other relatives, friends, and the residents of Mt. Morris Township. He is awarded the Marable Senior Citizen Award for June 2007.

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Ms Cleora Magee
Ms. Cleora Magee has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for July 2007. 

Cleora Magee, who retired in December 2007 as the Executive Director of the City of Flint Human Relations Commission, has served as a member of the Community Dispute Resolution Center board, Youth Build Advisory Board, NAACP, Genesee County Committee for Community Peace, National Multi-cultural Diversity Institute National Association of Human Rights Workers board, Me Cree Theater Special Groups Committee, Flint Rotary Club, Girl Scouts Fair Winds Council board, Flint NIPP and the Flint Neighborhood Coalition board. She is a member of True Gospel Missionary Baptist Church where she has served as a Deaconess, Program Committee Chair, Sunday School teacher, and member of the Women's Fellowship. She has served on many local and statewide boards and committees, in city government, and in the human rights community that were related to her work at the Human Relations Commission.

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Ms. Francis Cleaves
Ms. Frances Cleaves has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for August 2007.
(Posthumously)

Frances Cleaves, who died on August 14, 2007 at the age of 66, was a dedicated community activist in the Flint area who was active in many organizations, including the UAW, NAACP and Democratic Party. She was truly one who believed in justice and equality for the underdogs of our society. She became known nationally for her support of her son, NBA basketball star Mateen Cleaves and his championship college basketball team at Michigan State University in 2000.
 

    * * * * * * * * * *
  Ms. Sylvia Jo Brogan

Ms. Sylvia Jo Brogan has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for September 2007.

 

    * * * * * * * * * *
  Mr. Don E, "Sluggo" Ricks (Posthumously)

Mr. Don E, "Sluggo" Ricks has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
 Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for October 2007.

 

    * * * * * * * * * *
  Rev. Silas Cox

Rev. Silas Cox has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for November 2007.

 

    * * * * * * * * * *
  Rev. Berry Goodlett

Rev. Berry Goodlett has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award for December 2007.

 

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Raymond Vaughn

Raymond Vaughn has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Azell Cromwell

Azell Cromwell has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Lillian Brooks

Lillian Brooks has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

James W. Crichton

James W. Crichton has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

 

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Penny Roberts

Penny Roberts has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

 

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Roberta Rouse

Roberta Rouse has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Bob Perani

Bob Perani has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

 

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Rev. Dr. Fred S. White

Rev. Dr. Fred S. White has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

 

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John Tempia

John Tempia has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Millie Nash

Millie Nash has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

 

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Charles & Charlotte Williams

Charles & Charlotte Williams has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

 

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Harrison McGee

Harrison McGee has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Margaret DePriest

Margaret DePriest has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

    * * * * * * * * * *
 

Precious Doris Petross Buckner

Precious Doris Petross Buckner has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award

 

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Commodore Coles, Sr.

Commodore Coles, Sr. has been awarded the Herman Sr. &
  Iris B. Marable Senior Citizen of the Month Award