All Obituaries

Mary Ann Thomas was called home to be with the Lord on September 21, 2023, at the age of 78. She was born on March 14, 1945, in Fort Wayne, IN. to the late Nathan and Classie Collins Blevins. She was the 2nd oldest child of 10 children born to their union. She married Joseph “Joe” Herman Thomas Sr. from Mount Sterling, KY. on March 13, 1975, and to this union two children were born. Mary Ann accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized by the late...

L.B. Jones, 72, of Fort Wayne, IN went to be with his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.  He was born February 17, 1951, in Sandusky, Ohio.   L.B. retired from Indiana Corrections (Senior Parole Officer) after 30 plus years of service.  He was the first African American Male Officer in Fort Wayne, IN.  L.B. was a gentle giant!  He never met a stranger, as he greeted everyone with a smile & waved no matter what.  It was...

Bonita “Niecy” or “Bo” (Brown) Jackson was born July 14, 1959 to Molly (White) Brown and Bobby Brown, Sr. In Fort Wayne, Indiana. She departed this life on Thursday, September 14, while on hospice care.

Crystal Lynette Smith was born October 28, 1970, to her parents, Eunice and Charles Randle. She was the oldest of three children.  She attended St. Louis Public Schools and was baptized at a young age. Due to the transition of her mother’s job with General Motors, Crystal moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1986.  She continued her education at Elmhurst High School where she graduated in 1988.  After high school, for a short time, she worked at the Allen County Court House...

Nicole Moneque Houston, affectionately known as CoCo or ChinaDoll, passed away unexpectedly at 49 years of age, in her home on August 26, 2023.  She was born on February 13, 1974, in Ft. Wayne, IN to Vanessa Houston and Jerry Crawford.  Nicole accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized by the late Rev. Dr. Samuel Walker.  She was a faithful and active member who sang in the Youth Choir, served as a Junior Nurse, assisted with the Youth Department,...

Lori Yvette Howard, 53, of Indianapolis, gained her wings and went on to be with the Lord on September 1, 2023, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Lori was born on December 13, 1969, to Welton Moore, Jr. and Ruthell Stanford in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After Lori graduated from Paul Harding High School in 1988, she went on to study Accounting at Indiana University Bloomington. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, she started her first job at VNS as a Staff...

Mr. Mervin S. Thomas, son of the late William H. Thomas and the late Betty L. Fincher, was born on December 14, 1965 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He attended Wayne High School where he was a proud member of the Drama Club and Swing Choir, graduating in 1984. He was employed at Phil's Market, Lincoln Food Service and the Fort Wayne Foundry. Mervin had a great personality and as a result, was truly loved by many. He was also a super provider for his mother, children, grandchildren, and many...

Lawrence “Lil Loe” Evans Jr. was born April 25, 1990, in Milwaukee Wisconsin. He passed away on August 25, 2023. He was intelligent and a man of many talents. He was hardworking and a beloved son, brother, father, uncle and friend. Lawrence’s smile would light up the room. He was an exceptional student and loved learning new things. He was beyond silly and would always make you laugh. He loved to joke around and was always willing to help family and friends. Lawrence...

Tamika R. Jones departed this life on Thursday, August 17, 2023. Tamika was born on December 9, 1975, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late David and Jeanette Jones. She was the youngest of four sisters. Tamika was a 1994 graduate of Carrol High where she was a member of the swing choir and drama club, she also attended Brown Mackey College where she studied to be an aesthetician. Tamika professed her life to Christ at an early age and attended St. John Missionary Baptist Church as a child with...

Velma Jean (Hatch) Surry, 83, was born on November 9, 1939, in Uniontown, Alabama. She was the oldest of the 10 children of Richard and Annie Hatch. Velma passed away on Friday, August 18, 2023, at home with her loved ones. She was employed and later retired from IPFW after 32 years as a custodian. She loved spending time with her daughters and grandchildren and the Luv-A-Lot Daycare babies. She loved to play Bingo. She loved listening to Gospel and Blues music. She loved to “dress to...