obituaries

Nov 28, 2019

Robert Augustus Smith, Jr., 68, began his homecoming journey on November 28, 2019. Robert, "Bob" as known by his loved ones, was born in Wheeling, WV on January 27, 1951 to Robert Augustus Smith, Sr., and Sally Naomi Davis Smith (Jackson). Robert Sr. was a steelworker at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel and Sally was a buyer for a goods company while...

Nov 28, 2019

Mildred Lorraine Cuffee Gray of Ansonia, CT grew up in Springfield, MA before moving to New Haven, CT in 1963 with her husband William "Pete" Gray. The second youngest child of Frederick and Barbara Cuffee, Mildred attended Elias Brookings Elementary School and Classical Junior and Senior High and graduated from the Senior High in 1955. After graduation, Mildred jumped...

Nov 15, 2019

Sarah Davenia (Morrison) Dirton died November 15, 2019, at The Arden House in Hamden, Connecticut. Sarah was born in Cedartown, Georgia, on April 13, 1933. She was the sixth of seven children born to the late Sarah Davenia (Ward) and Moses Morrison.

After graduation from Cedar Hill High School in 1951, she relocated to New Haven, Connecticut,...

Nov 13, 2019

Vale Jean Edwards, 80, of West Haven, departed this life on November 13, 2019.

Ms. Edwards was born in Greenville, NC on July 30, 1939, a daughter of the late Jessie Staton and Mae Lucy Daniels Staton.

She was previously employed at Meyer Wire for 10 years; worked part-time at Hamden Health Care for more...

Nov 8, 2019

Clarence E. Stewart, 94, of Milford, formerly of New Haven, departed this life on November 8, 2019.

Mr. Stewart was born in Richmond, VA on June 20, 1925, a son of the late Roosevelt Stewart and Kelsie Stewart.

Prior to retiring, he was employed as a Radar Technician at the Federal Aviation Administration. Mr. Stewart...

Nov 5, 2019

Isaac R. Blanding "Big Zeke," 47, of Torrington, CT, departed this life on November 5, 2019.

He was born in Bridgeport, CT on January 4, 1972, a son of Jennifer Blanding of New Haven and the late Isaac R. Blanding, Sr.

In addition to his mother, he leaves to cherish memories, a son, Isaac Blanding,...

Oct 30, 2019

Lou Ella Cooke, 73, of Oxford, CT, departed this life at 9:00 a.m., on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at Griffin Hospital, in Derby, CT. She was born on February 10, 1946, in North, South Carolina to the late Garfield and Annie Lou Yon.

Prior to retiring, she was employed at Burndy's as a Machine Operator. Before relocating...

Oct 22, 2019

Mary Kendrick, 85, of West Haven, departed this life on October 22, 2019. She was the widow of Virgil Kendrick.

Mrs. Kendrick was born in Greenville, NC on August 31, 1934, daughter of the late Heber and Sarah Spell.

She was retired from Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

She leaves to cherish loving memories, her children,...

Oct 6, 2019

Carroll "CC" Challenger, 81, of Wesley Chapel, FL, entered his eternal rest on October 6, 2019. Carroll was born in New Haven, on April 23, 1938, the son of the late John Henry Challenger and Virginia Harrison Challenger. He retired from St. Johnsbury Trucking Co. Carroll leaves to cherish his loving memories, a daughter, Joy Challenger Slaughter (Brian); two...

Oct 5, 2019

Lorraine E. Dotts, 68, of New Haven, departed this life on October 5, 2019. She was the daughter of the late James E. Dotts and Audrey Corbett.

Ms. Dotts began her career as a Teacher in the New Haven Public Schools in 1979, retiring in 2010; and was a longtime member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority....

Oct 3, 2019

Marquise T. Gary-Bailey, 40, of Hamden, departed this life on October 3, 2019.

He was born in New Haven, CT on February 25, 1979, a son of Isaac Gary and Karen Bailey.

In addition to his parents, Marquise leaves to cherish loving memories, sisters, Staci Gary (Quasy Alexander) and Monique M. Gary; a brother, Trey...

Sep 19, 2019

Laura Bell Staton, 89, departed this life and entered her new life on September 19, 2019, with her family by her side.

Laura Bell was born on February 24, 1930 in Pitt County, North Carolina, to the late Maggie Brown Foreman and Rev. Luke Foreman. She grew up closely with 7 siblings. Laura attended the Pitt County...

Sep 9, 2019

Delores Robinson, 78, of Bridgeport CT, entered into eternal rest on September 9, 2019. She was the wife of the late Joe Henry Robinson. Mrs. Robinson was born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 1, 1940, a daughter of the late Fred and Doris Millhouse. She leaves to cherish loving memories, her children, Cedric (Val-Jean) Robinson, Kenneth (Jessica) Robinson, and...

Sep 9, 2019

Mae K. Soares, 92, entered eternal rest on September 9, 2019. She was the wife of John Soares.

Mrs. Soares was born in Augusta, GA on May 15, 1927, a daughter of the late Rev. Paul Kelly and Georgia Allen Kelly.

Prior to retiring from the New Haven Public Schools, she worked in daycare as...

Sep 1, 2019

Eleanor D. Harris, 80, of Hamden, entered eternal rest on September 1, 2019. She was the widow of Fred Harris.

Mrs. Harris was born in New Haven, CT on October 13, 1938, a daughter of the late Wilbert Williams and Alice Willoughby Williams.

Prior to retiring, Eleanor was employed by the State of Connecticut Department...

Aug 28, 2019

Yvonne F. Edwards, affectionately known as "Faye" entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Wednesday, August 28, 2019.

On October 4, 1951 a warm and tender-hearted woman was born as the youngest of 7 siblings. Her kind nature transcended her youth by becoming a caregiver at Whitney Manor Rehabilitation Center, under the title Nurse's Assistant. Wife to Clarence...

Aug 13, 2019

Willie James Stall(worth), 88, of Hamden, entered eternal rest on August 13, 2019. He was the husband of Macie Stall. Mr. Stall was born in Dallas County, AL on April 8, 1931, a son of the late Julia Harvell Hardy and Hunter Stallworth. Prior to retiring, he was employed by Local 455 as a Construction Laborer. Willie was a...

Jul 31, 2019

Dorothy L. Murphy, 79, of New Haven, died July 31, 2019. Ms. Murphy was born in Laurinburg, NC on January 1, 1940, a daughter of the late Dannie F. Shaw and Lenora Shaw.

She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and prior to retiring, was employed at Midstate Medical Center, Middlesex Hopsital and...

Jul 21, 2019

Nettie M. Johnson, 81, of West Haven, entered eternal rest on July 21, 2019.

Viewing and visitation will be held at Curvin K. Council Funeral Home, 128 Dwight St., New Haven on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, from 9:00-9:30 a.m. A Graveside service will follow at 10:00 a.m. at All Saints Cemetery, 700 Middletown Ave., North Haven.

Jul 18, 2019

Christine Callens Lewis, 63, of Orange, CT, departed this life on July 18, 2019. She was the wife of Ronald J. Lewis.

Mrs. Lewis was born in Selma, AL on February 12, 1956, a daughter of Claborne Callens and the late Daisy Callens.

She was a member of Mount Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and a...