ERNEST GRAHAM

Ernest Charles (Butch) Graham was born on August 23, 1928 in Texarkana, Texas, the youngest of five children born to Melvin and Gertrude Graham. He was preceded in death by both parents; wife, Beatrice Z. Graham; brothers, Artis, Marvin, and William Graham; motherin-law, Zola Collins; and father-in-law, Rev. Charles Bryant.

He grew up in Texarkana and attended Dunbar High school, where he met the love of his life, Beatrice. Ernest and Bea were married on August 28, 1948, and moved to Kansas City, Mo. To this union, three daughters were born, Linda, Janice and Sandy. Ernest always wished for a son, but was happy with his girls. He was blessed with his first grandson, Jelani, and they were inseparable. He was involved in every sport that Jelani played and also attended every practice. He also had a great grandson, Keyon, and attended all his games and enjoyed watching granddaughter, Akera, play volleyball. When his great granddaughter, JeNique, was born, she was destined to play sports and he was right there in the stands cheering her on at every game.

Graham worked various jobs before being employed by the United States Postal Service as a mail handler and then upgraded to be a Letter Carrier until retirement, where he was called “Deac” by his co-workers. He was a member of the United States Postal Service Union and held a position as a Union Steward and also held the position as Secretary with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).

He was a faithful and dedicated member of the Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ for 64 years. Prior to joining Palestine, he was a member of the Truelight Baptist church where he became an Ordained Deacon. While at Palestine, he served as the first Chairman of the Deacon Board, Sunday School teacher for the nine year old boys, moving on to teach the Middle Adults. He also sang in the Male Chorus, Senior Choir, and Men of Praise. He was also on the Board of Directors with Palestine Gardens North, Palestine Gardens South, and Palestine Gardens Commons. Whatever Deacon Graham was called to do, he was right there. One of his favorite scriptures was Psalms 37:25.

He coached the Palestine Boys Basketball Team and is called COACH to this day by many young men. He also gathered up a group of neighborhood boys and formed a Baseball Team. He loved people and never met a stranger. He was Dad and Papa to many and his girls did not mind sharing him. He loved to dance. He and Bea would draw a crowd while on the dance floor. He was always stylish and dressed to impress with his signature SWAG WALK or caught doing his Martin Lawrence pose while taking pictures.

Deacon Ernest C. Graham has truly left a Legacy that will live on through family and friends.

He leaves to cherish his loving memory, his daughters, Linda Jordan (Ronald), Janice Reliford (Dwight) and Sandy Graham of Kansas City, Mo.; grandson, Jelani Graham (Valerie); granddaughters, Akera Johnson (Peter) and Terriana Dixon; great granddaughter, JeNique Graham; great grandsons, Keyon McMullen and Lil Jelani Graham; great great grandson, DaSohn Redd; sister, Barbara Love; sister-in-law, Louradell Bryant; cousin, Ernest Williams (Carlotta); god-daughter, Courtney Edwards (Anthony); god-sons, Ernest and Brad Hogan; bonus daughters, Vicki Barnes, Lisa McKenzie, and Cheryl Thomas; bonus granddaughter, Alesa Duncan; bonus grandsons, Romello Akins and Langston Moore; and a host of family and friends, Harold Jones and Stephanie Finley.

Services for Graham will held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Palestine Missionary Baptist church.

Burial, Forest Hill cemetery.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until service time at the church.

Thoughtful care and service provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.

Ethel Marie Winchester was born on February 6, 1950, to the late Donald Lou Perkins Sr., and Mattie Lee Jones in Kansas City, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents; dear granddaughter, Eliyyah M. Fleming; and her brother, Alfred L. Coleman.

She attended the Kansas City, Mo., School district and graduated from Paseo High school in 1968. She attended a community college. Her very first job at Halls on the Plaza, was a gift wrapper. She modeled for Halls, Swansons, The Jones Store and Macy’s, just to name a few.

She was affectionately called “Ms. Marie” while working for the Kansas City, Mo., School district for many years as a paraprofessional. She was loved by the staff and the children. She later retired from the Kansas City, Mo., School district and worked as a line specialist before and after school, where she was loved by many.

Mrs. Winchester had a love for children, especially her own, including her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She loved God and her church. She was baptized at an early age, and she dedicated her life to serving the Lord. She was a lady of many gifts which she dedicated to the church, such as decorating, planning, setting tables, and working with children, volunteering whenever and whenever she was needed.

She had a love for fashion, sewing, and decorating for the church, her home, weddings, and her friends. She loved gardening, going to the zoo, being outdoors. She loved traveling, and visiting many places such as The Grand Canyon, Florida, Colorado, California to name a few. She loved the great outdoors, oceans, mountains and animals.

Most of all, she loved the Lord. This was seen everywhere she went and every person she met. Her smile allowed God’s light to shine through. Mrs. Winchester was greatly loved and will be sadly missed. She was an exceptional woman.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 31 years, Solomon Winchester; one son, John Townsell Jr.; two daughters, Trina Townsell and Nina R. Gordon (Dale); all of Kansas City, Mo.; three brothers, Donald L. Perkins of Florida and Michael L. Perkins (Debra) of Georgia, Rupert K. Perkins of Kansas City, Mo.; three sisters, Jacqueline C. Baker of Raytown, Mo., Rupert K. Perkins, Valerie L. Rivers (Anthony), Vickie E. Bell (Thomas) both of Kansas City, Mo.; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends that truly loved her.

Services for Mrs. Winchester will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at the Beacon Light Seventh Day Adventist church.

Burial, Mt. Moriah cemetery.

Thoughtful care and service provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.

Janice Lee Isaac died on April 17, 2023. She was born on January 22, 1951, in Kansas City, Kas., the third child of William C. Hall Sr., and Vetrol Hall; both parents preceded her in death.

A lifelong Kansas City resident, she matriculated through the Kansas City, Mo., School district, graduating from Central High school in 1970. After graduation, she entered the workforce, accepting a position at Western Electric until 1974, when she began working at Hallmark Cards. Janice

remained a faithful employee at Hallmark until her retirement.

She married Charles L. Isaac, with whom she had one son. This marriage was later dissolved.

Jesus Christ became her personal Savior at an early age. She was baptized and became a member of the Canaan Missionary Baptist church under the leadership of the late Pastor Robert B. Poe. Her fondness for music led her to the choir, where she served as the director for many years. She also traveled around the U.S ministering and sharing her gift alongside the 3rd Street Community Choir; later known as the MO-KAN Community Choir. Most recently, she attended the St. Paul Baptist church, where Reverend Calvin Buford was pastor.

Mrs. Isaac was, as her family described, a “Diva”. Always keeping up with the latest fashion trends and wearing her signature red nails, with her makeup done flawlessly.

She leaves to cherish her memory, one son, Kenneth W. Isaac (Shanita) of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; brother, William (Patricia) C. Hall Jr.; sister, Patricia Hall, both of Kansas City, Mo.; nieces, Felicia and Janis Hall; great nephews, Kenneth and KeVonn Hall; as well as a host of family and friends.

Memorial services for Mrs. Isaac will held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the E.S. Eley & Sons Funeral chapel.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the chapel.

Thoughtful care and service provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.

Christella Roberta Townsell- Welton, 102, died peacefully on April 29, 2023, at Truman Medical Center East Long Term Nursing facility, Mrs. Welton was born on January 31, 1921, to Daniel and Willie Townsell in Okmulgee County, Okla. She was the oldest of 10 children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters; Jessie Campbell, Arlene Steverson, Wilma Gray, Vesta Fleming; and four brothers; Daniel Townsell Jr., Samuel Townsell, Leo Townsell and Alonzo Townsell.

Christella Welton and family moved to Redbird, Okla., in 1924, where she grew up and graduated from Miller Washington High school. In 1942, Mrs. Welton and only child, Wendell Marshall, moved to Kansas City, Mo., where she met and later united in marriage to Bruce J. Welton for 19 years.

She was employed for 15 years at the California Dice Factory and nine years at the Rival Manufacturing company in the Quality

Control department. She also was a Member of the Machinist Union until she retired at the age of 55.

She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age. She and her son attended Catholic Services in Kansas City, Mo., until she and her husband became members at the Southeast Presbyterian church in 1962. She was one of the first women elected to an elder’s role and served two sessions. Mrs. Welton taught Sunday school for the youth and adult classes. She also was elected president of the Women of the Church organization twice before the church merger with the Linwood United church. During the interim of the merger, she organized a Women’s Saturday Bible Study group which the ladies very much appreciated and enjoyed.

Mrs. Welton had a passion for helping others. She joined the Colored Women’s Association Kansas City Chapter and later held the position as president. She later joined the Missouri State Association of Colored Women where she exemplified such great leadership she was nominated for the role as president, for which she declined. As a member of the association, she directed a Girls’ club where guidance and mentoring were part of the curriculum. She had a passion for mentoring/helping children and for 17 years she opened her home as a foster mother to over 130 children. She stated, “Those were the most rewarding years of my life, although, I did not know how children could be so misused. We cried, prayed and laughed a lot together.”

She leaves to cherish her memories: one son, Wendell Marshall (Marilyn); three grandchildren Phillip, Reginald, and Anthony (Chanel); five great grandchildren, Jada, Jasmine, JaiNicole, JadaRose, and Jaxon; one sister, Gertrude Coffey; and a host of nieces, nephews, foster children and friends. Also, her special family friends, Barbara Walker, healthcare provider Brandy Words; her niece, Trenia Fleming and Geneva Coleman, her church shepherd.

Services for Mrs. Welton will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the E.S. Eley & Sons Funeral chapel.

Burial, cemetery

Thoughtful care and service provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.