Christian Community Church

Edna M. Plater, a retired machinist's helper who enjoyed entertaining family and friends and cooking, died of heart failure Thursday at her Northwest Baltimore home. She was 102. Edna Margaurite Boardly was born in Baltimore, the daughter of a bootblack and a domestic worker. She was raised on Stockton Street and later Carey Street. She attended city public schools until the seventh grade, when she left to help support her family. In 1923 she married William Plater, a roofer. Mr. Plater died in 1992.

On May 13, 2007, CALVIN N. FRANKS, SR., devoted husband of Lois Franks, beloved father of Tanya, Calvin Jr., and Nathaniel; grandfather of Jasmine and Ronald Jr., loving son of Mary Franks. Friends may call at the family owned MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Avenue on Friday after 8:30 A.M. The family will receive friends at Christian Community Church of God, 2701 W. Baltimore Street on Saturday at 10 A.M. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 A.M.

Freddie Douglas Russell Sr., a retired machinist, church deacon and Vietnam veteran, died Jan. 7 of multiple organ failure at Northwest Hospital Center. The Woodlawn resident was 64. He enlisted in the Army soon after graduating from Carver High School and served in Vietnam from 1964 to 1966. Exposure to Agent Orange during his two tours of duty caused lifelong health problems, his family said. After his discharge from the military, he worked as a machinist for Continental Can, Revere Copper and Crown, Cork & Seal.

Patricia Ann Jackson, an educator and assistant principal at Bay-Brook Elementary School in Brooklyn, died Thursday of meningitis at Good Samaritan Hospital. The Randallstown resident was 48.Mrs. Jackson, whom pupils called "Miss Pat," began her teaching career at Belmont Elementary School as a special education teacher in 1974. In 1995, she was promoted to master teacher at Bay-Brook Elementary School, where she was appointed assistant principal this year after she completed the Aspiring Leadership Program at Loyola College.

Walter Harper Bryan, 88, builder and businessmanWalter Harper Bryan, a retired builder and businessman, died Sunday of cancer at Oak Crest Village in Parkville. He was 88.Mr. Bryan, who retired in 1977, had been a resident of the retirement community since 1997. He had resided at the Charlestown retirement community from 1989 until 1997, and earlier had lived in Grasonville and Hamilton.He purchased Montebello Hardware in the 4700 block of Harford Road in 1966, a business that was later operated by his daughters until it closed last year.

The Christian principles of forgiveness and brotherly love are being tested by a contentious dispute, between a minister and an Elkridge church over a narrow dirt road, that might lead to court.The Rev. Roland Howard, a lifelong resident of Elkridge, is fighting a proposal by St. Stephens African Methodist Episcopal Church to build a 37-space parking lot. The lot would be across Homeplace Lane, a winding, half-mile private driveway that stretches from Mayfield Avenue to 2 acres that constitute his family's homestead.

Cantor to discuss themes and tunes for Rosh Hashana"The Melody and the Meaning" is the title of the opening program of the "Pardes-Enter the Orchard of Jewish Wisdom" series at Randallstown Synagogue, 8729 Church Lane, Randallstown.Cantor Nossi Gross will demonstrate the connection between the themes of Rosh Hashana prayers and the "nusach," the traditional tunes, in the program at 10 p.m. tomorrow.The goal is to combine a deeper understanding of some of the most popular prayers with an appreciation of the musical chant.

Maethelda I. M. Medders, a retired Baltimore school teacher and civic activist, died Friday of cancer at her Ednor Gardens home. She was 73.She began her career in city schools in 1955 and retired in 1984. She was a reading and English education specialist and developed a comprehensive language arts curriculum for elementary schools. She served as coordinator of the Keep All Pupils in School Program and originated the Dramatic Reading Festival, both for elementary school students.Before becoming an educator, she worked for eight years for the Afro American newspaper, where she was a court reporter and wrote "Scratch Pad," a weekly column of news from the civil rights front.

Charles J. Seipp Sr., 69, accountantCharles J. Seipp Sr., a retired accountant and community activist, died Tuesday of heart failure at his Abingdon residence. He was 69.The former Northeast Baltimore resident retired in 1990 from the American Bank Stationery Co., where he worked as an accountant for 38 years. Earlier, he worked for Standard Oil Co. in Baltimore.Born in Upper Marlboro, he graduated from Loyola High School in 1944, then served in the Army Tank Corps during World War II. He was discharged with the rank of sergeant in 1946.

Ralph Lee Kent Sr., 70, bricklayer, concrete finisherRalph Lee Kent Sr., a retired bricklayer and concrete finisher, died Friday of heart failure at Union Memorial Hospital. He was 70 and lived on McHenry Street in West Baltimore.He worked in construction beginning in the late 1950s and retired in 1991. He was a member of Local 194 of the Laborers' International Union of North America.He was born in Honeytown, Calvert County, and educated in county schools.He was a steward's mate in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 and a member of American Legion Post No. 220 in Calvert County, Patuxent Methodist Church and Shiloh Christian Community Church, where he belonged to the Excelsior Club, and his Neighborhood Block Watch.

On August 11, 2009 FRANK MARTIN. Loving grandfather of Shirl V. Duncan and Lorna Hilliard, both of Baltimore, MD. He also survived by a host of other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends at the family owned Wylie Funeral Home, P.A., 638 N. Gilmor Street on Thursday from 5 to 8 P.M. Services will be held Friday, August 21, 2009 at Gillis Memorial Christian Community Church located 4016 Park Heights Avenue Wake 10:30 A.M. Funeral 11 A.M. Interment following.

On August 13, 2009, FLORENCE. Visitation 2140 N. Fulton Avenue Tuesday 4 to 8 P.M. Family will receive friends Wednesday at Christian Community Church of God, 2701 W. Baltimore Street at 10:30 A.M., funeral to follow at 11 A.M.

On August 2, 2009, EMMA J. MARTIN. Friends may call at the CHATMAN- HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, 5240 Reisterstown Road, on Thursday, 1-8 p.m. (the family will be present 6-8 p.m.) Funeral services will be held at the Christian Community Church of God, 2701 W. Baltimore Street on Friday. Wake 11 a.m. Funeral Service will begin 12 Noon. Interment King Memorial Park.

On July 28, 2009, LUEVENIA ALICE JOHNSON. On Monday, friends, may call at VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES, (RANDALLSTOWN), 8728 Liberty Road from 4 to 8 P.M. On Tuesday, services for Mrs. Johnson will be held at New Fellowship Christian Community Church, 5202 Park Heights Avenue, where the family will receive friends 11 to 11:30 A.M

On June 28, 2009, WAYDE EDWIN EZELL, SR., (retired school teacher -Baltimore City Public School System); beloved husband of Jessica Singleton-Ezell. On Monday, friends may call at VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES (RANDALLSTOWN), 8728 Liberty Road from 4 to 8 P.M. On Tuesday, services for Mr. Ezell will be held at Gillis Memorial Christian Community Church, 4016 Park Heights Avenue, where the family will receive friends 10:30 to 11 A.M with services to follow. Inquiries to (410) 655-0015.

On June 21, 2009, EVANGELINE H. ADAMS. On Friday, a memorial service will be held for Ms. Adams at Shiloh Christian Community Church Fellowship Hall, 825 Yale Avenue at 10:30 A.M. Inquiries to 410-433-7500.

On June 12, 2009 MAE FRANCES GILL beloved wife of the late William M. Gill and dear mother of Betty, Sterling, Marcelia, Jeffrey and Bryan Gill. Visitation with the family on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. at the JOSEPH L. RUSS FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 2222-26 West North Avenue. Wake at Shiloh Christian Community Church, 825 Yale Avenue, from 10-10:30 a.m. on Monday, with funeral service to follow.

On June 7, 2009 MRS. RUFFIN. Visitation 2140 N. Fulton Avenue Friday 3-8 p.m. Family will receive friends Saturday 10:00 a.m. at New Fellowship Christian Community Church, 5200 Park Heights Avenue funeral to follow at 11 a.m.

On May 25, 2009, PAULINE JEANETTA; beloved wife of Wilbert V. Sturdivant, Sr. Friends may visit the family owned March Funeral Home West, Inc., 4300 Wabash Avenue on Wednesday after 8:30 A.M., where the family will receive friends from 5 until 7 P.M. The family will also receive friends on Thursday at Gillis Memorial Christian Community Church, 4016 Park Heights Avenue at 10:30 A.M., followed by funeral service at 11 A.M.

On May 12, 2009, LINDA L. COOPER, beloved wife of Bernard Cooper. The family will receive friends on Sunday May 17th at the Howell Funeral Home, 4600 Liberty Heights Avenue from 2 to 6 PM. The wake will be held on Monday May 18th , 6PM at Emmanuel Christian Community Church, 800 N. Carrollton Avenue, with funeral service to follow at 7PM. Interment Tuesday May 19th at Arbutus Memorial Park.