All Obituaries

Warren James, 64, of Canon Circle, passed away on Saturday, August 31 2019 at Mercy Medical Center.  Born in Youngstown, Ohio,  Warren was the son of  the late Laura Marie (Howze) James and the late William Albert James.  In 2001, after having resided for many years in both Ohio and Philadelphia, Mr. James made Springfield his home.  He had been employed for many years as an independent  sign painter.  His hobbies included playing basketball and watching...

SSgt. Leroy Zachary Daniels Jr., 59, of Paulk Ter., departed this life on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at Mercy Medical Center.  Born in Newark, New Jersey, he was a son of Jessie (Sorrell) Daniels and the late Leroy Z. Daniels Jr.  A retired 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a senior power generating equipment repairer.  He had also worked for SuperValu, Northrop Grumman, and Walley Computer Associates.  Mr. Daniels was a member of St. John’s Congregational...

On Thursday, August 8, 2019, surrounded by family, Predenice Ann Willis passed away at Mercy Medical Center.  Ann was born in Belzoni, MS.  She is pre-deceased by her mother and father, DeElla and George Willis, a son, David Eddington, and aunts and uncles, Willie Huddleston of Indianola, MS, Sarah Knight of Gulfport, MS, Ora D. Magee-Lee of Goldsboro, NC, and Curtis Huddleston and Ora Lee Gibbs, both of Springfield, MA.   Ann is survived by her life partner, Benjamin...

Tawnya Theresa Pitts-Jones, 59, of Beacon Cir., departed this life on August 10, 2019. Born in Springfield, MA, she was the daughter of Pearlie L. (Coaston) Pitts and the late Marcus N. Pitts Jr. A graduate of Springfield public schools, and STCC, she worked in several arenas including the MLK Center and broadcast journalism. Pre-deceased by her father, she is survived by her mother, Pearlie L. Pitts; three beloved sons, Randyl L. Jones Jr., Rodney L. Jones and Ryan L. Jones; two brothers,...

Anthony Lamar Jordan, 57, of Summerhill Dr., South Windsor, CT, departed this life on August 3, 2019. Born in Moultrie, GA, he was a son of Willie Jordan and Edie (Crapps) Whetstone. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he had been employed as an aircraft machinist at Satellite Tool and Machine Inc. Anthony is survived by his wife, Darlene (Henderson) Jordan; his mother, Edie Whetstone; two children, Tyshawn Jordan and Ebony Jordan; seven siblings, James Jordan, Moses Jordan, Jeffrey Jordan, Judy...

 Geraldine Patricia (Sharrow) Billings, 80, of Tyrone St., passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 3, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.  Born in Springfield, Geraldine was the daughter of Lawrence and Eva Sharrow and remained a lifelong resident of Springfield.  She had been employed for many years by The Buxton Company.  Geraldine is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, Charles W. Billings Jr.;  six children, Donald LaBrecque (and wife, Rose), Nancy...

Tyrone “T.J.” Gaynor Jr., 30, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2019.  TJ was born and raised in Springfield, MA and graduated from Putnam High in 2008.  He leaves behind his daughter, Zi’Aihra Gaynor; his mother, Valerie Bess;  his father, Tyrone Gaynor Sr.;  his step-mother, Allison Gaynor;  a grandfather, L.C. Nero;  his step-father, Mark Nunnaly;  his god-mother, Michelle Jewell;  his siblings, T’Vaughn, Tyrus,...

Walter Roosevelt Tait, 63, also known as "Walt” of Marion St., departed this life on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at Baystate Medical Center.  Born in Dover, DE, he was the son of Walter Tait Jr. and Nancy L. (Fullman) Tait and lived in Springfield since 1962.  He was a member of Canaan Baptist Church of Christ and the Mens' Ministry.  He was also a Mason, Shriner, and member of the Order of The Eastern Star, having served as Deputy Grand Master, Worshipful Master of...

James Arthur Crapps,69, of Commonwealth Ave., passed away on Monday, July 15, 2019 at home.  Born in Shellman Georgia he was the son of Jessie Crapps Sr. and Mertha (Jenkins) Crapps.  A longtime resident of Springfield, James worked as a tirebuilder at Uniroyal for many years.  Predeceased by his parents, a son and eight siblings he leaves two sons James O. Crapps and Anthony Crapps (and wife Carmen) of Springfield; four brothers Jimmie Lee Crapps, Willie A. Crapps and Leroy...

Pearlie Mae Burwell, 77, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2019. Born in Georgia, she was a daughter of Cecelia Ruth (Brown) Adams Green and Samuel Adams. A longtime Springfield resident, Pearlie Mae worked as a CNA at Wingate at Springfield. She was a member of Alden Baptist Church and sang in the choir. Pre-deceased by her former husband, John Burwell Sr., and four sisters, Plushia Mae Gaynor, Lillie Ruth Green, Betty Jean Green, and Dorothy Denson, she is survived by two sisters,...