The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries in news form for area residents, their family members and for former residents at no charge. Families wishing to publish additional information or to use specific wording have the option of a paid obituary.

Terrineshia Ree Gaskin

Terrineshia Ree Gaskin, the infant daughter of Latashia R. Gaskin of Vicksburg, died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, at River Region Medical Center in Vicksburg.

In addition to her mother, Terrineshia is survived by a sister, Corneshia B. Anderson of Vicksburg; her maternal grandparents, Thelma G. Newsome of Vicksburg and Terry Wince of LaCruses, N.M.; a great-grandmother, Vernita Claiborne of Richmond, Calif.; and other relatives including the Smith, Williams, Marshall, Moore, Wince, Kline, Winston, Hamilton, Boone, Turner and Gaskin families.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at New Zion M.B. Church with the Rev. Henry J. Williams officiating under the direction of W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home.

Delilah Jordan

Delilah Jordan died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005, at River Region Medical Center in Vicksburg. She was 87.

Mrs. Jordan retired from Dade County School System.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred D. Sanders Sr. and Louisa Lacy Sanders; her husband, Charlie Jordan; and one daughter, Louisa Chancellor.

Survivors include one son, Isiah Charleston of Vicksburg; three sisters, Elizabeth Sanders of Vicksburg, Tethel Bridge of Merrillville, Ind., and Ruth Simpkin of Miami; one brother, Fred Sanders Jr. of Merrillville; one grandchild; one great-grandchild; and other relatives including the Lacy, Sanders and Evans families.

Williams Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Ruth McFarland

Ruth McFarland died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, at University Medical Center in Jackson. She was 86.

Mrs. McFarland was a homemaker.

She was a member of Mount Zion No. 3 M.B. Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam McFarland; her parents, Sylvester Bass Sr. and Jeanette Sims Bass; four brothers, Sylvester Bass Jr., Willie Bass, Allen Bass and Issac Bass; and one sister, Elizabeth Palmer.

Survivors include two stepsons, Sam McFarland Jr. and Ernest McFarland, both of Las Vegas; two stepdaughters, Temorie McNeil and Dorothy McFarland, both of Las Vegas; one brother, Joseph Bass of Bordentown, N.J.; one sister, Rosalie Harris of Buffalo, N.Y.; and other relatives including Charline Bass of Bordentown.

W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Birma Johnson Woodhouse

And then came a blessed event, a child, Birma, who was affectionately named after her aunts – Betty, Irene, Rita, Marie and Annette – was born to Sara and Joel Johnson of Vicksburg. The sixth of eight children, Birma was one of seven sisters and one brother.

As a young student, Birma excelled in school. Her genius afforded her many opportunities. She was academically talented and received multiple honors while advancing several grades rapidly. She was also a skilled athlete and played many sports including baseball and gymnastics. Her list of accomplishments was extensive and included an opportunity to recite poetry for Langston Hughes. She graduated from Magnolia High School at the top of her class and continued her education at Jackson State Teacher’s College where she graduated with honors and received a bachelor of arts degree in education.

Birma became a teacher at the Cherry Street Junior High School where she taught 4th and 6th grades. In addition to teaching, she was an usher for the local theater, a hairstylist, and worked in restaurants in various capacities including a donut maker.

Birma met her late husband Joseph Woodhouse just before WWII. After his service, they wed on July 14, 1946. Joseph wanted to explore opportunities in the North and moved to New York City where Birma joined him shortly thereafter. To this union, two children were born, Kevin Joseph and Jana Birma.

While starting their family, they opened a take-out restaurant, Kevin Joe’s Elite Barbecue. People came from miles away to get a taste of Birma’s savory secret sauce. She managed the store while her husband worked in the meat market. In the mid-1960s, Birma took a job with the New York City Department of Social Services where she worked as a caseworker in several divisions for 32 years.

Birma was reared in the Methodist Church. In her later years, she became a devout Catholic. She joined Our Lady of Victory Church in 1972. As a dedicated member for many years, she was a faithful and active parishioner. She was a founding member of the Our Lady of Victory Society, a Eucharistic minister, a liturgy reader, as well as a choir member. After her retirement, she volunteered with the South Bronx People for Change Senior Citizen’s Hotline.

Birma enjoyed many extracurricular activities and hobbies. In 1968, she joined the Negro Ensemble Company. As an actor, she did television commercials and small stage plays. She was an African Nationalist who strongly believed that children should be educated and have a solid understanding of their history and heritage. She was also one of the first participants in the African-American Day Parade in New York City. Birma loved to sing and dance. But, perhaps her greatest passion was to recite poetry. As a professional poet, she performed all over the East Coast and opened for entertainers and events like Pete Seeger, Abby Lincoln, DC 37 Black History Month Galas, and more.

Birma’s ultimate goal in life was to serve the community, her people and God. On Aug. 14, 2005, God said job well done and called her home.

She is survived by her children, Kevin J. Woodhouse and the Rev. Jana B. Woodhouse; her sister, Myrtle Calvin; a daughter-in-law, Stacey Robbins Woodhouse; a sister-in-law, Wilma Woodhouse; nieces and nephews, Joyce Butts and husband John, Debra Woodland and husband Tyrone, Janet Wilson and husband Charles, Farnesia Boswell, Rhonda Woodhouse, and a host of grand-nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and close friends.