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.

Billy Brooks.

SAVANNAH, Tenn. – Billy Brooks died Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, at Woodland Medical Center in Cullman, Ala. He was 66.

Mr. Brooks was born in Grace, Miss. He was a pipefitter and a welder. He was assistant pastor for River of Life Church, and he ministered each Sunday at Savannah, Tenn., Healthcare.

Mr. Brooks was a a veteran of the Army.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Hollis and Mandy Elizabeth Coleman Brooks; three brothers, Jody, Lorraine and Charles Brooks; and three sisters, Bessy Uzzle, Erline Brant and Marie LeBlanc.

Mr. Brooks is survived by his wife, Carol Henderson of Shiloh, Tenn.; a daughter, Angela Clark of Mississippi; two sons, Billy Gene Brooks of Mississippi and Howard Brooks of Cleveland, Miss.; one stepdaughter, Cindy Collins of Savannah; two stepsons, Edward Stamp of Adamsville, Tenn. and Jason Stamp of Savannah; two sisters, Sarah East and Peggy Cousins, both of Vicksburg; one brother, Herman Brooks of Corinth, Miss.; four grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren.

Services will be today at 1:30 p.m. at River of Life Church with Danny Hicks officiating. Burial will be at Old Union Cemetery.

Alfred Joseph Ford.

DETROIT – Alfred Joseph Ford was born Nov. 23, 1937, to the late Venos and Alvenia Ford in Vicksburg. He was the youngest of three children. The Ford family moved from Vicksburg to Detroit in 1946. Al attended Detroit Public Schools and graduated from Southwestern High School in the Class of 1955.

Al married his high school sweetheart, Croteal &#8220Teal” Ford in Detroit in July 1962. From this union five children were born: Julaine, Alfred, Joyl, Venos and V’Ali. They remained bonded in holy matrimony until the Lord called Al home.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree in business marketing from DIT/LIT in 1974 in Detroit and his master’s degree from McMurray College in business administration in 1977 in Jacksonville, Ill. He worked for several notable companies during his professional career, including Ford Motor Company, Mobil Petroleum Products and Kodak Camera Company.

Dedication, honor, dignity and characters are some of the words that define the life of Al. In spite of being raised in a time of segregation and division, Al embraced close friends from all races, colors, nationalities and religions. He inspired many to be open-minded and progressive in thought. He found enjoyment in many things such as jazz music with favorites such as John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderly. He could identify the artist from the musical delivery. He passed that appreciation on to many others.

Al’s true passion was in his family. Before her death in 1973, Viola Robbins received a promise from Al, her future son-in-law. Al made a promise to her to take care of Croteal, her daughter. He stood by his commitment for his entire life. He was a caring provider for his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his sisters, his mother, his father, his brothers-in-law, his sister-in-law and a litany of cousins and other relatives. He made sure Croteal finished her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He provided a college education for all five of his children and stressed the importance of education with all of his grandchildren. He always had time to provide counsel for anyone who asked him. He didn’t just keep his promise to his mother-in-law, he exceeded expectations.

Alfred is survived by his wife, Croteal; his daughters, Julaine and Joyl; his sons, Alfred, Venos and V’Ali; three grandsons, Derrick Tillison, Jamon and Darien; six granddaughters, Gabrielle Tillison, Rahsanica, Khaliah, Ayannah, Gianni and Taylor; and a sister, Terry Ford. He is further survived by Sharon, Tracy, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Shirley Wright.

Services were at 11 a.m. Jan. 21 at First Baptist Church of Southwest Detroit with Minister Garruno Wooldridge officiating. Burial followed at Westlawn Cemetery in Wayne, Mich., under the direction of James H. Cole Home for Funerals.

Pallbearers were James Lyons, Marcus Ford, Maurice Ford, Marquelle Ford, Calvin King and Darnell Bradley.

Honorary pallbearers were Thomas Ahart, Mack Weaver, Louis Ford, Van Jones, Thomas Leake, Morris Hartman, Columbus Glover and Jimmy Knight.

Eric Eugene Richards Sr.

UTICA – Services for Eric Eugene Richards Sr. will be at 2 p.m. today at Belmont M.B. Church in Utica with the Rev. K.C. Frazier officiating. Burial will follow in Henry Cemetery with Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home of Vicksburg in charge.

Mr. Richards died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006, at University Medical Center in Jackson as a result of an automobile accident. He was 31.

Mr. Richards was a resident of Utica and a graduate of Utica High School. He also attended Hinds Community College in Raymond. He was a member of the high school and college basketball teams. He was a member of New Oak Ridge M.B. Church.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Eddie Richards.

Survivors include one son, Eric Richards Jr.; two daughters, Arieyonna Richards and Tiana Burns, both of Utica; his mother, Corine Richards of Utica; father, Robert Barnes of Vicksburg; stepfather, Wesley Martin of Utica; four brothers, Marvin Richards, Frederick Richards, Terrance Currie and Antoine Pollard, all of Utica; six sisters, Lakisha Richards and Sheila Richards, both of Utica; and Felecia Barnes, Robbie Barnes, Erica Barnes and Kimberly Currie, all of Vicksburg; his maternal grandmother, Josephine Richards of Utica; paternal grandmother, Mamie Burnes of Utica; a special friend, Pamela Dulaney of Utica; and other relatives.

Sarah Margaret Butts Schaeffer.

Sarah Margaret &#8220Nanny” Butts Schaeffer died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, David and Peggy Ann Du Bois Schaeffer, in Vicksburg. She was 93.

Mrs. Schaeffer was a native of Vicksburg and a graduate of Oak Ridge High School. She was a retired registered nurse and worked at the Vicksburg Hospital. She was a member of the Eastern Star and First Baptist Church, where she taught the adult Sunday school class.

Mrs. Schaeffer was preceded in death by her parents, Redden Alfred and Emma McCandless Butts; her husband, Capt. Jimmy Schaeffer; a daughter, Margaret Ann Schaeffer; a son, Maurice Erwin Dixon Jr.; sisters, Kathrine Butts, Mildred Butts Rowland Jones and Juanita Butts Ford; brothers, Leroy Butts, Wayne Butts and Willis M. &#8220Sambo” Butts; grandsons, Corey Edwin Du Bois and Timothy Dixon.

In addition to her son, Mrs. Schaeffer is survived by a daughter, Margaret E. Schaeffer of Vicksburg; a brother, J.D. Butts of Corpus Christi, Texas; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Fisher Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Robert James Washington.

CHICAGO – Robert James Washington died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, in Chicago. He was 86.

Mr. Washington was born in Saint Joseph, La., lived most of his life in Vicksburg and was a resident of Chicago at the time of his death.

Mr. Washington served in the Army from 1939 until 1943. He was a member of Mount Heroden M.B. Church for more than 71 years and a member of the American Legion for 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Washington; his mother, Marie Friendship; his stepfather Arthur Sampson; and a sister.

He is survived by two sisters, Ada Mills and Amanda Crawford, both of Chicago; four nephews; three neices; and a special friend, April Kittenbrew.

Services will be at Mount Heroden M.B. Church, 1117 Clay St., at noon today with the Rev. Dr. Louis A. Hall, Sr., pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery with W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home in charge. Repast will be at the church fellowship hall.

Pallbearers will be nephews, church members and members of the American Legion.