obituaries

May 11, 2026

Helen A. Liburd, age 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 11, 2026. Although Helen came from the Caribbean, she spent most of her adult life in the United States, residing in Connecticut. Helen became a born-again believer at the age of twelve and remained steadfast in her faith throughout her life. In fulfillment of her divine calling,...

May 7, 2026

Serena Cyprian Burgess, a woman of remarkable strength, faith, and resilience, transitioned into eternal rest on May 7, 2026, at the age of 73.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 28, 1952, but raised in spirit by the community of New Haven, Connecticut, Serena spent most of her life there before later residing in East Haven. She was a proud...

May 1, 2026

Odell G. Bellamy, 91, of New Haven, entered eternal rest on May 1, 2026.

She was born on January 28, 1935, in Southport, North Carolina, to the late Wheeler Garvin and Dorothy Mae Garvin.

Mother Bellamy was a devoted and faithful member of Mount Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. She found great joy in serving the Lord through singing in the choir, being...

Apr 16, 2026

Apr 6, 2026

Sarah Lee Spruel was born June 18, 1938, in Greenville, North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Hebrew O. Spell and Sarah Clemons Spell. Sarah moved from Greenville to New Haven, Connecticut, in 1955, where she met the love of her life, her late husband Noble A. Spruel. Sarah held several manufacturing jobs, retiring from Pratt & Whitney...

Apr 5, 2026

Juanita Barnes Harrell, affectionately known as “Nita-Baby,” 78, of Hamden, CT, entered eternal rest on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.

She was born on April 17, 1947, in Wilson, NC, to the late Junious Barnes and Lizzie R. Mangum. Juanita attended Charles H. Darden High School in Wilson, NC, before relocating to New Haven, CT, where she later graduated from Wilbur...

Apr 1, 2026

Grace Byrd, 100, of New Haven, entered eternal rest on April 1, 2026.

Born in Forsyth, Georgia, on November 27, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Emanuel Byrd and Marguerite Byrd.

Prior to her retirement, Ms. Byrd was employed by the former Winchester Repeating Arms Company (Olin). She was a member of St. Matthew’s UFWB Church in New Haven for...

Mar 22, 2026

Craig A. Whyte, 45, of Woodbridge, entered eternal rest on March 22, 2026.

He was born on August 2, 1980, in St. Catherine, Jamaica, to Pauline Jackson-McHayle and Lancey White. Craig worked as a roofer and was a member of Bellasghate Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his siblings: Latoya Thomas (Oniel Pitter), Zureka Doyley (Damion...

Mar 22, 2026

Virginia Strong, 80, of Hamden, entered eternal rest on March 22, 2026. She was the beloved wife of the late James Strong.

Virginia was born on March 26, 1945, in Eutaw, Alabama, the daughter of her adoptive parents, the late Lloyd Jemison and Ora Jemison. She attended school in Birmingham, Alabama, and later went to live with her uncle and aunt,...

Mar 21, 2026

On March 21, 2026, Eustace Doram, better known as Lucky, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend was called to rest. Eustace was born October 30, 1951, in St. John’s, Antigua, to the late Donally and Geraldine Doram. He was the seventh child of eight siblings.

Eustace received his primary education at St. Joseph’s Academy in Antigua, and went on to...

Feb 27, 2026

Wesley K. Forbes, Sr. entered eternal rest on February 27, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Arlene E. Gifford-Forbes for more than 20 years. Born in New Haven, Connecticut on September 12, 1957, he was the son of the late Gordon T. Forbes and Judith A. Forbes. Wesley was a proud graduate of James Hillhouse High School and faithfully...

Feb 18, 2026

Richard Douglas Emanuel was born on January 17, 1944, to Richard Douglas Joesph Emanuel and Mary Rosetta Emanuel, née Douglas, in Greater Georgetown, Guyana.

With his siblings, Juliet, Victor and Shirley, he lived on Fourth Street, Alberttown, attending Ms. Nicholls Kindergarten and enjoying visits to Emanuel’s Drugstore, his father’s well-established pharmacy. He also bonded with his brother and sister Patrick Bendfield...

Feb 2, 2026

Evans Geneva Browning, born on November 26, 1937, in Camden, South Carolina, peacefully passed away on February 2, 2026. She was the beloved daughter of the late John Evans Murphy and the late Sallie Geneva Murphy.

Evans graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1951, after which she pursued her nursing degree at the Vocational Training Field Service Center in New Haven,...

Jan 30, 2026

Catherine “Cathy” Georgeanna (Blanchard) Douglas, 70, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, January 30, 2026. She was born on March 30, 1955 in Waterbury, Connecticut to the late Thurman Eugene and Genevieve Catherine (Jenkins) Blanchard.

In 1968, at the tender age of 12, she was baptized in Jesus’ Name at Pentecostal Assembly Church, 201 Cherry Street in Waterbury, Connecticut....

Jan 6, 2026

Jeremiah E. Jeter entered eternal rest on January 6, 2026. He was born on August 15, 1942, in Clifton Forge, Virginia, to the late Lloyd Arnold Jeter and Agnes Eve Jeter.

Throughout his adult working life, Mr. Jeter was employed at Meadow Landings in West Haven, where he served with dedication as a Maintenance Mechanic and Supervisor....

Dec 31, 2025

With heavy hearts and deep love, we announce the peaceful passing of Julius Lee Sanders Rice, who entered eternal rest on December 31, 2025, at the age of 81. Julius was born on August 1, 1944, in Winterville, North Carolina, to the late Roosevelt Sanders and Judy Mae Boyd.

Julius was a devoted wife for 60 years...

Dec 24, 2025

Irene Posavetz, age 74, of Woodbridge, Connecticut, peacefully entered into eternal rest on December 24, 2025.

Born on May 30, 1951, in New Hyde Park, New York, Irene was the beloved daughter of the late John and Mary Posavetz.

Irene moved to Norwalk, Connecticut with her family when she was 14. She lived in several...

Dec 24, 2025

Patricia Louise Donaldson Turner, age 84, of West Haven, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025. She was the beloved wife of Richard E. Turner, Sr.

Born on September 1, 1941, in Stuttgart, Arkansas, Patricia was the daughter of the late James Henry Donaldson and Bernice Price Donaldson. Throughout her professional life, she served in various roles,...

Dec 21, 2025

Joseph Beckford, affectionately known as "Joe" and "Deacon Beckford," age 88, of New Haven, Connecticut, was born in Mason River, Clarendon, Jamaica, West Indies, on August 25, 1937, to the late Eva Lindsay and Joshua Beckford.

Joseph departed this life on December 21, 2025, at his home in Connecticut after battling illness for over a year under...

Dec 15, 2025

Willamae "Mae" Huckaby, 86, of New Haven, Connecticut, passed away peacefully after a long battle with dementia. Born on July 31, 1939, she dedicated her life to serving others and making positive impacts in her community.

Mae built a distinguished career as a probation officer for the State of Connecticut, touching countless lives with a compassionate approach...