Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is the first African-American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives from Ohio. Congresswoman Jones is a lifelong resident of the 11^th District, which encompasses most of the East Side of Cleveland and parts of the West Side of Cleveland and includes parts of 22 suburbs.

Currently in her fifth term in office, the Congresswoman, a strong advocate for many issues, has championed wealth building and economic development, access and delivery of health care, and quality education for all. The Congresswoman chairs the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics). Additionally, she serves on the powerful Ways and Means Committee and is an active member of numerous Congressional Caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus.

Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has introduced several pieces of legislation including, the Uterine Fibroids Research and Education Act to increase funding for research on uterine fibroids and provide enhanced public education about this condition; the Predatory Mortgage Lending Practices Reduction Act, which would require certification of mortgage brokers and enhance penalties for predatory loans, and the Campus Fire Prevention Act, which would provide money to equip college dorms, fraternities, and sorority houses with fire suppression devices. Most recently, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones introduced the “Count Every Vote” Act of 2005 which seeks to provide an all-encompassing solution to a broad range of voting irregularities that occurred during the 2004 presidential election. She is an original co-sponsor of multiple significant pieces of legislation, including healthcare for low and middle-income families and community reentry for ex-felons.

Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has made a number of historic achievements in her distinguished career as a public servant. Prior to her election to the House, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones served as the first African-American and the first female Cuyahoga County, Ohio Prosecutor. She was the first African-American woman to sit on the Common Pleas bench in the State of Ohio and was a Municipal Court Judge in the City of Cleveland.

Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has received numerous honors throughout her lifetime including the National Bible Association Capitol Hill Distinguished Leadership Award, Human Rights Campaign of Cleveland Equality Award, Backbone Campaign’s Backbone Award, and the Carib News Multi-National Business Conference Marcus Garvey Award.

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is a graduate of Cleveland Public Schools. She received her undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University, graduating with a degree in Social Work from the Flora Mather College in 1971. She received her Juris Doctorate form Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1974. Additionally, she has received honorary doctorates from David N. Myers University, Notre Dame College and Central State University.

An active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, she serves on its national Social Action Committee. She is a lifelong member of Bethany Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio and is a member of their Board of Trustees.

The Congresswoman was married to Mervyn L. Jones, Sr., deceased (2003), for 27 years and is the proud mother of Mervyn Leroy Jones, II.

Harvey Waite

Harvey Waite, 68, the husband of U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, died today following his bout with pancreatic cancer.

John Challis

John Challis
PITTSBURGH (AP) – John Challis, who inspired professional players with his battle against cancer, died at his parents’ suburban Pittsburgh home on Tuesday. He was 18. Challis made national headlines when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Pittsburgh Pirates game against the New York Yankees in June, leaving his home team a motivational message on their message board. “Have fun,” he wrote to the Pirates. “It’s the reason we play ball.” The 5-foot-5, 93-pound teenager was diagnosed with terminal cancer when he was 16. He spoke candidly about his initial fear of death and then his determination to achieve his goals before succumbing to the cancer that had spread to his liver, lungs and other parts of his body. Most of those goals were achieved. He played with the Freedom Area High School football team, where he was a starter as a sophomore before becoming ill. He met Pittsburgh Penguins’ owner and Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux and quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger. When Challis was in New York last month, Alex Rodriguez showed him his apartment and drove him to Yankee Stadium. “He was a very brave boy,” Rodriguez said before the Yankees played at Toronto on Tuesday night. “Very smart. He had a huge heart. I was just proud that I got to spend a whole day with him and I’m touched by the fact that he came to my apartment and spent quality time. It’s something that I’ll be inspired by for the rest of my life.” In April, Challis fulfilled a dream to play on his high school’s baseball team, coming in as a pinch-hitter and drawing cheers — even from the opposition — when he hit a single into right field. In June, after graduating from Freedom Area High School, Challis got to take a last cruise with his family. He also set up a foundation to help high school students fighting terminal illnesses. His only regret, he told reporters in the months before his death, was that he would not be able to get married and become a father. “I’m a little surprised that people don’t understand how easy I think it is for a young person, especially myself, to see this major situation as a positive — I mean I don’t see it as a positive, but I’m not complaining about it,” Challis was quoted as saying in an Associated Press story in June. “I don’t know why people think it’s so hard,” he added. Within hours of Challis’ death, dozens of people from across the country shared their thoughts and condolences on an Internet guest board. “My thoughts and prayers to the Challis family. Your son was a true inspiration, blessing and gift. God bless,” wrote Pat King of Roanoke, Va. Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelly released a statement calling the teenager “an inspiration to each of us.” “John had every reason to complain about his situation, but he chose not to,” Coonelly said. “What he did do was show unfathomable courage and great wisdom for someone so young. John’s body could not win the battle with cancer, but John’s tremendous spirit will live on amongst all those he and his story impacted across the country.”

Adelle Collins Hargrove

This is my grandmother and the inspiration for GBNF. She passed away February 23, 2006. Losing her changed my life forever. I no longer have her in the natural but she will forever be in my heart. I wanted a place special for her somewhere I could remember her and talk to her (in a special way of course). I wanted to talk about her all the time, however, the people around me grew tired of me wanting to talk about her. I searched the internet for groups of other suffering people thinking that maybe meeting someone else who was hurting like me would help. There were a few but none like what I have planned for GBNF. That is why Gone But Not Forgotten was established. It is in her memory why this is so important to me.

This is her Obituary…

Mrs. Adelle Elizabeth Collins Hargrove was born March 11, 1927 to the late Mr. & Mrs. Levi and Mary Collins. Thursday February 23, 2006 at 9 am she peacefully passed away at DCH Regional Medical Center to go on to that Eternal home. She confessed her faith in Christ at an early age. She was joined in holy matrimony to Walter Hargrove. And together they raised their only child Mary.
She was preceded in death by 8 sisters and brothers: Levi, Worthy, Jack, Effestus & Fred Collins, Earma Hall, Annie Bell, Nettie Hanson. She leaves to mourn her passing, her only child, Mary H. Molden, Cottondale, AL., two grandsons, Darryl (Regina) Molden, Atlanta, GA. and Charles Molden Jr., Augusta, GA; two granddaughters, Angela (Rickey) Lee, Dothan, AL. and Tammy Molden, Cottondale, AL; nine great-grandchildren, Jessica Molden, Keisa Lee, Rickey Lee Jr., Whitni Molden, Andrell Molden, Chase Molden, Darius Molden, Portia Lee and Armani Ivy; six great-great grandchildren and a special Goddaughter Lucy (Stan) Odum, Cottondale, AL; three sisters-n-law Earlene Collins, Willie Collins, Cottondale, AL, Catherine Collins, Cleveland Ohio many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Thomas Tharp

Thomas Tharp, a resident of Newville, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, at his home after a brief illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced at a later date along with a complete list of survivors by Varner Memorial Funeral Home. Varner Funeral Home, (334) 671-1455, is in charge of arrangements. Thomas Tharp, a resident of Newville, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, at his home after a brief illness. He was 70. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, at noon from the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Headland, with the Rev. A.C. Tucker officiating. Interment will follow in the First Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Newville, with Varner Memorial Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home chapel. His survivors include his wife, Annie Tharp; his son, Thomas Keith Tharp; his grandaughter, Jazmyn Tharp; his godchildren, Cazeio and Keana Reynolds; his mother, Nonie Tharp; two brothers, Paul (Ruby) Tharp and Raymond (Mary) Tharp; three sisters, Hassie Grayson, Mable (Early) Washum and Ruth (Louie) Jones; two aunts, Willie Mae Grimsley and Cassie Flucker; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A special thanks to his closest friends, Theodore Merritt, Joe Baxter and the Rev. Horace Mitchell. Varner Funeral Home, (334) 671-1455, is in charge of arrangements.