Dear family, friends, amyloid warriors and blog readers,
Lance passed away peacefully this morning 2:20 am. His mother was with him and he passed in his sleep. His large heart could go on no longer and he asked the Lord to end his suffering. He was happy up until the end, never afraid, never tearful. He left that to us.
I used to sing to him all the time, "You are my sweetheart, and this is the sweet part." I told him again last night when I returned to the Sloan Kettering at 3am to spend some time with him, and this will always be true for me. Life exists on a physical plane, but love is everywhere and cannot be burried in a box. I feel him with me now and will always. Lance loved me so totally and told me 20 times a day, even before his illness. He gave me the unconditonal love that I never expected to really exist. He was my once-in-a-lifetime brush with greatness and I will work hard to preserve his memory and do what I can to spread the word about this dreadful disease that has taken him and so many other so young.
But please remember, that Lance lived his life on full throttle at all times! He travelled the world, made wonderful music and laughed and loved a lot along the way. He didn't miss out on much! Some have said to me that heaven has a new drummer now, and he made it there just in time to play the last set. How true!
I will post more soon when we have arrangements made. We have to sort out some issues before he can come home to NJ from Sloan Kettering, and we are looking at a service to probably be held next week sometime.
Thank you for the kindness and support. I am touched by all the good will and messages and hope to thank each of you in person one day soon.....all my love, Lisa.
Artists - Memorials
M E M O R I A L S
2006: Mr. Rubbie Laughlin (Miami, Florida), Milene Bey (Fort de France, Martinique), Romeo Augustus Cherot (Father of Sculptor-Artist Amir Bey), Dr. Mayme Agnew Clayton, Fannie Lea Hinnant (Mother of Artist-Vandorn Hinnant), Drummer Lance Carter,
........................................................................................
Miami, Florida
KUUMBA ARTISTS COLLECTIVE
OF SOUTH FLORIDA
To Rubbie, with Love All Ways A Tribute
ARTIST
Mr. Rubbie Laughlin
To Our Dear Brother
Rubbie Laughlin
April 14, 1948 - May 15, 2006
Rubbie Laughlin
April 14, 1948 - May 15, 2006
RUBBIE LAUGHLIN WAS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN
MAN of multiple talents, interests, and dimensions,
whose greatest achievements may still have lain
ahead of him when his life was abruptly cut short by a tragic automobile
accident. A true American and a true free spirit, he was
a native South Floridian, born in the historic Black community of
Seminola Village in Hialeah. He bravely answered the nation’s call
to duty as a decorated member of the United States Army in Viet
Nam. An incessant learner, he subsequently attended and graduated
from Tyler Barber College and became a Mail Handler and
Acting Supervisor in the U.S. Post Office, from which he recently
retired. In many ways, Rubbie successfully lived the “American
Dream,” as a devoted father and grandfather with a beautiful family
and home, while passionately pursuing interests as diverse as
hunting and fishing, motorcycle and bicycle riding, beer and wine
making, and, of course, art, with his own unique style of ceramic
and mixed-media expressions. At the same time, he was even more
truly an African in America deeply conscious and proud of his Ancestral
heritage. This was evident in all of his artistic creations and
many of the causes he embraced, for example as an early member
of the International African Movement (IAM), the Coalition for a
Free South Africa, and his family’s prominent role in establishing
the meaningful celebration of Kwanzaa in South Florida. Rubbie
will be best remembered for his restlessly intelligent mind, his ready
humor, his seriousness of purpose in life, his genuine love, caring
and respect for self and others, his prolific output of artwork, and,
not to be forgotten, his permanent silhouette by noted artist Bettye
Saar at Miami’s Dr. Martin Luther King Metrorail Station. His
fellow artists in the Kuumba Collective, of which he was one of the
longest-tenured members and part of the affectionately termed “hard
core,” will forever cherish his comradeship, dedication and fresh,
creative spirit. Rubbie Laughlin lives on through his many artistic
creations and in the lives of everyone whom he has touched.
MAN of multiple talents, interests, and dimensions,
whose greatest achievements may still have lain
ahead of him when his life was abruptly cut short by a tragic automobile
accident. A true American and a true free spirit, he was
a native South Floridian, born in the historic Black community of
Seminola Village in Hialeah. He bravely answered the nation’s call
to duty as a decorated member of the United States Army in Viet
Nam. An incessant learner, he subsequently attended and graduated
from Tyler Barber College and became a Mail Handler and
Acting Supervisor in the U.S. Post Office, from which he recently
retired. In many ways, Rubbie successfully lived the “American
Dream,” as a devoted father and grandfather with a beautiful family
and home, while passionately pursuing interests as diverse as
hunting and fishing, motorcycle and bicycle riding, beer and wine
making, and, of course, art, with his own unique style of ceramic
and mixed-media expressions. At the same time, he was even more
truly an African in America deeply conscious and proud of his Ancestral
heritage. This was evident in all of his artistic creations and
many of the causes he embraced, for example as an early member
of the International African Movement (IAM), the Coalition for a
Free South Africa, and his family’s prominent role in establishing
the meaningful celebration of Kwanzaa in South Florida. Rubbie
will be best remembered for his restlessly intelligent mind, his ready
humor, his seriousness of purpose in life, his genuine love, caring
and respect for self and others, his prolific output of artwork, and,
not to be forgotten, his permanent silhouette by noted artist Bettye
Saar at Miami’s Dr. Martin Luther King Metrorail Station. His
fellow artists in the Kuumba Collective, of which he was one of the
longest-tenured members and part of the affectionately termed “hard
core,” will forever cherish his comradeship, dedication and fresh,
creative spirit. Rubbie Laughlin lives on through his many artistic
creations and in the lives of everyone whom he has touched.
The Members of Kuumba Artists Collective
Gail Coachman Alexander • Altine • Winsome Bolt
Phillip Michael Curtis • Damani Diop • Anthony Evans
John Fayson • Darryn E. Ferguson • Warren Howard
Hugeaux • Charles E, Humes, Jr. • Marc-Arthur Jean Louis
Anita Jones • Bayunga Kialeuka • Sophia Lacroix
Lucius King, Sr. • Alan Laird • Rubbie Laughlin
Denise Marlow • Kimberly P. McHenry • Donald McKnight
Robert McKnight • Charles Mills • Nzingah Oniwoson
Addonis Parker • Nana Kwaku Sakyi • Rashida J. Sales
Onajide Shabaka • Renica Sweet • Dinizulu Gene Tinnie
Darren Watson • Marvin Weeks
Phillip Michael Curtis • Damani Diop • Anthony Evans
John Fayson • Darryn E. Ferguson • Warren Howard
Hugeaux • Charles E, Humes, Jr. • Marc-Arthur Jean Louis
Anita Jones • Bayunga Kialeuka • Sophia Lacroix
Lucius King, Sr. • Alan Laird • Rubbie Laughlin
Denise Marlow • Kimberly P. McHenry • Donald McKnight
Robert McKnight • Charles Mills • Nzingah Oniwoson
Addonis Parker • Nana Kwaku Sakyi • Rashida J. Sales
Onajide Shabaka • Renica Sweet • Dinizulu Gene Tinnie
Darren Watson • Marvin Weeks
........................................................................................
Fort de France, Martinique
ARTIST
Milene Bey
August 29,1956 - June 4, 2006
THE NEW TIMES HOLLER!
MILENE BEY PASSES ONTO THE NEXT PLANE
JUNE 4, 2006
SPECIAL FOR THE NEW TIMES HOLLER!
Milene Bey, Jazz vocalist, painter, writer, music instructor, mother and lover of her many friends, passed away on June 4 AT 4:30 AM in Fort de France, Martinique where she resided for the last nine years.
Milene was a charismatic performer with a contralto voice whose singing style combined traditional Jazz elements with the inspiring influence of the late Jean Lee, and Martinique, French, blues, African, Brazilian and Afro Caribbean styles.
Born Marie-Helene Vestris on August 29, 1956 in Paris, France to Martinique parents, Simone Genevieve Longrais of Fort de France and Elphege Andre Hippolyte Vestris of Trinite, Milene was attracted to the performing and visual arts at an early age. She came from a family of performers; her Grandmother, Jeanne Longrais also of Martinique, was an actress, and a cousin, Maurice "Ton-Ton Maurice" Longrais, a trumpet player known in Martinique and Paris, had a cameo appearance with Louis Armstrong in Paris Blues, which starred Sidney Poitier and Paul Newman; the film is noted for its score by Duke Ellington. Two brothers, Michel Vestris of Martinique, is a pianist, and Phillipe Pascal Vestris now living in France, is a versatile guitarist strong in Jazz, blues and Rock idioms. It has been speculated that the Vestris family are descendants of the celebrated 18th century ballet dancer, Gaetano Vestris of Italy who had migrated to Martinique.
Her music career began in New York City, when she was a colorist for an engraver, Cuca Romely of Winter Tree Graphics. Her desire to sing began when she heard female vocalists and decided, "Why not me?". She joined Barry Harris's workshop and was simultaneously deeply motivated by the style and approach of Jean Lee, who also conducted workshops for vocalists. Her first performance in New York began on May 24, 1982, featuring Steve McCall on drums, Brian Smith on bass, and Isabelle Leymarie on piano. She formed and worked in many other bands, working with Fred Hopkins, Newman Baker, Masujah, William Parker, Asine Bako, Tomas Ulrich, Will Connel, Trudie Silver, Bern Nix, and Reggie Workman. During the mid 80s she sang in Jameel Moondoc's Jes Grew Orchestra, was a vocalist in a big band led by Ted Daniels, and performed in one of the Chinese composer Tan Dun's productions. Previous to her musical career, toured Europe and North Africa as a dancer in the mid to late 70s. Milene recently had a new CD, ESCALES issued on the Muzik label (see THE NEW TIMES HOLLER! Spotlight on Vocalist Milene Bey, December 28, 2005). She was married to the sculptor; Amir Bey in 1980. They had one son, Amon Gaitano Romeo Bey, born in 1980; they separated in 1995.
Milene heroically and successfully fought cancer for over twenty years beginning with the discovery of breast cancer when she was 29. Undergoing a series of operations, kemo therapy, and radiation treatments, she also used herbal and dietary alternatives and her music to fight the cancer that never fully left her. Throughout her ailment the doctors were amazed at the miracle of her survival through the many transmutations her ailment took, and her friends saw her as an inspiring example of how the will to live can triumph over such a formidable challenge as cancer.
She is survived by her son, Amon, her sister Anite Gicquel, her brothers Rene Vestris, Michel Vestris, and Phillipe Vestris, her mother, Genevieve Vestris, and a host of loving nieces and nephews mainly living in France. In her memory, family members ask that individuals should remember to unhesitatingly give support to those they love who are in need of it.
ROMEO AUGUSTUS CHEROT
June 24, 1920 - October 10, 2006
Father of Sculptor-Artist Amir Bey
Romeo Augustus Cherot was born in New York City on June 24, 1920 to Adolph O. Cherot, Sr. and Edith Dixon. Following his mother’s death Olive Cherot became his stepmother. Three siblings predeceased Romeo: Clemenceau and Thelma, and Frances C. Blake, M.D., with Adolph O. Cherot, Jr., Naomi C. Pinn, Juanita C. Ratteray and Robert G. Cherot surviving. Also surviving him are his sons, Nicholas M. Cherot, Esq., and Amir Bey, from his marriage with Flora L. Cherot, his grandchild, Amon Gaitano Romeo Bey, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Following graduation from Townsend Harris High School he enrolled at Wilberforce University. Called to the service of his country, Romeo received numerous decorations, including the Bronze Star for meritorious service in the Dutch East Indies and New Guinea, and the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement in the Netherlands East Indies and the Phillippines. Upon being honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant he continued his education at the University of Michigan, receiving a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts (History) in February and August of 1947, respectively, graduating with honors. Romeo was either the first or second black to attend Columbia’s Russian Institute, receiving its Certificate on June 8, 1950.
As its first black employee, he began his career at Radio Free Europe in 1951 or 1952, acting as a political news analyst and later as a sports reporter, assisting in delivering information to Eastern Europe. He served multiple terms as President of Radio Free Europe’s union local.
Other significant achievements and occurrences included overcoming alcoholism, interacting with Langston Hughes and other notables through introductions by Commissioner Samuel J. Battle, the first black police officer in Manhattan, correspondence with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and attendance with Amir at the March on Washington. In addition he served as a “Big Brother” for a number of years. His participation in the Civil Rights Movement included enrolling Nicholas and Amir as Junior Life Members in the NAACP. Interests included 1940s and 1950s movies, crossword puzzles, Russian history and culture, and jazz and opera.
Friends and family of Romeo recall his generosity, tolerance, compassion and sweetness. While unassuming, he would insist on institutional recognition of his achievements when necessary. His cremated remains will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery.
Obituary
Fannie Lea Hinnant mother of artist Vandorn Hinnant
March 11, 1924 - October 28, 2006
On Saturday, October 28th Fannie drifted off into an eternal slumber to walk once again with “Honey” who brought sweetness into her life and to meet her Lord and eternal savior Jesus Christ.
Fannie Lea Hinnant was the daughter of the late Audrey Saunders Lea and Ulysses Lea. She was educated in the Caswell County Training School. After graduating she headed off to Bennett College and finished with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education.
When she graduated from Bennett College William and Fannie were married in Columbus, Ohio. After leaving the Air Force William and Fannie purchased their first home in McLeansville, NC and she began her teaching career. Fannie loved the classroom and over the years a stream of students whose lives she had touched showed up at every twist and turn.
She became an active member of Hamer Baptist Church in Blanche, NC at an early age and remained a member long after she started her own family. As her children grew older and more active in the Greensboro community she became an active member of Providence Baptist Church. For years she was also a member of the Philathian circle until she developed Alzheimers.
Her son-in-law, Steve, called her “The Energizer” because she was always on the go –from being the speaker at different events, teaching, assuming educational leadership positions, going to church and visiting with her many friends and family. She was always willing to help someone in need and always ready to feed the next person who showed up at her door.
Fannie lived a truly full life and made an impression on everyone she came in contact with. She leaves to mourn William Vandorn Hinnant, III (son), Zelphia Hinnant-Jones (daughter) and her husband Steve and Alan Ira Hinnant (son), sisters Eula Lea England (Julius) and Cora Alice Lea Simmons; grandchildren-Alaina B. Jones, Porsche M. Hinnant, Steve L. Jones, Jr., Chana N. Hinnant, Allison D. Hinnant and Jonathan Hinnant Jackson; brother-in-law Waddell E. Hinnant, Sr. (Ann); and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and friends.
Fannie was preceded in death by her husband William V. Hinnant, Jr., son Anthony C. Hinnant, grandson E. Jacob Jones, sister Doris A. Irving, brothers Jimmy Lea and Douglas Lea.
Order of Service
Processional
Hymn of Praise ……………”How Great Thou Art”
Scriptures
Old Testament ……………………………Psalms 121
New Testament ………Corinthians 13:4-7
Prayer of Comfort
Acknowledgements
Mrs. Gail Jones Roberson
Reflections
Mrs. Shirley Hinnant Bell……(cousin)
Mr. Alan I. Hinnant……………(son)
Obituary
Musical Selection
Eulogy…………………………..Rev. Howard A. Chubbs
Recessional
Interment ……………..Piedmont Memorial Park
Pall Bearers
Waddell Hinnant, Jr.
Robert Lea
Reginald Roberson
Michael Saunders
Jimmy Saunders
Tony Mitchell
Acknowledgement
We, the family of Fannie Lea Hinnant are grateful for the many expressions of sympathy, deeds of kindness, and acts of love which were extended to us. We express our sincere gratitude and abiding appreciation to everyone both far and near who remembered us.
Services Entrusted to
Smith-Hinnant Funeral Home
512 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Greensboro, NC 27406
336-272-8168
Artist / Sculptor
John Tarrell Scott
Born 1940 - Died September 2007
Biography courtesy:
African American Visual Artists Database
Xavier to honor John T Scott at May 12 commencement
May 7, 2007 talk back
Xavier University's May 12 commencement exercises will give the
institution an opportunity to honor one of its own, visual artist and
professor John T. Scott, whose work as a sculptor can be seen
throughout the Crescent City.
The presentation of an honorary Xavier degree to Professor Scott takes
on added meaning as the embattled professor copes with health problems
and general recovery issues in post-Katrina New Orleans.
At this year's ceremony, Xavier will bestow an honorary degree upon
longtime art professor John T. Scott '62, whose art has garnered him a
national reputation of one of America's most highly-acclaimed
contemporary artists and whose teaching continues to inspire Xavier
art students.
Scott and his five siblings were raised in the Lower Ninth Ward by
their parents, Thomas and Mary Mable Holmes Scott. His creativity and
artistic gifts were developed and encouraged by his parents, who
taught him, among other things, to be resourceful, resilient and
innovative.
Scott attended Xavier in the 1950s, where he studied under painter
Numa Rousseve,,, sculptor Frank Hayden and Sister Mary Lurana Neely
Scott's large, three-dimensional public works can be found in a dozen
locations in New Orleans, as well as in six other major cities
(Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Houston, Nashville and Philadelphia).
His other creations can be found in public and private collections
throughout the country.
Often honored and celebrated, Scott was bestowed "Genius" status in
1992 when the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship recognized
him for his extraordinary originality and exceptional creativity.
Scott, a New Orleans native who is on extended leave while recovering
from double lung surgery, has taught at Xavier for more than 40 years.
In addition to his XU degree, he also holds a master's degree from
Michigan State University.
Xavier University's May 12 commencement exercises will give the
institution an opportunity to honor one of its own, visual artist and
professor John T. Scott, whose work as a sculptor can be seen
throughout the Crescent City.
The presentation of an honorary Xavier degree to Professor Scott takes
on added meaning as the embattled professor copes with health problems
and general recovery issues in post-Katrina New Orleans.
At this year's ceremony, Xavier will bestow an honorary degree upon
longtime art professor John T. Scott '62, whose art has garnered him a
national reputation of one of America's most highly-acclaimed
contemporary artists and whose teaching continues to inspire Xavier
art students.
Scott and his five siblings were raised in the Lower Ninth Ward by
their parents, Thomas and Mary Mable Holmes Scott. His creativity and
artistic gifts were developed and encouraged by his parents, who
taught him, among other things, to be resourceful, resilient and
innovative.
Scott attended Xavier in the 1950s, where he studied under painter
Numa Rousseve,,, sculptor Frank Hayden and Sister Mary Lurana Neely
Scott's large, three-dimensional public works can be found in a dozen
locations in New Orleans, as well as in six other major cities
(Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Houston, Nashville and Philadelphia)
His other creations can be found in public and private collections
throughout the country.
Often honored and celebrated, Scott was bestowed "Genius" status in
1992 when the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship recognized
him for his extraordinary originality and exceptional creativity.
Scott, a New Orleans native who is on extended leave while recovering
from double lung surgery, has taught at Xavier for more than 40 years.
In addition to his XU degree, he also holds a master's degree from
Michigan State University.
Scott was born on a farm in the Gentilly section of New Orleans; his father was a chauffeur to the owners, who used the farm to supply meat and produce for their restaurant. When he was 7, the family moved to the Lower 9th Ward.
He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1958 and began formal art studies.
Hurricane Katrina had forced Scott to flee to Houston, where his disease required two double-lung transplant surgeries.
He was recovering from one of those operations in June, when Xavier gave him an honorary doctorate in humane letters. Michigan State had given him an honorary doctorate in 1995 and Tulane University in 1997.
he is survived by his wife, Anna Rita Scott; his daughters Alanda Rhodes, Tyra Joseph, Maria Scott-Osborne and Lauren Kannady; and six granddaughters.
Boston, MA.
"Art is communication,"...Allen Rohan Crite
Master Artist
Allen Rohan Crite
March 20, 1910-September 6, 2007
E-Eulogy by artist Aaron Ibn Pori Pitts ( Detroit, Michigan)
Dear Friends:
It is with deep sadness that the family of Allan Rohan
Crite wish to inform you of his passing, quietly at
home in his sleep, of natural causes, in the early
evening of September 6, 2007.
Arrangements are being finalized; and all will be
notified by email and through the local press.
Tentative plans are for an evening wake on Friday,
Sept. 14th 6-8pm
It is with deep sadness that the family of Allan Rohan
Crite wish to inform you of his passing, quietly at
home in his sleep, of natural causes, in the early
evening of September 6, 2007.
Arrangements are being finalized; and all will be
notified by email and through the local press.
Tentative plans are for an evening wake on Friday,
Sept. 14th 6-8pm
at
J.S. Waterman & Sons,
580
Commercial Street - North End. Boston, MA
Commercial Street - North End. Boston, MA
And a funeral service
on Saturday morning Sept. 15th 11am-12:30pm
on Saturday morning Sept. 15th 11am-12:30pm
at
TrinityChurch-Copley Square,
Boston, MA.
Thank you for all of your prayers and your many years
of loving support for Mr. Crite.
Jackie Crite
Thank you for all of your prayers and your many years
of loving support for Mr. Crite.
Jackie Crite
An e-letter written to Napoleon Jones-Henderson from Jackie Crite
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
E-Eulogy
by
artist Aaron Ibn Pori Pitts ( Detroit, Michigan)
peace and blessingz / a luta continuua and much luv . . .
please enter bro' allan rohan crite into ur archivez (1910-2007)
painter/illustrator and elder artist of the roxbury, massachusetts community since moving there az a child from plainfield, new jersey / he captured the essence of not only the black community but of the importance of spirituality and community awarenezz / meeting him back in the historical black artz movement and national conference of artists conferencez in boston re-opened the door of the harlem renaiasance pulse to another generation of afrikan diaspora artistz / hiz graciouz style and humble depth of opening hiz studio visionz for uz to see az a broad community window rooted in the ritualz and urban landscapez / he grounded himself into the social and historical motion of being an archivist artist in hiz paintingz and illustrationz . . . a lenz of visual depictionz from spiritual revelationz to the joyz and oppressivenezz of black urban life / and in reality there'z not enough academia document material on thiz amazing artist /
jujupome for the community visionary - allan rohan crite (1910-2007)
he waz like that old grand-father who told ancient accountz / filled the soul and body with toe-tapping temptationz and made the grown-upz wanna shut him up 'cause he waz revealing too much blue-black bluez rhythm / layering black visionz / afrikanville remembrancez makin' the tambourine groan / whispering and hollering in majestic purple threadz of joy . . . being in love with rselvez / showing u how to be proud of ur bad black ebony spirit / painting soft lullabiez / hard edge storiez of a people'z sorrow that illuminated the dark bright window of triumpted hope / liberation / hallelujah / victory comin' / yez sir ! / drawing victory signz in story bookz / did u see them ? gracin' wallz in the chapel at m.i.t., grace church, martha'z vineyard, and holy cross church in morrisville, vermont, national museum of american art, museum of the national center of afro-american artists / to just mention a few black visionz / a legendary visionary / depicting life'z time motion and neighborhood landscapez / in ten movementz / then after egunegun sendz the message / shango throwz some thunder / allan'z spirit iz riding shotgun with ogun / actin' out hiz last joy ride / going home to the ancestorz / leaving uz something to remember him by -hope u can have a long and fruitful life too / az he rode on off into that afrikan mountain landscape / with hiz head held high in victory . . . ashe / asanta sana
May God Bless you
Search Elder Allen Rohan Crites' artist biography on Gogle, Yahoo, MSN etc.
National Conference of Artists (NCA) member
Aaron Ibn Pori Pitts (Detroit Artists of the Year 2008)
Mother
Zenolia Pitts
1904 - 2008.
( An e-eulogy written to me from Aaron Ibn Pori Pitts from Ghana, Africa. )
peace and blessingz to all / a luta continuua and much respect to all . . .
jujunote #55 . . . for mother pitts /
notez from mother ghana afrika -
from early on feb. 14th , 2008 a slight nose bleed while riding a
bike in the early afrikan red clay landz / u stop and douse ur head
w/ water and force ur head back until the blood congealz / u
preceed home and bathe only to find just after midnight again the
droplet'z become like oil pipelinez of preciouz life energy - oooozing
and forcing u to cough and swallow blood / drifting in and out of
consciousnezz . . . how and why did thiz start ?
just after u fought a life and death struggle w/hamitand godz
from a deep desert windsong prayer the creator of my life whispered
"fight hard my son!" "never give in to the ghost!" - from early after the
midnite hour my nose had bleed until almost twenty-four'z / losing much
blood and two hospitalz and an ambulance ride to boot before a real mojo
healer laid handz upon the nose membrane and plugged deeper into the
air channel and sealed them / forcing me to breathe through the mouth /
medicine - they called drugz and saline solutionz pluz loadz of extended
love and prayerz the ghost waz sent packin . . . but only to find that the
many dreamz and conversationz rendered in the otherworld cosmology
or at least bitz and piecez of pomez composed highlighting the keen
presence of ancestral improvizational conversationz between ur favorite
love godz creating ur birth . . . / she'd finally agreed to go to ur father'z
side / it took awhile for it to register that my centerian mother (103 and
242 dayz) had made her transition into ancestrydom - az l and l had
talked those seven dayz and dreamed far reaching trying to syncretic
an extended metaphorz of why at that juncture l waz in the hospital doing
a battle royal overstanding eyeball to eyeball w/the hawk . . .
waking up in the middle of darknezz and sweat just oozing from every pore
in ur body / grasping for answerz of talkin' w/ flying keen aware godz and
angelz / mama looking so queenly royal and walkin upright instead of lying
in wake for uz to move her upright . . . sh'z now fully absorbed into the trans-
ferral aspect of being the supreme queen mother / chanting her spiritual love
giving philosophy one last time -
early feb 22nd in the early morning my baby sister erma had changed her gown
for the second time that night and noticed the color of her fragile handz -
the majistic purple had set in . . .
queen mother pitts from the red clay landz we shall mizz u /
irish / indian / afrikan queen we utter loudly of ur coming home to the heavenz
swishing the air w/ afrikan broomz and hymnin' in poly-unison the evil presence
away from ur sight - az ur final cycle of life completez itz full circle /
l rode az fast az l cld up the hill of death - trying desperately to snatch ur life
back to afrika'z bossom - the daisy spiral - the distance between leavez of grazz /
the moon hid behind hamatand dust / the trajection of a missfired piston / all
chantz of why ur time haz come and we must step aside and fan the air . . .
no more straight linez but the pure wave of line of light - spiraling heavenly
az recorded in the book of l and l /
wordz recited in silent echoz to her god jesuz
here she comez - all that have been given unto her shout in thunderouz choruz
she'z loved dear jesuz
she'z trully a keeper of the giver'z - faith
no longer desirez to walk the planet raz
wishez for heavenly wingz to fly heavenly bound -
she raised not only her ten children but the nationz az well
no longer watching out of windowz
emanating tearz of wisdom
by squeezing the red dawnz light beneath her wingz
knowing that it'z not l alone who lovez thiz queen mother
nor the last to be touched by her healing handz and prayerz of power wordz
she uttered so faithfully
l and even l haz seen her full being
a lifetime of timelessnezz
into the heavenz
returning from whence she'd come
where forever she'll fly
amongst the ancestorz
and my father at long last haz hiz queen by hiz side -
riding the red dusty clay rural lightz az supreme beingz
paving a nu-way
afrikan journiez home
giving uz thiz sense of nu freedom
nu reflection of rselvez
guiding r willz into overstanding thine will
a love supreme
queen mother pitts
from the red clay landz of georgia
my / our - afrikan queen
soar on into the heavenz
open and closing
giving and loving
we send u gladly
queen mother pitts . . .
ashe / asanta sana
queen mother zenolia pitts 1904 - 2008
mother of raz elder baaba aaron ibn pori pitts
louis v. pitts / attorney corneilus pitts / nehemiah pitts / benjamin pitts & the late horace w. pitts
zenolia carter / juliette pitts / naomi batchan / erma shepherd
the late husband percy j. pitts
a old west side family of detroit, mi.
jujunote #55 . . . for mother pitts /
notez from mother ghana afrika -
from early on feb. 14th , 2008 a slight nose bleed while riding a
bike in the early afrikan red clay landz / u stop and douse ur head
w/ water and force ur head back until the blood congealz / u
preceed home and bathe only to find just after midnight again the
droplet'z become like oil pipelinez of preciouz life energy - oooozing
and forcing u to cough and swallow blood / drifting in and out of
consciousnezz . . . how and why did thiz start ?
just after u fought a life and death struggle w/hamitand godz
from a deep desert windsong prayer the creator of my life whispered
"fight hard my son!" "never give in to the ghost!" - from early after the
midnite hour my nose had bleed until almost twenty-four'z / losing much
blood and two hospitalz and an ambulance ride to boot before a real mojo
healer laid handz upon the nose membrane and plugged deeper into the
air channel and sealed them / forcing me to breathe through the mouth /
medicine - they called drugz and saline solutionz pluz loadz of extended
love and prayerz the ghost waz sent packin . . . but only to find that the
many dreamz and conversationz rendered in the otherworld cosmology
or at least bitz and piecez of pomez composed highlighting the keen
presence of ancestral improvizational conversationz between ur favorite
love godz creating ur birth . . . / she'd finally agreed to go to ur father'z
side / it took awhile for it to register that my centerian mother (103 and
242 dayz) had made her transition into ancestrydom - az l and l had
talked those seven dayz and dreamed far reaching trying to syncretic
an extended metaphorz of why at that juncture l waz in the hospital doing
a battle royal overstanding eyeball to eyeball w/the hawk . . .
waking up in the middle of darknezz and sweat just oozing from every pore
in ur body / grasping for answerz of talkin' w/ flying keen aware godz and
angelz / mama looking so queenly royal and walkin upright instead of lying
in wake for uz to move her upright . . . sh'z now fully absorbed into the trans-
ferral aspect of being the supreme queen mother / chanting her spiritual love
giving philosophy one last time -
early feb 22nd in the early morning my baby sister erma had changed her gown
for the second time that night and noticed the color of her fragile handz -
the majistic purple had set in . . .
queen mother pitts from the red clay landz we shall mizz u /
irish / indian / afrikan queen we utter loudly of ur coming home to the heavenz
swishing the air w/ afrikan broomz and hymnin' in poly-unison the evil presence
away from ur sight - az ur final cycle of life completez itz full circle /
l rode az fast az l cld up the hill of death - trying desperately to snatch ur life
back to afrika'z bossom - the daisy spiral - the distance between leavez of grazz /
the moon hid behind hamatand dust / the trajection of a missfired piston / all
chantz of why ur time haz come and we must step aside and fan the air . . .
no more straight linez but the pure wave of line of light - spiraling heavenly
az recorded in the book of l and l /
wordz recited in silent echoz to her god jesuz
here she comez - all that have been given unto her shout in thunderouz choruz
she'z loved dear jesuz
she'z trully a keeper of the giver'z - faith
no longer desirez to walk the planet raz
wishez for heavenly wingz to fly heavenly bound -
she raised not only her ten children but the nationz az well
no longer watching out of windowz
emanating tearz of wisdom
by squeezing the red dawnz light beneath her wingz
knowing that it'z not l alone who lovez thiz queen mother
nor the last to be touched by her healing handz and prayerz of power wordz
she uttered so faithfully
l and even l haz seen her full being
a lifetime of timelessnezz
into the heavenz
returning from whence she'd come
where forever she'll fly
amongst the ancestorz
and my father at long last haz hiz queen by hiz side -
riding the red dusty clay rural lightz az supreme beingz
paving a nu-way
afrikan journiez home
giving uz thiz sense of nu freedom
nu reflection of rselvez
guiding r willz into overstanding thine will
a love supreme
queen mother pitts
from the red clay landz of georgia
my / our - afrikan queen
soar on into the heavenz
open and closing
giving and loving
we send u gladly
queen mother pitts . . .
ashe / asanta sana
queen mother zenolia pitts 1904 - 2008
mother of raz elder baaba aaron ibn pori pitts
louis v. pitts / attorney corneilus pitts / nehemiah pitts / benjamin pitts & the late horace w. pitts
zenolia carter / juliette pitts / naomi batchan / erma shepherd
the late husband percy j. pitts
a old west side family of detroit, mi.
May God Bless
