Funeral service for William James Alexander Wiley II, was held Monday, May 26 at the New Rocky Valley Baptist Church in
Grambling.
Wiley is the second born child of the late William James Alexander Wiley I and Elizabeth Wiley. He was born in Montgomery Alabama, on August 2, 1919. He received his primary education at Tuskegee Institute.
Strong faith in God and service to the community was important to the Wiley family and at an early age he joined the Methodist Church of Tuskegee, Alabama. He later attended New Rocky Valley Baptist Church for over forty years.
Mr. Wiley received his B.S. degree in Electronics from Tuskegee Institute, and two Master degrees from Boston Conservatory of Music, one in Music Education and the other in Instrumental Music, specifically Woodwinds. After graduation he enlisted in the Navy and was one of the first black Seaman to play in the United States Naval Marching Band.
Wiley taught Music Education at Grambling State University and served as the Assistant Band Director for thirty-two years. While working with the band, he traveled extensively throughout the United States and aboard.
He married Melva Elizabeth Roberts on September 20, 1953. To this union two sons and one daughter were born; William James Alexander Wiley, III, Christopher Glenn Wiley, and Crystal Dawn Wiley-Dixson. He was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. GSU, community mourns noted emeritus educator
Funeral services were held for Dr. Luther L. Ford, a noted educator and a retired (GSU) professor emeritus of education, Thursday, May 8 at New Rocky Valley Baptist Church 2155 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. in Grambling. Dr. Ford passed on Sunday, May 4.
Mr. Ford’s teaching expereince included employment positions in Carthage, Ark., Tallualah, Davenport, Iowa, Oakdale, Ind., Grambling, and Nebraska. He served as a consultant and a participant in the AACTE conference, multi-ethnic activities for elementary children, the Triple T project, and Internation Evaluator for Reacher Corps.
Dr. Ford was especally dedicated to his students and his profession.
Because of his health, Dr. Ford retired from Grambling State University in 1989. He continued to enjoy life with his friends, family and brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
Dr. Ford was a faithful member of New Rocky Valley Baptist Church where he was a member of the chuch laymen organization. His civic activities inluced member of Concerned Citizens for Truth in Education and the Voter’s League. He was a Boy Scout leader. Golf, bowling, and bridge were his hobbies.
His many contributions to Grambling State University and the nation will be remembered by many.
Former professor of biology passes
Dr. Chester Lee Jordan Sr., was funeralized Monday, May 12 at the Lewis Temple C.M.E. Church in Grambling. Dr. Jordan passed away at the Minden Medical Center on May 6.
He was a retired professor of biology at Grambling State University.
Dr. Jordan was born October 8, 1930 in Hope, Arkansas to Robert Tyree Jordan and Laura Beatrice Davis Jordan.
A time for education
He received his high school diploma from Yerger High School, in Arkansas. He later pursued his higher education as he enrolled in Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark. where he lettered in football as a quarterback. He received his Bachelor of Science degree; in the field of Biology from Philander in 1953. After graduation from Philander Smith College, he was drafted by the U.S. Army. He served in Korea from 1953-55 and was granted top secret clearance. He continued his higher education at the University of Arkansas where he received a Masters Degree in Biology Education in 1959 and a Masters of Science in Natural Science in 1963. He received an Ed.D from Rutgers University in 1972.
A time to love
Dr. Jordan entered into holy matrimony with Patsy Ann Gatewood after being discharge from the United State Army. Two beautiful children from God blessed this union, a daughter Kim, and a son Chester II.
A time to work
In 1964 he joined the faculty of Grambling State University and served as a professor of biological sciences.
In 1989-92 he was the director of the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program. In 1991-92 Jordan was a consultant and proposal reviewer for the National Institute of Health.
Dr. Jordan served during 1979-99 as chairman of the Department of Biology.
He was instrumental in negotiating an agreement with the U.S. Wildlife department to establish a Wildlife program at Grambling as the first for a minority institution. Dr. Jordan performed extensive research in the area of chemical mutagenesis and electron microscopy. Grambling State University has been the recipient of major funding from many grant proposals written by Dr. Jordan during his tenure.