i—
by Mattie Ann Callier-Spears
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RELIGION
Vann Recognized by The NFDA
Saturday Night
Live
BY MATTIE ANN CALLIER-SPEARS
Word came to me recently that
women of special significance were
being recognized for their unusual, but
not unnecessary, talents and services.
The organization which took extraordi­
nary steps to gather the names of these
candidates is the National Funeral Di­
rectors Association.
The NFDA went from stale to state
looking for special women to feature in
their May 1991 issue “ THE DIREC­
TOR which flaunts the statement that
it is the largest circulation of any fu­
neral service publication. This task
proved to be very challenging. But-lhe
NFDA’s goal was to feature women in
the workforce past, present and future.
Il discussed the benefits of women in
the work place and the concentration.
All-in-all, they narrowed their field, of
selection, down to 28 candidates. They
came from cities in Kansas, Texas,
Vermont, Arkansas, Missouri, Missis­
sippi, New Jersey, Florida, Michigan,
Indiana, New York and Oregon.
The two women recognized from
the state of Oregon are: Merlene Eaton,
Batem an-Carroll Funeral Chapel,
Gresham, Oregon and Mrs. Roberta
Vann, Vann & Vann Funeral Directors
of Portland, Oregon. The national or­
ganization called the Oregon Funeral
Directors and asked if they would give
the names of women, in the funeral
business, who had outstanding accom­
plishments and/or were upstanding in
their business.
The Oregon Funeral Directors
submitted several names for approval.
Ms. Eaton and Mrs. Vann’s names were
two from a list of many chosen to
appear in The DIRECTOR.
Below is the section from The
Director of Mrs. Vann:
Roberta Vann
Vann & Vann Funeral Directors
Pordand, Oregon
Being 87 years old hasn’t slowed
Roberta Vann down much. She still
comes every dav to the 100-cal 1 -a-vear
Roberta Vann
funeral home she owns in full partner­
ship with her son. They have no other
staff, hiring part-timers when neces­
sary. Vann’s husband died in 1988.
Thingswcrequitedifferentin 1954
when Vann entered funeral service. S he
couldn’t afford to go away to school,
but apprenticed and got a funeral di­
recting license. “ Women weren’t as
accepted then and didn’t do as much. I
never did any lifting, and we now have
an automatic lifter. My husband always
said I made people feel more at ease
and could talk to people more easily
than he did.”
Despite her advanced years, Vann
is still in good health, does much of the
detail work, and even makes arrange­
ments and conducts funerals if her son
is unavailable. She did removals until
she was in her sixties.
Vann is glad her son’s wife is now
an apprentice who helps out a great
deal. “ I think we need a woman on the
staff, and I’m eager to get out of the
business.” This energetic black woman
then started hedging about retirement,
saying, “ It’s good for me to keep in
touch with people.”
Congratulations! from the PORT­
LAND OBSERVER, to Mrs. vann fora
T H E PU B LIC IS C O R D IA LLY IN V ITED TO ATTEND AN
APPRECIATION BANQUET DINNER
7:00— 10:00 PM
PROFESSOR Al l M U H A M M A D
MATT DISHMAN COMMUNITY CENTER
77 N.E. Knott Street Portland, Oregon
SATURDAY JUNE 1,1991
St. Paul Missionary
Baptist Church
8101 N. Fiske Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97203
Church Phone: 289-0147
Study Phone:289-1911
Sunday Service
10:45
Sunday School
9:30
Bible Study
6:00
Evening Service
7:00 P.M.
May 1 5 ,1991*”The Portland Observer-Page 3
Portland Observer
job well done and for winning the rec­
ognition of a national publication.
Mrs. V ann, better known as ‘ ‘Mom,
Mama Vann, or Grandma Vann” is
well-known in the Portland commu­
nity. She exhibits such a beautiful smile
and is still able to supply you with
ample information on the business and
the proper handling of a successful funeral
service. She has genuine love for her
fellow-man. Anytime of the day, you
can hear her telephone ringing off the
hook with callers who just want to know
“ How are you doing today?” She still
remembers many of her students she
taught 20 and 30 years ago. Many of
them remind her by asking ‘ ‘Mrs. Vann,
don’t you remember me? I was in your
classroom in 1952 or 1949 or 1957.”
When I asked Mrs. Vann how did
her bio gel to be in this magazine an
what did she have to do? Her response
was, “ I don’t know why anyone would
want to write anything about an old
woman like me.” But - they (The Di­
rector) did write and we justwant to say
“ Thank You” from the community for
service rendered in such a caring and
tender manner at times when our worlds
have fallen down about our ears.
‘ ‘CONGRATULATIONS!!! ”
Little Things
It's not the great things in this world
that make our lives worthwhile,
It's the little things like a tiny flower
or perhaps a baby's smile.
A little word, sincerely spoken,
can lift our spirits high;
Like a tiny bird perched on a limb
sends his message to the sky.
A little dewdrop on a rose
and liny blades o f grass.
All sparkle in the sunlight,
to cheer us as we pass.
The lovely johnny jumpups,
the smallest flower that grows,
Delight the heart o f youngsters
peeping up around their toes.
A friendly gesture or a smile
mean more to me than gold.
They help us feel that someone cares
when we are growing old.
Money cannot buy the things
that mean so much to me,
They are part o f God's creation,
and all o f them are free.
Laina Owen
Beginning Saturday, May 18,1991,
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE will be
held on the third Saturday of each and
every month of the year, unless other­
wise informed. Everyone is invited to
come out to have fun, fellowship and to
be refreshed. The word “ live” in Sat­
urday Night Live is referring to the
intervention of the Holy Spirit. We are
expecting an electrifying evening, each
time, that is filled and charged with the
power of the Holy Ghost.
The purpose, of this week-end
venture, is to reach out to the unsaved
of the Portland Metro area and to give
the young people a opportunity to exer­
cise and display their God-given tal­
ents and abilities. This is also a very
useful tool that will encourage, edify
and build-up the Christian young people
as they meet the challenges of every­
day life.
Each Saturday Night Live will
feature a variety of personalities and
themes. Everyone is encouraged to come
out. If you have a singles group, a youth
group, high schoolers, couples and etc.,
come one - come all!
For more information concerning
this extravaganza, contact - 288-7241.
Volunteer
Training Program
at Shelter
The West Women’s and Children’s
Shelter is again offering its volunteer
training program beginning Saturday,
June 1, 1991. The program includes
four Saturday afternoon sessions (from
9 am to 12:00 noon) and three Thurs­
day evening sessions from 6:15 pm to 9
pm. These sessions cover such topics as
Domestic Violence; Drug and Alcohol
Abuse; Crisis and Suicide Interven­
tion; Rape, Sexual Abuse and Incest;
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Op­
pression. The sessions will be held at
the West, 2010 N.W. Kearney, Port­
land.
More than 145 volunteers have
participated in the training program
since it began in December of 1988.
These volunteers provide essential serv­
ices to the nearly 60 women and chil­
dren who call the West “ home.” The
diverse programs at the West can util­
ize a wide array of volunteer interests
or time schedules. Volunteer opportu­
nities are available with children, adults
or low-client-contact projects.
The West is a program of The
Salvation Army Harbor Light Recov­
ery Road.
Wo'ro getting Into tlio graduation
modo. It you bavo somoono who
has "made i t ” lot thorn know how
p ro u d wo aro o f h:cm. Education
Is a precious tool. Lot our young
m oil and women know that wo
support thorn In their efforts. At
¡oast say Congratulations!
St. Mark Baptist Church
103 N.E. Morris Street
Portland, Oregon 97212
Church Phone: 287-7457
Pastor, Rev. James C.E. Faulkner
Theme: Whatever you're going
to do for the Lord, do it now.
I Peter iv .ll
WE ARE MOVING
SUNDAY SERVICES
TO
Stone Tower Church,
N.E. Sandy Blvd. & 3Oth
Worship Services 8:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M.
Church School 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.
Bible Study. Wednesdays. 116 N.E.Schuyler
10:30 A.M. and 6:30 P.M.
Radio Ministry each Sunday. 8:00 A.M.-KBMS
A Teaching Church With A Reaching Ministry
Dr. James E. Martin. Senior Pastor
Church Office 116 N.E. Schuy Cr,
Scripture of the Week Micah 6:8
PCC Announces 1991
Commencement
Exercises
Portland Community College will
hold 1991 commencement exercises at
the Civic Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay,
Saturday, June 1, at 1 p.m.
U.S. Senator Robert Packwood will
deliver the commencement address.
Seventy-seven-year-old Eva Corazon
Femando-Lumba, who emigrated to the
U.S. from the Philippines and became a
naturalized citizen in 1990, has been
selected student speaker.
Dr. Pamela Transue, Open Cam­
pus executive dean, will serve as mis­
tress of ceremonies. Dawn-jo Thornton,
who receives her high school diploma
from PCC at the graduation ceremony,
has been chosen to sing the national
anthem. Interpreters Rebecca Robin­
son and Denise Wetzler will sign for
those who are hearing impaired.
Approximately 420 out of 1601
approved petitioners will participate in
commencement exercises, according to
information from the Office of Student
Records/Graduation. The categories
include associate of arts, science and
general studies degrees; one-and two-
year program certificates; GED certifi­
cates; and high school diplomas.
Parenting In
The ‘9(fs
The American family is facing
pressures and situations more serious
than ever before. The Christian family
and Christian church needs to be pre­
pared to face the special challenges of
raising children in today’s world.
To respond to this need, North
Portland Bible College is sponsoring a
one-day seminar entitled “ Parenting in
the 90’s,” on Saturday, May 25, from
9:00a.m. to2:30p.m ., at Bethel A.M.E.
Church, 5828 N.E. 9th at Jarrett.
Speakers and topics for this special
program include Pastor Donald Fra­
zier, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, on
“ Parent Advocacy in the Public
Schools” ; Pastor Roy Tate, Christ
Memorial Church, on “ Identifying and
Parenting At-Risk Youth” ; and Rev.
Rick Stoller, of the Breakthrough Pro­
gram at Morrison Center, on ‘ ‘Children
Bom with Drug-and Alcohol-Related
Disorders.” All the workshops will
address the roles of parents, extended
family members and the Christian
community.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. a
registration donation of S10 is requested.
Lunch will be served. For further infor­
mation, call 288-2919.
AFRICAN-AMERICAM
A f e s t i v a l IM
NORTHWEST GOSPEL JUBILEE
SATURDAY JUNE 15
7:00 - 10:00 PM
INTERMEDIATE THEATRE
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
tickets- 9.50 balcony, 14.50 orch estra
at G I Jo e 's/T ic k e tm a ste r o u tlet
group rates available for information call 230-6702
or to charge call 248-4496
IW I* l* l* l* l* l * ] * i * l » l * i * l - l - l » l « l - I « l »T H
VANN & VANN
FU N ER A L D IR E C T O R S
Family Owned and Operated
Since 1954
Serving the City of Portland
for over 37 years
In your hour of need
Vann &Vann are there to serve
503/281-2836
5211 N. W illiams Portland, Or. 97217
&
Sunday School 9:30 AM.
r "
Sunday Worship 11:00 AM.
MT OLIVET BAPTIST
CHURCH
Scripture o f the ‘Weei^
V
Bible Study, Wednesday 5:30 PM.
Prayer Service, Wednesday 6:00 PM.
Rev. Dr. Joe S. Hardie, Pastor
Maranatha
Church
4222 N.E. 12 th Avenue, Portland, Oregon
He That Loveth Not, Knoweth Not God;
For God Is love I John 4:8
Jesus Loves You/
Alhjn Thuqpte O l i Oraotäh
Psalm 3 4 .3
4236 NE Eighth Avenue
( c o m * o( 8th 8 Skidmore)
Portland, Oregon 97211
(503) 287-0261
Phlfffp S. Nelson, Pastor
-----.r
- -f - -
j
- r nt nrnirr rr~r - r i i iw
Sunday Services
Sunday School
9:00 A.M.
M orning W orship
10:30 A.m.
Evening W orship
6:00 P.M.
M idweek Service - W ednesday
7:00 P.M.
Saturday - BASIC Youth Service
7:00 P.M.
Rev. Wendall H. Wallace
Senior Pastor
"Maranatha Live" Radio Program/Talk Show KPDQ 93.7 FM 800 AM
11:00 P.M. to 12:00 midnight (Each Sunday)