Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 12, 2012)
Obituaries/News L. Mozell Williams, 1920-2012 Mayor Proclaims Working Kirk Day, Offers Help H A memorial service will be held in honor of our loving mother, grandmother and great- grandmother on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 at 1 p.m. at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3725 N. Gantenbein Ave., Portland, OR 97227. Mozell was born in Mississippi, married to Johnie S. Williams and the mother of Johnny Williams and Nathalee W. Barnett. She was a devoted 50 + year member of Bethel A.M.E in Portland, sang in the choir for 40 years, and 10 year member of Bethel in LA. Mozell will be missed by all concerned, but she had a blessed, long and beautiful life. Page 8 The Portland Skanner December 12, 2012 undreds attended the memorial for Kirk Reeves on Nov. 18, which was proclaimed as Working Kirk Day by Mayor Sam Adams. Last week Adams again honored ‘Working Kirk’ for his contribution as a street performer who entertained thousands with his music and balloon tricks. However Adams also took the oppor- tunity to again publicize Portland’s new suicide counseling hotline. As the new Wikipedia page for Kirk Reeves says, “Despondent over his set- backs as an entertainer and his health problems, Reeves committed suicide on the weekend of November 3, 2012 in the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area in North Portland.” “Rain or shine, Kirk devoted his time to playing trumpet and cornet solos and performing magic tricks in his signature white tuxe- do and Mickey Mouse hat with the goal of making people smile and making Portland a little better place that day,” Adams said in a statement last Friday. “Kirk will be dearly missed, but his passing gives us an opportunity to address a significant but preventable problem in our area: providing resources for people experi- encing a mental health crisis or contemplating suicide. “Lines for Life is a local organization that operates a 24/7 hotline for those facing the challenges of suicide and mental health crises, and their crisis counselors are wait- ing for your calls,” Mayor Adams said. “You can reach these services by calling 1-800-SUICIDE or their new local phone number 503-97-23456.” Personal friend Wanda Broadous thanked the Portland community for coming out to the memorial as well as a celebration after- ward at the Billy Webb Elks Lodge. “I want to thank you for getting the word out about his name, his diligence in our community and accomplishments,” she said. Broadous also thanked Mt. Olivet’s Eastern Stars Chapter; St Joseph’s Masonry Men; Portland Community Media,and Po’ Folk Community Needs for Justice Founder Apostle Cecil Hatchet. Supporters are collecting funds for a memorial to the street artist, to be placed at the foot of the Hawthorne Bridge where he often performed. For more information on that, go to www.GoFundMe.com and search for ‘Memorial for Kirk Reeves The Trumpet Man.’
