Beverly H. Tatum
Chums Cleveland Member
1947 - 2021
Beverly Harolyn Riley Tatum was born May 19, 1947, in Pittsburg PA, the only child of Sara Parker and Harold Riley. Her parents divorced when she was very young. Her mother, Sara relocated to Cleveland, OH along with Beverly’s grandmother, Beula Parker and her cousin Freida Taylor. Beverly attended the Cleveland Public Schools from early elementary until she graduated from John Adams High School in 1965.
Following graduation Beverly enrolled in Ohio University and majored in Home Economics. She graduated from OU in 1970 with a BS degree. In 1975, she earned a Master’s degree while working full-time as a pre-school teacher in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s Early Childhood Education program. Beverly eventually served as a coordinator in the Childhood Development Program supervising 27 classrooms. She continued to work in the area of Child Development for the next 39 years until she retired in 2009. After retirement Beverly participated in a program at Cleveland State University as a nutrient researcher in the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project entitled “Jump to It.”
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Beverly had a strong faith and devotion to the Lord which sustained her throughout her life. She accepted Christ early in life and was an active and faithful member of East Mt. Zion Baptist Church. In her later years, she became an Associate Member of South Euclid United Church of Christ where her goddaughter, Pastor Courtney Clayton Jenkins, serves as the Senior Pastor and Teacher. She maintained her membership at East Mt. Zion even after she affiliated with SEUCC. She remained active at both churches.
She met the love of her life, Floyd Tatum, at a Cleveland Alliance of Black School Educators event. They were married February 22, 1986 in Cleveland. Beverly and Floyd loved to travel by car and train across the country to visit family and friends. No destination was too far. They traveled to Washington DC by train to attend the first inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009.
Beverly was an avid reader who loved the spoken and written word. She enjoyed watching Jeopardy and murder mysteries on television. Her greatest joy was creating exceptional special events turning dreams into reality. She was a Certified Wedding Planner and coordinated weddings for more than 40 years. She established Bride-to-Be once she received her certification from the Association of Bridal Consultants.
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She was an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and pledged Epsilon Iota Chapter at OU in 1969. She remained active in the Greater Cleveland Alumni Chapter when she returned to Cleveland. She was also an active member of CHUMS, Urban League Guild, Ebony Bobcat Network (OU), and the Orchid Dinner Group.
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Beverly was a caregiver for many years for her beloved grandmother Grammy, her mother Sara, and cousin, Freida who all preceded her in death.
She was always supportive of all her family and friends and their children. Her two goddaughters, Lindsay and Courtney, held a very special place in her heart. She was always there for them from their early years and all the special milestones in their lives. She was supporter and mentor to numerous young people who regularly sought her guidance and advice.
Beverly departed this life on March 19, 2021. She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband Floyd, a daughter, Arlinda Tatum Halsell, goddaughters Lindsay Clayton Jenkins and Courtney Clayton Jenkins, and many loyal family members and friends.
Goodbyes are not forever, are not the end; it simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again.
Beverly H. Tatum
Aisha Fraser
Aisha Fraser
Chums Cleveland Member
1973 - 2018
SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Sadness hit Shaker Heights and the surrounding communities hard after the tragic death of a woman who reached out to and helped so many women and children. Now, friends and colleagues take time to remember her life and all of the work she did in her community.
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Grade school teacher Aisha Fraser was tragically killed in Shaker Heights. Fraser's friends and colleagues offer the following words to describe her - special, energetic and sweet keep coming up.
"You could see she cared about children and not just her own," said Brytnee Crenshaw. Crenshaw did children's ministries with Fraser. "Aisha had this special connection with every kid and I felt like she was a mother to everyone and anyone. She was so special. She was never down. She was always so happy and cheerful and I feel like we lost a great person," Crenshaw said.
Fraser's friend, Barb Crenshaw, was shaken by the news of her death. "It's just awful. She was so nice . You don't imagine those kind of things happening to people like that, but you know it does," Crenshaw said.
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"She was a very nice young lady. She was energetic and always willing to help people," said Marcia Morrell Smith. Morrell Smith and Fraser were in the local chapter of Chums, an organization devoted to the well-being of women and children. "We belong to a group called Chums. She was such a busy bee. A hard worker and she'll be sorely missed," Morrell Smith said.
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Fraser was a very active participant in her church, Garfield Memorial in Pepper Pike, where the pastor, Chip Freed, said many tears were shed for her during Sunday church services. Fraser volunteered in the church’s café, greeted people, and would supply books for children who weren't even her students. "She was so affirmed. If she was having a bad day you'd never know it. She could sense people who were and she would intentionally pour into them, greet them with a smile, hospitality and a hug," Freed said.
Betty Barnett
Betty Jeanne Parsons was born in Guysville, Ohio on January 28, 1928 to Roy Parsons and Mattie Dalton Parsons. She was the third of eight children. She graduated with high honors from Rome-Canaan High School in 1945. She earned a B.S. in Education from Ohio University in 1949. She taught Math and French for seven years in Morgantown, West Virginia and Cleveland, Ohio.
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After earning a Masters in Educational Leadership from Cleveland State University, she switched her career to special education and was selected to be the principal of the first standalone school in Cuyahoga County for developmentally delayed students. In that role, she was tasked with working with architects and contractors on the planning, design, construction and furnishing of a new building for the school.
After four years as principal, she was appointed Director for all the schools (five) for developmentally delayed students in Cuyahoga County. In all, she spent 35 years in teaching and education supervision.
Betty earned numerous awards for her work including Educator Of The Year from The Ohio Association For Developmentally Disabled Citizens (1977), The Congressional Certificate of Achievement and Award from U.S. Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar (1987), and induction into the Cuyahoga County Board of Development Disabilities' Hall of Fame (2013), an honor which earned her recognition by Governor John Kasich.After retirement, Betty used her dedication to children and leadership in her volunteer life. She was on the Board of Trustees of the Rose-Mary Center for 21 years and served as its president, vice-president and secretary. She served as treasurer and member of the Board of Trustees of Harambee: Services To Children And Families. She was a 38-year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter and served as Chair of its Audit Committee. She was a long-time member of The Cleveland Chapter of The Chums, Inc. and served as president. Betty used her math and accounting skills to volunteer in accounting-related posts at Antioch Baptist Church Credit Union and many other civic organizations.
Betty was a 60+ year member of Mt. Zion Congregational Church. Betty was married to her loving husband, George Leon Barnett, for 23 years. He preceded her in death along with her parents, brothers Russell Parsons, Roy Parsons, Jr. and Thomas Parsons, and sisters Ruth Parsons, Wanda Parsons, and Avis Bailey. She is survived by daughters Denise Gardner and Deborah Barnett, son-in-law Gary Gardner, three grandsons Brandon Gardner (Nishma), Kyle Gardner (Ashley) and Zachary Smith, and two great-grandchildren, Quinn Gardner and Samara Gardner. She is also survived by one sister, Rosa Tabler, three sisters-in-law Barbara Barnett, Miriam Barnett, and Eunice Parsons. She is also survived by her "girls", Cheryl Griffin and Kay Griffin, and her Cleveland "daughter" Janet Banks, as well as countless cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Zenobia Earls
Zenobia "Zee" Gregory Earls was born on September 13, 1942, in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late William Tency Gregory, Sr. and Sarah Wilson Gregory. A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, she attended Norfolk State University, where she met her college sweetheart, Julian Earls. They married in 1962 and shared over 62 loving years together, raising two sons, Julian Jr. and Gregory.
Zee earned her B.S. in Education from Norfolk State and an M.S. in Education from John Carroll University. She enjoyed a 31-year teaching career in the Cleveland Public Schools, serving as a reading specialist and later as a supervisor before returning to the classroom, where she was recognized as a Jennings Foundation Scholar. After retirement, she volunteered as a reading tutor in the Warrensville Heights schools.
A woman of grace and style, Zee was known for her St. John Knits and her vibrant spirit. She was a Diamond Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and active in the Chums, Carats, Five Special, and the Birthday Club. She especially cherished her role as Founder and Queen Mother of the Sassy Red Hatters, a Cleveland chapter of the Red Hat Society.
Even after beginning dialysis, Zee discovered a new passion as a painter, producing artwork so impressive that several of her paintings were featured by the Centers for Dialysis Care in their calendars and exhibits, including the cover of the 2025 edition. Her work was displayed at the Beachwood Public Library and at Mt. Zion Congregational Church, where she was a devoted member.
Zee's faith and determination inspired all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings William Jr., Oliver, and Barbara. She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband, Dr. Julian M. Earls, Sr.; sons Dr. Julian M. Earls, Jr. (Pamela) and Gregory N. Earls (Stefania); granddaughters Madisyn and Mariah; brothers-in-law Robert, James, and Raymond Earls; and a host of relatives and friends.