This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: MATTHEWS, DAVIS, PEREZ, HACKLEY, PRATT, SYKES, NORMAN Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22226/mb.ashx Message Board Post: MATTHEWS, Mr. Lonnie Bennie, III Kalamazoo, MI Age 54 "Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps." Psalms 85:13. Lonnie Bennie Matthews, III passed away peacefully at his home on January 29, 2008. He was born January 8, 1954, in Natchez, MS, the son of Lonnie, Jr. and Laura (Davis) Matthews. The family moved to Kalamazoo in 1957, where Lonnie attended the Kalamazoo Public Schools and graduated from Central High School in 1972. Lonnie was preceded in death by his sister, Henrietta (1991); his father (1996); a niece and two nephews. Lonnie is survived by his loving mother; daughter, Sophia T. Perez; son, Ramondo Perez, grandsons, Deontae', Okoli, Rashod, Daquary, Ramondo Jr., David (fiancee' Kathy Agguire); sisters, Lynel M. Hackley, Mary A. (Earl) Pratt, Ceila L. Sykes and Barbara A. Matthews, all of Kalamazoo; Irma L. Matthews, of Kansas City, KS and Peggy Norman, of Natchez, MS; one brother, Loren "Darryl" Matthews, also of Kalamazoo; and god-sister, Gloria J. (Artie) Poplar; one aunt; two uncles; and ma! ny nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Also, special friends, Ray Robinson; Jimmy Cruz, and Dwight Sykes; a special nephew, Terrance "Jahlil" Sykes. "LB", "Little Lonnie", or "Uncle Lonnie", as he was called by some, knew the bible and the Lord from a very young age. No matter where his path led him, this, he always knew. He had a creative gift in art and written word that was known best to those close to him. We will all miss Lonnie dearly, but his memory will live on in our hearts, until we meet again...Services will be held 1:00 PM Monday, with a 12 Noon Family Hour at the Galilee Baptist Church, Dr. J. Louis Felton, officiating. Friends may view 3-6PM Sunday at the Harper Funeral Home, 521 Douglas Avenue, 342-1000 . Interment Riverside Cemetery. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 2/2/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.