brotherhood

these emails were posted on several message boards and email lists:

Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

We have suffered a tremendous loss. On January 20, 2006 Phi Beta Sigma pioneer Bro. Francis Llewellyn Aloysius Hall was called home as he passed away at the Carroll Manor Nursing Home in Washington, D.C. Bro. Francis Hall was an icon in Phi Beta Sigma as he pledged Alpha chapter, Spring 1935 BY HIMSELF and he was also one of the co-authors of the ORIGINAL Sigma Light [along with bro. J. Edgar Smith]. Both were appointed by President George W. Parker at the 1945 conclave to write the Sigma Light. Bro. Francis Hall leaves behind two daughters: Frances Hall Anderson and Theresa Hall Raines. One sister: Rosetta Hall Hamm. Five grandchildren and an empire legacy of brothers who were made as a result of the Sigma Light which he co-wrote. His services are scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2006 at the St Ann’s Catholic Church which is only ONE block away from the Tenleytown Metro Station in Washington, D.C. This will be for the viewing which will be held from 10:00am to 12:00 noon. The address of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church is 4404 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20016-2142. The telephone number is (202) 966-6288. The omega ceremony is scheduled for 11:00a.m. The funeral mass itself will be at 12:00 noon at McGuire Funeral Service Inc.; 7400 Georgia Avenue, N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20012. Telephone number is (202) 882-6600. Please see to it that this gets passed on to as many brothers of Phi Beta Sigma as possible.

Please take a moment to view his obituary and go to his memorial guestbook to sign and view.

Delivered from the desk of Kevin Kauffman, Spring 1989, Xi Pi chapter, now serving Lambda Lambda Sigma chapter in Trenton, New Jersey who in turned received it from the desk of the current Associate Regional Director, William Kellibrew IV.

another email reads:

Brothers and Sorors,
Yesterday (Sunday, January 22), I was informed that BROTHER FRANCIS LLEWELLYN HALL passed away on Friday, January 20, 2006, at the Carroll Manor Nursing Facility, Providence Hospital, Washington, DC. His services are scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2006, at the St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 4404 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016-2142. St. Ann’s Church is located on Tenley Circle and just one block from the Tenleytown Metro Station.

Visitation and viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon. Funeral Mass will begin at 12 Noon. The family is scheduling the Omega Service for 11:00 a.m.

Bro. Hall was initiated into Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Alpha Chapter, Howard University, June 6, 1935. He served for many years as chaplain for Alpha Sigma Chapter. However his greatest contribution to our noble band, is as one of the co-authors of the original “Sigma Light”, the booklet seen as the document which would enlighten the new men of Sigma.

i’ve received a number of inquiries asking what the email i sent that actually got me pushed aside. at first, i was keeping it private, but have since decided to make it available to all.

original email sent to the General Board and supporting officers:

November 8, 2005

Dear All Program Participates and Tickets Holders to the “Roswell O. Sutton Gala”,

All activities schedules for the General Broad Meeting, the A. Langston Taylor Leadership Retreat, and the Roswell O. Sutton Celebration have been relocated from the Marriott Atlanta Marquis to the Atlanta Hilton Hotel located at 255 Courtland Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30303. The telephone number to the Atlanta Hilton is (404) 659-2000. The Atlanta Hilton is located directly across the street from the Marriott Atlanta Marquis.

If you made reservations at the Marriott Atlanta Marquis, it will be transfer over to the Atlanta Hilton on your behalf. If you have any questions please feel free to contract the International Headquarters at (202) 726-5424 or my cell number at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.

Thanks for your participation in these scheduled events.

Regards,

Donald Jemison
International Executive Director

to which i replied:

I just spoke with Monique Hunter from Hilton group sales. She said that we all need to make reservations at the Hilton. They will NOT be transferred over automatically. She asked that we call reservations (1-800-HILTONS), make our own reservations, and send her an email so she can give us the $99/night rate.

Reserving online will only offer you a rate of $199/night while calling will give you $119/night. While Monique has assured us she’ll be able to switch rates, I’d suggest calling in your reservations. For those of you who may be travelling tomorrow and might not be able to cancel your Marriott reservation, you might want to do so yourself.

I’m ready to put the word out on the changes if there are no objections.

phil.

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