Martha J. O'Neal (April 7, 1919 - January 27, 2004)

Martha was born on April 7, 1919 in Browns, Alabama to proud parents Berl and Pearlie Pritchett.  She was the second oldest of nine children.  Martha, who attended school in Browns, Alabama, was subsequently married to Freeman O'Neal who preceded her in death.  Later, she came to Cleveland where she became the wife of Samuel Craig who also preceded her in death in 1995.  Martha was employed by The Cleveland Clinic for twenty-six years.  Upon her retirement she was presented with two beautiful Certificates of Service there.  Martha was a gifted and devoted caregiver to her family members.  She took them into her home, became there loving nurse and sacrificed her life to care for them.  She was also a loyal and devoted neighbor.  Martha was baptized at Mars Hill Baptist Church in Brighton, Alabama as a child.  In 2001, she rededicated her life to the Lord and joined with her brother Pastor John Williams and the Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church family.  Martha was preceded in death by three brothers, Tom Pritchett, Ben Pritchett and Jerry George; and by two sisters, Willie D. Tolbert and Mary Cunningham.  She leaves to cherish her memories a brother, Pastor John (Sandra) Williams;  two sisters,  Rosa Beal of Selma, Alabama and Ella M. Parrish of Orville, Alabama;   four loving stepdaughters, Eria, Alice, Lela, and June, all of Cleveland;  and a very special friend, Fred Williams, who saw to her every need.  She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends. 

Derek Wayne Owens (August 13, 1971 - March 1, 2008)

Derek Wayne Owens, beloved husband, father, son, brother, police officer and friend, was born on August 13, 1971. He was taken from this life, all too soon, on March 1, 2008 while in the line of duty.   Derek was born in the City of Cleveland to Barbara and Wayne Owens and grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. From an early age, Derek showed an interest in the police force, often running around the house as a young child playing “SWAT”. At the age of five, he became a big brother to his sister Dawn, whom he affectionately termed his “Little Muffin”. He was quite protective of her through the years and thought that no one was good enough, until she met and married her husband Larry Watterson. Derek nicknamed him “Lucky” for being lucky to have met Dawn, and truly feeling as though he’d found a brother. Derek was very excited about becoming an uncle to his nephew, due to be born in May, 2008. Being a big brother was a job that Derek took very seriously, not only to his biological sister, but to the scores of other individuals that he mentored, counseled and taught.   Derek attended Cleveland Heights High School for two years and then transferred to St. Peter Chanel High School where he graduated in 1989. After graduation, he moved to Toledo where he attended the University of Toledo for a total of three years. While in Toledo, he pursued many interests, both educational and social. On June 2, 1990, he became a member of the Brotherhood of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Throughout the years he has remained an active member and loyal Brother of his fraternal organization. In the school arena, he had several majors before eventually transferring to Cleveland State University and graduating with a major in Social Work and Criminal Justice.  While enrolled at the University of Toledo, Derek met his future wife, Ericka (nee Ames) Owens. They, in fact, met on the very first day of freshman orientation. Friends first, their relationship slowly blossomed and eventually a true romance bloomed. On September 20, 1997, they joined together in a Holy and Christ-filled marriage. As best friends, in addition to being husband and wife, Derek and Ericka were able to develop a true partnership with a strong foundation of love, honor and respect. This union produced two beautiful children, Sydni Mykal, age eight, and Chandler Wayne, age six. Derek was a truly devoted and dedicated father, spending countless hours with his children entertaining, coaching, teaching and nurturing them. The home of Derek and Ericka was the neighborhood residence where you could always count on a warm smile, a funny joke and welcoming arms to embrace you.  Derek’s strong work ethic manifested itself at a very young age. After graduating from Cleveland State University, he started working for the Juvenile Division as a Probation Officer. In this job capacity, he was able to get a taste of law enforcement, and his desire to protect and to serve became stronger. He then decided to enter the police force and graduated from the Cleveland Police Academy in 1998. From the very beginning, Derek exhibited a dedication and commitment like no other. As a Police Officer for the City of Cleveland, Derek worked very briefly for the Fifth District, but spent the vast majority of his ten-year career in the Fourth District. He worked very hard and had a true desire to change the lives of the individuals he encountered in his day to day police dealings.  Derek spent his entire life serving others, whether it was formally in his appointed career or via impromptu decisions and advice. He never met a stranger and made a lasting impression on everyone he met. Both children and adults, alike, grew to love and respect him. Derek grew up in the Church and accepted Christ at a young age. He and Ericka instilled the values and teachings of the Lord into their young children, striving to bring them up in the Word. Although his life ended abruptly and all too soon, the mark that he left in this world is one that can never be erased. His infectious spirit will live on forever in the hearts and lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him.  Derek is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, William and Ruth Williams; his paternal grandparents, Doc Percy and Nellie Owens; father-in-law, Billy Ray Ames; maternal uncle, Eric Williams; close friend, Kevin “Tippy” Bishop; and cousins, Deneen Owens Miller and Darel Owens.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Ericka Owens; daughter, Sydni; son, Chandler; parents, Wayne and Barbara Owens; sister, Dr. Dawn Owens-Watterson (Larry); mother-in-law, Carolyn Ames; brother-in-law, Bernard Ames; god-children, Logan Griffin and Taylor Smith; as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, fraternity brothers and colleagues.