Beacon Obituaries

Carolyn Brown (1948-2019)

Carolyn B. Brown, 70, of Beacon, died Feb. 20, 2019, at her home surrounded by her family after a six-year battle with lung cancer.

She was born in the Bronx on March 27, 1948, the daughter of Emanuel Marshall and Mable (Bradby) Marshall. She graduated from Evander Childs High School in 1966 and the Community Bible Institute in 2017, earning a bachelor’s degree in theology. She married Robert White on Feb. 13, 1966.

She moved to upstate New York in 1977 and began working in the health field. She retired in 2018 after 19 years with the judicial diversion program of the Orange County Supreme Court.

She was a member of Beth-El Church of God in Christ and was born again in 1994 at Holy Light Pentecostal Church in Poughkeepsie. That same year she moved to Valdosta, Georgia, to study ministry with the Pentecostal House of Prayer, returning to New York in 1998, where she joined By God’s Grace Ministries in Beacon. She was ordained as a minister in 1999 and became an evangelist in 2004. In 2016 she was elevated again and ordained as an elder.

Elder Brown held a number of roles in the church. She served as a member of the usher board, vice president of the Pulpit Association, vice president of the Missionary Board, a member of the Pastor’s Aide Board and a trustee board member. She also ministered to prisoners at Fishkill Correctional Facility. In 2004 Brown founded God’s Anointed Underground Ministry to provide the homeless with personal hygiene bags and witnesses the gospel of Jesus Christ. She also founded a support group for people in recovery called Back to Basics.

She is survived by her daughters, Robin Chism (Don Michael) of Louisville, Kentucky; Danielle Legette (Ismail) of Savannah, Georgia; and Michelle Williams of Poughkeepsie; eight grandchildren: Michael Anthony, Carlos, Brandon, Robert, Ashley, Jordan, Jarrid and Jonathan; six great-grandchildren, two godchildren; and two adopted sisters: Pastor Jacqueline Dean and Elder Gwen Elliott McIntosh.

A homegoing celebration was held on March 2 at the Holy Light Pentecostal Church in Poughkeepsie, with entombment following at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.

Margie Davis (1937-2019)

Margie Davis, 81, of Poughkeepsie and formerly of Beacon, died Feb. 21, 2019.

She was born in Newburgh on Sept. 2, 1937, the daughter of Samuel Strothers and Emma Bomar, and attended Newburgh city schools. It was there she discovered a love for drum corp, marching with MAX, an all-girls drum and Bugle Corp. Her passion continued throughout her life; she did everything from banner carrier, twirler, transporter, staff member, water supplier and marcher. She has marched with or helped various corps, including 20th century Limited, Locomotion, Westchester Brassman, Kingmans, Heart of Hudson Valley, Royal Court, Mid-Hudson Rivermen and the All Stars.

Later in life she moved to Beacon, residing with an aunt and uncle. The city is where she met her husband, Leon Davis. Margie was employed by Highland Hospital, the Castle Point VA, A&E Transport, First Student and Abilities First in Poughkeepsie.

Margie is survived by her children: Adelia Davis of Poughkeepsie; Helen Haymes-Davis of Atlanta; Cecilia Davis of Poughkeepsie; Leon Davis II of Poughkeepsie; her spouse, Leon Davis of Philadelphia; and a sister, Evelyn King of Newburgh.

She also is survived by her grandchildren: Charlene Sypher, Jay, Lorenzo, Cheryl, Lance Gladson, Brittany Seeden, Eric, Victoria, Amanda Haymes and Marquise Selage; and great-grandchildren: Dajahnea, Alejah, Ziara Daniels, Jelani, Laniya, Sanalh Gladson, Anastasia Gladson-Powers, Javon, Jaelyn Martin and Isiah Haymes.

A mass of Christian Burial was held on Feb. 28 at St. Mary’s Church in Poughkeepsie, followed by burial at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.

Richard Manzoeillo (1949-2019)

Richard F. Manzoeillo, 69, a lifelong Beacon resident, died Feb. 20, 2019, at the Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.

Born in Beacon on July 17, 1949, he was the son of Frank and Agnes (Baxter) Manzoeillo. He was a graduate of Beacon High School and served in the U.S. Navy from 1969-1973, during the Vietnam War. He worked for many years as a landscaper for Red Barn Farm & Nursery in Wappingers Falls. He was an avid fisherman and hunter; and he loved laughter and life.

Richard is survived by a sister, Susan Manzoeillo, and a brother, Steven Manzoeillo, as well as his niece, Angela Cote, and two nephews, James Codding Jr. and Tracy Fleming II.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at a later date.

Walt Thomas (1938-2019)

Walter J. Thomas, 80, a longtime Beacon resident, died Feb. 27, 2019, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Walt was born in Boston on Aug. 2, 1938, the son of Thomas and Rose (Dickens) Thomas. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1959. On May 28, 1960, he married Anne Johnson.

Walt worked for 30 years as a bus driver for the Wappinger Central School District and another 20 years for the Beacon City School District. He was a member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Trinity Council No. 445. He also was a member of the Beacon Elks Club.

In addition to his wife, Walt is survived by his children: Veronica Thomas, Karen Bogart (Joel), Mark Thomas (Elaine), Mary Anne Williams (Roger), Walter Thomas Jr. and Susan Fountain (Richard). He also is survived by his grandchildren: Robert O’Keeffe, Erica and Joseph Bogart, Nicholaus, Mark Jr. and Allison Thomas, Christopher Richards, Raymond, Ross and Randy Williams, Steven and Joseph Thomas, Kasey and Lincoln Fountain; a great-granddaughter, Scarlet; a sister, Elizabeth Hughes, and a sister-in-law, Marion Thomas.

Members of the Knights and Columbus and the Elks held services on March 1 at Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey in Beacon, followed on March 2 by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joachim Church in Beacon and burial with military honors at St. Joachim Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation (hvhospice.org/foundation) or to the Church of St. Joachim, 2 Oak St., Beacon, NY 12508.