Alfonzo Yonnie. Poochie Black

Blessed be the Man: Alfonzo Black, also affectionately known as: Al, Poochie, Yonnie and Black by family, friends and acquaintances, was born on April 18, 1940 in Indianapolis to Alfred and Mary Elizabeth Jones Black. Both preceded him in death. Al was called home on April 18, 2015, the first day of his 75th year of life. A lifelong resident of Indianapolis; he attended school in the IPS system at schools 56, Crispus Attucks and Arsenal Technical High Schools. Al met and married the love of his life, Hallie A. Showers in the late 1950's. They were married January 1, 1960. They became the proud parents of three sons: Keith, Shawn, and Christian. Al developed a career at Chrysler Indianapolis Foundry. He, prior to his retirement after 31 years, was elected by the plant's workers to be president of the UAW Local 550, the plant employees union. As a young couple, Al and Hallie were very active in the politics of that day. As founding members and officers of the local chapter of The Congress on Racial Equality (CORE), they participated in the organizing and implementing public demonstrations, marches and sit- ins. Their goal was to end racial segregation of housing and schools; and for equal employment opportunity for African Americans; or Negros, as we were called then. There were many days and nights that Alfonzo and Hallie sat in their living room with other organizers making plans to highlight the plight of the disadvantaged segments of our city and the country. This included working with Fr. Boniface Harding and others, developing plans to start the Martin Center which ultimately became Martin University and Rev. Andrew J. Brown and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Blessed be the Man: Alfonzo met the Lord at a young age, and came to love and accept God's role in his life. In the early 1970's Alfonzo and Hallie and the boys united with Womack Memorial under the pastorate of the late Rev. Kelly Copeland. He became a very active member in the congregation. In 1986, after Hallie entered the ministry, she was assigned pastoral duties in Richmond, Indiana, Second Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. This left the District scratching their heads; what were they to call Brother Black, in reverence to his wife, the pastor? The first……man?......husband? of the Grace Memorial CME Church? Alfonzo established many "first" in his lifetime. He put his ALL into everything he did. His last first (for this family), the Lord gave him life and called him home on April 18th ….75 years. Blessed be the Man: Alfonzo leaves cherished memories for : Sons: Keith Edward (Bonita) of Dallas, TX; Shawn Alfonzo (Harriet), and Christian Devi (Linda) of Indianapolis, In. Brother: Robert L. Wilson (Charlotte) Indianapolis, Sister: Vickie J. Pardue Indianapolis; 11 Grandchildren: LaToya, LaTessa, LaTisha, Christian, Ciera, Calvin, Steven, Jasmine, Jada, Gabrille, Christian Devi Jr; Nephews: Robert Paul Wilson; and Stephen D. Pardue; Nieces: Byyinah Akua Wilson, and Ayana Aba Wilson Coles ( Terrance) ; an aunt and cousins and other family and friends. Humbly Submitted: Vickie J. Pardue