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Age 95, of Penn Hills, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Wife of the late Russell Strothers. Sister of Lois Fallen and the late Alice Waddy and Alma Roberts. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Services are private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Homewood AME Zion Church, Memorial Fund, 724 N. Homewood Ave., Pgh., PA 15208.

Dr. William L. Nicholson, son of the late Arizona and Fannie Nicholson. Sadly his mother departed this world when William was very young, his father would later unite in marriage to the late Irene White Nicholson. William was preceded in death by his sisters Kathleen Nicholson and Rose Marie Williams. William, was born on December 11, 1946 in East Liberty, Pennsylvania. He attended Westinghouse High School, and would later go on to  attend West Virginia State College to receive his Bachelor of Science in Education. He would further his education by attending The University of Pittsburgh, having satisfied the requirements for the degree of Master of Education and Doctor of Education. He also received his tenure of education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. William was passionate about education, his greatest joy was to touch and inspire our youth and his journey in life definitely exemplified how he lead by example. He touched, he taught and his students learned. From the halls of Fifth Avenue High School, Brashear High School, Westinghouse High School, Knoxville Middle School, Letsche Alternative School to the collegiate halls of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. William’s distinguished affiliations include, Director of Minority Recruitment for Pennsylvania Governor’s School of Excellence, NAACP Assessor and Trainer for Principals, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and he co-founded Pittsburgh’s 1^st. Black College Tour of Historical Black Colleges which is now in it’s 28^th consecutive year. He excelled in football both as a player and as a coach. As a coach he combined his passion for football and his desire to mentor and motivate his students to follow their dreams and to build their communities. As a football player for West Virginia State College, he dominated the field playing on special teams and defense, his quickness and aggressiveness earned him four successful years playing for them. William, was inducted into The Football Sports Hall of Fame. What a joy! What a joy! What a joy, this was for him. Only an elite few can claim the honor of enduring the blood, sweat and tears it takes to go from college greats to legendary sportsmen. He had a passion for collecting classic cars. The more he viewed classic cars from the perspective of artifacts of living history, the more he enjoyed them, whether on a trip to the gas station or a cross country cruise. He was united in holy matrimony to the late Camille E. Nicholson, this union would be blessed with 2 children. William L. Nicholson Jr. and Thema Adia McCowan along with 3 grandsons that he absolutely adored, Robert Gipson McCowan, Julian Rey Nicholson and Jalen Trace Nicholson and his lovely daughter-in-law, Kelley Scharrenberg. William would later find love again and would wed Sharon Warren, June of 2012. Their union was blessed with respect, joy and laughter. In this union William would acquire a stepson Jermaine T. Warren they built a beautiful relationship and Jermaine, affectionately calls him Pops. He leaves to cherish, Gracie Fay Monroe, Donald Monroe SR., E. Phillip William and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. His incredible life will always be cherished by the lives that he touched and loved

Savilla Nolene (Lee) Peterson at age of 93 of Pittsburgh, Pa, passed away peacefully on Sunday August 23 ,2020 at home. Savilla Nolene Lee Peterson was born February 5,1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was loving daughter of the late Bessie Marshall Lee and the late Otto Lee. She was preceded in death by her late husband Ernest Peterson and sons Darwin Ramond (Monie) Lee and Vincent Wilson, daughters Juanita Peterson Richardson and Ernestine Peterson Dukes.  Also preceded in death by one sister Shirley Lee Ross and one brother James Lee. She leaves to cherish her memory her 3 daughters Deborah Peterson Pryor (devoted, loving and caring son-in-law Marvin Pryor), Patricia Peterson and Donna Gaines, one son Ernest I. Peterson, one sibling, her baby brother Calvin Lee living in Texas.  Grandsons Ramond (Tony) Nelson, Ahmad Peterson, Monty Griffin, Calvin Lee, Granddaughters Neveah Burke,  Ronnette Dukes, Veranica Nelson, and Mary Elizabeth Gaines.  Nieces Lynda Ross Curry (Charles),   Louise Williams, Marzie Morgan and Margaret Howard. Nephew Jeffrey Ross. Only living close friend Norma Owens and host of great and great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Age 85, of Cheswick, died August 10, 2020, at home with loved ones. She was born on July 9, 1935, in Pittsburgh to parents, James Schmitt and Emma (Lutz). She married Herbert J. Brankley on May 1, 1954, and together they started a close-knit family that now spans four generations. Raised in Troy Hill and Garfield, Shirley moved with Herb to Penn Hills, where they raised their family. She hosted lively parties and had a lifelong flair for music, performing and entertaining. At family gatherings she was always at the heart of conversation, holding court with guests and grandkids. Shirley welcomed visitors with an elegantly appointed home and her delicious cooking. A loving homemaker, she kept a pristine house and earned her nickname: “Old Dutch Cleanser.” Along with Herb, she was a patron of the arts and culture in Pittsburgh. She could often be found cheering on the Pirates and Pens, or golfing with Herb – especially on family vacations to Hilton Head Island. In her final days, she was visited by all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, got to meet her newest great-granddaughter and enjoyed her beloved sister Eileen’s soup. She was eager to vote for a change in administration in November, and she hoped others would do the same. Shirley is survived by her husband; sister, Eileen Sebring; and brother, James Schmitt; son, Dave (Cheryl) of Oakmont; daughters, Jan (Bob Serafini) of Monroeville, Karen (Joe Sabo) of Monroeville, Laura (Dustin Hagg) of Cranberry and Mary Ellen (Ed Meindl) of Monroeville. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no visitation or service at this time. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at a later date. Her family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers: Development, UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Suite 1B, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.