TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
championships in 1980 and 81. Coach Brown was inducted into the Alcorn State University Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Mississippi Valley State Uni- versity Hall of Fame in 2007. In 1982, he was chosen as a U.S. Ambassador Olympic trainer/coach for the Bangla- deshi Olympic Track Team. In 1970, as a member of the Greenville (MS) Alumni Chapter, Coach Brown was responsible for the chartering of the Zeta Zeta of Kappa Alpha Psi at Mississippi Valley State University. Coach served as the first advisor of the chapter and was a 50+year member of the Greenville (MS) Alumni Chapter. Roy W. Burley Sr. 1923–2017 Retired Army Colonel, Community Leader training programs in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Brother Burley was also instrumental in the creation of the Texas Diabetes Institute, earning him a place on the institute’s Wall of Honor and served two Texas state legislators as their chief of staff. Beyond those achievements, Burley was remembered as a devoted family man. “What drove him was his love of family, being a native San Antonian and making things right for a community that was ignored and discriminated against and giving a voice to those who had been de- nied a voice when he was a boy,” former daughter-in-law Jeylynne Burley said. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and mentor to many, Brother Burley. entered the Chap- ter Invisible at the age of 93 on April 20, 2017. Brother Burley was a 1974 initiate of the San Antonio (TX) Alumni Colonel Roy W. Burley Sr. (Ret.) served his country in the United State Army for over thirty years. Known as “The Colonel,” he was director of per- sonnel at USAA and helped establish job
Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi®.
made a difference in some people’s lives and helped foster inclusiveness in our society rather than exclusiveness. Hope- fully, I haven’t given up the notion I still can be a positive force in trying to make things better.” Brother Dr. Benning is survived by wife Marcidene (Dee) Benning, children Victoria L. Benning, Tracy L. Benning (Deb), Donald R. Benning Jr., Kymberly D. Benning, Damon G. Benning (Jen- nie), grandchildren Rayniece, Brandyn, Cameryn, Calvin, Caleb, Mya, Jordan, Micah, Breeanna, sister Phyllis Joseph, many nieces, family & friends. William Brown, Sr. Educator, Coach and Mentor On August 21, 2017 William Brown, Sr. transitioned to Chapter Invis-
Born on October 29, 1923, Brother Burley was born to Robert Burley and Beatrice Woodard Burley. In 1940, he graduated from San Antonio’s Phyl- lis Wheatley High School. After high school, he attended Prairie View A&M College (now University) located in Prai- rie View, Texas. At Prairie View, Burley was a member of the Enlisted Reserve Corps and was subsequently called to active duty in May 1943. Due to his high military test scores, Brother Burley was one of only 350 African American soldiers chosen for a specialized train- ing program at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The students became a close-knit group calling themselves the Prometheans. They would have reunions for the next 51 years. In 1944, after graduating from Office Candidate School, he was commissioned a second Lieutenant of the Infantry. During World War II, he served in the 372 nd infantry as a platoon leader. He also served in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. His duty assignment ranged from commands at platoon company and brigade levels to high-level staff posi- tions with the Department of the Army and Senior Operations Advisory to the Royal Thai Army. His final army duty assignment was Chief of the ROTC Division Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, a position he held from 1970 until his retirement from active military duty in 1973. Colonel Burley was bestowed twenty military awards and decorations which include the following achievements: • Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters; • Bronze Star medal; • Combat Infantry Badge; • Army Commendation Metal with three oak leaf clusters; • Republic of Vietnam Commenda- tion Medal; • Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star;
ible. Brother Brown, or “Hippy Dippy” as he was often referred to while in college, was a December 15, 1951 initiate of the Gamma Pi of Kappa Alpha Psi ® at Alcorn State Univer- sity. Brother Brown earned a degree in
Health, Physical Education, and Recre- ation from Alcorn State University and earned a Masters degree at Tennessee State University. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, ReJohnna Risby-Brown of Natchez, Mississip- pi. They were the proud parents of four children: Dr. Jannas Brown-Collins, Rev. William Brown, Jr., ReJohnna Brown- Mitchell, Esq. and Weather Channel Meteorologist Vivian Brown. Brother Brown taught and coached football, basketball, and track at Breisch High School in Leland, Mississippi for 13 years. He then began working at Mis- sissippi Valley State University as a faculty member and served as the head track and field coach along with sharing some assistant football coaching du- ties. “Coach Brown” as many at Valley called him, was instrumental in the track team at MVSU winning two NIAA
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