TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
soccer coach there. Being a leader in the community was also exemplified through his love for his fraternity and upholding the ideals of purpose and achievement. Brother Coleman served as the President of the San Antonio Educational Foundation. Also, he served multiple terms as the Treasurer, where he took charge of overseeing their High School Scholarships. He also served as the Chapter Membership Intake Chairperson and served on various Regional Committees. Cherishing his memories are His wife Precious; His children Brandon, Aria, and Caden; His Grandchildren Branson, and Saniya; His Father Horace Sr.; his Mother Mary Louise; his Brother Horace Jr. and a host of other family and friends.
and his family were longtime members of Bethel AME Church, where he served on the Junior Usher Board, the Chancel Choir, and other programs. He eventually assumed a trustee position, which he held for more than 60 years. The church named him as Trustee Emeritus in 2019. He was the recipient of several awards, including KQED’s “Local Hero” and “Man of the Year” by the SFBPW, Inc. Brother Maxwell C. Gillette was predeceased by his parents; brothers Harold and Roscoe died in July and November of 2019 respectively; and sister Geraldine Earp who passed in November 2020. He was the last surviving of the 12 Gillette children. He survived by his wife of 44 years, Frankie (née Jacobs) Gillette, and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the Bay Area and the country. Gene Allen Gilstrap 1936–2021 Federal Government Executive, Korean War Veteran "On April 29, 2021, Gene Allen Gilstrap (Washington (DC) AL 1974)
He was employed 10 years with the D. C. Public Schools, Title 1 Program before transferring to the Federal Government. He provided budget guidelines to the Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Department of Energy (DOE) and was responsible for the policy and planning and management of DOE’s annual acquisition of $25 billion facilities management systems. After 27 years of service, Gene retired from DOE as a Program Director, receiving a Distinguished Career Service Award and letter from President Bill Clinton for outstanding service to the Federal Government. At an early age, Gene accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and was baptized at Tenth Street Baptist Church (DC). Upon moving to Kissimmee, Florida he joined New Covenant Baptist Church, where he chaired the William H. Claiborne, Jr. Scholarship Golf Tournament for two years and was involved in the men’s ministry. Brother Gene Allen Gilstrap is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Sheila; his children: Tatia (Orlando), Ronnie (Tabitha), Genelle; and his grandchildren: Nico, Ashley, Trenton, Tyler and JaLen; brother-in-law, Alvin Lewis (Clara); cousins: Brenda Mason and Bonnie Carter, who was like his sister; and childhood friend, Milton Jordan (Gwen). Submitted by Earl T. Tildon
Maxwell C. Gillette 1927–2020 Educator
Maxwell C. Gillette (Gamma Alpha 1955) entered the Chapter Invisible on December 19, 2020, at Sutter Health Hospital. He was 93. Maxwell Claude Gillette was born in Des Arc, AR on March 2, 1927, the youngest of 12 children to Charles and Emma Gillette. The Gillette family moved from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA in 1943. Gillette graduated from Lowell High School in 1945. He earned a B.A. and M.A in industrial arts education from San Francisco State College (now University). He later obtained a secondary school education from the University of San Francisco in 1971. Gillette started his professional career in the San Francisco Unified School District as an Industrial Arts teacher and taught at Ben Franklin School, where he was one of its two African-American instructors. In 1984, the school district appointed him as director of John Adams Adult School. He retired from the San Francisco Community College District in 1991. Gillette was a member of the Victoria #3 Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the African American Historical Society, and the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He
transitioned to the Chapter Invisible at the age of 84. He was a member of the Winter Park (FL)
Alumni Chapter. He was born December 11, 1936, in Washington, DC to the late Sarah M. Pryor. Brother Gilstrap attended public schools in Washington, DC. He played football and graduated from Federal City College (now the University of the District of Columbia), where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He earned his Master of Accounting Degree at George Washington University, Washington, D.C. Gilstrap was a veteran of the Korean War and honorably discharged from the United States Army.
George L. Jordan 1926–2021 Seattle Pharmacist, U.S. Navy
George L. Jordan (Gamma Eta 1951) entered the Chapter Invisible on October 7, 2020, at 94. He was born March 2, 1926, in Dumas, AR, to George Jordan, Sr. and Elvira Eatmon.
At an early age, his family moved to St. Louis, MO, where he grew up. He
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