TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Southerland and Joseph Southerland. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary M. (née Marable) Southerland; his children, Debra, Sandra, Arthur, The- resa, and Cynthia; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many other families and others whose lives he touched. Submitted by Troy J. Stewart Richmond E. Stewart 1929-2020 Educator, Civic Leader, Korean War Veteran, U.S. Army
has been the organization’s oldest and most extensive project in southeastern Durham, which consists of a 91-acre UDI Industrial Park. Additional UDI accomplishments include UDI Resource Center, St. Joseph’s Place, a renovated office building, a group of affordable housing units at Old Five Points, as well as the Food Lion grocery store on the corner of Pilot and Fayetteville Streets; located in a shopping area that now car- ries Stewart’s name. Much of Stewart’s success came because of his work ethic and leadership style that is described as “cool-headed and down-to-earth, a skilled negotiator, and one who was extremely focused.” As an accomplished business executive, he recognized a need in the community and excelled. Stewart served as Presi- dent/CEO of UDI Community Devel- opment Corporation from its inception in 1974 and only recently retired at 91. When asked to make comments about the company, Stewart stated that he traveled through counties in eastern North Carolina. He saw families living in cramped houses that looked like they were about to fall. He saw babies on beds with flies covering their faces. He saw firsthand what the lack of access to education and the oppressive burden of poverty did to people. He never forgot those images. “UDI has brought more than $70 million into the Durham com- munity,” stated Stewart. UDI has also helped redirect the lives of more than 120 young people through or YouthBuild Programs. The Industrial Park has an asset base value of over $55 million, and the leadership skills that have developed in the lives of people who have worked here continue to serve the Durham community. Stewart was persistent in preserving a prayerful vision in lead- ing UDI. “The key was to market your concepts, ideas, and yourself,” Stewart explained. Stewart was a member of the St. Joseph A. M. E. Church, where he served as a trustee. His present and past involve- ment, over fifty years in the Durham community, represents memberships and leadership positions with the As-
sociation of Community Development Corporations, the Durham Business and Professional Chain, the St. Joseph’s His- toric Foundation, Inc., and the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development (The Institute).St Stewart served his alma mater, NCCU, with distinction as a Trustee from 1995 to 2003 and from 2005 to 2009, includ- ing a term as chair of the board from 2002-2003. NCCU awarded Stewart Trustee Emeritus status for his years of service as a “life-long community builder.” He joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. as a 1966 initiate of the Raleigh (NC) Alumni Chapter and was a Life Member of the fraternity. He was also a member of the Durham (NC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fra- ternity, Inc. He served as Durham (NC) Alumni Polemarch [1987-89]. The chapter named Stewart Durham (NC) Alumni Kappa Man of the Year 1990- 91. He was a member of the Kappas of Durham Foundation Inc., a 501(c)3. He was also a member of the Alpha Tau Boule, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and the National Association of the Guardsmen, Inc. Durham Chapter. Brother Richmond E. Stewart was pre- ceded in death by his parents as well as his wife, Eunice (née Ethridge) Stewart, daughter Denell Stewart, sisters Ernes- tine Joy and Christine Page. He leaves to cherish his memory one daughter, Cheryl Stewart (Fiancé Herb Andrews) and a host of of relatives and friends. Submitted by Johnny R. Green
Brother Rich- mond Edward Stewart entered
the Chapter Invisible on November 1,
2020. On August 29, 1929, he was born in Dur-
ham, NC, to the late Richmond S. and Novella Ray Stewart and grew up in the Durham Hayti community. He attended Durham Public Schools and graduated in 1947 from the all-black Hillside High School, before entering North Carolina College at Durham (now North Carolina Central University). After earning his B.S. degree in 1952, he served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he returned to NCCU, earning his M.S degree in business education in 1958. Stewart started his professional career as an educator at J. W. Ligon High School, and later at the Durham Business Col- lege. In 1966, he joined Operation Breakthrough as Director of Manpower Programs until 1968. He embarked on a career as director of a new project, funded by the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Economic Devel- opment Administration in a program entitled “Project Outreach”. In 1974, Stewart began a noteworthy career with United Durham Inc., where he spear- headed significant projects focused on economic uplift and sustainability in the Durham community. The most notable
Robert Warren 1946–2020 Medical Technologist, Farmer
Robert “Bobby” Warren was born on March 14, 1946 in Philadel- phia, PA. He was reared in Notasul- ga, AL by Lee C. and Anne Simms.
Robert was proud of his upbringing. He was an active alumnus of Chehaw El- ementary School, Lewis Adams Elemen-
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