TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Lonnie D. Reynolds 1944–2019 Human Resources Executive, U.S. Army Lonnie D.
1989. Pettaway worked as an associate for other dentists for a number of years prior to opening his practice in Ger- mantown, MD in cosmetic dentistry in 2002. Owning his practice was a great source of pride for Pettaway. A stalwart supporter of his alma mater, Dr. Pettaway was a regular attendee at Howard University homecomings and at the campus’s Rankin Chapel where he loved to worship and fellowship. Dr. Pettaway was affiliated with the Wash- ington (DC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. A world traveler, Dr. Pett- away had a special appreciation and love for the country of Brazil where learn to speak fluent Portuguese and would an- nually make a month long pilgrimage to the South American country. Brother Dr. Reginald L. Pettaway is sur- vived by his mother, his brother Kelvin (Lynn) Pettaway; his niece Hope and a host of close relatives, friends, patients, Xi Chapter brothers and Bison alumni. Theodore R. Ragsdale, Jr. 1936-2018 Funeral Director, Civic Leader
sent his diploma in the mail. He was the second African American student to graduate from the University of Okla- homa. He graduated from Worsham School of Mortuary Science in Chicago, IL in 1959 and returned home as a licensed embalmer. His love for his community in Musk- ogee began with the example set by his parents. Throughout the civil rights movement and thereafter, he gave to individuals and organizations who were “fighting the good fight.” In the years that followed, he was asked to sit on several community boards and commit- tees previously unavailable to Blacks in Muskogee. He often met with public officials to discuss disparities affecting the Black community. Ragsdale was a member of the Tulsa (OK) Alumni Chapter. Ragsdale participated in local, state and national funeral service organizations and received many awards in the funeral industry. His dedication and commit- ment to his craft were unsurpassed. When urban renewal forced the previ- ous funeral home at 422 Denison Street to move in 1986, while bittersweet, he was so proud of the new, state-of-the- art facility built on his father’s land on the corner of Military Boulevard and Talladega Street. He later petitioned Muskogee City Council and had Tal- ladega Street renamed “Tollett Road” to commemorate Dr. Harrell Tollett (a prominent Black dentist in Muskogee). The business continued at this location until October 2015. He was married to the love of his life, Drucilla for forty-four years until her un- timely death on January 9, 2018. He is survived by his daughters, Cindy Parker, Kimberly Ragsdale and Valerie (Harold) Ragsdale-Aldridge, all of Muskogee, OK; grandsons Drew and Quincy Ragsdale and a host of relatives and friends.
Reynolds (South- field (MI) Alumni 1988) entered the Chapter Invisible on November 8, 2019 at the age of 74 in Westland, MI. Lonnie Dan-
iel Reynolds was born December 22, 1944, in Shelbyville, TN and was the son of the late Donna Ruth (née Gill) Reynolds and the late Adams D (Bes- sie) Reynolds. He was a 1962 gradu- ate of Bedford County Training School (BCTS) in Shelbyville, TN. Reynolds graduated from Tennessee State Univer- sity (TSU) where he earned his bache- lor’s degree. He later returned to college and earned his Master’s Degree. Lonnie was an outstanding football player at both BCTS and TSU. He served in the United States Army. Interestingly, Reynolds played a sol- dier in the hit movie 1968 “The Green Berets” starring John Wayne. He retired from Ford Motor Company as a Human Resource Manager. He also worked at Rouge Steel Company/Severstall. In addition to Kappa Alpha Psi ® , he held membership in the Shriners. Reynolds professed his faith in Christ at an early age. He was a devoted and faithful member of Ypsilanti Church of Christ in Ypsilanti, MI until his passing. Brother Lonnie Reynolds was preceded in death by two brothers, Timmy Reyn- olds and Perry Reese. He is survived by two sisters, Linda Harvey and Patricia Reynolds; two brothers, Jimmy Reynolds and Larry Reynolds; and a host of close relatives, friends and colleagues.
Theodore “Ted” R. Ragsdale, Jr. (Gamma Iota
1955), entered the Chapter Invisible on December 29, 2018 at the age of 82. Born to the late Theodore
and Lilla Elliott Ragsdale on March 26, 1936, Ted Jr., as he was affectionately known, became part of the third genera- tion of funeral directors in the Ragsdale family. He is a graduate of the historic Manual Training High School, class of 1954; a fact of which he was extremely proud. After high school graduation, he attended Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. After his father became ill, Ragsdale returned to his native Okla- homa to help with the family business. He enrolled in the University of Okla- homa in Norman, OK. Because of the segregationist climate in 1958, Ragsdale was not allowed to participate in com- mencement ceremonies, but instead was
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