NEWCOMERSTOWN — Pamela L. Rafika Imani, 44, of Spring Valley, Calif., formerly of Newcomerstown, Zanesville and Columbus, died Friday (March 2, 2001) at her home following a lengthy illness.

She was born May 17, 1956, in Pittsburgh, daughter of Elaine Evelyn Walker Brown of San Diego, Calif., and the late Clyde Brown Junior.

She was a 1974 graduate of Newcomerstown High School, and had attended the University of Akron, where she studied social work.

Rafika served as a driver for the HARCATUS organization for a few years and also was employed as a driver for social services in California. She participated in the Sweetheart Follies for several years and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, Newcomerstown, where she sang in the choir and was the youth choir director. She belonged to New Faith Baptist Church, San Diego, and sang in the choir there.

She enjoyed working with youth, playing the piano and all forms of music as her favorite activities.

Rafika leaves three sons, Sekou Imani of Newcomerstown, and Ture and Kwane Imani, both of Spring Valley; two grandchildren; a sister, Tina Louise Brown of Spring Valley; three brothers, Brian Kevin Brown of Spring Valley, Curtis (Mary) Brown of San Diego, and Van “Darnell” (Dee) Brown of Zanesville; her grandmother, Evelyn Elizabeth Black of Newcomerstown; several nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts.

Friends may call from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Drive, Newcomerstown, where services will follow at 3 p.m. The Revs. Robert Sherrell and Teresa Rembert will officiate.

Burial will be in West Lawn Cemetery, Newcomerstown.

Funeral services were scheduled today at New Faith Baptist Church, San Diego.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Baptist Church, P.O. Box 68, Newcomerstown, OH 43832.

Ourant Funeral Home, Newcomerstown, is handling local arrangements.

FREEPORT — Marjorie M. Cunningham, 67, of Jerusalem, died Tuesday (March 6, 2001) at Barnesville Hospital.

She was born March 31, 1933, in Guernsey County, daughter of the late George and Rose (Holmes) Kelley.

Mrs. Cunningham enjoyed gardening and growing flowers. She and her late husband, Thomas, were foster parents to more than 60 foster children.

She was preceded in death by three sons, William and Daniel and an infant; and two daughters, Deborah and Rose Ann.

She leaves her husband of 52 years, Thomas A. Cunningham, whom she married Aug. 27, 1948; six sons, David and Ronald, both of Fairview, James of Freeport, Tom of Quaker City, Luke of Jerusalem, and Tim of Cambridge; four daughters, Nellie Basham of Columbus, Nancy Butcher of Quaker City, Norma Cunningham of Jerusalem, Natalie Fowler of Newcomerstown; a brother, George Kelley Jr. of Lenoir, N.C..; two sisters, Betty Ball of Patterson, N.C., and Barbara Tester of Johnson City, Tenn.; 30 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Koch Funeral Home, Freeport, where services will be 1 p.m. Friday with Pastor Rodney West officiating.

Burial will be in Greenmont Union Cemetery, Freeport.

MANSFIELD — Beverly M. (Buchanan) Sprague, 72, of Bellville, died Friday (March 2, 2001) at her home, following a brief illness.

She was born May 23, 1928, in Indianapolis, Ind., daughter of the late Dell and Beatrice Shoemaker.

Mrs. Sprague was a waitress and a member of Pythian Sisters. She enjoyed reading, crocheting and especially collecting angels and Longaberger baskets.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Sprague; a daughter, Debbie Sprague.

She leaves two sons, Robert “J.R.” (Jenny) Sprague and Gene (Jeanie) Sprague, all of Mansfield; three daughters, Mrs. Frank (Sandy) Strum of Barberton, Mrs. John (Carolyn) Green of Cambridge, and Mrs. Glenn (Susie) DeLong of Bellville; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three brothers, Dean Shoemaker of Tucson, Ariz., and Jerry and Gail Shoemaker, both of Greenwich.

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Bellville Cemetery.

The Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Dorothy Annabelle (Irwin) Liew , 82, formerly of Cambridge, died Wednesday evening (March 7, 2001) at Westminster-Thurber Health Care Center, Columbus.

Arrangements are pending at Bundy-Law Funeral Home, Cambridge.