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Bio:
Lonnie Revels of Greensboro, NC
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who represented the Indians of Guilford County on the commission,
passed away Thursday, July 10, 2003 at
Oakdale Heights Assisted Living Center in Greensboro.
The funeral service will be held in Robeson County, Tuesday July 15, 2003
at Mt. Airy Baptist Church, HWY 72 West of Pembroke, North Carolina at 2:00 p.m.
The Wake will be held in Pembroke, North Carolina, Monday, July 14, 2003
at Revels Funeral Home, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Lonnie's honor to the
"The Lonnie Revels, Sr. Endowed Charity for the Native American Studies Program"
at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNC-P), P.O. Box 1510, Pembroke, NC 28372-1510.
Please feel free to send expressions of condolences to:
Mrs. Ruth Revels and Family
2721 Gwaltney Road
Greensboro, North Carolina 27284
(336) 292-3915
Order
of memorial service for Sunday, July 13, 2003 ~ 3:00 p.m. . . .
Order
of funeral service for Tuesday, July 15, 2003 ~ 2:00 p.m. . . .
A Celebration of the Life of
William Lonnie Revels, Sr.
July 28, 1935 - July 10, 2003
(Click
picture above for a larger picture)
Hundreds Mourn, Remember Revels
7-14-03
By TIM YEADON, Staff Writer
News & Record
GREENSBORO -- Lonnie Revels worked to fight racism, and hoped for a better life for his fellow Lumbee Indians. Those who attended his memorial service Sunday said he did most of that work with his mouth. "He could talk about sports, or he could talk about Jesus," said the Rev. Kenneth Locklear. "But it would always come back to business or politics." Locklear stood before several hundred people at the West Market Street United Methodist Church in Greensboro. He was not the only speaker to mention Revels' willing attitude when it came to giving advice, whether for a minute or an afternoon. Revels, who died Thursday at 67, was a former Greensboro City Council member and charter member of the state's Commission on Indian Affairs. "Lonnie always had advice for you, whether you asked for it or not," said state Rep. Alma Adams. The remark drew many laughs during the 90-minute service, where Revels was also showered with much respect. With his wife, Ruth, Revels was a founder of the Guilford Native American Association, and for most of his life worked for federal recognition of the state's 50,000 Lumbee Indians. "Lonnie Revels stood for what was right," Adams said. "And he worked hard to make others accountable for what was right, too." The Lumbee tribe is the largest group of American Indians east of the Mississippi River that is not fully recognized by the federal government. "Lonnie did more (for the Lumbee tribe) than than any 10 politicians I know," said former state Sen. Robert G. Shaw. "He was proud of where he was from, and he was proud of his family." Revels was born and raised in Robeson County. His photo appeared in Life magazine in 1958 as he and a thousand armed Lumbee Indians ran the Ku Klux Klan out of the county. Revels told friends that the experience hadn't made him bitter, but optimistic. "He would tell me I'm less concerned about the bad that occurred in the past, but the good that we can do in the present," said U.S. Rep. Howard Coble of Greensboro. Revels moved to Greensboro in the early 1960s after earning a degree in political science at Wake Forest University. In 1965, Revels started his own printing firm, now called Arrowhead Graphics, which his son Bill manages. In 1983, after a series of political losses, Revels won a seat on the City Council, where he served two terms. Though busy with a family and a small business, Revels worked to gain the Lumbee tribe opportunities for economic development and education. "He never forgot," said former Gov. James E. Holshouser. "He always kept looking back over his shoulder, offering a helping hand, opening doors and creating opportunities."
Contact Tim Yeadon
at 627-4881, Ext. 120, or tyeadon@news-record.com
Obituary Source: The News & Observer
