Mighty Lion Chapter Memorial Hall

Tracey J. Hunter Hayes passed away on January 19, 2022. 

Tracey J. Hunter Hayes spent more than three decades of his life serving in the library industry starting as a children’s librarian and working his way up to leadership positions in public, special, and academic library institutions.

In the Fall of 1985, as an undergraduate student at Lincoln University, Tracey was initiated into Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Incorporated. He and his three-line brothers were collectively known as the Mission Impossible.

Dr. Hayes held a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, a Master of Library Sciences degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Divinity degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio. Hayes was also an ordained American Baptist minister and was consecrated as a Bishop by the Philadelphia Council of Clergy. 

 Jeffrey Wayne Hosten AKA “Ducky” was born on November 12, 1959, in Philadelphia, PA., to the late Leroy and Robinette Hosten.   Fellowman Hosten passed away peacefully on May 14, 2021, after a brief illness.

Jeffrey was educated in the Philadelphia public school system.  He attended West Philadelphia University City High School where he graduated in 1976.  At the age of 16, he was accepted to Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology.

During his studies at Lincoln University, he was initiated as a member of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Incorporated in Spring 1978.   A bond of brotherhood was created that lasted through the years.

Later in life, Jeffrey moved to Houston, Texas, and attended San Jacinto College, where he received an Associate Degree in Bio-Medical Engineering.  Jeffrey worked for Nova BioMedical as a Senior Field Specialist for eight years prior to his passing.

Jeffrey met and married, Lucille Venible Hosten.  At the time of his transition, they had been married for twenty-five years.  He leaves behind to cherish his memory and continue his legacy: his daughters, Faith Hosten and Mariah Hosten; a step-daughter, Nickisha (Cory) Venible-Jackson; stepson, Darwin (Claudia) Armstrong; two sisters, Yvonne Joe and Denise Nelson; two brothers, Gregory (Connie) Hosten and Harold (Jennifer) Hosten; five granddaughters, one grandson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

He was loved and cherished by many.

 Russell E. Hughes was born on November 17th, 1956.  He departed this life on Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 at Albert Einstein Hospital in the Bronx.  Fellowman Hughes was plagued with a few medical conditions for the past year and succumbed to heart failure following an emergency admittance.  Russell was born and raised in Harlem NY.  He was the oldest of three children born to Joann and Russel Hughes Sr.  Russell attended DeWitt Clinton High School where he played on the football team.  His participation on the team was a proud moment for him.   During this time, Russell also participated in martial arts programs where he received a Black Belt status.  He bragged to everyone that he was a karate expert.

Russell attended Lincoln University PA in 1974.  While there, he became a member of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Incorporated.  In Spring 1976 six Lincoln University students were inducted into the organization. These six men were collectively known as the Notorious Resurrection Gang.  Russell was a member of the Notorious Resurrection Gang and the first man.  His line name was “Hassan”.  The name means “handsome” in the Arabic language and is derived from the root حَسُنَ (hasuna) meaning “to be beautiful, to be good”.   Russell graduated from Lincoln University in 1978 receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology and Human Services.

Russell worked at the New York Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children for 27 years as a Child Protective Specialist and Peace Officer.  He also worked at the Young Adult Institute for 12 years as a Direct Support professional.  He dedicated himself to a life of service to the community and helping others.

Russell loved all kinds of music but favored jazz music.  He attended many Jazz Festivals.  His pastimes included watching football and dancing, just a few of the things that brought him great joy.  He was a gentleman with a heart of gold.  He was loved by his family and loved his family.  For sixteen years, Russell’s companion was Faye Singleton.  Although they never married or had children together, he served faithfully as a father figure to her eight children.

Russell was a believer and regularly read scripture and prayed.  He enjoyed the last month of life living with his sister Linda and niece Chantel.  This was an uplift to his spirit.  In his last hours, he was surrounded by his sisters, Rosalind and Linda, his cousin Joann, and sister-in-law Sandra.  Russell leaves to cherish his legacy and the memory of many family members, Fellowmen, and friends.

 Darryl K. Jones, son of the late Robert L. Jones Sr. and Maude Z. Jones, was born on November 13, 1956, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Darryl grew up in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, and was affectionately called “Lump” by family and friends.

Darryl graduated from Wilkinsburg High School in 1974 and decided to continue his education at Lincoln University. He graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Fellowman Jones was inducted into Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship as an undergraduate member of the Mighty Lion Chapter at Lincoln University in the Fall of 1976. He was the first man on The Psychotic Six and an active member of the Fellowship.

As a business professional, from 1997 to 2016, Darryl worked in several roles at MetLife. He started out as a Claims Adjuster in the Auto and Home Department, then moved on to become the Team Leader, and finally a Property and Casualty Supervisor and mentor.

On March 04, 2019, Darryl K. Jones transitioned from this life on earth to eternal rest. He is preceded in death by his father, the late Robert L. Jones Sr. The memory of this wonderful man lives on through his mother, Maude Z. Jones; brothers, Robert L. Jones Jr. (Christine), Walter V. Jones, David Jones, and Derrick Jones; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, along with family and friends.

ANDRAY GEORGE MCNAIR was born on February 27, 1964, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Josephine (Davis) McNair and Henry Richardson. Andray was the oldest of two children, Andray and James “Pop” McNair. He departed this life on October 20, 2018.

As a child, he was a proud member of the Philadelphia Boy Scouts as a Troop Leader.  Andray, commonly called “Dray”, excelled academically at John Bartram High School. There, he earned numerous awards, medals, trophies, and certificates because of his hard work and perseverance.  After his graduation from high school, he attended Lincoln University in PA. where he pledged Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Inc. He was initiated as a Fellowman on The Tortured Five: Alias The Walnut Gang in the Fall of 1983.

Also, he graduated from the Philadelphia Community College with an AA in Business Management.  Andray’s work experience started approximately at the age of nine when he was a paperboy. He held several jobs before graduating high school. Other work experience included: The Philadelphia Electric Company 1985-1996.  Afterward, he was employed by SEPTA from 2002-2014.

Andray’s quiet, humble strength pays tribute to the family he loved.  He‘d always strive to keep the memory alive of those who raised him, reciting quotes from them, especially his great-grandmother Lucille, affectionately called Momma.  Momma always saw the good in him and became the source of his clever wisdom.

Andray leaves to cherish his legacy: his queen, Estella; four sons; three step-children, Latasha, Tyisha and Dontay McKnight; one granddaughter, Beautifull; nine step-grandsons; one brother, James “Pop” Davis; one aunt, Joyce McNair; two cousins, Jacqueline Jackson and Stanley Moore; his dogs, Max, Alexis and Anna; and a host of other relatives, friends and loved ones.

Bernard Jerome Rouse, born April 24, 1950, in Atlanta, GA, to Bishop C. Rouse and Lula Woodbury Rouse, passed away peacefully from a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on January 19, 2017.

Bernard Jerome Rouse, Mighty Lion Chapter founder, attended Lincoln University from the fall of 1968 through the fall of 1969. He was inducted as a Fellowman of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship in the spring of 1969, on the charter line “The Terminous Ten”.  Known as the “Crooner”, Fellowman Rouse graduated Cum Laude in Chemistry from South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC, in 1976. While at South Carolina, he received a National Science Foundation Fellowship in Chemistry. In addition, he has attended the Computer Institute located in Rockville, MD.

He has worked as a chemist in private industry that includes varied defense contractors. He has also held a position with the federal government. His career history includes positions with the following organizations:

• E. I. DuPont
• The United States Department of Agriculture
• GEOMET Technologies/Versar/Teledyne Brown
• Battelle/Bechtel Corporation
• Battelle/EG&G/URS Corporation

In 1982, he completed the United States Navy, Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, and was commissioned. He was part of a team of scientists responsible for the detection, removal, and monitoring of materials associated with Federal Demilitarization.  He retired from his career with Battelle Memorial Institute in 2016.

Bernard was married to Ruth Nakamura. He resided in Tooele, Utah; and had five children and five lovely grandchildren.

Bernard loved his life and always tried to live his life to the fullest. He loved hiking, writing poetry, listening to music, astronomy, biking, traveling, and photography. He was an active member of the Wasatch Mountain Club, Salt Lake Astronomy Club, and Grove Phi Grove Social Fellowship, Inc.

Fellowman Ellis G. Simpson Jr. ascended to the after-life on March 16, 2018.  Homegoing service for our Mighty Lion Chapter Charter Line member was held on March 26, 2018, at Bethel AME Church, 1154 Blue Hills Ave, Bloomfield (Hartford), CT.

He was born in Freehold New Jersey on March 6, 1950, to the late Ellis G. Simpson Sr. and Thelma Mae Simpson.  The family relocated to Hartford Connecticut where Fellowman Ellis attended the Hartford Public School system.  He graduated high school in 1968 in the top 10% of his class.  He attended Lincoln University and became a charter member of the Mighty  Lion undergraduate chapter in 1969 as a member of the Terminus Ten.   Fellowman Ellis, affectionately known as Dr. Pain and King El, graduated from Lincoln University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and a minor in Accounting.

His professional career began shortly after graduation with Travelers Insurance Company.  After forty years and numerous promotions, recognition, and awards at Travelers, he retired in 2012.   Fellowman Ellis’ professional career also included a successful real estate and property management consultant practice and contract accounting and bookkeeping service.

Ellis proudly served as the 74th Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of the Jurisdiction of Connecticut.  Under his leadership as Grand Master, he administered and managed numerous community service projects including a statewide Child Identification program, a scholarship program, a youth mentoring and coaching service, and a senior citizens visitation program.  He also served as the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer for his church, Bethel AME.

His hobbies consisted of playing golf, deep sea fishing, and reading.  He was a longtime sports fan in support of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team.  He also held positions of responsibility on several Executive Boards of community-based nonprofit organizations in the Hartford CT area.

Fellowman Ellis leaves many wonderful memories and is missed by family, friends, and Fellowmen.

Fellowman Robinson, also known as “Snow”, was born at Harlem Hospital, New York (NY) on September 30th, 1957 to the late Arthur Green and Lavinia Ernestine Robinson.  He ascended into the afterlife on Sunday, March 6th, 2016.

Arthur was educated in the New York City Public School System.  “Snow” arrived on the campus of Lincoln University in January 1979 where he majored in Business Administration and played on the junior varsity basketball team in 1980 and 1981.  In his sophomore year, he crossed the burning sands of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Inc. and became a member of the Mighty Lion Chapter (also known as the Celebrity Chapter).  “Snow” pledged his everlasting devotion and life-long commitment to his beloved brothers and them to him.  He left Lincoln University in May 1983.