Luther Alridge, who was a longtime photographer for The Philadelphia Tribune, handed absent on June 17, 2021. Alridge was 74.
Alridge worked 17 several years as photographer with the Tribune. He protected a range of group occasions and presented the newspaper with image protection for lots of years.
Luther Alridge, as Obrafo Kwabena Akyeampon, was an first member of the Asona Aberade Shrine with a report of provider as the principal Obrafo of the Shrine. He served the Shrine co-founder Nana Okomfohene Akua Oparebea as her Obrafo. Also, he performed skillfully with the Shrine co-founder Arthur Hall as a member of the Afro-American Dance Ensemble, touring all over the United States, Africa and the Caribbean.
He was element of the historic 1974 tour to Larteh, Ghana, owning the honor of conference the Excellent Matriarch Nana Okomfohene Akua Oparebea, High Priestess of the Nene Akonedi Shrine found in Larteh, Ghana. Nana Oparebea trained Luther as her Obrafo and he became identified by his title.
Obrafo Kwamena Acheampong (Luther Alridge), Shrine Elder, began his life as Luther Alridge Jr., born Oct. 9, 1946, in Saratoga, Florida. He was elevated in Philadelphia by his mom, Almeda R. Campbell, and was the youngest of her three kids his sisters Ann Marshall and Lena Alridge are now deceased.
Alridge graduated from Ben Franklin Superior School. He obtained a diploma in pictures from Community College of Philadelphia and had his possess photography studio. Upon his return from army company, he worked for the Tribune right until decided to commence his personal exercise as a therapeutic massage therapist.
He was formerly married to his first wife, Cynthia Davis, and shared one child together — a daughter, Rhonda Denise. He served in the United States Military from Dec. 6, 1967, to Aug. 1, 1969, as a radio operator and participated in the Vietnam campaign, throughout which he was awarded the Vietnam Assistance Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Countrywide Protection Support Medal and gained a Fantastic Conduct Medal for his service to his country.
He was passionate about quite a few items such as executing as an African percussionist and dancer for the Arthur Corridor Afro-American Dance Ensemble and as a dance and congo teacher at Ile Ife Humanitarian Middle. He was also a freelance photographer for many exclusive situations, weddings, birthdays and graduations, but his accurate passion was taking part in possibly in individual or globally on the pc to obstacle his brain and expertise. His most treasured reminiscences were his involvement in the Odunde Festivals that have been held in the city just about every yr.
Alridge is survived by his only daughter, Rhonda Denise Murray son-in-legislation, Keith Adam Murray and his three grandchildren, Iyan Lynn Murray, Hasan Haki Murray and Ronesha J. Murray of Philadelphia his 8 fantastic grandchildren 3 excellent-excellent grandchildren brothers-in-legislation John Marshall, and Marvin (Butch) Smith nephews John N. Marshall III and Marc D. Marshall nieces Karen Smith, Pan Smith, Lynn Smith and Yvette Smith and a extensive array of family friends and loved kinds.
There will be a viewing at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 28 at Batchelor Brothers, Inc., 7112 North Wide St. The services will start out at 2:30 p.m.