Sheldon ‘Turner’ Freeman, a gay librarian who worked for 39 years at the D.C. Public Library system and is credited with initiating a Black History Month film series and LGBTQ inclusive programming at the library system, died Dec. 23, at his home in Steelton, Pa. He was 64.

The D.C.-based LGBTQ advocacy and event planning group Team Rayceen Productions, which has held events at D.C.’s main Martin Luther King Library branch with support from Freeman, said the cause of death was a heart attack.

A write-up prepared by Freeman’s family members and published by Major H. Windfield Funeral Home in Steelton, says Freeman’s passing came just over a year after he retired from his position as librarian in November 2023 and moved back to his hometown of Steelton.

“Turner was known as a brilliant, proud Black man, who loved life and lived it to the fullest,” the write-up says. “He was a voracious reader and a music aficionado,” the write-up continues, adding that his other passions included dancing, Black history, collecting Black art, books, music and movies, “and watching his Eagles, Lakers and the Ohio State Buckeyes.”

It says he was a 1978 graduate of Steelton-Highspire High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. He earned his master’s degree in Library Science from the University of the District of Columbia, according to the write-up.

A statement from the D.C. Public Library system to Team Rayceen Productions says Turner’s title at the time of his retirement was Adult Services Librarian.

“As an avid film buff, Turner was one of the first staff members of DCPL’s audiovisual department in the 1980s, now a city-wide collection of  DVDs and other media as well as a plethora of online streaming resources,” the statement says.

“His weekly movie screenings have been running for more than two decades and are a beloved staple of MLK Library programming that has carried on past his retirement,” according to the statement. “His Black History Month film series is a particularly beloved annual event.”

 The statement adds that Freeman’s voice was frequently heard on the MLK Library’s public address system and he “literally became ‘the voice’ of MLK Library’s 50th anniversary celebration, recording audio narration for library programming and citywide promotions.” 

The Team Rayceen Productions statement says Freeman was a co-founder of a group called Book Reading Uplifts His Spirit, known as BRUHS, which focused on issues of interest to Black gay and bisexual men. Some of the group’s events, which were held at the MLK Library, included talks by authors, film screenings, and reading of plays.

The statement notes that in 2021, Freeman moderated an online Facebook discussion with James Earl Hardy, the author of the B-Boy Blues book series, a collection of six novels that tell the stories of Black gay men. It also points out that Freeman was on the committee that organized D.C.’s first Black Pride celebration.

A statement sent by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to the Freeman family expresses her condolences over his passing and points to his numerous accomplishments as a librarian and community advocate.

“He was a caring friend and colleague whose impactful legacy, vibrancy, and kindness leaves behind an indelible mark on the hearts of many,” the mayor says in her message. “Turner was a role model, mentor, sports fan, and unwavering confidant, but above all there was no role more precious to him than that of a family man,” Bowser wrote.

“Turner’s love for his family was unparalleled, and his presence brought immense joy to his loved ones and to all those who knew him.”

A celebration of life for Freeman was held Jan. 4, at the Chapel of the Major H. Winfield Funeral Home in Steelton, Pa.

The funeral home write-up says Freeman was predeceased by his parents, Bucky and Cookie Freeman, and is survived by his son, Freeman Dane Swan; his sisters Stephanie Freeman, Stacey Freeman-McKamey, and Sage Freeman; and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.

Carolee Byrley passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 30, 2024, in her home in Washington, D.C. She was 60.

She died from complications of Type One diabetes. 

She was born on Sept. 2, 1964, in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., to Paul L. Byrley and Judith I. Byrley. 

She graduated in 1982 from Winter Park High School in Winter Park, Fla., and from college at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. She later earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C.

Byrley practiced law in Washington specializing in contracts and mergers. 

Byrley was predeceased by her father as well as by Eileen Garner, her loving life partner of 38 years. She is survived by her mother, Judith Ireland, stepfather, Jerrold Nussbaum, brother, John Byrley, sister-in-law, Lena Byrley, brother, Jason Byrley, brother-in-law, Ben Byrley, and nephews, Jack and Alex Byrley.

Byrley was an active member of the Gay Recovery Community in Washington where she sponsored many people over the years. She recently received recognition for 40 years of sobriety and was living proof of the slogan, “Keep what you have by giving it away.” Her generosity and authenticity shown through in all she did. There was not a bone in her body that was fake. And, as one of her friends described her, she was “the kindest person I have ever met.” 

Byrley was deeply committed to her dogs through the years and to the care and protection of rescue dogs everywhere. 

A celebration of Byrley’s life will be held on Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. at Friends of Washington, 2111 Decatur Place, Washington, D.C., where friends encourage those who knew her to share memories of her life. There will be a reception at Friends following the memorial. 

In lieu of flowers, please give a donation to your local dog rescue organization, in her name. 

Michael E. Flocker of Washington, D.C. passed away on Oct. 11, 2024, at the age of 61. He will be remembered with much love and missed by his mother, brother, niece and nephew and many of his U.K. relatives. He was predeceased by his father, Dale Price Flocker.

He was born in North Plainfield, N.J., and moved to Berlin, Germany, with his family for more than seven years, where his father was a pilot with Pan Am. On returning to the U.S. he lived in Wilton, Conn., for high school and New York City for college. He also lived in Los Angeles for many years where he pursued acting and singing. He later was hired by America Online and offered a higher position at AOL in New York City. From there he began writing books, with his first book, “The Metrosexual Guide to Style,” making the New York Times bestseller list. All of his books are available on Amazon.

Following his AOL career, Michael started working at NBC’s online division. This led to an on-camera role as an entertainment reporter in New York City on a local station. Eventually, Michael made his way to D.C. where he worked remotely for an online media company called Stacker.