Services were held March 9 for Gregory L. Scott.

Scott died Wednesday, Feb, 27, 2013. He was 54.

Scott was born July 16, 1958. He was a longtime resident of West Philadelphia

Scott was a community activist, mentor and drill instructor for the Gold Coast Buccaneers Drill Team in West Philadelphia. He was known for working with, and for, the children.

He is survived by his wife, Alfrida; mother, Pauline; children, Susan Johnson, Sharletta Johnson, Gregory Johnson; brothers, Terry Scott and Dlano Scott; sisters, Veronica Jackson and Dawn Jackson and five grandchildren.

Services were held at First Corinthian Baptist Church at 5101 Pine St.

J.E. Williams Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Kelvin Jeremiah takes helm at troubled housing agency

The Philadelphia Housing Authority has a new director – Kelvin Jeremiah, the agency’s interim director for nearly a year – has been selected by federal officials to occupy the post on a more permanent basis.

“I am thrilled to be remaining at PHA and working with Mayor [Michael] Nutter, the City Council, the board, residents and the resilient staff of PHA in meeting the needs of the nearly 80,000 Philadelphians we serve,” Jeremiah said in a statement.

His appointment was announced Thursday afternoon.

Jeremiah replaces Michael Kelly, who headed the agency in the aftermath of the scandal surrounding former director Carl Greene, who was fired in 2011 amid allegations of sexual and financial misconduct. Greene recently settled a wrongful termination suit against PHA winning a $625,000 settlement. Kelly, too, left under a cloud, departing after an extramarital affair with a staffer was revealed.

Jeremiah said it’s time for PHA to put those incidents behind it.

“I am excited about PHA’s future and the important work that lies ahead in rebuilding public confidence in PHA and helping the agency to meet its mission of providing decent, safe and well-maintained housing for residents of this great city,” he said.

His appointment was first step toward returning PHA from federal to local control. A newly appointed board is expected to meet next month. It will take authority from a one-person board, led by a federal housing official, which has led the agency since late 2011.

Jeremiah will also serve as the federal Administrative Receiver until the new nine-member board takes over.

“Kelvin’s passion, integrity and commitment make him the best person to continue to move PHA forward,” said Estelle Richman, PHA’s Board of Commissioner. “I am confident that this decision is not just good for the agency, but also for the City of Philadelphia. We believe this is a major step for PHA to return to local control.”

Mayor Michael A. Nutter agreed.

“In the short time that Kelvin Jeremiah has been with PHA, he has been an outstanding leader for the authority. He helped restore ethics, integrity and pride in working at PHA,” Nutter said. “With his staff, he’s developed a plan to build 6,000 affordable housing units over the next five years and he’s working to create good relations with other city agencies involved in coordinating affordable housing policy. I am very pleased with his selection as President and CEO and I look forward to working with him.”

Jeremiah joined PHA in 2011 and previously held the position of director for the Office of Audit and Compliance (formerly the Office of the Inspector General).

Prior to joining PHA, Jeremiah was the Inspector General for the New York City Housing Authority, the nation’s largest public housing authority, with a portfolio of 178,000 units housing over 450,000 residents, and a Housing Choice Voucher program with nearly 100,000 participating families.  

Born in Grenada, Jeremiah immigrated to the United States as a teenager and lived with his family in New York City, attending New York City Public Schools. He received a bachelor’s degree in history/business administration from Pace University, a master of arts in American social history from Rutgers University, and a master of public administration from American International College.

Avis P. Cottrell was employed by the city of Philadelphia for more than 35 years.

Cottrell died Friday, March 8, 2013 at Methodist Hospital after a long illness. She was 61.

She was born Oct. 5, 1951 to the late John Carter and Margaret Twyman in South Philadelphia.

She received her formal education at South Philadelphia High School. From high school, she went to work for the city as an administrative assistant. She held several positions within city agencies including the Health and Public Property departments and as executive assistant to Fire Commissioner Harold Hairston. She retired in 2000 after she became sick.

Cottrell’s family said she was courageous and strong as she battled her illness.

“Avis was particularly thankful for the love and care, visits and support that she received from everyone,” her family said.

Cottrell was preceded in death by her sister, Mildred Williams.

She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Larry Cottrell, Sr; children, Traci Russell, Shawn Wilson, Troy Cottrell, and Larry Cottrell, Jr.; son-in-law, James Russell; daughter-in-law, Carol Gay; brother in-law, Bernard Williams; 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild; nephew Gregory C. Twyman, Jr. and other relatives and friends.

Services were held March 15 at St. Barnabas United Methodist Church, 1814 Wharton St. Burial will be in Valley Forge Memorial Gardens, King of Prussia.

Slater Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Dorothy M. Burrows was a jazz music enthusiast.

She died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. She was 91.

She was born Dec. 26, 1921.

Burrows was a doll collector, avid designer and a seamstress. She collected patterns that dated back to the 1800s.

She married Herman Eugene Burrows on April 24, 1942. He was a jazz saxophonist who was educated at Granoff School of Music.

The Burrows were devoted to African-American musicians, especially Philadelphia jazz musicians who were members of union Local #274.

Local 274 was often frequented by many musicians, including Philly Joe Jones, Duke Coltrane, Charley Gaines, Stanley Turrentine, Shirley Scott, Trudy Pitts, the Heath Brothers and Bobby Timmons. These musicians would play at the old Clef Club at 13th and Washington Avenue. The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, now at Broad and Fitzwater, has the distinction of creating a homestead for music education, producing, writing and improvising jazz music.

The Burrows enjoyed meeting with those who wanted a jazz center and donated their time and funds for that purpose.

Services will be held March 16 at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz, 738 S. Broad St. The viewing is at 9 a.m. Services will follow at 11 a.m. Burial is in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements were handled by Michael George McCleary, funeral director.