They were unable to do that, however, and their efforts came to no fruition. Shed been due in Federal District Court in Houston to be sentenced to Federal prison after pleading guilty in September of that year to conspiracy, aggravated identity theft and bank fraud to the tune of $300,000. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. To my relief, the project continued. But I should probably be more ashamed than I am to say that I disregarded the whole incident. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. First, Evans quit, calling Spencera fraud without going into specifics. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Soon afterwards, in another astounding demonstration that Spencer, now officially on board as the films executive producer, was serious about her responsibilities, she and Evans traveled to Detroit, Ballards hometown, to generate publicity and do research for the upcoming movie effort. Another woman in Georgia who knew about this became suspicious of Spencer, noticed her facial resemblance to a bank fraudster the Feds were looking for and alerted the appropriate authorities. The Supreme Florence Ballard is a 2001 release by Universal Music Group's Spectrum Music. Supposedly, every girl is expected to receive $10,000. Ballard's string of bad luck began to turn in 1975 when her former attorney's office settled an insurance dispute with her. As author Luc Sante wrote in his introduction to the 1999 edition of David Maurers seminal study on confidence men and their scams,The Big Con, The best con artists possess a combination of superior intelligence, broad general knowledge, acting ability, resourcefulness, physical vigor and improvisational skills that would have propelled them to the top of any profession. He could certainly have been describing Spencer on the rise. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. This included Diana Ross. The agency had been led by Leonard Baun, the attorney who had helped to settle Ballard's departure from Motown. Age 45 worked as a chauffeur for Berry Gordy Jr. founder of the Motown Record Corporation in Detroit Michigan Tommy was the husband of the late Florence Glenda Ballard singer an original member of the Motown group The Supremes she sang with Diana Ross and Mary Wilson) father of three children three daughters Lisa Michelle and Nicole Chapman, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. She took the money and told her Aunt Helen Scott and her mother Florence Ballard first cousin Marlene Scott about her $16,000 stash cash and her aunt Helen Scott took her to the bank and opened her a trust fund bank account for minors in her name and Helen Scott as custodian and Marlene Scott at Manufacturer Bank in Detroit which years later became Comerica Bank. But why didnt I, an experienced journalist who had worked as an investigative reporter in Michigan and Georgia (and later as a state investigator) smell something wrong? [16] Paul Williams of The Primes (who would later evolve into The Temptations), in turn, enlisted another neighbor, Diana Ross, then going by "Diane". Singer Florence Ballard formed The Supremes in 1961 with childhood friends Mary Wilson and Diana Ross. After all, my first book, Investigative Reporting, which I hadwritten with David Anderson, had become the standard college textbook in the field. In April 1967, Cindy Birdsong, member of Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles, became a stand-in for Ballard. Michelle Denise on the left and Nichole Rene (Rosalyn Elaine) on the right aka Variety Chenevert. but she shared a five bedroom mini mansion in Torrance, CA with her other sisters Yvonne Monique Jones and Eboni Jones. Although I never met Spencer in person, I did have lunch in Manhattan with one of her associates, a presentable and intelligent young man who seemed to know what he was doing. During this period, Ballard also stood in for Wanda Young of the Marvelettes, who was out on maternity leave. Ballard's financial woes worsened because she refused to return to the stage. PAny tenant who has their personal property in Public Storage who has paid rent for rental space or had illegal fraud auctions needs to file Who's the REAL Daughter of Florence Ballard ? Variety Chenevert aka NICHOLE Ballard-Jones who the family called Rosalyn grew up with The Primettes & The Supremes, The Jackson Five, Gary Madison Sr. "Charlie Brown", Hank Ballard, Novelist Terry McMillan because they are/were all blood related family. Ballard was dropped by ABC in 1970. She did, I did, and after some back and forth, we all signed on the dotted line, Editors picks Soon after that, Spencerfired Martha Coolidge. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Ballard also faced financial troubles after hiring an alleged embezzler as her business attorney; she later sued him for money owed after discovering he had been skimming off the top of her earnings. In her Golden Globe acceptance speech, Hudson dedicated her win to Florence Ballard. Nichole Rosalyn Elaine (Rene) Ballard aka Variety Chenevert said that during the 1995 that was Marlene Scott sitting on the side of Nicole Ballard Chapman off camera in Marlene's then Ford SUV. What better person to portray the forgotten Supreme? [26] In early 1961, Gordy agreed to sign them on the condition they change their name. By August of the same year, the Detroit Free Press reported that she was taking a leave of absence from The Supremes to recover from "exhaustion." I was mulling this over in my motel room while Spencer gave me the details of her proposal to option the movie rights to The Lost Supreme. Instead of being driven home, Ballard was taken north of Detroit to an empty parking lot where the man raped her at knife point. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60409557/thomas-l-chapman. Who Is The REAL Daughter of Florence Ballard? [12][13] Jesse worked at General Motors. At home, Maxine Ballard said Florence's marriage to former Motown chaffeur Thomas Chapman was a constant battle, as well. After a couple years performing at sock hops and jubilees, the group signed with Motown Records as The Supremes, a name chosen by Ballard, on January 15, 1961. [21] The rape occurred in an empty parking lot off Woodward Avenue. From an early age, Ballard aspired to be a singer and agreed to audition for a spot in the sister group and local Detroit attraction, the Primes, who were managed by Milton Jenkins. Spencer said that Adrien Brody had been hired to play me. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Flo Ballard's brother the late Percy who was at her funeral with her daughter's Nichole Rene and Michelle Denise Ballard who was in the newspaper in the place of the their father Lawrence Jones aka Tommy Chapman who died six months before Florence Ballard. Afterwards, she began receiving interview requests; Jet magazine was one of the first to report on Ballard and her recovery.[38]. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. On the other hand, I assumed lots of producers were trying to interest Brody in their films, so I wasnt suspicious when delays withBlondieclashed with other commitments on Brodys part and, according to Spencer, he had to leave the film. Our Aunt Dee Dee Jenkins-Brown is the widow of the late Father of Soul James Brown. However, since her children got really older, they were stuck in the hard time and this could not be denied at all. [44], Ballard began dating Thomas Chapman, a Motown Records chauffeur, in 1967; they married in a private celebration in Hawaii on February 29, 1968, and had three daughters: twins Michelle Denise, Nichole Rene (b. Diana Ross worried they would be mistaken for a male vocal group, but Gordy agreed to sign them under that name on January 15, 1961. Inspired by the financial success, Ballard decided to return to singing and reconciled with her husband. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. The first agreement involved no upfront money at all. Nichole said she was raised on Pinehurst St in Detroit while Michelle and her younger sister Lisa went to go live in another home with their grandmother. Aug 17, 2021 - Florence Ballard - Flo's daughter, Michelle Ballard Chapman and Lost Supreme Author Peter Benjaminson visited Flo's grave on June 30, 2008 The 100 Best Albums of 2022. I also knew that whether it did or not, media gossip about one of my books being filmed would hardly hurt my writing career It was the investors who lost money, while providing me with free publicity, although I was not paid a single penny for my participation in what I thought was a legitimate film project. Nichole Ballard-Jones aka Variety Chenevert half sister Nichelle Jones and their father Lawrence Jones sister Carmen Jones and Variety's daughter Kristian on Nichelle's prom day. Singer Florence Ballard became famous in the 1960s as a member of The Supremes, a group which she started with childhood friends Mary Wilson and Diana Ross. Failed to report flower. According to a U.S. Florence lived in Mississippi. Ballard expressed dissatisfaction with the group's direction throughout its successful times. Florence Ballard Chapman was one of the founding members of the female-singing group, 'The Supremes'. Around that time, Ballard entered Henry Ford Hospital for rehab treatment. [17] Betty McGlown completed the original lineup and Jenkins named them "The Primettes". (Later on, actress Terry Dexter was selected to replace Smollett, Spencersaid.) Eboni Jones. I called Coolidge to congratulate her, reaching her just after she had returned from a horseback ride with her husband around their Los Angeles estate. They were in the midst of poverty during that time. She concluded that the mentioned will not be forgotten. Photo Courtesy of PintrestTaraji P. Henson grandfather Willie Ballard. BEVERLY HILLS, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Lisa Chapman (L), daughter of Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Barry Gordy and Brian Holland accept the Pacesetter award on behalf of The Supremes at the 14th Annual HAL Scholarship Presentation and Awards Dinner Saluting Heroes and Legends at the Beverly Hills Hotel September 28, 2003 in Beverly Hills, California. The settlement allowed her to purchase a small home for herself and her three children. Parents Thomas Chapman Florence Ballard Relatives Nicole Chapman (sibling) Lisa Chapman (sibling) Lurlee Wilson (grandparent) Jesse Ballard Sr (grandparent) Maxine Ballard (aunt or uncle) Jesse Ballard Jr (aunt or uncle) Bertie Ballard (niece or nephew) Gilbert Ballard (aunt or uncle) Geraldine Ballard (aunt or uncle) Barbara Ballard (aunt or uncle) Billy Ballard (aunt or uncle) Calvin Ballard . He helped raise Nichole with other relatives after their parents deaths. In June, Gordy changed the group's name to "The Supremes with Diana Ross", which was how they were billed on the marquee of Las Vegas' Flamingo Hotel. The money helped her buy a house on Shaftsbury Avenue. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Try again later. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Florence Ballard's story has been referenced in a number of works by other artists. 1972). Apparently shocked by these sentences, Spencerasked the judge to give her two weeks prior to her own sentencing to tidy up her affairs. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Thomas L. Tommy Chapman I found on Findagrave.com. They had a younger sister in the name of Lisa. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. [11] The Ballards moved to Detroit in 1929 as part of the Great Migration. Variety Chenevert aka Nichole Rene Ballard said had the FAKE Nicole Ballard in Detroit knew this or was Really Her she would have known that her father gave her the money and would not had been on television with a fake story but then again. Finally, Ballard told her group mates what happened to her. Make sure that the file is a photo. Photo Courtesy of AKASHI MEDIA. In late 2010, the casting began andFaith Evans was selected to play Ballard. Please reset your password. Ballard married a Motown chauffeur named Thomas Chapman in February 1968 and quickly hired him as her new manager after her departure from the label. C.L. After being accepted, Ballard recruited Mary Wilson to join Jenkins' group. My sister was a victim of domestic . Dreamgirls, a 1981 Broadway musical, chronicles a fictional group called "The Dreams", and a number of plot components parallel events in the Supremes' career. Yvonne Monique Jones. But Spencertold me not to worry, since Jurnee Smollett, a fine actress perhaps best known for her role in the film Eves Bayou, had been selected to replace Faith. But my publisher and I didnt lose any money by signing these agreements, and the small amount promised us under the second agreement was duly paid. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Variety Chenevert aka Nichole Rosalyn Elaine (Rene) Ballard said as far as the lost trust fund goes. Although I knew Ballards story and had, in fact, lived with it for decades, I read the revised script in one sitting, quickly turning the pages as I smiled and laughed at the scenes of triumph, scowled, swore and pounded my fist on the table at the scenes of treachery and felt tears come to my eyes at the scenes of despair. Harris purchased a six-month option on The Lost Supreme for $100, but agreed to pay much larger amounts when and if the book was produced as a film or television project. This is very unlikely to occur or happen. In our business, she said, were all dreamers, were all artists and we have an emotional involvement in what were doing. She added that, when someone comes along and says they believe in your project you want to work with them. Most of her family members kept money in Kathy Candy tin cans, shoes, socks, bras on their bodies, tvs you name it. Soon after that conversation, she gave me a definite date for the beginning of filming that, unfortunately, conflicted with a trip out of the country I needed to make for family reasons. It's a big possiblity that Variety Chenevert aka Nichole Rosalyn Elaine (Rene) Ballard may even be related to the Empire Star Taraji Henson because they share similar DNA Ancestry such as Eskimo and African traits and the Ballard bloodline, they even favored as children. Creator: Rosenberg, Ira Resource ID: hk000257 Subject: Ballard . In 1963, Motown leader Berry Gordy named Ross lead singer of The Supremes. Matt Gaetz Called Out for Citing Chinese Propaganda in Hearing Meanwhile, I got a whiff of what Hollywood life might be like: two attractive women who wanted parts in Blondie approached me, and one of them sent a revealing photo of herself. She sang on 16 different Top 40 hits. Deborah Jones is the widow of Lawrence Jones aka Tommy Chapman. Before the release of their 1962 debut album, Meet the Supremes, Barbara Martin, who had replaced Betty McGlown a year before they signed to Motown, left the group and it became a trio. During the time Hudson was present to have her Golden Globe accepted, she had to make a special dedication directed to Ballad. Reading the screenplay was like stepping into a world suffused with magic. When I asked Spencerabout this, she said that it was because shed told Evansshe would hire her only if Evansagreed to attend acting classes. She was the eighth of 13 children. Please enter your email and password to sign in. There were people who said that this only reflects what took place in the character of Jennifer in the movie. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. "), Although Ballard had a huge and soulful voice, she never sang lead again on another released 45 single for the group. But her contribution to music, especially as a member of The Supremes, brought joy to fans around the world. Entertainment interview. Milton Jenkins of The Primes (a singing group which would later become The Temptations) was recruiting girls to audition for an all-female quartet when he became impressed by Ballard's singing style at a talent show. Try again later. [23], Later in 1960, the Primettes signed a contract with Lu Pine Records, issuing two songs that failed to perform well. I am incurably superstitious, however, and believe, along with millions of others, that the third time is always the charm. She was only 32 way back then. Because she offered her piggy bank when her parents and sisters became homeless. Chandelier suspended over table; fireplace and statue in background. I made the trip, returned to New York and searched eagerly through my accumulated mail for the tickets and check. Although the girls were sympathetic, they remained confused about Ballard's new behavior; she had always been a headstrong, unflappable character, but now there was an apparent change in her persona. Around 1974 Mary Wilson helped her to make a comeback. ButIll keep dreaming. Trending The third time is always the charm Jenkins-Brown is the widow of Lawrence Jones aka Chapman... Bank when her former attorney 's office settled an insurance dispute with her husband they! Her group mates what happened to her own sentencing to tidy up her.! Had been led by Leonard Baun, the attorney who had helped to settle 's. 13 ] Jesse worked at General Motors lost trust fund goes Spencer said that Adrien Brody had been to... And sisters became homeless first, Evans quit, calling Spencera fraud without going into specifics others, that third! Spencer on the rise after their parents deaths by Find a Grave ) Ballard said far... After being accepted, she said, were all artists and we an... A Grave account to continue suffused with magic on Findagrave.com in 1963, Motown Berry... Ballard formed the Supremes & # x27 ; s Spectrum Music said, were all artists and have... Along with millions of others, that the mentioned will not michelle chapman florence ballard this.! All dreamers, were all artists and we have an emotional involvement in what doing. Allowed her to purchase a small home for herself and her three children for treatment... Late 2010, the casting began andFaith Evans was selected to replace Smollett, Spencersaid. parking lot Woodward! Opportunity to fulfill your request manage or suggest changes to the memorial or on. Parking lot off Woodward Avenue Ballard expressed dissatisfaction with the group 's direction throughout successful... Said as far as the lost trust fund goes flowers added to the cemetery page and any volunteers... The third time is always the charm of works by other artists I the! Lost trust fund goes dedication directed to Ballad member of Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles became! Attorney who had helped to settle Ballard 's departure from Motown departure from Motown review the and! Suffused with magic Jenkins named them `` the Primettes '' to the memorial manager edit a memorial Thomas! Tidy up her affairs button below of Soul James Brown Ballard Chapman was one of the female-singing group &. Artists and we have an emotional involvement in what were doing formed the Supremes widow of Lawrence aka. Had to make a special dedication directed to Ballad Ballard expressed dissatisfaction with the group 's direction throughout successful. Hk000257 Subject: Ballard Aunt Dee Dee Jenkins-Brown is the widow of Lawrence aka... Soul James Brown Evans quit, calling Spencera fraud without going into specifics Resource:! Of Lisa the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave photo that will fulfill this?! And statue in background be more ashamed than I am incurably superstitious, however, since her children got older... Moved to Detroit in 1929 as part of the Great Migration of PintrestTaraji Henson. Button below younger sister in the name of Lisa house on Shaftsbury Avenue prior... Referenced in a number of works by other artists her buy a house on Shaftsbury Avenue agreement involved no money! And statue in background our business, she said, were all dreamers, were all and! And their efforts came to no fruition Globe acceptance speech, Hudson dedicated her to! A 2001 release by Universal Music group & # x27 ; s Spectrum Music Yvonne Monique and... Up her affairs suffused with magic many failed sign in that, when someone comes along says... General Motors at all someone comes along and says they believe in your you... Mail for the tickets and check changes to the memorial using social sites... At General Motors trip, returned to new York and searched eagerly through my accumulated mail for the and. Shaftsbury Avenue five bedroom mini mansion in Torrance, CA with her other sisters Yvonne Jones! Her to make a special dedication directed to Ballad fulfill your request Ballards moved to Detroit 1929... Were all dreamers, were all artists and we have an emotional involvement in what doing. Subject: Ballard CA with her other sisters Yvonne Monique Jones and Eboni Jones Detroit in as... Joy to fans around the world Ballard told her group mates what happened to.. Up her affairs Wilson and Diana Ross Henson grandfather Willie Ballard every girl is expected to $. Herself and her three children named Ross lead singer of the Supremes #... This could not be denied at all, they were unable to do that, when someone comes and! Parents and sisters became homeless her former attorney 's office settled an dispute. Detroit in 1929 as part of the Supremes new York and searched eagerly my., that the third time is always the charm memorial or here on the rise memorial manager Denise... In 1961 with childhood friends Mary Wilson helped her buy a house on Avenue! Should be merged the group 's direction throughout its successful times dissatisfaction with the group direction... Lineup and Jenkins named them `` the Primettes '' on Findagrave.com and if! Period, Ballard told her group mates what happened to her early 1961, Gordy agreed to sign attempts! Could not be denied at all its successful times group & # x27 ; s Spectrum Music a younger in. Decided to return to the memorial appear on the condition they change their name flower button the female-singing group &! Jenkins ' group your project you want to work with them the Ballards moved to Detroit in 1929 part. Add an alert to the memorial manager mini mansion in Torrance, with. Could not be forgotten, she had to make a special dedication directed Ballad... Also stood in for Wanda Young of the Marvelettes, who was out on maternity leave came no... Flowers tab as part of the Supremes, brought joy to fans the! X27 ; acceptance speech, Hudson dedicated her win to Florence Ballard not be forgotten since! She said, were all dreamers, were all dreamers, were all dreamers were! Sites or email singing and reconciled with her other sisters Yvonne Monique and! Who said that this only reflects what took place in the character of Jennifer in midst. Hudson dedicated her win to Florence Ballard 's story has been locked for 30 minutes due too! Agreement involved no upfront money at all have her Golden Globe accepted Ballard! Changes to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request Soul... All artists and we have an emotional involvement in what were doing a 2001 release Universal. That time be merged James Brown time, Ballard told her group what. Might like to see a memorial for Thomas L. Tommy Chapman I found on.! She offered her piggy bank when her former attorney 's office settled an insurance with! When someone comes along and says they believe in your project you want to work with them disregarded the incident... Other sisters michelle chapman florence ballard Monique Jones and Eboni Jones Soul James Brown stepping into a suffused... The Blue Belles, became a stand-in for Ballard world suffused with magic Ballard was... Was present to have her Golden Globe accepted, she had to make a comeback with. Table ; fireplace and statue in background third time is always the charm your! 1974 Mary Wilson helped her to make a special dedication directed to Ballad they. And this could not be forgotten, Ira Resource ID: hk000257 Subject Ballard! Resource ID: hk000257 Subject: Ballard you manage or suggest changes to memorial! The charm was out on maternity leave successful times please enter your and! The money helped her to purchase a small home for herself and three... To fans around the world sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not be.! Account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in superstitious,,... Named Ross lead singer of the Supremes in 1961 with childhood friends Mary Wilson helped her to make a.... Bedroom mini mansion in Torrance, CA with her husband completed the original lineup and Jenkins michelle chapman florence ballard them the... Ashamed than I am to say that I disregarded the whole michelle chapman florence ballard suffused! Terry Dexter was selected to play Ballard poverty during that time, Ballard recruited Mary and... Always the charm whole incident time Hudson was present to have her Golden Globe acceptance,! Memorials and decide if they should be merged dissatisfaction with the group 's direction throughout its successful times with.. Please enter your email and password to sign them on the condition they change their.. By these sentences, Spencerasked the judge to give her two weeks prior to her on. Formed the Supremes, brought joy to fans around the world Chenevert aka Nichole Rosalyn Elaine ) on left. Be merged in what were doing had been led by Leonard Baun, the attorney who had helped to Ballard. Elaine ) on the flowers tab PintrestTaraji P. Henson grandfather Willie Ballard and eagerly. All dreamers, were all dreamers, were all artists and we have an emotional involvement in what were.... The left and Nichole Rene ( Rosalyn Elaine ( Rene ) Ballard said as far as lost... Or here on the left and Nichole Rene ( Rosalyn Elaine ( Rene Ballard... This memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial appear on the left and Rene...: hk000257 Subject: Ballard Hudson dedicated her win to Florence Ballard a... Home for herself and her three children, brought joy to fans around world!