Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 5-21-19

Features
Son Of Prominent
Elementary School Benefits From Tax Referendum
Minister Dies
After Illness
Last Friday, the Hillsbor- ough County School District held a Sledgehammer Cere- mony at Woodbridge Ele- mentary School. They literally broke ground to pave the way for a new court for students.
Woodbridge Elementary School, 8301 Woodbridge Blvd., in Town N’ Country, received two new play courts thanks to the half-penny sales tax referendum. It is also one of the schools that will receive an A/C overhaul
this summer.
The ceremony was held at
the school and was attended by Superintendent Jeff Eakins and School Board members who donned safety glasses, gloves and hard hats to take a swing at the con- crete play court.
After the Sledgehammer Ceremony, crews ripped up and removed the rest of the play court, in preparation for the new play area that will be poured and finished later in the week.
In just weeks, the District expects to begin replacing or overhauling 21 school air conditioners and replacing aging roofs on 13 schools. In smaller projects, this year, the District will replace 50 playgrounds, tracks and ath- letic courts and investing more than $1 million in school security improve- ments.
The money will benefit students in every area of Hillsborough County, at all of our 235 schools.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The son a of prominent minister and popular Tampa family died following an ill- ness. Mr. Bartholomew Banks, Jr., was 40-years-old.
According to his father,
Rev. Bartholomew (Bart) Banks, Sr., pastor of St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, his son was discov- ered at his home shortly before 2 p.m.
Mr. Banks was the old- est son and third child born to Rev. and Mrs. Bart (Vanessa) Banks. He at- tended the public schools of Hillsborough County.
Lover of music, Mr. Banks was very active while at King High School. He was a member of the Orchestra, the Jazz Band, the football team and the basketball team. His other honors include being chosen as the Prom Prince and Homecoming King.
Mr. Banks also won the Louie Armstrong Award for the Southeastern Region while at King. He played the drums, keyboard, and double bass, his father said.
After graduating from King, Mr. Banks enrolled at Florida A & M University, and later at Hillsborough Commu- nity College. He entered the workforce and worked in the field of Customer Service be- fore becoming ill.
His love for music contin- ued and was only rivaled by his love for his parents, siblings, and especially, his four chil- dren.
“He was a loving son who loved his family, and especially his children,” his father said.
MR. BARTHOLOMEW BANKS, JR. 10/19/1978 — 5/19/2019
Mrs. Banks said their son and the entire family had worshipped together last Sun- day. “I was just praying for him in church. It is a shock to me,” she said.
Mr. Banks is survived by his children, parents, sib- lings, church family, friends and other relatives. Funeral services were incomplete at press time. Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
No Foul Play Suspected
Ms. Janelle McGregor,
spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department said, “Offi- cers responded to a call re- garding a deceased male who was found inside of a North Tampa home shortly after 1:46 p.m., on May 19th.
“A family member discov- ered the male inside the home and immediately called police. When officers arrived, they found no obvious signs of foul play that contributed to the man’s death.”
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