Page 40 - Florida Sentinel 6-25-21

Funerals
RAY WILLIAMS
MR. MITCHELL SMITH
Mr. Mitchell Burton Smith passed away on Thursday, June 3, 2021. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. with military honors at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue with Pastor Donald Lott, Officiat- ing. Masks are required.
Mitchell Smith was born in Tortola, British Virgin Islands on October 4, 1954. He was educated in the public schools of Tortola and St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. He graduated in the Class of 1974 from Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas.
Upon graduation, Mr. Smith relocated to the United States in 1975 to start his military career in the United States Army. He later transitioned to a professional trade as an Electrician. Mitchell enjoyed doing a variety of handy- man duties, including, but not lim- ited to, mechanics, carpentry, and plumbing.
He leaves to cherish his mem- ory: a loving and devoted spouse, Bridgett Wilbon; children, Dion Smith, Mitchell Smith, Mattie Smith, Briara Wilbon, Mya Wilbon, Marie Wilbon and Mariah Wilbon; parents, Hubert and Mar- ion Smith; stepchildren, Davonta Williams, Quantavius Wilbon and Brianna Sheffield; grandchildren, Jarren, Anna, Kaleb, Lorenzo, La’Raina, Uzziah and Aubri; brother, Arnold K. Smith (Amanda); sisters, Sezilee Reid, Blanche Smith and Germaine Baugh (Paul); mother-in-law, Val Marie Royal; brother-in-law, Willie Bristor and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
The remains will repose from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 25, at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. Masks are required.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
MS. HELEN JONES SMITH
MR. RONNIE WIMBLEY
Mr. Ronnie E. Wimbley, of Tampa, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, June 26, at 11:00 a.m. at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, 2101 N. Lowe Street, with Pas- tor Emeritus Wallace Bowers, officiat- ing. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park. Masks are re- quired.
Ronnie E. Wimbley was born in Tampa, Florida, on May 4, 1966. He grew up on the west side of town in Carver City. He attended Hillsborough County Schools and worked in the food industry as a Chef for over 15 years.
He was also a devoted member of St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Wallace Bowers.
You could count on him to be in the kitchen for any occasion, working the food drive pantry or the trans- portation ministry.
Ronnie was a selfless man full of life, who loved his family and friends dearly. You can guarantee laughter or encounter a smile when he is around. Have you met someone who listened to their oldie goldies, as he would say and only know half of the words? Ronnie could be called on for almost anything. He was also a die-hard Bucs fan - win or lose. To know him, is to love him. He was one of a kind.
He was preceded in death by: his mother, Mary Marie McClendon; fa- ther, Elbert Wimbley, Sr.; uncle; Mitchell Harris and brothers, Elbert Wimbley, Jr., and Darrel A. Wimbley.
He leaves to cherish his memory: eight kids, Ronnie Ervin (Jarsheequa), Islay Smith (Erika), Sierra Wimbley, Robert Rodriquez, Jennifer Alexan- der, Alexa Wimbley and Rodger Cow- ards (Temetris) and his love of 23 years, Carolyn Sibley; seven grand- kids, Zahira Ervin, Makayla Ervin, Samari Albury, Jaquavis Cobb, Brook’Lynn Alexander, Rodjnae Cow- ards and Breonna Cowards; five sis- ters, Mary Wimbley-Green, Patricia Wimbley-Faulk, Barbara Wimbley- Wright (Calvin), Mildred Wimbley- Russell (Rico) and Althea Wimbley; one brother, Richard (Ricky) Wimb- ley; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Wimb- ley and Melanie Wimbley; 37 nieces and nephews, LaToya Wingfield (Tony), LaTonya Williams (Carlos), Gilbert Sandoval, Arthur Redrick, An- thony Redrick, Valerie Williams, Fred- erick Williams, Carolyn Williams, Deborah Mays (husband), Harold Kee- bler, Tina Thomas, Delo Faulk, Jr., Nello Faulk, Amanda Faulk (husband), Jessica Wimbley, La’Trena Wimbley, Bridgette Powell (husband), Tasha Crawley (husband), Nekeyla Kinney, Corina Bacon, Cerissa Wimbley, Mon- ica Hatter, Myron Wimbley, Lonnie Bell Jr. (wife), Shaylonnie Bell, Kierra Wimbley, Jarad Wimbley, Artaybius Billingsley, Angela Billingsley-Garrett (James), Calvon Wright, Calvoneisha Wright, Kat-Derron Hannah, Jr., Paul Anderson, Ashley Thomas and An- thony Carnegie; many cousins, great nieces, nephews, close friends, Manuel, Jimmy and Cheryl; best friend, Tasha Thomas and mother in love, Laura Pritchett.
A public viewing will take place on Friday, June 25, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home. Masks are required.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
WILSON
MS. DEIRDRE GWENETTE WARD
A Homegoing Memorial Service for Ms. Deirdre Gwenette Ward of Tampa, Florida, who passed on Sun- day, June 20, 2021, will be held on Sunday, June 27th, 2021 at 1 p. m. at Mt. Olive A. M. E. Church, 1902 W. LaSalle Street, Tampa, Florida, with Rev. Gregory V. Gay, Sr., officiating.
Ms. Deirdre Gwenette Ward was born on September 11, 1961 in West Palm Beach, Florida to the late Thomas and Lutherine Ward. Deirdre graduated from King High School. Her former employments included plain clothes store Detec- tive with JC Penny and TJ Maxx, Parking Enforcement Officer with University of South Florida, City of Tampa Parking/Code Enforcement, West Coast Shuttle Driver and Hills- borough County School District as a Bus Driver transporting special needs children.
Ms. Ward was known and loved by many as “DD,” and was a faithful member of Mt. Olive A. M. E. Church of West Tampa.
She leaves to cherish memories of her with: son, Roy Commissiong; grandson, Malicah Commissiong; siblings, Andrea Eachus, Thomas Ward, Jr. and Karen Chaney; nieces and nephew, Cierra Chaney Porter, Tasha Ward and Thomas Ward, III; a very special dear friend, Joyce Bel- lamy; other friends including the Mt. Olive A. M. E. Church family and a host of other dear relatives and friends.
Family and friends are asked to assemble on Sunday, June 27th, 2021 at1p.m.atthechurchforherme- morial service. We are following the CDC guidelines.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralholme.com
Ms. Helen Jones Smith of Apollo Beach, Florida, passed away on Thurs- day, June 17, 2021. Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, June 26, at 2 p. m. at Love First Christian Center, 12847 Balm Riverview Road, Riverview, FL 33579, with Pastor Ed- ward Bland, officiating. MASKS ARE REQUIRED.
In lieu of flowers, please send do- nations to Greater Hopewell Mission- ary Baptist Church (Attn: In Memory of Helen Smith), 515 NW 6th Terrace, Ocala, FL 34475. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park.
Helen Jones Smith was born on October 23, 1932 in Ocala, Florida, to the late James and Edith Jones. She at- tended Marion County Public Schools, where she graduated from Howard Academy High School in June of 1950. Helen passed away peacefully at Bran- don Regional Hospital on Thursday, June 17, 2021.
Helen resided in Ocala all of her life up until April 6, 2019. She was a dedicated member and Sunday school student at Greater Hopewell Mission- ary Baptist Church under the pastor- age of the late Reverend Dr. George W. Lee and current Pastor, Reverend Dr. Edward Bland. After becoming a dialy- sis patient and needing more assis- tance with her health, she relocated to Tampa, Florida on April 7, 2019, to live with family members, LaTara and Henderson Taylor.
In 2020, with Tampa as her new home, she formally joined First Bap- tist Church of Progress Village, under the leadership of Dr. Samuel L. Maxwell, where she was a faithful member of her Sunday School class. Even on some of her most challenging days, Helen faithfully studied her les- sons and attended classes via Zoom.
For many years, Helen worked at the pet shop in Ocala where she found great enjoyment. She often talked about writing a book of anecdotes on some of the “wild and crazy” encoun- ters with some of the animals (and even customers)! For a period of time, Helen also serviced others as a stylist in a beauty salon.
Finally, before retiring to help take care of her beloved mother, Edith Jones, Helen worked a number of years working at Sally’s Beauty Supply as a customer representative.
Proving to be a trailblazer for other seniors, Helen was not the typical eighty-eight-year-old. She was active on social media and was the “queen” of texting and sending emojis! Her warm smile, charming laugh, and sharp witty humor will be missed.
Helen is preceded in death by both her parents, James and Edith Jones.
She leaves to cherish loving mem- ories: first cousins, Betty J. Watkins of Orlando, Florida, Lillie Howard (Gene) of Miami Florida, Michael Hay- good of West Palm Beach, Florida, Christopher Sims (Angela) of Kings Mountain, North Carolina and LaTara Sims Taylor (Henderson) of Apollo Beach, Florida and a host of other relatives and friends.
The remains will repose from 4 – 7 p. m. on Friday, June 25 at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue. MASKS ARE RE- QUIRED.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
MR. RICHARD J. REED, JR.,
A Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Richard J. Reed, Jr., who tran- sitioned this earthly life on June 7, 2021, will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at Wilson Funeral Home Chapel, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida, at 12 noon with Rev. Dr. Earl B. Mason, Sr., Offici- ating. Interment to follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Richard J. Reed, Jr., the son of the late, Richard J. Reed, Sr., and Arie Reed was born on September 16, 1945, in Russell County, Ala- bama. He was a student of the Hills- borough County School System, and attended Booker T. Washing- ton High School.
Richard was a builder; carpen- try was his passion and his lifelong career. Working for many years at Butler Construction Company as a Superintendent, and became a Master Carpenter in the trade. Richard loved football and even coached little league football. He was also a member of Progressive Baptist Church for many years.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; sisters, Lillie Knight and Jimmie C. Dempsey; and brothers, Robert Hampton and Louis Hogan, Jr.
Those left to cherish his memo- ries and continue his legacy of love are: his 3 sons, Richard J. Reed, III, “Felton,” of Tampa, FL., Dalvin Devine, of Gainesville, FL. and An- thony Young, of Tampa, FL.; four grandchildren, Donte Reed, Richard J. Reed, IV, Chandra Reed and Shatika James; five siblings, Andrew Reed (Betty), of Defray Beach, FL., Willie Reed of Tampa, Simmon Reed (Brenda), of Lake- land FL., Soloman Reed (Esmer- alda), of Lakeland FL., Lottie Reed; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who will miss him dearly. May the memories of him be a blessing to his church family, friends, neighbors and all those he knew.
There will be a viewing on Fri- day, June 25, 2021, from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home.
Due to the current CDC restric- tions; we are asking that you use the visitation as an opportunity to pay your final respect. For your convenience and safety, we have ex- tended our visitation hours.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
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