Page 39 - Florida Sentinel 1-21-22

Funerals
RAY WILLIAMS
MR. RICKEY RICARDO ESCALANTE
Mr. Rickey Ricardo Es- calante of Tampa, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. The Celebra- tion of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at St. John Cathedral, 3401 Bishop Eddie Newkirk Way, Tampa, FL 33605, with Pastor Dwight Newkirk, offici- ating. COVID-19 GUIDELINES OF WEARING MASKS AND SO- CIAL DISTANCING WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. Inter- ment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Rickey Ricardo Es- calante was born on June 26, 1956, in Tampa to Mr. and Mrs. Olegario Antonio and Susie Lee Williams Escalante. He re- ceived his early education in the Hillsborough County Public Schools system and graduated from Robinson High School in 1974.
Since Rickey was a people person, it was quite fitting that he obtained a Certification in Customer Service and worked for companies such as Met Life, Colonial Penn, Chase, PMSI, United Rental, Ameri Group, and Home Depot (part-time).
His hobbies included danc- ing, modeling, decorating, home crafts and decor, and gar- dening. Rickey had such a dis- tinctive flair for fashion. During his formative years, he attended Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church with his mother on a regular basis. Rickey accepted Christ in later years and united with St. John Missionary Bap- tist Church, where he was bap- tized by senior pastor, Elder Eddie Newkirk. Rickey immedi- ately connected with the Usher’s Ministry and became a member of the Young Adults Usher Ministry and served as Vice President. He also became President of the Youth Ushers
Ministry. Rickey remained a faithful member until the Lord called him from “labor to re- ward” and he gained his Heav- enly wings on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.
Rickey was preceded in death by: his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Olegario Antonio (Susie Lee William) Escalante; brother, George Escalante; and nephew, George R. Escalante, Jr.
Rickey leaves to cherish many fond memories with: Mary, his loving and devoted wife of 41 years; two caring sons, Carlos and Eric Escalante; grandchildren, Judea, Sunsare, Britanna, Ceyani, Carlos, Jr., Te’Carry, and Erika Escalante; great granddaughter, Chaylianna Escalante; five brothers, Antonio Escalante (Virginia), Roosevelt Escalante (Gloria), Willie Escalante (Joy), Frank Escalante (Rita) of Mitchellville, Maryland, and Joseph Escalante (Tanya) of Or- lando, Florida; mother-in-law, Letitia Shaw; four sisters-in- law, Kathy Escalante, Nicole Davis (Ronnie), LaShanki Shaw, and Carla Gainer (Tallie, III); four brothers-in-law, Walter Shaw (Junette), Benjamin Shaw (Misty), Shawn Shaw, and Sher- rod Shaw; five godchildren, Ariel Thompson, Courtney Wright, Malachi Jenkins, Jimirra Matia, and Taraji Har- rell; two godsisters, Leatrice Franklin, and Janice Andrews; a host of special families and friends including, Aunt Rosie Abrams, The Davis Family, The Gainer Family, The Johnson Family, The Dexter Family, The Brown Family, The Miller Fam- ily, Sharon Thompson, Bonnie “Queen” Rushing, Janice Troupe, Patricia Meredith, Jas- mine Roe, Sharon Allen, Ellen Robinson, Irene Bedford, Jackie Stenson, and Andrew and Vir- ginia Newton; and, a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, classmates, co-work- ers, church family, and ex- tended family and friends.
The Family abundantly thanks Dr. Silva Kumar and staff, especially Nurse Joy Earn- hart, Dr. Raphael Blasini, Dr. Eugene Ward, Dr. Parks, Option Care, Northdale Pharmacy, the Roe Family, and Ebba Wilson.
Visitation will be held on Fri- day, January 21, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. John Cathedral, 3401 Bishop Eddie Newkirk Way, Tampa, FL 33605. MASKS REQUIRED.
Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes and Northern, owners.
WILSON
MR. ROBERT LEE BYRD, JR.
A graveside service for Mr. Robert Lee Byrd, Jr., who passed on January 12, 2022, will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Rest Haven Me- morial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Ave. Tampa, Florida with Rev. W.D. Sims, Officiating. In- terment will follow.
Mr. Robert Lee Byrd, Jr., was born on February 9, 1967, in Tampa, Florida to Rosetta Reed and the late Robert Lee Byrd.
Robert loved spending qual- ity time with his friends, family and dogs (Boots, Little Momma, and Zach). He loved listening to his music and traveling. He was a diehard Tampa Bay Buccaneers
fan.He was preceded in death by: his father, Robert Lee Byrd; brother, Patrick Reed; maternal grandmother, Inez Maxwell; un- cles, Cornelius Reed, David Bat- tle and Wesley Mays.
He leaves to cherish memo- ries of him with his children, Daizsa Byrd (James), Robert Byrd, III; grandchild, Chase Wil- son; mother, Rosetta Reed; sis- ter, Sharon Byrd; nieces, Jessica Cantava, Jaquisha Cantave and Asia Byrd; nephews, Silvio Byrd (Shericka), Ahmad Freeman, Cassio Byrd, Jabari Fuller, Ja- coby Fontaine, Cairo Byrd, Patrick Reed, Jr., (and kids) and Patdale Reed; aunties, Evelyn Reed, Roberta Byrd-Terrell, Irne Daniels and Luvonie Williams; uncles, Elijah Reed (Dorothy), James Reed, Eddie Lee Reed; cousins, Arnetta Williams, Aaron Green, Ciera Reed (and kids), Antonio Reed, Letaria Reed and a host of other cousins; other rel- atives including, Setidra Brown, Brenda Jackson, Latonya Gar- rett, Mary Moore, Dorothy Moore, Bernadette Brown, Ray Mullis and a host of other rela- tives and friends.
There will be a viewing on Wednesday January 19, 2022 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida. Due to the current CDC restrictions; we are asking that you use the visita- tion as an opportunity to pay your final respect. For your con- venience and safety, we have ex- tended our visitation hours.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
DEACONESS ERNESTINE KELLY, “TINE”
A Homegoing Celebration for Deaconess Ernestine “Tine” Kelly will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at North- side Missionary Baptist Church, 5706 N. 40th Street, Tampa, Florida, Rev. Ricardo Robinson, Pastor with Rev. Leonard Her- rington, Officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memo- rial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, Florida.
Mr. Ernestine “Tine” Kelly was born October 30, 1939 in Quincy, Florida to Preston and Lucy Mae Bostick. She attended the public schools of Gadsden County and graduated from Carter-Parramore High School. In 1960, she moved to Tampa, Florida with her husband Deacon James Kelly (who preceded her in death). From this union God blessed them with five children; Jamesena, Bennie, DeWayne (who preceded her in death), James, Jr., and Cheryl Kelly.
She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and dedicated her life to His serv- ice. She assisted in the founding of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church which is now Northside Missionary Baptist Church where she served as choir member, Dea- coness, and a member of the Jor- dan Chorus.
Ernestine worked for the City of Tampa as a Meter Maid for 30 years. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, attending sporting events, gardening, cooking Sun- day feasts, reading, reciting poems, singing, and playing the piano. She was affectionately loved and known throughout the neighborhood for her soda ma- chine business and humorous pep talks under the carport.
On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, Sister Kelly answered the call from the Almighty and departed from this earthly life.
She leaves to cherish fond memories of her with: children, Jamesena Murdock, Bennie, James, Jr., and Cheryl Kelly; grandchildren, Kerri, Sherena, Sherod, Khemaron (Jessica), Bre- Ana, Kajai, Donisha, DeWayne, Jr., Andre, Shameka, James, III, Brittney, Jaymeishia, Jackiesha, Jaytavion, Raymond, and Jayla; host of great grandchildren; sis- ter, Lucy Mae Sanders; nieces, nephews, and cousins; brothers- in-law, Deacons John, Leroy, and Felix Kelly; sisters-in-law, Hattie Grier, Mollie Ashley, Ollie, Vera Mae, and Betty Kelly and a host of other relatives and friends.
There will be a viewing on Fri- day January 22, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Northside Missionary Baptist Church.
“A Wilson Service www.wilson-funeralhome.com
MR. CLIFTON DEMOND MYERS, SR.
Mr. Clifton Demond Myers, Sr., (Aka Doc) of Tampa, Florida, passed away on Monday, Janu- ary 10, 2022. Graveside Home- going Service will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022, 10:30 a.m. at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, Florida, 33610, with Speaker Danielle Engram, Eulogist. A native of Tampa, Mr. Clifton D. Myers (Doc) was born on September 4, 1976, to Leola and William Joseph Laundry, Sr. He was educated in the Hillsbor- ough County School System.
He was preceded in death by: his brother, Adrian Myers; grandparents, Frances Diggs and Willie Waters; aunts, De- lores Robinson, Gloria Buckmer and uncle, David Myers.
Clifton leaves fond memories in the hearts of his family that in- clude: his beloved children, sons, Clifton D. Myers, Jr., De’Quan J. Myers, De’Quwan A. Myers and daughter, Clineshia Myers (Herbin Guion, Jr.); granddaughter, Saibree Ella Myers; parents, Leola and William J. Laundry; devoted brothers, Andre Myers, Earl Jr., Joseph Laundry Myers, II, Daniel Laundry and Octavius Laundry (Monique Simpson); aunts, Ether Waters, Linda Myers; uncle, Jimmy Myers (Pam Myers); nieces, Te’Andra Myers (Anthony), Yasmins Myers, Akirah Myers, Jalia Laundry, Imani Laundry, Mariyah Laundry, Mia Laundry, My’oni Laundry; nephews, Joseph Laundry, III, Octavius Laundry, Jr., and Ryleigh Laun- dry; great niece, Zuri Hardaway; along with other cherished cousins, friends and neighbors too numerous to list.
There will be a viewing Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida.
Due to the current CDC re- strictions; we are asking that you use the visitation as an opportu- nity to pay your final respect. For your convenience and safety, we have extended our visitation hours.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
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