Page 34 - Florida Sentinel 12-9-16 Online Edition

Funerals/Memoriam
where he was the woodshop in- structor. Andre coached the Bantam team of the Tampa Ea- gles for many years. He was lovingly known as “Coach Andre.” He later worked in Miami as a contractor after the devastating Hurricane Andrew helping to rebuild the numer- ous homes and businesses that were destroyed.
Andre was preceded in death by his parents, Jetie B., Sr., and Minnie Lee Wilds; brothers, Louis Bostick, Sr., Wilbert (Reggie) Wilds and Jetie B. Wilds, Jr.; and nephews, George W. Wilds, II and Johnny Armstrong, Jr.
He will be remembered by his daughters: Claricia (Pip) Wilds, Anita Young-Jones (John), Atlantis Young, Aun- drea Young and Simmona Maloy and son, Andrew James Young; grandchildren, Tomeshia Williams, Octavious Wilds, Shannon Wiggins, Javonta Turner, Jacquez Turner, Freddie Fagan, Dazju’a Fagan, DeFrederick Fagan, RoqueKeshia Sims, Roland Sims, Rolandus Sims, Rolando Sims, Wilbur Simpson, Jalaya Scott, Jermaine Anderson, Jonathan Scott, Jr., Marnecia Howard, Miranda Howard, Miriah Howard, Mar‘Asia Howard, Thomas Jefferson, Timothy Jefferson, Demetrius Maloy, Antonio Fiffie, Micheal Johnson, Stevonna Mosley, Miwan Tyson, Claricia Young, Atlantis Young and 12 great- grandchildren; brothers: George W. Wilds (Jaqueline), Bobby Wilds (Lynda), Elder Aaron Wilds, Horace Wilds and John Wesley Wilds; sisters: Apostle JoAnn Russell, Cynthia Wilds Williams (Johnny), and Annette Wilds; sister-in-law: Ozepher Wilds; his only surviv- ing aunt, Addie Bostick; nephews, Louis Bostick, Jr. (Rose), Reginald Bostick (Dessie), Garnell Wilds (Aramis), Lincoln Simmons (Michelle) of Atlanta, GA, Dar- ren Pinckney (Lacey), Delano Armstrong (Donna-Lisa), Bobby Wilds, Jr., Johnny Williams, Jr., Javan Williams, Sr. (Nichole), John Wesley Wilds, Jr. (Natalie), Oscar Terry (Leandra); nieces: Glenda Coleman, Dr. Debra Smith of Atlanta, GA, Tonya Bostick, Jemelle Wilds, Jeria Wilds, Carla Wilds, Stacie Wilds of Sarasota, Glennette Bruce of Orlando, Nicole Gyden (Clarence), Latrice Russell, Darrolyn Wilds, Tammi Wilds, Toni Collins, Cheryl Rowells, Iris Collins, Volya Hems, Sonya Wilds, Dee-Dee Wilds, Monica Hightower; Latoya Williams, Ashley Williams, Sherise Wilds, Joy Wilds, Tamara Wilds, Antoinette Green (Brit- tany); a host of cousins; The Al- lens, Bosticks, Burneys, Jerome Crawford and many friends including the West Tampa Clan.
There will be no viewing or wake.
FAMILY NOTICE
BIRTHDAY MEMORIAM
TYEKIA (LITTLE) RUSSELL
Missing my angel on this special day. Wishing you were here to take all the pain away. You are always in our hearts and one day we will see your pretty face again.
I know you are in heaven watching over us, and you are not in any more pain and free.
Wishing you a ‘Happy Birthday’ – Leona, June, Tolu, Bebop, Juhoe, Inez, Russell, Keisha, Shantia, Chico, Quisha, Lil TJ, and Lee Lee.
MR. CHARLES LEROY THOMAS
Longtime Hillsborough County business owner and community Civil Rights activist, Charles Leroy Thomas, Sr. passed away on Saturday morn- ing, December 3, 2016.
A Memorial Celebration for Mr. Thomas, Sr., will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at 1 p. m. at First Missionary Baptist Church of Seffner, 6720 County Rd. 579, Seffner, FL 33584, Rev. Nathaniel Love, Pastor.
Mr. Charles Leroy Thomas, Sr. was born on July 20, 1920, in Ocklawaha, Florida, to the late Mr. Charlie and Mrs. Annie Thomas. When he was a baby, his family moved to Tampa.
He attended Hillsborough County Public schools. As a 12- year-old, Charles Thomas was accepted, and enrolled in the ROTC program at St. Emma’s Naval Academy in Rockcastle, Virginia. After graduation from St. Emma’s, he returned home to attend Middleton High School.
At 16, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. After basic training, he completed requirements to be- come Quarter Master, moved on to become a Surgical Techni- cian, and was selected to be- come a member of the Elite 555th Parachute Infantry Battal- ion known as “The Triple Nick- les.” He made history as a pioneer paratrooper, and as a pioneer paratrooper firefighter.
He was a faithful member of First Missionary Baptist Church of Seffner, Florida until his health declined.
Charles, Sr. was married to Laura Dean Gainey on January 3, 1973.
Mr. Thomas owned and oper- ated several successful popular businesses with his wife Laura: The One Stop Inn, Seffner, The Turn Table, Eustis, FL; Laura’s Seafood & Barbeque, Eustis, and Barbeque Express, Hills- borough County
Charles was a dedicated fa- ther, grandfather, uncle, cousin, friend, and community servant.
He is preceded in death by his: sister, Mary Larry; son, Charles, Jr., cousin, Marilyn Glymph; grandchild, Tami Isaac; great-grand, Tierra Isaac, and other relatives.
He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and de- voted wife of 43 years, Mrs. Laura D. Thomas; daughters, Debra Nealy, Cheryl Thomas, Carmi (Tyran) Brown, Courtney Dabney; daughter-in- love (law), Gail Isaac-Thomas; grands, Sabrina, Marvin, Lak- isha, Cory, Julian, Ricardo (Doyin), Chelsie, Kelsie, Ka- mony, Zuri, and Scholar; 5 great-grands; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; in-laws: Ruby McDowell (James), William Gainey (Thelma), Vir- gie Anglin (Billy), Carolyn
Miller, Katie Booher, Dennis Gainey (Rose), and Bridget Gainey, and a host of friends.
Special ‘Thanks’ to Alana Perry, family, and staff for dedi- cated service, care, and love con- tinuously provided to Charles Thomas, Sr.
In lieu of flowers, a scholar- ship fund has been set up in his name. Send donations to: Carmi Brown, P. O. Box 11608, Tampa, FL 33610.
Immediately following his service, come to a “Black Power, Black Family” Barbeque Cele- bration at Copeland Park, 11001 N. 15th St., Tampa, FL 33612, Shelter #504. Wear dashikis or whatever you desire to show pride to honor Charles’ work in the Civil Rights movement.
MR. ANDRE JAMES WILDS
(AKA Dre)
A Memorial Service for Mr. Andre James Wilds, also known as ‘Dre,’ will be held Sat- urday, December 10, 2016, 11 a. m. at Tyer Temple United Methodist Church, 3303 N. 15th Street, Tampa, FL 33605.
Mr. Andre Wilds was born on December 21, 1952 to Jetie B. Wilds, Sr. and Minnie Lee Wilds of Tampa. He passed on December 2, 2016.
Andre was the eighth of twelve children.
He was a dedicated and lov- ing father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
As a brother, Andre meant the world to his siblings. He was always available to them regardless of the situation.
At an early age, Andre joined and attended Tyer Temple United Methodist Church. He was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough County, graduating from Howard W. Blake High School in 1971. While in high school, he played on the Yellow Jackets Football Team. After graduat- ing high school, he attended Vocational School where he earned his construction li- cense.
He became involved with the Ybor City Boys and Girls Club
FAMILY NOTICE
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 21-A