Page 29 - Florida Sentinel 1-1-16 Edition

Funerals/Memoriams
JACKSON
RAY WILLIAMS
MR. JEFFREY CODIO
Homegoing celebration for Mr. Jeffrey Codio of Tampa, who passed away on Friday, December 11, 2015, at a local healthcare facility, will be held Saturday, Janu- ary 2, 2016, at The Apostolic Church of Jesus, 2708 E. Os- borne Ave., Tampa, at 1 p. m., Rev. Samuel Washington, pastor, with Pastor Lucius Harris, officiating.
Jeffrey was born in Tampa on May 28, 1982, to Ms. Maryse I. Codio and Mr. Wil- son Dorsey. He was educated in the Hillsborough County Schools.
Jeffrey worked for a chain of fast food restaurants in the Tampa Bay area and At- lanta, GA area. He was em- ployed with Wendy’s for 17 years and at the time of his demise Jeffrey was a General Manager.
He was well-known and respected for his love by his family and friends.
Jeffrey was a loving son, father, brother, nephew, cousin and friend.
He leaves to cherish fond memories: son, Izayah Joseph-Codio; mother, Maryse I. Codio; father, Wil- son Dorsey; sister, Elizabeth Fleury-Jean; brother, Berlioz Alexander Codio; best friend, Mark Grant; and beloved, Kianna “Cora” Perry; along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and co- workers.
The visitation will be held at Jackson Funeral Home, 4605 34th Street, Tampa, on Saturday, January 2, 2016, from9a.m.–12p.m.The family and friends are asked to assemble at the church (2708 E. Osborne Ave.) at 12:45 p. m.
Arrangements and ser- vices entrusted to JACKSON FUNERAL HOME.
MRS. BETTY JO FRANKLIN
Mrs. Betty Jo Franklin of Tampa, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2015.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, January 2, 2016, at 2 p. m. at First Baptist Church of West Tampa, 1302 N. Willow Avenue, with Reverend Dr. Rayford Harper, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Franklin was a native and lifelong resident of Tampa.
She was a graduate of Howard W. Blake High School.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Ronald E. Franklin; loving and devoted daughter, Twili Moore; 5 grandchildren, Kiwanna, Tyjuana, Ronald, Kevrick and Terrica; 6 great grandchildren, Jahiem, Alaysia, Ivyionna, Aryah, Sky'la and Keari; 3 broth- ers, Eddie, Jimmie (Rose), and Reginald (Joan); 3 sis- ters, Edith, Shirley Ann (Rick), and Cynthia (Bernard); 7 nephews, Ronald, Brent, Edward, Jimmie, Jr., Justin, Jordan and Ramon; 2 nieces, Sheryl and Sherece; 2 great nephews, Lavon and Kavon; and mother-in-law, Clara Spain, all of Tampa; 4 stepchildren, Demetria, Willie, Antonio and Ayashia, all of Ft. Myers, FL; longtime friends, Betty, Carolyn, Jeraldine and Melany; and a host of great nephews and nieces, cousins, other sorrowing relatives and friends.
The remains will repose from 4-7 p. m., Thursday, December 31 at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
MR. ROBERT JAMES JONES
Mr. Robert James Jones of Tampa, passed away Mon- day, December 21, 2015.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Janu- ary2,2016,at2p.m.at34th Street Church of God, 3000 N. 34th St., Tampa, 33605, Bishop Thomas Scott, pastor, with Reverend James Murphy of St. James A. M. E. Church, officiating. Inter- ment will follow in Orange Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Jones was a native and lifelong resident of Tampa, and was educated in the Hillsborough County Public Schools.
Mr. Jones was an entre- preneur, managing many businesses such as, world- wide moving company, plumbing, construction, roofing, barbering, and as a club owner.
Robert was competent in many skills. On any given day, he could be moving people, painting, cutting trees, helping the neighbor- hood kids, barbecuing and cutting hair.
He is preceded in death by: his parents, James and Viola Jones; and sister, Brenda S. Jones formerly of Swainsboro, GA.
Robert leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and devoted wife, Eulisa Jones; sons, Algeren Lock, Robert James Jones, Jr., Jevonta Godwin and Harold Williams; daughter, Shanise Williams; granddaughter, Raquel Godwin; sisters, Diana Murphy (James) of Tampa, Darlene Bivins (Willie) of Tallahassee, FL, Sherry Willingham (Roo- sevelt) of Tampa, Linda Faye Moore of Tampa, Brenda Kaye Williams (Alvin) of Tampa, Phyllis Storebridge (Mike) of Swainsboro, GA, and Valerie Oliver of Tampa; brothers, Nathaniel Oliver (Michelle) of Tampa, and Tommy Hill of Tampa; aunts, Mary Outlaw, Dover, FL, Annie Davis, West Palm Beach, FL, and Debra Jelks of Tampa; and a host of sor- rowing nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family and friends.
The remains will repose from 4-7 p. m., Thursday, De- cember 31 at Ray Williams
MR. MELVIN HOLMES
Mr. Melvin Holmes passed away Thursday, December 24, 2015, in Hemingway, South Carolina.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Janu- ary2,2016,at9a.m.atRay Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue. In- terment will follow in Gar- den of Memories Cemetery.
Mr. Holmes, strength in character and gentle in spirit, was born on January 22, 1950 and was raised by his adoptive mother, Ida Mae Williams in Perrine, FL, a subsidiary of Miami, FL.
Melvin Holmes was a 1967 graduate of Benjamin E. Mays High School in Miami, FL, where he excelled in aca- demics and football. He had multiple talents which in- cluded, being an honor stu- dent and playing football at NC A&T.
Melvin majored in busi- ness with a minor in account- ing. He graduated in 1971 with academic honors -cum laude. Being an exceptional football player garnered a full football scholarship at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. During his athletic tenure, he won many accolades and awards. Exam- ples of his athletic prowess included being selected as captain of the football team (junior and senior years), CIAA All-American (junior and senior years) and Best Offensive Lineman for CIAA Conference (senior year). During his athletic tenure, North Carolina A&T State University won the 1968 Black College Championship. As a result, the entire team will be inducted into the NC A&T Sports Hall of Fame Class in September 2016.
In 1971, Melvin Holmes was drafted as an offensive lineman in the 5th round to the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of two highest drafted play- ers to the NFL. He played with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1971 until 1973.
Subsequently, he joined
the newly formed United States Football League (USFL) and played as an of- fensive lineman from 1974- 1976. He retired from the NFL in 1976.
His professional career, after football included, serv- ing as a financial analyst for a bank and The Department of Commerce. Ultimately, he was an entrepreneur/owner of a Burger King franchise, a chocolate chip cookie busi- ness, and a seafood market from 1977 through 1986. He also served as a Coordinator of Student Programs for Vet- erans of Upward Bound at Dade Community College.
He married Joan Bradley Holmes, his college sweet- heart, in December 1971 in Muncie, Indiana.
He is the father of Melvin (Brad) Holmes, a North Car- olina A&T graduate who also played football at North Car- olina A&T, and served as cap- tain of the football team during the year they won the MEAC Conference Champi- onship. He is currently, a Na- tional College Scout for St. Louis Rams.
His daughter, Tara Melicia Holmes, who is also a gradu- ate from North Carolina A&T, is an industrial engi- neer and resides in Alexan- dria, VA - AGGIE PRIDE!!
Finally, after battling a se- ries of strokes and diabetes, he transitioned into his eter- nal home.
He was preceded in death by: his adoptive mother, Ida Mae Williams; his father, Elvin Williams; and a sister, Mae Queen Holmes.
Many are left to cherish his memory.
He is survived by: his wife, Dr. Joan B. Holmes; a daugh- ter, Tara Holmes Gibson (Harrington); a son, Melvin Bradley Holmes (Lisa); two granddaughters, who he adored, Taylor Junea Gibson and Alexandria Brooklyn Gibson; and a host of nephews, nieces, and friends.
Melvin Holmes had a pas- sion for football, was an ex- cellent athlete, loved business adventures, and loved building and creating.
Among his family, friends and associates, he was most noted for his natural sense of humor, fearlessness, and in- tellect. His most important passion was his love for his children.
THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC VIEWING.
Arrangement entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
IN MEMORIAM
FLORETTA HODGE
In loving memory of our Mother.
From, family. We love you always.
IN MEMORY OF
KATRINA DENISE STILLINGS March 24, 1959 – December 31, 2010
Five years ago, God came and took you home. You’re missed and loved.
No “Mema, I’m home.”
Mema, Mark, Cachery L, Darrell, Brandan, Vester, Shanna, Uncle Earthie, and others.
Funeral Home, Howard Avenue.
301 N.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
Subscribe Today By Calling (813) 248-1921
PAGE 20-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016