Page 33 - Florida Sentinel 2-25-22

Funerals/Memoriam
RAY WILLIAMS
MRS. GLORIA BATTIESE WHITE
Mrs. Gloria Battiese White, of Tampa, Florida, passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2022. Visitation will be held on Satur- day, February 26, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, Florida 33606, with Rev. Larry Roundtree of New Mt. Zion Mis- sionary Baptist Church deliver- ing words of comfort. MASKS RECOMMENDED.
Mrs. White, second child of Henry, Sr., and Mae Battiese, was born on September 21, 1928, in Tampa, Florida. She was a member of St, Peter Claver Catholic Church and more re- cently, New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. White was educated at St. Peter Claver Catholic School and Middleton High School, graduating with the Class of 1947. She worked at Na- tional Linen Services for over forty years before retiring. “Ms. Gloria,” as she was known by some, was a very independent woman who could perform minor repairs on her automo- biles and basic electrical work on her home. She was somewhat of a “tomboy” who was physically strong with a wiry build, earning her the nickname “Bam Bam.”
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Daniel White; youngest child, Portia White; and brother, Henry Battiese, Jr. Mrs. White leaves to cherish lov- ing memories with: her children, Norman Murray, Beverly Had- den, Gail White, and Eric White (Linda); sisters-in-law, Nell White and Marjorie White; grandchildren, Girardeau Mur- ray, Shawnese White, Jimmie McClendon (Princess), Donnie McClendon, Ashely Murray, Eric Colbert (Merlyn), and Kevin White; several great grandchil- dren; and many other relatives and friends.
Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes and Northern, owners.
MR. LOUIS W. MITCHELL
MRS. NELDA LARETTA WRIGHT
Mrs. Nelda Laretta (Gray) (Hymon) Wright of Temple Ter- race, Florida, made her heavenly transition on Thursday, February 10, 2022. Celebration of Life Serv- ices will be held on Saturday, Feb- ruary 26, 2022, 3:00 p.m. at Exciting Faith Alive, 5705 E. 32nd Ave., Tampa, Florida 33619, with Pastor Antonio R. Hawkins, officiating. MASKS REQUIRED.
Mrs. Wright was born on De- cember 28, 1950, and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She moved to the Tampa area in July 2020, to be with her daughter and grandchildren. She was educated in the Harrisburg Public Schools system. Nelda graduated from William Penn High School, Class of 1968. She was employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue until she retired in January 2020.
Nelda was a faithful member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, where she formally served as the Church Secretary under Reverend Owens. In addition, she served in the JAC Gospelairs, Sanctuary Choir, Usher board, Missionary Ministry and faithfully attended Sunday school. When she relo- cated to Tampa, she transferred her membership to Exciting Faith Alive under the leadership of Pas- tor Antonio Hawkins, where she faithfully attended services both in person and virtually.
Nelda enjoyed laughing, read- ing, watching the Tyler Perry “Madea” movies, traveling and just simply being in the company of others. Most of all, she enjoyed the time she spent with her daugh- ter, grandchildren, great grand- children, siblings, family and friends.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Anthony Wright; mother and father Gladys Gray Hymon and Isaiah Hymon, Jr.; grandparents, Eddie and Cassie Gray; sisters, Arlene Holt, Carla Williams and Tracy Grady.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her one and only child, Una Hymon; grandchildren, Kadeem Hymon (Khadijah), Ky’Llen Hymon, KeiJuwan Hymon, and Johnika Allison; great grandchildren, Miracle Alli- son, Erich Hymon, Mi’Kayla Alli- son, Rheaiya Hymon, Faiythe Hymon, Kaiyd Hymon (Due April 2022); siblings, Carol Hymon- Huitt, James Hymon, Denise Hymon Brown (Micah), Marcia Hymon Jackson (Zachary) and, a host of nieces, nephews and spe- cial friends.
Visitation will be held on Fri- day, February 25, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Exciting Faith Alive, 5705 E. 32nd Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33619. MASKS RE- QUIRED.
Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes and Northern, owners.
MRS.MATTIE LEE TELFAIR
Mrs. Mattie Lee Boykins Telfair, of Tampa, Florida, took her last breath surrounded by family, on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Celebra- tion of Life Services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of West Tampa, 1302 N. Willow Avenue, Tampa, Florida, 33607, with Rev- erend Dr. Rayford Harper, officiat- ing. MASKS RECOMMENDED. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4207 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610.
Mrs. Mattie Lee Boykins Telfair was born in Parrish, Florida, on June 17, 1927. She attended the schools of Manatee County and later moved to Tampa, Florida. On February 2, 1944, she married Herman Telfair, Sr. To their union were born Mary Lee Telfair Cooper and Herman Telfair, Jr.
In 1998, she retired from the Hillsborough County-West Tampa Neighborhood Service Center after 33-1/2 years of service.
Mrs. Telfair was a faithful mem- ber and tither for over 60 years at the First Baptist Church of West Tampa, Reverend Rayford Harper, pastor.
She was preceded in death by: her dear grandmother, Pinkie Williams Trueville; loving parents, Ida Boykins Stanley and James Boykins; precious son, Herman Lee Telfair, Jr.; niece, Patricia Boykins; sister, Ida Ray Boykins; and, devoted husband of 70 years, Herman Lee Telfair, Sr.
Mrs. Telfair leaves to forever cherish fond and loving memories: her devoted and ever loving daugh- ter, Mary Lee Telfair Cooper and son- in-law, James Cooper; sister, Jacqueline Grant; grandchildren, Sonya Wilson, Daryl Wilson, Sr., Jamie Cooper, Sherrie Koon and dear friend, Curtis Williams, II; great grandchildren, Daryl Wilson, Jr., Brittany Brown, George Messer, Jr., Natalie Marlena Cooper, Jaylon Thomas, Olivia Durant-Hall (DeBar- ris, Sr.), Gabrielle Elmotier’-Marie Collins, and Karrington Elizabeth- Marie Collins; great, great grandchil- dren, LaKayla Marie Willingham, Cason Wilson, Harper Wilson, Is- abelle Wilson, Paris E. Hall, and De- Barris Hall, Jr.; devoted nieces, Kay Frances Long (Littleton), Debra Blanchett, Carolyn Plummer-Riley, Cynthia Nunn Govantes, Robin Telfair, Tameka Bennett, JoAnn Marshall, Sheria Boykins, Cassandra Tucker, Mary Solomon, Terrelle Solomon, and Carolyn Bennett; treas- ured nephews, Clifford “Earl the Pearl” Boykins (Lois); Clifford Chap- pelle (Tanya), Elvis Telfair, Kenneth Blanchett, Jr., and Rodney Thomas, II, (Tonya); cousins, Daisy Mae Cooper of Parrish, Florida, Eula Mae Strange, Ruby Barns, Carolyn “Cat” Lewis, Dudley Sims (Mattie), Dale Powell, Delores McGriff, Brian Reed, Darlene Powell; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33606. MASKS REC- OMMENDED.
Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes and Northern, Owners.
MR. ROCKY D. STEVENS
Mr. Rocky D. Stevens, of Tampa, Florida, transitioned to his heavenly home on Thursday, Feb- ruary 17, 2022. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, Florida, 33606, with Bishop Anthony Gilyard, offi- ciating. MASKS RECOMMENDED.
Rocky was born in Tampa, Florida, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. James and Catherine Stevens. He resided here on earth for 62 years. He was educated in the Hills- borough County Public School sys- tem and he graduated from East Bay High School. He was a dedi- cated employee of the Coca-Cola Florida Company until his demise. Rocky loved the Lord!
Rocky was preceded in death by: his father, James Stevens.
He leaves to cherish the mem- ory of time spent together: his beloved wife and two children; mother, Mother Catherine Stevens; siblings, Viveca Philon (Paul), Yogi J. Stevens, Maury Stevens, and Trini Stevens; cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles; devoted friends, Elder Michael Savage, Dea- con Burroughs, Deacon Gallon, Deacon P. Henfield; and many other friends.
Visitation will be held on Thurs- day, February 24, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Av- enue, Tampa, Florida 33606. MASKS RECOMMENDED.
Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes and Northern, owners.
Mr. Louis W. Mitchell of Tampa, Florida, passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2022. Fu- neral Services will be on Sunday, February 27, 2022, 1:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33606, officiating. Visita- tion will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. MASKS RECOMMENDED. Inter- ment will be on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, Florida 34241.
Mr. Louis Mitchell was a na- tive of Fort Gaines, Georgia, and a resident of Tampa for six years. He attended Calhoun County High School in Fort Gaines and Automotive Technical Post Grad School in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was a member of Mission Hills Baptist Church, in Tampa. Mr. Mitchell was a dis- abled veteran of the United States Air Force. He enjoyed fish- ing, swimming, and most of all, spending time with family.
Mr. Mitchell was preceded in death by: his father, Clarence Mitchell, Sr., mother, Emma Mae Mitchell; aunt, Pearline Harrison and husband, J.C. Harrison; sis- ters, Alice Harris and Barbara J. Robinson; and brothers, Clarence Mitchell, Jr., and Willie Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell leaves to cherish his memory: children, DuVone Mitchell of Massachusetts, Dawana L. Perry (Winston) of Virginia; grandchildren, Deyara Mitchell of Georgia; Devaughn, Aiyana, DuVone, Jr., and Dashante Mitchell of Massachu- setts; Dashira and Dyani Dow- son, Jayden and Jonas Perry, all of Virginia; siblings, Eddie J. Mitchell and longtime compan- ion Cena, of Hawaii; Joannie Whye (Menaris) of Florida, Brenda Carter (David) of Vir- ginia; brother-in-law, Curtis Robinson; and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes and Northern, owners.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOTHER
MAGGIE LENOR WILLIAMS
I know that you are in heaven on your birthday, February 20th, but it seems like you just left us. It still hurts. We miss you and your smile on your special day. Rest in peace in Christ.
From your daughter, Mamie Frances and family.
PAGE 18-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022