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Matriarch To Be Honored At 100th Birthday Celebration
Because He Laid Down His Life For Me
Lord, I worship You and thank You that even before the creation of the world You chose me to be holy and blameless in Your sight. Thank You that because of Your great love, You predestined me to be adopted as Your child through Jesus in accordance with Your will. Thank You, Jesus, that because of You I have been redeemed through the shedding of Your blood. Lord, I know that I have sinned and fall far short of Your glory (Romans 3:23). Thank You for forgiving me. Thank You that even though I was dead in sin, You have made me alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5). Thank You for the rich- ness of Your mercy and grace which You have lavished on me.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begot- ten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. JOHN 3:16
Lord, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be my Savior and Redeemer. Praise You, Jesus, for the price You paid, the sacrifice You made, and he unthinkable suffering and death You willingly endured on the cross for me. Because of You, I am forgiven and now have made peace with my Cre- ator. Thank You for giving me new birth into a life of hope be- cause of Your resurrection. You enlarged my path under me; so my feet did not slip (2 Samuel 22:36-37). Lord, I thank You that I have been saved and reconciled to You because of Your Son, Jesus (Romans 5:10-11).
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reared in heaven for you.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Friday, one Tampa res- ident will celebrate her 100th birthday a day early with fam- ily and friends. Since 2012, Mrs. Estella Sierra has resided at The Rehabilitation and Health Care Center of Tampa. And, members of the facility will join her family to help her celebrate her birth- day, April 18th.
Mrs. Sierra is a Afro Cuban who was born in Amer- ica. Her family migrated to new York, but after the death of her father, the family moved to Florida.
At the age of 10, Mrs. Sierra moved to Tampa and she has remained here since that time. After reaching adult- hood, Mrs. Sierra became a pioneer businesswoman. If one were to review her resume, they would learn that she has worked as a house cleaner.
But, that person would also learn that Mrs. Sierra nur- tured her ambitions and pur- sued goals to improve her quality of life. She decided to become a nurse and learned the trade through apprentice-
MRS. ESTELLA SIERRA ... To celebrate her 100th birthday
ship. She also was a property owner before it became wide- spread for women. She was a property owner for more than 25 years.
Later, she re-directed her passion to help others, when she began working with chil- dren. After many years of em- ployment, Mrs. Sierra retired as a kindergarten teacher.
Her life is rich with the his- tory of overcoming obstacles. During her early years, she survived the Great Depression where her family lost every-
thing. And, she has survived the deaths of loved ones who held a special place in her heart.
Now, her most recent ac- complishment is becoming a Centenarian when she turns 100 on Saturday.
Her hobbies include sewing, designing her own clothes, reading, going to church, and spending time with her family. She is the mother of one son, Dan Sierra, Mrs. Sierra is also the grandmother of 5 grand- children who will help her cel- ebrate her birthday.
Her son said, “Despite some Dementia, she remains in very good health. She is a delight to all those who meet her and may God continue to bless her.”
When asked how she felt about turning 100-years-old, Mrs. Sierra, who is a Chris- tian said, “Well, I don’t know. That means I was born in 1915. I haven’t thought much about it. I am happy about it, though.”
When asked about her se- cret for remaining so young looking, she replied, “I don’t know. I just live day by day.”
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015