Page 31 - Florida Sentinel 10-5-18

Funerals/Card Of Thanks
JACOBS
MRS. MARTHA ELIZABETH HEWITT KENNEDY
A Mass of Celebration for Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Hewitt Kennedy, of Tampa, FL, who passed away on September 18, 2018, will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018, at 11 a. m., at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 1203 N. Nebraska Avenue, in Tampa. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Kennedy was born on November 3, 1924, to Mr. and Mrs. James Hewitt. She was the fifth child of this family. She was Baptized by Father Keil at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church.
A devout Catholic, Mrs. Kennedy was an active and faithful member of St. Peter Catholic Church and Resurrec- tion Catholic Church was her second church home.
Mrs. Kennedy was preceded in death by: her parents and brothers, James, Warren, and John, and sister, Alice.
Mrs. Kennedy’s sister, De- lores Hewitt Carmichael, is liv- ing in Los Angeles, CA. She is the mother of four daughters and one son.
Mrs. Kennedy is survived by: devoted son, Hewitt E. Smith; daughter, Sandra Kate Williams; granddaughters, Nas- tassia Elizabeth Smith, Kendra Varnado, and Isabel Varnado; godchildren, Mark Hart, Dorothy Banks, and Debra Washington; nephews, Mark Blackburn, Warren Hewitt, Jr., James Hewitt, III, Albert He- witt, Sr. (deceased), Joe Hewitt, Andrew Hewitt, and Albert He- witt, Jr., John Hewitt, Jr.; nieces, Kathy Hewitt, Alana He- witt, Karen Owens, Doreen Carmichael, Allison Hewitt, Jacqueln Boudreaux, Sheryln Brancomb, Dee Hewitt and Karen Hewitt; sister-in-law, Mrs. Albert “Gwen” Hewitt; sis- ter, Delores Hewitt Carmichael; longtime family friend, Mrs. Curtiss Wilson, Eunice Stokes, the James Hammond Family, and a host of other relatives and sorrowing friends.
Mrs. Kennedy graduated in 1942 from Middleton High School with honors. She com-
pleted her four-year degree at Florida A & M University in 1949. During her years at FAMU, Mrs. Kennedy was employed at the Business Office, Registrar’s Office, and she worked for Alonzo Gaither.
After graduation, Mrs. Kennedy began a 37-year career in the Hillsborough County School District as a teacher at Meacham Elementary School, Booker T. Washington Jr. High School, and Dowell Jr. High School for 22 years.
Mrs. Kennedy taught typing and related Business subjects. During her career, she organized the Honor Society at Dowdell and McLane Junior High Schools.
Mrs. Kennedy retired from Dowdell Junior High School after 37 years of teaching. She was not only a remarkable teacher, but an excellent mother as well.
In retirement, Mrs. Kennedy organized classes at Progress Village Elementary School. Many residents of Progress Vil- lage became a part of the classes.
Some of Mrs. Kennedy’s ac- complishments in life: 1st Black President of the Catholic Women’s Club, President of the Parakeet Bridge Club, President of La Marquise Social Club, Sec- retary of the Los Damas Social Club, member of the Progress Village Senior Center, member of Classroom Teacher’s Union, and National Council of Negro Women.
There will be a viewing and Rosary Service at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church on Fri- day, October 5, 2018, from 6 p. m.to8p.m.
Services and arrangements entrusted to Jacobs Funeral Home, 296 N. Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 37607, Joseph R. Jacobs +LFD.
RAY WILLIAMS
MRS. BERTHA L. GARDNER
Mrs. Bertha L. Gardner of Tampa passed away Saturday, September 29, 2018. Funeral services will be conducted Sat- urday, October 6 at 11 a.m. at New Hope M. B. Church, 3005 E. Ellicott Street with Pastor James Richardson, officiating. Interment will be held Monday, October 8th at 10:30 a.m. at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 SR72, Sarasota, FL 34241.
Mrs. Bertha L. Gardner was a native of Waynesboro, Geor- gia, born to the late Clarence and Ruby (Herrington) Lewis, Sr. She was the fourth oldest of six children. In June of 1959, she relocated to St. Petersburg, FL and became a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Bertha gradu- ated from Gibbs High School in June 1965. That summer, while working at St. Anthony Hospi- tal, she met her future husband Ronald K. Gardner. Later that year, in November, Bertha began working at GTE as a tele- phone operator, which led to a stellar 45 year professional ca- reer with GTE/Verizon. She earned numerous promotions, accolades, and established en- during professional and per- sonal relationships.
Her retirement in early 2014 highlighted a time of an- ticipation and excitement for the next chapter in her life. Bertha cared deeply for her family and friends. She loved being a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, auntie, sis-in- law and friend.
Bertha was preceded in death by: her parents; brother, Clarence Lewis, Jr; and sister, Mattie Ruth Luke.
Bertha leaves to cherish her memories: her devoted hus- band of 50 years, Deacon Ronald K. Gardner; children (all from Tampa, FL) Ramiel (Trena) Gardner, and Jolanda Thornton; siblings, Elnora (Roosevelt) Carswell of Way- nesboro, GA, Hosea (Barbara) Lewis of St. Petersburg, FL, Melvina Witcherd of Snellville, GA and Rufus (Martha) Holmes of Evanston, IL; grandchildren (all from Tampa, Florida), Xavier Gardner, Errin Gard- ner, Madison Thornton, and Ragin Gardner; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The remains will repose and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 5 at New Hope M. B. Church.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
HARMON
MS. ANNIE DENISE JOHNSON CONLEY
Homegoing Services for Ms. Annie Denise Johnson Conley, who passed away Sep- tember 26, 2018, will be held Saturday, October 6, 2018, 2 p. m. at Harmon Funeral Home, 5002 N. 40th Street, Tampa, FL 33610. Pastor Otis Cooper officiating. A committal will be made at the chapel.
Ms. Annie Denise Johnson Conley was born February 16, 1957 in Tampa, FL, to the parentage of Roman Johnson and Charlie Mae-Jackson Johnson, who preceded her in death, along with her hus- band, James E. Conley, daugh- ter, LeAndrea Johnson, as well as five brothers and one sister.
She was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough County.
She is survived by: three brothers, Marvin Laster of Utah, Everett Johnson, Rayvell Johnson; two sisters, Linda Watson and Gaynell Johnson, all of Tampa.
Left to treasure many fond memories are: her two daugh- ters, Natasha Johnson and Sy- rone Conley; ten grandchildren, Tameoka, Chareka and Tyreece Ford, Antyona Sheard, Jaenesia Conley, JaTony and Jatarius Torres, Lawrence Terrell, Jr., Talyia and Natashia Thomas; seven great grandchildren, DeAndre Nelson, Tynarj’ie Stokes, TeAree Ford, LaRod- ney Parker, Tyreece Ford, Jr., Tynari’on Stokes and Reginald McCray, all of Tampa; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Visitation for Ms. Annie Denise Johnson Conley will be held this Friday, October 5th, from 5-8 p. m. at Harmon Fu- neral Home.
Friends are asked to as- semble at the Chapel on Satur- day at 1:45 p. m.
A Harmon Burial
INTEGRITY
MR. COY BROOKS, JR.
A Celebration of Life for Mr. Coy Brooks, Jr. will be held 11 a. m. on Saturday, October 6, 2018, at St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 2504 E. Chipco Street, Tampa Florida, with the Rev. Dr. Bartholomew, Banks Sr., offi- ciating. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories.
Mr. Coy Brooks, Jr. was born April 1, 1934 in Enter- prise, Alabama, to the late Coy Brooks and Sarah Daniels. He accepted Christ at an early age. After migrating to Tampa, Florida he worked for Cone Brothers.
He met no strangers and had a kindred spirit to all.
On September 28th, 2018 he entered his eternal rest and is leaving to cherish his fondest memories: his loving compan- ion of 26 years, Lucretia Mon- roe; daughters, Bennita Gowins (Major) and Cherrell McClairen; sons: Alexander Mullins and Mario Gadson; grandchildren, Lawrence, Her- beneisha, Akeema, Jah-nah, Khalidah, Khaleah, Makia, Charkia Johnson, Jaquez and Jahiem; sister, Alberta Leonareo; sisters-in-law, Essie Reese (Johnnie), Luvienia Wimbley, and Elizabeth Gar- rett; best friend, James Brown; goddaughter, Sylvia Williams (Jesse); favorite niece, Tronda Wimbley; cousins, Earnestine Richardson, Addie Battle, Glo- ria Boyd, Lillie Jones, Dorothy, Kilpatrick, Wells, McHenry and Sholtc families, Young and Brown Laster and other host of family and friends by whom he will be truly missed.
Public Viewing will be held 5-7 p. m. on Friday, October 5, 2018, at Integrity Funeral Serv- ices, 3822 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa 33605.
Family and friends are asked to assemble at the church on Saturday no later than 10:45 a. m.
A Service of Integrity
CARD OF THANKS
MARY MYERS
The family of the late Mary Myers acknowledge all acts of kindness shown during their time of bereavement. We say thank you.
Special thanks to Carlos Jones and the entire staff of Jones Funeral Home, Sara- sota, FL; Rev. Larry J. Mou- ton, Jr., and the entire New Hope M. B. Church Family, and Elder Frank O. Gray, Sr., Pastor of Unity Missionary Baptist Church. Additional thanks to the Unity Church Family for support, prayers, and encouragement.
May God Bless you, The Family.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 19-A