Page 29 - Florida Sentinel 5-22-20

Funerals/Memoriams
AIKENS
MR. DELFORD EMANUEL (‘DEL’) BETSEY
Mr. Delford Emanuel “Del” Betsey, 71, passed away at home on April 30 after a brief illness. He was a long time resident of Tampa, Florida. He was born on January 21, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan and spent his early years in Detroit before the family moved to Ann Arbor in 1959.
He attended Perry Elemen- tary, Forsythe Junior High, and Ann Arbor (Pioneer) High School. He later attended Washtenaw Community College, where he obtained various skill certifications. He had a lifelong thirst for knowledge and enjoyed political and philosophical dis- cussions, often challenging oth- ers with his unique point of view. He worked for various manufacturing companies, in- cluding Applied Dynamics Incor- porated and Sarns/3M, in assembly and quality control of computing and heart-lung ma- chines, respectively, before relo- cating to Tampa, Florida in the early 1980. There he worked at Garelick, Mfg. and was self-em- ployed in a company that con- sulted on private security.
Delford was gregarious and outgoing and enjoyed cars, soul and rhythm and blues music, being with family and friends, and travelling to entertainment venues in Detroit, Chicago and Las Vegas. Like many in his fam- ily he enjoyed cooking, especially grilling and barbecuing.
Delford is preceded in death by: his mother, Margaret Mc- Daniel Betsey, his father, Howard Farrier; his sister, Alice Carter Chappele; brothers, Leon Stephens and Earnest Betsey, and former wife, Inez.
He is survived by: his signifi- cant other of many years, Essie Seay of Tampa, as well as his brother, Charles (Margaret Simms), of Washington, DC; nephews, Clarence Carter of Ann Arbor, Eric Randolph of Wash- ington, DC, Joshua Betsey (Ja- nine) of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Daniel Betsey of Gaithers- burg, Maryland; uncle, Calvin McDaniel (Viola) of Ocala, Florida; and aunt, Sallie Sears of Hartford, Connecticut; and his stepdaughters, Debra Thomas of Ypsilanti, Michigan and Cheryl Jones of Ann Arbor, Michigan; nieces, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and loving friends and former co-workers. Service to be held at a later date.
“Aikens Funeral Home”
MR. NATHANIEL SIMS, JR.
A Graveside Service for Mr. Nathaniel Sims, Jr. of Tampa, Florida who passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, was held on Saturday, May 16th 11 a. m., at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Av- enue, Priest Hazayan, officiating. The interment followed.
Nathaniel Sims, Jr., was born in Dade City, Florida, on Septem- ber 22, 1941 to the late Nathaniel and Mae Ola Sims.
Nathaniel married Mrs. Mar- ion and later married Mrs. Alma. His career flourished in the in- dustrial and agricultural indus- tries, where he cultivated his love for farming. He was known as an accomplished baker and cook, and was an avid reader and west- ern enthusiast. He was also a de- voted runner, weight lifter and wayfarer and his favorite quote was “Straighten up and fly right!”.
He will always be regarded as an educated patron who was gen- erous, forthright, confident, loyal and humorous. These are the qualities that made him who he was and whom his family loved. He will always be remem- bered as a man who sacrificed for the love of his family.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Alma Sims and daughter, Loretta Sims.
He leaves to cherish his memory with: his 14 children, Sonja Sims, Sophia Davis-Sims (Mike), Doretha Rolle (Greg), Maeola Sims, Leititia Tramel, Steve Singleton, Ronnie Single- ton, Latoshia Jennings (An- thony), Nathaniel Sims, III (Victoria), Elmer Sims (Sonya), Byron Sims, Jejuan Sims, Lydia Sims (Mike) and Miriam Sims (Mesean); 46 grandchildren; brother, Lorenzo Sims and Michael Sims; sisters, Faye Har- ris and Emma Thomas; and a host of other uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The visitation was held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, May15th from5to7p.m.The family and friends met at the graveside on Saturday for the service. The graveside service was live streamed at www.aikensfuneralhome.com.
“Aikens Funeral Home”
HARMON
MR. EDWARD DUPREE HILLS
Mr. Edward Dupree Hills, of Tampa, FL, entered eternal rest on Thursday, May 14, 2020. A Graveside Celebration was held Wednesday, May 20, 2020. His grandson, Evangelist Eddie Hills, Jr., of Grace Family Church, will officiate. Interment will be in Morrison Cemetery in Ft. Meade, FL.
Edward, who was affection- ately known as “Sonny,” was a native of Ft. Meade. He came to Tampa at an early age, attended public schools; graduating from Middleton High School, Class of ’53. He retired after more than 30 years of service from I.M.C. Fertilizer Co., where he was proudly one of the first Black plant foremen.
Sonny was always one with a quick smile and joke while al- ways asking, “Where I know you from?,” because he never met a stranger.
Sonny was preceded in death by many close to his heart which he has happily joined after pro- fessing Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in this life. He is singing, laughing and no longer feeling any pain with: his father, Henry Woodrow Hill; his beloved and devoted mother, Loriner Hazelton-Hill; brother, Henry, Jr.; grandmother, Eleanor Richardson; uncle, Ho- race “Buddy Boy” Hazelton; aunt, Viola “Pie Baby” Wilson, and many other cousins and lov- ing friends.
Sonny will be truly missed to cherish his memories and keep the Hills legacy alive: children, Edward, Larry and wife, Annette, Kevin and wife, Melissa, Maria and husband, Tony,; and Kim and husband, Rick; their mother, Ruth Bernice Hills; 13 grandchil- dren; 21 great grandchildren; cousins; and other relatives, friends, and long time neighbors: the Sanders family, McPhersons, Browns, Andersons, McQueens, Duprees, Bests, Smiths, Pascos, Tolberts, Walters, Faisons, Gard- ners, Prestos, Hodgsons, Leroy Blue, Charlie Mack, Benjamin Ajee, McDonald’s Gang, and a host of other Progress Village, Clair Mel, Palm River, Ybor City friends and families too numer- ous to name.
Visitation following CDC guidelines was held Tuesday evening, May 19th, 6-7 p.m., at Harmon Funeral Home, 5002 N. 40th St, Tampa, FL.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the future once the pan- demic no longer exists.
“A Harmon Burial”
HOLMES
MRS. LOUISE METEYE LEGGETT
A private Homegoing Celebra- tion for Mrs. Louise Meteye Leggett, who passed away on May 13, 2020, will be held in Haines City on Saturday. The viewing will be held at Highland Missionary Baptist Church, on May 22, 2020, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The fam- ily will arrive at 6 p.m.
CDC social distancing guide- lines will be enforced.
Mrs. Louise Meteye Leggett was born August 25, 1952. She at- tended the public schools of Hills- borough County and graduated from Middleton High School, class of 1971.
Mrs. Leggett was employed by the Hillsborough County School District for 38 years, serving 32 of those years at Caminiti Excep- tional School and Lockhart Ele- mentary School.
She enjoyed cooking and feed- ing the less fortunate. She loved her flowers and feeding the birds.
She was a member of Friendly Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Webb, where she sang in the choir. She also sang with the Florida Mass Choir.
She met and married Joe Leggett, Jr., and the couple re- mained together for 42 years.
Mrs. Leggett was preceded in death by: her husband, Joe Leggett; parents, Raymond (Crip) and Vera Meteye; aunts, Irene Fa- vors, Mary “Auntie Moochie” Rawls, and Dorothy Thomas; sis- ter, Irene Meteye; nephew, Anto- nio Meteye; niece, Yolanda Morrow; and brother-in-law, Al- fonso Owens.
Mrs. Leggett leaves to cherish
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEMORIAM
MRS. JOHNNIE MAE BLOCKER May 25
Happy Birthday to my grandmother. From Monica, Eric, and Willie Harris.
fond memories with: her beloved sons, Rechi (Chantal) Butler and Joe Leggett, Jr., (Erica); godsons, Tabby Single- ton and Michael Beasley; grand- children, Dominique Maloy, Rechi Butler, Jr., (Ariel), Dante Butler, Brechi Butler, Kelce But- ler, Joe Leggett, III, (Latarra) Niko Leggett, Joleisa Leggett, Cayenne Leggett, Tylia Leggett, and Jayniya Leggett; great grandchildren, Lavon Shepard, Ra’Niyah Butler, Sa’Miyah But- ler, Royal Butler, Dante Butler, Jr., Jo’siahs Leggett, and Jacoy Leggett; 3 loving sisters, Carolyn Meteye, Denise Meteye James, and Leonida Meteye Owens (Merriett); and 3 loving broth- ers, Raymond, Clemon, and Ralph Meteye.
She also leaves: nieces, Linda Sanders (Icckey), Bernadette Vance (Zoe), Tonya James (Al), Kim Ledbetter, (Mike), Rashima Meteye (Jason), Sharette Gad- sen, (Antone), and Tara Meteye.
She also leaves nephews, Frank James (Tina) Wintzer Jones, Torrence Meteye (Tifani), Rodney Williams, Norris, II, Norris, III, Morrow, Dwayne Meteye, (Janiece) and Charles Langston (Frankye).
Her great nieces and nephews are: Charles (CJ), Tasha, Brandon, Chris, Oliver, Quanisha, Terrence, Nicholas, Adrian, Alicia (special niece), Aisha, Tee Tee, Xavier, Charles, Jawan (JJ), Frantica, Dorien, Monisha, Dominic, Jordan, Tyrica, Ambreia, Auja, Khalys, Azanas, Jasmone, Jason, Jr., and Jaseon. And a special host of great, great nieces and nephews.
Her special friends are: Cyn- thia Winfield Davis, Nancy Tor- torella, Melissa Thomas, Jamie and Jasmine Thomas (god grandchildren), Henry “Shake” and Cheryl Washington, Harriet and Arnold Fields, Martha Kitchen, Tisa Lowe, The Williams Family, Sheila Young- blood, and Charles Godfrey, (special lifelong student).
We are asking for donations to be made to Abe Brown Min- istries, or Derrick Brooks Chari- ties, Get It Straight Foundation instead of flowers.
Arrangements entrusted to Holmes Funeral Home, Haines, City, FL.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM
MRS. VERSEY HARRIS JAMES May 26
Happy Birthday, Mom. From Monica Harris, Eric, and Willie Harris.
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