Page 39 - Florida Sentinel 5-8-20

Funerals
RAY WILLIAMS
MR. JOHN WESLEY SHULER, SR.
Mr. John Wesley Shuler, Sr. of Tampa, FLpassed away on Thursday, April 23, 2020. Due to the current restrictions from the CDC, the funeral serv- ice will be closed to the public.
A Celebration of Life Serv- ice will be held Thursday, May 7at6p.m.atRayWilliamsMe- morial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue, with Pastor Ronnie Murray, officiating. John’s final resting place will be in the Sarasota National Cemetery, (Military Cemetery), 9810 SR72, Sarasota, Florida, 34241.
John Wesley Shuler, Sr. was a native of Meigs, Georgia, born to Wesley Shuler, Sr. and Arie J. Shuler-Swopes. John was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough County, graduating from Howard W. Blake High School, Class of 1963. He enlisted into the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War and the Army Reserve, where he re- ceived an Honorable discharge.
John was employed with the School District of Hillsbor- ough County, where he retired in November 2006. After re- tirement, John established his own business franchise until his health began to decline. “Darlin”, as he was affection- ately known, loved life, music, outdoor activities and was an avid fan of the Las Vegas Raiders. He had a great sense of humor and flashed his big, beautiful smile upon everyone he met.
John leaves to cherish his legacy and memory to his lov- ing and devoted daughters and sons, Deneen Shuler-Anderson (Bobby), Michele Shuler, John
Wesley Shuler, Jr. (Alfie), John Demetrius Shuler and Jer- maine McDowell; siblings, Lovond Shuler, Robert Shuler, Sr. (preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruth Naomi Shuler), Mary Shuler-London (Winston, I), and Wesley Shuler, Jr.; grandchildren, Tra- mane Shuler, Timra Shuler- Drayton, John Wesley Shuler, III, Randall Leandre Barnes, Devohn Shuler, Breanna Shuler, Janay Shuler, Jamarcus Shuler, Chanel Westbrooks, Gloria Wyatt, Ayla Shuler, and Myanna McDowell; great- grandchildren, Derrick Har- grove, Jr., Lakenzii Shuler, John W. Shuler, IV, Johniya Shuler, Johntay Shuler, Kyng Shuler, Ky’John Shuler, and Samuel Miller, IV; nieces & nephews, Andretta Shalon Shuler, Tanjar Shuler, Lovonda Shuler, Shelly Gainous, Jr.(Tonya),Shontae London- Hill (Alvin), Winston London, II (Ashley), Robert Shuler, Jr. (Lashandra), Christina Span- gler and Heather Elswick; cousins, John Reese, Leroy Sims (Karen), Geraldine Bar- ber, Tommie Jones (Cynthia), Boykin Reese, Lillie Williams, Eva Simon, Margrete Harris (Willie), Sylvia McFarlane (Jasper), Clinton Shuler and Kaytoria Roberson, Runnetta Johnson (Herman), Gerald Jones (Linda), Earl Jones (Sheree), Carrol Holmes (James), Sharon Walton, and Julia White; ex-wife and mother of his three oldest chil- dren, (Deneen, Michele and John W. Shuler, Jr.) Mrs. Frankie McCauley Shuler Nel- son (James); and a host of fam- ily and friends that loved and will dearly miss John W. Shuler, Sr., AKA “Darlin”.
Special mention of the de- voted physicians and staff of the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hos- pital and Royal Sun Park As- sisted Living Facility, Tampa, FL.
The visitation will be held Thursday, May 7, from 2 p. m. until service time (6 p. m.) at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue. We are asking family and friends to pay their respects and to follow the CDC guidelines.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
WILSON
MR. RAYMOND EUGENE (‘CURTDAWG’) CURTIS
A Private Homegoing Cele- bration will be held for Mr. Raymond Eugene “Curtdawg” Curtis who passed on Sunday, April 26, 2020.
Mr. Raymond Eugene Cur- tis was born February 5, 1969, in Pensacola, Florida to Brenda Ann Curtis and was steered by his loving grandmother, Estelle M. Curtis. Raymond earned his wings on Sunday, April 26, 2020.
Raymond was raised in a Christian home and was an ac- tive member of Englewood Baptist Church, serving in all youth and young adult min- istries. He later joined North- side M. B. Church under the leadership of Pastor Ricardo Robinson.
He graduated from Wood- ham High School, Class of 1987. Upon graduation, he re- located to the Highest of Seven Hills to complete his post-sec- ondary education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, School of Business Industry, receiving his Bache- lor’s Degree in 1992 and Mas- ter’s Degree in 1993.
After college, he relocated to Tampa/St. Petersburg area and began his career as a Banker with Barnett Bank and continued through years achieving the honor of Vice President of High Net Worth Mortgage Lending with Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Ray- mond completed twenty-six years of continued service within the Banking Industry in January.
Raymond was a family-ori- ented gentleman who loved the Lord. In his leisure time he en- joyed reading the Bible, playing basketball and working out. As a parent, he spent a lot of time
with his stepsons and his son, Ray J inspiring them to become athletes. Raymond wouldn’t miss any of their games. He found a passion in seeing his son, Ray J become an athlete. Raymond would be right on the sidelines cheering him on. Like most Tampa residents, Ray- mond was an avid fan of the Tampa Buccaneers.
Raymond was preceded in death by: his grandmother, Es- telle Curtis; aunts, Mercia Marie Slade, Ruby Lee Jamison, Marjorie Lee Curtis, Barbara Jean Curtis; and uncles, Leroy Mack and Clifford Curtis, all who were dear to him and had a hand in his raising.
He is survived by: his wife and best friend, Shenese L. Cur- tis; his son, Raymond E. (Ray J) Curtis, Jr.; his loving mother, Brenda Ann Dees, and his de- voted, brother, Carl Dees (Tamelia); niece, Diamond and nephew, Deshawn Dees. He had a special love for his three stepsons whom he reared as his own, Sammie Edwards, Christopher Bowden and Way- mon Bowden.
He is also survived by his loving aunts, Carolyn Mont- gomery (Willie), Rachel Curtis Davis, and his beloved uncle, Leonard D. Curtis (Patricia), af- fectionately known as Uncle BooBoo and Aunt Speedy; sis- ter-in-law, Telicia Jordan and niece, Faith Arrington.
Raymond had a special bond with each of his twenty-six first cousins and his many second cousins, Donna, Jerome, Brenda, Andre, Michael, Patri- cia, Anthony, Alicia, Valerie, Patricia, Alonzo, Yolanda, Michelle, Eric, Jasper, Fitzger- ald, B. Michelle, Tyrone, Cheryl, Latonya, Willie, Shaun, LaKynda, Anita, La’Micheal and Patrick.
There is a host of other sor- rowing family members, co- workers, college buddies and friends. Raymond will be missed greatly, as he was an im- portant piece to our family chain of love.
There will be a viewing on Friday, May 8, 2020 from 3 – 8 p. m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida 33605.
In lieu of the current restric- tions from the CDC, we are ask- ing that you use the visitation as an opportunity to pay your final respects. For your convenience and safety, we have extended our visitation hours.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
MRS. LILA JOHNSON THOMAS
A Private Homegoing serv- ice will be held for Mrs. Lila Johnson-Thomas, who passed on April 25, 2020.
Mrs. Lila Johnson Thomas was born April 30, 1931 in Fairmount, North Carolina to the parentage of Willie and Mae Hagans. Lila graduated Cum Laude 2nd in her class from the Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia with a degree in Home Economics. She furthered her education at the University of Tampa, where she graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education. Mrs. Thomas was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Lila taught Home Econom- ics and Cosmetology at Robin- son High School in Tampa. She also taught students at Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind how to cook. Lila was also the owner and operator of Pacesetter Beauty Salon on Nebraska Avenue for many years.
She has been a devoted and dedicated member for over 50 years at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Port Tampa.
Lila was a very educated business woman; she was a role model for many young women in the Port Tampa area. She was always gener- ous and would help anyone who needed her assistance.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, Willie and Mae Hagans; her husbands, Johnny Johnson, Roy Thomas, and sister, Freda King.
Mrs. Thomas leaves to cherish her memories with: her nephew, Ronald Hagans, of Tampa, Florida; her sister, Wilhelmina Martin in New- port News, Virginia, her spe- cial niece, Lila Cookie Thomas in White Plains, NY; and spe- cial friend, Facunda Arenas.
There will be a viewing on Friday, May 8, 2020 at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida, from 3 – 8 p. m.
In lieu of the current re- strictions from the CDC, we are asking that you use the vis- itation as an opportunity to pay your final respects. For your convenience and safety, we have extended our visita- tion hours.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
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