Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 7-24-20

Local
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A popular Tampa matriarch has passed away following a brief illness. Mrs. Thelma L. Green was 95-years-old.
Her son, Danny Green, said, “She just went to sleep and never woke up. Thank God she died peacefully.” After her death, Green posted on Facebook that his mother “had gotten her wings.”
A native of Monticello, Florida, Mrs. Green moved to Tampa and graduated from Don Thompson- Blake High School. She also at- tended Hillsborough Community College.
For more than 70 years, she was a domestic worker and care- taker. In the community, Mrs. Green was known as the Candy Lady, the kindness she showed to anyone she met, and as a “giver” to anyone in need. Mrs. Green
Popular Family Matriarch Passes After Brief Illness
Member Of Popular West Tampa Family Dies
MRS. THELMA GREEN 3/16/1925 --- 7/10/2020
was also known for her famous quote, “What can I say?”
Mrs. Green also dedicated her time and service to church. She was a member of Greater New Salem Primitive Baptist Church for more than 50 years. She was an Usher and member of the #3 Choir during her tenure at
the church. When she moved her membership to St. John Progres- sive Missionary Baptist Church, she became a member of the #1 Choir.
However, she never severed ties with Greater New Salem Primitive Baptist Church. She was considered an honorary member because she attended both institutions. “She truly loved her church homes and al- ways enjoyed praising God,” Green said.
The wife of the late Lee Green, Mrs. Green was the mother of 9 children. She loved to dress and travel. Those who knew her also knew her as a “Fashion Queen Diva” and she enjoyed dancing and praising God.
Funeral services for Mrs. Green will be held on Saturday, July 25th. Aikens Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrange- ments.
Mark Hepburn, better known as “Champ”, a West Tampa resident, transitioned on Monday morning.
Mark has been confined to home with an extended illness for years with care from his sis- ters and brothers, the Hepburns, with his children coming to the home to assist him.
Mark attended Howard W. Blake High School and was in the Class of 1969. He was an avid basketball player and well known in the community. He was em- ployed in the Cigars Industry, where he was honored several consecutive years as Employee of the Year. He worked in catering and transportation.
Mark “Champ” was the fourth of six children born to Howard and Leora Hepburn, which included Katherine, Carolyn, Malcolm, Debra and Matthew. Mark has sev- eral children and countless life-
MARK (CHAMP) HEPBURN September 7, 1951 – July 13, 2020
long friends.
At this time, Ray Williams Fu-
neral Home is in charge of serv- ices and the service is tentatively planned for next Friday. More details will follow in the Florida Sentinel.
PAGE 12-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020