Page 29 - 7-24-15 Friday's Edition

Funerals/Memoriams
GUDES
HARMON
JACKSON
RAY WILLIAMS
MS. DEBORAH HAWKINS
A homegoing celebration, in loving memory of Ms. Deb- orah Hawkins, will be held at 11 a. m., Saturday, July 25, 2015, at New Harmony M.I.S. Church, 2811 N. 17th Street, Tampa, Rev. Aaron Mun- ford, pastor, officiating.
GUDES FUNERAL HOME
“A Temple Of Service” www.gudesfuneralhome.net
MR. RUFUS PALMER
Homegoing service for Mr. Rufus Palmer, who passed away on July 9, 2015, will be held Saturday, July 25, 2015, at 11 a. m. at Harmon Funeral Home, 5002 N. 40th Street, Tampa, 33610, with a local minister, officiating.
Mr. Rufus Palmer Rufus was born in Barbara County, Alabama, to the late Gracie Jewel Palmer and John Henry Palmer, who preceded him in death.
Mr. Rufus Palmer leaves to cherish fond memories of him: 4 sisters, LaVon and Roosevelt Reed, Frances Smith, Betty Goodwin and husband, Leon Goodwin, and Brenda Gatlin and husband, Melvin Gatlin, all of Tampa; 3 brothers, Freddie Palmer, Ricky Palmer, and William Palmer and Maria, all of Tampa; 4 daughters, Cheryl Palmer, Shandra Palmer, Tonya Palmer and Crystal Palmer; son, Roderick Palmer; and a real close friend, Perry Mitchell, all of Tampa; 126 nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and a host of fam- ily and friends around the world!
A HARMON BURIAL
MR. AARON L. STILLINGS, III.
Homegoing celebration for Mr. Aaron L. Stillings, III, who transitioned on Sunday, July 18, 2015, will be held Saturday, July 25, 2015, at 1 p. m. at Bible-Based Fellow- ship of Temple Terrace, 8718 N. 46th Street, Tampa, 33617, Reverend Earl Mason, pas- tor, officiating. Interment will be at Orange Hill Ceme- tery, 4900 E. Chelsea, Tampa, 33610.
Visitation will be Friday July 24, 2015 at Bible-Based Fellowship of Temple Ter- race, 8718 N. 46th Street, Tampa, 33617, from 5-8 p. m.
Mr. Aaron L. Stillings, III was born on November 28, 1956, in Tampa. Aaron at- tended public schools in Hillsborough County and was a graduate of Hillsbor- ough High School, Class of 1975.
Aaron continued his edu- cational quest at Florida State University, before transferring to Florida Agri- culture & Mechanical Univer- sity (FAMU), where he obtained a Bachelor of Sci- ence Degree in Music Educa- tion and a Masters of Arts Degree in Counseling Educa- tion.
Aaron was employed with Hillsborough County Schools at Van Buren Middle School as a Guidance Counselor and previously at Clair Mel Ele- mentary School.
Aaron was a dedicated member of Bible-Based Fel- lowship Church of Temple Terrace, where he was in the Mass Choir, Men’s Choir and The Praise Team. He was also a former member of New Bethel Progressive Mis- sionary Baptist Church in Tampa, where he was the Di- rector of the Mass and Young Adult Choirs; Testarina P. B. Church in Tallahassee, FL, where Aaron was the Direc- tor of the #2 Choir; Mount Sinai Prayer Temple in Talla- hassee, FL, where he was the Director of the Radio Broad- cast Choir, Organized the Youth Department, Youth Choir, Youth Usher Board, Youth Drama Ministry and Praise Leader; and Harvest Fellowship Bible Church in Tampa, where Aaron organ- ized and was the Director of the Anointed Voices of Har- vest, Praise Team Voice Co- ordinator, and Coordinator
of Special Events with Youth Pastor (Black History Pro- grams, Christmas Pro- grams).
Aaron was a thoughtful, caring and gentle soul. Aaron had a loving heart and helped anyone who walked in his path. He loved to laugh, sing, dance, organize and was a consummate historian.
Aaron was a mentor with Men of Vision and affiliated with the following organiza- tions: Music and Performing Arts (MAPA), FSU Gospel Choir, FAMU Gospel Choir, General Uprising Gospel En- semble, Royalty Gospel Group, The Tampa Philhar- monic Gospel Choir, Sound System and Freedom Jam/Young American Show- case.
Aaron was extremely fond of his family (both immedi- ate and extended), and friends. He opened his home to help others by extending a spiritual touch and outreach that is pivotal to the Chris- tian walk. His gift from God was, “He blessed beyond measure, and whomever and whatever he touched always prospered.” God gave him favor with people; he was a role model to many and a hero to his family.
Aaron will be missed im- mensely and until we meet with him in the air with Jesus and all the other saints, we will remember how he touched all of our hearts. Aaron L. Stillings, III, was in- deed born again.
Aaron was preceded in death by: his mother, Leola Sherman; father, Aaron L. Stillings, Jr.; brothers, James R. Sherman, Matthew Igles and Kennedy Stillings; and sister-in-Law, Joy Igles.
He leaves cherished mem- ories with: sisters, Debra A. Dabney, and Valencia K. Hamerter and husband, James; brothers, Eric M. Stillings, and Joseph H. Williams and wife, Tangala; sister-in-law, Sonia Stillings; nieces, Letesha Thomas, Tis- sia Igles, Kayla Hamerter, Rayfield Hamerter, Marquita Hancock, Arlisa Williams, Kendra Stillings, Tiera Still- ings, Kennika Stillings, Matthew Stanley, Shanicia Williams, Jalisia Williams and Tannicia Williams; un- cles, Norman McDaniels, Melvin McDaniels, and Elton McDaniels and wife, Shirley; devoted and dedicated friends, Pastor Marcus R. Graddy, Lucille James-How- ell, Desiree Jackson, Cheryl Jackson and Dr. James Fra- zier; two devoted godchil- dren, Jalen and Corey Jackson; and a host of cousins and friends. Special acknowledgement to the Frierson Street Family and Venetia Banks.
We regretfully apologize if any names or organizations were omitted.
Arrangements entrusted to Jackson Funeral Home. “A JACKSON SERVICE”
MS. FANNIE MAE JAMES
Ms. Fannie Mae James of Tampa, passed away on Fri- day, July 10, 2015.
Funeral services will be con- ducted Saturday, July 25, 2015, at2p.m.atMt.TaborM.B. Church, 2606 W. Grace Street, with Reverend T. D. Leonard, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Me- morial Park Cemetery.
Ms. Fannie Mae James was a native of Tampa and a resident of Tampa all of her life. She attended Dunbar El- ementary, Just Middle School and was a graduate of Howard W. Blake High School, Class of 1970.
She was preceded in death by: her father, Billy Robert Turner; grandmother, Fan- nie Lee James; and grandfa- ther, Andrew James; sister, Patricia Turner; aunts, Dorothy James, Marjorie Archer and Helen James; and uncles, Willie Bee James, Robert Lee James, Andrew James and Marvin (Pete) James.
She leaves to cherish her memory: mother, Nettie Faye James; two daughters, Renay Okeke and Towanda James- Speights; son, Lester B. Franklin, Sr. (Sherica); 16 grandchildren, Rochelle Franklin, Lester B. Franklin, Jr., Reggie Pinkney, James Robinson, Lexus Franklin, LaTrenda Franklin, Lester B. Franklin, III, Elijah Franklin, Tanayja Franklin, Samantha Franklin, Kendrick James (Sarah Caldwell), Devone Franklin (Stiquisha John- son), Marquic Speights, Jon Rodney Speights, Kevin Speights and Derrick Speights; 12 great grandchil- dren; four sisters, Catha Thompson, Cynthia Turner- Smith (John), Mary Turner, and Vernetta Turner Jones (Nolan); six brothers, Albert Rice, Derick Turner (Pam), David Turner, Earnest Car- beit (Cynthia), Nelson James, and Victor Turner (Theresa); six aunts, Betty Stanley, Juanita McCloud and Cassandra James; and seven uncles, Wilson James, Talmadge James and Nathaniel James.
The remains will repose after 5 p. m., Friday, July 24, 2015, at Ray Williams Fu- neral Home, 301 N. Howard Ave. Arrangements en- trusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
BIRTHDAY MEMORIAM
MARY ALICE SMITH July 21, 1922
In loving memory of our Mother Dear.
Always in our thoughts, forever in our hearts.
The children.
IN LOVING MEMORY
MOTHER BETTY R. MAYS
Mother Betty R. Mays passed away on July 22, 2014. She was a loving mother who really cared about family and her com- munity.
She is survived by: her loving son, Kenneth Elliott Redding and wife, Cassan- dra Davis-Redding; sister, Victoria Angelina Hicks; and other extended family and friends.
She is truly missed and will remain in our hearts forever.
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 19-A