Page 32 - Florida Sentinel 4-1-16 Edition

Funerals/Memoriams
GUDES
MS. MARY
BARFIELD 10/20/30 – 3/22/16
The funeral for Ms. Mary Barfield will be April 2, 2016, at 11 a. m. at Abundant Life Enrichment Center Church, 4701 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, 33610.
Ms. Mary Barfield, 85, of Tampa died on March 22, 2016.
She is survived by: her children, Sophia, Ashley, La- toya, Michael, Darrel, Inez and Pierce; caring and de- voted nephews, Matthew and Tyrone; and caring and de- voted nieces, Mireya and Lelia.
She also leaves behind: a host of other nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, godchildren, as well as, other family and her many friends.
Arrangements under the direction of Gudes Funeral Home, 4050 E. Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa, 33610.
GUDES FUNERAL HOME “A Temple Of Service” www.gudesfuneralhome.net
MRS. RUTH NAOMI LILLIEWOOD
A memorial service for Mrs. Ruth Naomi Lilliewood, who transitioned December 20, 2015, will be held Satur- day, April 2, 2016, at True Faith Inspirational Baptist Church at 1 p. m., Rev. Dr. Brett Snowden, pastor, offi- ciant.
Mrs. Lilliewood was pre- ceded in death by: her hus- band, Luther C. Lilliewood; her parents; and her siblings.
She leaves to cherish fond memories: 1 son, 2 daugh- ters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and sor- rowing friends.
Arrangements entrusted to Jackson Funeral Home. “A JACKSON SERVICE”
MS. ELIZABETH WEAVER ROSIER
Ms. Elizabeth Weaver Rosier’s well spent life’s jour- ney came to its end on Good Friday, March 25, 2016. King Jesus Himself, the King of Kings on the anniversary of his death, visited Lakeland to make up her dying bed.
However, before she left this earthly sphere with her Maker, she filled the space be- tween her genesis and her ex- odus busy, building up God’s people and His Kingdom here on earth. She kept so busy serving her Jesus that she did- n’t have time to die... but then the Master called, she an- swered... leaving behind a community of blessed benefi- ciaries who will enjoy the fruit of her labor for ages to come.
“LIZ,” as she was affection- ately known among family and friends, entered this world as the daughter of Reverend George John Martin and Amelia Weaver Martin.
As a young woman, she at- tended and graduated from Washington Park High School, Class of 1949 (she was currently Class Reunion pres- ident). With the support of her parents, she pursued higher education at Florida Normal College, now known as Florida Memorial Univer- sity. In 1954, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Years later she pursued a Master’s Degree at Florida A&M Uni- versity.
After college days, Miss Weaver began her profes- sional life as an educator in Polk County. She landed her first job at Medulla Elemen- tary and subsequently taught in Davenport, Lake Wales, Bartow (Union Academy), and finally ending her tenure at Lakeland Kathleen High School.
She had a thirst for learning with the purpose of teaching and leading the youth in her church community and local community.
Of all the things Ms. Rosier accomplished during her life, motherhood was her greatest joy. Her world evolved around her family especially her two girls, Vanessa and Valerie. She was proud of them and al- ways had them involved in church and community activi- ties. The girls were given piano lessons, dance lessons as well as charm, etiquette and deportment classes. She was even more proud of the fact that the foundation she laid for them made room for them as they maturated into pro- ductive adult citizens.
All throughout the life of Elizabeth Weaver Rosier, she was a child of God and student
of the Kingdom. She began her Christian life at Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, under the pastorate of her father, Reverend G. J. Martin. Her final years of serv- ice at Greater St. Paul M. B. In- stitutional Church were under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. N. S. Sanders.
During her lifetime, she served in a number of capaci- ties at her church including: Directress of the Junior Church, Founder of the Drill Team, Church Coordinator and Chairlady of the Pastor’s Anniversary for many years. Additionally, Ms. Rosier served as the founding Direc- tor of Greater St. Paul’s Day Care, now known as Greater St. Paul Academy. She served with enthusiasm, great pride, and with ultimate effective- ness in her roles and responsi- bilities at Greater St. Paul MBI Church.
As a citizen in the Lakeland community, she was very proactive in North Lakeland with the Lakeland Chapter of the NAACP, where she pur- sued civil rights, fairness, and African American presence in elected office during a tumul- tuous time in our community. She worked tirelessly on Voter’s Registration and Rides to the Polls. The election of Charles Coleman and Dr. J. S. Jackson to the Lakeland City Commission is an example of her successful work with many leaders in the commu- nity. During her ‘Hey Day’ she was known as the unofficial Mayor for the City of Lake- land.
Mother Rosier, a great ser- vant to the Conventions and Associations of her church’s denomination, gave enormous amounts of her time and re- sources to these organizations – from the Greater South Florida Missionary Baptist As- sociation and the Mount Pil- grim Missionary Baptist Association to the National Baptist Convention of America International, Incorporated.
She was a former Director of Children for Greater South Florida MB Association, Direc- tor of Children for Mt. Pilgrim MB Association, Director for Progressive M & E Baptist State Convention Youth and Children Department and a Field Worker for National Baptist Convention of America International, Incorporated.
She was very astute with her networking abilities in the Associations and Conventions. She helped many ascend to their leadership goals. During her time of service, she helped elect State and National Con- vention Presidents and Direc- tors throughout her tenure. She was instrumental in the successful election of her pas- tor, Rev. Dr. N. S. Sanders and Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Banks (her son-in-law) to the office of president of the Progressive M & E Baptist State Convention of Florida, Inc.
At the national level, she successfully secured appoint- ments to the office of youth convention president/ youth officers of the National Baptist Convention of America Inter- national, Inc. for Rev. Drayon Bland, Rev. Harold Bennett, Esq., Rev. Darriel Brown, Jr., Rev. Harold Anderson, Rev. Larry Roundtree, II, Rev. Hugh Stafford, and Rev. Mar- cus Stovall are among the indi-
viduals who benefitted from her friendship, mentoring and counseling.
The gift of hospitality was one of Liz’s greatest attributes. Her modest home in Lakeland was a gathering place where family and friends could al- ways enjoy her quick wit, strategy sessions and her deli- cious culinary creations. Some of the famous celebrities who walked through her doors over the years included: The Harlem Globetrotters, Goldie Thompson, Joe Simon, the National Negro League Base- ball Players and others.
The following song lyrics are taken from Sis. Rosier’s fa- vorite Hymn “A Charge To Keep I Have: To serve the present age, my calling to ful- fill; Oh may it all my powers engage to do my master’s will.”
Today, as we celebrate the homegoing of our beloved Ms. Elizabeth Weaver Rosier and the remarkable legacy of love she leaves behind, we rejoice as witnesses. We have the real joy of knowing (because we watched); she did her Master’s Will.
Ms. Rosier was preceded in death by: her parents, Rev. George J. Martin and Amelia Weaver Martin; husband, Jerome Rosier; siblings, Doretha Weaver Patterson Spencer, Alberta Weaver Jackson, James (Nig) Weaver, Melvin Weaver, Rosa Martin Presley and Harvey Mae Mar- tin Carswell; and daughter, Valerie Patrice Mitchell.
The legacy of service to God and man will forever find presence in the hearts and minds of all who knew Ms. Elizabeth Weaver Rosier, es- pecially a loving family who cherished her life: her loving daughter, Lady Vanessa Denise Banks (Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Banks); grand- children, Kenya Hamilton Banks, Dr. Barmethia Banks, Bartholomew Banks, II (Dr. Sophia Hayes-Banks), Ra- madan Marshall and Rev. Dr. Barron Banks, DDS; great grandchildren, Donovan Moyston, Ma Well Moyston, Bartholomew Banks, III, J’as- mia Banks and Vania Banks; sister, Mamie Hodges (Thomas); brother, David Weaver; godchildren, Pamela Williams, Valerie Niblack (James), Sonya Royster (Don- ald), Mecha Franklin, Bran- don Franklin, Rayneal Driver, Rev. Larry Roundtree, II, and Katina Roundtree; extended family, Jackie Speed, Linda Driver, Annette Dunn, Joe Standley, Queen Turner and Stephanie Franklin; caregiver, Reginald Patterson, Jr.; niece, LaTonya Raffington; nephews, Mischa Trent Harrington, Glenn Hodges and Joe Jack- son, Jr.; cousin, Doretha Weaver; special friends, Mary Johnson and Doreen Norman; and a host of other nieces, nephews and special friends.
The Wake Service will be held Friday, April 1, 2016, from 6-8 p. m. at Greater St. Paul MBI Church (1130 N. Webster Avenue, Lakeland) and the Homegoing Services will be held Saturday, April 2, 2016, at 12:00 noon at the church.
Funeral services are en- trusted to: HW Oldham Fu- neral Home (863-683-2419).
OLDHAM FUNERAL HOME Lakeland, FL
JACKSON
OLDHAM Lakeland, FL
IN MEMORIAM
RYAN ‘SAMBO 3’ HEMINGWAY
Five years ago. God gave you a new home. I still wish we were together laughing and smiling at each other.
But, I have learned that God doesn’t make any mis- takes!
So, today I celebrate the years we shared together. Blowing kisses to the sky andyellingU.P.-U.P.-U.P. Real love never dies.
Love, Cherry and Chevy.
IN MEMORIAM
CEPHUS ‘SHORTY’ WREN 8/30/1952 – 4/1/2015
We thought of you with love today, but that is noth- ing new. We thought about you yesterday, and days be- fore that, too.
We think of you in si- lence, we often speak your name. Now all we have are memories, and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keep- sake with which we’ll never part. God has you in His keeping, we have you in our hearts.
Sadly missed by: your fi- ancée, Elizabeth Thompson; stepdaughter, Caro Nelson; and a host of other family and friends.
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 19-A