Page 36 - Florida Sentinel 11-5-21

Funerals/Memoriam
RAY WILLIAMS
MR. JAMES RANDOLPH THOMAS
Mr. James Rudolph Thomas of Tampa, Florida, passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Funeral Services will be con- ducted on Saturday, November 6, 2021, 2 p. m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606 with Pastor James Thomas, officiating. (MASK RECOMMENDED) Interment will follow in Rest Haven Me- morial Park Cemetery.
Mr. James Thomas was a native of Attapulgus, GA and a resident of Tampa for 50 years. He attended Decatur County Public Schools and was a mem- ber of St. John Progressive Mis- sionary Baptist Church. He served as co-founder and fore- man of Thomas Masonry.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Lonnie Thomas, Sr. and Viola Thomas; siblings, Lonnie Thomas, Jr., Ella Mary Thomas, Eddie Lee Thomas, Edna Thomas, Horace Thomas, Carl Thomas and Veronia Thomas.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory: children, Pastor James Thomas (Rosalind), Kavin Thomas, and Ebony Thomas; grandchildren, James Thomas, Jaylin Thomas, Kalyn Thomas, Kennedy Thomas, Jayla Murillo, Mekhi Smith, and Genarus Betts; great grand- child, Avery Thomas; siblings, Artie Ruth Taylor, Lillie Tubbs, Erma Thomas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; special acknowledg- ments to his closest niece, Pamela Edwards; in addition to ex-wives, Rita Thomas and Tonya Melton and friend, Brenda Woods Thomas.
The visitation will be held from 4-7 p. m. on Friday, No- vember 5, 2021, at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. (MASK RECOMMENDED)
Arrangements entrusted to: RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
MISS LASHAWN WASHINGTON
Rabbinic literature and the old texts; she could read the entire Bible text in Hebrew; she under- stood Gematria, the numerolog- ical system for interpreting biblical texts; and she had the anointed Word of God in her mouth. LaShawn and her father founded Illumination Christian Publications and have published several children’s books, music, and other literary works.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, Reverend Joseph Washington and Bertha B. Washington, and niece, Sheree Harris.
LaShawn leaves to cherish her memory: her seven brothers and sisters, Joseph (Brenda) Washington, Jr., Patricia (Henry Dawson) Washington, Cheryl Lynn Harris, Gilbert Washing- ton, Michael (Gina) Washington, Angela (Frank) DeBose, and her beloved twin, constant compan- ion, and best friend, LaVonne Washington, all in the Tampa Bay region; godsister, Valerie (Vincent) Reid; nieces and nephews, whom she loved and cherished, including T’wanda (Andre) Morris, Sharika Wash- ington, Michael (Deidra) Wash- ington, Alison DeBose, Talisa Harris, Ashley Washington, Ed- ward Joseph Harris, Mallory Washington, Farin DeBose, Cedashe Dunn, Alexis Morris, Cedric Dunn, Andre Morris, Jr., Christopher Dunn, Thomas Stewart, Jeneque Grubb, Ed- ward Joseph Harris, Jr., Luna Washington, Jayla Harris, and Malia Washington; dear aunts, Lucy Dessesseau, Corrie Lee (Charles) Livingston, and Shirley Hutchins. She was blessed with a large family and a host of relatives and friends that were very special and dear to her, the Washington, Eberhart, Collins, Howard, Turner, De- Bose, and Crews families.
In her life and in death, LaShawn has the victory, as noted by a scripture she recited on her final day, Thou wilt keep h[er] in shalom shalom, whose yetzer (mind-set) is stayed on Thee; because [s]he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3.
Visitation will be held on Fri- day, November 5, 4-7 p. m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa. (MASK RECOMMENDED)
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
WILSON
MR. MICHAEL TYRONE BOYKINS
Mr. Michael Tyrone Boykins, 62, departed this life on October 22, 2021, to be with his heavenly father. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 5, 2021, from 3-8 p.m., at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th street, Tampa, Florida.
Family and friends are asked to please utilize this opportunity as your final farewell. A private funeral service will be held for Mr. Boykins.
Michael Tyrone Boykins, bet- ter known as Cup of Dollars “Cup” was born June 18, 1959, to the late O. G. and Lottie Ruth Boykins.
He attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. He was a member of Northside Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Ricardo Robinson and Rev. Leonard Har- rington. Cup was a true hearted Dallas Cowboy Fan. He loved to dance and make others laugh.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, O.G. and Lottie Ruth Boykins; one brother, Henry Boykins; and a host of uncles, aunties and cousins.
He leaves to cherish precious memories of him with: his two sisters, Janie Boykins, of Nevada and Kim Boykins, of New York; two brothers, James Boykins, of West Palm Beach and Robert Boykins (JoAnn), of Pennsylva- nia; aunts, Vivian Smith, Jackie Smith and Bernestine Glymph; nine nephews, James Boykins, Michael Boykins, Jeremiah Boykins, Jarad Boykins, Chrishawn Boykins, Delan Boykins, Gary Boykins, Dwayne Boykins and Robert Boykins, Jr.; eight nieces, Stefante Boykins, Angle Boykins, Precious Boykins, Veronica Boykins, Mar- tina Boykins and three more nieces of Nevada; cousins, Pamela Beckwith, Claudette Powell, Johnnie Mae Barlow (Marlon), Cheryl Williams (Lee), Ray Walker (Joann), Rudy Jones (Yvonne), Edgar Allen (Sonia) and a host of other cousins, rela- tives friends; his church family and his Riverview Terrace friends.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
MS. SHIRLEY ANN BROOKS
Ms. Shirley Ann Brooks passed away, October 27, 2021. A Memorial Service only, will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021, 12 Noon at Wilson Fu- neral Home, 3000 N 29th St, Tampa, FL 33605, with Elder Lenora Clayborne Officiating. (attire casual).
Shirley was born and raised in Tampa on June 22, 1953. She was a faithful member of Vic- tory Temple Outreach Min- istries, Inc., Dr. Laytecia McKinney, Senior Pastor. She was a graduate of Middleton High School and Hillsborough Community College. She had big heart and big personality.
She was preceded in death by: her mother, Hazel Brooks; father, Willie Smalley, Sr.; sis- ters, Blondeva Stevens, Rosa Hytower, Prophetess Dorothy Brooks; brother, Willie Smal- ley, Jr.; grandmother, Louvenia Sapp; grandfathers, Lawrence Sapp and Davie White and uncle, Joseph Clayton.
She leaves to cherish her memories: one daughter whom she loved dearly, Kia Knight; granddaughters, Keyonni Hayes, Ke-Erica Hayes and Ke- mari Hayes; devoted caregivers, Shaneka and Dishan Wright; loving brothers, Leroy Smalley and Willie Pitts; nieces, Elder Edwina Dupree, Pastor Laytecia McKinney, Ebony Brooks, Min- ister Qquani Brooks, Sierra Stevens, Semone Stevens, Linda Stevens; nephews, Taurus Brooks, Freddie, Kato Hytower; favorite great nephew, Danielar Flowers; great nieces, Asia Brown, Diane Brown, Brittany Collins, Sarah (Cliff) Louis, Naomi Sumes; like a niece, Regina Williams; special cousins, Willie (Dawn) Miller, Curtis Porter-Pinchen (Albert); special friends, The Bivens Family, Johnson Family and The Riverview Terrace Family; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. Special thanks to the Victory Temple Outreach Church Family and Ms. Sharon Butler.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
A Homegoing Celebration for Miss LaShawn Washington of Tampa, Florida, who passed away on Thursday, October 21, 2021, will be conducted on Sat- urday, November 6, 2021, 1 p. m. at St. John Cathedral, 3401 Bishop Eddie Newkirk Way, Tampa, FL 33605, with Pastor Tony Parker, officiating and Vis- iting Minister, Pastor Calvin Willis, performing the eulogy. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery. (MASK RECOMMENDED)
LaShawn was born the youngest of twins to Reverend Joseph Washington and Bertha B. Washington and was a native of Tampa, Florida for 58 years. She graduated from Tampa Bay Vocational Technical High School and Hillsborough Com- munity College with an AS De- gree in Nursing. She went on to become a Registered Nurse (RN) and worked at various local hos- pitals, including St. Joseph’s, Memorial, and Brandon Re- gional, for over 30 years. She also became a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC) and a Legal Assistant and was instru- mental in winning her first jury trial against the University of South Florida.
LaShawn’s true passion was the ministry, and she served through several local churches where her father pastored, in- cluding First Baptist Church of Progress Village, St. Joseph Mis- sionary Baptist Church, and Illu- mination Christian Center. Prior to his death, Rev. Joseph Washington passed the torch on to LaShawn to continue his min- istry and lead the church he founded. LaShawn studied the Jewish roots of Christianity, at various universities, including Zola Levitt Ministries. Her stud- ies were impressive — she knew
IN MEMORIAM
MATTIE HARRIS
My angel, it’s been 33 years since God called you home, but I miss you more than ever.
Love always, your son, Petey.
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