Page 32 - Florida Sentinel 5-12-17

Funerals
RAY WILLIAMS
MR. AQKIL DAVID BROOKS
Mr. Aqkil David Brooks of Tampa passed away Monday, May 1, 2017. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May13,at11a.m.atSt.James A. M. E. Church, 5202 S. 86th Street, Reverend Michael Price, Pastor, with Elder Wal- ter Niles, officiating. Inter- ment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Aqkil David Brooks, af- fectionately known as “Kil,” was a native and lifelong resi- dent of Tampa, Florida. He was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough County and was a member of St. James A. M. E. Church. He was employed and his goal was to become an Automobile Mechanic.
Aqkil was preceded in death by: his grandfathers, King David Brooks and Gre- gory Poinsette; great grand- parents, Julius Poinsette, Norman Reed and Edna Reed; god-siblings, Iesha Washing- ton and Craig Thompson.
Aqkil leaves to cherish his precious memories: his loving and devoted parents, Yasheakia Poinsette and Ken- nith Brooks, Sr.; brother, Kennith Brooks, Jr.; sisters, Darnethia Williams and Tanaya Brooks; grandmoth- ers, Tricia Poinsette and Tanya Brooks-Brockington; grandfather, Kennith Brock- ington; aunts, Jerrany Tan- ner, Nichole Brooks, Deanna Fredrica-Graves and Harriet Myrick-Jones; uncles, Kiwa- nis Anderson, Raytarquain Anderson, Cornelius Howell, Jonathan Dawkins, Lamase Dawkins, Cornelius Gray (Mary); great aunts and un- cles, Giselle Trotter, Hattie and Frank Cross, Waymon and Sandra Reed, Dudley Gibbs, Annette Reed, Jewel Reed, Katie Reed, Richard and Gladys Florence, Vernado Poinsette and Judy Poinsette; cousins, Ariana Silas, Malik Silas, Steve Jackson, Jesiah Anderson, Quijuanna Ander- son, Sheyne Anderson, Shakir Anderson, Jonathan Joesph, Angelo Jackson; godmothers, Tamika Bowens and Demetria Lane; girlfriend, Sanaa Marley and a host of cousins, other relatives and loyal Progress Village neighbors and friends.
The visitation will be held Friday, May 12th, from 5 - 8 p. m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Av- enue.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
MR. WILBUR L. JONES, JR.
Mr. Wilbur L. Jones, Jr., af- fectionately known as “Will,” of Charlotte, North Carolina, formerly of Tampa, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2017. A Homegoing Celebration will be held Saturday, May 13th, at 11 a. m. at Without Walls In- ternational Church, 4414 N. Grady Avenue, Bishop Randy White, Pastor with Reverend Frank Watson, Pastor of Friendship Missionary Bap- tist Church, officiating. Inter- ment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery.
Mr. Wilbur L. Jones, Jr., was a native of Tampa, and a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina for 15 years. Wilbur, a.k.a. “Will,” graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, Class of 1987 and con- tinued his education at ITT Technical, graduating, August 1989. He furthered his studies in Miami, FL and earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Commercial Engi- neering Drafting Technology, with Academic Honors.
Wilbur relocated to Char- lotte, NC and was employed with AVCON, Inc. as a Senior Aviation Designer, where he recently received an award for 15 years of dedicated serv- ice.
Wilbur leaves a legacy of love and service and will be missed by many. He served as a Trustee with Statesville Av- enue Presbyterian Church where he faithfully wor- shipped.
He leaves to cherish pre- cious memories: his parents, Wilbur L. Jones, Sr. and Betty J. Jones; sisters, Monica R. Davis (Joel), Kimberly L. Hunter (Madison) and Monea R. Jones; nieces, Jasmine Davis, Bria Hunter, Madisyn Hunter, Alexia Hunter and Zacharia Hunter; nephew, Jordan Davis; aunts, Marva Hardy (Edward), Yvonne Wa- ters, Joyce McNeal (Willie), Diane Jones, Lorraine Wiley, Julia Love (Nathaniel), Daisy Akiboh and Marilyn Dupree (Larry); uncles, Thomas Jones (Ruby), Anthione Jones, Willie Pease, Jr., and Darien Pease; godmother, Marcia Bell; The Class of 1987, Thomas Jefferson High School and a host of other family, friends and relatives.
The visitation will be held Friday, May 12th, from 5 - 8 p. m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Av- enue.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
MS. DELORES NEDD
Ms. Delores Nedd of Tampa passed away Friday, May 5, 2017. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May 13th, at 11 a. m. at Ray Williams Me- morial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue, with Reverend Leroy Chatman, eulogist. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Me- morial Park Cemetery.
Ms. Nedd was a native and lifelong resident of Tampa, Florida and was educated in the public schools of Hillsbor- ough County.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Carl Nedd, Sr.; her parents, Anderson An- drew Blocker and Ella Mae Jones Blocker; and siblings, Darnell Blocker and Betty Blocker.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Rander Blocker, Barbara Nedd, Carl Nedd and wife, Michele, Michael Nedd, and Julie Nedd and husband, Sonel Saint Lot, Sr.; grandchildren, Theophilus Nedd, Sierra Nedd, Rodrick Gant, Jasmine Nedd, Carlos Nedd and wife, Rhonesh, Patrice Nedd, Randy Blocker, Sonel Saint Lot, Jr., and Sonjay Saint Lot; siblings, Dorothy Bell, Gwendolyn Blocker, Cyn- thia Bryant and Clydell Blocker; and a countless num- ber of nephews, nieces, cousins, great- grandchildren and friends.
The visitation will be held Friday, May 12th, from 5 - 8 p. m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
MR. RONALD EDWIN RAIFORD
Mr. Ronald Edwin Raiford of Tampa passed away, Saturday, May 6, 2017. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May 13th, at11a.m.atMountOliveA.M.E. Church, 1902 W. LaSalle Street, Tampa, FL. with Reverend James Sykes, officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Ronald Edwin Raiford was a native and lifelong resident of Tampa, Florida. He graduated from Henry B. Plant High School in 1974. Mr. Raiford worked with Naffco Flooring for 23 years and also did some plumbing and con- struction work.
At an early age, he joined Em- manuel M. B. Church under the Leadership of Reverend H. W. Wilburn. During his free time, he loved to be among family, dance and listen to music. Mr. Raiford was a pioneer of the Hyde Park community.
He was preceded in death: by his grandparents, Eddie Raiford, Sr. and Edith Raiford; and aunt, Betty Jo Raiford Franklin.
He leaves to mourn his passing: a loving mother, Edith M. Raiford; uncles, Eddie Raiford, Jr., Jimmie Raiford (Rose), Reginald Raiford (Joan), and Ronald Franklin; aunts, Shirley Ann McClain (Rick), Cynthia Oates (Bernard), and Michelle Johnson (Charlie); niece, Linda Harrell (James); and a host of cousins and friends from the Thomas, Moore, Owens, Mills, Polland, Harrell, Banks and Hall families.
The visitation will be held Fri- day,May12th,from5-8p.m.at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
WILSON
MOTHER BERNICE JOHNSON STEVENS
A celebration of the majestic life of Mother Bernice Johnson Stevens will take place on May 13,2017at10a.m.atUnityM.B. Church, 3111 Ybor Street, Tampa, FL, Elder Frank O. Gray, Pastor, officiating and Evangel- ist Teryl Lindsey, eulogist. Inter- ment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
After a lengthy illness, Mother Stevens succumbed to eternal rest on May 4, 2017.
Mother Stevens was born in Tampa on July 26, 1921 to the late Lawson and Sarah Johnson. She grew up in the area com- monly known as Belmont Heights where she raised her family.
Having inherited a Christian legacy by birth, Mother Stevens accepted Christ as her Personal Savior while yet a youngster. She was affiliated with Unity M. B. Church for the past 41 years where she worked diligently in the capacities of President of the Adult Usher Board and Overseer of the Children’s Usher Board and member of the Trustee Board. She also served on the Welcome Committee and the Culinary Ministry.
For many years she worked in the culinary profession in a fam- ily owned restaurant and later at Brown’s Café, located in Hyde Park. She then worked as a Clerk at the well-known neighborhood Penney Saver Novelty Store until its closing. She later worked with the Foster Grandparent Pro- gram until her health began to fail.
Mother Stevens was God’s gift to her children, a loving daugh- ter, dutiful wife, gracious grand- mother, devoted sister and a friend like no other. Plainly put, she was “many” things to “many” people. Her family’s well-being was of utmost impor- tance to her as was her walk with Christ. She gave the best she had in her workshop to her family. Christ and family were non-ne- gotiable subjects with her. God blessed Mother Stevens with a beautiful, melodic soprano voice and she enjoyed singing, espe- cially hymns, gospels and spiri- tuals.
Her passion for cooking deli- cious meals for family and friends was unmatched. The place to be for breakfast on the weekends was around her dining room table. Her quiet time was devoted to reading her Bible, solving word problems and watching Western movies. Even as her health failed and her in- dependence became limited, she managed to remain cheerful. Her beautiful smile and sweet disposition will be sorely missed by all who were blessed to cross paths with her.
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