Page 18 - Florida Sentinel 11-8-19

Local
24th Pastoral Anniversary Banquet
Guests, family and friends gathered at the Airport DoubleTree Hotel to celebrate the 24th Pastoral Anniversary of Rev. W. D. Sims. He is the senior pastor at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church.
It was an evening of fellowship and elegant dining. Dr. H. D. Rucker of Shiloh M. B. Church, Sanford, and 1st Vice President of the Progressive M&E Baptist State Convention, was the Keynote Speaker.
Rev. Maurice Allen was the special guest musician. The W. D. Sims Male Choir provided music, as did soloist Brenda Young of Lakeland.
Power Couples Ball
One of the couples in last Friday’s (11-1-19) issue was misidenti- fied. This is Mr. and Mrs. Andre (Ursel) Staten, formerly of Tampa, now of Atlanta, GA.
REV. W. D. SIMS
Those who shared the head table were: Rev. Anthony Williams (Master of Ceremonies), St. Matthew M. B. Church, his wife, Enisha; Rev. Elgin Rucker (Rev. Rucker’s son); keynote speaker, Rev. H. D. Rucker; honoree, Rev. W. D. Sims; Rev. Dr. H. L. Downing, Pastor of Greater New Jerusalem M. B. Church, Lakeland, and President of United Baptist Fellowship Association, and his wife, Sheryl; and Rev. Sirnest Webster, Pastor, Bible Baptist Church, Pal- metto, and United Baptist Fellowship Assoc.
Honoree with his family: from left, Tyrell Lee (grandson), Kandy Lee (daughter), Dea. Ernest Sims (honoree’s father), Emmeral A. Latimer (honoree’s mother), Pastor W. D. Sims, honoree; LaDon Sims (daughter); and Alyssa Jones and Auriel Jones (granddaughters).
These Banquet guests are: Rev. Victor and Mrs. Louise Ball, T. J. Stephens, Rev. Timothy Stephens, Sr., Rev. Van Fletcher and Carman Fletcher and Myzonia B. Stephens.
Betty Ennis was the Gen- eral Anniversary Chairper- son.
Sylvia A. Williams and Carolyn Reed-Watkins served as Co-Chairpersons.
Music for the event was provided by Rev. Maurice Allen.
PAGE 6-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019