Page 29 - Florida Sentinel 3-13-20

Funerals/Memoriam
AIKENS
MRS. LATRECE DAWKINS
A Homegoing Celebration for Latrece Dawkins of Tampa, Florida, who passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, will be held Saturday, March 14th, 2 p. m. at New Hope M. B. Church, 3005 E. Ellicott St., Min. Bruce Bryant, Interim Pastor eulogist, Rev. Alvin Bush, officiating. The interment will be held in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Latrece “Tracie” Dawkins was born on December 16, 1965 in Tampa, Florida, to the late Vera Mae Hobley and James “Honey” Lester. She was the oldest of four children. Tracie attended the local schools of Hillsborough County, graduating from Hillsborough High School, where she excelled at JROTC. Tracie attended Erwin Technical School to achieve com- petency in typing and clerical skills. She turned this education into a stellar career in claims pro- cessing management. In her posi- tion, she has trained countless claims processors and traveled around the country to train busi- nesses in claim processes man- agement.
While always working full time, Tracie was involved in sev- eral long-term civic organiza- tions, including the Order of the Eastern Star. She found her home after volunteering as a team mom for the Copeland Park Saints. This eventually turned into a commis- sioner position and led her to found and preside over the Tampa Hurricanes, a powerhouse youth little league organization in Tampa.
She was preceded in death by: her mother, Vera Mae Hobley; fa- ther, James “Honey” Lester; son, Eddie “E-Jay” Lee Dawkins, Jr.; brother, William Ferguson (Tonya); grandmother, Luenez Bush Hobley and uncle, Joe Frank Hobley.
She leaves to cherish her memory: two children, daughter, Vera Brown; son, Alexander Dawkins; grandson, Christopher Dawkins; sister, Laura Ferguson; brothers, Anthony Bowers and Danone Lindsey; aunts, Letha Ann Silas-Martin, Geneva Hobley and Rosemary Hobley; uncle, Rev. Aaron Hobley; nieces, Ciara Horge, Alicia Ferguson, D’Mya Ferguson and Deanna Lindsey; nephews, Christopher Atkinson, Laurel Atkinson, Devaughn Lind- sey, William Ferguson, Jr, D’An- dre Ferguson and Denone Lindsey and best friend, Janice Martin.
The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, March 13th from 5 to 7 p. m.
The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service.
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founder of the FSU Minority Business Students Association, where he served as a mentor. In 2016, he was presented the Outstanding Alumni Award from the FSU Black Alumni Association. He continued to be an active participant in the community. He served as Board Chair for the Tampa Bay Black Business Invest- ment Corporation and the Conn Foundation.
He was a very active member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as Chair- man of the Deacon Board, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, and Food Pantry Coordinator. His other community activities included past President and Secretary of the Mid- town Kiwanis Club of Tampa, Coordi- nator of Midtown Kiwanis Club’s Terrific Kids Program, and member of Greater Tampa United Way Site Committee. Deacon Peterson was for- merly a Board member of the Enter- prise Bank of Tampa; Board member and Treasurer of Tampa Crossroads, Inc.; Board member of The Divine Providence Food Bank, Inc.; member of the University of South Florida President’s Minority Advisory Com- mittee; and President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Associa- tion of Black Accountants, Inc. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Ronald made his transition sur- rounded by his adoring family. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gerald Peterson.
He leaves to cherish his loving memories: his wife, Nell Peterson; his adult children, Jason Peterson, Dr. Jessica Peterson, Jake Peterson, and Justin Peterson; his siblings, Harriett Coley, Pastor Carolyn Rig- gins, Oveda Carswell, Cynthia Peter- son, and Rodney Peterson (Sharon); and so many extended family and lov- ing friends. Deacon Peterson contin- ued to give unselfishly of himself, but always made time for what he be- lieved to be most important, family and church.
The visitation will be held on Fri- day, March 13, 2020, from 5-7 p. m. at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3005 E. Ellicott St., Tampa, FL 33610. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p. m.
In lieu of flowers, please con- sider a contribution to support prostate cancer research: Prostate CancerFoundation.Link:https://www .pcf.org/
DEACON RONALD PETERSON
A Homegoing Celebration for Deacon Ronald Jake Peterson of Tampa, Florida, who transitioned on Sunday, March 8, 2020, will be held on Saturday, March 14th, 10 a. m. at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 3005 E. Ellicott St., Tampa, FL 33610, eulogy by Minister Bruce Bryant. The interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Ronald was born in Tampa, Florida, to the late Aretha Peterson and Jake Wiggins on May 25, 1954. He attended school in Tampa, FL, in- cluding Middleton High School, be- fore graduating from Leto High School, Class of 1972. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Ac- counting from Florida State Univer- sity (FSU) in 1976. He was also a graduate of the University of Phoenix’s Master of Business Admin- istration program. He was studying for his Master’s in Accounting to con- tinue teaching in his semi-retire- ment.
Deacon Peterson served as the Director of Corporate Compliance and Internal Audit at Tampa General Hospital. He had more than 30 years of experience in the health care in- dustry and another 14 years of public accounting and industry experience. He previously worked in public ac- counting with two of the big four ac- counting firms and a local accounting firm, where he held the position of Audit Manager. He was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Fellow of the Health Care Financial Management Association (FHFMA), Certified in Healthcare Compliance and Certified in Healthcare Privacy.
Deacon Peterson was a co-
SGT. RETIRED BERNARD WILCOX
A Homegoing Celebration for Sgt. Retired Bernard Wilcox, who passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2020, will be held on Friday, March 13th, 11 a. m., at Mt. Moriah M. B. Church, 5909 Vel Street, Wimauma, Florida 33598, Elder Malcolm Wilcox, officiating. The interment will be in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.
Bernard was born November 17, 1946 to the late Lonnie and Gladys (Lit- tles) Wilcox in Tampa, Florida. He at- tended the public schools of Hillsborough County, graduating from East Bay High School. He also attended Manatee Community College for 2 years, and University of South Florida. He was a United States Army Veteran, honorably discharged in 1971, where he received numerous awards, including the Purple Heart Medal of Honor w/OLC, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Marksman Rifle Medal, for his service in the Vietnam War.
He dedicated his life to Christ at an early age under the leadership of Rev. Moses Newsome at Mt. Moriah M. B. Church, Wimauma, Florida. His two fa- vorite scriptures were, John 3:16 and Psalms 91. He also enjoyed artwork, drawing and sculpting and the game of baseball.
He was preceded in death by: his parents and siblings, Gladys L. Wilcox Gay, Harold G. Wilcox and Carolyn Wilcox Rhodes.
Bernard leaves a loving and de- voted family to honor and cherish him: sisters, Joyce Wilcox Pittman, Tampa, Cynthia Renee Wilcox, Wimauma, Phyllis Marie Parker, Nancy Daniels, Patricia Roberson, Theresa Wilcox and Bianna Wilcox, all of McClenny, Florida; brothers, Maxi Wilcox (LaViece), McClenny, Robert Wilcox (Melissa), Valdosta, GA, Alvin Wilcox, Lonnie M. Wilcox, Jr., and Alex Wilcox (Virginia), all of McClenny, Florida; aunts, Nancy and Geneva Nelson; uncle, Ira Allen; the family salutes a special niece (like a daughter), Desarai Wilcox Rhodes, for her special love, kindness and dedication of her wisdom and medical skills; nieces, Yolanda Gay, Kattron Cofield, Vonice Wright, Routunda Wilcox, Keesha Lee, Traci Smith, Kachia Wilcox, Twanya Cooper and Sharonda C. Rhodes; nephews, Randall K. Nelson, Malcolm Wilcox, Dwight Gay, Gerard Rhodes, Jermaine Gay, Adrian Wilcox and Herman Gay, Jr.; cousins, Mary Ann Burroughs, Wimauma, Ray Henry (Vivan), Clifford Matthews, Phyllis Matthews, Marlon Henry and Nikki Henry; special friends, Leroy, Helen and Billy Bur- roughs, Columbus, OH, Mary Ann Jackson, Phillip and Vanessa Dorsey, Noah Steve Dorsey, Dosha Mulkey, Minnie Hammonds, Roderick, Keith, Kimberly and Cordell Nelson, Thomasina Parker, Tara Washington, Fred Johnson, Emma Freeman, William Harris and Roger “Pete” Criner of Tennessee; a host of nephews other nieces, cousins and friends. He was also loved by the Wimauma com- munity, young and old. They never ceased to care or share with him a Pepsi or a meal from Burger King; and Lifepath Hospice green team members.
The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Thursday, March 13th from 5-7 p. m. The family will receive friends during the visita- tion.
The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Friday for the service.
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MS. FRANCHON S. WOODARD
A Homegoing Memorial Cele- bration for Ms. Franchon Sherea Woodard of Tampa, Florida, who passed away on, Tuesday, March 3rd, will be held on Saturday, March 14th, 11a.m.,atNewMt.ZionM.B. Church, 2511 E. Columbus Dr., Rev. Larry Roundtree, II, pastor, officiat- ing.
Franchon was born in Orlando, Florida to Frank E. Woodard, I and Nora D. Woodard on June 18, 1973. Franchon graduated from Jones High School, class of 1991, an honors graduate. She continued her educa- tion at Florida State University, with a B. S. in Chemistry, class of 1995, honors graduate. During her college years she joined Zeta Omicron Chap- ter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, following her mother’s footsteps. Franchon was a gifted and multi-tal- ented young woman succeeding in every task she pursued. Her profes- sional career continued at Bisk Edu- cation, Inc., where she was a Senior Media Manager in the Marketing De- partment. She was an active citizen in the Tampa Community as a mem- ber of the Gamma Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Tampa Organization Of Black Affairs, Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast and the Board of the Directors. She continued her spiritual growth and journey at her church, New Mt. Zion M. B. Church.
Franchon leaves to cherish her precious memories: her loving and devoted parents, Frank E. Woodard, I and Nora Woodard, Orlando; brothers, Frank E. Woodard, II, Tampa and Sherman G. Woodard, Orlando; sister-in-law, L’Tea Woodard, Bradenton; aunts, LeNora Quinn (Johnnie), Hortense Winfield (Jesse) and Patricia Bryant, all of Orlando, and Cassandra Woodard, Winter Park; uncles, Eddie Jackson (Willa), Orlando; John Henry Woodard, II-deceased (Alice), Las Vegas NV, Ronald Woodard (Lav- erne), Winter Park and Wendell Woodard (Velma), Lakewood, WA; godmother, Carolann Cannon, Tampa; extended family, the Richardsons, Rosa Terrell (de- ceased), and uncle, Deon Terrell, Winter Haven.
The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations can be made to www.nationalMSsociety.org/Africa n-American or call (855) 372-1331.
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IN MEMORY OF
SR. SGT. JEFFREY L. WILKS 10-1-1962 to 3-10-2017
Three years have passed since that sad day you were called away. God took you home, it was His will. Within our hearts, you still live.
Mom, Cheryl, Tre’, Jacqueline, and the family.
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