Page 33 - Florida Sentinel 11-26-21

Memoriams
IN MEMORIAM
CECILIA MARIE DAVIS 10/16/1962 – 11/24/2020
We love and miss you. Gone too soon, it seems like yester- day, but it’s been 1 year. Always in our hearts and souls.
Love always, DeDe, Don, Baby, Selena, Patricia, DJ, NeNe, Devyn and Jaiden.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF YOU
EDDIE JAMES SMITH, III Sunrise: September 22, 1963 Sunset: November 22, 2017
Life hasn’t been the same without you. You left us mem- ories of laughter and love. The legacy you built will continue to live on through all of us. We will always love you.
With all of our love: Ida Smith, mom; children: Eddie Smith, IV, Jermaine Smith, Jermia Smith, Isaac Patrick; siblings: Reginald Smith, Bernida Smith; grandchildren and family.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME
Celebrating Dad’s Grand Slam
EARLIEST “MR. WILL” WILLIAMS November 21, 1971
CNN reported on Wednesday, November 2, The Atlanta Braves have won their first World Series title since 1995, after defeating the Houston Astros, 7-0 in Game 6 on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. The fans, in and out of the stadium and across com- munities, celebrated with cheers and jubilation.
Memorably, Atlanta has long been called a Black Mecca, but in the 1990s it was also known for something else: The home of some of the country’s baddest Black baseball superheroes, especially Fred “Crime Dog” McGriff, speedy Otis Nixon, two-way star Deion “Prime Time” Sanders, the dimpled chin of David Justice, and Henry “Hammerin Hank” Aaron who broke Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. A Time to Celebrate a Grand Slam!
Admittingly, “The Atlanta Braves won the World Series. But they face a tougher opponent off the field,” one headline stated. Yes, the existence of racial divide, social injustice, high crime, and other challenges in the community is real. “Sports is the great melting pot,” says Gerald A. Griggs, first vice president of the At- lanta chapter of the NAACP and a self-described Braves fan “since I could walk.” “Sports definitely can be used as a healing agent,” he says. A Time to Celebrate a Grand Slam!
In retrospect, our dad loved the game of baseball! He loved to ‘load’ his children in the ‘Sunday car” and take off to Rogers Park or 22nd Street ball field to watch the visiting teams play. Together, we sat for a while in the stand, then Daddy would say, “You children can go play, but I better be able to see you!” With a smile, he would give us a few nickels, dimes, and a quarter to buy some peanuts and a box of cracker jacks,” a hotdog and soda; a candy bar or a snack. Off we would go to play on the slides, bars, and ride the carousel; and sometimes watch tennis or golf players! When the ball game was over, Daddy would ‘round us up’ and back home we would go! A Time to Celebrate Dad’s Grand Slam!
Even though life circum- stances and challenging situa- tions existed and impacted our daddy too. His love for the game of baseball and ‘loading’ his children in the car with him made life-living worth it all. That’s love! In retrospect, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother once said, “Memories are everyone’s second chance at happiness.”
John 15:9 (ESV) reports, Even As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. Abiding love is safe, enduring, permanent, sacrifi- cial love. Thanks, Daddy and Mama, you are never out in our hearts...”At the old ball game.”
In abiding love and fond memories, we honor your legacy: Leatricia, Earliest, Val- retha (Val), Maggie, Norma, Michele, Thelma, Annette, Juanita; grandchildren and family members.
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