Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 10-12-18

Local Family Matriarch To Celebrate 100th Birthday
St. Peter Claver Hosts
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On October 15, 1918, Perry and Fannie James welcomed their daughter, Es- tella, into the world. The family lived in Oakfield, Geor- gia at the time.
Ms. Estella, as she is known, reached adulthood in her hometown and married William Vinson, in 1937. Seven years later, the young couple and their children, Doris and Willie Mae, moved to Tampa. Four more children, William, Edward, Darrell, and Kimberly joined the family.
She became a widow in July 1994, after 57 years of marriage.
Ms. Estella also ventured into the employment arena, holding many positions along the way. Some of those in- cluded: Head Chef at the Uni- versity of Tampa, Head Custodian at the University of South Florida, where she worked the next 17 years.
Ms. Estella made a ca- reer change and decided to work with children. She was hired as a foster grandparent at Lavoy Exceptional School. In 1995, she was honored with the title of “Grandmother of the Year.”
Ms. Estella continued to
of those you served. She re- calls the days of signs that read, “colored.”
And she remembers the freedom marches and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the days of the Black Panther and when people of color could not vote.
Ms. Estella, like so many others was amazed, happy and proud to see a Black man become President of The United States. However, she was fortunate enough to at- tend the Inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009.
Ms. Estella said about her upcoming birthday, “I feel wonderful. I don’t get around aswellasIusedtobut,Igo shopping, I can get out and go places, and I’m still in my right mind.
“It’s a blessing to reach this age and I’m thankful God has let me live to see 100.”
Now, the family matri- arch prepares to celebrate 100 years of gracious living. She is blessed to have 17 grandchil- dren, 45 great grandchildren, 27 great, great grandchildren and 1 great, great, great grandchild.
Ms. Estella will celebrate her birthday with family and friends on Saturday, October 20th, at the American Legion on Kennedy Blvd.
Anniversary Celebration
MRS. ESTELLA JAMES VINSON Born October 15, 1918
work, but the day came when she decided to retire at the age of 90.
However, that doesn’t mean that she just sits at home. She is very active in her community and church. As a member of Pilgrims Rest Mis- sionary Baptist Church she has ushered, sang in the choir and currently is an active member of the Mother’s Board.
Ms. Estella is blessed to have seen a lot of history in her life. She lived through the Segregation Era and the battle for Civil Rights.
As she reflects upon her lifetime, Ms. Estella recalls the days of segregation where as a person of color couldn’t drink out of the same fountain
The St. Peter Claver Parish and School Family continues its 125th Anniversary Celebration with a weekend of revival through dynamic preaching and teaching, Friday, October 12 – Sunday, October 14, 2018, at the church, located at 1203 N. Ne- braska Avenue, Tampa. All are welcome to join in this highly anticipated component of the anniversary celebration.
Nationally acclaimed theolo- gian Reverend Monsignor Anselm Nwaorgu, Ph.D., pastor, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Union, New Jersey, will be the featured cele- brant and guest speaker for the weekend of revival. The teach- ings of Monsignor Nwaorgu will focus on the Diocesan theme, “Courageously Living the Gospel through Faith, Unity and Community.” Participation of the public is encouraged for robust dialogue.
Scheduled activities include:
Friday, October 12, 6 p. m. – Spaghetti Dinner – 7 p. m. – Re- vival Service
Saturday, October 13, 10 a. m. – 3:50 p. m. (Conference Day; Worship and Praise, Re- flections, Discussions (Lunch will be provided); 4 p. m. – Vigil Mass
Sunday, October 14, 10 a. m. – Mass
The weekend is sponsored by the Diocese of St. Petersburg Black Catholic Ministry.
For additional information please contact Dale Brown,
REV. MSGR. ANSELM NWAORGU
(dpb@dosp.org) or Neville Evans, (nevillee77@gmail.com).
About the Speaker
Rev. Msgr. Anselm Nwaorgu, Ph.D., was ordained to the holy priesthood on May 30, 1992. In June of 2009, Pope Benedict elevated him to the status of a Papal Chamber- lain – a Monsignor, making him the first Native African in the state of New Jersey.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from Urban Uni- versity, Rome; a Master’s De- gree in Systematic Theology; a Master’s Degree in Counselor prep; a master’s in Divinity in Pastoral Ministry, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, from Seton Hall University, South Or- ange, New Jersey.
In May 1991, he received the Pope John Paul II Medal for Su- perior Academic Work in Theol- ogy from Immaculate Conception Seminary, Seton Hall University.
Revival To Continue 125th
FYI
Sarcoidosis Support Group To Meet
The Sarcoidosis Support Group will meet on Saturday, Oc- tober 13, 2018, 3-5 p. m. at the Seminole Branch Library, 4711 N. Central Ave., Tampa 33603.
Those in attendance have an opportunity to meet and greet others with Sarcoidosis, share your story and treatment options and hear the latest in research.
The Support Group is sponsored by Janine’s Sarcoidosis Outreach Foundation and the American Lung Association of Florida.
For additional information, please call: Megi Garrison, (813) 785-0000.
From Runaway To The Runway
The 6th Annual From Runaway to The Runway Fashion Gala will be held Saturday, October 13, 2018, 6 p. m. The fash- ion show will be held at the Fort Harrison Hotel, 210 S. Ft. Harrison Ave., Clearwater, FL 33756.
The event is open to the public. For more information, please call Sonja Jordan (813) 374-2184, at Miracles Out- reach.
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018