Page 18 - Florida Sentinel 9-12-17

Funeral/Card Of Thanks
Family Held Memorial Service For Woman Missing 39 Years
WILSON
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Saturday, September 9th, a Tampa family held a Memorial Service for Ms. Brenda Joyce Williams. She had been missing for 39 years before her remains were identified through DNA two weeks ago.
When Ms. Williams left home that night in April 1978, her family didn’t realize they would never see her again.
At the time of her disap- pearance, the family did not become concerned when she didn’t return home the first night in April 1978. After she didn’t return home the sec- ond night, her family filed a Missing Person’s report with the Tampa Police Depart- ment.
Her family waited to get some news about Ms. Williams for 39 years. Then two weeks ago, they learned that their sister was deceased. Information gathered through DNA testing revealed that human remains found in 1986 belonged to Ms. Williams.
Her sisters, Ms. Sheila Williams and Ms. Sharon Scott, had participated in an event where Dr. Erin Kim- merle, Forensic Anthropolo- gist at the University of South Florida, and her staff had re- constructed the remains of unidentified cold cases police were working on last year.
The event was held at the Tampa Bay History Center last October. Ms. Williams and Ms. Scott observed one of the busts and realized it
MS. BRENDA JOYCE WILLIAMS
... Reported missing in 1978
bore a striking resemblance to their missing sister.
USF had created two busts for the Tampa Police Department. Both were unidentified Black women with one case taking place in 1979 and the other 1985. To date, neither of those women have been identified.
The sisters were taken to another room, where their DNA was taken. On August 24th, they learned that while neither of the busts they saw was their sister, their DNA had matched the remains of another unidentified woman.
The sisters met with Dr. Kimmerle and Acting Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan and were informed of the discovery.
The disappearance of Ms. Brenda Williams remains an active and open investiga- tion. At this point, police are not sure of the cause of death, a spokesperson said.
The Tampa Police Depart- ment is continuing its inves- tigation into the death as a cold case.
the United States Air Force and he served a year in Viet Nam. He later transferred to Denver, Colorado where he resided for many years. Mr. Flemister operated his own business and managed dif- ferent businesses through- out Denver, Colorado. He later moved to Columbia, S.C. for a number of years before settling in Spring Hill Florida. Larry had a great sense of humor, serious but funny. THE SOLDIER THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOT- TEN.
There will be a viewing on Thursday September 14, 2017 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.Friends are asked to assemble at the funeral home on Friday at approximately 10:45 a.m. for the service
“A Wilson Service www.wilsonfuneralhome.com
CARD OF THANKS
CARRIE LEE JAMES
A heartfelt thank you to all who sent cards, food and phone calls or came and visited. Your out- pouring of love was very much appreciated.
Thank you to Har- mons Funeral Home and staff for taking care of our loved one.
The James Family.
Local
MR. LARRY JOE FLEMISTER
Home going celebration for Mr. Larry Joe Flemister of Springhill, Florida who passed away on August 30, 2017 will be held on Friday September 15, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida with Rev. Leonard Harrington, offici- ating.
Interment with Military Honors will follow in Gar- den of Memories /Myrtle Hill Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ozie J. Flemis- ter II; mother, Fannie Flemister and daughter, So- lara Flemister.
Larry leaves to cherish memories of him with: his wife of 27 years, Joann Flemister; children, Tracey Flemister, Larry Flemister Jr. (Danielle) and Farron Flemister of Denver Col- orado; stepson, Ricky Lind- sey of Tampa, Florida; stepdaughter, Elizabeth Randolph of Tampa, FL; grandchildren, Sir Jones, Kailee Edwards, DaKari, Xena, Xolani, Tayvion and Araya Flemister, Ricky, Raquel, Jo Elle, Jo Vanni Lindsey and Quinton Ran- dolph; 5 brothers, Henry Flemister of Columbia, S.C., Ozie Flemister III, John Kirk and Bryant C. Flemis- ter all of Tampa, Florida; 5 sisters, Lela Delaney of Den- ver, Colorado, Diane (Michael) Joseph of Colum- bia, S.C., Sherry (Calvin) Patterson of Tampa, Florida, Barbara Solomon and Jacqueline (Eddie) Ben- jamin all of Columbia, S.C.; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Larry Joe Flemister a na- tive of Zebulon, GA. was the oldest of 5 brothers born to the parentage of Ozie J. Flemister II (Retired United States Army) and Fannie Flemister on October 16, 1951. Larry traveled with his father as a child attend- ing several schools. He was a resident of Columbia, SC for numerous years.
He eventually graduated from Spring Valley High School, Columbia, S.C. After graduation he entered
DEATH NOTICES
HARMON FUNERAL HOME
Ms. Charlie Mae Brumfield, Tampa
Mrs. Janice Hatcher, Tampa
Mr. Arthur Marcus, Tampa
Mr. Robert Wilson, Clearwater
INTEGRITY FUNERAL HOME
Mrs. Sandra Byrd, Tampa
Ms. Stephanie Wash- ington, Tampa
Mrs. Opal Butler, Tampa
JACKSON FUNERAL HOME
Mr. Lionel K. Moore, Tampa
RAY WILLIAMS
Mr. Ronald Davis, Sr. Tampa, FL
Mrs. Mariea Powell, Tampa, FL
Mrs. Alma J. Sims, Wesley Chapel, FL
Mrs. Elouise White, Tampa, Florida
PAGE 18 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017