Page 31 - Florida Sentinel 12-1-17

Funerals/Memoriam
WILSON
MS. LINDA MAE REDWOOD
Homegoing Celebration of Ms. Linda Mae Redwood, affec- tionately known as “Aunt Lin“ or “Annie” will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017, at 11 a. m. at El Bethel Tabernacle UPC, 2121 South 78th Street, Tampa, Florida, Pastor Norris Gordon, with Pastor Dexter Gordon, offi- ciating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Ms. Redwood was preceded in death by: her parents, Victor and Mildred Black; two siblings, Clifton and Doris Black.
Aunt Lin leaves us with fond and cherished memories, she is survived by: devoted daughter, Beverly McLeish; grandchildren, Alton McLeish, Jr. and wife, Jen- nifer McLeish, Nicole Chin and husband, Robert Chin, Richard McLeish and wife, Heather McLeish and Ashleigh Burgess; great grandchildren, Kori Chin, Zoe Chin, Jakiera McLeish, Alton John McLeish, Ryanand Liam McLeish, Corey and Coby Quar- terman; beloved brother, Pastor Norris Gordon; nieces and ne- phews, Pastor Dexter Gordon, Nicholette Thornton, Karen Gor- don and Althea Stewart; a host of great-grand nieces, nephews, cousins; son-in-law, Alton McLeish, Sr.; sister-in-law, Sister Doreen Gordon; stepdaughter, Jacquelene Parkes Burgess; adopted daughter, Pauline An- drews; special family members and friends, including, Sister Pa- tricia Dixon, Miss. T (Grandma), Iris Wiggins, Sister Constance Salmon and other relatives and friends.
On Saturday November 11, 2017, Aunt Lin was called home to her eternal resting place.
Linda was born on Septem- ber 9, 1935 to the late Victor Black (Mr. Wood) and Mildred Blackwood in Lime Hall, St. Ann, Jamaica. She attended public and private schools in Jamaica and later migrated to the United States and resided in Tampa since 1985. She attended school in Hillsborough County where she obtained her CNA and Child- care License.
She worked at various nur- sing homes, including HCDC and University Village. Her greatest love and passion was taking care of children through her daycare.
Aunt Lin accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost. She was a very faithful member to the churches she attended, New Life Tabernacle and Greater Faith Ourtreach Center.
There will be a viewing on Sa- turday from 10–11 a. m. at El Bet- hel Tabernacle UPC (1 hour prior to the service).
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
GA, Rhonda Ellis (James), Alexandria, VA, Klisa Smith, Tampa, FL, Juanita George, Mit- tie Barnes, Albany, GA, Vera Barnes (James), Rosa Lee Dou- glas, Marritta Hick (like a mother), Tampa, FL and Elder Randolph Smith (Sally Holt Smith); a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; godson, Taylib Smith; god brothers, Randolph Smith, II and James Green, Jr.; god sisters, Vanessa Williams and Schemeika Neal; friends, Chief Thomas and Cynthia For- ward, Cornelius Redo and de- voted friend, Cheryl Jackson and family; like brothers, Keith Drew, Chief Alan Anderson, Darryl Drew, Anthony Myles, Eddie Daniels and
Kenneth George; other rela- tives and friends including, Pas- tor James R. Reed, Jr., and First Lady Cherisa, Elder Dr. Thomas and Mary Reed, Emeritus and the Grace Mary M. B. Church family.
Mr. Eddie James Smith, III was the eldest son born on Sep- tember 22, 1963 in Tampa, Florida to the parentage of Eddie James Smith, Jr. and Ida M. Smith. He was the first grand- child of Deacon Eddie James and Bernida Smith, Sr.
He accepted Christ at a very young age and was a member of Grace Mary M. B. Church under the Pastoral care of Elder James R. Reed, Jr. and Elder Dr. Thomas J. Reed. Eddie attended Epiphany Catholic School, Tampa Catholic and was a 1983 graduate of Hillsborough Senior High School, where he was a star bas- ketball athlete.
He continued his education at Bethune Cookman College and later transferred to Peru Univer- sity on a basketball scholarship. Mr. Smith later began his career as a fire fighter with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Department. He excelled through the ranks and concluded his career as a Driver Engineer. He successfully completed 30 years of dedicated service with the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, retiring in 2015.
There will be a viewing on Fri- day, December 1, 2017 from 5 – 8 p. m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida. Friends are asked to as- semble at the church at approxi- mately 1:45 p. m. for the service.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
was born on February 24, 1945 in Florence, SC to the late Mr. Hanibal and Mrs. Zelma Gainey. When she was a baby, her family moved to Tampa, FL. Laura at- tended Hillsborough County Public Schools and graduated from Middleton Senior High School, Class of 1963.
After graduating she moved to New York, NY where she lived and worked in the fashion dis- trict. After returning to Tampa she worked for a local liquor dis- tributor where she met her hus- band, Charles, a local business owner. She later married Charles Thomas, Sr. on January 3, 1973. From this union they had one child, Carmi (Thomas) Brown. Laura was a faithful member of First Missionary Bap- tist Church until her health de- clined.
Laura had a passion for life and all things fabulous. She en- joyed traveling, fashion and fine dining. She and Charles honey- mooned in Hawaii. They traveled to the Caribbean Islands and many other wonderful places in the world. Laura would also travel with her sisters and friends. Laura was somewhat of a fashion icon. She would often say that Tampa was introduced to hot pants and high fashion be- cause of her.
Laura was an excellent cook and she owned and operated sev- eral successful businesses with her husband, Charles, including The One Stop Inn, Seffner, FL, The Turn Table, Laura’s Seafood & Barbeque, both in Eustis, FL and Barbeque Express, Tampa.
There will be a viewing on Friday, December 1, 2017 at Wil- son Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, FL from 5–8 p. m., with the family present to re- ceive friends from 7–8 p. m. Friends are asked to assemble at the church on Saturday at ap- proximately 9:45 a. m. for the service.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
BROTHER EDDIE JAMES SMITH, III
Brother Eddie James Smith, III, passed away on November 22, 2017. His Homegoing Service will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 2 p. m., at New Hope Mis- sionary Baptist Church, 3005 E. Ellicott Street, Tampa, Florida, Rev. Larry J. Mouton, Jr., Pastor with Elder James R. Reed, Jr. of Grace Mary Missionary Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memo- rial Park Cemetery.
Eddie was preceded in eternal rest by: his grandparents, Eddie James and Bernida Smith, Sr. and Lymas and Missie Douglas, Sr.; uncles, Louis Douglas, Lymas Douglas, Jr., Elijah Douglas, Charlie Douglas and Davis Smith.
Now his memories will be shared and cherished in harmony by his family and friends. Among those left to celebrate his life are: his children, Eddie J. Smith, IV (Lucia), Jermaine Smith (Talia), Jermia Smith and Isaac Leroy Patrick Gallmon; grandchildren, Eddie J. Smith, V, Jahzara Monae Sheffield Smith, Bella Jaunae Smith and Jada Symone John- son; a loving and caring mother, Ida M. Smith and father, Eddie J. Smith, Jr.; step grandchildren, Brianna Hope Haynes and Kylie Morgan; siblings, Captain Regi- nald L. Smith (Traci), Bernida Smith and Eugene Jones; uncles and aunts, Deacon Lenton Dou- glas (Edna), Eddie Douglas also godfather (Cubie), Tampa, FL, Drs. Rubie Malone (James) Brooklyn, NY, Helen Smith John- son, Zephyrhills, FL, Herbert Smith (Jeris), Naples, FL, Albert Smith (Debra), Homosassa Springs, FL, Samuel Smith, Aaron Smith, Tampa, FL, Valerie Harrell (James), Atlanta, GA, Stanley Smith (Doris), Atlanta,
MRS. LAURA DEAN GAINEY THOMAS
Homegoing Service for Mrs. Laura Dean Gainey Thomas, who passed away on November 26, 2017 will be held on Saturday, De- cember 2, 2017 at 10 a. m. at Abundant Life Worship Center, 8117 N. 13th Street, Tampa, Florida, with Pastor Curt McKay. Interment will follow on Monday at Sarasota National Cemetery.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Charles Thomas, Sr.; parents, Hanibal and Zelma Gainey; son, Charles, Jr.; sister- in-law, Mary Larry and other rel- atives.
Laura was a dedicated wife, mother and community servant.
She leaves to cherish memo- ries of her with: daughters, Carmi Brown (Tyran), Deborah Thomas, Cheryl Thomas and Courtney Dabney; grandchildren, Sabrina, Marvin, Lakisha, Cory, Julian, Ricardo (Doyin), Chelsie, Kelsie, Kamony, Zuri and Scholar; 14 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews; sib- lings, Ruby McDowell (James), William Gainey (Thelma), Virgie Anglin (Billy), Carolyn Miller, Katie Booher, Dennis Gainey (Rose) and Bridget Gainey; a host of cousins; daughter-in-law, Gail Isaac-Thomas; dedicated care- giver, Darlene Brown; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Laura Dean Gainey Thomas
BIRTHDAY MEMORIAM
DORIS REEVES MARTIN 12-1-1927
Today we would have celebrated your 80th birthday; in- stead we are remembering you on what would have been your special day.
Mom, granny, aunt, sister, friend, neighbor, whatever, she was to you! You are truly missed and loved.
Rhonda Martin Gilbert and the family.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 21-A