Page 28 - Florida Sentinel 9-22-17

Funerals
AIKENS
MRS. SHEILA DENISE JOHNSON-MARTIN
A homegoing celebration for Mrs. Sheila Denise Johnson- Martin of Tampa, Florida who passed away on Thursday, Sep- tember 14, 2017 will be held Sat- urday, September 23, 2017 at 11 a.m. at The Center for Manifes- tation, 3102 E. Lake Ave. Apos- tle Mark T. Jones, pastor with Rev. Laytecia McKinney, pastor of Victory Temple Outreach Ministries, Inc. officiating.
Sheila was born October 9, 1965, in Selma, Alabama. She attended Holy Outreach Church and graduated from Hillsbor- ough High School. She enjoyed socializing with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by: her mother, Bernice Walker.
She leaves to cherish her precious memories with: her husband, Nathaniel Martin, Jr.; children, Donald Handford, Jr., Lakesia Johnson and Shereka McKinley; grandchildren, Don- tavius Handford, A’niya Hand- ford, Rodney Breaux, Jr., and Charli Archie; father, Johnny Melvin; brothers, Jimmy Mar- shall (Marion), Cedric Walker (Rhonda), and Johnny Walker; sisters, Diane Crecy (Rodney), Sharon Whitehead, and Kendra Hightower; aunts, Mary Walker, Lily McMillion, Frankie Wynn, Lucy Ruth and Rosie Peasant; uncle, Bonnie Walker; nieces, Sekitha Crecy, Rickemy Whitehead, Diana Whitehead, Shaneshia Walker, Tiffany Whitehead, Diamond Walker, Kei’andra Walker, Ka’turah Walker and Luwanna Thomas; nephews, Jimmy Marshall, Jr., Stephon Knight, Rickey White- head, Jr., Christopher Walker, Theron Marshall, Cedric Walker, Jr., and Johnny Walker, III; a host of cousins; stepdaughters, Ashley Martin and Jasmine Martin; best friend, Lorane Baxter; god- daughters, Voronica and Alexis Polite.
The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Fri- day, September 22, 2017 from 5- 8 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service.
MR. CARL LAMONT SAUNDERS, SR.
A homegoing celebration for Mr. Carl L. Saunders, Sr., of Tampa, Florida who passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2017 will be held Saturday, September 23rd, 11 a.m. at True Life Community Wor- ship Center, 7402 N. 56th St. Bldg. 600, Pastor Calvin Green, officiating. The inter- ment will be in Orange Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Carl Saunders, Sr., was born in Beckley, West Virginia on February 16, 1972 to the parentage of Carl Saun- ders and Buena Dews-Mar- shall. He moved to Tampa, Florida at the age of twelve and attended local schools, where he later graduate from H. B. Plant High School.
Carl married the love of his life (Sholette) and has been married to her for fif- teen years. He worked at Southern Wine and Spirits for seven years, where he was honored as employee of the month. He loved fishing, cooking, football, looking good and feeling good.
Carl loved to make people laugh and he touched the hearts of many.
He was preceded in death by: his grandfather, Howard Dews; and cousin, Roland Frazier.
He leaves to cherish his precious memories with: his wife, Sholette Saunders; fa- ther, Carl Saunders; mother, Buena Dews-Marshall; stepfa- ther, Rubin Marshall; sons, Carl Saunders, Jr., (Jessica), Corey Saunders, Je’hoshua Bromell and Javon’te Bromell; siblings, Katina and Twila Saunders; stepsisters, Sharlettha and Disaree Mar- shall; grandmother, Teresa Dews; aunts, Joquita Frazier, Teresa Dalton (Roy), Angella Dews-Rhodes (Charles) and Subrina Potter (Orlando); uncle, Thomas Saunders; nieces, Shakayla Saunders, Deidra Kemp and Jasmine Housley; nephews, Demetrius Saunders (Amanda Ohams), Jaylon Saunders, and De- mond Kemp, Jr.; greatnieces, Leyanna Wells and Imani Saunders; greatnephew, Jakease Hudson-Saunders; mother-in-law, Madine Green and his loving dog and best friend, Riley; a host of other cousins, family and friends.
The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home Fri- day, September 22nd from 5-8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5-6 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Sat- urday for the service.
CHARLOW
MRS. LILLIAN LUCRETIA KING GORDON
The Homegoing Service for Mrs. Lillian Lucretia King Gor- don, who departed this life on Thursday, September 14, 2017, will be held on Saturday, Sep- tember 23, 2017, at 11 a.m. at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, 108 S. Warnell Street, Plant City, FL 33563. Visitation will be Friday, September 22, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church. Elder Larry Sykes will officiate.
Mrs. Gordon was born in Live Oak, Florida, as one of six daughters to the late Howard and Lena Mae King. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Delores Gaddy and Shirley Kelly.
Lillian was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough County, graduating from Mar- shall High School.
She continued her education at the University of South Florida where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in El- ementary Education.
Lillian was employed by the School District of Hillsborough County. She started her teach- ing career at McDonald Elemen- tary School in Thonotosassa, FL where she retired as a Reading Specialist after 26 years of dedi- cated service in June of 2000.
After retiring from the School District of Hillsborough County, Lillian continued to re- main active in lives of children by tutoring and substitute teach- ing.
Her professional and service organizations were: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Eastern Stars, Calanthe and the National Edu- cation Association (NEA).
To cherish her precious memory Lillian leaves: 4 daugh- ters: Wanda Holmes, Noralynn Anderson (Ernest), both of Plant City, Florida; Chandra Gordon, Deland, FL and Carol Betina Gordon, Plant City, FL; 3 sisters: Graycell Smith, Mary Joyce Clayton (Robert), both of Plant City, FL, and Gwendolyn King, Montgomery, AL; 8 grand- children: LaCretia, Michael, Ka- trina, Crystal, Ernest, Tia, Brittaney and Jaron; 3 great grandchildren: Jaden, Kamilah and Loyal; a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, other close relatives and dear friends. “CHARLOW FUNERAL HOME”
INTEGRITY
MS. OPAL BUTLER
A Celebration of Life will be held for Ms. Opal Butler on Sat- urday, September 23, 2017 at 2 p.m. at New Rising Star Min- istries, 1509 E. North Bay Street, Tampa, 33610, with Rev. Otis Cooper, Pastor, offi- ciating. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park.
Ms. Opal Butler was the daughter of Walter Salters and Lizzie Hicks-Salters.
Opal was born on February 8, 1928, in Frostproof, FL. She attended the public schools of Polk County, which aided to prepare her for a great life.
Ms. Butler was blessed with three children: Evelyn Lucas, Ray Johnson (deceased), and Mary Bellamy. She later mar- ried Mr. Ernest Butler who helped to raise her children. Opal worked tirelessly and helped to provide for her fam- ily. There was no job that she would not do; she worked as a maid at the Alamo Hotel and as a cook at Willow Restaurant, where she ultimately became the Chef.
In her later years, Ms. But- ler hung up her apron and de- voted her time to caring for her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She not only cared and loved her children and family, but all the children in the neighborhood. Ms. Opal Butler lived a rich, full life.
On Saturday, September 9, 2017, she departed this earthly existence at the seasoned age of eighty-nine. She will forever be remembered for her strength and speaking her mind, she was truly one of a kind.
Ms. Butler was preceded in death by: her parents, Walter Salters and Lizzie Hicks- Salters; her son, Ray Johnson, Jr.; and her brother, Walter Salters, Jr.
She leaves to cherish fond memories: two daughters, Eve- lyn Lucas and Mary Bellamy; grandchildren, Clarence Mar- shall (Jackie), Brenda Riascos (Lewis), Antony Butler (Thomasa), Haravett Bellamy (Bette), Cedric Bellamy, Leroy Bellamy, Jr., (Tammy), LaTasha Bellamy, Terrance Johnson and Catherine John- son; many great and great, great grandchildren; a host of cousins, and other relatives and friends.
Public Visitation for Ms. Opal Butler will be held Friday, September 22, 2017, from 6-8 p.m. at Integrity Funeral Serv- ices, 3822 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa 33605. Family and Friends are asked to assemble at the church on Saturday no later than 1:45 p.m.
“A Service of Integrity”
MS. EVELINE ARNETTA TRUITT-THOMAS “MAMACITA”
A Celebration of Life for Ms. Eveline Arnetta Truitt- Thomas will be held Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Col- lege Hill, 3838 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Dr. S. Evan Burrows, Pastor with Rev. Christopher Jarnegan, officiating.
Eveline Arnetta Thomas affectionately known as “Ma- macita” by those that knew her was a kind, fun loving per- son who never met a stranger. Her friendly upbeat personal- ity was infectious because it was simply impossible to be in a bad mood around her. Eve- line was born November 15, 1957, to Thomas and Fannie Bell Truitt in Tampa, FL. As a lifelong resident of Tampa, and self-proclaimed “Mayor of 2-9,” you could often catch her rolling through the streets of Tampa in her electric wheel- chair chatting and laughing with everyone. Caring for oth- ers gave her joy, and she wouldn’t hesitate to give her last to someone in need.
Mamacita was fiercely in- dependent, and never allowed her disability to prevent her from enjoying her life. She en- joyed her life and lived on her own terms until she took her last breath on September 1, 2017 when God decided that he needed his Angel back. To know her was to love her, and she will truly be missed.
She leaves to cherish her memory: brothers and sisters, Albert Stevens, NH, Sandy Hall Jr. (Julia), FL., Jesse Hall, GA, Ronnie Hall, TX, Phyllis Hall, FL, Barbara Greene, FL and Eileen Truitt, FL; one aunt, Katherine An- drews; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Her memories will also be in the hearts of those of the 29th Street community.
Public Visitation will be held Friday, September 22, 2014 at First Baptist Church of College Hill, 3838 N. 29th Street, Tampa. The family will receive friends 6-8p.m.
“A Service of Integrity”
PAGE 18-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017