Page 35 - Florida Sentinel 9-30-22

Funerals
WASHINGTON
MRS. MERCEDES GREEN GRAHAM
Mrs. Mercedes Green Gra- ham was born March 10, 1927 to the union of Jeremiah Green, Sr. and Beatrice Green-Goshea. She and her siblings were raised by their grandparents, Rev. O. C. Green, Sr. and Louvonia Green. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rev. Willie B. Graham; two sons, Jonathan Graham, Sr., and Steven L. Graham; and her two siblings, Jeremiah Green, Jr. and Lois Jackson.
She became a Christian at an early age at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church under the pas- torate of her grandfather Rev. O. C. Green, Sr. After marriage, she joined her husband at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where she sang in the Inspira- tional Choir, Choir No. 1; she also served as a Deaconess, on the Senior Mission and the Progres- sive Pallbearers Grand Union, Lodge No. 129. She worked at Kraft Foods for several years and finally in the Hillsborough County Schools Food Services System from which she retired in 1989.
She leaves to cherish her pre- cious memories and rejoice in her love: her children, Marjorie G. Cooper, Andrew L. Graham, Sr. (Gean), Shelia M. Graham- Bryant (Carl), Eric C. Graham (Patricia), and Douglas C. Gra- ham (Karen); grandchildren, Inola Marcus (Mark), Sonja Gra- ham (Eric), Andrea Graham- Walker, Andrew Graham, Jr. (Nicole), Sharon Rockwell (Mil- ton), Chantell Newsome (Ray- mond), Eric Graham, Jr., Anjalynn Graham-Forte, Jonathan Graham, Jr. (Lucinda), Iretha Edwards, Warren Gra- ham, Daniel Graham, Sr. (Sophia), LorriAnne Abeyi (Joseph), Anthony Graham, Zenita Rountree (Joshua), Dou- glas Graham, Jr. (Ashley), Jer- maine Graham (Sharonda), Nathan Graham (Ivorie), Alecia Bryant-Spencer (Andrew), Eric Bryant (Felicia), Carla Bryant, Oscar Bryant (Thembi), and Penny Middleton-Graham; 84 great-grandchildren; 72 great- great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Janie Green; five godchildren, Retha M. Goff Cooper, Joanne Polk Cox, Joe Dixon, Velma Holloman, and Gabrielle Roberts; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and other sorrowing relatives and friends; and her Bethel Church Family; The staff of Hawthorne Villages Estates; and LifePath Hospice Care.
WESTSIDE
MRS. AQUILLA MORGAN
God saw it best to call Sister Aquilla Morgan home Wednes- day, September 21st, 2022. She will forever be remembered as not being an Ordinary Woman, but an Extraordinary Woman who lived to Impact not just Im- press with her service and love to All who knew her.
The arrangements of her ex- traordinary life are as follows: Wake: Friday, September 30, 2022, from 4-6 PM at St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church Par- rish, Florida. Her Homegoing and Celebration of Life is Satur- day, October 1, 2022, at 11AM at St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church Parrish, Florida, Rev. Dr. Fletcher Lawson, Jr. Pastor; Minister Ricky Stephens, Offici- ating. Interment to follow AT Parrish Cemetery. Mask is Re- quired at Funeral and Wake Service.
Mrs. Aquilla Morgan was born in Parrish, Florida on No- vember 28th, 1941, to the late Carrie Bell Jackson and Charlie Jackson. She is preceded in death by: her Grandmother, Nina Covington McNeal, her Aunt Rachel Jackson (My Pie) who raised her; beloved brother, Monroe Jackson, and her brother, Horace Dozier, Sr.
She leaves precious memo- ries for her family: daughters, Kathy Morgan, Eugenia John- son, Sheila Helms (Dewayne,) her baby, Abreil Morgan (Jason,) and like a son, her nephew, William Jackson (Feli- cia); grandchildren, Eugene Troy Morgan, Latoya Lovett
(Anthony,) Lenishia Johnson (Michael,) and Ambrose Helms. Her great-grandchildren, Shi- anne Simpson, Shardai Sallye, Jahiem Gordon, Shanyah Sallye, Kelvin Lyons, Jr., Jahleah Aquilla Eniel Gordon, and Olivia Star Garrett.
She leaves her love to her sister, Rosetta “Red” Dozier and her brother, Norman Jackson; her lifelong friend, Daisy Cooper, loving family members especially nieces, nephews, cousins, treasured friends, for- mer colleagues, students, church family, and beloved Sen- ior Women Ministry.
Mrs. Aquilla Morgan was a graduate of Lincoln Memorial High School. She continued her education at Hillsborough Jr. College, University of South Florida for her Bachelor’s, and Master of Arts in Education from the University of Tampa. She graduated with honors from both Universities and is a mem- ber of Phi Kappa Phi Honor So- ciety.
Mrs. Aquilla Morgan had a successful teaching career for Hillsborough County Public Schools for 43 years at Wimauma Elementary. She was the first Black employee at the school and a pillar of Education in Wimauma, Florida for gener- ations and loved all her stu- dents.
Sister Morgan was a mem- ber at St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church in Parrish, Florida and held the longest membership at her church as a member for 71 years. Sister Morgan held various positions in her local church along with her district, Mt. Pilgrim M. B. Association as the Senior Women President for 16 years and served as First Vice Presi- dent of the Progressive M & E Baptist State Convention of Florida, Inc., for more than 25 years.
Sister Morgan’s favorite quote: “If I can help somebody as I pass this way, then my living is not in vain,” and she lived it daily. She will truly be missed by her loving family, treasured friends, great colleagues, stu- dents, and her church family.
Westside Funeral Home, Palmetto Florida, entrusted with arrangements.
FAMILY NOTICE
MR. LEROY JOHNSON
A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service for Mr. Leroy Johnson of Tampa, Florida, will be held on Friday, September 30, 2022 from 6-8 p. m. at New Zion Temple Holiness Church, 821 Flora Street, Tampa, Florida
33604, Pastor Andrew Holder, Eulogist.
Mr. Leroy Johnson was born March 15, 1948 in Tampa, Florida, to the late Clarence and Vera Johnson. He attended dif- ferent alternative schools.
He was preceded in death by: Nathaniel, Clarence and Pauline Hemmingway; his niece, Felecia Nicole Demerson and Felecia Nicole Williams, AKA “Sugar Plum.”
He leaves behind: 3 sisters, Elizabeth Williams, Christine Johnson, and Brenda Johnson; 2 brothers, Jimmie Johnson and Bobbie Johnson; best friend, Fred; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Circle of Mothers; Sun Coast Hospice, Martin Plant Hospital, Clearwater Center, The Bryant, Aldridge, Toliver and Whitfield family reunion, and to my adopted family, Ros- alinda Larry.
Repass following the memo- rial service at the church.
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