Page 30 - Florida Sentinel 4-8-22

Funerals/Memoriam
RAY WILLIAMS
MR. ROOSEVELT ESCALANTE
Mr. Roosevelt Richard Es- calante, of Tampa, Florida, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of West Tampa, 1302 N. Willow Av- enue, Tampa, Florida, 33607, with Reverend Rayford Harper, Pastor, Officiating. MASK RECOM- MENDED. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Ceme- tery.
Roosevelt Richard Escalante was born on February 11, 1951, to Olegario and Susie Lee Escalante. He was a native of Tampa and a res- ident for 71 years. He was em- ployed as a Warehouse Manager at Norandex.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Olegario and Susie Lee Escalante; brothers, George and Ricky Escalante and nephew, George R. Escalante, Jr.
Roosevelt attended Blake High School, Class of 1970. He enjoyed sitting on his porch smoking his ci- gars and listening to his favorite music. Roosevelt was a loving hus- band, father, grandfather “Papa,” brother, uncle and devoted friend who left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
Roosevelt leaves to cherish beautiful and loving memories with: his wife of 32 years, Gloria Es- calante; two sons, Andre (Ranjini) of Glendale, Arizona, and Roo- sevelt, Jr., (Marty) of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky; four daughters, Alexis, Kenitra, (Craig), Telisha, and Onica (Clinton); seven grandchildren, Jayda, Roosevelt, III, “Trey,” Paul, Clinton, Jr., (CJ), Mia, Rebekah and Kelina; four brothers, Antonio (Virginia), Frank (Rita) of Mitchel- lville, Maryland, Willie (Joy) and Joseph (Tanya) of Orlando, Florida; sisters-in-law, Kathy and Mary Escalante; brothers-in-law, Cullen (Ann), Earl (Mary) and Lyn- don (Paula); devoted friends, Charles Santana and Isaac Nash and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
The visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2022, at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. MASK RECOM- MENDED.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
www.raywilliamsfuneral- home.com
MRS. CAROLYN YVETTE MILLER
MRS. LALITA WATKINS
Mrs. Lalita Watkins, 74, a na- tive of Tampa, Florida, departed this life on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. The Homegoing Celebration Service for Mrs. Watkins will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Ray Williams Memo- rial Chapel, 301 North Howard Av- enue, Tampa, FL, 33606, with Pastor Allen Judge (Empowered By The Word Ministries), Officiat- ing. Interment will be on Monday, April 11, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL, 33513. The family kindly requests that guests wear a facemask at all services.
Lalita was born on September 15, 1947, to Mary Wilson and Jessie Lee Wilson. She was the youngest of three children: siblings, Rubye and Ernest Rogers Wilson.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, Jessie Lee Wilson and Mary Wilson; sister, Rubye Kil- patrick and brother, Ernest Rogers Wilson.
Lalita Watkins attended ele- mentary and middle schools in Hillsborough County and was a graduate of Middleton High School. Lalita was a Dietetic Tech- nician at Memorial Hospital for 15 years, and a Teacher Assistant with the Hillsborough County School District for 15 years until her re- tirement. She was a member of Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church and an Honorary Member of Empowered By The
Word Ministries in Tampa.
She will be affectionately re- membered for her gentle spirit, laughter, and radiant smile that al- ways made you feel welcome. She was always a joy to be around and a helping hand to those who loved
and knew her.
Lalita was a loyal and devoted
wife and mother who treasured spending time with her loved ones. Some of her favorite pastimes were photography and scrapbooking to capture precious moments.
For 53 years, Lalita was the de- voted wife of Mr. Harry J. Watkins, III, whom she married on Decem- ber 21, 1969. Lalita was the love of Harry’s life and the couple enjoyed spending quality time together tak- ing long drives and relaxing at the beach.
She leaves to cherish her mem- ories: her devoted husband, Harry J. Watkins; four loving daughters, Anika Coney (Ernest), Kai Jenkins (Josephus), Ngina Watkins (Anto- nio), and Katrya Watkins; god- daughter, who was much like her daughter, Jordan English; loving and proud grandmother to Nyla Styles, Shelby Coney, Kylen Pass- more, Kailey Jenkins, Cason Lee Kennedy, Kody and Kyndall Jenk- ins, Cameron Kennedy, Cali Kennedy, and Milani Boyd of Tampa, Florida; cousin, Cynthia Carey, who was as close as a sister, of Atlanta, Georgia; Marvin Knight, who was like a brother, of Tampa, Florida; The Wilson, Watkins, and Haywood families and a host of loving family mem- bers, church members and friends.
Visitation for Mrs. Lalita Watkins will be held from 4:00- 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2022, at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. The family kindly requests that guests wear a facemask at all services.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Own- ers
www.raywilliamsfuneral- home.com
WILSON
MRS. ALTHEA JAMES
A Celebration of Life Service was held for Mrs. Althea James at Mt. Calvary SDA Church, 4902 N. 40th Street, Tampa, Florida, at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2022 with Dr. Larry Johnson, Eu- logist with Pastor Yvette Parham, Officiating. Interment followed in Orange Hill Cemetery, 4900 E. Chelsea, Tampa, Florida.
On May 13, 1932, Althea James, the older of two siblings, was born to the late Alfred and Selena Thompson. She attended St. Peter Claver Elementary School and graduated from Mid- dleton Senior High School in 1951. In 1950, she married Al- fonso “Buddy” James and from this union five children were born.
Mrs. Althea James professed Christ at an early age and became a member of the First Baptist Church of West Tampa, under the leadership of the late pastor J. B. Lake. Later in life after hearing Elder C.D. Brooks, who was conducting a crusade in 1967, she accepted the Three An- gels Message and was baptized at Trinity Temple SDA Church in Newark, NJ. Upon returning to Tampa in 1979, Mrs. James united with Mt. Calvary SDA Church, where she served faith- fully as a Deaconess until her health declined.
Althea is preceded in death by: her husband, Alfonso James, Sr.; three daughters, Katrina Nichols, Cynthia Hicks and Dr. Lorraine Stiggers; son, Alfonso James, Jr., and Ganddaughter, Alicia Hicks.
Mrs. Althea James passed away on Thursday, March 31st at Tampa General Hospital.
She is survived by: her only living and devoted son, Jerome James (wife, Annette); grandchil- dren, Valencia, David, Arlencia, Alrene′, Artist, Aldarrel, Aljerral, Cyrus, Alleta, Ivory, Alfonso, III, Jerome, Justin, Cynthia, Lebron, Shanae′; 28 great grandchildren; brother, Alfonso Thompson (wife, Eleanor); a host of other nieces, nephews and cousins; daughters-in-law, Terri and Deb- orah; special friends, Eddie Mae Green, Nella Swobes, Ellen Thompson, Wonita McQueen, Shirley Thompson, Maggie Alma; host of Christian friends of Mt. Calvary SDA Church and other area churches and a host of other relatives and friends.
A viewing was held on Thurs- day at Mt. Calvary SDA Church from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
Carolyn Yvette Miller passed away on Friday, April 1, 2022. Fu- neral Services will be held on Sat- urday, April 9, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Victory AME Church, 5202 S. 86th Street, Tampa, FL, 33619, with Rev- erend Michael Price, Pastor, Offici- ating. MASK RECOMMENDED. Interment will be on Monday, April 11, 2022, 12:00 Noon at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33610.
Mrs. Carolyn Yvette Miller was born in Pamplico, South Carolina, on April 9, 1941. She was the fourth child of Hannibal and Zelma Gainey and moved to Tampa, Florida, at a young age. She at- tended the Hillsborough County Public Schools and graduated from Middleton High School, Class of 1959. Mrs. Miller obtained a Bach- elor of Arts degree from the Uni- versity of South Florida in 1989. She was employed with the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation De- partment for over 30 years and served in a leadership capacity for the majority of her employment.
Mrs. Miller met the love of her life, Robert, in high school and they were married in 1961. To this union was born her only child, Robert “Bobby” Jr. Mrs. Miller was an ac- tive member of Victory AME Church (formally St. James AME Church) for over 50 years.
Carolyn wore many hats and was passionate about serving God through her service to others. She was the Director of Project Focus, a tutoring program at the church for children in the community. She held several offices in the Lay Or- ganization. She led the Culinary Ministry, was an Usher and also sang in the Choir. Mrs. Miller was known for her “strut” and fashion- ing her “big hats.” Carolyn had a big heart and was willing to help anyone in need.
Mrs. Miller was preceded in death by: her parents, Hannibal and Zelma Gainey; husband, Robert; sisters, Ruby McDowell and Laura Thomas; brother, William Gainey; brothers-in-law, Charles Thomas and Bernard Ben- ton.
Left to cherish Carolyn’s mem- ories are: her son, Robert Miller, Jr.; sisters, Virgie Anglin (Billy), Katie Booher and Bridget Gainey Benton; brother, Dennis Gainey (Rose); sister-in-law, Thelma Gainey; close friend, Brenda Thompson; goddaughter, Arlene Brown; neighbor, Elijah Carr; like a second mother, Sallie Holmes and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held on Fri- day, April 8, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Victory AME Church, 5202 S. 86th Street, Tampa, FL 33619. MASK RECOMMENDED.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
www.raywilliamsfuneral- home.com
HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY
MARY HAWKINS DOB: 4/12
Dear God,
Please look after our Mother just as she looks after her family. Bless her and give her all the happiness she hopes for us to have, and let her feel protected just as we feel protected as we feel protected by the Angel we call Mom.
Happy Heavenly Birthday!
PAGE 18-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022