Page 29 - Florida Sentinel 2-8-19

Funerals
RAY WILLIAMS
MS. CASSANDRA B. BRYANT
Ms. Cassandra B. Bryant of Tampa, departed homeward on Wednesday, January 30th, 2019. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, February 9 at 11 a. m. at Southside Church of Christ, 6411 12th Av- enue South, Tampa, FL, Brother Eddie S. Harper, Sr., Minister, with Brother Melvin Eugene Bryant, Jr., officiat- ing. Interment will follow in Garden of Memories Ceme- tery.
Cass, as she preferred to be called, was born in Cam- den, New Jersey on October 8, 1952. She was the 8th child of the late Lula Mae and Melvin Eugene Bryant, Sr. She gradu- ated from Cinnaminson High School in 1970 and moved to Florida shortly after graduat- ing. She settled in Tampa and though she bore no children, she was a surrogate mother to many and second mom to Jerome, Steve and Thomia (Greg). She worked at Gar- dinier, Critikon (Johnson & Johnson), GEAC and Infor.
Cass was preceded in her journey to God’s Kingdom by: her parents, and her siblings, Eugene, Veronica, Shelton, Barbra and Anna.
She leaves to celebrate her life: a host of loved ones: her Florida Crew, best friend, Wanda Vann; sisters, Susie Mae (Lloyd) Bedford, An- toinette Artis and Grace (Robert) Hawkins; brothers, Melvin (Suzette) Bryant and Keith D. (Jennifer) Bryant; godchildren, Asha Jones, Brit- tany Jones, and David Jones; first cousins, Carl T. (Vivian) Hamilton, Cora (James) Rizzo, Shirley Nesmith and Morris Smalls; she leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and her Tampa fam- ily, all of whom are too many to name, to continue with memories and the celebration of her life.
Cass accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was pre- pared for her journey home. She has indicated she would prefer donations to a scholar- ship fund for her great nieces and nephews in lieu of flow- ers. Donations can be made to: Cassandra B. Bryant Trust Fund.
The visitation will be held on Friday, February 8, from 5- 8 p. m. at Ray Williams Fu- neral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
MR. CURTIS LEE DAVIS
Mr. Curtis Lee Davis of Tampa, passed away Monday, February 4, 2019. Funeral services will be conducted Sat- urday, February 9, at 2 p. m. at St. Matthew Missionary Bap- tist Church, 3716 E. Lake Av- enue, with Reverend W. D. Sims, Pastor, officiating. Inter- ment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Curtis Lee Davis was a na- tive of Lacoochee, FL born to Elery and Cora Davis. They both preceded him in death along with his stepmother, Jezebel Davis, grandmother, Lula Cook Baker and sister, Vi- vian McConico.
He attended school in both Pasco and Hillsborough Coun- ties. He later pursued a nurs- ing career by way of Job Corp and continued to work in the health care industry until his retirement.
Curtis enjoyed time with his family and friends at the Centro Place Apartment Com- plex. He also hosted family af- fairs in both Dade City and Tampa, FL. Curtis was a faith- ful member of the Church of God in Christ in Dade City, FL, up until he moved to Tampa in 1959, and later became a mem- ber of St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church in Tampa, FL, under the leadership of Rev- erend W. D. Sims, where he served until his health de- clined.
He leaves to cherish his memories with: brother, Aaron Elroy (Phyllis) Davis of Mobile, AL; sisters, Betty (Reg- gie) James, Tampa, FL and Al- tamese (Andre) Parham, Tampa; brother-in-law, Alonzo McConico of Tampa; first cousins, Mitchell Davis, Jr. (Marian) of Land O’Lakes, FL, Dr. Shirley (Edwin) Har- vey of Brandon, FL, Arnetha (Hosea) Patrick of Ruskin, FL, and Gloria Davis, of Tampa; a host of nieces, grand nieces, nephews and grand nephews, who will also cherish his mem- ories: Michael (Veronica) Small, Tremane, Sr. (Leneisha) James, Keldren (Staci) Ricks, Tyshira Ricks, Darren James, Erin James, Al- fonzo Davis, Chandra Rowley, Andre Davis, Lisa Bell, Sophia O’Hara, Ebony Parham, An- drea Parham, Phillip Davis, and Christian Davis; and a host of cousins and special friends.
The remains will repose after 5 p. m. Friday, February 8 at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
MR. JIMMIE LEON GRAY
Mr. Jimmie Leon Gray of Tampa passed away Sunday, January 27, 2019. Funeral Services will be conducted Sat- urday, February 9th at 11 a. m. at Pilgrim Rest M. B. Church, 4202 W. Nassau Street, with Reverend Beverly Green, offi- ciating.
Mr. Gray was born in Ty Ty, GA in 1951 and was a resident of Tampa for 40 years. He graduated from Bartow High School in Bartow, FL in 1969 and Howard University in Washington, DC in 1974. He was a member of Pilgrim Rest M. B. Church, where he founded and raised grant funding for the Fatherhood Assistance Lifestyle and Legal Services (FALLS) community and faith-based organization.
He was a Licensed Opti- cian, who established Main Street Optical and Shades of Gray in West Tampa, based on his desire to be a Black entre- preneur, who could provide quality products and services at affordable prices in the inner city communities. His passion for economic develop- ment for underserved commu- nities led him to become increasingly involved in the City of Tampa’s Community Development Corporation (CDC), where he was directly involved with the acquisition of federal funding such as the Enterprise Grant for past re- development of Ybor City and future redevelopment of West Tampa.
He eventually retired as an Optician at LensCrafters five years ago to become the care- taker for his parents, Daniel Gray, Sr., who passed at 92 in 2017 and Rosa Young Gray who passed at 92 in 2019 in Ty Ty, GA.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Daniel and Rosa Gray.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Maxine Gray of Tampa, FL; one daugh- ter, Nancy Gray of Tampa; and three sons, Brian Mills (Ale- sha) of Lawrenceville, GA, Joshua Gray of Decatur, GA, and Justin Gray of Tampa; he also leaves behind two broth- ers, Fred Gray (Vivian) of Tampa, and Dr. Daniel Gray (Barbara) of Orlando, FL; five granddaughters; seven aunts; three uncles; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends that will miss him dearly.
The remains will repose after 5 p. m. Friday, February 8th at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Ave.
Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
MR. GEORGE WINN, JR.
Mr. George Winn, Jr. of Tampa, passed away Monday, January 28, 2019, after a lengthy illness. Funeral serv- ices will be conducted Satur- day, February 9, at 11 a. m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Av- enue, with Dr. Ala Faye Nelson Vickers, officiating. Inter- ment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. George Winn, Jr. was a native of Gold Dust, Louisiana and a resident of Tampa for many years. He was educated in the public schools of Avoyelles Parrish and was a graduate of Carver High School, Class of 1962. After graduation, Mr. Winn, Jr. began his career in the United States Air Force where he hon- orably served for 20 years traveling around the world with and without his family. After retiring from the mili- tary, Mr. Winn began a second career at the United States Post Office as a Mail Handler, where he served for 26 years.
He accepted Jesus as his personal savior at a very young age and faithfully loved the Lord until his death. His hobbies include: billards (pool), golf, fishing and pho- tography. He was very tal- ented and passionate about his career and his hobbies and he loved being with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, George Winn, Sr. and Salena Murray; his loving son, Broderick Winn; one sister, two brothers, mother-in-law and two fa- thers-in-law.
Forever cherishing fond memories of him are: his lov- ing and devoted wife of 51 years, Henri Mae Winn; daughter, LaSandra J. Winn; grandson, Rayvon D. Winn; granddaughter, Rainesha A. Winn; daughter-in-law, Shenita Winn; special sister- in-law, Gwendolyn Johnson; brother, Leroy Jackson (Velma); sisters, Dorothy Nicholson and Bertha Blick; brother-in-law, Robert L. Cummings; a host of nieces, nephews; best friends, Cal Wickliffe, and Virgil Reed (Yvonne); special uncle, Li- onell Cummings; and a host of other relatives and friends.
The remains will repose from 9 to 11 a. m. Saturday morning, February 9, at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, prior to funeral service time.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
WILSON
MRS. DELORIS SHERMAN TAYLOR
Homegoing Celebration for Mrs. Deloris Sherman Taylor, who passed on January 28, 2019, will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2019, at 11 a. m. at New Mt. Zion Missionary Bap- tist Church, 2511 E. Columbus Drive, Tampa, Florida, with Pastor Larry L. Roundtree, II, officiating. Interment will fol- low in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Deloris Sherman Tay- lor was born October 4, 1931 in Dawson, Georgia to the proud parentage of Clifford and Tlacidia Sherman. She at- tended Terrell County Public Schools, graduating from Carver High School.
Deloris met the love of her life, Charles (Doc) Taylor and they married in 1949, later re- locating to Tampa, Florida in 1951. She was a faithful wife (48 years) and dedicated mother, raising two sons, Charles and Ronald. Deloris worked and taught in the Hills- borough County Public School System for 34 years. After re- tiring from the school system, she was a committed volunteer at St. Joseph Women’s Hospi- tal. A great majority of her time was dedicated to her church, New Mt. Zion Missionary Bap- tist Church, where she served on the Pastor’s Aide Commit- tee, Trustee Board, and Usher Board.
Deloris was predeceased by both her parents, Clifford and Tlacidia Sherman, Sr.; hus- band, Charles Taylor; brothers, E. C. Sapp, Clifford Sherman, Jr., Clarence Sherman; sisters, Clifford Lee Redding and Eva Mae Richardson.
She leaves to cherish loving memories with: 2 sons, Charles Taylor and Ronald (Janice) Taylor; 3 grandsons, Keith Tay- lor, Kevin Taylor and Aric Tay- lor; 2 great-grands, Dontae Taylor and Chauntae Taylor; sister, Margaret Bob; sister-in- law, Susie Taylor (Nelson) Pierce; godson, Charles Brown; godmother, Delores Wheeler; special friends, Al- berta Reed and Thelma Ben- ton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.
There will be a viewing on Friday February 8, 2019, from 5 – 8 p. m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida.
Friends are asked to assem- ble at the church on Saturday at approximately 10:45 a. m. for the service.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
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