Page 31 - Florida Sentinel 4-7-17

Funerals/Card Of Thanks/Memoriam
WILSON
CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
MS. BERNICE S. HOPKINS
The family of Ms. Ber- nice S. Hopkins acknowl- edges all acts of kindness rendered to us during the demise of our loved one. The condolences, prayers, telephone calls, cards, vis- its, floral arrangements and other sympathetic ges- tures are greatly appreci- ated.
~The Family~
IN MEMORIAM
MELONESE STRONG KEGLER 12/5/1950- 3/25/2017
We never want to say goodbye and so we never will. Although we’ve come to the end of the road, we will never let go.
A wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sis- ter, aunt and friend. Rest well, Melonese and worry not about Kake and your grand babies. We have them surrounded with love. Just the way you would want.
We love and miss you dearly.
Love Always, your hus- band, Wilbert K. Kegler, Kake, Rayne, Neesy, Kayla, Delores, Kathryn, Krista, Theona, Allie, John, Pren- tis Jr. and everyone whose life you touched.
MS. MARY KEETON FLEMMINGS
Homegoing services for Ms. Mary Keeton Flemmings, who passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2017, will be held on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 11 a. m. at Allen Temple A. M. E. Church, 2101 Lowe Street, Tampa, (33602) with Rev. Dr. Glenn Dames, Pas- tor, officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, Florida.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, Oliver Keeton, Sr. and Lena M. Keeton; brother, Oliver Keeton, Jr. and sister, Bet- tye Keeton Griffin.
Mary leaves to cherish her legacy of love, hope, service and everlasting memories with: 7 sis- ters, Juanita K. Cannon, Rutha K. Wilson (Reuben), Evelyne Keeton, Shirley K. Parker, Ollie Burgin (Bruce), Cynthia Keeton (devoted friend, Carlos Gill), Vi- olet K. Sailor, Monticello, FL; 1 brother, George Keeton, Phoenix, AZ; nieces and nephews, Tonya Mohammed (Ali), Anttwayne Walters, La Tecia McCardy (Kenneth), Miesha Agee, Benettye Griffin Davis (Hayward), Darian Wal- ters, Michael Cannon, Max Park, III, Alphonzo Reddmond, Jr. (Nicole), Copperas Cove, TX, Terry Pressley and wife, Tony Pressley, Glyndell Pressley, all of Monticello, FL and Kendra Pressley and wife, Orlando, FL; devoted cousins, Curtis Walker, Irving Walker, Memphis, TN, Lou Christie, Tallahassee, FL, Curtis Lane (Beverly), Mae McKenzie, Henrietta, NY, Aaron Keeton (Mae), Dorothy C. Paige, Rev. Bryant Fayson and the en- tire Fayson family; a host of other nieces, nephews and cousins; special and dear friends, Maurice Horne, Olivia Carmichael, Ted Scott, Alife Majid, Novellar Cherry, Gloria Austin, Eloise Crump and Jerry Mason.
Mary was born on January 21, 1942. She was a native of Tampa and was educated in Hillsbor- ough County Public Schools, graduating from Middleton High School, Class of 1959. She earned an AA degree from Gibbs Junior College in St. Petersburg, FL and a Bachelor of Science degree in English from St. Augustine Col- lege in Raleigh, NC. She later continued her studies at Florida A & M University, earning a Mas- ter of Science Degree in Guid- ance Counseling.
There will be a viewing on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at Wilson FuneralHomefrom5p.m.–8p. m. with the family present from 6:30 – 8 p. m. to receive friends. Friends are asked to assemble at the church on Friday at approxi- mately 10:45 a. m. for the service.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
MR. ELIJAH THOMAS, JR.
Homegoing celebration for Mr. Elijah Thomas, Jr., who de- parted from this life on March 27, 2017, will be held on Satur- day, April 8, 2017 at 10 a. m. at Bell Shoals Baptist Church/Brandon Campus, 2102 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon, Florida, Stephen Rummage, Senior Pastor, with Pastor Stephen Nunn, officiating. Mili- tary Honors will be conducted by the United States Army. In- terment will be held Monday, April 10, 2017 at Florida Na- tional Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by: his father, Elijah, Sr.; mother, Dorothy Mae; brother, Marvin (Bull); and sister, Devin (Kelly).
Elijah leaves to cherish pre- cious memories of him with: his loving wife, Diana; 3 sons, Tyrai (Erica) Thomas of Chicago, IL, Deran Key of Tampa, FL and Eli- jah Marrion Thomas of Mari- etta, GA; 3 daughters, Tiffani Butler of Tampa, Ashley Thomas of Chicago, IL and Cherise Thomas of Tampa; 5 grandchildren, Arianna, Tyrai, Jr., Elyssa, Roshay and Madi- son; 3 brothers, James (Linda) Thomas of Minneapolis, Min- nesota, Nathan Thomas of Brinkley, Arkansas and Wilbert Thomas of Marianna, Arkansas; 2 sisters, Rhonda (Michael) Jones of Brinkley, Arkansas and LaSonya Thomas of Little Rock, Arkansas; 2 aunts, Lula Baker and Minnie Tucker, of Brinkley, Arkansas; 1 uncle, Eddie (LaVada) Tucker of Brinkley, Arkansas; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
Mr. Elijah Thomas, Jr. “Po- ell,” the oldest of eight children, was born on November 5, 1957 in Chicago, IL to the parentage of Elijah Thomas, Sr. and Dorothy Mae Tucker-Thomas. Elijah accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. Elijah was edu- cated at Dunbar High School, graduating in 1975. Mr. Thomas received a track scholarship at Illinois State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree and later earned a Master’s De- gree from University of Hawaii. He ran track and his main event was the 440 relay both in high school and college.
Mr. Thomas enlisted in the United States Army in 1983 serving his country proudly with honor. After serving, he began his career as a track coach/teacher in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Elijah and his family later moved to Tampa. He was em- ployed as a teacher and track coach for Tampa Bay Technical and Middleton Middle School. He later was employed as an As- sistant Principal for D. W. Wa- ters, Freedom High School and Armwood High School.
Elijah met the love of his life
Diana, they were united in holy matrimony for 25 years and were blessed with a daughter, Cherise.
There will be a viewing on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 5 – 8 p. m. with the family present to receive friends from 5 – 6 p. m. at Bell Shoals Baptist Church/Palm River Campus, 5415 Palm River Road, Tampa. 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
MR. WILLIE GARDENER
Homegoing celebration for Mr. Willie Gardener, who passed away on March 31, 2017, will be held on Saturday, April 8,2017at12p.m.noonatWil- son Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida with Rev. Timothy J. Stephens, II of Mt. Gilboa M. B. Church, Bartow, FL, officiating.
Mr. Gardener was preceded in death by: his parents, Ezel Jackson and Seaser Gardener; 3 sisters, Edismae, Bernice and Loucel.
He leaves to cherish fond memories of him with: a loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Julia Gardener; 5 sons, Richard Gardener (Marie), Willie Gar- dener (Selena), Lonnie Gar- dener, Andrew Gardener (Erica) and Dwanye Gardener (Angela); 2 daughters, Lora Gardener (Renald) and Jennifer Rohani (Maxwell); grandchil- dren, Chris Dwayne, Jr., Keonna Isaiah, Richard, Jr., Lonnette Gardener, Brittany Gardener, Karissa Rodgers, Jemisha Rodgers, Anton, An- thony, Andrew, Jr., Jamal, Jer- main, Nadia, Yezmen, Willie, Jr., Charlie, La’Tonia Speed, Demetrious Bowen, Jamese Bowen, Aisha Bowen, Paul Cald- well, Jr., Christina Caldwell; sis- ters, Minnie and Vasie; like a brother, Julis C. Miller (El- lafair); a host of cousins; sis- ters-in-law, Betty, Shelia, Wilma and a host of other rela- tives, friends and loved ones.
Mr. Willie Gardener was born on July 14, 1944 in Colquitt, Georgia to the parent- age of Seaser Gardener and Ezel Jackson in Colquitt, Georgia. He was a resident of Tampa for a number of years. Mr. Gardener was a member of St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church.
There will be a viewing on Friday, April 7, 2017 at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, 33605 from 5 p. m. – 8 p. m. Friends are asked to assemble at the chapel on Satur- day at approximately 11:45 a. m. for the service.
“A Wilson Service” www.wilson-funeralhome.com
MRS. PATRICIA G. MCDONALD ‘MS. PAT’
Mrs. Patricia G. McDonald passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. The homegoing celebration will be held on Sat- urday, April 8, 2017, 2 p. m. at New Salem P. B. Church, 1605 N. Nebraska Ave., with Pastor Calvin E. Callins, Sr. of Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries Prayer Retreat Center, Plant City, FL, officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memo- rial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Patricia G. McDonald was born on April 2, 1953 in Huntsville, Alabama to the late Hosea Lee Davis and Rosie Lee Williams. During her childhood years she lived and attended public schools in Huntsville and Birmingham, Alabama before making Florida her final stop in 1985.
In her earlier years she served a short term in the U. S. Army before giving birth to her first child. Before her passing, she attended beauty school and also worked for the Hillsbor- ough County School Board for 16 years before retiring in 2015.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Robert Mc- Donald; bother parents; and adopted son, Deattricke. On March 29, 2017, she, too, was called home.
She leaves to cherish many memories: 2 sons, Yulandus Gilchrist and Demarko Gilchrist; 1 daughter, Reiko Gilchrist-Bush (Antwann); 11 grandchildren, Tywanna, Clif- ford, Ticya, DeQuan, Monteri- ous, Quavez, Yulandria, Serinity, DeQuarius, Deattricke, Jr. and De’Jean; 5 sisters, Lucy (Ernest) Mills, Jackie Oden, Va- lerie (Phillip) Clark, Linda Col- ston and Sandra Stergan; 3 brothers, Hosea Davis, Jr., Tony (Linda) Davis and Alexander (Shelia) Bazar; special friends, Ruby, Enisha, Sonja, and Trish; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other sor- rowing relatives and friends.
The visitation will be held Friday, April 7, 2017 at New Salem P. B. Church from 7-8 p. m. at which time the family will also receive friends. Friends are asked to assemble at the church on Saturday at approximately 1:45 p. m. for the service.
Professional Services and arrangements entrusted to CHANDLER’S FUNERAL HOME, 1425 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Sarasota, FL, 34234, Ka Tina N. Davis, Li- censed Funeral Director in charge, Gloria and Todd Chan- dler, owners. For additional in- formation you may call (941) 355-3125.
“CHANDLER’S FUNERAL HOME”
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