Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 9-21-18

Local
A Surprise 80th Birthday Party
Tampa residents from left to right who attended the celebration were: Ida Booth, Bert Smith, Hazel Smith, Rigoberto Garcia, Frank Lopez, Betty Lopez, Sonja Garcia, Luella Carrington, Geri Cottman, Daisy Gaines, James Tillman, and Angela Tillman. Not pictured, Oscar and Carol Mayes, Jr., and Evelio and Kim Penalver, Jr.
Last Saturday, former Tampa resident, Roberta “Betty” Lopez was feted
with a surprise 80th birthday party attended by well over 100 people. The event was
planned by her daughter,
Felecia Lopez-Walker and son, retired Lt. Col.
Wendell Lopez. Guests traveled from Atlanta and Tampa to celebrate with her.
In 2000, “Betty,” a Middleton High School graduate, returned to her birth place of Archer, Florida, 15 miles west of Gainesville, to care for her aging mother and to give back to the community that nurtured her as a child.
Because of her concerns for the conditions of her community, “Betty” ran and was elected to office as a City Commissioner and then as Mayor. “Betty” also led the successful campaign to restore and preserve the for- mer gymnasium built dur- ing the depression. The building now serves as the Archer Community Center.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2018