Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 10-11-19

Feature
Integrity Funeral Services To Host Founder’s Day Celebration
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
It was on October 7, 2009 that approval was granted to es- tablish Integrity Funeral Serv- ices, Inc.
On Sunday, October 13, 2019, Integrity Funeral Services will celebrate 10 years of provid- ing social support and assisting bereaved families in their time of need with provisions to cele- brate a loved one’s life.
Gloria Y. Castillo,
founder and sole owner, began the journey in Funeral Service by writing the vision. Having some of the most renowned morticians as mentors, she per- severed and became an August 2013 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Ms. G,” as she is affection- ately known, passed the Na- tional Board Exam, completed an Internship and was granted her Florida Funeral Director and Embalmer License in June, 2015.
In continuance of the vision, Integrity Funeral Services re-
G,’ has had the funeral business in her blood for many years.
Through the years she has taken advantage of several edu- cational opportunities. She has earned: an AS in Computer In- formation Science, BS in Busi- ness Administration, AS in Funeral Service, State of Florida Licensed Florida Cosmetologist, and State of Florida Notary.
The funeral business is not all of her affiliations. She’s very active in many religious organi- zations. She is a member of: St. John Progressive MBC, Dr. Bartholomew Banks, Sr., pastor; Evening Star Tabernacle MBC, Rev. Jerome Griffin, pastor; Mt. Pilgrim District As- sociation, Dr. W. J. Haynes, Moderator; Women's Interme- diate Auxiliary President, Pro- gressive M&E State Convention of FL, Inc.; and Women's Inter- mediate Auxiliary Evangelism Coordinator.
She’s also a member of the National Funeral Director & Morticians Association, and Florida Morticians Association.
“My strength comes from God, and my number one en-
courager and supporter is my husband of almost 30 years, Amos 'Jojoe' Castillo, and my daughter Tamyra, sons, Thomas and Joseph.
“I have a very supportive and dedicated staff, too, under the supervision of Mr. Mallory Norris, Manager of Opera- tions.”
GLORIA Y. CASTILLO ... ‘Ms. G,’ Founder
opened and was licensed as a Funeral Establishment on May 19, 2016.
The commemorative event will honor the memo- ries of all those Integrity has been privileged to serve over the past decade.
The Memorial Celebration will begin at 5 p. m. at Ragan Park Community Center, 1200 East Lake Avenue, Tampa.
Retired as a Sr. Business Consultant Analyst for Nation- wide Insurance Company, ‘Ms.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019