Page 37 - Florida Sentinel 6-10-22

Funerals
RAY WILLIAMS
DEACON JAMES W. BILLUPS, JR.
Deacon James W. Billups, Jr., passed away on Monday, May 30, 2022. Funeral Serv- ices will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 8525 N. 78th St., Tampa, FL, 33637, with Rev- erend Kaleb Barnum, officiat- ing. Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida on Monday, June 13, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. MASK RECOMMENDED.
Deacon Billups was born on January 14, 1937, to James W. Billups, Sr., and Louise Warren Billups in Tampa, FL. He was a graduate of Don Thompson Vo- cational High School, Class of 1956. Deacon Billups attended college for a period of time be- fore being drafted into the United States Army in 1960.
During his 24-year career, he held many assignments from Fort Jackson, SC to Fort Ord, CA and from South Viet- nam to Darmstadt, Germany to Camp Humphrey and Camp Mercer, Korea. He was very proud of his years in the Serv- ice and the experience he gained. He would always say, “Support your loved ones who desire serving our country their choice.”
Upon his retirement in 1984, at the rank of Master Ser- geant, Deacon Billups made it routine to stay in contact with many of his fellow veterans and would travel the distance to see those special ones. He contin- ued to use his skills as a Con- struction Engineer Supervisor to build small and large proj- ects for himself, family, and friends.
Deacon Billups was smitten by his wife, Cleo, from the mo- ment they met. His daily routine was having a cup of coffee with her on the lanai. He enjoyed gar- dening, filling their yard with beautiful plants, and taking road trips to see family and friends. He was a wonderful and loving husband and father that put family on the heels of the Lord.
Deacon Billups was a faith- ful and dedicated member of New Salem M.B. Church. His service to God was important and unwavering. He was a member of the Usher Board and the Security Team until his health began to decline.
He peacefully transitioned from this life on Monday, May 30, 2022, with his loving and de- voted wife of almost 29 years by his side.
Deacon Billups is preceded in death by: his parents, James, Sr., and Louise Billups; broth- ers, Joseph, Allen, and Marion Billups, Sr.; sisters, Pauline Williams and Patricia Wilson; and son, LeShawn Mingo.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his spouse, Cleo Billups; sons, James W. Billups, III, (Darlistene) of New York, and David Thurman (Sabrina) of Savannah, GA; sister, Mable Billups; brothers, Lewis Billups (Wadie) of Orlando, FL, John Billups, and Homer Billups (Sarah) of Orlando, FL; sisters- in-law, Mae Cummings, Mary Jones (Leroy) of Lake City, FL; Mary Wilcox of MacClenny, FL, Barbara Davis, Bettye Christian, Bennie Pegram and Marcia Buckley; brothers-in-law, James Sellers, Robert Sellers, and Cor- nelius Sellers; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and a loving church family.
Many thanks to James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Lifepath Hospice (Burgundy Team) and family/friend nurses, Marcia Buckley, and An- gela Matthews.
The visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2022, at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. MASK RECOMMENDED.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
www.raywilliamsfuneral- home.com
MR. ANTHONY “AMP” GILBERT, SR.
Mr. Anthony “Amp” Gilbert, Sr., passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at The Place Ministries, 5111 N 22nd Street, Tampa, FL, 33610, with Pastor Zak Moussa, officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Ceme- tery.
Mr. Anthony was a native of Tampa, and a resident of Tampa for 61 years. He attended Hills- borough County Public Schools and was an affiliate of Mission Hills Church.
He leaves to cherish his mem- ory with: his wife and best friend, Carolyn Gilbert (Norton); chil- dren, Anthony (Allie), Latoya, Sade, Michael McMillon, Michelle Johnson (Sonny), Ash- ley (Deshundric), Maurice Vi- dana, Dimatrius and Tameisha (Ramero); stepchildren, Octavi- ous Rivers, Sr., Rontavious Hall, Adarius Coston, Breyatta Rivers, Charlise Norton, and Shawness Coston; grandchildren, Ladeviya, Muzik, Mahjer, Mahryiah, Dorsey, Anthony, Jada, Zi’riyah, A’liyah, Ashunti, Samiya, Sami- ahla, Samaun and Samuel (SJ); brothers, Porter and Romae Rucker, Leandrew (Bonnie), Rudy (Karen), Donald (Helen), David (Patricia) and Ricky; sis- ters, Dorothy Thomas, Alice (Henry), Benita Byrd (Scotty) and Darlene Bell (Sean); close friend, Felecia Vidana and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2022, at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. MASK RECOMMENDED.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
www.raywilliamsfuneral- home.com
MR. FREDDIE LEE WILLIAMS, SR.
Mr. Freddie Lee Williams Sr. passed away on Friday, May 27, 2022. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022, 1:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606 with Bishop Ronald J An- derson, officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Me- morial Park. MASK RECOM- MENDED.
Mr. Freddie, affectionately known as “Coach Freddie,” was born on December 20, 1949, in Tampa, FL, to the late Deltha Russell Williams and Willie Williams. Freddie attended the Hillsborough County Public Schools, where he graduated from T.R. Robinson High School (Class of 1971), and later attended Hillsborough Commu- nity College.
An avid baseball enthusiast who some say loved baseball more than life, Freddie dedi- cated his life and career to the sport. After high school, Freddie worked for the City of Tampa as a Parks and Recreation Leader II. Freddie enjoyed youth sports summer programs as a Recre- ation Leader. He also enjoyed swimming, board games and field trips to Lithia Springs Park. He was employed with Parks and Recreation for many years until he retired.
In his spare time, Freddie coached high school and com- munity baseball for more than 50 years. His proficiency and skill for the game was so well recognized that he even served as a referee at T.R. Robinson High School. Freddie's favorite baseball team was the New York Yankees. He also greatly adored his favorite player Mickey Man- tle, an athlete who played his entire Major League Baseball career with the New York Yan- kees as a center fielder, right
fielder, and first baseman. Some of Freddie's favorite foods were fried chicken, whop- pers, and BBQ ribs, and he loved eating his favorite foods while watching baseball on ESPN. Freddie was a passionate man who loved his family, players, and his community. Those who knew him knew he loved to laugh, talk "trash" and keep oth- ers inspired. Much of his life was in service to others as he volunteered to work at sporting events and gathered and invited community youth to participate in mud decathlon, softball, baseball, volleyball, champi- onship day games, competition, and cheerleading with the City of Tampa. Freddie always had a smile when rewarding sports participants during the sum-
mer.
Freddie leaves to cherish his
memory: his spouse, Tonita Williams; loving and devoted children, Freida M. Williams (Maryland), Freddie L. Williams, Jr., Deirdre L. Williams, Dana L. Williams, Darryl L. Williams, Danielle L. Concepcion (Felix) and Desiree L. Montes De Oca (Favio); four siblings, Johnny Williams, Sr., (Cynthia), Veola Mattox, Wanda Williams, and Leon Williams (Deria) of Henderson, Ken- tucky; eleven grandchildren, Terrica L. Mitchell (Maryland), Destinee Williams, Deana Williams, Angel A. Mitchell (Maryland), Elijah J. Williams- Whylly, Kenny Nash, Tyree Williams, Kellen Hudson, Caleb I. Concepcion, Gianna Montes De Oca; four nieces, Latoya Williams, Ashley Williams, O’Quicha Mattox, and Whitney Williams (Kentucky); three nephews, Johnny Williams, Jr., Javan Williams (Nichole) and Jacquari Mattox; his lifelong significant other, Wanda New- some; her children, Kesa New- some, Sir Gregory Peacock (late) and Dawaun Dingle; god- son, Denirio Dooley; and a host of beloved great nieces, great nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones.
The visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2022, at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. MASK RECOMMENDED.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
www.raywilliamsfuneral- home.com
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