Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 5-1-18

Community Events Local
Woman Honored For Her Service To The Church And Community
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Pastor Donald White, of Mt. Carmel Church, Plant City, said, “too many times people get flowers they never get to see. With that being said, it was put into my heart by the Spirit to do this appreciation for Mother Martha Diane Stevens, which is long overdue.”
Pastor White and his wife, Lady Marie Tarver White, were the coordinators of the service, themed, “Honoring A Faithful Servant,” Matthew 25:21.
The host pastor and speaker were: Pastor Dominic Watkins and Lady Paula Watkins, son-in-law and daughter of the hon- oree.
Mrs. Stevens was honored for her service in the community and the church, holding sev- eral positions in each. Mrs. Stevens retired from the City of Tampa after 38 years.
During her tenure with the City, she served as the President for 12 years, Vice President, 9 years and Secretary for 3 years of ATU Local 1464.
During that time, she also served as Secre- tary/Treasurer of the ATU Florida State Legisla- tive Conference Board (until retirement).
Currently, she serves on the Florida State AFL-CIO Executive Board as Vice-President At- Large. Mrs. Stevens has been a delegate under 4 Presidents.
Additionally, she is an active member with the Hillsborough County Chapter NAACP, and trustee with the Hillsborough County West Cen- tral Florida CLC.
Her extensive church involvement includes: serving at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens under her uncle, the late Reverend John (‘Big John’) Andrews Stephens, the founding pastor, and Rev. Anthony Greene (current pastor), for 53 years.
MOTHER MARTHA DIANE STEVENS ...Honored for service to church and community
She was President of the No. 1 Choir, Youth Director, Program Ministry Leader, Education Committee, Deaconess for 43 years, Hospitality Ministry, Youth Director and Assistant Youth Director for Union Foreign Association, Rev. Dr. Frank O’Harrell, Moderator.
Mother Stevens is a blessing to those she serves at Experience Christian Center, where she is a current member. She has served on the Greeters Ministry, Membership Ministry, Hos- pitality Ministry and Church Mother.
Mother Stevens is the wife of Deacon James Stevens, daughter of Mother Callie Crawford and mother of Anthony Craw- ford, Lady Paula Watkins and Reginald Stevens.
The service, was held on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at Inkwell Centre, 2905 N. 50th St., Tampa, FL 33619.
Blake Class Of 1967
The Howard W. Blake High Class of 1967 will meet Satur- day, May 5, 2018, 11:30 A. M. The meeting will be held at the West Tampa Branch Library, 2312 W. Union St.
For more information, contact Lee Reddick, (813) 885- 3723 or Gwen Andrews, (813) 248-1071.
Building Trades Career Fair
Several organizations have united to host a Building Trades Career Fair on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The event is 10 a. m. to 1 p. m. and will be held at the NFL YET Center, 3310 E. Lake Ave.
Among the trade unions slated to be in attendance are: Elec- trical Workers, Plumbers-Pipefitters, Insulators, Laborers, Ironworkers, Millwrights, Florida Finishing Trades, Boiler- makers, Sheet Metal Workers, Trowel Trades, Operating Engi- neers and Carpenters.
Ivory Club Lecture Series And Gala
The Ivory Club of Tampa Bay will host its 14th Annual Lec- ture Series and Gala Night on Saturday, May 5th at the West- shore Grand Hotel, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. The silent auction begins at 6 p. m., followed by the banquet at 7 p. m.
The keynote speaker for the event will be Dr. Joyce Ashuntantang, renowned poet, actress, creative writer and Associate Professor of English at the University of Hartford.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the Ivory Club of Tampa Bay endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of South Florida.
For additional information, go to http://theivoryclubof- tampa.org.
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