Page 18 - Florida Sentinel 11-7-17

Funerals
FAMILY NOTICE
FAMILY NOTICE
Crime
Uber Driver Charged With Robbery, Kidnapping
MR. WILLIE EDWARD GRANT
Mr. Willie Edward Grant, also known to family and friends as “Bro,” was born on December 8, 1940 in Warrenton, Georgia and passed away on October 29, 2017 at Florida Hospital in Tampa, Florida.
Mr. Grant worked many years as a Master Carpenter and could accomplish any- thing he set his mind to do. After 30 years, he retired in 2010. He was an awesome grandfather and could melt a heart with his smile. He loved unconditionally.
He is survived by: his brother, Willie W. Grant; sister, Hazel Rynes; four sons, Carey Grant (Renee), Darren Grant (Tashawn), Michael Dennard (Delya), Fredrick Dennard; and four daughters, Kathryn Fuller, Cheryl Tyson, Michelle Pe- terson and Casanthia Mingo (Willie); 19 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Me- morial Service will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at 12 p. m. at Ministry of Spirit and Truth Interna- tional, 1417 East Holland Ave., Tampa, FL 33612.
MS. SHARON ELAINE PITTS
Ms. Sharon Elaine Pitts, 50, died on Sunday, October 29, 2017. She was born on May 11, 1967 to Josephine Green and Sergeant Jimmy Pitts. Born into a military family, Sharon lived multiple places, but Jacksonville, FL was home.
She graduated from Dun- can U. Fletcher High School in 1985 and later obtained her Associate’s degree in Management from Jones College. Sharon relocated to Tampa, FL in 1992, with her two sons - Christopher (de- ceased) and Allen, where she first managed a Long John Silver’s restaurant and later worked for the Hillsborough County School District for over 21 years until her death, working at multiple elemen- tary and middle schools throughout the district dur- ing her career. Sharon at- tended Allen Temple AME Church, the Rev. Dr. Glenn Dames now pastor.
On the morning of Octo- ber 29, 2017 Sharon entered her eternal home.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her son, Allen, res- ident of Tampa; mother, Josephine; sisters, Carolyn, Rena and Bridget; 5 grand- children - Julian, Jada, Brielle, Amya (deceased) and Allen, Jr.; along with a host of other family members, friends and co-workers.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Novem- ber 11, 2017 at 12 p. m. at Ca- hoon Elementary School, located at 2312 E. Yukon St., Tampa, FL, Mr. Wilson prin- cipal. Family, friends, co- workers and students are welcome to join this reflec- tion of life for Sharon Elaine Pitts, aka “Share Bear.”
An Uber driver was ar- rested and charged with armed robbery and kidnap- ping. The incident took place last Monday.
According to the Hills- borough County Sheriff’s Of- fice, Ms. Hayat Brancheau, 74, of Sara- sota, ordered an Uber ride share while he was at the Hard Rock Casino, 5223 Ori- ent Road.
The Uber driver, identi- fied as Christian Kirby Noda, of Orlando, picked up Ms. Brancheau around 9 p.m. and was supposed to drive her back to her resi- dence.
He reportedly told her that he needed to check the air in his vehicle’s tires and stopped at 3939 N. Highway
CHRISTIAN KIRBY NODA
301, while still in Hillsbor- ough County.
While Noda was attend- ing to his vehicle, a masked Black man approached the vehicle and told the victim to get out of the front of the ve- hicle and get into the back-
seat. Ms. Brancheau was in fear of her life and com- plied. Noda reportedly told Ms. Brancheau to “do what he says, he has a gun” and sat in the driver’s seat.
The unidentified man told Noda to drive to several banks and withdraw money from Ms. Brancheau’s debit card while the masked man removed two (2) five hundred dollar poker chips from her purse.
The masked robbery sus- pect and Noda drove Ms. Brancheau to 12877 E. Highway 92, in Dover, which is a Speedway Gas Station. They ordered her out of the car. The two men switched places in the vehicle and drove away.
Ms. Brancheau called police and through the in- vestigation, it was deter- mined that her debit card was used at several locations in Polk and Osceola Coun- ties.
After interviewing Noda, he advised that he was not a victim, but planned to rob an Uber passenger and that he had specifically driven from Orlando to Tampa to find a passenger.
He also voluntarily said this plan “was his strategy” and his accomplice was armed with a replica firearm. There is no evi- dence that Ms. Brancheau was targeted before she left the casino, police said.
He later turned himself in to the Osceola County Jail. After being arrested, Noda declined to make any more statements. However, he was in possession of the two (2) missing poker chips.
DEATH LISTING
AIKENS FUNERAL HOME
Mr. Frederic Boone, Tampa.
Mrs. Yvonne Hagwood, Tampa. Mr. Law Lay, Tampa.
Mr. Sylvester McCullough, Tampa. Mr. Alphonso Williams, Tampa.
GUDES FUNERAL HOME Marshall Anglin, Tampa.
HARMON FUNERAL HOME
Mr. Robert McConico, Tampa. Mrs. Beatrice Mitchell.
INTEGRITY FUNERAL SERVICES Ms. Annie Adams, Tampa.
RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME
Ms. Norma Andrews, Tampa. Ms. Mary H. Daniels, Tampa.
WINSLOW HONORS FUNERAL HOME Ms. Elnoris Turner, Tampa.
WILSON FUNERAL HOME
Ms. Irene J. Smith, Tampa. Baby Boy Hernandez, Tampa.
PAGE 18 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2017