Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 11-6-15 Edition

Features
Noted Educator, Musician Fred Black Passes In Quincy
Noted retired educator, gospel singer, choir director and former Tampa resident, Frederick (Fred) Black passed away on Saturday, Oc- tober 24, 2015 in his home- town, Quincy, Florida. He was 58 years old.
Black came to Tampa in 1974 as a student at the Uni- versity of South Florida where he gained attention on campus as a singer and eventually be- came the Director of the Uni- versity of South Florida Gospel Choir, founded by the late Bruce Brewington and Wayne Leonard.
After matriculating to the university, he decided to make Tampa home and here he began his working career in Hillsborough County Public Schools. His gifted talent in music and education made room for him in the commu- nity as he was held in high es- teem among his contemporaries.
Over the years, in addition to working with many pastors and choirs at local churches of various denominations, he also graced the stages of some of the best venues in the region such as: the Tampa Theatre (The MLK '99 GALA), the
FREDERICK (FRED) BLACK
Amalie Arena (formerly The Ice Palace for the largest Gospel Musical ever held in Tampa National Baptist Con- vention, USA, Inc.), Tropicana Field (on the Devil Rays’ Open- ing Day) and the Orlando Civic Center.
During his life, he traveled widely across America per- forming with numerous music groups at national music and church conventions in major cities. The Gospel Music Workshop of America, the Na- tional Black Gospel College Choir Workshop in Atlanta and the National Baptist Con- vention USA, Inc., of which his pastor, Dr. Henry J. Lyons, formerly of St. Petersburg, was
the National President are some of the convocations he attended for decades.
Throughout his tenure in the Tampa Bay area, he was the recipient of many awards and other honors which recog- nized his continuous contribu- tions to the community as a Christian Performing Artist. The late Jean Sheard, William “Billy” Wheeler and Romero “Johnny” Watson were some of the area pianists who served faith- fully with him in churches in Tampa and St. Petersburg.
The Funeral Service for Mr. Black will be held on Sat- urday, November 7, 2015 – 11 A. M. at East Gadsden High School, 27001 Blue Star Me- morial Highway, in Havana, Florida. Mrs. Ruth Flem- ing and Dr. Aaron Smith have established the Frederick Black Funeral Fund at Fifth Third Bank to help the family with funeral cost. Persons wishing to make donations may deposit them directly in this account at the bank. All donations will be given to the family. Williams Funeral Home in Quincy has been en- trusted with service arrange- ments.
Man Linked To Murder Refuses To Talk
TIFFANY JAMES
Detectives with the Hills- borough County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to search for a man they want to question in the murder of a woman last Saturday.
Ms. Tiffany James, 35, was shot to death outside of her apartment after arriving home. Investigators said no suspect has been identified as the shooter, and they are looking for Darryl Williams for questioning in the incident.
According to neighbors, Ms. James was gunned down in front of her children. She
was transported to a local hos- pital and pronounced dead.
Detectives think Williams has some knowledge of what happened that night.
Deputy Larry McKin- non reported that Attorney Norman Cannella, Jr., con- tacted them Thursday to say he is representing Williams and his client is refusing to talk to investigators about the shoot- ing death of Ms. James.
DARRYL WILLIAMS ......has contacted his attorney who informed investigators he doesn’t want to talk to them.
Police Locate Missing Adult
Last Friday, the family of a Riverview man reported him miss- ing. On Tuesday afternoon, police located the man at a local restau- rant.
Police said 35-year-old Gift Bless Smith was located at a Mc- Donald’s Restaurant and returned home.
Smith was last seen at his resi- dence around 1:30 a.m., on Friday. After he had not left his room, his family entered his room around 1 p.m. and discovered he was gone.
GIFT BLESS SMITH ... Reported missing last Friday
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