James Gaskins A heart of gold stopped beating Two shining eyes at rest God broke our hearts to prove He only takes the best. Brother JAMES GASKINS was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 8, 1906, to the late Reverend and Mrs. Paul B. Gaskins. He departed this life on January 28, 1989. He was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Calverton, Virginia. After joining in holy matrimony to Lucy Gordon, he moved his membership to First Baptist Church, Lawrenceville, Virginia. He was educated in the Philadelphia Public Schools, Lincoln University and Columbia University where he received his Master's degree. He was a member of the Epsilon Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He served in the field of education as an instructor in Warrenton, Virginia, Tyler, Texas and Saint Paul's Polytechnic Institute and as principal in Fairfax, Virginia. He also served as a postal assistant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a kind, loving and devoted person whose faith in God proved to be the driving force in many lives. We shall greatly miss him, but we thank God for letting him stay with us these many years. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Lucy R. Gaskins; a stepson, Robert H. Gordon; a daughter-in-law; two grandchildren, five nieces; two nephews; three cousins; two sistersin-law; one brother-in-law; two very devoted friends, James and Dorothy Yates, and their two children; and a host of other relatives and friends.
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guidance that he embarked upon a career in education. That career began in 1960 at Brownsville Junior High as a Graphic Arts Instructor and Vocational Department Head. Desiring to continue to enrich the lives of youngsters from a realistic and practical sense caused him to accept a position as Work Experience Coordinator at Parkway Junior High. He later moved to Miami Palmetto Senior, where he was employed at the time of his death. Brother Gay's services extended far beyond school and well into the community. His education and commitment to the task characterized him as a genuine person and, ultimately, led to leadership positions in his respective organizations. Professionally, he served as vice-president and president of the Dade County Work Experience Association, was a member of the Executive Board for Work Experience, treasurer of the Dade County Industrial Arts Teachers Association; and site director of YWCA Summer Programs at Florida Memorial College. Socially, he involved himself with the Boy Scouts of America, Tuskegee Institute Alumni Association. His involvement iwth the fraternity's local chapter, Beta Beta Lambda, was extensive. Mr. Gay was the first chairman of the Knights of Gold, an extension of the fraternity's national Alpha Outreach Program. In addition, he was chapter Historian, co-chair of the Alpha Ball, and financial secretary at the time of his death. Fraternally, Mr. Gay was a great stalwart who participated in all programs and activities. The religious side of Mr. Gay was strong and pronounced, as well. His father, an African Methodist Episcoal minister, introduced "James' to church very early. As his father made the transition to different churches, so did the family. However, each congregation found him willing to altruistically give of himself to respectfully serve the Lord. He was president of the Majestic Choir at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, class leader, Junior Stewart, member of the Stewart Board, and sponsored, as well as participated in, numerous youth activities. James lived a full and fruitful life, loved by all who knew him. He leaves to cherish his fond memories his wife, Eddye sons, Gregory and Marc; parents, Samuel and Inell brothers, Samuel Jr., Joseph, Kenneth, and Victor (Atlanta) sister, Eloise Dukes (Atlanta); mother-in-law, Ms. Erline Shepherd (Ft. Gaines, Ga.); brothers-in-law, Mitt Dukes and William Shepherd (Atlanta); sisters-in-law, Eleanor, Darlene, Sharon and Buretta Shepherd of (Atlanta); and a host of other relatives and friends.
James L. Gay Brother JAMES L. GAY, 51, died Monday, Jan. 16, at Baptist Hospital following a brief illness. A native Miamian, Brother Gay was a product of the local school system, having attended Dorsey Junior High and receiving his high-school d i p l o m a with the first graduating class of Miami Northwestern. In p u r s u i t of h i g h e r education, "James," as he was affectionately called, received both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama. Further graduate study was done at Florida International University, the University of South Florida, University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University. Though well-educated, his integrity and self-discipline were instilled in him at an early age by his parents, Rev. and Mrs. S.L. Gay. It was because of their nurturing and
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Rev. Bennie Anderson Hemphill Brother REV. BENNIE ANDERSON HEMPHILL, 55, of Pensacola, Fla., formerly of Charlotte, died Dec. 16, 1988, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Brother Hemphill, a Mecklenburg County native, was pastor of Liberty Primitive Baptist Church for 30 years. He was a graduate of old Second Ward High School. At Johnson C. Smith University he earned bachelor of arts degree in 1955, a bachelor of divinity degree in 1958 and a master of divinity degree in 1974. In 1977 he was pastor of Zion Hope Primitive Baptist in Pensacola Fla. He also founded Cathedral of Faith Primitive Baptist Church in Pensacola. He was former vice president and chairman of the Board of Evangelism of the National Primitive Baptist Convention. He was also former president of the N.C.-Virginia Primitive Baptist State Convention and the Pensacola Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
The Sphinx/Winter 1989