Life-time Members

c/o 1964

Raymond L. Edwards was born in TALLAHASSEE, FL.  on July 4, 1946 at home by a MIDWIFE. As the youngest living child of Mrs. Rosa A. Jenkins Edwards and Mr. Alex E. Edwards, the Edwards relocated to Tampa when Raymond was two years old where he enrolled in Mrs. Smiths’ Kindergarten in Jackson Heights, Tampa, FL.  Mrs. Smith was also the Methodist Sunday School Teacher.  Raymond attended Mrs. Smith's school until he became old enough to start LOMAX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL for grades one through six; he, then, attended Booker T. Washington Junior High School for grades seventh thru eight; from there Raymond enrolled at MIDDLETON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, the very first class of ninth graders to enroll there. Add to that, Raymond became the sixth generation, on his father's side, to attend Middleton. He played football for one-half season because Dean Booker and Principal AJ Ferrell deemed that, for safety & insurance liability purposes, it was, as a student activity, too risky. Back story:  As a youngster, Raymond contracted polio, which left the left side of his body and arm smaller than the right side. That bodily experience, as well as the counsel of Head Coach Bethel showed Raymond the importance of what it meant to be a student athletic Trainer. From this experience, his nickname, still today, was given to him by Coach Bethel as ‘SINGLEWING’. From elementary school, his interest was always to be involved in MUSIC—his first love was to play Clarinet under the tutelage of Mrs. Monique Simpson, then, at Booker T Washington. When he arrived at Middleton, he switched to Saxophone and in his Senior year, he was made Section CO-LEADER. After graduating from Middleton, he attended Gibbs Junior College in St. Petersburg, and studied under Mr. Al Downing.

His next venture was to enter a program that was run by the Government to train MEN nurses. He studied at both Brooke and Wilford Hall Hospitals in San Antonio, Texas for two years. From there, he worked at the VA Medical Hospital in San Antonio, Tx for two years.  He eventually joined the JOHN SEALY HOSPITAL in Galveston, Tx. where he had many compelling assignments:  general surgery, burns neurosurgery, and head and neck cancers. After twelve years at John Sealy, he transferred to MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER with concentrations in head and neck surgery practices. He led two Nursing Conferences, Case Studies and one speech over the years. While at MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER, Raymond was voted the outstanding Nurse in 1980's and stayed there for ten Years.Afterward, he went to work for the HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT in the jails’ medical department in various jobs: medical/surgery/psychology for 10 years!He was a TRAVEL NURSING for contract nursing which allowed him the opportunity to work in 33 states—but, he did stay in Buffaloe, NY at KALEIDA HEALTH for ten years.He went back to travel & contract nursing until finally he had to retire after undergoing brain surgery for a hematoma, which left him with two left parietal titanium plates in place.His last work year was 2021 after an assignment in WESTERN NEW YORK during the Covid pandemic.Over the years, he has taught many new nurses and mentored many more.He enjoyed every moment, in a career that was started by Principal Ferrell, Dean Booker, Coaches Bethel, Abe Brown, and many more-- that shaped his life to where it stands today! It shows that GOOD OLDE MIDDELTON SPPIRIT in shaping our lives and future generations. 

Always remember our fight song: "GIVE ME THAT GOOD OLD MIDDLETON SPIRIT; IT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR MY MOTHER AND IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME" 

GO TIGERS

SINGLEWING AKA  RAYMOND L EDWARDS

Life-Time Members Menu 

c/o 1960

Born July 31, 1942, in West Tampa. He received his BA from Morehouse College and his MBA from Atlanta University. In 1965, he served in the United States Army Reserve and completed his service in 1971.

Shortly after completing his education, Hargrett began his professional career. He served as a National Bank Examiner for the U.S. Comptroller Office, Commercial Property Underwriter for Aetna Life Insurance Company, Director of Leadership Development Program for the Tampa Urban League and for 13 years he served as Chief Executive Officer of a local financial institution.

In 1982, Mr. Hargrett was elected to represent the 63rd District in the Florida House of Representatives as the first African American in history. He served for five terms.

In 1992, Mr. Hargrett was elected to the State Senate, serving three counties in the Tampa Bay area: Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Manatee as the first African American. He served two terms - running unopposed for his second term.

Florida House of Representatives assignments include:

· Chairman of the Employee and Management Relations Committee

· Chairman of the House’s first Public Transportation Committee

· Memberships in numerous other committees

Florida Senate assignments include:

· Chairman of International, Trade Economic, Development & Tourism Committee

· Chairman of Transportation Committee

· Vice Chairman of Transportation Committee

· Chairman for the Citizens Planning and Environmental Advisory Committee for the High Speed 

Rail Transportation Program, and the Growth Management Study Commission.

· Chairman of the Budget, Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development

Membership in Legislative committees includes:

· Community Affairs

· Government Operations

· Natural Resources & Conservations

· Professional Regulations

· Juvenile Justice Reform

· Select Committee, Commerce & Economic Opportunities

· Executive Business, Ethnics and Elections

· Agriculture

· Natural Resources,

· Rules and Calendar

· Ways and Means

· Ethics & Elections

· Gubernatorial Appointments and Confirmations

· National Resources

· Transportation

· Steering Committee on Fiscal Issues

· Select Committee on Workforce Innovation

· Select Committee for Litigation Reform

· Committee on Festival Grants

· Select Committee on WAGES Targeted Economic Development

· At-large member of Florida Economic Summit

Mr. Hargrett also served as Chairman of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation and Chairman of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators. Mr. Hargrett served on the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority (THEA) Board from March 2004 through July 2009, with the latter two years as Chairman of Board. During his tenure on the Board, he is widely credited with providing the leadership and guidance that helped reshape the agency, bringing a positive change in the Authority; finding the opportunity for advancing transportation in the Tampa-Hillsborough region and steering a course of ethical leadership and accountability within the Authority. He also serves on the Board of TEAMFL – a cooperative organization which serves Florida’s Expressway Systems and Florida’s Turnpike districts and works closely with the Florida Transportation Commission.

Hargrett has played a leadership role in many local and state wide civic organizations, such as the Tampa Housing Authority, Hillsborough County Board of Consumer Affairs and Appeals, Tampa Downtown Development Authority, Florida Economic Development Advisory Council, Governor’s Advisory Council on Minority Enterprise Development , Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, The Board of Directors of Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and the Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation. He also served on the Ad Hoc Committee for Governmental Reorganization, The Career Reform Task Force Committee, The Governor’s Commission for Government by the People, served as the Chairman for the Citizens Planning and Environmental Advisory Committee for the High Speed Rail Transportation Program, and was recently appointed by the Governor to serve on the Growth Management Study Commission.

Well respected among his peers and in the community, Hargrett has received many awards during his career. To name a few, he was awarded Outstanding Young Man of America, received the Martin Luther King Memorial Award, District VI Transportation Coalition, Inc. Recognition Award, Florida Voter League’s Leadership Award, Tampa Urban League Award for Meritorious Service in Housing, Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation for Dedicated Service and Commitment to Florida’s Environment Award, Retailers for Responsible Government Legislator of the Year, Florida Association of DUI Programs Legislator of the Year, Hillsborough County Sickle Cell Association awarded him an Appreciation of your Support award, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University awarded him in recognition of his diligent efforts for the Institute of Public Health, Manatee County Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year, The School Board of Manatee County recognized him for his service to the people of Florida, Florida

Association of Counties County Champion, Florida Chamber of Commerce A Top 40” Legislator of the Year, and the Gulf Coast Epilepsy Foundation of the Year Award. Hargrett was awarded by the Florida Consumer Action Network for his tireless leadership on affordable housing issues and was selected as the Most Effective Legislator by the Florida Legal Services, Inc. in Appreciation of his Extraordinary Commitment to Making Florida a Better Place to Live for Families.

As a Tampa Bay area businessman, Mr. Hargrett was, in the past, Chairman and President of Bay Area Concessions, Inc. and is the Managing Member of The Hargrett LLC. He has been actively involved in community organizations and sat on numerous boards and committees.

Previous Community Service

· The University of Tampa Board of Trustees

· United Way Executive Committee

· NAACP

· Ybor City Chamber of Commerce

· Tampa/Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce

· Tampa Bay Area Committee on Foreign Relations

· Tampa Urban League.

· Tampa Housing Authority

· Hillsborough County Board of Consumer Affairs and Appeals

· Tampa Downtown Development Authority

· Florida Economic Development Advisory Council

· Governor’s Advisory Council on Minority Enterprise Development

· Florida Trust for Historic Preservation

· The Board of Directors of Florida First Capital Finance Corporation

· H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center

· Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation.

· Ad Hoc Committee for Governmental Reorganization

· Career Reform Task Force Committee

· Governor’s Commission for Government by the People.

Mr. Hargrett has received many awards during his career:

· Florida Public Transportation Association Hall of Fame

· Outstanding Young Man of America

· Martin Luther King Memorial Award

· District VI Transportation Coalition, Inc. Recognition Award

· Florida Voter League’s Leadership Award

· Tampa Urban League Award for Meritorious Service in Housing

· Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation for Dedicated Service

· Commitment to Florida’s Environment

· Retailers for Responsible Government Legislator of the Year

· Florida Association of DUI Programs Legislator of the Year

· Hillsborough County Sickle Cell Association Appreciation of your Support

· Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Institute of Public Health

· Manatee County Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year

· The School Board of Manatee County

· Florida Association of Counties County Champion

· Florida Chamber of Commerce A Top 40” Legislator of the Year

· Gulf Coast Epilepsy Foundation Legislator of the Year

· Florida Consumer Action Network

· Most Effective Legislator by the Florida Legal Services, Inc.

Hargrett is a family man – wife Berlyn and his children, Crystal and James III. He is a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Life-Time Members Menu 

c/o 1965

Bishop Adam J. Richardson began his educational pursuit in the public schools of Tampa, Florida where he graduated from Middleton Senior High in 1965. He received the B.A. degree from the Florida A&M University (where he was noted as the head drum major of the famed Marching ‘100’ Band). He received the Master of Divinity degree from the Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta and the Doctor of Sacred Theology degree at the ITC through the Atlanta Theological Association.

Bishop Richardson's ministry has included teaching at the Interdenominational Theological Center and Morris Brown College in Atlanta, and an adjunct instructor at his alma mater, Florida A&M University. He has received recognition from the City of Tallahassee, the State of Florida and the many places he has taken his message of hope and encouragement. 

In 1994, he was cited by Tallahassee Magazine as one of the most influential people of that city in the past fifteen years. Bishop Richardson has contributed articles or chapters in several books, including: “The Great High Priest” in the African American Devotional Bible, 1997 (Congress of National Black Churches); “Courage to Face the Battles of Life” in Ain’t That Good News, 1984 (the Rev. Gregory G. M. Ingram, ed.); “An Introduction to the New Testament” and “Pastoral Care” in The Pastor’s Manual of the AME Church, 1976 and 2000 (Dr. George L. Champion, ed.); and he has written several instructional manuals for discipleship training and spiritual formation for churches he has served and for use on the lecture circuit, which include Take Me To The Water: A Manual For Christian Baptism, 1996; African Methodism 101, 1996;
Traditional and Charismatic Styles of Ministry, 1996; The Wedding Manual, 1994; The Funeral Manual, 1995; and Headlines to Homilies: Sermons on Political, Commercial and Other Popular Annoyances, 2000. His most recent publication is “Let the Church say Amen: Liturgy, Litany and Homily,” published in 2012. His travels outside of the United States have taken him to 30 countries, commonwealths and nation states.

Currently, the Bishop serves as the presiding Bishop in the Eleventh Episcopal District which includes AME Church congregations in Florida and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.  The Bishop also serves as Chair of the Board of Edwards College in Jackson.

Bishop Richardson and his wife of 50 years, Dr. Connie Speights, are the proud parents of two adult children, Monique (an elected County Judge in Jacksonville),and Trey (a certified radiographer and recipient of two Master’s degrees in music theory and classical saxophone). 

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c/o 2004

A native of Tampa, Florida, Chavarra was born to Charlotte Simmons & Henry McKinney of Gainesville, Florida. Chavarra is the oldest of her 3 siblings and was raised in East Tampa. She attended Calhoun Elementary, Middleton Middle School (original Middleton High), Hillsborough High School & ended her education with the best Middleton High School as the first graduating class. Simmons was an all around student. She was the football team manager where she gained the nickname “Chevy”  from Coach Hub. Til this day, she’s still called Chevy.  

 A former student of the University of Florida, Simmons places high value on effective education and development of health care professionals. She demonstrated success in the health care field as both an administrator, and care giver for over a decade.

Her initial introduction to healthcare came after giving birth prematurely to a set of twins. The threat of losing her first child and learning to care for a child with cerebral palsy sparked an interest and led Simmons in the path of her purpose. Since then Simmons has managed and founded Destined for Change, LLC. Chavarra launched Destined for Change, LLC in 2016. Destined for Change, LLC services range from, adult day training center, companion, homemaker, personal supports, respite care, supported living services, supported employment services and transportation.

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c/o 1961

A Tampa native, Eddie was born into a family that included six brothers and five sisters.  As a young man, he was active in sports, including football, where he was nicknamed ‘Zip’ for his superior running skills, and golf, which would become his lifelong passion.

Eddie’s love for golf began quite early when, as a young boy, he helped with the construction of the historic Rogers Park Golf Course, Tampa’s first segregated links for African Americans; and where he served as one of the first caddies when it opened in 1952. 

Eddie graduated from Middleton in 1961, and during his tenure there, was the Team Captain of the first Middleton Senior High School Golf Team, and winner of the State Amateur Championship held at Rogers Park. Eddie’s promotion, instruction, and training of the game of golf shined brightest as his five-year-old prodigy showcased her skills on The Steve Harvey Show in 2014. 

After high school, Eddie worked, for a short period at the Florida Steel Corp., but spent the bulk of his forty-year work-life at CSX Railroad, where he retired in 2003. 

Eddie married Ida M. Douglas Smith, and they were blessed with two boys, Eddie J. Smith III, and Reginald Smith.  Eddie is also the father of one girl, Bernida V. Smith. His three children graced him with  eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  Eddie, III preceded his father in death in 2017. 

Eddie’s legacy lives on through the improvements he made to the community, in the way he influenced others to make a difference, and in all those whose lives he touched.  Eddie J. Smith Jr. passed on February 23, 2020 

Thus, the Rogers Park Golf Course proclaimed that, henceforth, the annual 3-Player Scramble Golf Tournament will be renamed: “Eddie ‘Zip’ Smith Jr.” 3-Player Scramble Golf Tournament. 

The African American Golf Digest published a memorial news clip for Eddie, referencing him as 

 “THE FACE OF THE ROGERS PARK GOLF COURSE”  

In his memory, the Middleton Senior High School Alumni Association, Inc. established the Eddie ‘Zip’ Smith Golf Scholarship commensurate with graduates for the 2021 school year. 

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