Ronald Bagley
Laquanda Bennett
Pearl Claybrook
Patricia Cooper
Ronita Durant
Artie Fryer
Vivian Kitchen
Rev. Earl B. Mason
Linda Vickers Mitchell
Margaret O'Neal
Windell Roberson
Woodrow Simmons
Linda Owens Williams
c/o 1968
Born in Newton, Georgia, Yvonne is number four of seven children born to John L. Gadson and Avella Gadson. After graduating from Middleton, Yvonne moved to Atlanta and worked at the Atlanta Journal and Constitution before following her dreams and moving to Los Angeles, CA.
She attended Southwest College in L.A. and soon after, she met her husband, Sergeant Oscar L. Douglas, Sr. They married in 1975 and to their union, two children were born; Kenya and Jerrod. Yvonne retired from Lawry’s in Los Angeles and the family relocated to Tallahassee, FL where she continued to work in the accounting field. In 1999, Yvonne and her husband and son moved to Tampa while her daughter Kenya stayed in Tallahassee to finish school at Florida State. While in Tampa, Yvonne worked in accounting at Price Waterhouse Coopers and the CDC of Tampa. Most recently, Yvonne is the office manager at The Hargrett LLC, working directly with former Senator James T. Hargrett, Sr.
Yvonne is a proud Middleton alumna, and she serves as the Corresponding Secretary of the Middleton Alumni Association. She is a member of New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. of Tampa, FL under the leadership of Pastor Larry L. Roundtree, II. Yvonne is an active member of the Deaconess Ministry, the Vice President of the Senior Women Ministry and she is also the Coordinator of Clym’s Clothes Closet, which provides clothing and personal hygiene supplies to members of the church and the community.
Yvonne loves to travel and spend quality time with her husband and grandkids, Timothy and Zoie, who are the children of Tim and Kenya Douglas Jones. She prides herself in being an active member of the Woodland Terrace Neighborhood Watch Grid 55 in her community, while also sharing laughs and fun times with her Gadson siblings.
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
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.
c/o 1966
Fred Hearns was born in the Bronx, New York and grew up in Tampa (Belmont Heights). He attended College Hill Elementary, Booker T. Washington Junior High and graduated 4th in the G. S. Middleton High School Class of 1966. At Middleton he was a member of the Marching Tiger Band (bass clarinet) for three years and was elected co-captain (with Captain Walter Crawford) his senior year. He also was a member of the MHS Honor Society.
Hearns graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) in 1970 and then worked briefly as a newspaper journalist. In 1971 he moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to become Sports Information Director at Southern University (1971 – 1974). Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Middleton Alum Alton White invited Hearns to return home and work for the City of Tampa. Fred did so and retired after a 32-year career as Director of the Department of Community Affairs. Fred also holds two masters degrees and is a doctoral anthropology student at USF.
In 1991, under the leadership of Tiger alums Ken Anthony and Debra Smalls, Middleton held its first All-Class Reunion. Soon after this event fourteen Tiger faithful attended the organizational meeting of the MHS alumni association and elected Hearns to serve as its first president. He did so from 1991 to 2000. During these years the reestablishment of Middleton High School rose from only a vision to a reality and a new $40 million high school. This facility sits on 50 acres of land three blocks from the site of the original 1934-1971 campus. The school district honored alumni by naming the Andrew J. Ferrell Middle School for girls there in recognition of the high school’s principal from 1959-1971.
Hearns thanks God Almighty and especially the alumni association and friends, School Board Member/Middleton Alum Doris Ross Reddick and her colleagues and Superintendent Dr. Earl J. Lennard for reviving “That Ole Middleton Spirit” and for giving us and today’s Tigers a new home at 4202 N. 22nd Street in Tampa, Florida.
c/o 1968
Mattie Turner (Ligon) is a native Floridian, born in Ft. Lauderdale.
Mattie attended College Hill Elementary school (now Lockhart Elementary), Lomax Elementary, Booker T.
Washington, Nathan B. Young Jr. High, and Middleton Senior High School (class of 1968). She graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education (secondary).
After college Mattie ventured to the Washington DC area where she worked for the federal government for 31 years.
Mattie returned to Florida for retirement and sunshine.
c/o 1957
Rubie is the oldest of 12 children born to Deacon Eddie James Smith Sr. and Bernida Verdell Randolph Smith. Rubie graduated Valedictorian from Middleton High School in 1957. She went on to Clark College in Atlanta, where she majored in Mathematics, and pledged Delta Sigma Theta in 1958. Rubie graduated in 1961 having made the Dean’s list and was listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.
Rubie moved north to Brooklyn, New York where she met and married James Malone, a native of Akron, Ohio. The Malones have a daughter Tracy, a Professor of Education and Clinical Pedagogy at Long Island University, and a son Sean, PsyD, a Clinical Psychologist and Team Leader of the Assertive Community Treatment Team at Woodhull Hospital. The Malone’s also have been graced with six grandchildren: Gage, Cameron, Jewel, Liam, Taylor and Ashley.
In New York, Rubie began a career and life of service to her community. Her other affiliations are many: in 1968 she joined Jack and Jill of America Inc., a national mother and children’s organization for African American families; in 1989 she joined The Links Inc., an international organization of friendship and service for African American professional women. As a teen she was baptized and served actively in Allen Temple AME Methodist church in Tampa, Florida. As she had in her youth, Rubie joined her local church, Church of Evangel serving on the Deacon’s Board.
Rubie has always been committed to public service and began her career as a case worker for the Department of Social Services. Next, she was a counselor and Unit Supervisor at a Methadone Maintenance Drug Research Servicing center before pursuing her Masters of Social Welfare Degree at Hunter College. After gaining her MSW degree, she became a faculty member at Brooklyn College. In 1978, Rubie began an illustrious career at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of N.Y. and completed a Doctoral degree in Social Welfare at Columbia University. Starting as an Assistant professor, she ascended to the professorial rank of Associate professor and later made the move to administration holding the titles of Dean and Department Chair of the S.E.E.K. Program, Dean of Academic Planning, and finally Assistant Vice President of Strategic planning and Outcomes Assessment. After 32 Years at John Jay College and 34 years working for City University of NY, Rubie retired along with her husband Dr James Malone earning the title of Professor Emeritus. In 2012 John Jay College dedicated the Student Council conference room named for Drs. James and Rubie Malone, lauding their tireless work with their student population and rounding out her life rooted in a commitment to service, social justice and community.
The consummate snowbirds, the Young Drs. Malone will be celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary in December, 2020!
c/o 1964
Harvey N. Myers was born in Tampa, Florida on August 26, 1946. He graduated Cum Laude from Middleton High School, Tampa, Florida, June 1964. He graduated Cum Laude from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, June 1969. He continued his studies at the University of Illinois-Urbana, where he received an M.S. Degree and a PhD in Organic Chemistry. He joined the Upjohn (now Pfizer) Company in Kalamazoo as a research scientist and retired as Director of Quality Operations in 2005. Harvey has authored/co-authored more than twenty scientific publications.
Dr. Myers has received numerous awards for community service, including the Diether Haenicke Promise of Excellence Award (CAPS Board President) in 2011, the Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch NAACP Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2009, a Kalamazoo Star Award Nominee in 2016/2007, and the W.E. Upjohn Award in 1994. He served as Treasurer of the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Association from 1981-82. Harvey has served on numerous boards and as President of the River Oaks Soccer Club Board, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, Ujima, and Community Advocates for Parents & Students (CAPS). He has also served as a trustee of Lakeside School for Children and trustee of Kalamazoo Institute of Art boards. He is currently a docent for the Kalamazoo Institute of Art. He has volunteered for the American Red Cross, the CAPS program, the Kalamazoo County Master Gardener Association, Southwest Michigan Hosta Society, the American Youth Soccer Organization, the West Michigan Youth Soccer Association, the Michigan High School Athletic Association, and the United States Soccer Federation.
Harvey is a member of the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. His hobbies include gardening and ballroom dancing. He is a certified Master Gardener and serves as a coordinator for the MSUE Giving Garden. He is a life member of the NAACP, the Morehouse College Alumni Association, and the University of Illinois Alumni Association. He has served as Secretary of Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch of the NAACP for several years.
Harvey and his wife Delores have two sons, Vernon and David, and two granddaughters, Tahlia and Eisley. He and his wife have traveled to six of the seven continents.
c/o 1966
Luvator Nelson is a distinguished Middleton High School graduate of the class of 1966. She went on to attend St Petersburg Junior College and completed her studies at International Center for Training and Management Development in Leesburg Va. After 28 years, she retired as a sales and trainer with Xerox Corporation.
Since then, she has been dedicated to her life work in service organizations. Decorated by her contributions to Derrick Brooks Youth Auxiliary, Rites of Passage, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Top Ladies of Distinction serving as Top Teen Advisor, Tutor with Reading Matters Inc., Mayor's African American Advisory Board, SERVE with Hillsborough County Schools and Take Stock in Children.
Continuing her focus on the youth of the community, she has also worked several years with The Guardian Ad Litem as a child advocate. She is also a member of The Charmettes Inc. which stands on pillars of financial support, volunteer hours, education and health care.
Luvator is married to Carlton Nelson Sr. Together they have 3 children, Dr. Sabrina Nelson-Winters, Natasha Nelson Freeman and Carlton Nelson Jr. Along with five grandchildren.
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).
c/o 1968
Born in Gainesville, Fl, and reared in Tampa (Belmont Heights) Florida. Attended College Hill Elementary ( Lockhart Elementary), Booker T. Washington Jr. High and Nathan B. Young Jr. High, and graduated from Middleton Senior High School(# 15 in my class).
While at Middleton, I was a member of the Honor Society and a Student Council representative. After high school graduation, I was drafted by the Army but enlisted in the US Navy. Retired as a Chief Petty Officer. Spent three years as a Hillsborough County Deputy Sheriff, and thirty years as a Florida Probation and Parole Officer.
During my work history, I earned two college degrees in Business Management, one in Accounting and one in Criminology. I taught at the College level for twelve years. Has been a member of Middleton Senior High School Alumni Association for more than twenty years. Served as an Alumni Officer for ten years .
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.
c/o 1964
Albert is the fifth of twelve children parented by Eddie and Bernida Smith. Having resided in Tampa through his 12 years of public schooling, and along with all his brothers, Albert was baptized at Grace Mary M.B. Church. Under the stern tutelage of their Father, faithfully exhibited the rewards gained from that God-like experience. Albert graduated from Middleton Senior High School in 1964. And with a year of hard work, in a variety of jobs, he quickly determined that there had to be a more rewarding path to realizing a life to accede the American dream.
In 1965, he entered Florida A & M University where, with the assistance of family, work and a golf scholarship, he began his search. As did his brothers who would follow, Albert was the top seed on the FAMU golf team for three of his four years where they attained SIAC Conference Championship status from 1967 through 1969.
While attending FAMU and as an active member in the Phi Beta Lambda Business Club, Albert majored in business administration with a concentration in accounting, and in 1969, received his Bachelors of Science Degree. In 1968, Albert pledged and joined the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, one of the largest service fraternities at colleges and universities of that era. And it was during this pledge period that the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in April,1968—a life changing experience for students at FAMU and at all HBCU’s. In 1992, Albert received his Masters of Business Administration Degree (M.B.A) from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.
Upon graduating, Albert moved to New York in 1969. And unlike many of the northward bound college graduates from the south, he was fortunate to have family already living there to ease this migrant transition. He lived with his sister Rubie, her husband Jim and their two children, Tracy and Sean.
From 1969 on, Albert carved out his career in business administration: Accounting firms, utility companies, not for profit organizations all before settling into higher education administration in 1977. Starting out at one of the for-profit organizations, Albert joined the staff at State University of New York @Farmingdale in 1979 where he climbed the organizational ranks from the entry level position of College Accountant to the position of Assistant Vice President for Administration. Through his stay at SUNY, he was active in the bursar and accounting committees and Chaired the Budget, Accounting and Bursar Committee through 1992, at which point, and by virtue of his Vice Presidential rank, represented State University of New York @ Old Westbury as a member of the State University Business Officers Association.
Other organizations and community groups that have contributed to his professional development and growth: FAMU Alumna; National Association of Black Accountants; Men’s Association @ Golf Club of Miami; Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers; National Council on Black American Affairs; National Association of College and University Business Officers; Florida Council on theSocial Status of Black Men and Boys; Florida Association of African Student Association; Community Emergency Response Team; and the Association of Florida Colleges. Albert retired from SUNY in 2001 after serving there for 23 years.
Albert has been married to Debra for 18 years. A native New Yorker, Debra, with her strong desire to relocate to Florida, easily engineered his return to Florida. From 2001 through 2017, Albert held the position of Dean of Business Affairs at Broward Community College (later renamed Broward College). They currently reside in Homosassa, Florida, and, as Catholics, are parishioners of St. Benedict Catholic Church. Albert has one son, Stephen, from a previous marriage, and three grandchildren: Kenyetta (2018 graduate of USF and currently studying at Howard University); Isaiah (student at State University of New York @ York College); and Zakiah (student at Pratt University), all still living in New York.
In 2017, Albert retired from Broward College after 16 years, thus completing a 39 year tenure in higher education!
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.
c/o 1968
Born in Tampa, Henry "Shake" Washington is a proud product of the Hillsborough County School System. From Meacham Elementary School, through Booker T. Washington Junior High, "Shake" went on to graduate from Middleton Senior High School in 1968. While at Middleton, he was a student-athlete participating in Football, basketball, track, and baseball.
"Shake" attended Kentucky State University on a football scholarship; but his educational path was interrupted by being drafted into the U.S Army--he later got his undergraduate degree in education from the University of Southwest Louisiana and his Master's Degree from Nova Southeastern University.
"My choice of a career in education was the result of my personal observations of the positive effects of leadership, teamwork and dedication that can be gained from a combination of academics and athletics."
"Shake" served 42 years in the Hillsborough County School System; as well as a parallel tour of 22 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Florida National Guard where he retired as a 1st Sergeant.
During his career, 'Shake' has been supported by his wife of 37 years, Cheryl, and his mother-in-law, Hattie White. Shake and Cheryl are the proud parents of Henry Washington Jr, (husband of Ivy), and JaMia Washington--both successful products of Hillsborough County Schools. Additionally, they have also been blessed with four wonderful grandchildren: Zoi, Destini, Zion, and Skye.
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