Elder Alma Indira Cartwright

A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Elder Alma Indira Cartwright of Tampa, Florida, who peacefully transitioned on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.   Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Temple Church, 1215 E. 109th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612. The Interment will be held at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513, on Monday, July 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Elder Alma Cartwright was a native of Nassau, Bahamas, and a resident of Tampa for 43 years.   She was born on March 10, 1977, to Ms. Eleanor Dean Cartwright and Mr. Arthur Cartwright.   Elder Cartwright received most of her parentage from her grandparents, Mr. Leonard Ezra and Mrs. Venus Dean.  She was nurtured by her loving grandparents and graduated from Armwood High School (H.S.) on June 7, 1996.  Following H.S. graduation, she continued her education at Erwin Technical College, graduating in December 2003, with a degree in Nursing. Elder Cartwright’s academic goal was achieved, and she became a Licensed Practical Nurse.  She continued to use her precious God-given talents and gifts to serve others.   

During her early childhood years, she became a member of Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.  Elder Cartwright previously joined Holy Temple, New Unity Fellowship International, and Disciples of Christ Church.   She always loved Bible Study, as well as singing.  As she grew in her journey with God, she connected with Cornerstone’s House, The Worldwide Kingdom Ministries and was ordained as a Minister on June 11, 2023.   She was an active, faithful, unwavering, steadfast member of True Life Church.  Elder Cartwright was always ready to feed the poor and homeless.  She utilized her gift to uplift and encourage countless individuals.   Her life was truly a testament or covenant to her unwavering faith, love and commitment to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  She was a devoted ambassador and lived the life of giving and serving others!  Elder Cartwright consistently prayed each morning with the Prayer Team at New Unity Fellowship International Church (Pastor Sharon Nairn) in Nassau, Bahamas.  She set her alarm for 5:30 each morning to join the 6:00 a.m. prayer session.

On August 13, 1997, Elder Cartwright enlisted and served in the United States Army.  She received several awards and was honorably discharged.  God’s gift to Elder Cartwright shined in every employment opportunity that she encountered.  She cherished and dedicated her life to the medical profession, working as a Case Manager at Coventry Health Care, Jackson Health System (JHS), and Care Centrix.   During her tenure at JHS and Care Centrix, she developed a personal relationship with most of her clients. 

As we celebrate her extraordinary life, we are reminded of Psalm 91, which she often repeated to Deja and Christian. Elder Cartwright raised her girls in the admonition of our Lord!   Her greatest joy in life was serving others and sharing the Word of our Lord.  She always reached out in love to her family and friends.  She was known for her quiet strength, love, and kindness!  Elder Cartwright enjoyed traveling to the Bahamas, spending time with family and friends; she also loved cooking, shopping, decorating (arts/crafts, too), dressing fashionably, listening to music, and having fun!  When she visited, she always carried something with her to show just how much she cared.  Elder Cartwright would give her last dime to help others, while she “did without” things that she may have wanted.  Although for most of her life she was a single mom, she always loved and cared for her two girls.  With an early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, she frequently repeated, “I just want to see my girls graduate from high school.”  God granted that special request and provided many more miraculous years than the physicians proclaimed.   

She was preceded in death by: her mother, Ms. Eleanor Dean Cartwright; her grandparents, Leonard and Venus Dean; her siblings, Randolph Larrimore, Kim Martin, Luan Celestine and Leon Martin.

She leaves cherished and loving memories to: her beautiful daughters, Deja Cartwright and Christian Sawney; her father, Arthur  Cartwright; sisters, Miriam Ellis, Monique Martin, and Vicanna Dean-Cromartie (Rodney); brothers, Calanda (Julie) Cartwright,  Valentino Cartwright and Vinston Larrimore; her godparents, Deacon Joseph and Minnie Burrows; godbrother, Daryl (Shatara) Burrows; stepparents, Tanie and Tony Hilarie, and Sydneya Hilarie; godchildren, Shanaesia Jones and Kino Bowe;  like-brother, Jackson Hilarie, Sr.; like-sisters, Michelle Justice, Michelle Turner, Latrece Spence, MarieAnn Hilarie, Roseline Hilarie, Antonya Fértil, Tanica Joseph, and Shyann Reckley;  aunties, Mary Ellen Forbes, Daisy Armbrister, and Ula (Felix) Larrimore;  uncles, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elder Alma Indira Cartwright, please visit our floral store.