Mr. Frank Shellman Jr.

Mr. Frank Shellman Jr. of Tampa, FL passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at St. John Cathedral Church, 3401 Bishop Eddie Newkirk Way, Tampa, FL 33605 with Minister Duaney Griffin, Officiating. The interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Frank Shellman Jr. was born on January 25, 1927, in Tampa, FL. He graduated from Don Thompson Vocational High. Frank went on to become a Musician, who skillfully played the lead trumpet in Booker T. Washington's band. He later joined the 1940 R&B group, Charley Brantley and the Honey Dippers, where he played with the famous young Ray Charles. He later became part of the nationwide well-known band; the Skyliners, who were honored with having their very own Bourbon named after the Tampa group. Frank also played with other Tampa notables like Noble “Thinman” Watts, Barney Louis Lawrence Burdine, Hank Marr, and Kitty Daniels.

Frank retired from Music and started working as a Bartender and Manager at Tampa’s Boston Bar, the Chip Inn, and Tammy’s Liquor in Riverview for owners Doc and Yoli Castellano; where he fully retired.

Frank Shellman Jr. was preceded in death by: his children, Eddie Joseph Shellman and Fredrick (Freddie) Shellman; son-in-law, Ronald Williams; grandchildren, Eddie Joseph Shellman Jr. and Prentice Kino Shellman; parents, Frank C. Shellman Sr. and Gustava (Gussie) William Shellman; and siblings, Arthur C. Shellman, Frances Mae Shellman Steward, and Dr. Eddie Joseph Shellman.

 He leaves to cherish his memories with: his wife of 78 years, Rosa Lee Shellman; children, Frank Shellman III, Valerie Pearce, Cynthia Williams, and Michelle Granville (Ralph); grandchildren, Kimbler, Roland, Kelvin, Rhonda, Latashia, Zena, Roxanne, Marc, Tomaco, Frank IV, Demetra, Astin, Toya, Treva, Antonika, and Candace; siblings, Ethel Shellman Jones, Deborah (Alonso) Sherry, Denise Graham, Mary (Willie) Mosley, Vaughn Shellman, and Joseph Shellman; special friends, Yoli Menendez and Cam Castellano; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-grands, and great-great grands.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, November 29, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 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

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