Mr. Lenton Douglas Sr.

Our Heavenly Father called home a strong, courageous man of God, our hero, Lenton Douglas Sr., beloved husband, dad, granddad, and great granddad. He heard and answered the Master’s call and received his heavenly wings on Thursday, March 20th, 2025. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3005 E. Ellicott Street, Tampa, FL 33610 with Pastor Reverend Adrian D. Reid, Sr., Officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Lenton Douglas Sr., beloved son of the late Missie and Limas Douglas was born in Early County, Damascus, Georgia on November 11, 1934. Lenton received his formal education in the Early County School System. Throughout school, he had a zeal for learning and gained valuable life skills. He was employed with Lykes Brothers for over 30 Years as a butcher. He was a member of the Pride of West Tampa Lodge #1 International Masons.

In early adulthood, his parents and most of his siblings moved from Albany, Georgia to Tampa, Florida. There he met a beautiful woman from Oldsmar, Florida and was united in holy matrimony to his life-long wife, James Edna Douglas. Their union was blessed with three daughters and two sons. Lenton was a devoted husband, loving father, granddad and great granddad who looked well to the ways of his household. Lenton and his family lived on 4th avenue where him and his wife joined New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He later moved his family to Jackson Heights and continued worshipping with New Hope. Family was the joy of his life, and he supported them in all their endeavors.

Lenton greatest joys was spending time with family at gatherings, assisting the elderly members at church, relaxing in his recliner watching all sports, old television shows, Matlock, Perry Mason, In the Heat of the Night, and Gunsmoke. Every night was a date night with his lovely wife, watching their favorite games shows, Family Feud, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. He loved his grandchildren and was affectionately known as “Papa, aka E.F. Hutton, when he spoke people listened. Lenton loved his wife and children and was always doing what was necessary to ensure their well-being. Lenton and Fred were the neighborhood watchman, protecting the children on the street in the neighborhood. They were also non-licensed pharmacists. It was an annual tradition on Wilder Avenue to administer castor oil and turpentine with a little orange juice and peppermint using the same spoon to all the children to ensure no one got sick, and no one had an excuse not to attend school every day.

Lenton stayed on the battlefield for the Lord and was a dedicated servant for New Hope for over 60 years. He was also a faithful Deacon for over 28 years, Former President of the #1 Usher Board for over 15 years, sung in the Male Chorus, enjoyed attending Sunday School and Prayer Meeting until serious health challenges would not permit him to continue in service.

Lenton had a genuine love of life and a servant’s heart, He was a selfless person who saw beauty and joy in all things, accepted everyone for who they were, and openly welcomed them into his heart and home. He will be remembered as a strong man of faith exemplifying God’s love for all mankind. It was manifested through his deeds and actions by many as an unselfish servant with a gentle spirit, humble, generous, full of kindness with compassion and grace.

Favorite Scripture: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6.

Lenton Douglas Sr. was the patriarch of his living siblings. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Missy and Limas Douglas; and seven siblings, Juanita George (Robert), Limas Douglas Jr., Elijah Douglas, Louise Hooks, Mitty Barnes (Willie), Louis Douglas (Rosa Lee), and Charlie Douglas.

Loving memories will forever be cherished by: his beautiful queen and devoted wife of over 65 years, James Edna Douglas; children, Yvonne Douglas Long (Anthony), Yolanda Lucas, Joanna Douglas, Lenton Douglas Jr., and Kevin Douglas (Verndetta); grandchildren, LaTia Hill, Maria Pearson, Stephon Frankin, Zula (James) Long, Danielle Long, Dion Mohammed, Jacquez Douglas, Tromonte Relford (Alessia), and Jeneva Curry Mays (Cameron); Goddaughters, Jer’ri Scott, Enga Wynn, and Nyela Simms; brother, Eddie Douglas (Cubie); sisters, Ida Mae Smith, Marietta Hicks, and Vera Barnes (James); brother-in-laws, Charles Goins, Frank Goins, Walter Goins, and Magglee Neal; sister-in-law, Rita Douglas; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, friends, New Hope Deacons Ministry, and Usher Board #1.

Lenton also leaves to cherish the host of extended family: Linda Mungin, Linda, Vaughn and Keith Monroe, Erica Jones, Althea Wynn, Marquis Wynn, Watson and Barbara Ragin, Andretha Hall-Reeves, Patricia Sims, Wesley Floyd, Dr. Walwin Metzger, and Dr. Olayinka Bankole.

Special Thanks to: Sr. Pastor, Reverend Adrian D. Reid Sr., and the New Hope Church Family where the message and mission are truly divined. 

A Visitation will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3005 E. Ellicott Street, Tampa, FL 33610.

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

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com 

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