Mrs. Margie McMillan Bellware

Mrs. Margie Bellware of Tampa, FL, passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (ET) at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 1203 N. Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602, Father Agustinus Seran, Officiating.   Interment will follow at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 4202 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610. 

Mrs. Margie McMillan Bellware was a native and lifelong resident of Tampa. She completed her primary education at St. Peter Claver Catholic School and was a proud graduate of Sacred Heart Academy. Mrs. Bellware earned an Associate's Degree and held positions in real estate and administration before pursuing a career in Nursing, ultimately becoming a Registered Nurse. She dedicated over 30 years to providing compassionate care and retired just weeks before her passing from James A. Haley VA Hospital after 25 years of distinguished service.

Margie inherited her strong work ethic from her mother, Clementine, and was committed to honoring the legacy of hardworking and entrepreneurial Black women in her family. As a mother, she often welcomed those in need into her home and devoted decades as the primary caregiver for her disabled sisters.

Margie was deeply committed to her community and valued the connections she established through her involvement in organizations such as the National Association of Black Nurses, National Council of Negro Women, Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE), Lay Pastoral Ministry, and The Kidney Care Network that she founded in 2010 to help others experiencing hypertensive Kidney Disease. Additionally, she was a woman of deep faith and a dedicated member of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church.  

Outside of her professional and community engagements, Margie enjoyed traveling, amateur photography, and was an enthusiastic reader and writer. She also treasured the time spent with her grandson, Zion.

Margie was predeceased by:  her mother, Clementine Moore; father, John McMillan Sr.; brother, John McMillan Jr.; husband, Ronald Bellware; and dear friend, Brenda Hardaway.  

She is survived by: her son, Justin Bellware; friend, Caitlin Gallo; grandchild, Zion Bellware; daughter, Brittaney Curtis; son-in-law, Ronnell Curtis; sisters, Shirley McMillan and Joyce Harris; niece and nephew, Latasha Williams and Latarus Williams; first cousins, Ruby ‘Sister Joy’ Bird, Pecolia Henderson, Maxine Larry, Nancy Simms, Pearl Grayson, and special cousin, Alicia Grayson.  Margie touched so many lives during her time on this earth, which included a host of other family, friends, colleagues and community members, including but not limited to Rosa Cambridge, Dietrich Langston, Fannie Vaughn, Carol Uzzle, and so many more.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025 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

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