NEVA SESSUMS

SESSUMS Neva S. Sessums, 76, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2013 in Tampa with her family at her side at the Melech Hospice House. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, T. Terrell Sessums, her children, Thomas Sessums, Richard Sessums (Beth) and Sandra S. Slayton (John), all of Tampa, her grandchildren Logan Mooneyham, Clare Sessums, Aaron Mooneyham and Todd Sessums, step granddaughter Sara Slayton and her sister Karen Morin of Orlando and also 10 nieces and nephews. Neva was born in Jacksonville, FL to her late parents Hartley and Clare Steeves and was raised in the historic Arlington Community along with her sisters Karen Morin and the late Rita Shannon (Claude). She graduated from Landon High School in 1954, and attended Jacksonville University for her freshman year of college and then attended the University of Florida where she graduated with a B.A. degree in elementary education in 1957. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. While attending UF, Neva met her future husband Terrell Sessums at the Methodist Church s Wesley Foundation. After graduation she taught school in Orange County, FL until they were married in Jacksonville on August 16, 1958. She then moved to Tampa where Terrell practiced law and she taught in Hillsborough County public schools for five years. After the birth of their children she became a homemaker and active in public education. Her volunteer work in education included serving as President of the Friends of Public Education, President of the PTA at both Blake Seventh Grade Center and at Colman Junior High School, as a member of the statewide Model Schools Task Force and as Chairman of the Hillsborough County Schools Citizens Advisory Committee. She was a long time member of the former First United Methodist Church in Downtown Tampa before recently transferring her membership to Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church. She served as a director at Tampa United Methodist Center, was a longtime member of the Dingy Dames women s sailing team at the Davis Islands Yacht Club and the Tampa Rowing Club (formerly the University of Tampa Master s Program Rowing), where she won numerous medals and a gold medal at an international masters regatta as one of eight rowers in a scull. In recent years she and Terrell resided at University Village where she was a member of the University Village Prayer Circle. Her family mourns her loss but cherishes her memory and legacy. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M. on Thursday, April 25th at Blount & Curry Funeral Home Carrollwood (3207 West Bearss Avenue, Tampa, FL). A funeral service will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, April 26th at Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church (2902 West Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33618). A reception will follow in Heritage Hall at the church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church for Cornerstone Family Ministries, the United Methodist Youth Camp and the United Methodist Children s Home or to a charity of your choice. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com