Ms. Vera E. Cassell

A Homegoing Celebration for Vera Ellen Cassell of Tampa FL, who passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024, will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church of West Tampa 1302 N. Willow Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607, Pastor Raiford Harper, Officiating, and Rev. Quincenia Bell, Eulogist. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 11005 N. US Highway 301, Thonotosassa, FL 33592.
Vera Cassell was born July 21, 1948, in Cleveland, Ohio. After living in Cleveland for the first years of her life with her mother. Before moving to Tampa, she spent a short period in New York City. She attended public schools in Tampa and graduated from Howard W. Blake High School in 1966. Vera accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age at First Baptist Church of West Tampa. She later joined Bible -Based Fellowship Church of Tampa Bay.
Vera married her high school sweetheart, Lugene (Billy) Pease and within that union, her eldest son was born, Andre. Many years later she met and married Gary Cassell, and to that union was born, Gary Jr. Although their marriage ended the two remained life-long friends and co-parents to both sons. After being single for some time, she adopted her son, Freddie. Over the years Vera has fostered children in her home and taken care of family members and friends. She worked for Lifesavers for many years until deciding to pursue her passion for cosmetology, obtaining her license, and then opening her boutique.
Vera was a popular hair stylist in the Tampa Bay Area for 35-plus years. She received her start at Howard W. Blake High School under the tutoring of Ms. Johnnie Mae Williams. She started her business in the 80's and went on to become skillful in hair restoration for so many undergoing chemo and experiencing alopecia. Vera could customize wigs and hair pieces that pleased customers to this day. Her customer base was very diverse and broad.
She was the essence of what customer service should be. Vera enjoyed being with family and friends, loved cooking, visiting new restaurants, the theater, social events, and her class reunions.
Vera has many friends and called some, her best friends: Earnestine Butler, Ruby Brown, Judy Clardy, Janice Fingers, Connie Fleming, Danelia Frost, Rasheedah Muhammad, and Cynthia McRae.
She was preceded in death by: her father, Lawrence M. Rolle; stepfather, Edwin Beckham Sr.; and uncle, Angelo Rolle.
Vera leaves to cherish her memory: her sons, Andre Pease, Gary Cassell Jr., and Fred Williams, all of Tampa; brothers, Angelo Rolle (Marzetta) and Lawrence Rolle, both of Bimini, Bahama, Edwin Beckham Jr., Martin Beckham, and Vaughn Beckham all of Tampa; sisters, Ruth Saunders, Harriett Jones (Woodrow), Joyce Ross, Frances Wells (Charles), all of Bimini Bahama, Julia Beckham Hunter of Tampa, FL; 10 Grandchildren; 2 Great-Grand Children; cousins, Curtis Coaxam (Marion) of Tampa, FL, and Ephriam Rolle; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners. www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com
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