Lelia Pressley Obituary

Mrs. Lelia Meredith Pressley of Carver City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Gandy Crossing Center. The Funeral Service will be conducted on Saturday, September 27, 2025, 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church of West Tampa, 1302 N. Willow Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607 with Reverend Dr. Rayford Harper, Pastor, officiating.

Mrs. Lelia Meredith Pressley was born in Cairo, GA and later relocated to Tampa, FL, where she has resided for the past 71 years. During her early years in Tampa, she attended Brewster Technical School and received her Nursing Certification. This certification allowed her to begin her Nursing Career at Tampa General Hospital for several years, followed by St. Elizabeth and Memorial Hospital before her retirement.

Mrs. Pressley was also a faithful and devoted member of First Baptist Church of West Tampa, under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Rayford Harper, Pastor, where she served on Usher Board #2 for many years. She was a skilled seamstress and enjoyed baking delicious cakes, which she shared and blessed many people with throughout her lifetime.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Cap (Cleo B.J.) Meredith; siblings, sisters, G. Meredith, and Lena King; brothers, Ferman Meredith, Reverend Johnny Meredith, and George Meredith. She was the last of the six siblings.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Patricia Diane Meredith (Joseph W. J. Robinson); grandson, Jovan D. (Laquitta Rena) Meredith; great-grandchildren, Jasmine L. and Justin D. Meredith; step-daughter, Glennette Paris; God-daughter, Zulma (James) Anderson; nephew, Merritt Simmons; cousins, Lela Johnson and Earl Johnson, both of Atlanta, GA; and a host of many sorrowful families and friends, to name a few, Gloria Brown, Deacon Hinesman Dukes, Marion Hornsby, Ida Johnson, Eric (Gail) Lee, Veronica Jones-Moore, Laverne Latson, Catherine Reids, Donna (Ray) Robinson, Geniva Slaymon, Paulette Smith, Reverend T. L. (Gwen) Williams, Diane Williams, the Balloons, Diggs of TX, Hammonds, Jackson of CA, McKay, Mincey, Triggs, Troupes, and Wright Families; Arch Street Neighbors, and Pastor Harper and the First Baptist Church Family.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 26, 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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