Reina Bodden
Age - 85
December 11, 2023
Reina Minerva Bodden of Utila, Honduras passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the age of 85. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, 6:00 p. m. at Ray Williams Memorial Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606 with Dr. Florence Parra, Officiating. Reina Minerva Bodden was born on June 11, 1938, in Utila, Honduras to Violet James and Juan Velasquez. She was raised by her Mother and Stepfather, Luis McField. She passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the age of 85. Reina came to New York with her Uncle Moses in November 1951 at the age of 13. She graduated from Washington Irving High School and later went back to school where she received her LPN Nursing Degree from the School of Practical Nursing in New York City in 1986. Reina loved helping people, which was the reason she became a nurse. She worked at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York until she relocated to Tampa, Florida. There she worked at the University Community Hospital from where she retired. In 1958, Reina went back to Utila where she met Ralston, the love of her life. She helped him get his US residency and on December 10, 1960, they were married in New York City. From this union, their two sons were born to them. After relocating to Tampa in 1993, they began attending the Northeast United Methodist Church where they were discipled by Pastor Florence, one of the later Pastors, who was instrumental in leading them into a closer relationship with Jesus. Reina loved the Lord and took advantage of every opportunity to tell others about Him. She loved helping others and had a heart for the poor and disadvantaged. She gave to many charities including those helping the Jews relocate back to Israel, which she felt was of great importance. One of her greatest joys was returning often to her beloved Utila and to Breezy Point, the home they built together by the sea. She enjoyed sitting in their backyard looking out at the boats and activities in the harbor, lying in her hammock in the shade enjoying the east wind and working in her garden. Reina is survived by: her loving husband, Hewie Ralston Bodden; two sons, Hewie Bodden Jr. and David Bodden; four grandchildren, Erin Kumaresan, Preston Bodden, Emme Bodden, and Emma Bodden; great granddaughter, Anicia Kumaresan; two daughters-in-law, Evelyn Bodden and Mee Bodden; brother, Stanford James; adopted sister, Inda Cole; nieces, Sharon James, Reina James, Elaine James, and Carissa James; cousins, Tina Hunter, Harold Taylor, Elizabeth Murray, Fred James, Alfredo James, and Ida James; sisters-in-law, Eva Solomon, Ida Moncada, Rose Brown, Ann Hinds, and their spouses; brothers-in-law, Rennie Bodden and George Bodden, and their spouses; twenty nieces and nephews on the Bodden side; along with numerous friends. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for everyone who was able to provide Dad with the help that he needed to care for her during her last days with us. Thank you to Aunt Eva and Uncle Elton, Tina Hunter, Sharon James, Emma James, Claudio and Margaret Vazquez, Rennie and Dean Bodden, Diana Wilker, and all our friends and neighbors both in Tampa and Utila. We would especially like to thank Kathy Christmas, who went above and beyond anything we would have expected in her willingness to provide the much-needed care that Mom required. A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, 5:00 p. m. to 6:00 p. m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners http://www. raywilliamsfuneralhome. com
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