Honoring Shelley Castillo

Shelley Mia Castillo was born on March 15, 1965, to Raymond and Cleora Lightbourne, III in Key West, Florida. She was the second child born to this union and was loved and adored by both of her parents. Her father would often sing Stevie Wonder’s “My Cherie Amour” to her in her crib but he would improvise and say, “My Shelley Amour”. Shelley was a very energetic and joyful child. She enjoyed hanging out with her numerous cousins and going to school. She enjoyed hanging out on the weekends, going to Josepha’s, playing jack stones, jump board and roller skating with her cousins. Growing up she was always fiercely protective of others. She was a natural born fighter and would defend her siblings and cousins often. Shelley was a natural nurturer and often took care of her siblings as a second mother. She had an infectious laugh that would fill you with joy each time you heard it. Her distinctive “HA-HIEE” was shared at a many family functions.

Shelley was a known fashionista and at one time considered pursuing a career in modeling. She participated in numerous fashion shows and pageants within the Key West Community. She was also well known for her beautiful singing voice often displaying her talent in pageants and singing in the choir at church. She enjoyed listening to Whitney Houston, Mahalia Jackson, Deneice Williams and Natalie Cole. She was a graduate of Key West high school the class of 1984. After graduating she went to live with her uncle Cecil in Sacramento, CA to begin the next phase of her life, until love intervened. Shelley and Aaron’s love story began in 1981 when she asked him to take her on his motorcycle to break up with her then boyfriend at the time. He picked her up in front of The Pines Inn and when he dropped her off home he told his cousin Panchi, “Cheese Get the number!”. From that day forward she was his bunny and the rest is history! Their love story can be compared to the star-crossed lovers that Shakespeare wrote about. Their love was truly written in the stars and meant to be. Shelley and Aaron welcomed their first child Mia Antonia Castillo on August 7, 1986, and were married in their family home on February 14, 1987. After their marriage they welcomed two more additions to their beautiful family Michaela Almoveta Castillo and Aaron Jose Castillo Jr. Shelley was such a loving and caring mother, she doted on her daughters and spoiled her son. She was the epitome of what it meant to be the matriarch of her family. Both her and Aaron instilled in their children the importance of education, faith, service, and determination.

Shelley was employed by Sears and Roebuck from 1986 until 1995 when she decided to help her husband fulltime with the family business Key West Mortuary. Having previously been employed by Francisco Johnson at Key West Undertaking Company as an apprentice to her aunt Doris who was the cosmotologist at the time. Shelley was a natural at the funeral business; the perfect role for her was the Director of Family Services at Key West Mortuary. She enjoyed not just assisting families with making pre-arrangements for funerals and serving as a lady attendant on services where she would get to use her excellent skills in oration. She also was excellent at preparing loved ones for their final services often on hair and cosmetics. It was at this time that Shelley was in the prime of her life. Her children were young and growing, her and her husband were growing their family business and enjoying life.

Suddenly in the year 1999, she felt a lump in her breast and went to get it checked and found out that she had stage four breast cancer and was given six months to live. Both her and Aaron listened to advice from doctors but trusted in the lord.  They had three young children and the rest of their lives ahead of them. They traveled to the Mercy Cancer center in Baltimore, MD where Shelley had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery on both of her breasts. Her doctors were so amazed at her fighting spirit and the fact that although she had bad news she was still determined to live for her family. Shelley trusted in God and battled the disease and won! She was surrounded by God’s grace and mercy along with her supportive husband, family and this awesome community. She was so grateful for the outpouring of love and support she received from so many during that time in her life. So many different people came to not only help with her care but the care of her children and household and for that she was eternally grateful, and she was cancer free until the day she died and never forgot how far the lord had brought her.

After surviving breast cancer, Shelley encountered additional health issues, but her determination was always steadfast. She always pushed through and would put on her best and make the best of it. She would often say “Just because I am sick, that doesn’t mean I have to look sick”. Shelley loved the lord and was a member of Bethel AME Church from childhood until 2018. Both she and Aaron told their children who God was, taught them how to pray and encouraged their children to participate and attend both Bethel AME and the Basilica churches during their childhood and allowed them to make the decision on which faith they would choose.

She enjoyed singing in the choir and assisting with the churches Y.P.D program. In February of 2018 she decided to join the Basilica of Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea Church with her husband and children. Shelley enjoyed attending vigil mass with her family on Saturday evenings. As Shelley watched her children grow into adulthood, she longed to be a grandmother. She watched her peers slowly become grandmothers and she would often say “When is it going to be my turn” so she waited patiently and during this time found herself often loving and doting on many other children and named them her honorary grandchildren. On November 22, 2019 Melody Raven Castillo-Leconte was born. Melody has the same energetic and colorful personality that her grandmother had. She was the apple of Shelley’s eye, and they were a dynamic duo from birth. Melody loved both her Nannie and her Papa very much and enjoyed spending her time with them. The three of them were a trio and would often be seen around town shopping, going to church, and enjoying the KWHS Conchs games. Family meant the world to Shelley, and she meant the world to her family.

Shelley was a lady of elegance and style, she got her hair and nails done every two weeks, she wore the finest fashions and enjoyed entertaining in her beautiful home. Shelley’s home was the centerpiece of her family, many often could find themselves at her home enjoying a cold drink, a rest, a bite to eat, or just and encouraging word. She enjoyed shopping and baking and loved spoiling any little children that would enter her home with treats. 

In July of 1998 Shelley joined The Order of the Eastern Stars under the leadership of Myrna E. Sawyer. Her dedication and love for the order prevailed. Later through the years she became the Worthy Matron of Myrna E. Sawyer Key of the Gulf Chapter No. 5 OES and enjoyed serving her community through this organization. The last few months of her life Shelley was on the campaign trail assisting her husband with running his campaign for the City of Key West District Six commission seat. She lived to see his victory on November 5th, 2024, and was right by his side celebrating with her family, friends and community.

Honoring Michael McDowell

Michael Lee McDowell lost his battle with cancer on December 25th, 2019, after a courageous battle. He was 56 years old.

Mike was born and raised in Shelbyville, Indiana. He followed his dream of enjoying the Florida sunshine year around and made Key West his home in October 2018. Though not born there, Mike always said he got to Key West as soon as he could.

Mike will be remembered for his unwavering faith in God, his infectious smile and laugh, his kind and humble spirit, and his tireless work ethic. He had a passion for motor vehicles, camping, fishing, ocean adventures, cruising in his golf cart, and time at the shooting range.

Mike’s legacy is one of love, laughter, and devotion to family and friends, and he is deeply missed by all who knew him.

Honoring Vickie Handy

Born on Christmas Eve 1960 you started bringing joy to the world at that moment. Smart, funny with a love of music, art and of course the beach. Many good times were had at Jones Beach (although none of us could swim very well). Your students benefited from your knowledge of science, your wit and of course your imitations of Buck the wonder dog. You are missed every day.

Honoring Flora Castillo

Flora Yvonne Knowles Castillo affectionately known as "Nana Flora" was born on August 7, 1931, to the late Edwin and Verlene Knowles in Key West, Florida. Flora attended Monroe County Public schools and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1948. Flora was reared in a Christian home and at early age accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior. She was a faithful and devoted member of Trinity Presbyterian Church throughout her lifetime and enjoyed attending church until her health began to decline. She sang in the church choir and also served on the church Usher Board.

Flora was employed as a shampoo girl at Donald's hair salon, an assistant baker at Busy Bee Bakery, an admissions clerk at the Key West Lighthouse, and a poll worker for the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Office.

On May 20, 1953, Flora was united in holy matrimony to Anthony Castillo Sr. This union was blessed with four sons Anthony Ambrose II, Michael Christopher, Edward Joaquin and Aaron Jose. Of paramount importance was Flora's duty as a mother to her four sons. She was an excellent homemaker and was world famous for her fabulous baked goods, lilly dillies, fried chicken and pork chops.

"Nana Flora", as the neighborhood children would call her, had one of the best mango trees in Key West. She was not stingy with her mangoes and enjoyed allowing the children to come in her yard and fill their buckets during the summers. Many often found themselves at her kitchen table enjoying a tasty banana fritter or a cold drink of fresh limeade made with the key limes from the tree in her yard. Flora also had a green thumb, she enjoyed working in her garden and caring for her many plants that she used in her home remedies, much like her mother and sisters before her.

Anthony Sr. and Flora were socialites, and they belonged to numerous social clubs and civil organizations in Key West. There was seldom a weekend that they did not have a function to attend. They enjoyed dressing up and going out as a couple all over town to numerous parties, balls, wakes and functions.

Flora was a member of the Bahama Village Political Action Committee, Myrna E. Sawyer Key of the Gulf #5 Order of the Eastern Star where she served as Ruth and the Silverettes Club. Flora was the last "Boss of Virginia Street" all of her neighbors loved and enjoyed watching her sit on her porch during the day enjoying a cool drink and waving to tourists and passerby's. Flora's life has been a beacon of strength for her family for decades.

Honoring Gina Smith

Our beloved sister, wife, mother, and grandmother Gina Soldano Smith went to be with the Lord on January 10th, 2025.  She fought a hard battle with cancer.  She's predeceased by her parents Joseph and Elsa Soldano.  Gina leaves behind her husband Gerald, her daughters Teresa (Xavi) Perez, Jackie (Darry) Castro, her son Darren, and brother-in-law Jack (Ann) Smith.  Also, her five sisters - Joelsa (Larry) Schober, Andrea Shafer, Yvonne Soldano, Marisa (David) Gootee, and Monica (Donald) Fletchall.  Gina graduated from Key West High School in 1973 and was a member of the KWHS band playing the clarinet all four years.  After graduation, she attended Florida State University earning her degree in Elementary Education.  She began her teaching career in Fort Lauderdale at North Fork Elementary teaching kindergarten.  She missed her hometown and returned to Key West and taught at Reynolds School, Glynn Archer Elementary, Horace O'Bryant Elementary and Key West High School.  Gina loved her job and all of her students and treated them as her own.  A career she held for 47 years.  Gina leaves behind her beloved grandchildren Isabella, Xavier and Veda, Nieces and nephews - Jodi Presley, Audra Gootee, Grace Thrift, Olivia Torres, David Gootee, Joseph Schober, Chelsea Pita and Cameron Fletchall. 

Honoring Maximina Valdez Knighten

On a beautiful day on December 23, 1934, a baby girl was born to the late Alejandro Valdez and Edna Sawyer Howard. They named her Maximina. She was the second to the last of nine children born of this union.

Maximina spent her childhood and young adulthood in Key West graduating from Frederick Douglass High School. She met Gene Knighten during his military tenure in Key West. They fell in love and married; their union begat two sons, Yul and Ricci. Through his military service they traveled the U.S. and upon his passing, Maximina returned to Key West with her two children to be with sisters and mother. Maximina worked many years for Key West Handprint and the Key West Convalescent Center in the laundry department. When she retired, she and her sister Consuelo cared for their mother full time together.

Maxi, as she affectionately was called, was a faithful member of Cornish Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church where she served on the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society as a missionary. Beyond her church service Maxie thoroughly enjoyed her soap operas, game shows, and just relaxing on the porch with her sister and neighbors.

Honoring Erme Vidal

Erme Vidal was born in New York City April 22, 1935. She passed away peacefully in her beloved city of Key West on January 04, 2024 - 88 Years Young. 

Preceding her in passing was her husband George "Viti" Vidal, that she loved dearly.   

Leaving behind to mourn the loss of her passing, her son Vidal; her niece Doria Goodrich; nephew Anthony (Katherine) Garcia; godson Omar (Mia) Garcia; godson Armani (Micaela Eleicegui) Garcia ... All of which took hands on love & care to help her with her every need! She also leaves behind countless nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

Erme was never alone & was extremely spiritually fit!  Erme was a strong woman of faith and left behind some beautiful books, prayer cards, rosaries etc. Her prayer lists were endless, and she never stopped praying for all in need!  

Honoring John Bo Rivas Jr.

John 'Bo' Rivas, Jr. 79 of Key West, FL passed away peacefully on August 27, 2024.

Bo was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. A multigenerational conch, he lived in Key West his entire life. The island was a special place for him, and he loved being on the water. Bo graduated from Key West High School and discovered his passion for electrical work early on. He became a master electrician and owned Rivas Electric, Inc. for 45 years until his retirement. Bo enjoyed inventing new things and finding practical solutions to problems.

Bo is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Joanne; his children, Amber (David) Brannon and Jordan (Stephanie) Rivas; his four beloved grandsons, Bennett, Blaise, Bowen and Jordan, Jr.; his sister Carole (Fred) Henning; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eva Rivas.

Bo was a kind and generous man, known for his unwavering integrity and dedication to his family and friends. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, meticulous nature, endless patience, and the love he poured into everyone and everything around him.

Honoring Pastor Ellison Ashe

Ellison Robert Ashe was born in Key West, Florida, on December 1, 1939. The son of William Robert Ashe and Eugenia Elizabeth Ashe and the eldest brother to Evelyn C. Whiteside (David), Althenia C. Storr (Roger), Theresa M. Rush (Mack), Richard J. Ashe (Rose), (Sandra), William A. Ashe (Corvetta), (Rose) and Donna L. Lopez (Calvin). 

Ellison Ashe graduated from Douglas High School in 1959 as Valedictorian of his class. He then spent the next 4 years of his young life attending Universities in California, with studies in mechanical engineering, art, and architectural landscaping, as well as serving in the United States Navy, being honorably discharged in 1968. 

The most important milestone in his life occurred on October 27, 1965, in Los Angeles, California, when he chose to turn his life over to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In July of 1966, at a camp meeting in Portland, Oregon, he met his future wife, Barbara. As the story goes, they met on Sunday, she received a postcard on Monday, a lengthy letter on Tuesday, and a proposal via phone on Wednesday. The following month, he made it official, in person, by presenting her with a gold box containing one dozen long-stem red roses with a gold Longines watch at the bottom. They married a year later, on September 1, 1967.

Having studied journalism in high school, he began pursuing his passion for writing novels until his wife expressed, in only the way a wife can, that the kids needed to eat. This lit a fire under him and set him on the path to learning the trade that allowed him to open his first re-upholstering business, Rose of Sharon. As the years went by, Rose of Sharon grew into a furniture retail and manufacturing operation under the new name Joppa of Florida.

From 1965 to his passing, his number one passion was serving Christ. His businesses were storefronts, affording him the opportunity to spread the news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. May it be said as he crossed over, “Well done, my good and faithful servant, the body is weary and tired; you can now rest.” 

Ellison was a strong family man. He was very proud of his wife and nine children. 

Honoring Marva Sweeting

Marva A. Sweeting was born June 27, 1936, in Key West, Florida to George and Irene Allen. She received her formal education at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School. After receiving her formal education, she went on to attend Frederick Douglass High School in Key West, Florida. While attending Douglass she participated in many extracurricular activities, namely oratorical speaking. Marva also attended church with her mother and became a member of the Junior Usher Board of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Later on in her adulthood, she taught Sunday school for many years.

 
In 1954, her senior year in high school, she represented Douglass in a public speaking contest, she wrote and performed a piece entitled, "I Speak for Democracy!" She gained notoriety for her talent after the contest was aired on a local radio station. She would go on to publicly speak at church events and other noteworthy occasions in the city of Key West.

Shortly after graduating high school, she spent a short tenure in Brooklyn, New York with her eldest sister, Florelle.  After corresponding with her hometown love, she decided to move back to Key West.

 
On June 27, 1957, she was united in holy matrimony to Floyd H. Sweeting, Sr. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, where she was a member for 41 years. Her husband was a businessman and an entrepreneur which required him to work long hours. He took big financial risks in opening his business, which included a barbershop and apartments.

She was supporting and loving the entire 54 years of marriage. The two celebrated their 50th golden anniversary in 2007. They displayed their 50 years of love in a beautiful ceremony in West Palm Beach, Florida. A host of family and friends congregated to celebrate with the loving couple, it was an event to remember.

Marva was also very supportive to her two boys, doing everything by the power of God and through the Holy Spirit to guide her. The Spirit was so powerful in Marva she helped her family enjoy the best of times and was a powerful calming spirit during times of trouble. Marva was the love, smiles, hugs, soft words, strength, joy, confidence1 perseverance, and the path through the storm. Marva loved her grandchildren very much and gave them the foundation they would need to go into this world to be the best person they can be. She taught them the word of God at Sabbath school in their younger years and always covered them with her love.

While being the foundation at the home, she was also a dedicated employee of Sears and Roebuck. She retired from Sears after being of service to the department store chain for over 20 years.

 
In 1977, she became a member of the Southernmost Seventh Day Adventist Church. During her ministry she was the personal ministry leader, head deaconess and the Pathfinder's leader. The Pathfinders group was near and dear to her. The group raised funds to travel to church conventions and other ministry events by creating and selling arts and crafts. Her dear friends participated in the group with her; the late Violet Hollowell was the arts and crafts teacher, and Mrs. Patricia Gallagher was the transportation coordinator.

Her strength, joy and calm spirit was the Highlight of who she was. Through the best of times and during times of trouble she maintained her faith in Christ.