Homegoing services for Mr. Raymond Moore Bent, Sr., of Tampa, who passed away, Tuesday, June 9, 2015 will be held Saturday, June 20th 11:00 a.m. at St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 2504 E. Chipco Street, Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Banks, Sr., pastor, officiating. The interment will follow. Raymond Moore Bent, Sr. was born on the Island of San Andres, Colombia (South America) on November 30, 1936. He received Christ at an early age, and was an active member of his home church, the First Baptist Church of San Andres Island. He participated in the Royal Ambassadors Ministry, choir, and training union. After high school, he married his first love, Lonica Kelly May in 1962. He worked in the banking industry and went on to study meteorology. He also worked in the Weather Bureau in San Andres, Bogota, and Barranquilla, Colombia before moving to the United States in the late 1960s. He and his wife lived in Ohio, TX, and NY before establishing residency in Tampa, FL. In the late 1970s, he founded Bent Auto Sales and Bent Import and Export, Inc. From 2003-2013 he worked for Guardsmark Security. As Raymond Sr. continued his life voyage, he met his beloved friend and confidant, Ms. A. Faye Wingo, together they co-parented 2 beautiful children. For the next 27 years the Lord would allow them to raise a minister and marriage and family therapist respectively, of which he was extremely proud. He became a member of St. John Progressive M.B. Church in 1997. He participated in the Brotherhood Ministry, the Men's Sunday School Class, and the Male Chorus, of which he served as president in 2012. He loved to work on cars and to sell them; other hobbies included playing cards, dominos, pool, and he was a great dancer to boot! He always watched the Rays and would coach from his chair. He worked very hard after coming to this country, and was an excellent provider for his children. He was preceded in death by his father, Mark Bent May, and mother, Ina Reid Taylor and seven siblings. Left to cherish his memories are his children, Ariminta Bent, Hope Bent-Barnaby (Kharlie), Raymond Bent, Jr., Olarte Bent, Coquette Bent, Kaleesha Bent and Joshua Bent, all of Tampa, FL.; his grandchildren, Janae, Ayan, Kiauntae, and Kharlee, all of Tampa, FL; numerous siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and one aunt, Emolin Reid; special relationships: Joyce Walker, life-long friend (mother of 3), A. Faye Wingo, beloved friend and confidant. A host of best friends. Special thanks to the staff of St. Joseph's Hospital, Tampa Rehab, and Melech Hospice House; Board of Deacons, Intercessors, Senior Women Mission, Minister's Wives and St. John Progressive. The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, June 19th, from 5-8p.m. The family will receive friends from 7-8p.m. The friend and family are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service.