Azie Allart
MACCLENNY Azie Lee Allart, 75, passed away Sunday, April 24, 2022 at Magnolia Manor of Midway under the care of Hospice of South Georgia after an extended illness. A longtime resident of Macclenny, she was born on July 17, 1946 in Brooker to the late Abril Zenith Padgett and Myrtice Lee Tillman Padgett. Her kind and loving nature made her a mother to nearly everyone and she absolutely adored children. She was a selfless person who always put the needs of others before her own, following the example of her savior, Jesus Christ, and she was a longtime member of the Macclenny Church of God, where she faithfully served the Lord for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jackobus Allart; two sisters, Marsha Fletcher and Patsy Padgett; and two brothers, Edward Padgett and Gerald Padgett.
Survivors include her four children, Susan Greene of Starke, and Keith Brooks, Kay Brooks and Larry Lee Brooks, all of Macclenny; siblings, Norma Lee Finley of Starke, Miriam Padgett of Folkston, Georgia, Larry (Louise) Padgett of Racepond, Georgia, and Linda (Darrell) Hall of Jesup, Georgia; eight grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren; and a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; and extended family members also survive.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 29, at Dedan Cemetery in Brooker, with Rev. Elliott Aspinwall and Rev. Shannon Conner officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the cemetery. Please sign our guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Sarah Brundage
Sarah Lee (Kareem) Brundage, AKA Snapper (Bit Bit) passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. She was born to the late John Henry and Sarah Gilmore on May 20, 1923 in Sparta, Georgia and was the youngest of two daughters. Due to the death of her mother, she and her sister Margaret (Ree) moved to Jamaica Queens, New York to live with her grandmother, Lizzie Collier, and her aunt, Sharefah (Collier Cora) when they were just 6 and 8 years old. She was educated in the school system of New York. Afterward, she worked different jobs; but her main employment was working at Dover Nursing Home as a heath care aide, where she retired after 30 years. In 1968, she met and married Frank Brundage, who had two daughters, Donna Brundage (now deceased) and Dorothy Brundage; she helped raise and care for both in Brooklyn, New York. She never had any biological children of her own, but was very nurturing to her cousin Anniebelle’s eight children. The closeness between the two was more like sisters; therefore she was known to the family as”Aunt Snapper.” She was very attentive also to her husband, Frank, and sister, Margaret, who were both ill and preceded her in death. After their demise, she moved to Florida to be close to her cousin Anniebelle and family. She left behind some close friends who, to this day, stay in touch as much as possible.
She leaves many cousins, nephews, and nieces to cherish her memories. Along with her loving friends from New York, Mary Brooks and family; Rahkiah Eason; Anniebelle James; a very much loved godson, Larry (Satydra) Brooks of Maryland who she joyfully refers to as ‘moo-moo’; and the community of Speedville.
The family will accept friends and family for a visitation held on Friday, April 29 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m., with Pastor Elder Harold Wanton Sr. presiding. Internment to follow at Speedville Cemetery in Melrose.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Margaret Cribb
Margaret Louise Carter Arwood Cribb, 93, passed to the next life in the early hours of Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at her home in Hartwell, Georgia. She was born in Lawtey, on Dec. 30, 1928, the oldest daughter of the late Carl “Bub” Francis Carter and Mildred Louise Durban Carter. She grew up as a farmer’s daughter in Lawtey; she played the accordion and sang in church and for the USO during WWII. She met and married Wesley Lee Arwood II in August 1946. She and her husband lived in Key West; Jamestown, Rhode Island; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Pascagoula, Mississippi; and Jacksonville. After Wesley retired from the Navy, they settled in Melrose. He passed away in 1972 and she later lived in Jacksonville, working at the Barnett Bank of Murray Hill. She married a second time in 1980 and traveled worldwide with her second husband; they visited Europe, Russia, China, New Zealand, and Australia. They had a condo in Hawaii and St Augustine Beach, and retired again to Orange Park. Since 2012, she has lived in Hartwell, Georgia with her daughter. She made friends everywhere she went and was greatly loved by her family who will always miss her stories and great conversation. She was preceded in death by her parents; two spouses; sister, Linda Sweat; and two sons, Douglas and Mark Arwood.
She is survived by her children, Wesley (Claudia) Lee Arwood III of Alachua, Charles (Debbe) Arwood of Charlton County, Georgia, Nancy (Richard) League of Hartwell, Georgia, and Victor Arwood of Lawtey; brothers, Donald Carter of Kingsley Lake, and William Carter of Lake Hartwell, Georgia; sister, Ann Macy of Kingsley Lake; daughters-in-law, Mary Arwood and Sandy Arwood; grandchildren, Emily, Yvonne, Tabatha, Thaddeus, Trevor, Alan, Tristan, Megan, Sarah, and Hunter; and several great-grandchildren.
Services were held March 19, in Starke with Pastor Jonathan Rodriguez officiating.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel, Starke 904-964-5757. Visit www.ferreirafuneralservices.com to sign the family’s guest book.
PAID OBITUARY
Harry Dale Jr.
Harry A. (Fred) Dale Jr. died Thursday, April 14, 2022 at the E.T. York, Haven Hospice in Gainesville following an extended illness. He was born in Florida and lived in Lake Butler until he went to The Georgia Military Academy in Milledgeville, Georgia to complete high school. He then went to the University of Alabama and graduated with a BS degree. He lived and worked in New York for several years before moving to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He returned to Lake Butler in 1995 to take care of his father and his rental properties. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Pound Dale; and his father, Harry A. Dale Sr.
Burial is in the family plot in Evergreen Cemetery in St. Augustine.
Randolph Durrance
HAMPTON LAKE Randolph “RV” Vann Durrance, 81, of Hampton Lake passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at E.T. York Care Center in Gainesville. He was born in Jacksonville on Nov, 9, 1940, to the late Vonde Durrance and Ruby Byrd Durrance. He was raised in Maxville and graduated from Baldwin High School in 1958. On May 24, he married the love of his life, Beverly L. Cole Durrance, and together they have spent 42 wonderful years together. He was a driven, hard worker, and in 1964 he founded his family business, Durrance Pump and Well Drilling. He was also the owner of two Sonny’s BBQ restaurants in Georgia. He enjoyed fishing and was an avid Florida Gator football fan. He went to all the games; including traveling to the away games. More than anything, he loved his family, especially his grandkids; they were his world. He was proceeded in death by his parents; son, Harold David; and brother, Howard Durrance.
He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Durrance of Hampton Lake; his daughters, Bridget (Robbie) Underhill, Brena (Bill) Murray, Becky (Jay) Hodges, Linda (Glenn) Hicks, Pam (Paul) Wheeler all of Starke; grandchildren, Kylope (MacKenzie), Kamryn (Kelly), Brent (Malory), Brett (Alex), Brad (Carly), Tela (Chris), Brandy (John), Korey, Jalynne, Jason (Julie), Shannon; great- grandchildren, River, Karsyn, Brentley, Briggs, Breelyn, J.C., Coby, Haiston, Hayden, Kaidence, Kendall, Trinity, Sage, Farrah (Tristan), and Jackson.
A graveside Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, April 27, at Crosby Lake Cemetery with Pastor Roman Alvarez officiating. Interment followed at Crosby Lake Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel, Starke, 904-964-5757. Visit www.ferreirafuneralservices.com to sign the family’s guest book.
PAID OBITUARY
Alma Kelley
BROOKER Alma (Smith) Kelley, 85, of Brooker and Blue Ridge, Georgia died peacefully on Saturday, April 23, 2022. She was born on Nov. 18, 1936, in Hazard, Kentucky. On April 27, 1957, she married, and is survived by her husband, Clyde Roswell Kelley. A passionate family woman, she dedicated her life to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and nieces and nephews. Always the adventurer and ready for action, she avidly took to the mountains and oceans, cruising to new destinations while basking in the sunshine. A sports fan, she was a loyal fan of the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Florida Gators. She was preceded in death by her parents, McKinley Smith and Carrie Stacey Smith; along with her six siblings, Pearlie Smith, Naomi (Bob) Combs, McKinley (June) Smith Jr., Herbert Clark Smith, Alex Earl (Louise) Smith, and James Otis Smith.
She is survived by her children, Linda (Robert) Phillips, Lisa (Stephen) Peek, Nancy (Gary) Hundley; her grandchildren, Kara Eickelman, Derrick Hundley, Kelley Eickelman, Sarah (Paul) Rindfleisch, Kristen Eickelman, Heather Brown, Jared Eickelman, Katie Pagliaro, and Rachel Pagliaro; and five great-grand children, Aurora, Jayden, Luna, Aubrie, and Kinsley.
Her memorial service will be held on May 7, at 12 p.m. at Brooker Baptist Church, 17197 Bradford Avenue, Brooker. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to the American Brain Foundation, dedicated to funding cure-based research, or the Lewy Body Dementia Association, dedicated to caregivers’ support and resources.
PAID OBITUARY
Janet Powell
STARKE Janet M. Powell, 87, of Starke, was taken into the loving arms of Jesus on Saturday, April 16, 2022. For decades she served the families and children of Bradford and surrounding counties as a caseworker, counselor, and supervisor for the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. She also served the developmentally disabled at Tacachale in Gainesville. Her professional affiliations included membership in the National Association of Counsel for Children, National Criminal Justice Reference Service, Florida Council for Crime and Delinquency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Civil Defense (Bradford County), and a non-lawyer membership in the Florida Bar (1994-97). Upon retirement, she decided it was “ the right time to dust off the Peace Corps dream and dress it in work clothes.” So she joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to Thailand, where she served for more than six months as a teacher trainer until that experience was interrupted by the 9/11 attacks. She later traveled to Russia, China, the United Kingdon, Rome and the Vatican, and Antarctica. Following these well-deserved adventures she returned home to Starke. She volunteered at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park for more than 10 years, where, to her family’s eternal amusement and pride, she earned the title: “Certified Gator Handler.” She was a parishioner at St. Edwards Catholic Church and served that faith community in a variety of ways. She was preceded in leaving this world by her oldest daughter, Linda Sheffield, a respected Bradford County educator.
She is survived by her daughter, Karen Adams of Tennessee; and her sons, Lane of California, John of Florida, Tommy of North Carolina, and Gene of Texas. All were raised and educated in Starke and all followed her example to become college graduates, variously attending the University of Florida, The Citadel, and North Carolina State University. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, including Courtney Kelly, who ministered to her with loving care during her final years and days. 1 Timothy 1:5. A family memorial will be held at San Lorenzo Cemetery in St. Augustine at a future date.
PAID OBITUARY
Levonia Paige
Levonia Paige 73, was born June 21, 1948, in Raiford to the late Louis Lawrence Stewart and Robenia Reeves Stewart. Also preceding her in death were her beloved daughter, Yvette Latonia Paige; and two sisters, Annie Hill and Lillian Clayton. She passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at UF Shands. She was educated in the schools of Union County. She accepted Christ as her Savior and began many years of faithful service in Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church in Raiford. She met the love of her life and was united in holy matrimony to Joe Paige on Aug. 7, 1969. She worked at Northeast Florida State Hospital until she retired, where she met and made many friends.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her husband, Joe Paige; sons, Steve (Jean) McCray of Fort White, Aaron (Kim) Paige of Starke; daughter, Toni Hamilton, Lawtey; brothers, Nolan (Erma) Stewart, Jacksonville, Roman Stewart, Raiford; sister, Joann (Charles) Warren, Raiford; grandchildren, Steve (Sheree) McCray Jr., Jaiden Hamilton, Simone Hudson, Jazlyn Hamilton, Sierra Paige, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Her wake will be held Friday, April 29, from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church, 12745 N.E. 227th Lane, Raiford 32083. The funeral service will be held Saturday, April 30, at 10 a.m. at Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Flournoy officiating. Burial will be at Sanderson. The Repass wil be at Simmer Down Lakeside Grill, 315 N Lake Ave., Lake Butler 32054.
PAID OBITUARY
Mary Schiller
STARKE Mary Louise Schiller, born Jan. 5, 1933, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 21, 2022 in Starke. She was a wonderful person and mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother; full of life. She loved her family, her Heavenly Father, and her church members. She was born in Starke and was a graduate of Bradford High School. Her parents were the owners of Libby’s Automotive for over 50 years, where she worked after graduating Bradford High School. She married Jack Schiller, who was in the US Army. She supported her husband with assignments at Fort Benning, Georgia, where her two sons, Jack Jr, and Tim were born. Other assignments included Fort Indian Town Gap, Pennsylvania; and two overseas assignments at the US Southern Command, Quarry Heights, Panama Canal Zone. Upon retirement in 1974, she and Jack retired in Starke. She was a devoted church member/daycare worker at First Baptist Church, in Starke, under the leadership of Pastor Ben Bryant (“Brother Ben”). She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Eva Libby; and brothers, Jimmy, Steve, Leslie and Charles.
She is survived by her children, Jack (Joy) Schiller, and Tim (Xiomara) Schiller; siblings, Joan (Robert) Hall, and John (Peggy) Libby; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held on Thursday, April 28, at 2 p.m. at Crosby Lake Cemetery with Pastor Terry Clarke officiating. The public is invited to attend the memorial services.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel, Starke, 904-964-5757. Visit www.ferreirafuneralservices.com to sign the family’s guest book.
PAID OBITUARY
Louise Starling
LAWTEY Mrs. Louise Ilene Starling, 88, of Lawtey passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at her home. She was born on March 31, 1934, in St. Ignace, Michigan to the late Enoch and Lydia (Beyer) Hawkins. She was a homemaker and worked on the family farm. She attended Sampson City Church of God and, more recently, Starke River of Life Church of God. Preceding her in death was her husband of 52 years, Lonzo Ray “Judge” Starling Jr.; and her brothers, Richard Hawkins, and Glenn Hawkins.
Survivors are her children, Helen Padgett of Macclenny, Deborah Passwater of Lawtey, Joy (Jack) Schiller of Starke, Lydia (Wayne) Spratlin of Lawtey, Amy (Randy) Head of Gainesville, Steven (Sherri) Starling of Lawtey, and Enoch (the late Katrina) Starling of Enterprise, Alabama; siblings, JoAnne Benttine of Iowa, Nina (the late Eric) Olsen of Michigan, Leonard (Margaret) Hawkins of Arkansas. Also left are 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 22, in the DeWitt C. Jones Chapel of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home. Interment followed at Kingsley Lake Baptist Church Cemetery with Brother Gene Bass and Bishop Terry Clark officiating.
Arrangements were by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home of Starke 904-964-6200.
PAID OBITUARY
Robert Thornton
STARKE Robert Thornton, 77, of Starke, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Haven Hospice in Gainesville. He was born on Aug. 27, 1944, in Macclenny to Willis Thornton and Grace Moates. After growing up in Glen St. Mary, he moved to Starke around age 18 and resided there for the remainder of his life. He was a jack of all trades. He operated a bulldozer, had a fill dirt company, owned and operated Thornton and Jones Construction and Logging Company, and worked in the salvage industry. He was a hard worker, but enjoyed coming home and being with his family, and his “babies,” his dogs. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, and will be deeply missed. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Yvonne and Yvette Thornton; parents, Willis Thornton and Grace Moates Thornton Douglas; brother, William Thornton; and sister-in-law, Kathy Thornton.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Audrey Cooper Thornton of Starke; his children, Sylvia (Rodney) Cayton of Lake Butler, Glen (Dawyna) Thornton, and Lisa Thornton all of Starke; siblings, Shirley (Walt) Kraus of Starke and Pete (Susan) Thornton of Hampton; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; numerous extended family also survive.
A funeral was held Wednesday, April 27 officiated by Brother Johnny Frampton and Brother Gene Bass.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008. www.ArcherFuneralHome.com
PAID OBITUARY
William Wesley Sr.
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS William “Bill” James Wesley Sr., 74, of Keystone Heights passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.
No services will be held at this time.
Arrangements are under the care of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 32656, 352-473-3176 www.jonesgallagherfh.com