Dana Alvarez
STARKE Dana Lynn Alvarez, 60, of Starke passed away in Gainesville on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022. Dana was born on Nov. 29, 1961, in Gainesville to Stephen Franklin and Janice Elaine “Blume” Alvarez. Dana retired after over 30 years from DOC as a correctional officer and was currently working at the Bradford County Jail. Mrs. Alvarez enjoyed spending time with family, the beach, shopping, and decorating her house. She was preceded in death by: her father, Stephen Franklin Alvarez; and her brother, Stephen Franklin Alvarez Jr.
Survivors include: her mother, Janice Alvarez of Starke; son, Cole (Amanda) Whitehead of Starke; life partner, Glenn Kemp of Raiford; nieces, Ashley Alvarez and Gracie Alvarez of Starke; nephew, Leavy Alvarez of Starke; great-nieces and nephews, Shyann, Morgan, Jakob, Justin, Aidan, Jaxon Alaina, Lauren, and Emily, all of Starke; stepdaughter, Erika Kemp of Starke; and two granddaughters, Bailey Varnes and Olivia Whitehead.
A visitation will be held at the DeWitt C. Jones Chapel on Thursday, Sept. 1 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services will also be held at the DeWitt C. Jones Chapel on Friday, Sept. 2, beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Lake Butler.
In lieu of flowers donations may be given in honor of Mrs. Dana Lynn Alvarez to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 620 E. Nona St., Starke. www.jonesgallagherfh.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Roberta Blair
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS Roberta “Bobbie” Hilliard Martin Blair, 98, of Keystone Heights passed away Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in Starke.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 1. Her son, Rev. Terry R. Martin will be officiating. Interment will be at the Keystone Heights Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive., Keystone Heights.
Patricia Booth
MELROSE Patricia C. “Patsy” Booth, 78, of Melrose, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022 from a brief illness. She was born to parents, John and Aubrey Cannady on Dec. 6, 1943 in Adel, Georgia. Patsy graduated from Hamilton County High School in 1963. Patsy had some college. She was married to Robert A. Booth for 27 years and they lived together in Melrose. Patsy was predeceased by her loving husband in 2004. Patsy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her family and her church family fiercely while she was still able to attend. Her love for Jesus Christ was foremost in her life and sharing the plan of salvation with anyone she talked to was most important to her. She greeted everyone with a huge smile and always had a positive attitude. She enjoyed spending time with her family and many friends over the years. She also enjoyed the lake she lived on and having people over to enjoy it. She loved reading The Bible, gardening, and doing and teaching arts and crafts. She devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver to family members.
Patsy Booth is survived by: two brothers, Randall Cannady of Jasper and Thomas Cannady of Valdosta, Georgia; daughter, Angelia Booth of Melrose; two stepsons, Robert Booth of High Springs and Richard Booth of Keystone Heights. She is also survived by her two grandchildren and two stepgrandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Patsy will be laid to rest at Trinity Episcopal Church on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.
PAID OBITUARY
Jeremy Griffis
RAIFORD Jeremy Bruce Griffis, 42, of Raiford, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, at the St. Vincent’s Hospital in Middleburg. Jeremy was born on July 5, 1980, to Bruce Griffis and Rose Griffis Odom. He grew up on a farm in Baker County and started working at a young age. All of his experience driving tractors and farm equipment helped him become a heavy equipment operator with several different construction companies. His most recent job was with the Vallencourt Corporation. He was preceded in death by: his stepfather, Richard; his papa Vernon; his grandparents, Aaron and Aline Griffis.
Jeremy is survived by: his father, Bruce (Marie) Griffis of Sanderson; his mother, Rose Odom of Raiford; brother, Chad (Crystal) Griffis of Raiford; aunts, Renae (Jim) Freeman, Rita (Ace) Acevedo, and Regina (John) Rizer; nieces and nephews, Chase, Morgan, Ronald “Bean,” Chloe, and Haleigh; grandmother, Jonell Norman of Raiford; step-grandmother, Evelyn Griffis of Raiford; and his girlfriend, Brandi Estep. Numerous extended family also survive.
A Celebration of Jeremy’s Life was held on Tuesday, Aug. 30, at Pine Grove Congregational Methodist Church.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008.
www.ArcherFuneralHome.com
PAID OBITUARY
James Irwin
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS Mr. James “Jim” William Irwin 84, of Keystone Heights passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the care of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights.
Sharon Jones
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS Sharon Colleen McGraw Jones, 85, of Keystone Heights left to join our Heavenly Father on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022. Ms. Jones was born in Jacksonville on Nov. 28, 1936, to John Douglas and Thelma Combs McGraw. Ms. Jones and her husband, Ernest Leonard Jones Jr., were owners and operators of Leonard’s Outboard Shop. She served as a Girl Scout leader for troop 190 and was an active member of the Keystone Heights Lionellas Club. She was predeceased by her parents; and her husband of 61 years.
She is survived by: her daughters, Debbie (Steve) Heptinstall and Christy (Ronnie) Harper; along with her brother in-law, Ted (Pat) Jones. Also left behind are four grandchildren, Jessica (Jeremiah) Groff, Rebecca (Shawn Griffin) Chapman, Renee (Donnie) Vanzant, and Matt Heptinstall; along with six great-grandchildren, Ryan Potter, Breanna Heptinstall-Ricks, Lauryn Potter, Hayden Groff, Blake Chapman and Haylee Groff.
The family will receive friends at the Graveside Friday, Sept. 2, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. with Pastor Justin Brown officiating. Interment will be at Keystone Heights Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive., Keystone Heights. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Carolyn McCorkle
LAWTEY Mrs. Carolyn Leigh McCorkle, 88, of Lawtey, passed away peacefully at Macclenny Nursing and Rehab on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Carolyn was born Aug. 13, 1934, in Dublin, Georgia to the late Cecil and Pauline Spence. She was a Christian who loved the Lord and enjoyed going to church. Carolyn enjoyed cooking, especially baking. She also enjoyed working in her flower garden. Carolyn was a dedicated wife, mother, and friend and will be deeply missed. She was preceded in death by: her parents; and her sisters, Lillian Freeman, Frances Weaver, and Jean Harper.
Carolyn is survived by: her children, Russel (Tina) Macgregor of Greeneville, Tennessee, Michael E. (Gallen) McGehee of Wichita Falls, Texas, and David R. (Leslie) McGehee of Rock Island, Illinois; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Mary Peavy of Folkston, Georgia.
A graveside service to honor Carolyn was held at Evergreen Cemetery in Raiford on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Pastor Wayne Wright of Evergreen Baptist Church officiated.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler, FL. 386-496-2008
www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Marian McRae
STARKE Mrs. Marian Kathleen McRae, 87, of Starke passed away Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022 at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville. She was born on May 13, 1935 in Athens, Pennsylvania to the late Jacob and Sara Kurtz and was a longtime area resident. She was a member of Madison Street Baptist Church as well as a member of the Sunshine Life Group at Madison Street. Prior to retirement, she worked the for Clerk of Court in Child Services and as a substitute teacher in many Bradford County Schools. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Edwin “PotLicker” McRae; and her son, David Russell McRae.
Survivors are: her son, Michael J. McRae of Starke; sister-in-law, Linda McRae Clark Spivey of Starke; grandchildren, Spencer (Karrisa) McRae of Kettle Falls, Washington and Zachary McRae of Zephyrhills. Also left are her great- grandchildren, Jimmy, Vanesa, Theresa, and Skylar; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Family visitations for friends and relatives will be held at Linda Spivey’s home located at 15893 SE C.R. 100A, Starke. The family will have a reception at Madison Street Baptist Church on Thursday, Sept. 1, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. with a memorial service starting at 2 p.m. Rev. Charles Warren will be officiating.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home of Starke. 904-964-6200 www.jonesgallagherfh.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Winston Parrish
BROOKER Mr. Winston “Wayne” Parrish, 78, of Brooker, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, at his home surrounded by family. Wayne was born on Sept. 8, 1943 in Brooker, to Robert Guy Parrish and Nona Whitehead. He was a lifelong resident of Brooker and a graduate of Bradford County High School. Soon after school, Wayne went to work for DuPont for several years before working for Florida Gas Transmission in Brooker. After 47 years of work, he retired in 2012. When he was not at work, Wayne was working on the farm. He enjoyed planting row crops and working with cattle, but most importantly, he loved being around his family and his grandchildren. He was a lifelong member of New River Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Wayne is survived by: his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Jean (Douglas) Parrish of Brooker; his children, Guy Wayne (Susan) Parrish of Bell and Debbie (Buddy) Webb of Brooker; his grandchildren, Jessica (Justin) Hanson of Lake City, Lacey (Aaron) Coleman of Brooker, Ashley (Cole) Smith of Bell, and Thomas Webb of Orlando; great-grandchildren, Avery Coleman, Jaxson and Jenson Hanson, and Henry Smith; and sisters, Virginia (Allen) Crews of Brooker, Norman Jean Parrish of Clay Hill, and Myra (Charles) Thomas of Live Oak. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
A funeral to honor Wayne’s life was held on Thursday, Aug. 25, at his church, New River Baptist Church.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008.
www.ArcherFuneralHome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made, in Wayne’s memory, to: Haven Hospice (beyourhaven.org/donate) or New River Baptist Church (NewRiverBaptistBrooker.com).
PAID OBITUARY
Jean Stegall
MELROSE Mrs. Jean Walker Stegall, 88, of Melrose, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, surrounded by her family. Jean was born in Lakeland and attended Auburn University. In Addition to the full-time job of raising three boys, she worked as a financial secretary. She was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church and served on the Altar Guild, where her flower arrangements were appreciated. She was a passionate seamstress and was known for the many altar-hangings, priest vestments and quilts she had made; Halloween costumes were perennial favorites. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always bringing her items to mend.
She is survived by: her children, Paul N. Stegall, G. Griffin Stegall, and Keith M. Stegall. She was lovingly called “grandmother” and “grandma” by six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service for Mrs. Stegall will be held Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Trinity Episcopal Church beginning at 11 a.m., with Father Wiley Ammons presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, Altar Guild, PO Box 361, Melrose FL, 32666 or Community Hospice & Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257 or give online support at support.communityhospice.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Hervey Stricklin
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS Mr. Hervey Stricklin Jr., 74, of Keystone Heights passed away Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in St. Augustine. He was born in Jacksonville on Nov. 20, 1947, to the late Hervey Stricklin and Betty Clark. Mr. Stricklin honorably served in the United States Air Force for seven years. During his time in the military, he was stationed in Turkey and Cape Canaveral where he was a member of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing mission. Prior to retirement, he was employed for 35 years with the Veterans Administration. He was very active his entire adult life with athletics, coaching football, basketball, and softball as well as umpiring. Mr. Stricklin was an active member, deacon, and Sunday school teacher of the churches where he lived.
He is survived by: his devoted wife of 17 years, Janice (Owens) Stricklin; a daughter, Kim (Bruce) Harvin; and a son, Scott Stricklin; two step-children Richelle (Charlie) Taylor and Amanda Helmer; along with a sister, Debbie (Bill) Deacon. Also left behind are his grandchildren, Chelsea (Trey) LeMire, Wyatt Harvin, Hope (David) Durham, Ashley Flynn, Dalton (Jamie) Crews, Dylan Crews, Kiley Taylor, and Zoey Showalter; and great-grandchildren, Kira, Tori, Macilynn, Daxton.
A memorial service for Mr. Stricklin will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 3, at the First Baptist Church of Keystone Heights, with Pastor Daniel Findley officiating. Interment will be at the Keystone Heights Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be made to First Baptist Church, 550 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, Florida 32656.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive., Keystone Heights. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
