Anita Griffis
On Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 at 3:21 p.m., Anita “Mema” Griffis, surrounded by her family, slipped from this earth into heaven and the arms of her Lord. She was born Sept. 29, 1943 in Rocky Sunk in Suwannee County. An almost lifelong resident of Starke, she was married to Doyce Albert Griffis for 60 years. Together they had four children; Doyce Dean Griffis, Tyffany Suezette Griffis Wishart, Polly Griffis (Richie) Smith, and Amy Beth Griffis. In addition, she had five grandchildren; Houston McClain, BriAnn Wishart (Brandon) Thomas, Daniel Wishart, Briar Smith, and Jozee Smith; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon Bruce “Red” Alvarez and Thelma Priest Alvarez; brother, Travis Alvarez; and mother, Wanda Faye Whitfield. She is survived by her sister, Patricia Alvarez Neely. She was a registered nurse most of her adult life. Employed at both Starke and Alachua General Hospital in Gainesville, her passion for nursing was evident in the love and care of her patients and co-workers which were never just patients or co-workers, they were her family as well. This love for others carried through to others where most knew her best as Mema. She had countless “adopted” children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her love for others was only surpassed by her love for her Lord, Savior, and closest friend, Jesus Christ.
Services for will be held Saturday, Aug. 13 at 11 a.m., with the viewing being held from 10 a.m until 11 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 13393 SE CR 100A, Starke. A time to meet with the family will follow in the fellowship hall.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home of Starke. 904-964-6200 www.jonesgallagherfh.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Vaughn Prescott
Vaughn Prescott, 85, of Kingsley Lake passed away Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022 at his residence. He was born on March 28, 1937 in Baker County to the late Lonnie and Myrtie (Griffis) Prescott and was a lifelong area resident. He was a member of the Bradford High class of 1956 and a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Starke. Prior to retirement, he was the co-owner of Lawtey Tire and Lube Service. He was a “Jack of all Trades” and enjoyed mowing grass, being outside, and just staying busy piddling.
Survivors are his wife of 66 years, Rachel (Norman) Prescott of Kingsley Lake; children, Mike (Debi) Prescott and Donna (Sammy) Sheppard all of Kingsley Lake. He was lovingly called “Papa” by his grandchildren, Alicia (Ed) Bennett, Brittany (Bryan) Morris, Alan (Stacey) Prescott and Haley Sheppard. He was called “Papa Vaughn” by his great-grandchildren, Aiden, Jordan and Briar.
The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m.. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. with Pastor Lester Austin and Pastor Matthew Page officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Baptist Church Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home of Starke, 904-964-6200
PAID OBITUARY
James Rupp
James (Jim) Eugene Rupp of Tallahassee, formerly of Lake Butler, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and three daughters on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Margaret Dozier Hospice House in Tallahassee.
He was born on Dec. 25, 1948 in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania to John and Dorothy Rupp. He proudly served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He was employed by the Department of Corrections until his retirement in 2005 after 30 years of service. He married the love of his life, Carol (Eib) Rupp, on Sept. 3, 1971. During their 50 years of marriage, they loved traveling to Georgia and North Carolina. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Rupp; and son-in-law Walter Boatwright.
In addition to his wife, Carol, he is survived by his daughters, Diane Boatwright of Tallahassee, Sharon (Roger) Parrish of Lake Butler and Tracy (Bryan) Robinson of Tallahassee; brother John (Valerie) Rupp; sisters, Jackie Dougherty and Sandy Rupp; grandsons, Matthew and Tyler; granddaughters, Daisy (Brian) Thornton, Heather (Matt) Liston and Ashton Blanton; great-granddaughter, Taylor; great-grandsons, Shaun and Noah; stepgrandchildren, Bronson (Noriko), Bryanna (Tony), Brody (Bayli) and Brooke; stepgreat-grandchildren, Ellie and Charley.
The funeral service will be held at the Tallahassee National Cemetery on Friday, Sept. 9, at 2 p.m. There will be a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Big Bend Hospice.
Arrangements under the care of Beggs Funeral Homes, 3322 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, 32311, 850-942-2929.
PAID OBITUARY
Eugene Snipes
Eugene “Gene” Lonzo Snipes, 76, of Keystone Heights passed away Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Orange Park. He was born Sept. 3, 1945, in Suwannee County to John S. and Ruthie L. (Purvis) Snipes. He was a retired master plumber and pipe fitter working many years at the Jacksonville Ship Yard and paper mills. He also worked in real-estate and enjoyed working in his yard. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Shelby (Bradshaw) Snipes; and a grandson, Jerrimy Sumner.
He is survived by his children, Tammy Snipes (Charles “Stewart”) Browning and Kevin Snipes both of Starke, and Timmy (Tina) Hackney of Green Cove Springs. Also left behind are his sisters, Betty Ann Baxter of Atlantic Beach, Ruby (J. D.) Moore of Palatka; and a brother, John “Tommy” Snipes of Jacksonville. He was lovingly called “Papa” by Jason Hackney, Garrett Hackney, Christopher Sumner and Travis Ryan Horne; and great-grandchildren, Paislee, Xavier Sumner and Elijah Sumner.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, Aug. 11, beginning at 10 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. with Pastor Rick Jackson officiating. Interment will follow at Keystone Heights Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Franklin Starling
Franklin Davis Starling, 82, of Hilliard passed away on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born in Green Cove Springs on Feb. 18, 1940, to the late Fleam and Nettie (Chesser) Starling. He had a strong work ethic and was employed with Adcom Wire for 46 years. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, was an avid bowler, and played softball. He grew up in his home church, Oak Grove Baptist Church, and was a current member of Trinity Baptist Church. He loved serving the Lord and worked diligently to teach his family and friends how to live for Christ. Family was extremely important to him, and he always tried to be there for them to lend a helping hand or a helpful word of guidance. He was a father figure, not only to his children, but to his nieces, nephews, and children in the neighborhood. He will be truly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Franklin Scott Starling; and siblings, Thomas Starling, Lucille Cauley, James Starling, and Robert Starling.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 63 years, Alice Sellers Starling; children, Christopher (Patricia) Starling, Gene (Tina) Starling, and Crystal (Alan) Hannah; grandchildren, Jammie (Stefanie) Starling, Tony (Danielle) Starling, Joshua Starling, Tiffany (James) Shrull, Sara (Greg) Kelley, Dustin (Samantha) Starling, Libby Hannah, and Remington Hannah; great-grandchildren, Kelsey Starling, Brianna Shrull, Cody Shrull, Gracelyn Starling, Abbygaile Shrull, Jackson Starling, Sutton Starling, and Jacob Starling; siblings, Martha (Calvin) Lee, Mark Starling, and Timothy (Toni) Starling; along with many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Aug. 10, at West Park Baptist Church, 372 Jones Road in Jacksonville with Pastor Robert Bulmer, Pastor Bill Turner, and Pastor Paul Haney officiating. Interment will follow in Sellers Cemetery in Jacksonville.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of Blackburn-Curry Funeral & Cremation, 380 N. Lowder St., Macclenny, 32063. 904-259-2806. Please share your condolences with the family online at www.blackburncurryfh.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Susan Whelchel
Susan Slade Whelchel, 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 after battling Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born the youngest daughter on Aug. 13, 1944 to Flora and Tom Slade in Baxley, Georgia. Her siblings (predeceased) were Tom Slade,
Joanne Sawyer, and Flo O’Brien. She soon moved to Starke where she graduated from Bradford County High School. She graduated from Jacksonville University with a degree in political science and did post- graduate work at Florida Atlantic University and Nova Southeastern University. While in Jacksonville, she met her husband, John Whelchel, and married in 1968. They started their family in Sanford and ultimately relocated to Boca Raton in 1978. She was a strong believer in education. She enjoyed a 30-year teaching career, which culminated at Boca Raton High School. She was heavily involved in the Boca Raton community through non-profits and other organizations. One that was very near and dear to her heart was the Junior League of Boca Raton, where she was named Woman Volunteer of the Year in 2016. Her Junior League service and love of the community led her into Boca Raton, politics which began in 1995. She was elected to the Boca Raton City Council and served three terms, where she served as Deputy Mayor and was Vice-Chairman of the Community Redevelopment Agency. She was appointed by then Gov. Jeb Bush to a two-year term on the Palm Beach County School Board, where she served with distinction and successfully enabled a renewed focus and commitment to our local schools. She was most proud of her work in helping to establish Don Estridge Middle School, a high-tech choice public school. She was elected the Mayor of Boca Raton in 2008 and was re-elected and served a second term. Being term limited, she retired from politics in 2014. One of her trademark initiatives was to create a world class community. She had a vision to bring quality education, excellent medical facilities, higher learning opportunities, adequate recreational facilities, public parks and nature centers to the city. She helped Boca achieve its goal in 2015 when it was named the 11th best city in the country. She was an active and dedicated volunteer for over 30 years. In addition to her public service, she spent thousands of hours volunteering in over 30 volunteer organizations. She put Jesus and family first. She was a longtime member and leader at Grace Community Church. She served as a deacon and elder and served on various committees within the church. Like her sisters, Joanne and Flora, she believed life was an amazing journey and participated passionately in everything that held her interest. As a child she was an amazing water skier and had a love of horses. She was a member Delta Delta Delta sorority at Jacksonville University. She was a competitive tennis player at Boca Del Mar, Boca Bath and Tennis, and Royal Palm Country Club. She loved books, learning, had a love for dogs, was a marathon bridge player, enjoyed her investment “Blush Group,” and played golf to keep in line with her husband John’s passion. She enjoyed entertaining and hosting numerous parties. You could always count on her to be the first and the last one on the dance floor. She was an involved and tenacious mother, loving grandmother, devoted daughter and wife. She adored her four children and 10 grandchildren and always insisted on yearly family vacations, matching PJs on Christmas Eve, and balloons at every birthday party.
She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, John; four children, daughter, Joanne (Tracey) Jackson, son, Jay (Melissa) Whelchel, son, Matthew (Kimmie) Whelchel, and daughter, Kristy (Nick) Hartofilis; grandchildren, Haley, Davis, Makayla, Mary, Jack, Maddie, Caroline, Vivi, Nick, Mira; 10 nieces and nephews; and an abundance of very special friends.
Visitation was held at Babione Funeral Home, 1100 N. Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, on Wednesday, Aug. 10. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Aug. 11, at Grace Community Church, 600 W. Camino Real, Boca Raton with Pastor Jason Whitener officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Alzheimer’s Community Care. www.alzcare.org, or Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center. fauf.fau.edu/memory-and-wellness-center.
PAID OBITUARY
Philip Worley
CPT Philip Earl Worley (USMC Ret.), 84, of Keystone Heights passed away at his home Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. He was born Oct. 26, 1937, in Dallas, Texas to the late L. B. “Red” and Connie (Stone) Worley. In 2000, he and his wife moved to Keystone Heights from Texas. While serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, he earned the Bronze Star and went from an enlisted rank to a commissioned officer, retiring as Captain. He was an avid runner; and in the 1970s he would run up to 20 miles a day. He enjoyed watching western shows on the television and loved being a Marine.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Nancy (Vaughan) Worley of Keystone Heights; their three daughters, Mary Frances (Billy) Burkholder of Salt Lake City, Utah, Nancy “Leah” (David) Adams of Keystone Heights, and Connie Varie (Britt) Jackson of Starke. He was lovingly called “Papaw” by 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends in the Keystone Heights Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, Aug. 12, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, at Dyal Cemetery in Starke. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be made to Wounded Warriors (woundedwarriorparoject.org).
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY