Dwight Cilley II
Dwight Walter “Dewy” Cilley II, 53, passed away in his home on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. Although sadly unexpected, we know he passed peacefully and now joins his beloved sister, “Sherri” (Edwards) in Heaven. He was all heart and valued for his loyalty, turning friends into family throughout his life. He was a peacemaker and wanted everyone to be happy. He found enjoyment in cooking, and even went to culinary school to pursue his passion first found while working with his mother, Sandy, at The Keystone Inn. He was also a cornerstone in the “S and G family,” a local community of lifelong friends who will be honoring Dewy’s memory by celebrating his life there next month. He will be especially missed by his roommates and best friend, Glenn Haynes who would like to thank Hess, Ms. Sherri, and everyone who helped make this publication of kind words possible. Although he is gone, he will not be forgotten
He is survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Melissa Smith; their daughter, Ashley Aguirre and her husband, Carlos; their grandchildren, Nadia and Josiah; and their son, Cody Cilley. He also has extended family in Washington and Texas.
PAID OBITUARY
Harry Hopkins Jr.
Harry “Hank” Hopkins Jr., 71, of Keystone Heights passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, following a brief illness. He was born Feb. 23, 1951, in Albany, New York and had served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
Loyd Kerr
Loyd Alan Kerr Sr., 72, of Lawtey passed away Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, at Haven Hospice in Orange Park. He was born June 10, 1950, in Parma, Missouri to Earl T. and Arva Lee (Brown) Kerr. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was a proud veteran. Prior to retirement, he owned and operated a trucking company for many years. He faithfully attended First Baptist Church in Lawtey and enjoyed being outdoors fishing or hunting, but most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Glenda; daughters, Candice “Candy” Michelle Kerr and Shannon Ellington.
He leaves behind his son, Alan (Rachael) Kerr of Lawtey; a daughter, Bobbi Powell of Mississippi; along with two brothers, Randy Kerr and Lyndell (Beverly) Kerr of Lawtey; and sister, Judith Benner, also of Lawtey. He was lovingly called “Papa” by Raelan Kerr, Brody Kerr, Bailee Hamilton, Maddee Peeples, Cheyenne Peeples, Tess Ellington, Cora Peeples, and Cameron Leidy; along with soon-to-be great-grandson, Kolter Hamilton.
The viewing will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, at First Baptist Church of Lawtey. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. with Pastor Tim Mulkey officiating. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Holly Hill Cemetery in Middleburg. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that a memorial gift be made to a veterans program of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 620 E. Nona St, Starke, 32091. 904-964-6200. www.jonesgallagherfh.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Myrtice Lee
Myrtice Crews Lee, 83, of Lake Butler, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, at the North Florida Regional Hospital in Gainesville on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. The middle of three daughters, she was born at home to Roy and Masie Crews on Jan. 10, 1939. Growing up, she was a second mother to her younger sister, Annie Ruth, and always found time to play with her. At the age of 15, she married James B. Lee on Dec. 18, 1954, and they were happily married for 56.5 years, until James passed away in 2011. She and James had a love story that few get to witness, much less experience, and she never stopped missing him. She was known for her gentle kindness and her unconditional love of everyone she met. She sent everyone she knew a birthday card, which she printed from her computer, AND personalized for the recipient. She especially loved her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren, always having Smarties in her pocket, and time to play, read a book or share a nursery rhyme. She was a member of the Lake Butler Church of Christ and the Lake Butler Woman’s Club. She was taught the art of sewing by her mother and worked as a seamstress at Lake Butler Apparel. It was normal for her to make clothing for James, dresses for her daughters and Halloween costumes for her grandchildren that were all better than the store-bought stuff. She could make her own patterns if the right one could not be found. She later worked as a secretary for her son-in-law’s wrecker and mechanic shop, but continued to mend and alter clothes for anyone that asked. She and James were involved in an automobile accident in 1994, which created two chapters of their lives; “before the wreck” and “after the wreck.” Within hours of arriving at Shands after the accident, her family was given little hope of her surviving, and no chance of a normal life. She used her quiet grit and fierce determination to prove the doctors all wrong, making an almost full recovery. She had many hobbies, including genealogy research, photography, and her computer. Before the wreck, she did genealogy by walking cemeteries to document all of the burials there. After the wreck, she did her research online. She had more cousins than she could count, not only because she had a large family, but also because she actually knew them, and could recite the family link by heart for all of them, even if it took five or six generations to make the connection. She loved taking pictures and had an actual dark room in her home. She would take and develop her own pictures. After the wreck, she used digital photography. She learned to use a computer as if she were a teenager and got AOL as soon as it was a thing. She spent hours sitting at her computer, mostly doing genealogy, playing with her pictures and making birthday cards. She was preceded in death by her husband, James; her daughter, Ruth Winningham; her parents, Roy and Masie Crews; and her sister, Bertha (Earl) Mae Sutherland.
She is survived by her daughter, Debbie (Joe) Hendricks of Lake Butler; her son-in-law, Bobby (Alice) Winningham; grandson, Rob (Johnny) Winningham of Fort Worth, Texas; granddaughters, Amy (Thom) Perkins, Kellie (Jessie) Rhoades and Stacie (Richard) Cason, all of Lake Butler; sister, Ann (David) Hendricks of Lake Butler; 13 great-grandchildren, Jackson, Carter, Eli and Emilia Perkins, Tanner, Judd and Tripp Connell, Andie Jo Rhoades, Landon, Clayton, Allie, Alston and Aubrie Cason; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A visitation was held on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at Archer-Milton Funeral Home. The service was held on Thursday, Dec. 22, at the Lake Butler Church of Christ, officiated by Richard Cason, II. Interment followed at New Zion Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home of Lake Butler. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
John Libby
John Libby, 73, of Starke passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, at his residence. He was born on Oct. 25, 1949, in Starke to the late Leslie Libby “Shorty” (the best mechanic in town) and Eva (Burney) Libby. He retired from the US Postal Service as a mail carrier, and was a former drag racer, setting a world record in 1973. He enjoyed watching TV and adventure traveling. He was also the original “Shade Tree Mechanic.” In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Charles Robert Libby, Mary Louise Schiller, Leslie Libby Jr., James Libby and Steve Libby.
Survivors are his wife of 45 years, Peggy Libby of Starke; children, Robert Jason (Shells) Libby of Fleming Island, Joshua James (Jessie) Libby, and Kristina Libby (Andrew) Crawford all of Starke; and sister, Joan (Robert) Hall of Starke. Also left are his grandchildren, Ashlin, Gavin and Lyla.
The family will receive friends at the DeWitt C. Jones Chapel of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home on Friday, Dec. 30, from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. with funeral services starting at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Crosby Lake Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home of Starke, 620 E. Nona St., Starke 32091, 904-964-6200 www.jonesgallagherfh.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Benjamin Sapp
Benjamin “Benny” E. Sapp, 66, of Melrose died at his home Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.
He is survived by his children, Bobby (Sandra) Sapp of Orlando and Tracy (Donnie) of Melbourne; and siblings, Susan Sapp (George) Hettel of Melrose, James Daniel (Kristina) Sapp of Gainesville, and David McEleveen (Vicky) Sapp of La Plata, Maryland.
The viewing will begin at 12 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Eliam Cemetery. Graveside services will begin at 1 p.m. with Pastor Gene Morgan officiating. Interment will follow.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
Evelyn Turner
Evelyn “Darlene” Turner, 66, of Middleburg, passed away on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital. She was born in Jacksonville on March 25, 1956, to the late Walter Daniel Quiett and Evelyn Addison Quiett. She was raised in Starke and Jacksonville. She met her lifetime love, Vernon Turner, in the early 1970s and they were happily married on Aug. 3, 1973. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved her family dearly. She enjoyed her career as a claims examiner at Blue Cross Blue Shield, where she proudly served for over 20 years. She also enjoyed volleyball, was an avid Gator fan, and loved Christmastime and Christmas ornaments, but, more than anything, she loved her family and spending time with them. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Daniel Quiett; and her son, Michael Jason Turner.
She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Vernon Turner of Middleburg; children, Mitchel (Sarah) Turner and Amanda Michelle Turner both of Middleburg; daughter-in-law, Karen (Jarrod) Sherman; brothers, Darrell (Linda) Quiett and Phillip (Yvonne) Quiett both of Middleburg, and Tommy (Ann) Quiett of Maxville; grandchildren, Matthew Sherman, Kayla Marie Jolley, Kenzie Jolley, Jacob Turner, and Callen Turner; and her great-grandchildren, Lillie and Nolan Turner and Kimberly Jolley.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel with Pastor Delton Kilpatrick officiating. Interment will follow at Dyal Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, Jan. 2, an hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
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
James Vaughn Sr.
James “Jimmie” Edward Vaughn Sr., passed away at his home on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, at the age of 74. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on April 24, 1948, to the late Wilbur and Mary Margaret Vaughn. He was a proud veteran of the US Army who served our country in the Vietnam War. He also dedicated 36 years of service to the Florida Department of Corrections, retiring in 2002. He has called Lake Butler home for the past 40 years. In 1990, he married the love of his life, Tammie, and they have been inseparable ever since. Anyone who knew him knew his love of working on cars and tinkering at his shop, but his true passion was his family. He enjoyed being an active part of his grandchildren’s lives. He was a constant source of fun; playing on the floor, dancing and sneaking all the sweets. His childlike playfulness made him the best “Papa.” He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Mary Margaret; and his son, James “Bubba” Vaughn Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Tammie Vaughn; his children, Robert (SaraBeth) Vaughn of Lake Butler, Lacey (Julie) Griffis of Ocala, Stephanie (T. C.) Harper of Lake City, and Clinton (Madeline) Vaughn of Corpus Christi, Texas; mother-in-law, Pauletta Phillips; brother-in-law, Paul (Maria) Kish; numerous grand and great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends.
A visitation was held at Archer-Milton Funeral Home on Wednesday, Dec. 28. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Honor Foundation to assist veterans. www.honor.org/donate
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Johnny Woodell Sr.
Johnny “Papa” C. Woodell Sr., 72, of Keystone Heights passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Middleburg. He was born May 3, 1950, in Bladenboro, North Carolina to William and Mary (Crowson) Woodell. He has been a resident of Keystone Heights over 30 years and was a retired automobile mechanic. He was of the Baptist faith and an avid Florida Gator and Jaguars fan. He also enjoyed traveling to the mountains, being outdoors, enjoying his coffee, fishing, and working on cars, but, most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Patricia Ann Woodell; their daughter. Shawna Woodell; and a brother, Claude Woodell.
Survivors are his daughter Kimberly (Andrew) Carlton, and son, Johnny C. (Annie) Woodell Jr. all of Keystone Heights; siblings, Effie “Darline” Carver of Cornelia, Georgia, Robert Woodell and Cathy Lee, both of Wilmington, North Carolina. Also left behind are 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The viewing was held Monday, Dec. 26, at Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services were held Tuesday, Dec. 27, followed by interment 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
