Harold Colston Jr.
Harold (Hal) I. Colston Jr., 57, passed away unexpectedly at his home, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. He was born June 13, 1964, in Rome, Georgia (Floyd County) to Harold Sr. and Alberta (Bert) Colston. His father was in the military. He resided in several states, with the longest residency in Rome, Georgia and Key West. In 1975, his dad retired from the Navy and, at the age of 12, he and his family moved from NAS Jacksonville to Starke. He attended Bradford Middle and Bradford High. After graduation he became a CNA, working in a local nursing facility. In later years he worked as a CNA in Orange County Hospital. His career, however, was in the Department of Corrections in Starke. After a sudden illness, he stayed in Starke, and he was an active member of First Baptist Church of Starke from the age of 12 to his 20s, when he moved. His passion during those years was with the Puppet Ministry, Youth and Adult Choirs; and as a part of the WTLG Radio Ministry. Since his return to Starke his passion was ministering online to veterans and law enforcement members with PTSD; encouraging and sharing scriptures with promise of help. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold I. Colston Sr.; and his grandparents, Albert and Minnie Payne and Ernest and Sara Colston.
He is survived by his sisters, Connie Colston Varnes of Starke, and Debbie Jett of California; a brother, Curtis (Curt) Colston of St. Petersburg; nieces Madyson Varnes of Graceville and Amber (Russell) Boulding of St. Petersburg: and nephew, Jesse (Crystal) Colston of Jacksonville; and his mother, Alberta (Bert) Colston of Starke.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Starke, with Pastor Justin Durrance officiating. Interment will follow at Crosby Lake Cemetery The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service at the church
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
Tasco Gunter
Tasco “Wayne” Gunter, 73, of Starke went to be with his savior, Jesus, on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, after an extended illness. He was born Oct. 21, 1949, in Starke to the late David and Eunice (Starling) Gunter. He graduated from BHS in July 1968 and joined the US Air Force in September 1968. In the Air Force, he worked as an aircraft electrician, served one year in Vietnam, was stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas and served temporary duty in several countries in Europe. His obligation was completed after four years with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was employed at the Lawtey and New River Correctional Institutions for 30 years as a vocational electronics teacher; retiring in November 2007. He was a member of Air Park Baptist Church. He enjoyed restoring tube-type radios, DIY projects and fixing anything broken. He married his loving wife, Frances, in November 1979.
Survivors include his wife, Frances (Varnes) Gunter; brothers, Glenn Gunter and Gary Gunter; and a sister, Deborah Patterson. all of Starke. Also left behind are his stepchildren, John Stapleton of Claxton, Georgia, Charlene Short of Starke and Mary Sikes of Lake Butler. He was lovingly called “Papa” by several stepgrandchildren and great- grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews.
A viewing was held on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Funeral services were held at the DeWitt C. Jones Chapel Wednesday, Jan. 11, Pastor Author Masters officiating. Interment followed at Santa Fe Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the care of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 620 E, Nona St., Starke, 32091. 904-964-6200. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Michael McFarland
Michael “Mike” Timothy McFarland, 65, of Starke passed away at his home on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. He was born Aug. 4, 1957, in Knoxville, Tennessee, but he has called Bradford County home since he was a child. He held several different jobs in his lifetime; his favorite was being camp host at Camp Blanding. He served for 11 years, greeting campers and making sure their needs were met. He was a patient, compassionate man who never met a stranger. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. He enjoyed watching the Florida Gator football team, finding a deal at the flea market, and spending time on his boat or jet skis on the lake. His passion was being “Papa Mike” or “Poppy.” His grandchildren were his world, and he loved every minute of it. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fate and Mary Ann Harper; his son, Jimmy Watkins; and brother, Donald Dewey Grundy.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Dianne McFarland of Starke; children, Christopher (Christy) McFarland of Lawtey, Jennifer (Roy) Highland of Starke, Nichole (Will) Walker of Lakeland, Michelle Lovell (Randy Faile) of Starke, Deena (Rod) Crawford of Lawtey, Renee (Leroy) Griffis of Starke, Karen Parker of Lawtey, and Hunter Smith of Starke; 19 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends.
A visitation will be held at Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler on Thursday, Jan. 12, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Jonell Norman
Jonell Norman of Lawtey passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her daughters on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. She was born in Clay Hill on Feb. 9, 1938, to the late Albert and Maybell Norman. She has called Lawtey home for the past 60-plus years. She enjoyed being outdoors tending to her yard and flowers. She was an avid fisherwoman and also enjoyed a trip to the beach. She was an excellent cook who loved cooking for her family and friends. In 1954, she married Vernon W. Griffis, and together they had four daughters. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Maybell Norman; the father of her children, Vernon W. Griffis; grandson, Jeremy Griffis; brother, Eugene Norman; and sister, Carol Coleman.
She is survived by her daughters, Renae (Jim) Freeman, Rita (Ace) Acevedo, Rose (Richard) Odom, and Regina (John) Rizer; her grandchildren, Michelle (Chip) Evernden, Jonathan (Christy) Rizer, Amanda Rizer, Chad (Crystal) Griffis, Jared Freeman, and Kayla (Channing) Dobbs; 15 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; her siblings, Betty Starling, Paul (Janet) Norman, and Robert (Debbie) Norman; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.
A celebration of life was held Tuesday, Jan. 10, 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
Benjamin Padgett
Benjamin “Ben” Padgett was an avid outdoorsman; his favorite saying was, “Huntin’, fishin’, and lovin’ every minute.” If he wasn’t in the woods with his favorite hunting partner, his wife, Bunky, he loved being on the tractor helping friends bale hay. With such a big heart and always willing to lend a hand, the word “No” just wasn’t in his vocabulary. He was known for his smoked meat. He would volunteer to grill for all sorts of events, church functions, large family gatherings, and he also spent years volunteering his time smoking mullet for the Lawtey Community School. He was a lifelong resident of Bradford County and worked for over 30 years for Dupont until he retired in 2006. He was a faithful member of the Logo Church in Lawtey. He loved his family with everything he had and lived life to the fullest. On Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, God called him home at the age of 67. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Thomas and Alma Crews Padgett; and his siblings, Thomas Alvin Padgett, Charles David Padgett, and Mary Jane Johnson.
He leaves behind to cherish his memories, his loving wife of 19 years, Elizabeth “Bunky” Padgett of Lawtey; his children, Donna (David) Harris of Raiford, Wendy Padgett of Gainesville, Vanessa (Allen) Thompson of Lawtey, Dusty (Daniele) Sapp of Waldo, and Austin Deese of Lawtey; grandchildren, Shelby, Ashley, Lake, Payton, and Ryder; sisters, Betty (Jerry) Fishburn and Tammy (William) Hankerson; and a host of extended family and friends.
A graveside service was held at Sapp Cemetery in Raiford on Wednesday, Jan. 4, with Pastor Kris Elkins officiating the service.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Patricia Parrish
Patricia Parrish, 66, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born Feb. 12, 1956, in Lake Butler to the late Ervin and Pauline Taylor. She worked for many years with the Department of Corrections and as a medical assistant for Dr. Perez. In 1973, she married the love of her life, Don Parrish. Together they built an amazing family that meant the world to her. Her passion was her kids and grandkids. She enjoyed every moment spent with them. She instilled in them family values and traditions. In her alone time, she would tend to her flowers. Her home was always beautifully surrounded by them. She was also a member of Johnstown Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin and Pauline Taylor; and her brother, Jerry Taylor.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Don Parrish of Providence; her children, Denise Parrish of Ellisville, Andy (Melanie) Parrish of Lake Butler, Donald (Morganne) Parrish of Providence, and Dustin Parrish of Providence; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; her siblings, Katie Feagle, Faye (Gary) Luke, Gary (Rosemary) Taylor, Gail (Steve) Poole, Greg (Debbie) Taylor, Yvonne (Keith) Osborne, Ronald (Mary Ann) Taylor, and Teresa (Charles) Tomlinson; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
A funeral service was held on Thursday, Jan. 5, at Johnstown Baptist Church in Raiford. She will be laid to rest immediately following the funeral at Mt. Zion/Swift Creek Cemetery. Pastor Danny Fouraker will officiate the services.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Laura Shepherd
Laura Frances Shepherd, 82, of Melrose, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. She was born in Gainesville and graduated from Gainesville High School. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt with a giving heart. She supported her husband in his ministry for many years. They ministered where the Lord led them; spending a year each in Guyana, Barbados, North Dakota, and Alaska. She made multiple trips to Haiti to work with the children of El Shaddai.
She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Bill Shepherd; her sister, Margaret Marlow; daughters, Lori Shepherd, Priscilla (Mike) LaBounty; and grandchildren, Michael, Dustin and Amanda. There are also numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends who loved her dearly.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Keystone Heights. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: El Shaddai Central Ministries, P.O. Box 735, Frederick, Colorado 80530.
PAID OBITUARY
Bettye Zowarka
Bettye Zowarka of Keystone Heights went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. She was 93. Born in Lebanon, Tennessee to Edna Luck (Rose) McMichael and Phocian Ward Luck. Her four great passions in life were her membership in the Episcopal Church, her missions to Episcopal Churches in Cuba, bringing hospice to the Keystone/Melrose areas in the early years before hospice services were ubiquitous, and, with her husband, Jim, as a dedicated Gator Booster for over 50 years. The mayor of Keystone Heights pronounced April 28 “Bettye Zowarka Day” to honor her work in these areas and in the community at large. She traveled several times to Cuba on a religious visa to take medicines, clothing, and gifts to Episcopal Church members across Cuba that were adopted as “sister” churches by various Episcopal Churches in Florida. She was particularly fond of churches deep in the countryside in the provinces of Matanzas and Camaguey, Cuba. She served as a Haven Hospice Volunteer Liaison for over 30 years beginning in 1984. Haven Hospice in Palatka recently honored her in a ceremony adding the title “Bettye Zowarka Hospice Volunteer of the Year” to their award recognizing excellence in service among their volunteers. Her family would like to thank the nurses and volunteers of Haven Hospice Palatka, and her personal caregivers for the excellent and compassionate care provided to her. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Haven Hospice in her memory. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Samuel I. “Buddy” Rogers Jr. and James G. “Jim” Zowarka, both Navy pilots, assuring an angel’s escort to heaven; stepfather, Frank W. “Chicken” McMichael, her grandson, Benjamin Zowarka; and great-grandson, Jonah Orr.
She is survived by her children, Chris (Jennifer), Tish (Tim) Ganey, Suzanne VanHatten, Michael (Tricia); nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service honoring her will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Melrose with a reception and celebration immediately afterward at the Zowarka home in Keystone Heights.
PAID OBITUARY
