Annie Ardley
Annie Lou Ardley, 84, of Lawtey died on Monday, June 12, 2023, at Haven Hospice of Gainesville. She was born in Tallahassee and later moved to Lawtey. She was of the Christian faith. She was a certified nurse assistant and employed with various hospitals and nursing facilities.
She is survived by her nephew, Keith Ardley; a brother, James Ardley Sr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, at the Church of Christ in Lawtey with Minister Curtis White conducting the services. The Cortege will form at 10:45 a.m. at the church on Saturday morning. Interment will be held at Peetsville Cemetery, Lawtey under the direction of Haile Funeral Home Inc., 802 N. Oak St., Starke, 32091. 904-964-7905.
PAID OBITUARY
Charles Bembry
Charles B. Bembry of Lake Butler died Wednesday, June 14, 2023, following a sudden illness.
Survivors are daughters, Jessica (Chuck) Crews and Angela (Jason) Bailey; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his mother, Ella Mae Bembry; brothers, Dan Bembry and Alvin (Sheila) Bembry; and extended family and friends.
A Celebration of Life with military honors was held Friday, June 16, at Archer-Milton Funeral Home, 55 N. Lake Ave., Lake Butler, 32054. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
Laura Ellis
Minister Laura Bright Ellis, 68, of Lawtey died Friday, June 16, 2023, at her residence in Lawtey. She was a member of Macedonia Freewill Baptist Church and served as the associate minister. She attended the local schools of Bradford County and graduated from college with an associate’s degree.
She is survived by her sisters, Mary B. Palmer, Patricia B. Lovell, Ophelia B. Hines, Dephrin B. Jackson and Gwen B. Baker; one aunt, Marion Bright; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many sorrowing friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m on Friday, June 23, at the True Vine Outreach Ministry Church, 422 St, Clair St., Starke, 32091 with Bishop Moses Long Jr. presiding and Bishop Kenneth R. Brown, eulogist. Interment will be held at Peetsville Cemetery in Lawtey under the direction of Haile Funeral Home Inc., 802 N. Oak St., Starke, 32091 904-964-7905. There will be NO VIEWING. You may sign the Register Book on Thursday, June 22, at Haile Funeral Home from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. The Cortege will form at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23, at the residence of Minister Laura B. Ellis.
PAID OBITUARY
Donald Martin
Donald John Martin, 94, of Starke passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Monday, June 12, 2023. He was born on May 23, 1929, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to the late Walter E. Martin and Esther Kelly Martin. He and his family relocated to Florida in 1939 and he has been a resident of Bradford County ever since. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1951, where he served as a mechanic at Camp Blanding and retired in 1984 after 33 years. He met and married the love of his life, Marilyn Martin, in 1990, and together the two shared 34 beautiful years. He was an active member of Sampson City Church of God, where he loved to fellowship and worship his lord and savior, Jesus Christ. In his spare time, he enjoyed farming and always grew beautiful rose bushes. Most of all he loved spending time with his family. He was proceeded in death by his parents; son, Terrence Walter Martin; brother, Kenneth Martin; and sister, Phyllis Ester Newell.
He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn Martin of Starke; sons, Donald Walter (Annetta) Martin of Starke; David Larry Martin of Deland; Gregory Glenn (Ruby) Martin of Starke; William David (Karen) Rogers of Jacksonville; daughter, Mary Elizabeth (Morris) Mahoney of Starke; brothers, Clifford (Ellen) Martin of Starke; Ralph (Charlene) Martin of Athens, Tennessee; sister, Florence (Edmon) Stallings of Chattanooga, Tennessee; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great- great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 24, at 3 p.m. at Sampson City Church of God with Rev. Gene Bass officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Gainesville.
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
Dianne McFarland
Dianne McFarland, beloved hairdresser and owner of Sassy Scissors and Dianne’s Cutting Edge, as well as a dedicated camp host at Camp Blanding, passed away peacefully at her Starke home on Thursday, June 8, 2023. She was born on May 7, 1949, in Miami to Jack and Virginia Bishop. She touched the lives of everyone she met with her friendly and outgoing personality. Her talents as a hairdresser were only matched by her unwavering generosity. She would give up her weekends and evenings to make sure her clients looked their best. Despite her busy schedule, she always had time for the people in her life. She enjoyed shopping for purses and being with her family, especially the grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Virginia Bishop; her husband of 30 years, Mike McFarland; and son, Jimmy Watkins.
She is survived by her children, Michelle (Randy Faile) Lovell, Deena (Rod) Crawford, Renee (Leroy) Griffis, Karen Parker, Chris (Christy) McFarland, Jennifer (Roy) Highland, Hunter Smith; grandchildren, Kristen Furneaux, Paul Crawford, Hailee Crawford, Logan Crawford, Rod Crawford, Kyleigh Crawford, Harley Smith, Emma Griffis, Easton Griffis, Sean Parker; Madison Highland, Marisa Highland; Hannah McFarland; Allie McFarland; sister: Patricia (Matt) DiVittorio; and her brother, Rick Bishop.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 24, from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Kingsley Lake Civic Center., 6109 Kingsley Lake Drive, Starke, 32091.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008.
PAID OBITUARY
Wallace Parrish
Wallace Edwin Parrish, 84, died Friday, June 16, 2023, at Haven Hospice in Lake City. He was born Sept. 26, 1939, at Lake Shore Hospital, Lake City to Eldred and Catherine Parrish (deceased) of Union County. He worked for Brasington Cadillac-Oldsmobile of Gainesville for many years as their service manager until he moved to Largo to work with his father in the construction business. After his father passed, he worked for George Hunt Construction. He eventually started his own construction company in Largo, which Eddie became a part of. Due to a tragic automobile accident, Wallace spent several years in recovery and rehab and he was never able to return to full-time work. He and Laverne moved to Union County in 1997 following the accident. They were followed by Eddie and Anita and their three daughters. Wallace enjoyed spending time fishing and going to yard sales. The entire family were members of the Union County Riding Club in Lake Butler, where they spent many years of fun and quality time with their children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. He will always be remembered as a very loving, giving and soft-spoken husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Laverne Metcter of Clearwater. He and Laverne were married for 64 years. He is survived by his son, Eddie (Anita); three grandchildren, Mellissa Parrish, Amanda Parrish and Jennifer Parrish, all of Union County; six great-grandchildren, Jaiden Parrish, Trinite McCall, Madison Parker, Aliyah McCall, Dvante McCall and Jaycee Farmer, all of Union County.
A visitation time will be held from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, at Archer-Milton Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 4 p.m. He will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
JoAnn Stewart
JoAnn Stewart was born April 13, 1935, to Lester Newton Stewart and Sara Ester Stratton Stewart in Okeechobee. She was predeceased by her parents; and husband, Harold Glisson.
Survivors are daughters, Lyn Long, Debra Wales, Pam Glisson, Lindsey Glisson; sons, Victor (Pati) Glisson, B.D. Glisson, Josh Glisson; nine grandchildren; and numerous extended family.
A graveside service was held Friday, June 16, at Dedan Cemetery in Brooker.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler.
Margaret Wadsworth
Margaret Ann Wadsworth, 82, of Starke passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at her home with her loving family by her side. She was born in Gainesville on Jan. 1, 1941, to the late Joe Sullivan and Madge Louise Sullivan. She attended and graduated from Gainesville High School. She met the love of her life, Jerry Johnson Wadsworth, in 1960 and together the two shared 56 beautiful years. She was very passionate about her career in education and worked as a paraprofessional at Hampton Elementary, retiring after 36 years. Following her retirement, she volunteered for FWC at Camp Blanding with her husband. She loved being outdoors and, as she would say, “piddling around.” She enjoyed going to the beach, lake, and being in the water. More than anything she enjoyed spending time with her family. She was the epitome of a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was proceeded in death by her loving husband; her parents; son, Jerry Wadsworth Jr.; brother, Bobby Joe Sullivan; sister, Hazel Griffis.
She is survived by her children, Justin Wadsworth of Starke, Robbin (Glen) Witt of Starke, Jody (Tammy) Wadsworth of Earleton; sister, Eva Lou Wiesner of Gainesville; grandchildren, Kasey Sheffer, Kimberly Gocek Brad Witt, and Jimmy Orcutt; seven great-grandchildren and one on the way; and loving caregiver, Sandra King.
A graveside service was held on Tuesday, June 20, at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Waldo with Pastor Don Thompson Jr. 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
