Curtis Allen
Curtis Eugene Allen, 68, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2023 at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. He was born on April 18, 1954 to Clarence and Wilma Allen in Jacksonville. He spent his early childhood in Hialeah and later returned to his father’s home place in Lake Butler, where his family built their permanent home. After he graduated from Union County High School in 1972, he went on to study at Lake City Community College, Miami-Dade Community College and Jefferson State College in Birmingham, Alabama, where he obtained a degree in Funeral Science. He became a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer, working at funeral homes in Birmingham, Alabama, Gainesville, Williston, and Lake Butler. He worked over 35 years at Archer Funeral Home. He also operated A&A Transport, Inc. He was known for his goofy sense of humor and kind demeanor. He loved all things “oldies,” from music to T.V. sitcoms. He also loved college football, especially the “Gators.” He was predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Wilma Allen; and sisters, Rita Waters and Elaine Andrews.
He is survived by his former wife, Renae Allen; and their children, Tim, Lauren (John) and Ricky; as well as his beloved grandchildren, Vanessa, Veronica, and Vincent VanDuzer.
Services were held at Archer-Milton Funeral Home on Monday, March 20.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, 55 N. Lake Ave., Lake Butler, 386-496-2008, www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Mamie Artis
Mamie Coleman Artis, 84, of Starke passed on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at North Florida Regional Hospital in Gainesville. She was a lifelong resident of Bradford County. Ms. Artis was a member of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Starke for many years. She served on the Deaconess Board, usher, choir member, Mount Sinai women’s convention, president of the missionary, heroines of Jericho Ruth Court #18, and an honorary member of the Bradford Gospel Ensemble. She was a giver to her family and friends and a pillar to the community.
Mamie Coleman Artis is survived by: Edward Williams, Jr., Deitra (Lucious) Hines, Cynthia (John) Tyson and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Funeral Services for Mamie C. Artis will be held on Saturday, March 25 at 11 a.m. in the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Alvin Green, Eulogist conducting the services. Interment will be held in the Oddfellow Cemetery under the direction of Haile Funeral Home Inc. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 24 in the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. The Cortege will form at the home of Ms. Artis 14249 Southeast 45th Place Starke at 10:30 a.m on Saturday.
PAID OBITUARY
John Hendry
Mr. John Mack Hendry, age 82, of Starke, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Riverwood Health and Rehab in Starke. He was born on January 25, 1941 in Jacksonville to James Marshall Hendry and Ozena Louise Green. He grew up in Jacksonville and moved to Bradford County in 1966. He served in the Air National Guard, specializing in survival equipment for 34 years before retiring. He also owned and operated Hendry Upholstery and Hendry Brothers Music and Knife, but his favorite job was being a preacher where he pastored Dedan Baptist Church for 10 years. John was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church where he played bass. He was also the Chaplain of the North Florida Bluegrass Association for the last 10 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Hendry; and his parents.
John is survived by: his wife of 17 years, Polly Hendry of Starke; three children, eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; his siblings, James Walton (Joyce) Hendry of Charleston, South Carolina, William Robert “Bill” (Mary Ann) Hendry of Jacksonville, Roland Gary (Doreen) Hendry, Sr. of Clay County and Anna Barfield of Lake City; and numerous extended family also survive.
A funeral to honor Mr. Hendry’s life will be held on Thursday, March 23, at 11 a.m., at his church, Fellowship Baptist Church in Raiford with Bro. Harold Hudson officiating. The family will receive friends for a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. He will be laid to rest at New River Cemetery in Brooker.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008. www.ArcherFuneralHome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Susan Long
Susan Marie Long, 65, passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. She was born in Westfield, Massachusetts on August 16, 1957. She loved her community and her friends very dearly.
Susan is survived by: her father, Arthur Stacey; her mother, Constance Barry; and her close friend, Jimmy Roe.
There are no scheduled services at this time.
Dustin Newman
Dustin Clayton Newman, age 34, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. He was born on October 12, 1988 in Gainesville to Ron Newman, Jr. and Lisa Givens Newman. Dustin was a lover of nature and people. He was a carpenter, gardener, poet, skateboarder, artist, amateur chef and philosopher. He had a generous and loving spirit. Above all, Dustin was a servant to Christ and to his fellow man. He was preparing to hike the Appalachian Trail where he wanted to witness to as many people as he could and share his testimony. Dustin’s love for his family was evident in his everyday life and in his desire for the happiness, health and salvation of each and every person he loved and to all he encountered throughout his life. His greatest desire was for unity of family and the world. Dustin was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Lloyd “Buddy” Givens and Donna Givens (Pappy and Mimi).
He is survived by: his parents, Ron and Lisa Newman; his siblings, Emily, Taylor, Sydni, Savannah, Kendalyn, Zoey, and Levi Newman; his paternal grandparents, Ronny and Mary Newman (Pepa and Nanny); his paternal uncle and aunt, Jesse and Ashley Newman; maternal uncles and Aunts, Timmy and Stacey Givens and Logan and Lacey Rhea; and his nephews, Caymon and Carter Yarbrough. He also will be missed by a large extended family of cousins, great-aunts and uncles, and dear friends including his love, Valerie Bunge.
Dustin’s final resting place will be the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, adjacent to the Prairie Creek Preserve. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Prairie Creek conservation so their work and environmental mission to maintain the earth can be continued.
PAID OBITUARY
Robert Parker
Robert Gary Parker, 76, passed away Monday, March 13, 2023 after a sudden illness. He was born in Jacksonville in 1946 and had lived there since. He served three years active duty in the USMC and was a Vietnam veteran. As a civilian, he worked as an electrician. He loved his family and spent a lot of his free time with friends at VFW Post 7909. He was preceded in death by his parents,Vernon Maloy Parker and Mary Christina Parker.
Survivors include his daughter, Lisa (Chris) Ianniello; his son, Russell (Tonya) Parker; one sister, Phyllis Robie; seven grandchildren; five great- grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service to honor his life was held Friday, March 17, at Archer Funeral Home, 55 N. Lake Ave., Lake Butler. Interment was held at Swift Creek Cemetery immediately following the service. Services were officiated by Pastor Michael Norman.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler, 386-496-2008, www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Mary-Lynne Rowell
Mrs. Mary-Lynne (Collins) Rowell, age 74, of Lake Butler, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at her home surrounded by family. She was born in Jacksonville on August 23, 1948 to Alvin and Catherine Collins. Mary-Lynne grew up in Jacksonville, she moved to the mountains for several years before returning to Florida. She worked for the Duval County School Board as a bus driver and loved her job. In 1995, her and her loving husband, Robert Rowell, moved to Lake Butler. They were active members of Trinity Baptist Church where she sang and played the piano. She also enjoyed sewing and baking. She is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Faye “Xan”; and her grandson, Jacob.
Mary-Lynne is survived by: her husband of 44 years, Robert Rowell of Lake Butler; her children, Jimmy Hutcheson of Jacksonville, Stacy Skyllas and Tacoma (Sean Sr.) Stephens all of Lake Butler, and Thatcher (Veronica) Nightingale of Mars Hill, North Carolina; grandchildren, Charles “Chuckie” (Laurie Beth), Donald “DJ”, Sunshine, Ashley (Aaron), Amanda, Robert (Diana), Thatcher “TJ” (Hayden), Angela (Michael), Antony, Dalton, Donavon, and Sean “Bubba”; great-grandchildren, Autumn, Dakota, Alyssa, Skye, Abby, Tyler, Gabby, Blakely, Shelton, Alex, Thayden, Elijah “Eli”, Sofia, Piper, Olivia, Levi, and Eleanor “Ellie”; one great great-granddaughter, Delilah; siblings, Gerald Collins of Jacksonville, Daniel Collins of Bryceville, Phillip (Nancy) Collins and Martha (David) Dreggers all of Jacksonville; numerous extended family also survive.
A funeral to honor Mrs. Mary-Lynne’s life was held on Sunday, March 19 at Good Samaritan Church in Jacksonville. She was laid to rest at Dunn Creek Cemetery in Jacksonville.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler, 386-496-2008, www.ArcherFuneralHome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Malvina Smith
Malvina B. “Beany” Smith, 90, of Starke, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Windsor Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born in DeLand, on Jan. 1, 1933, to the late Ruben and Minnie (Rasser) Baumgardner. She was a faithful member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Lawtey. She worked in retail sales for Burlington’s, was a licensed cosmetologist, and worked for Davis Property Management of Gainesville. She was preceded in death by her husband, William M. Smith; her parents; brother, Clifford L. Baumgardner; and daughter, Shellee S. Priest.
She is survived by a son, Ronald S. (Debbie) Smith; grandsons, Nickolas Smith, Aaron Priest, Zeke Smith; granddaughter, Zora Smith; great-grandson, Ethan Smith; son-in-law, Lamar Priest; along with many other family members.
Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, at the DeWitt C. Jones Chapel with Pastor Sheron Willson officiating. Entombment will follow in Crosby Lake Cemetery. Visitation with family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service (from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m.) at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a church of choice.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 620 E. Nona St. Starke, 32091. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Marjorie Starling
Marjorie Jean Starling, age 68, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her children on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Margie was born December 14, 1954 in Albany, New York to the late Anthony Ralph and Anne Neva Kahl Trimarchi. She moved to Bradford County in the 1970s and has resided there ever since. Margie worked for 21 years at Avmed Health as a claims representative. She enjoyed sewing, reading and tending to her flower garden. Margie always enjoyed going on trips and was an avid FSU fan. She is preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Anne Trimarchi; husband of 43 years, George Starling, Jr.; her stepson, Bobby Starling; sister, Lynn Trimarchi Benkoczy; and daughter-in-law, Carrie Starling.
Margie is survived by: her siblings, Carmella (Bob) Bugbee, Karen (Bob) Rodgers, and Tony (Susan) Trimarchi; children, Kim (Toby) Mincey of North Carolina, William “Billy” Kent of Starke, Kayla Starling of Folkston, Georgia, Adam (Libby) Starling of Chiefland, Nathan (Jessica) Starling of Keystone Heights, Brian Starling of Lawtey; step-children, Billy Starling of Lawtey, Lori (Greg) Woods of Lawtey; daughter-in-law, Hilda Starling of North Carolina; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren with one on the way; her siblings, and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
A Celebration of Margie’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on March 26 at Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, 386-496-2008, www.ArcherFuneralHome.com
PAID OBITUARY
