Loyal Aldridge Jr.
Rev. Loyal E. Aldridge Jr., 70, born on April 26, 1953, in Starke, passed on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. He attended the local schools of Bradford County. He was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He was self-employed as the owner and operator of Rabbit Lawn Service.
He leaves to cherish his memories his sons, Renard Hudson, Antonia Aldridge, Travis Aldridge, Dennis Jackson, Ciscro Pinkney and Mario Thomas; daughters, Evelyn Hudson, Latoya Harris, Brandy Tucker and Yulonda Peques; a brother, Freddie Lee Aldridge; and a sister: Jeanette Perry; 20 grandchildren; nine great-grands; and a host of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church will Rev. Alvin Green conducting the service. Interment will be held at Freewill Memorial Garden Cemetery in Starke. Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 10, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Carl and Elaine D. Haile Memorial Chapel/Haile Funeral Home Inc., 802 N. Oak St. Starke, Florida 904-964-7905. The cortege will form on Saturday morning, Nov. 11, at the home of Mary Tyson, 1019 E. Brownlee St. Starke, 32091 at 12:30 p.m. The Repass will be at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
PAID OBITUARY
John H. Bates
John “Johnny” Howard Bates, 86, of Lawtey, passed away on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at HCA Florida Starke Emergency in Starke. He was born in Gadsden, Alabama on Sept. 21, 1937, to the late John W. Bates and Cora McLusky Bates. In 1942, he and his family relocated to Lawtey and made Bradford County their forever home. He attended Lawtey Elementary School and started working early in life. He was an entrepreneur who owned and operated several companies throughout the years. He owned the White Elephant and Pool Hall bars in Starke, then started branching out into the junk-car business. He worked in Baldwin for many years with a partner, hauling junk cars, and buying and selling parts. This later turned into starting Epps Motors in Starke, which he operated alongside his beautiful wife, Bernice. Together, they served the community, selling and buying used cars for over 22 years. He was a lifelong, avid poker player. He enjoyed a good game of poker with a cigar. More than anything, he loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Bernice Epps; brothers, Robert “Bob” Bates, Floyd Fugatt, and Harmon Fugatt; sisters, Laura May Kiser and Colleen Sanders; and nieces, Laura Jane Bates, Tonya Bates, and Regina Kirby.
He is survived by his loving daughters, Glenda (Alan) Greenberg of Ormond Beach and Donna Kay (Jimmy) Brownlee of Starke; granddaughters, Donna (David) Harris of Raiford and Wendy L. Padgett of Lawtey; great-grandchildren, Ashley Harris, Lake Harris, Shelby Pearson, and Jaycee Edwards; nieces, Mary (Garry) Hanson, Rustee Lane, Gaye (Sven) Taffs, Darlene (Victor) Moser, and JoAnn (Arthur) Denman; nephew, Floyd “Flap” (Sandy) Fugatt Jr. and Robert (Theresa) Taylor; along with numerous extended family members and friends.
A Graveside Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9, , at 10 a.m. at Lawtey Cemetery with Pastor Lester Austin officiating. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service at the cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel, Starke, 904-964-5757. Visit ferreirafuneralservices.com to sign the family’s guest book.
PAID OBITUARY
Hilton Coleman
Hilton C. Coleman Sr., 85, of Starke passed away Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, in Gainesville. He was born Nov. 20, 1937, in Lumber City, Georgia to William and Mary (Pittman) Coleman. Prior to retirement he served as the horticulture instructor for Lawtey Correctional. He was a longtime member of Morgan Road Baptist Church, an avid Atlanta Braves fan, and enjoyed working with his plants and bird watching. He was also known for making his daily trips to Walmart, Winn Dixie, and Aldi, as well as working the election polls. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Lollie Browning; and son- in-law, Mike O’Steen.
He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of nearly 67 years, Nancy (Conner) Coleman of Starke; and their children, Carol O’Steen of Starke, Lisa (Joey) Sapp of Lawtey, Becky (Kenny) Thomassen and Hilton (Deanna) Coleman Jr., all of Starke; along with siblings, Hubert Coleman of Waldo, Ellen Martin of Starke, and Lynda Dicandio of Tennessee. He was lovingly called “Papa” by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
The family received friends on Sunday, Nov. 5, at Morgan Road Baptist Church. Funeral services followed with Pastor Jason Crawford officiating. Interment followed at Conner Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 620 E. Nona St. Starke, 32091. 904-964-6200. www.jonesgallagherfh.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Amanda Hall
Amanda Jean Hall passed away peacefully in Gainesville surrounded by her kids on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at the age of 80. She was born in Starke on March 25, 1943 and that is where she met the love of her life, the late Arthur Lamar Hall Sr. She had a passion for clothes, which led to her career as a retailer working for Diana Shop, Belk Lindsey and Goody’s, where she retired. She enjoyed going to church and was a true believer in God. She was preceded in death by her mother, the late Iva Mae Lewis; and brother; the late Edward Endicott.
She is survived by her four children, Patricia Becker, Marilynn Woodard, Sharon (Jimmy) Harp, Artie (Angie) Hall; six grandchildren, Shannon Mathis Cline, Buddy Mathis, R. J. Woodard, Brent Woodard, Katrina Hygema, Christopher Isaac; and nine great-grandchildren, who will miss her dearly.
Viewing was held at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23 Ave., Gainesville, on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Service will be held at Brooker Baptist Church, 17198 Bradford Ave., Brooker, on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. Burial to follow service at Forest Meadows Cemetery, 3700 SE Hawthorne Road, Gainesville.
PAID OBITUARY
Jane Hayes
Jane Ellen Crawford Hayes passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023; the firstborn daughter to A.E. and Myrtle Clark Crawford, arriving on March 23, 1931. She was a 1949 graduate of Union County High School. On Nov. 3, 1957, she married the love of her life, W. H. “Fats” Hayes, and began making their life on the family farm in Brooker. Together they had four children, Nathan (stillborn), Everett “Bubba,” Stacey, and Jill. After the unexpected passing of Fats in 1972, she continued maintaining the family farm. In 1974, she was a founding partner of SC&H Custom Meats. She was a lifelong member of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years, and was a member of the woman’s auxiliary. Her love for her sisters, Jackie, Ida, and Nancy, was obvious in the amount of time they spent together on many Tuesday nights and vacationing together. She was known as “MawMaw” to her grandchildren and will be remembered as the best listener, straight shooter, and cook (everything tasted better at MawMaw’s house). Her nieces and nephews will remember all the lessons of rummy and shanghai. To all, she will be remembered for her love of family, quick wit, her beehive hairstyle, contagious giggle, and celebrating life in everyday things!
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jill Hayes Teston; and sister, Jackie Crawford Spradley.
She is survived by her children, Everett (Diane) Hayes of Bristol, and Stacey Hayes of Gainesville; son-in-law, Michael (Brenda) Teston of Middleburg; grandchildren, Denver, William (Tiffany), Nathan (Caitlyn Martin) Hayes of Bristol, Allison Teston (Kyle Freeze) of New Orleans, Louisiana, Michael Blaine Teston of Middleburg, and Mikayla Flourney (Colby Clark) of Bristol; great-grandchildren, Case and Cade Clark of Bristol.; her sisters, Ida Bivins of Earleton and Nancy (James Roy) Stalnaker of Lake Butler; and a host of nieces and nephews, all of who will cherish their memories of a loving mother, “MawMaw,” sister, and aunt.
Services to honor her life were held on Wednesday, Nov. 8. A visitation followed by a funeral service were both at her church, Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, with Brother Larry Clyatt and Brother Bob Brown officiating. She was laid to rest following the service at Elzey Chapel Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home. 386-496-2008. www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Betty Kerce
Betty June Kerce, 92, peacefully passed away on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Haven Hospice in Lake City. Born on May 20, 1931, in Lake Butler, she lived a remarkable life filled with purpose and kindness. Education played an important role in her life. After attending Dallas Bible Institute, she transferred to Trinity Bible College in Clearwater, where she graduated in 1957. Her career spanned many years as she worked for a Mission Board in Illinois. Her various roles left behind a legacy of integrity and excellence. Known for her quiet, yet witty, nature, she possessed an extraordinary ability to radiate joy without uttering a word. Her joyful and happy demeanor was contagious and brightened the lives of all those fortunate enough to know her. She genuinely believed that actions spoke louder than words and embodied this philosophy every day. Outside of work, she found joy in helping others. Following her retirement, she moved to Advent Christian Village in Dowling Park. She enthusiastically volunteered her time and skills there, further exemplifying her selflessness and compassion for those around her. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Frank W. Kerce Sr. and Mable Tillis Kerce; her siblings, Cleveland, Julia, Carlton, Sheldon, James, Roy, Ina, and Frank Jr.; and her nieces, Marilyn Bodiford and Millie Jean Register.
She is survived by her nieces, Wanda Petrena and Francis Kelly; nephew, Randy Kerce; along with multiple great-nieces and nephews.
A graveside service to honor her life was held on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Mt. Zion/Swift Creek Cemetery in Lake Butler.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home. 386-496-2008. www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
