Obituaries — Sept. 13, 2022

John David Francis

John David Francis, 55, born in Gainesville and raised in Starke, passed away on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 at Haven Hospice in Gainesville. He was born on April 23, 1967.  As a boy, John David excelled at academics and athletics; and loved playing the piano. Described as rambunctious, he once jumped off the roof of his house “just to see what it felt like.” As he grew older, he became a gifted athlete; playing all sports, lettering in football, baseball, and basketball as a Bradford High School student.  Following high school, he became a place kicker for the University of Florida as a walk-on, beating out many other athletes for the job, following in the footsteps of his mentor, David Hurse, who also kicked for the Gators many years earlier.  He would eventually earn a full scholarship as a Gator. Throughout the years, John David taught at Brooker Elementary School, and worked in the communication industry laying fiber optics in Colorado, as well as being in the property recovery business.

Surviving members of his immediate family are his mother, Charlene Hardy Francis; sister, Beth Francis (Scott) Isabel; brother, Donnie Francis; and stepdaughter, Kayla Dreyfuss of Denver, Colorado.  Preceding him in death was his father, Charles Francis.

A celebration of his life will be held at the First Baptist Church of Starke on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. to be followed by visitation afterward.

PAID OBITUARY

 

Norma Hoffman

Norma Hoffman

Norma Edenfield Hoffman, 89, of Keystone Heights passed away comfortably at her home Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Fort Myers on Sept. 20, 1932, to Ervin E. and Alita (Yomans) Edenfield. She graduated from Ft. Myers High School in 1950 and earned her master’s degree in education with honors from the University the Florida.  Prior to retirement from teaching at Gainesville High School (teaching business and vocational skills), she coordinated the Competency-Based Education (known as CBE) and sponsored FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).  In 1998, she joined Trinity Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and was active with the Silver Saints.  She was a member of Sisters of The Lake, Red Hat Society, and remained very involved in the Altrusa House of Gainesville throughout her career and well into retirement. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Faye Henderson; and son- in-law, John Henderson. 

Her survivors are her loving and devoted husband of 72 years, Jerome Hoffman of Keystone Heights; and their children, Jay (Glennie) Hoffman of Jupiter, and Ervin “Keith” (Lisa) Hoffman of Bonita Springs.  She was lovingly called “Nanny” by nine grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren. 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Trinity Baptist Church with Pastor Brandon Denmark and Pastor Scott Stanland officiating.  There will also be services held at First Baptist Church of Estero, with Pastor Frank Brand officiating at a later date (to be determined).  Entombment will follow at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens in Ft. Myers. The family would prefer memorial donations be made to the Altrusa House of Gainesville, 2002 NW 36th Ave., Gainesville, 32605, or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 32656. Visit www.jonesgallagherfh.com for updates and additional information.

PAID OBITUARY

 

 

 

 

Allen Smith

 

 

 

Allen Smith

Allen Lang Smith, 88, died at Community Hospice in Jacksonville on Friday, Sept, 9, 2022. 

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 11 a.m. at Archer-Milton Funeral Home in Lake Butler with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Mt. Zion/Swift Creek Cemetery immediately following the service.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andy Jarrell

 

Andy Jarrell

Andy William Jarrell, 46, of Lake Butler, passed away peacefully at Chiefland Hospice on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, following a brief illness.  He was born Feb. 9, 1976, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was a kind man who loved to fish, play X-box and watch Alabama football. He met the love of his life, Mary, and the two wed in 2020. Although their time together was brief, they had made a family and he adored her son, Jesse. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Christine Jarrell; and his brother, Clyde Baham.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Alice Jarrell; son, Jesse Nicholas Tinsley; brothers, Randy Lawrence (Mary) Jarrell of Arkansas, John Clifton (Dara) Baham of Arkansas, and Jerry (Mary) Pulliam of North Carolina; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A funeral to honor his life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. at Archer-Milton Funeral Home in Lake Butler. The family will receive friends for a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Mt. Zion/Swift Creek Cemetery immediately following the service. Brother Jimmy Scott of New River Congregational Methodist Church 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

 

 

 

 

Mary Page

 

 

Mary E. Page

 Mary E. Page, 89, of Keystone Heights died Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, at Park of the Palms’ Willey Manor.  She was born Sept. 26, 1932, in Providence, Rhode Island to Owen Francis Sr. and Elizabeth Veronica (Melville) O’Neil.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Lester A. Page Sr. 

Her survivors include her son, Lester A. (Gail) Page Jr. of Keystone Heights; a brother, Owen O’Neil Jr. of Providence, Rhode Island; and her two grandsons, Lester “A.J.” Page III and Chad Page. She was particularly close to her cousin Paul (Nancy) McEnanly.

There are no scheduled services at this time. 

 Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annetta Varnes

 

 

Annetta Varnes

Annetta Sue Rose Varnes, 75, of Folkston, Georgia passed away on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 8, 1947, to the late Arthur Lester Rose and Lucy Marie Robertson Rose. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Elton Varnes; and six siblings, Lottie Albericci, Eugene Rose, David Rose, Arthur Robert Rose, Rebecca Rathfelder and Thomas Rose.

She is survived by her daughter; Rebekah (Michael) Warren of Folkston, Georgia; her son, Kenneth E. Varnes Jr. of Hampton, Florida; seven siblings, Brenda Shaw, Mary Rose, Jonathan Rose, Sharen Gann, Lillie Goode, Bonita Hernandez and Clara Stansbery; seven grandchildren, Hannah Smith, Hayden Warren, David M. Warren, Kenneth (Taylor) Varnes III, Camden Varnes, Connor Varnes, and Morgan Nicole Varnes; a great-granddaughter, Shiloh Varnes; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorialization will be by cremation. A private ceremony will be held at a later date. Condolences may be expressed by signing the guest registry at www.shepardrobersonfh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home, Folkston, Georgia.

PAID OBITUARY

 

 

 

 

Louise Wilkison

 

Louise Wilkison

Louise (Lois) June Wilkison, 88, of Georgia passed away at Effingham Care Center on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, with her family by her side. She was born in Fernandina on June 22, 1934, to the late Hosea and Annie Vanzant. She was a member of the Sampson City Church of God until 2016, when she moved to Georgia to be cared for by her children. She then attended Rincon Church of God. She enjoyed crocheting and working out in the yard, but most of all, she enjoyed reading her Bible. She was known to most as “Granny.” She was preceded in death by her parents, Hosea and Annie Vanzant; her husbands, Woodrow Smith and Paul Wilkison; her siblings, Carl (Myrtle) Vanzant, Hazel (Arthur) Bread, Myrtle (Glen) Smith; her children, Susan (Andy)Wilkerson; and grandchild, Dennis Malott.

She is survived by her children, Daniel (Cheryl) Smith and Barbara (Dennis) Malott; her grandchildren, Danny (Heather) Smith, Tommy Pomerleau, Matt Smith, Angel (Rodger) Moore, Brandi (James) Spratlin, Chrissy (Wayne) Morton, Chris Lanier, Jennifer (Brad) Wright; nine great- grandchildren; and two great-great- grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life was held on Monday, Sept. 12, at Raiford Calvary Temple Church of God in Raiford with Brother James Spratlin 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.