MARIE BELKNAP, 80
Executive Secretary
LAKE WALES -- Mrs. Marie Belknap of Lake Wales died of heart failure Tuesday (June 5, 2001) at Winter Haven Hospital. She was 80. Born in Missoula, Mont., on May 22, 1921, she came to Lake Wales from South Bend, Ind., four years ago. She was a secretary for the civil service during World War II. She was executive secretary for Educational Testing Services of Princeton, N.J. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and Lake Wales Chorale. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales, and was active with the choir and women's association. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Lee M. Belknap; daughter, Cherry Lee Carmichael, South Bend; son, Kurt Edward Belknap, Evergreen, Colo.; sister, Evelyn Johnston, Cook, Minn.; three grandchildren. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church Piano Fund, 16 N. Third St., Lake Wales, FL 33853. Johnson Funeral Home, Lake Wales.

JAMES BOYD, 65
Laborer
BARTOW -- Mr. James Boyd Jr. of Bartow died of heart failure Monday (June 4, 2001) at Bartow Center. He was 65. He was born in Bartow on May 12, 1936. He was a laborer. He was anAir Force veteran. He was a mem-ber of First Providence Mission-ary Baptist Church, Bartow. He is survived by his sons, George Anderson Boyd and Robert Boyd, both of Santa Ana, Calif., and James Boyd III, Placenta, Calif.; brother, Ezell Boyd, Bartow; sister, Mazie Nelson, Highland City; five grandchildren. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today at Gause Funeral Home, 625 S. Holland Parkway, Bartow. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Providence Missionary Baptist Church.

MARY HICKS, 85
Homemaker
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Mary J. Hicks of Lakeland died of heart failure Wednesday (June 6, 2001) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She was 85. Born in Dale County, Ala., on Sept. 28, 1915, she came to Lakeland from Alabama five years ago. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Sherman Hicks. She is survived by her sons, Robert Larry Hicks, E. Peoria, Ill., and Jerry Hicks, Dothan, Ala.; sisters, Evelyn Dease, Lakeland, and Estelle Coulter, Bartow; brother, J.D. Brookins, Pensacola; 10 grandchildren. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Holman-Headland Mortuary, Headland, Ala. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the mortu-ary. Lakeland Funeral Home.

RICHARD HUNTER, 63
TRENTON, Ga. -- Mr. Richard Lavern Hunter of Trenton, Ga., who has family in Bartow, died Tuesday (June 5, 2001) at home. He was 63. Services will be at 11 this morning at the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.

EDNA KING, 56
NEWPORT, Tenn. -- Mrs. Edna Mae King of Newport, Tenn., who has family in Polk County, died of cancer Monday (June 4, 2001) at home. She was 56. She is survived by her husband, Leighton King; daughters, Cynthia Grimsley and Tina Wells, both of Newport; son, Leighton King, Newport; parents, William L. and Edna Carter Jewell, Winter Haven; sisters, Kathy Elridge, Haines City, and Mary Stringer, Eagle Lake; brothers, Wendell Jewell, Eagle Lake, Kermit and Jimmy Jewell, both of Haines City, Bobby Jewell, Banks, Ala., David Jewell, Roanoke, Va., and Kenneth Jewell, Florida; five grandchildren. Brown Funeral Home Chapel, Newport, Tenn.

KIMBERLY McGREW, 38
Homemaker
TRENTON, Ga. -- Mrs. Kimberly Dawn McGrew of Trenton, Ga., who has family in Polk County, died of cancer Tuesday (June 5, 2001) at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn. She was 38. Born in Parkersburg, W.Va., on July 11, 1962, she moved to Trenton from there. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Lakemead Faith Tabernacle. She is survived by her daughters, Tracy Lynn McBrayer, Amanda Jo McGrew, Jennifer Dawn McGrew, Ashely Nicole McGrew, and Stephanie Anne McGrew, all of Trenton, and Heather Marie Ross, Parkersburg; son, Hugh Douglas McGrew, Trenton; sister, Betty Jane McBrayer, Harrisburg, Pa.; brothers, Leonard Allen McBrayer, Lakeland, Joseph Gregory McBrayer, Clermont, Michael Kevin McBrayer, Trenton, and Christopher Marc McBrayer, Polk City; grandmother, Reva Edna Hamner, Lakeland; seven grandchildren. Moore Funeral Home Chapel, Trenton.

HENRY REITER, 93
ATHENS, Ga. -- Mr. Henry Reiter of Athens, Ga., formerly of Winter Haven, died Tuesday (June 5, 2001) in Athens, Ga. He was 93. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church. National Cremation Society, Lilburn, Ga.

JACK RITCHIE, 50
Electronics Consultant
LAKELAND -- Mr. Jack Edward Ritchie of Lakeland died of cancer Sunday (June 3, 2001) at home. He was 50. Born in Lima, Ohio, on April 8, 1951, he came to Lakeland from Pennsylvania six months ago. He was a consultant in the electronics industry. He is survived by his mother, Doris Schofield, Bristol, Pa.; brother, Donald Ritchie, Lakeland; sister, Nancy McCool, Glenside, Pa.; daughter, Renee' Ritchie, San Jose, Calif. Cremation Services of Mid-Florida, Davenport.

TERI TURNER, 1
CLERMONT -- Miss Teri Lynn Turner, the daughter of Micah and Jennifer Turner of Clermont, who has family in Polk County, died in an auto accident Sunday (June 3, 2001) in Orlando. She was 1 year old. She was born in Orlando on March 23, 2000. She was a member of First Assembly of God. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her brother, Austin Lewis, Clermont; paternal grandparents, Sherry and Terry Turner, Big Pine Key; maternal grandmother, Martha Bosley, Mulberry; maternal grandfather, Norman Bosley, Frostproof. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at A.M. Seigler Funeral Home, 1300 E. Canal St., Mulberry.

VIRGINIA VANCE-WILLIS, 50
Children and Family Services
TALLAHASSEE -- Mrs. Virginia E. Vance-Willis of Tallahassee, a native of Lakeland, died of cancer Wednesday (June 6, 2001) in Tallahassee. She was 50. Born in Lakeland, she moved to Tallahassee at an early age. She was an administrative secretary for the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. She was a member of the Florida State University Boosters. She was a Baptist. She is survived by her husband, Ed Willis; sons, Robin Miller Jr., San Angelo, Texas, Ben Miller, Tallahassee, Ira Lee Miller, Orlando, and James "Jimbo" Vance, Tallahassee; sisters, Mary O'Neal, Bartow, Joyce Butler, Tallahassee, Beverly Sims, Columbus, Ga., and Linda Sims-Davis, Tallahassee; two grandchildren. Services will be at 10 this morning at Bevis Funeral Home, Tallahassee.

RUSSELL WILLIAMS, 72
VALRICO -- Mr. Russell Alton Williams of Valrico died Thursday (June 7, 2001) in Valrico. He was 72. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Wells Memorial Funeral Home, Plant City. Services will follow at 4 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.

Buren Shaw, 86, Company Executive
WINTER HAVEN -- Mr. Buren F. "Boots" Shaw, a retired executive vice president at Automatic Machinery Co., died of sepsis and heart complications Sunday (May 6, 2001) at Winter Haven Hospital. He was 86. "He was a sweetheart of a brother," said his sister, Ellen Spivey of Winter Haven. "He would have done anything for me. If I had called him at 4 in the morning, he would have been here." Born in Berrien County, Ga., on April 12, 1915, he came to Winter Haven from there in 1925. He attended schools in Eagle Lake. After his retirement, Mr. Shaw enjoyed hunting with his sons.
"He would go as often as he could. He has three boys, and they all liked to do that at the Mormon Ranch near Orlando," Spivey said. "He would make friends with anybody and would do anything for anybody."
He was a member of Hope Baptist Church.
In addition to his sister, he is survived by his sons, Bob F. Shaw, Tavenier, Jerry J. Shaw, Lakeport, and Wayne Shaw, Fort Pierce; daughter, Sheila Smith, Winter Haven; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Winter Haven.

GERTRUDE ARMSTEAD, 72
Homemaker
LAKE PLACID -- Mrs. Gertrude Armstead of Lake Placid, who has family in Frostproof, died of renal failure Thursday (Oct. 4, 2001) at IHS of Beneva in Sarasota. She was 72. She was born in Brooks County, Ga., on Nov. 27, 1928. She was a member of the Church of God by Faith in Lake Placid, where she was a church mother. She is survived by her daughters, Geraldine McDonald, Sallie Mae Callahan, Bernita Archer, Sharie Bayz and Tracy Moore, all of Lake Placid; sons, Willie Lee Armstead and Dennis Armstead, both of Lake Placid, Leonard Cooper, Miami, and Johnny D. Armstead, Lake Placid; sister, Sarah Goldsmith, Lake Placid; brother, Oscar Hodge, Frostproof; 31 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at New Grace Temple Church of God by Faith. Services will be Saturday (Oct. 13, 2001) at Shiloh M.B. Church in Lake Placid. Williams Funeral Home.

EARSEY BARR, 85
Homemaker
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Earsey Lee Barr of Winter Haven died of a heart attack Monday (Oct. 8, 2001) at Winter Haven Health & Rehabilitation Center. She was 85. Born in Rebe, Ga., on Jan. 19, 1916, she moved here in 1980 from Miami. She was a homemaker. She was a member and past royal matron of the Amaranth, a member of the Order of Eastern Star and past chairman of the Rainbow Girls. She belonged to Faith Baptist Church of Winter Haven. She is survived by her husband, Robert A. Barr; son, Robert A. Barr Jr., St. Petersburg; daughters, Mary Frances Shierling and Lee Kathleen Dallas, both of Winter Haven; sister, Willie Mae Aither, Georgia; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Faith Baptist Church in Winter Haven. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Awana Program, care of Faith Baptist Church.

JAMES BASS, 73
Birds Eye General Foods
WINTER HAVEN -- Mr. James Junior Bass of Winter Haven died of a perforated bowel Monday (Oct. 8, 2001) at Winter Haven Hospital. He was 73. Born May 28, 1928, in Opp, Ala., he moved here from Enterprise, Ala., in 1940. He was a retired casing machine lead man for Birds Eye General Foods. He was Protes-tant. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Davis Bass; daughter, Carol Carver, Winter Haven; brother; Marshall "Sam" Bass, Lakeland; sisters, Lorene Surrency, Winter Haven, and Hazel Ander-son, Auburndale; and two grandchildren. Steele's Family Funeral Services.

JOSEPH BATCHELDER, 63
Long Island Lighting
LAKELAND -- Mr. Joseph F. Batchelder of Lakeland died of cancer Thursday (Oct. 4, 2001) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 63. Born in New York, he lived on Long Island until 1984. He worked for LILCO for 18 years. Before that, he was in the Army for 10 years. He was Catholic. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; son, David; sisters, Audrey Young, Shirley Wipperman, Mary Comesky and Anne Watson; and two grandchildren. A memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 22 at St. Anthony's Church in Lakeland. Forest Hills Crematorium.

RUDOLPH BRITT, 80
Amex Inc.
PLANT CITY -- Mr. Rudolph O. Britt of Plant City died of heart failure Sunday (Oct. 7, 2001) at Kindred Hospital in Central Tampa. He was 80. Born Dec. 19, 1920, in Jacksonville, he came here 75 years ago. He was a Phosphate Burner for Amex Inc. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Plant City. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Britt; sons, Ronald Britt, Sanford, N.C., Gary Britt, Lakeland, and Larry Britt, Plant City; daughter, Patti Walker, Plant City; his brother, Arnold Britt, Jefferson, N.C.; sisters, Roberta Bowden, Samson, Ala., and Sylvia Harrell, Plant City; 10 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hopewell Funeral Home. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Plant City.

BERNICE BURTON, 87
Homemaker
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Bernice R. Burton of Lakeland died Sunday (Oct. 7, 2001) of congestive heart failure at Carpenters Home Manor in Lakeland. She was 87. Born Dec. 3, 1913, in Baskin, La., she came to Lakeland in 1996 from Monroe, La. She was a homemaker. She belonged to Coventry Church. She is survived by her husband, Ronald W. Burton; and brother, Col. Fressen Reese, Mangham, La. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Monroe Memorial Park, Monroe. Lanier Funeral Home.

LETTIE CANNON, 70
Beautician
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Lettie L. Cannon of Lakeland died Friday (Oct. 5, 2001) in Lakeland. She was 70. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at Wells Funeral Home Chapel. Services will follow at 1 p.m. Wells Memorial Funeral Home.

MARY EVANS, 93
Homemaker
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Mary Beatrice Evans of Winter Haven died Monday (Oct. 8, 2001) in Winter Haven. She was 93. Vankirk Funeral Home, Corbin, Ky.

WILLARD HUNTER, 88
Cities Services Oil Co.
LAKELAND -- Mr. Willard B. Hunter of Lakeland died of prostate cancer Sunday (Sept. 30, 2001) at Carpenters Home Manor. He was 88. Born Dec. 3, 1912, in Lowell, Mich., he came here in 1979. He was retired from Cities Services Oil Co. and Amway Corp. in Lowell. He was a life member of the Lowell Moose Lodge #809 and the Lowell VFW. He was a World War II veteran of the Navy. He is survived by his wife, Roxie Hunter; brother, Jack Hunter, Ionis, Mich.; and a niece. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at the Estates of Carpenters, 1001 Carpenters Way, Lakeland, FL 33809. Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home.

WILLIAM McCRANIE, 40
Artist
LAKELAND -- Mr. William Robert McCranie Jr. of Lakeland died Sunday (Oct. 7, 2001) at home. He was 40. The cause of death is pending, according to the Medical Examiner's Office. Born Aug. 26, 1961, in Lakeland, he was a lifelong resident. He was an artist. He is survived by his mother, Frances McCranie, Lakeland; father, William Robert McCranie Sr., Highlands, N.C.; and sister, Stacy McCranie Riley, Winter Park. A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Gentry-Morrison South Side Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

MARY McPHERSON, 71
Homemaker
FORT MEADE -- Mrs. Mary Louise McPherson of Fort Meade died of heart failure Sunday (Oct. 7, 2001) at home in Fort Meade. She was 71. Born April 28, 1930, in Pierce, she was a lifelong resident of Fort Meade. She was a homemaker. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Meade. She is survived by her husband, Vergil McPherson; daughters, Mary Lynn McPherson, Fort Meade, and Donna Walker, Lakeland; sister, Beulah Tucker, Mims; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at McLean Funeral Home, 306 E. Broadway, Fort Meade. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, 307 E. Broadway, Fort Meade.

EVELYN THORNBURG, 85
Bookkeeper
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Evelyn Mary Thornburg of Lakeland died of heart failure Saturday (Oct. 6, 2001) at Tandem Health Care at Lake Parker. She was 85. She was born in Jackson, Mich., on June 15, 1916. She was a bookkeeper. She was credit manager at Elaine Shop in Jackson. She was a lifetime member of the Eastern Star #66 Fern Leaf. She was Methodist. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Thornburg. She is survived by her son, Robert L. Thornburg, Roswell, Ga.; daughter, Beverly Sparrow Berta; sisters, Mildred Hartley, Maxine McClurg and Ester Hargraves, all of Jackson; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Charles J. Burden & Sons Funeral Home, 1806 East Michigan, Jackson. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Kersey Funeral Home.

LORENZO MOBLEY, 58
Veterans Hospital
WEST PALM BEACH -- Mr. Lorenzo T. Mobley of West Palm Beach, who has family in Lakeland, died of congestive heart failure Thursday (Oct. 4, 2001) at Columbia Hospital, West Palm Beach. He was 58. Born in Arcadia on Feb. 24, 1943, he moved to West Palm Beach six years ago. He was in the EMS department at Veterans Hospital in West Palm Beach. He is survived by his mother, Orpha S. Mobley, Nashville, Tenn.; daughters, Evadny Fuller, Lakeland, and Tamika Moore, Lake Wales; son, Tyrone Carter, Orlando; brothers, Commodore Mobley Jr., Duluth, Ga., Isadore Mobley, Winter Haven, and Artie Mobley, Nashville; sister, Orpha Leslie, Franklin, Tenn. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 this evening at Williams Funeral Home, Bartow. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home chapel.

MARCIA STEIN, 55
Stein Pressure Washing
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Marcia Jane O'Connor Stein of Lakeland died of a spinal cord disease Sept. 30, 2001, in the IHS Green-ery of Canonsburg, Pa. She was 55. Born Jan. 5, 1946, in Pittsburgh, she moved here eight years ago. Shewas employed in Lakeland by Lockheed-Martin. She and her husband also owned Stein Pressure Washing Co. She was a member of the Laurel Run United Metho-dist Church in Deep Valley, Pa., and an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Core-Houston American Legion Post #907 in Taylorstown, Pa. She is survived by her husband, Joseph G. Stein III; mother and stepfather, Grayce Wright O'Connor Woodruff and Hugh "Woody" Woodruff, Claysville, Pa.; sister, `Debra Woodruff Hewitt, Claysville; stepsisters, Cheryl Woodruff McAvoy, Clearwater, Joyce Woodruff Broach, Okmulgee, Okla.; stepsons, Joseph Stein IV, Jeff Stein, Jon Stein, Jay Stein and Jamie Stein; 14 stepgrandchildren. Hummell and Barnhill Memorial Chapel Inc., Washington, Pa.