LYDA FROST, 87
Homemaker
OCALA -- Mrs. Lyda Griffin Frost of Ocala, whose son lives in Lakeland, died Thursday (June 7, 2001) at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala from heart failure. She was 87.
Born in Liberty, Miss., on May 1, 1914, she came to Ocala from there in 1954. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Needlework Guild. She was an Episcopalian.
She was preceded in death by her husband, A.J. Frost. She is survived by her daughters, Judy Annis, Sylva, N.C., Debby Baker, Ocala; son, Alexander Frost Jr., Lakeland; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Polk County Association for Handicapped Citizens, Inc., 1038 Sunshine Drive E., Lakeland, Fla., 33801. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Lakeland.
Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home Southside.
GLADYS GRAHAM, 90
Homemaker
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Gladys Graham of Lakeland died Tuesday (June 5, 2001) at Grace Health Care Center in Live Oak from cardiac arrhythmia. She was 90.
Born in Live Oak on Jan. 13, 1911, she came to Lakeland from there 60 years ago. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Greater St. Paul Institutional Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Quincy Graham. She is survived by her son, Willie Graham, St. Petersburg; and caregivers, Mamie Floyd and Ruth Bryant, both of Tampa.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Charles A. Lewis Funeral Home chapel. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Greater St. Paul Institutional Baptist Church.
THELMA HILL, 90
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Thelma Crandell Hill of Winter Haven died Friday (June 8, 2001) at her home. She was 90.
Crisp-Coon Funeral Home, Winter Haven.
OTHO MIDDAUGH, 78
Truck Driver
WINTER HAVEN -- Mr. Otho LeVernon Middaugh of Winter Haven died Friday (June 8, 2001) at Winter Haven Hospital from heart failure. He was 78.
Born in Essex, Iowa, on Sept. 5, 1922, he came to Winter Haven from Council Bluffs, Iowa, 34 years ago. He was a truck driver for Carl Subler. He was a member of Teamsters Local 79 in Tampa and Local 710 in Chicago. He was a member of the Moose Lodge. He was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Winter Haven.
He is survived by his wife, Anna Middaugh; sons, John Merrill, Haines City, Steven Middaugh, Auburndale; daughters, Sharon Phillips, Council Bluffs, Sundra Mutchler, Lakeland; sisters, Hattie Hall, Elverta, Calif., Betty Mitchell, Taft, Texas; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 6 to 7 p.m. Monday at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home in Winter Haven. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
LAWERENCE MULCAHY, 65
HAINES CITY -- Mr. Lawerence Eugene Mulcahy Jr. of Haines City died Friday (June 8, 2001). He was 65.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Crisp-Coon Funeral Home chapel in Winter Haven. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Forrest Hills Cemetery in Haines City.
DEBORAH PACE, 47
State Farm Insurance
ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- Ms. Deborah Driggers Pace of Alpharetta, Ga., whose parents live in Winter Haven, died Thursday (June 7, 2001) at North Fulton Regional Hospital from cancer. She was 47.
She was born in Ocala on Aug. 15, 1953. She was a worker compensation claims supervisor at State Farm Insurance.
She is survived by her parents, Shirley and Pat Driggers, both of Winter Haven; son, Zachary Pace, Alpharetta; brother, Douglas Driggers, Micanopy; sister, Julie Kessler, Calhoun, Ga.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home chapel in Winter Haven.
H. WILSON SMITH, 49
Engineer
WINTER HAVEN -- Mr. H. Wilson Smith Jr. of Winter Haven died Wednesday (June 6, 2001) at Winter Haven Hospital from cancer. He was 49.
Born in Decatur, Ala., on Feb. 15, 1952, he came to Winter Haven from Birmingham, Ala., in 1997. He was an engineer. He was a member of First Methodist Church in Decatur.
He is survived by his wife, Paulene Smith; father, Harold Smith, Decatur; sisters, Marcia Strang, Winter Haven, and Amy Griffin, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Memorial services will be at 4:30 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven.
Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Winter Haven.
MARY STENMARK, 89
PLANT CITY -- Ms. Mary Letta "Peggy" Stenmark of Plant City died Saturday (June 9, 2001) in Plant City. She was 89.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Wells Memorial Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Mountain State Memorial Gardens in Elkins, W. Va.
NORMAN SANDERS, 64
Boilermaker
LAKELAND -- Mr. Norman B. Sanders Jr. of Lakeland died Saturday (June 9, 2001) at his home from heart failure. He was 64.
Born in Lakeland on July 17, 1936, he was a lifetime resident of Polk County. He was a boilermaker. He was a Marine Corps veteran. He was a Protestant.
He is survived by his wife, Agnes Sanders; sons, Bill Sanders, Teddy Johnston, both of Lakeland; daughters, Terrie Cameron, Plant City, Annette Armstrong, Gainesville; sister, Winnette Young, Auburndale; and six grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, c/o First Florida Bank, 4825 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Fla., 33609.
Services will be at 5 p.m. Monday at Heath Funeral Chapel.
VIRGIL SWAIM, 91
YADKINVILLE, N.C. -- Mr. Virgil Taft Swaim of Lakeland, formerly of Yadkin County, N.C., died Friday (June 8, 2001) at Forsyth Medical Center. He was 91.
Services are this afternoon at 2 at Mitchell's Chapel United Methodist Church.
EVA WOODS, 80
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Eva Albritton Woods of Winter Haven died Friday (June 8, 2001). She was 80.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Meade.
McLean Funeral Home, Fort Meade.
LUTHER VARNADOE, 80
Gator Concrete
EAGLE LAKE -- Mr. Luther D. Varnadoe of Eagle Lake died Friday (June 8, 2001) at Winter Haven Hospital from cardiac arrest. He was 80.
Born in Colleton County, S.C., on Aug. 25, 1920, he came to Eagle Lake from Walterboro, S.C., 68 years ago. He was a truck driver for Gator Concrete in Winter Haven. He was an Army veteran and served in World War II. He was a member of the Eagle Lake First Assembly of God, where he taught a junior boy's Sunday school class for 19 years.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Varnadoe; sons, Ronnie Varnadoe, Helen, Ga., Larry Varnadoe, Eagle Lake; daughters, Glenda Cravey, Eagle Lake, Sue Jackson, Bartow; sisters, Annabella McTeer, Haines City, Vernelle Craven, Walterboro, S.C.; 20 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home in Winter Haven. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Eagle Lake First Assembly of God.
Willie Melton, 74, Mining Supervisor
LAKELAND -- Mr. Willie Van "Jett" Melton Sr., a retired mining supervisor at American Cyanamid Mining Co., died of heart failure Friday (July 6, 2001) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 74.
"My daddy taught me how to take care of myself," said his daughter, Pauline McDougal Patterson of Lakeland.
Born in Medulla on Oct. 18, 1926, he served in the Army during World War II.
Following the war, Mr. Melton returned to Lakeland, where he met up with a childhood friend who was raising six children by herself. She later became his wife of 47 years.
"He came back looking for her, wanting to know how she was doing," Patterson said. "My father came in and took care of my mother with six children -- he took the ultimate challenge. We took him in."
After 37 1/2 years at American Cyanamid Mining, he worked in security at Polk Correctional Institute and for Wackenhut Security.
Mr. Melton was an avid fisherman, and often donated the fish he caught to fellow members of the community.
He was a member of Pilgrim Rest Freewill Baptist Church of Lakeland.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Bessie Mae Speed-Melton; daughters, Carolyn Speed and Sylvia McDougal Simpson, both of Lakeland; sons, Leon McDougal, Paul McDougal, Demetrius McDougal and Xavier Melton, all of Lakeland; 18 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at H.W. Oldham Funeral Home, Lakeland. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pilgrim Rest Free Will Baptist Church.
ELEANOR DUNCAN, 82
Nursing Aide
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Eleanor Mildred Duncan of Winter Haven died of heart disease Friday (June 8, 2001) at Brandywyne Health Care Center in Winter Haven. She was 82.
Born in Youngstown on Dec. 2, 1918, she came to Winter Haven from Waverly in 1984. She was a nursing aide. She was a member of Waverly First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Duncan. She is survived by her daughters, Betty Burkman, Babson Park, and Sandra Hutchenson, Virginia Beach, Va.; foster daughter, Virginia McCoy, Babson Park; stepson, Terrance Duncan, Killeen, Texas; sister, Janett Brown, Atlanta; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Waverly First Baptist Church, 706 S. Orange Ave., Waverly. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
DONALD HOWARD, 80
Eli Lilly & Co.
WINTER HAVEN -- Mr. Donald Paul Howard Sr. of Winter Haven died of cancer Friday (June 8, 2001) at his home. He was 80.
Born in Indianapolis on July 21, 1920, he came to Winter Haven from there in 1973. He was a pharmacist/chemist for Eli Lilly & Co. for 33 years. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a 32nd Degree Mason for more than 50 years.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Howard; son, Donald Howard Jr., Indianapolis; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Winter Haven.
DANIEL MENDEZ, Infant
PLANT CITY -- Daniel Mendez, son of Javier and Itamar Mendez, both of Plant City, died Thursday (June 7, 2001) in Tampa.
He was born June 7, 2001, in Tampa.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Haught Funeral Home.
Mary Thigpen, 70, School Bus Driver
LAKELAND -- Lakeland resident Mrs. Mary Frances Thigpen, who died of respiratory failure at the age of 70 on Saturday (June 9, 2001), was aware of the awesome responsibility that came with her job driving a school bus.
"I think the days in bad weather, when it was foggy or rainy, were really stressful to her," said her son, Jerry Thigpen of Lakeland. "But she was a mom at heart."
Her motherly nature may have helped Mrs. Thigpen keep not only her own children in line, but also the children she supervised on her bus route.
"If you did something wrong (on the bus) she would raise Cain a little bit, and if you continued, she would write you up," her son said.
He also recalled his mother's discipline at home.
"If my little brother or I got into trouble at school we always had to prepare ourselves for her at home because we knew she would know," he said.
The children who were her passengers often grew up to be her friends, Thigpen said.
"Every year she would get graduation announcements. She was real friendly," he said.
"I still go shopping and see kids who rode her bus, and they always ask about her."
Born in Plant City on Feb. 6, 1931, Mrs. Thigpen lived in Lakeland all her life. She retired in 1998.
Thigpen, who lived next door to his mother, said he learned an important lesson from her growing up, a lesson he has tried to instill in his own children.
"I try to pass along that they should be friendly and to hang on to their friends," he said. "My mom always had a lot of friends."
Mrs. Thigpen also tried to teach her son to be self-efficient, something he was grateful for as an adult.
"Her thing was 'you might want to watch what I'm doing because you might have to cook for yourself someday,' " Mr. Thigpen said. "I was single for a while, and I did have to cook for myself. She always taught me how to do a meatloaf right."
Mrs. Thigpen was a Baptist.
In addition to her son, she is survived by her husband, Ernest Thigpen; brother, Gerald Barlow, Plant City; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 this evening at Lanier Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Oak Hill Burial Park.
GARLON BRAY, 70
Plumbing Business Owner
LAKELAND -- Mr. Garlon Bray of Lakeland died of lung disease Sunday (June 10, 2001) at home. He was 70.
Born in Franklin County, Ala., on Jan. 17, 1931, he came to Lakeland from Alabama, 60 years ago. He was the owner and operator of a plumbing business. He was a Baptist.
He is survived by his sons, Eric Bray, Lakeland, and Scott Bray, Delray Beach; daughter, Linda Bray, Delray Beach; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Heath Funeral Chapel. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home chapel.
REGINALD BROOKER, 89
City of Lakeland
LAKELAND -- Mr. Reginald "Reggie" V. Brooker of Lakeland died of heart failure Saturday (June 9, 2001) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 89.
Born in Gainesville on June 23, 1911, he came to Lakeland from Lake City 55 years ago. He was a shop foreman for the city of Lakeland. He was a member of Central Avenue Baptist Church, Lakeland.
He is survived by his son, Hoke S. Brooker, Bedford, Texas; stepsons, Everett Godbold, Chiefland, John Godbold, Lake City, Jim Goldbold, Bellview; stepdaughters, Bonnie Dubois Black, Mary Hilliard, both of Lakeland; sister, Marion Westbrook, Virginia Beach, Va.; 17 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
A.M. Seigler Funeral Home, Mulberry.
ETHEL WILKINSON, 63
Homemaker
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Ethel "Jeanette" Wilkinson of Lakeland died of cancer Sunday (June 10, 2001) at home. She was 63.
Born in Lakeland on Nov. 6, 1937, she was a lifelong resident. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Gapway Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Wilkinson; father, Lloyd Dees, Lakeland; son, James Weatherford, Lakeland; daughters, Janet Strain, Linda Gandy and Jean Lowers, all of Lakeland, and Jeanne Veile, Cross City; sister, Wanda Jeffries, Lakeland; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Lakeland Funeral Home Chapel. Services will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.
RALPH CARDMAN, 87
Tannery Supervisor
LAKELAND -- Mr. Ralph James Cardman of Lakeland died of heart failure Saturday (June 9, 2001) at Highlands Lake Center. He was 87.
Born in Galeton, Pa., on Oct. 24, 1913, he came to Lakeland from Largo in 1989. He was a tannery supervisor. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the Moose Lodge. He was a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Lakeland.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Cardman. He is survived by his son, William F. Cardman, Lakeland; sister, Louise Jordan, Galeton; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 3236, Lakeland, FL 33802, or St. Stephen's Memorial Fund, 1820 State Road 540A, Lakeland, FL 33813.
Heath Funeral Chapel.
LATHER CHANEY, 55
LAKE WALES -- Mr. Lather J. "L.J." Chaney Jr. of Lake Wales died Thursday (June 7, 2001) at home. He was 55.
Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight at Epps Mortuary, Lake Wales. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Thomas Holiness Church, 2256 Friedlander Road, Highland Park Manor, Lake Wales.
NICEY FORREST, 75
Homemaker
WINTER HAVEN -- Ms. Nicey Mae Forrest of Waverly died of cancer Wednesday, (June 6, 2001) at Tandem Health Care of Winter Haven. She was 75.
Born on Oct. 6, 1925, in Lawrence, Miss., she moved to Waverly from Chicago 10 years ago. She was a homemaker. She was a Baptist.
She is survived by husband, Paulet Forrest; daughters, Addie Mae Brown, Chicago, and Lorene Flemings, Waverly; son, Donnell Forrest, Waverly; brothers, Ervin Green and Booker T. Green, both of Chicago, and Wendell Green and Loomis Jackson both of Lawrence, Mich.; mother Luella Bobbett, Lawrence; 14 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Alexander Funeral Home, 971 U.S. 27 N., Lake Wales. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Macedonia Baptist Church, Waverly.
KENNETH PALINKAS, 26
LAKELAND -- Mr. Kenneth James Palinkas Jr. of Lakeland died Friday (June 8, 2001) at home. He was 26.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Lanier Funeral Home, 717 W. Griffin Road, Lakeland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation, 116 Ave. E N.E., Winter Haven, 33881, Brain Injury Support Group.
MARY FREDERICK, 90
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Mary Zartman Frederick of Lakeland died Saturday (June 9, 2001) at home. She was 90.
Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lakeland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 730 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801.
RICHARD GRAY, 58
PLANT CITY -- Mr. Richard W. Gray of Plant City died Sunday (June 10, 2001) in Plant City. He was 58.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wells Memorial Funeral Home, Plant City. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home chapel.
HERMAN WENZEL, 97
FROSTPROOF -- Mr. Herman G. Wenzel of Frostproof died Sunday (June 10, 2001) at Integrated Health Services, Sebring. He was 97.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Silver Hill Cemetery.
Marion Nelson Funeral Home of Frostproof.
MARTHA WHITAKER, 76
HAINES CITY -- Mrs. Martha Whitaker of Haines City died Monday (June 11, 2001) at home. She was 76.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 this evening at Lane-Holt Funeral Home, Haines City. Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home chapel.
MARTHA WARE, 38
LAKELAND -- Ms. Martha Jean Ware of Lakeland died Wednesday (June 6, 2001) at Meadowview Life Center. She was 38.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7 tonight at Coney Brothers Funeral Home, Lakeland. Services will be at noon Wednesday at Greater Refuge Church, 1258 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland.
Marion and Honors Funeral Home, Plant City.
GLADYS SANDERS, 90
Homemaker
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Gladys F. Sanders of Lakeland died of heart failure Sunday (June 10, 2001) at Tandem Health Care. She was 90.
Born in Empire, Ga., on Dec. 3, 1910, she came to Lakeland from Plant City in 1993. She was a homemaker. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Lakeland.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Perry H. Sanders. She is survived by her son, Jack B. Sanders, Palmetto; daughter, Peggy Steele, West Palm Beach; sister, Monteen Camarate, Hamstead, N.C.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Lakeland Funeral Home. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
JOHN SANDLIN, 87
Farmer
LAKELAND -- Mr. John Sandlin Jr. of Lakeland died of heart failure Saturday (June 9, 2001) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 87.
Born in Gays Creek, Ky., on Dec. 26, 1913, he came to Lakeland from Bakerton, Ky., nine years ago. He was a self-employed farmer. He attended Edgewood Baptist Church in Lakeland.
He is survived by his wife, Lavohn Sandlin; sons, John R. Sandlin, Anderson, Ind., and Douglas E. Sandlin, Bakerton; daughters, Marjorie C. Ashurst, West Palm Beach, and Edith A. Jones, Mulberry; sisters, Carolee Stamper, Floyd's Knobs, Ind., and Mary Brough, Scottsburg, Ind.; brother, Claude Sandlin, Scottsburg, Ind.; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 this morning at A.M. Seigler Funeral Home, 1300 E. Canal St., Mulberry.
THERESA POWERS, 96
Bookkeeper
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Theresa R. Powers of Lakeland died of heart failure Friday (June 8, 2001) at Carpenter's Home Manor. She was96.
Born in Detroit on May 20, 1905, she came to Lakeland from Ohio in 1979. She was a retired bookkeeper for Powers Lumber Yard.
She is survived by her sons, Gaylan Powers, Fishers, N.Y., Edward Powers, San Antonio, and G. Robert Powers, Perrysburg, Ohio; daughter, Nancy McKenzie, Athens, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Carpenter's Home Auditorium, 1001 Carpenters Way, Lakeland.
