James Martin Revels
James Martin Revels, 29, died Tuesday, May 29, 2001, at Shands of Jacksonville hospital.
Mr. Revels was a concrete finisher in the construction industry and a lifelong resident of Lake City who enjoyed hunting, fishing, outdoor sports and socializing with friends and family. Mr. Revels is preceded in death by his parents, Isiah and Laura Steedley, and his sister, Selena Revels.
Mr. Revels is survived by his mother, Nancy Ratliff; two stepdaughters, Lacey and Kyla Larson of Lake City; three brothers, Gary and Jason Revels and Christopher Richards, all of Lake City; four sisters, Robyn (Doug) Revels, Perry, Ga., Carol (David Jr.) Stamper, April Richards and Brandy (Brian) Daugherty, all of Lake City; two aunts and uncles, Inez and Rodney Richards, Lake City, and Murray and Kathy Reeves, Trenton; one aunt, Carol Burnette; one great-aunt, Edna Evans, Lake City; five nieces, Amber and Ceirra Revels, Laura Register, Taylor Stamper and Robbie Keen, all of Lake City; and one nephew, Ethan Register, Lake City.
A visitation for Mr. Revels will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at First Gospel Church, Washington Street, Lake City. Services will follow at 3 p.m. at the church with Pastor Murray Reeves officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the family directly. Arrangements are under the direction of COSTANZO FUNERAL & CREMATION, Veterans Street, Lake City; 758-0046.
Neil A. Rissman
Neil A. Rissman, loving father and beloved husband, went home to the Lord on Wednesday, May 30, 2001, after a long illness.
There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at Community Presbyterian Church, Live Oak. The family will greet friends at 10 a.m. in the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made either to Community Presbyterian Church or the American Cancer Society. Cremation arrangements by ICS CREMATION, Lake City.
Michael Thomas
Michael James Thomas, 28, of Lake City, died Monday, May 14, 2001.
He is survived by his father, Mitchell Thomas, Raiford; mother, Ann Green Foster, Texas; two sisters, Marsha Monroe, Kailua, Hawaii, Jennifer Myers, Madison, Wis.; and one brother, Jason Thomas, Lake City.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at the home of Tommy Richard Thomas, White Springs.
Curtis Jerome Armstrong
Curtis Jerome Armstrong, 35, of Bangkok, Thailand, and a former resident of Lake City, died Tuesday, May 29, 2001, in Thailand following a sudden illness.
He was the son of Mrs. June G. Armstrong and Mr. Hezekiah Armstrong. He was a 1983 graduate of Columbia High School and was an honorably discharged U.S. veteran, serving in the U.S. Army, Air Force and National Guard. At the time of his demise, he was a stockbroker with Eagle Tech Management Co.
Survivors include his daughter, Kelsey Armstrong of Decatur, Ga.; mother, June G. Armstrong of Fort Lauderdale; father, Hezekiah Armstrong of Wiggins, Miss.; sisters, Vickie Williams of Gainesville, Cassandra Armstrong of Fort Lauderdale, Patricia Werner of Fort Lauderdale, Linda Timmons of Lake City and Martha Armstrong of Wiggins; brothers, Norris Armstrong of Arizona, Michael Armstrong and James Armstrong of Wiggins; grandmother, Mazell Patterson of Lake City; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Curtis Jerome Armstrong will be 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at New Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Alvin Baker, pastor, officiating. Interment
will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Lake City. Arrangements by COMBS FUNERAL HOME, 400 E. Washington St., Lake City.
Donnie Ray Perry
Donnie Ray Perry, 48, of Kingsport, Tenn., and formerly of Lake City, died Friday, May 25, 2001, at Erangler Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Mr. Perry was born in Kentucky on April 2, 1953, the son of the late Howard Z. and Lura Reba Perry. Mr. Perry worked as drywall hanger in Lake City.
Mr. Perry is survived by a son, Donnie Ray Perry Jr. of Lake City; two daughters, Billie Regina Ketchem of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Donna Sue Davis of Front Royal, Va.; brother, Gerald Perry of Kingsport; a half-brother, Julian Jesse of Wise, Va.; and two grandchildren.
A funeral service was held at 4 p.m. Friday, June 1, at First Assembly of God Church in Front Royal officiated by Pastor Butch Hammond. Interment
was private. The family suggests expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Front Royal First Assembly of God Church, 1111 N. Shenandoah Ave., Front Royal, VA 22630. TURNER ROBERTSHAW FUNERAL HOME, 1200 N. Shenandoah Ave., Front Royal, is handling arrangements.
Tina Ann Prince
Ms. Tina Ann Prince, 46, of Lake City died Saturday, June 2, 2001, at her home in Lake City following an extended illness.
Ms. Prince was a native and lifelong resident of Lake City. She attended Seven Day Advent Christian Church, was a member of the Woman of the Moose of Lake City, and was a devoted mother and homemaker.
Survivors include her parents, Sam and Edna Stalvey of Lake City; her maternal grandmother, Iris Virginia Stalvey Disbrow of Lake City; three sisters, Barbara Afzal of Atlanta, Sherry Calimar of Branford and Julie Cooper of Lake City; brother, William Stalvey of Lee; and one grandchild, Abagale Rinker of Lake City.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 6, in Siloam Cemetery, Columbia County, with the Rev. Ken Hamilton, pastor of Bethel United Methodist of Lake City, officiating. GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 4309 S. First St., Lake City, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of North Central Florida.
Jewell Crisostomo
Jewell Crisostomo, 68, passed away Monday, June 4, 2001, after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Crisostomo had been a resident of High Springs since 1984. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dionicio Crisistomo, in 1989.
Survivors include her three sons, Charles Richard Geruin of Portsmouth, Va., Danny L. Geurin and Roger Dale Geurin, both of High Springs; one daughter, Lottie Sue Goff of Tuckerman, Ark.; one brother, Charles Thomas McFarland of St. Charles, Mo.; two sisters, Odessa Perdue of Lake City and Mary Jane Cozort of Swifton, Ark.; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Corbridge, Nancy Goff and Robert Geurin, all of High Springs, and Michelle Geruin and Michael Geruin, both of California; one great-grandson, Michael Corbridge of High Springs.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of SHERRILL-GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 616 S. Marion St., Lake City; (386) 752-2211.
Delton Jerome Hickmon
Mr. Delton Jerome Hickmon, 37, of Fort White died Wednesday, May 30, 2001, at his home after a brief illness.
Mr. Hickmon was raised and lived in Fort White most of his life. He served in the U.S. Army, was employed with Bear Archery as a CNC operator and was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his mother, Pinkie Mack of Fort White; father, Charles Hickmon of Titusville; four sisters, Teresa Mack of Lake City, Cheryl Hickmon of Summerset, N.J., Carol Franklin Hickmon of Atlanta and Debra Sanders of Alachua; a brother, Gary Robinson of Gainesville; his grandfather, George Cook of Fort White; and his companion, Carolyn Young of Gainesville.
Services for Mr. Hickmon will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Fort White with the Rev. Clarence DeSue officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Friday, June 8, at A. Jerome Brown Funeral Home in High Springs. Processional will form at his home at 10 a.m. Arrangements are entrusted to A. JEROME BROWN FUNERAL HOME, 1560 N.W. First Ave., High Springs.
Bernard Tyler Woods
Mr. Bernard Tyler Woods, 54, of Lake City died at his residence on Friday evening, June 1, 2001, after an illness.
He was born Sept. 18, 1946, in Seattle to Mrs. Ernestine Palmer Woods and the late John C. Woods. Bernard graduated from Kissimmee High School. He was a truck driver by trade. Church affiliations were Mount Arat Baptist Church in Jacksonville, St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Kissimmee and Sisters Welcome Baptist Church in Lake City.
Survivors are his mother, Mrs. Ernestine Woods of Lake City. a brother, the Rev. Michael Woods and his wife, Queen; a sister, Mrs. Judith C. Anderson; two uncles, Verdell (Nikki) Woods and Leroy Woods; four aunts, Mrs. Millie Pearl Tucker, Mrs. Dorothy Wofford, Mrs. Mary Woods and Mrs. T. Palmer; nephews Larry D. Anderson Jr. and Michael Woods II; nieces, Dionne Anderson, Monique Woods and Jasmine Anderson; devoted friends Mrs. Nora Jean Carter and Mr. Curtis Carter; and a host of other relatives and sorrowing friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at Sisters Welcome Baptist Church with the Rev. Major Franklin officiating. Interment
will follow in Hope Henry Cemetery. The body can be viewed at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 8. RUDOLPH MIZELL FUNERAL HOME, 609 W. Washington St., Lake City, is in charge of all arrangements.
Lillian Ford
Mrs. Lillian Ford, 91, of Olustee died Tuesday June 5, 2001, at Lake City Medical Center following an extended illness.
Born in 1910 in Georgetown, Ala., she was the daughter of the late Mr. Willie and Mrs. Sally Files. She was the widow of the late Deacon Tom Ford and a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church.
Survivors include her children, Hiram (Mattie) Ford, Louis (Patricia) Ford, Nathaniel (Arrie) Ford, Thomas (Mary) Ford and Erma Jean Ford-Ellis, Arletha Donaldson Brown; 23 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; caretaker, Betty Wilcox; and a host of other sorrowing friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Lillian Ford, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at Jerusalem Baptist Church, the Rev. Wallace Wyatt, pastor; Elder Japan Ruise, eulogy. Interment
will follow in Memorial Olustee Cemetery, Olustee.
Delton Jerome Hickmon
Mr. Delton Jerome Hickmon, 37, of Fort White died Wednesday, May 30, 2001, at his home after a brief illness.
Mr. Hickmon was raised and lived in Fort White most of his life. He served in the U.S. Army. He was employed with Bear Archery as a CNC operator. He was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church.
Survivor includes his mother, Pinkie Mack of Fort White; father, Charles Hickmon of Titusville; four sisters, Teresa Mack of Lake City, Cheryl Hickmon of Summerset, N.J., Carol Franklin Hickmon of Atlanta, Debra Sanders of Alachua; brother, Gary Robinson of Gainesville; his grandfather, George Cook of Fort White; and his companion, Carolyn Young of Gainesville.
Services for Mr. Hickmon will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Fort White with the Rev. Clarence DeSue officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery. Processional will form at his home at 10 a.m. Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Friday, June 8, at A. Jerome Brown Funeral Home in High Springs. Arrangements are entrusted to A. JEROME BROWN FUNERAL HOME, 1560 N.W. First Ave., High Springs.
Sharlene Exum Johnstone
Sharlene Ann Exum Johnstone, 47, died Tuesday, June 5, 2001, at 1:45 p.m. in the home of her parents, Jack and Ann Exum.
Under Hospice care, she was flown on Sunday, June 3, from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, to Jacksonville International Airport. She died of cancer surrounded by loving family members.
She is survived by one daughter, Lee Ann Daniel; her father and mother; three brothers, Jack Exum Jr., Robert Eugene Exum and Glen Edward Exum; two sisters, Tammy Hart and Sandi Sheridan; and a host of other loved ones.
A memorial service and interment
will be conducted in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden Cemetery on Friday, June 8. The service will be led by Michael Stone, minister of Central Church of Christ, and assisted by her father, Jack Exum.
Leola Combest
Mrs. Leola Combest, 69, of Lake City, died Thursday, June 7, 2001, in Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage, Alaska, following a brief illness. She was a homemaker and member of the Hopeful Baptist Church of Lake City.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 4309 South First St., Lake City. The telephone number is 752-2414
Kirk Taylor Fender
Kirk Taylor Fender, 47, of Lake City, died Wednesday, June 6, 2001, after a brief illness.
Mr. Fender had lived in Lake City since 1987 and was employed by the Department of Transportation as maintenance mechanic for the past seven years.
Mr. Fender was survived by his father, Woodrow Wilson Fender of Lake City; his wife, Rita Carter Fender of Lake City; one son, Daniel Buck Jones of Branford; three daughters, Amanda Elizabeth Fender of Lake City, Dana M. Jones, of Tampa, and Selina L. Jones of Lake City; and a granddaughter, Katie Camachio of Lake City.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, in the Sherrill-Guerry Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Pat Chewing officiating. Interment
will follow in the Elim Cemetery in Fort White. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 8 at the funeral home.
SHERRILL-GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 616 South Marion St., Lake City, is in charge of all arrangements.
Dessie Mae Hicks
Mrs. Dessie Mae Hicks, 89, of Lake City, died Friday, June 8, 2001, in Willowbrook Assisted Living Facility in Lake City following an extended illness.
Mrs. Hicks resided in Lake City all her life and was the daughter of the late Calhoun and Ollie Witt Feagle and widow of the late Thomas E. Hicks. She worked as a self-employed beautician in her home for many years and was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Columbia County.
Survivors include three sons, Everett (Jo Anne) Hicks, Emory Hicks and Randall (Annette) Barber Sr., all of Lake City; four grandchildren, Trey Hicks, Thomas Barber, Randall Barber Jr. and Joel Barber, all of Lake City.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10, in Bethlehem Lutheran Church with the Rev. Wilbur Bock, pastor, officiating. Interment
will be in Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Columbia County. Visitation will be from 6-8 P.M. Saturday, June 9, at GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 4309 South First St., Lake City.
Wayne Edward Hinson
Wayne Edward Hinson, 20 , of Lake City, died June 7, 2001.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at a later date. SHERRILL-GUERRY FUNERAL HOME 616 S Marion St., Lake City, is in charge of arrangements.
Brian Edward Lanier
Mr. Brian Edward Lanier, 48, of Ft. White died Saturday June 2, 2001, in Fort White.
A native of Melbourne, Mr. Lanier had lived in Fort White since 1998. Some special hobbies that Mr. Lanier enjoyed were collecting antiques and building World War II model airplanes.
Mr. Lanier is survived by three sons, Brian Lanier Jr. (Christie) of Palm Coast, Lonnie Lanier of Gainesville, Steve Lanier of Sylva, N.C.; his mother, Mrs. Mary Anne Lanier of Melbourne; two brothers, Mike Lanier of Melbourne and Bill Lanier of Mobile, Ala; and one granddaughter, Kailee Lanier of Melbourne.
Private family services will be conducted at a later day. Arrangements for cremation are under the direction of the BIGGS FUNERAL HOME, 3801 S. First St., Lake City.
Evelyn Marie Salvagno
Evelyn Marie Salvagno, 75, of Lake City, died, Thursday, June 7, 2001, in Shands at Lake Shore hospital after an extended illness.
Mrs. Salvagno lived in Lake City for 20 years, coming from Brooklyn, N.Y. She was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include her husband, Frank Salvagno of Lake City; one son, John F. (Vonda) Salvagno of Lake City; and one brother, James Kelley of Orlando.
A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Harry Lumbert officiating.
SHERRILL-GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 616 South Marion St., Lake City, is in charge of all arrangements.
Leola Christine Combest
Mrs. Leola Christine Combest, 69, of Lake City, died Thursday, June 7, 2001, in Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage, Alaska, following a brief illness.
Mrs. Combest was a native of Lake City and the daughter of the late Clinton F. and Ouida Coulliette Dicks Sr. After being away from the Lake City area for many years following her husband's Navy career, they moved back to Lake City in 1974. She attended Jones Business College in Jacksonville and attended the Milton Junior College where she received a certificate in nutrition. She was employed as a dietitian with Summers Elementary School for more than 10 years until her retirement in 1994.
She was a faithful member of Hopeful Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school, training union and served on the church food committee for many years.
Survivors include her husband, Ed Combest of Lake City; her son, Chad (Angie) Combest of Savannah, Ga.; one brother, Clinton F. (Norma Jean) Dicks Jr. of Lake City; and two grandchildren, Jacob Combest and Katie Combest, both of Savannah. Mrs. Combest was preceded in death by her sister, Mattie Lenora Crawford.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, in Hopeful Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Sweat, Army chaplain, officiating and assisted by Dr. Rodney Baker, pastor of Hopeful Baptist Church. Interment
will be in Hopeful Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 4309 S. First St., Lake City.
Salvatore Simonetti
Mr. Salvatore Simonetti, 78, of 9 Valencia Drive, Lake City, died Monday morning, June 4, 2001, at Lake City Veterans Affairs Medical Center following an extended illness.
Mr. Simonetti was a native of New York and had lived in Lake City for the past 50 years. He was a member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge 893.
Mr. Simonetti served in World War II in the 503rd Parachute Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. Mr. Simonetti loved the dog track and playing cards at the Elk's Club.
He was the son of the late Joseph and Theresa Simonetti.
Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Judy Meadows Simonetti of Lake City; four daughters, Theresa (David) Johnson of Lake City; Robin Smith of Fort Lauderdale, Monica (Larry) Wilson of Lake City and Gina (Thomas) Atkinson of Seminole; one brother, Louis (Eileen) Simonetti of Long Island, N.Y.; eight grandchildren, Crystal Wilson, Paige Wilson, Allison Hughes, Torre Wilson, Brandon McDaniel, Tyler Wilson, Amy Atkinson and Adam Atkinson.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with Tim Cassidy officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Simonetti home from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 5. SHERRILL-GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 616 S. Marion St., Lake City, is in charge of all arrangements.
William Allen Brannon
Mr. William Allen Brannon, 39, died Friday, June 8, 2001.
Mr. Brannon was a native of Houston and had resided in Lake City since 1974. He was employed in construction and attended First Assembly of God, Lake City.
Survivors include his mother, Dorothy C. Rossi of Lake City; father, Wendell Coston Brannon Sr. of Humble, Texas; two brothers, Wendell C. Brannon Jr. of Lake City and James Craig Brannon of Humble; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, in the chapel of Guerry Funeral Home with the Rev. Dean Treadwell, pastor of the Gospel Lighthouse Church, Jacksonville, officiating. Interment
will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Lake City. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m Tuesday, June 12, at the funeral home. GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 4309 S. First St., Lake City, is in charge of all arrangements.
Beverly Ann Fender
Beverly Ann Fender, 43, passed away unexpectedly in her home Sunday, June 10, 2001.
Mrs. Fender was a native of Hahara, Ga. and had lived most of her life in Lake City and surrounding areas. She was of the Baptist faith and a member of The Loyal Order of Women Moose.
Survivors include her mother, Ruth Fender of Live Oak, four sons, Billy Joe Wuters of Atlanta, Richard Lee Wyers of Homerville, Ga., Jeremy Wade and Kevin Wayne Wyers, both of Nashville, Ga.; two daughters, Kimberly Woods of Townsend, Ga. and Crystal Lynn Wyers of Homerville; two brothers, Billy Gene Fender of Tampa and Gerald Harris of Clearwater; three sisters, Tammy Fender of Valdosta, Ga., Linda Dedge of Jasper and Deborah Heck of Kansas; her special friend and soulmate, Rick Harkness of Lake City; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Fender will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14, in The Sherrill-Guerry Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Troy A. Grant officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 13.
Arrangements are under the direction of SHERRILL-GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 616 S. Marion St., Lake City.
Jonathan L. (Johnny) Williams
Jonathan L. Williams, 44, of Tallahassee died Saturday morning, June 9, 2001, following an extended illness.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service and Adoption Center, 1125 Eastwood Dr., Tallahassee FL 32311 or to The Organ Fund at The Chapel of the Resurrection, 655 W. Jefferson St., Tallahassee FL 32304.
A native of Lake City, Johnny had lived in Tallahassee since 1980. He was the bureau chief of finance and accounting in the Department of Juvenile Justice of the State of Florida where he received the Office of Management and Budget Leader of the Year award in 1998. Prior to that, he served as legislative analyst in the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee and as senior management analyst in the Agency for Health Care Administration.
He graduated from Florida State University with a bachelors of science degree in accounting in 1982, remained an enthusiastic and devoted supporter of the Seminole football team and passed the Certified Public Accountant exam in 1983. In 2000, he became certified public manager through the State of Florida and Florida State University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1975-79, and was stationed in Gelnhausen, Germany, from 1976-78. He was an honors graduate of the Third Armored Division Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and received numerous other honors and awards during his tour of duty. He was honorably discharged from the Army on July 7, 1981. He was a member of the Episcopal Chapel of the Resurrection, a trained Stephen Ministry Leader for St. John's Episcopal Church (1996) and attended Cursillo No. 90 in October 1999. His life was far too short, but he leaves us as a good and caring man who did much during his time to benefit others.
He is survived by his longtime companion, Phillip Spurgeon of Tallahassee, his mother, Pauline B. Williams of Lake City; his father and stepmother, Sidney S. and Bunny Williams of Lake City; brothers, Sidney S. Williams III of Tallahassee and Gary W. Williams of Lake City; sister, Sylvia J.J. Lynch of Lake City; Phillip Spurgeon's daughters, Laura A. Inacio of Columbus, Ohio, and Maria K. Lehmann of Thungersheim, Germany, who loved him as a second father; numerous relatives in the Lake City area and a host of devoted friends.
BEVIS FUNERAL HOME, 2710 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee FL 32303.
The services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Chapel of the Resurrection, 655 W. Jefferson St., Tallahassee. Burial will follow, with military honors, at MeadowWood Memorial Park, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, with a reception for family and friends following the burial at Ruge Hall at the Chapel of the Resurrection. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Bevis Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 7:30 PM.
E. Ed Ek
Mr. E. Ed Ek, 84, of South Daytona died Sunday, June 10, 2001, at his daughter's residence in Orlando following a long illness.
Mr. Ek was a native of Astoria, Ore., son of the late Ed E. and Mary Lydia Ek, and lived in South Daytona for many years. Mr. Ek was a 1935 graduate of Astoria High School and attended Oregon State College, the University of Oregon, Tufts Engineering College in Boston and the University of Florida. Mr. Ek had a bachelor's degree in building construction and a master's degree in education. He was a past national president of Sigma Lambda Chi Scholastic Fraternity and was listed in "Who's Who in American Education." Mr. Ek was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served as a pilot during World War II and the Korean War. After the war, Mr. Ek taught at the University of Florida before coming to Daytona Beach Community College in 1960, where he served as director of technical education until his retirement in 1983. He developed many programs, including the building construction technology program.
Mr. Ek was a Florida registered real estate broker since 1958 and co-authored the book Real Estate Ready Reference Digest. He was a past member of the American Institute of Architects, Florida Engineering Society, National Association of Realtors, Society of Residential Appraisers and state Board of Realtors Advisory Committee on Education. He was a member of the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary for 38 years, longer than any person in the state. He was a senator with Florida Silver Haired Legislative Inc. Mr. Ek was an avid golfer, a member of the Daytona Beach Golf 7 Country Club, and a member of the Volusia County Amateur Golf Association. He was a member of the Masonic Order and Elks Lodge, as well as a life member of the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lake City.
Survivors include his wife, Beatrice Witt Elk of South Daytona; one daughter, Gloria (Bill) Duncan of Orlando; and one grandson, Ryan Duncan of Orlando.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14, in Bethlehem Lutheran Church with the Rev. Wilbur Brock, church pastor, officiating. Interment
will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10 a.m., in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2123 Mango Place, Jacksonville, FL 32207, or Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery Association, Route 2, Box 1634, Lake City, FL 32024. GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 4309 S. First St., Lake City, is in charge of all arrangements.
Eric Vincent Shope
Mr. Eric Vincent Shope, 24, of Lake City died Sunday, June 10, 2001, in Shands Hospital, Jacksonville.
Mr. Shope was a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and lived in Lake City for the last 20 years. He was employed as a metal fabricator with Southeastern Metal Products Inc. in Lake City.
Survivors include his father and stepmother, Vincent and Betty Shope of Lake City; his mother, Dolly Woodruff of Lake City; one sister, Angie Shope of Live Oak; two brothers, Anthony Shope and Steve Shope, both of Lake City; maternal grandparents, Thomas and Obie Brady of White Springs; paternal grandparents, Richard and Catherine Shope of Houston.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, June 15, in the chapel of Guerry Funeral Home with the Rev. Loretta C. Harry, pastor of Voice of Deliverance Church, officiating. Interment
will follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Lake City. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 4309 S. First St., Lake City.
Mary Williams
Mary A. Williams, 75, of Palatka died Saturday, June 9, 2001, at Putnam Memorial Nursing Home.
She was a native of Lulu and had been living in Palatka since 1956, coming from Lake City. She was an honor graduate of Lake City High School and attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland. She was a secretary with Georgia-Pacific, retiring in 1990 after 331Ž2 years of service. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Prior to declining health, she was active with Georgia-Pacific OPEIU, Local No. 337, and was a former vice president. She was former member of the board of directors for the Georgia-Pacific Credit Union and had served on the loan committee. She was active with Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She enjoyed her work and her family. She was the last of 10 children.
Surviving are her husband of 551Ž2 years, Guy B. Williams; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Ben Maltby of Federal Point and Charlotte and Ed Griffin of Palatka; a son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Judy Williams of Palatka; six grandchildren, Sheila Pekrul, Tracie Weaver, Troy Smith, Cassie Browning, George Williams and Steven Williams; and nine great-grandchildren.
A funeral service and video tribute were held Tuesday at Masters Funeral Chapel, Palatka, with the Rev. T. Gerald Williams officiating. Interment
followed in Palatka Memorial Gardens. The family received friends Monday evening at the funeral home.
Flowers are accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Alzheimer's Association of Northeast Florida, 2131 Mango Place, Jacksonville, FL 32207-3325. MASTERS FUNERAL HOME, Palatka, a ministry of the Masters family since 1953, is in charge of arrangements.
Reginald V. Brooker
Mr. Reginald V. Brooker, 89, died Saturday, June 9, 2001, in Lake City Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Brooker lived in Lake City for many years before he moved to Lakeland.
Survivors include his son, Hoke S. Brooker, Bedford, Texas; two stepsons, John Godbold, Lake City, and Jim Godbold, Bellview; two stepdaughters, Bonnie Dubois Black, Lakeland, and Mary Hilliard, Lakeland; one sister, Marian Brooker Westbrook, Virginia Beach, Va.; and 17 grandchildren.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 11, at Springhead Cemetery, Mulberry.
Bishop Davis
Mr. Bishop Davis, 79, of State Road 100 in Lake City, died Saturday, June 9, 2001, at Lake City Veterans Medical Affairs Center after a terminal illness.
He was the son of the late Jim and Lina Mobley Davis. Mr. Bishop received his education in Columbia County public schools. He accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of St. Paul AME Church. Mr. Bishop was a veteran of World War II, serving his country in the Army until he was honorably discharged. Bishop was employed by Hercules Inc. as a stump loader and retired after 29 years of service.
Survivors include a devoted and caring companion, Mary Francis Perry; a sister, Geneva Gaskins Robinson; two brothers, Jack Davis and Roosevelt Davis, all of Miami; Lola Davis of Titusville; nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 16, at Trinity United Methodist Church with the Revs. Margaret Kartwe, pastor, and W.J. Gaskins officiating. Interment
will follow in the Suwannee Valley Cemetery. COMBS FUNERAL HOME, 400 E. Washington St., is in charge of arrangements.
Susie Williams Graham
Susie Mae Williams Graham, 77, of Capitol Heights, Md., and a former resident of Lake City, died Tuesday, June 12, 2001.
Ms. Graham was the daughter of the late Susie Mae Mobly Williams and Enoch H. Williams. She attended Richardson High School. In 1948, she graduated from Sunlight of Beauty in Tampa. After leaving Seattle, she returned to Lake City and joined Mount Pisgah AME Church, where she served in choir No. 1 and on the stewardess board. In 1995, Graham left Lake City to live with her daughter, Geneva Combs Lewis, in Maryland.
Survivors include her daughter, Geneva Combs Lewis of Capitol Heights; three grandchildren, Mark Lewis, Susan Anika Lewis and Kemba Lewis; one great grandson, Skye Ray; two sisters-in-law, Minnie Lee Williams of Norwalk, Conn., and Robbie Williams of Washington; other nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Mount Pisgah AME Church with the Rev. Mark Crutcher, pastor, officiating. Interment
will follow in the Garden of Rest Cemetery. COMBS FUNERAL HOME, 400 E. Washington St., is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Ellen Jones
Dorothy Ellen Jones, 67, passed away Thursday, June 14, 2001, at her home in Fort White after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Jones was a native of Nash County, N.C., and had lived in Fort White for 20 years, moving from Ohio. She was a Presbyterian and loved playing golf.
Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Richard H. Jones Sr. of Fort White; sons, Richard H. Jones Jr. of Tampa and David (Becky) Jones of Sabina, Ohio; one sister, Katherine Barnes of Wilson, N.C.; and her granddaughter, Abby Jones of Sabina.
The family requests expressions of sympathy be made to Hospice of North Central Florida, 1900 Florida Gateway Center Blvd., Lake City, FL 32024, in memory of Mrs. Jones.
SHERRILL-GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 616 S. Marion St., Lake City is in charge of cremation arrangements.
Louis Henry Leigh
Louis Henry Leigh, 78, born Louis Henry Lay, died Sunday, June 17, 2001, in Gainesville.
Born in Boaz, Ala., and raised in Dade City, he joined the Navy when he was 16. He is a veteran of World War II and a graduate of the University of Florida and Emory Theological School. During his career, he taught agriculture, coached football, taught both elementary and high school and was an ordained Methodist minister in the Florida Conference for 30 years. He also served as governor of the Optimist Club of Florida in the 1960s. Although he moved with the conference throughout the state, he and his deceased wife, Barbara, called Alachua home. They retired in Bradford County where they lived on the family farm.
He is survived by his three children, Thom Leigh of Ashland, Ky., Susan Leigh of Tallahassee, and Hank Leigh of Brooker; and six grandchildren, Kristin, Matt, Shannon, Eric, Ben and Kelly.
MILAM FUNERAL HOME, 311 S. Main St., Gainesville, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
John Luther Messer
Mr. John Luther Messer, 91, of Wellborn died early Friday morning, June 15, 2001, in the Suwannee Health Care Center, Live Oak, following an extended illness.
A longtime resident of Wellborn, Mr. Messer was the son of the late Alex and Henrietta Copeland Messer. Mr. Messer was a retired farmer. He was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church and will be fondly remembered for rocking the days away on the front porch of his old homestead.
Mr. Messer is survived by his Fellowship Baptist Church Family.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Messer will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 19, in Pine Grove Cemetery, Trenton, with the Rev. Ray Shaw officiating. Interment
will immediately follow the service. Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of BIGGS FUNERAL HOME, 3801 S. First St., Lake City.
Hester Emmons
Hester Emmons, 84, of Lake City died Sunday, June 17, 2001, at Shands at Lake Shore hospital after an extended illness.
Mrs. Emmons was a native of Red Bank, N.J., and lived in Lake City for the last 30 years. She was the owner of a restaurant business in Middletown, N.J., for 21 years. She was a member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, Lake City.
Survivors include one daughter, Lea (Bill) Reko of Glencoe, Minn.; two grandchildren, John (Sybil) Jennings of Hutchins, Minn., and Jill (Carey) Alseben of Glencoe; and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, in Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Legler officiating. Interment
will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church. SHERRILL-GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 616 S. Marion St., Lake City, is in charge of all arrangements.
