Alvin Earl Graham
Alvin Earl Graham, age 76 died February 11, 2002, at his brother's home in Brooker, FL.
Born in Columbia County, he was a lifetime resident. Mr. Graham was a retired Chief Plant Inspector-Division of Plant Industry-State of Florida. A graduate of the University of Florida he received a bachelors degree in Agriculture. Served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Advent Christian Church in Lake City.
He is survived by: Daughter: Cheralan Vahedi of Lake City, FL; Brothers: Marvin Graham of Brooker, FL; Arnold Graham of Waxau, NC; Nevin Graham of Lake City, FL; Royce Graham of Waynesboro, VA; 4 Grandchildren and 1 Great Grandchild.
Preceded in death by his wife Charlotte L. Graham and son Alvin P. Graham.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 14, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. at Phillippi Baptist Church near Lake City with Paula Graham and Rev. Carl Chauncey officiating. Burial at Phillipi Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family received friends on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers those who wish may make contributions to Hospice of North Central Florida, 4200 N.W. 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606.
Arrangements by Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, 404 North Main Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601. For further information call (352)376-7556
Minister Peter Clark, Sr.
Minister Peter Clark, Sr. of Gainesville went home to be with the Lord on February 7, 2002 following an extended illness.
Minister Clark was born in Lincoln, GA. He was the son of the late Mose and Eleas Clark. He moved to Gainesville, Florida in 1992 from Newark, NJ. He was a faithful member of Miracle Tabernacle Church, Lake City, until his death.
He leaves behind in mourning his wife Johnnie Mae Clark, two daughter, Latasha Clark and Brenda Clark Banks both of Gainesville, one step-son Chaucer Grimes of Neward, NJ, six grandchildren and one great grandchild. One brother, James Clark of Lincoln, GA. One sister, Julia Mae Tuff of Newark, NJ, three brother-in-laws and seven sisters-in-law and host of nieces, nephews, and sorrowful friends.
Home Going Services to be held at Miracle Tabernacle Church on Sisters Welcome Road on Saturday, February 16, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. Dr. Cleopatra J. Steele officiating, Eulogy by Bishop Roy Dillard.
Phyllis W. Pletcher
Mrs. Phyllis W. Pletcher, 67, of Fort White, died Friday afternoon in the Lake City Medical Center following a brief illness.
A native of Southern Ohio, Mrs. Pletcher had been a resident of Fort White for the past twenty-four years having moved here from St. Cloud, Florida. Mrs. Pletcher had been a substitute school teacher for many years and was a homemaker. She loved to spend her spare time crocheting, dong embroidery and playing bingo. Mrs. Pletcher was a Methodist.
Mrs. Pletcher is survived by her husband of forty-seven years, Ralph E. Pletcher, three sons; Keith Pletcher (Cyndi), and Kevin Pletcher (Becky), all of St. Cloud, Florida, Petty Officer 1st Class Kent Pletcher (Beth), Corpus Christi, Texas; and two daughters, Kathy Gill (Paul, Jr.), HighSprings, Florida and Karen Redding (Roger) of Lawtey, Florida. Thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survive.
Funeral services for Mrs. Pletcher will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 18, 2002, in the Biggs Memorial Chapel with Rev. Jeff Crook officiating. Internment will follow in the Forest Lawn memorial Gardens. the family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3-5 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
Arrangements are under the direction of the BIGGS FUNERAL HOME, 3801 S. First St., Lake City.
Louis J. Cramer
Mr. Louis J. Cramer, 87, of Lake City, died Monday, February 4, 2002, in the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lake City following an extended illness.
A native of Alger, Ohio, Mr. Cramer had been a resident of Lake City since 1974 having moved here from St. Petersburg, Florida. A WWII Veteran, Mr. Cramer retired after serving twenty-two years in the United States Navy and Coast Guard, He then worked as a security guard for twenty years with the Honeywell Corporation.
Mr. Cramer was of the Baptist faith.
Mr. Cramer is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Donna Cramer of Lake City.
Private family interment
services were held following the cremation.
Cremation arrangements were under the direction of the BIGGS FUNERAL HOME, 3801 S. First St., Lake City.
Elizabeth Voncile Carswell Mole
Elizabeth Voncile Carswell Mole, 83, of Lake Butler died at the Health Center of Lake City on Monday morning.
Mrs. Mole was born on March 3, 1918, in Holmes County, Florida to John David and Nancy Elizabeth Bottoms Carswell. She was the oldest of three daughters.
Mrs. Mole graduated from Bethlehem High School in 1937. When she was in her mid-twenties she moved to Panama City, Florida where she worked as a waitress and also attended business school for a short time.
Later, she moved to Lake Alfred, Florida where she worked in an orange juice canning plant and then as a waitress.
It was while working as a waitress that she met and married Garner A. Mole, Sr. and became another mother for Marilyn, Richard and G.A., Jr. Later, the family grew with the birth of another daughter, Rose Mary. In 1948, the family moved to Lake Butler where they made their home.
Mrs. Mole was a devoted and caring wife and mother. She loved people and tried to care for family and friends in any way she could, always putting the needs of others above her own.
Mrs. Mole was a dedicated Christian and served as a member of the Lulu Advent Christian Church. Her faith and her church were very important to her.
She taught Sunday School and Bible School until her health forced her to retire. Then, she continued to attend church as much as possible.
In 1976 she passed the Civil Service Exam and became the Post Master of the Lulu Post Office. She worked there until her retirement in 1982.
Mrs. Mole was preceded in death by her husband Garner A. Mole, Sr.; two sons, Richard and G.A., Jr. and her sister, Agnes Voss.
She is survived by two daughters, Rose Mary Bankston of Lake City, Florida, and Marilyn Cason of Sebastian, Florida.
She is also survived by twelve grandchildren; Laurie Bankston, Abby Bankston Semel & Sean Bankston; Grayson Cason and Beverly Cason Mitten; Harley Mole, Richie Mole, Bobby
Mole and Madelyn Mole Hankins; Garner Mole III, Hutton Mole and Robert Mole.
She is also survived by her sister, Margie Burch of Bonifay, Florida.
A visitation will be held in the Chapel of Archer Funeral Home of Lake Butler on Wednesday, February 20, 2002, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
A celebration of the life of Mrs. Mole will be held Thursday at 2:00 pm at Lulu Advent Christian Church.
Interment
will follow at Dekle Cemetery in Lake Butler.
Robert Lee Dekle
Mr. Robert Lee Dekle, 72, of Lake City died Monday at his residence after an apparent heart attack.
Mr. Dekle was born in Miccosukee, Florida. He lived most of his life in Lake Butler and Lake City. He was an installer and repairman for Southern Bell for 33 years before his retirement. He was a member of Eastside Baptist Church in Lake City.
Mr. Dekle is survived by: His wife: Vivian A. Dekle of Lake City; 1 Daughter: Annette Dekle of Allendale, South Carolina; 1 Son: Robert Sherwood Dekle of Lake City; 3 Sisters: Pat Johns of rural Lake Butler; Donna Coleman of Lake City; Mary Frances Lewis of Wellborn; 2 Brothers: Billy Dekle and Richard Dekle, both of Lake City; 5 Grandchildren; 4 Great Grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, February 21, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at Eastside Baptist Church of Lake City with Dr. Robert Sullivan officiating. Burial will follow at Dekle Cemetery in Lake Butler. Archer Funeral Home of Lake Butler is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 6 p.m.to 8 p.m.
Rufus Broward Ward, Jr.
Rufus Broward Ward, Jr., died Sunday February 17, 2002, in Atlanta, GA, he was 48.
Mr. Ward was born in Gainesville, FL., and has been living in the Atlanta area for the last 25 years. He was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA. Mr. Ward enjoyed raising and working with all breeds of dogs.
He is survived by his parents, Rufus B. Ward, Sr. and Jean Ward, of Lake City, FL.; 2 sisters Linda Kay England, Jacksonville, FL. and Joni Dianne Malphrus, St. Louis, MO; Several Nieces and Nephews.
Burial will take place at Orange Hill Cemetery, Williston, FL. KNAUFF FUNERAL HOME, 512 E. Noble Ave., Williston, FL is in charge of arrangements. (352)528-3481
William H. Epling
William H. Epling, 96, died Tues-day, February 19, 2002 in North Port, Florida.
Mr. Epling had lived in Columbia County most of his life before moving to North Port, Florida, several years ago. He had worked for the Columbia County School System and was also a builder while living in Columbia County. Mr. Epling was of the Baptist faith and a member of Athens Baptist Church. Mr. Epling was preceded in death by his son, William Edward Epling in 1956, and his wife, Mildred K. Epling in 2000.
Survivors include: a sister-in-law, Myrtle Kirby, Lake City, Florida; two grandsons: Greg Epling, North Port, Florida and William Edward Tapprich, Omaha, Nebraska. Also surviving are three great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Epling will be conducted on Saturday, February 23, 2002, at 11:00 a.m. in the Athens Baptist Church with Rev. Michael Devine officiating. Interment
will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Friday evening, February 22, 2002 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. SHERRILL-GUERRRYFUNERAL HOME,616 South Marion Street, Lake City, Florida is in charge of all arrangements.
Nilton Arau'jo Lima
Nilton Arau'jo Lima, age 73, resident of Odessa, Florida, died Sunday, February 18, 2002 at University Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida.
Dr. Nilton Lima was born in Itabuna Bahia, Brazil and was the first urologist to practice in Lake City. Mr. Lima moved to Lake City in 1967 and practiced there for 10 years. He held the office of Chief of Surgery and Chief of Staff at Lake Shore Hospital. Dr. Nilton Lima retired from medicine in 1977 and moved to his native Brazil. He returned to the US in 1999 to live with his Daughter & Son in law.
Survivors include Daughter: Loraine Lima Walker of Odessa, FL; Son: Christopher Lima of Miami Beach, FL; Sister: Maria Jose Casares of Minas Gerias, Brazil; Brother: Nilson Lima of Rio De Ja- neiro, Brazil; three Grandsons: Christopher Sankey, Tyler Sankey, Austin Walker.
Memorial Contributions may be made to American Heart Associa-tion or American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements are under Hiers Funeral Home, Ocala, Florida (352)629-7171.
Mark Lozier
Mark Lozier, 35 of Treasure Island, died Wednesday, February 20, 2002 at his residence.
Born in Beckley, West Virginia he came here in 1997 from St. Petersburg area.
Survivors include his father, Sam Lozier, Ocala; mother and step-father Flora and Robert Tucker, treasure Island; one sister, Tina Michelle Humphrey, Hudson; two nieces.
DAVID C. GROSS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, St. Petersburg, Florida
James T. "J.T." Waters
Mr. James T. "J.T." Waters, 56, resident of Lake City, Florida, died Wednesday, February 20, 2002, in the North Florida Regional Medical Center, Gainesville, following a long illness.
Mr. Waters was born on May 14, 1945, in Raiford, Florida, son of the late Leland L. Waters, and had resided in Lake City for many years. Mr. Waters had been employed by Occidental Chemical Company for 29 years, until his retirement in 1994, due to a long term disability. Mr. Waters was of the Baptist faith, and was preceded in death by two Brothers, Wayne Larry Waters and Charlie Darrell Waters. Mr. Waters was a graduate of Columbia High School, Class of 1964. He leaves behind his two ex wives, but good friends, Shirley and Susie.
Survivors include; Two daughters, Wendy (Don) Wilson, of Lake City, and Brandi (Chris) Linton, of Branford; Two sons, Timmy Waters and Donnie (Barbara) Waters, both of Lake City; his Mother, Allamae Allexander, of Lake City; One Brother, Ronnie (Wanda) Waters, of Mi- canopy. Nine Grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, February 23, 2002, at 11:00 a.m., in the Chapel of Guerry Funeral Home, with Mr. Paul Moreau, officiating.
Interment
will follow in Ellzey Chapel Cemetery, Lake Butler. The family will receive friends, Friday, February 22, 2002, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 4309 South First Street, Lake City, is in charge of all arrangements.
Bertha Mae Caldwell McCall
Bertha Mae Caldwell McCall, 84, a resident of Lake City, Florida died Thursday, February 21, 2002 at the Mariner Health Care Facility, Tallahassee, Florida after an extended ill-ness.
Mrs. McCall was a native of Little Sand Mountain Georgia and had resided in Lake City for the past fifty years. She is the daughter of the late Henry and Lucy Odom Hughes. She was a member of the Columbia County Council on Aging.
Survivors include three daughters: Janie Harvey, Lake City, Florida, Thelma Pruitt, Lake City, Florida, and Linda (Billy) Maples, Lake City, Florida; Two Sons; Hugh Caldwell, Tallahassee, Florida and Elroy (Lisa) Caldwell, Tallahassee, Florida. Fourteen Grandchildren and
Many Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday February 23, 2002 at 3:00 P.M. in the Sherrill-Guerry Memorial Chapel. Interment
will follow in the Memorial Cemetery, Lake City, Florida. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Friday at the Funeral Home.
SHERRILL-GUERRY FUNERAL HOME 616 South Marion Street, Lake City, Florida is in charge of all arrangements.
Mrs. Julia Margaret Haley
Mrs. Julia Margaret Haley, 89, resident of Lake City, Florida, died Thursday, February 21, 2002, in the Willow Brook, Lake City, Florida, following a long illness. Mrs. Haley was born in Tower, Minnesota, and was One of ten siblings, and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Julia Stonich, early pioneers in northern Minnesota, Mrs. Haley has been a resident of Lake City for over 20 years and was a well-known local artist and an active member of the art guild before her illness. Her oil paintings, watercolors and pastels are in various collections in Florida, Georgia and Texas. She exhibited most recently at Lake City Community College in the President¹s Suite, 1998 and has a (donated) work in display at the Columbia County Library.
Survivors include: Two sons; William J. (Jo Ann) Haley, of Lake City, Florida, and Thomas J. (Betty) Haley, of Milledgeville, Georgia, Four sisters; Mary (Murphy) Bounds, of Gunter, Texas; Dodie (Bob ) Geils, of Illinois; Helen (Hugh) Swartout, of Estes Park, Colorado; and Mardi (Lew) Hokkanen, of Duleth, Minnesota. Mrs. Haley has many nieces and nephews throughout the United States, and Seven Grandchildren also survive.
Mrs. Haley was the widow of the late James W. Haley, a local businessman and land owner, who preceded in death in 1997. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Ed, Joe, Matt, Frank and Tony Stonich, and was a member of the Epiphany Catholic Church of Lake City, Florida.
Memorial funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2002, at 10:00 A.M. at the Epiphany Catholic Church, Lake City, Florida. Interment
will be held in Minnesota with her late husband. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the National Alzheimer¹s Research fund or Hospice of North Central Florida.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, February 26, 2002, from 5 to 7 P.M., at Guerry Funeral Home, 4309 South First Street, Lake City, Florida.
Elizabeth S. Ellis McCollister
Elizabeth S. Ellis McCollister, 77, of Live Oak, died of congestive heart failure Sunday, February 24, 2002.
Mrs. McCollister was born July 14, 1924 in Fort Pierce, FL and moved to Live Oak from Orlando, FL in 1988. She was a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church and a Sunday School Teacher. She retired from Orange County Schools, where she was a cook for 19 years. In Live Oak, she was director of Stage Coach Volunteer Fire Dept.
Survivors: Husband: Edward; Daughters: Cordelia (DeeDee) Coleman, Orlando, FL; Susan (Dorothia) Armstrong Dominy, Macon, GA.; Brothers: William A. Ellis, Newberry, FL., T. Jerry Ellis, Midland, VA; Sisters: Iris Brannen, Webster, FL, Linda Irvin, Birmingham, AL, Marlene Carter, Lenox, Ga; 3 Grandchildren, 2 Step-Grandchildren, 7 Great-Grandchildren; Numerous Nieces and Nephews.
Visitation Tuesday evening February 26 from 6 to 8 P.M.. Flowers or donations to Hospice of North Central Florida, Lake City Chapter, 4200 N.W. 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606. DANIELS FUNERAL HOME, Live Oak, FL.
Vera Selma Morgen
Vera Selma Morgen died Saturday at Palm Gardens after a long illness.
She was born in San Francisco, Cal-ifornia on February 28, 1907. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Ralph Morgen. She was active in volunteer work most of her life. She was of the original members in Gainesville of the League of Women Voters. She volunteered with Red Cross in different places that they lived. She volunteered in public libraries and worked into her eighties at the Alachua County Library. Besides her family her next love was Duplicate Bridge.
Survivors include her son. Ralph Morgen (Frances) of Gainesville and her daughter Joan Rountree (Jack) of Lake City, Florida.
She has four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held Sunday, March 3 at 2:00 at Grace Methodist Church on Newberry Road in Gainesville.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of North Central Florida 4200 NW 90th Blvd. Gainesville, Florida 32601 or Friends of the Library 410 N. Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601.
Jack Farris Norman
Jack Farris Norman, age 74, died Sunday, February 24th at the Lake City Medical Center.
Born in Plant City, FL, Mr. Norman lived in Lake City for 37 years having moved from Plant City. Mr. Norman, a Baptist and a member of the Southside Baptist Church in Lake City, was a retired supervisor at P.C.S. Phosphate and a WWII Navy Veteran.
His parents, Elsie M. and Robert B. Norman preceded Mr. Norman in death.
Mr. Norman is survived by his wife of 54 years, Beatrice Parrish-Norman, two sons, Ronald F. (Linda) Norman of Middletown, NY and Stephen W. (Gaye Lynn) Norman of Lake City, one Brother, James R. Norman of Lakeland, FL, six sisters-in-law, Juanita McAlpin, Elena Veltheim, Mattie Jordan, Connie Bailey, Sara Sankey and Barbara Parrish. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Eric, Sarah and Stephen, Jr.
A Memorial Service will be celebrated for Mr. Norman, Thursday, February 28th at 11 AM, Southside Baptist Church, 600 E. Baya Ave., Lake City. Reverend Mike Brown and Reverend Herman Hampton will preside.
The Norman Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Southside Baptist Church Building Fund.
Arrangements are under the direc-tion of COLUMBIA FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER, 1270 E. Duval Street ( Hwy 90), Lake City. 758-0046.
Kenneth A. Poole
Kenneth A. Poole, 52, of Live Oak, passed away Saturday, February 23, 2002 at his home.
The Suwannee County native lived in Live Oak all of his life. He was a former editor of the Suwannee Democrat, former di-rector of Parks and Recreation Center for five years, former President of the Ora for the Occidental Chemical Corporation of White Springs, FL, and was a member of the Rosemary Baptist Church.
Survivors include his parents: Luel & Blanche Poole, Live Oak, FL; two Daughters: Brandy Stevens and Jennifer Seaman both of Live Oak, FL; one Son: Raymond L. Poole, Live Oak, FL; one Sister: Patricia Wynn, Jennings, FL; two Brothers: Jimmy Poole, Lake City, FL and Jerry Poole, Live Oak, FL; five Grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2002 at the Westwood Baptist Church of Live Oak, with Rev. Clarence Parker officiating. Interment
will follow in the Live Oak Cemetery.
Daniels Funeral Home, Inc. of Live Oak is in charge of all arrangements.
Cora Mae Bruce Ryder
Mrs. Cora Mae Bruce Ryder, 87, of Lake Butler died Sunday afternoon at the Lake Shore Shands Hospital in Lake City after an extended illness.
She was born in Sweetwater, Ga. lived most of her life in Lake Butler. She attended the Holiness Church and was a homemaker.
She is survived by : 5 daughters: Carolyn Avenger of Gulf Port, Miss., Shirley Roberson of Lake City, Mary Thornton of Lake City, Eula Fortune of Lake Butler, Brenda Sloan of Welborn; 4 sons; Edward Ryder of Waldo; William Ryder and Thomas Ryder both of Lake Butler Ryder of Jax. 27 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Archer Funeral Home of Lake Butler; with Rev. Tommy Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery under the direction of Archer Funeral Home of Lake Butler. Family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 P.M. Tuesday evening.
