Obituaries for the Suwannee Democrat Oct. 8, 2003
Maxcy Aarons
Maxcy Aarons, 110, passed away Oct. 2, 2003, in the Suwannee Health Care Center in Live Oak.
She is survived by five grands: James Nelson, Christine Brown, Costella L. Jones, Verner (Frankie) Nelson and Vernell (William) McCray, daughter-in-law, Mary Nelson; great- grands; great-great grands; great-great-great grands; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and very special nephews and nieces, Ned, Ruby, Richard and Eppie. She was preceded in death by her son, Eddie Nelson and her daughter, Cozie Nelson.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Oct. 11, in the Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, with the Rev. Clifton Riley, pastor.
D.M. Udell Funeral Home is in charge of all funeral arrangements.
Rosalee Lee
Rosalee Lee, 83, of Live Oak, passed away Oct. 3, 2003, in the Suwannee Health Care Center, Live Oak, after a short illness. Born Nov. 28, 1919 to William Milton Cannon and Katie Ruth Knight, the Crestview native retired from HRS., in Deland after nine years. She was a member of the Eastern star and the Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Live Oak.
Survivors include: one sister, Peggy (Leo) Lee of Live Oak; a sister-in-law, Laura Cannon of Live Oak; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were conducted at 2 p.m., Oct. 6, at Pine Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Steve Polk and the Rev. Dick Harrison officiating.
Daniels Funeral Home of Live Oak was in charge of all arrangements.
Sgt. Freddie Paul Wheeler
Sgt. Freddie Paul Wheeler, 57, of Lake City, passed away Oct. 6, 2003, at his residence following an extended illness. He was a native and lifelong resident of Columbia County. Sgt. Wheeler was the son of the late Bill and Bonnie Fay Jackson Wheeler. He was a member of the 1966 graduating class of Columbia High School and worked for Guerdon Industries from 1965 until 1970 and from 1972-1974. Sgt. Wheeler worked with the Columbia County Road Department as a heavy equipment operator from 1970-1972, then went to work with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office as a deputy sheriff. In 1980 he took a job as the head of security for the Lake City Community College, a position he held until he left in 1983 to return to the Sheriff's office. He worked for the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office for a short time prior to returning to Columbia County. Sgt. Wheeler served in many positions during his 25 years of service in the sheriff's office. In 1978, he helped establish the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Underwater Rescue and Recovery Team and continued as it's leader until recent ill health made diving impossible. He was awarded the Medal of Valor and the Deputy of the Year Award during his tenure at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Sgt. Wheeler was a member of the Corinth Masonic Lodge #93, F&AM, the Scottish Rite Bodies, the Morocco Temple of the Shrine in Jacksonville; the Fort White Football Boosters, the Lake City Seminole Boosters, the Florida State Seminole Boosters in Tallahassee and the Hopeful Baptist Church. In his spare time Sgt. Wheeler liked to hunt, fish, scuba dive and attend Florida State University football games. He was famous for his FSU tailgating barbecues. Sgt. Wheeler was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Joe and his goddaughter, Joyce M. Berry.
He is survived by: his wife of 35 years, Clydie Mae Wheeler; two daughters, Paula O'Steen (Glen) and Sarah Wheeler all of Lake City; his beloved granddaughter, Samantha Wheeler and grandson, Wheeler Shane O'Steen, both of Lake City.; two brothers, Billy Wheeler (Bonita) of Lake City; Ralph Wheeler (Libby) of Live Oak; a sister, Hettie Faye Wheeler of Lake City; his mother-in-law, Wannie Mae Brannan of Live Oak; his two sisters-in-law, Judy Lamb (Craig) of Branford and Jeanette Scarborough (Jerry) of Live Oak; two special nephews, Junior and Andy Jolley both of Lake City; and his Columbia County Sheriff's Office family.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Oct. 8, in the Hopeful Baptist Church with the Rev. Kenneth Edenfield and Dr. Rodney Baker officiating. Interment
will follow in the Hopeful Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Hopeful Baptist Church Building Fund, c//o Rt. 6, Box 1371, Lake City, FL 32025.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Biggs Funeral Home, Lake City.
Obituaries for the Suwannee Democrat Oct. 10, 2003 issue
Willie R. Crawford Lewis
Willie R. Crawford Lewis, 79, passed away in the V.A. Medical Center in Lake City.
Survivors include: his wife, Venem C. Lewis, seven daughters, Debra Wilson, Diana Mollory, Rosa Lewis, Audreo Cherry, Annette Lewis, Lisa Lewis and Debbie Jelks; and seven sons, Willie Jr., Alton, William, Henry, Roy, Nicky and Rusty; 26 grands; a very, very special and devoted friend, Katie Billington of Jasper; and many other close relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Oct. 12, in the African Baptist Church, the Rev. Alex Fountain, pastor.
D. M. Udell Funeral Home is in charge of all funeral arrangements.
Hattie Tompkins
Hattie Tompkins, 73, a resident of Live Oak, passed away Oct. 5, 2003 in the Suwannee Health Care Center.
Survivors include: one sister, Eula Brown; one daughter, Jacqueline (Michael) McCray; one god-daughter, Barbara Chambers; five grandsons; special nieces, Berth Ware, Stella Thomas and Annie L. Kirkland; a host of nieces, nephews; very special friends: Bernice Fort and Cornelia Williams; and special neighbors, Rhonda and Clyde Hankerson, Linda Owens, Lorreen Brown and Chester Fennell.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Oct. 11, in the Gethsemane Church of God in Christ, the Rev. R. Williams, Pastor.
D. M. Udell Funeral Home is in charge of all funeral arrangements.
Makaila Ann Davis
Makaila Ann Davis, infant, of Live Oak, passed away, Oct. 4, 2003 in Shands at University of Florida, Gainesville, after a long illness.
Survivors include: her parents, Harold and Melissa Ann Davis of Live Oak; and her maternal grandmother, Shirley Davis of Live Oak.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m., Oct. 9, in the Daniels Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jeff Brown officiating.
Daniels Funeral Home of Live Oak was in charge of all arrangements.
Obituary for the Branford News Oct. 9, issue
Stanley, Henrietta Harris
Henriette Harris Stanley of High Springs died Saturday, October 4, in North Florida Regional Medical Center. She was 71.
Mrs. Stanley was born in Naylor, Georgia and moved to High Springs from Melbourne in 1968. She worked as a tester at the former Gates Energy and attended Springs Ridge First Church of God.
Mrs. Stanley was preceded in death by a daughter, Loretta Sapp, and a step daughter, Gladys Sapp.
Survivors include her husband, Richard Stanley of High Springs; son Dennis Sapp of High Springs; step sons Sonny Daryl Sapp of Luraville, Michael Sapp of Anthony, Richard W. Stanley of Orlando and N. C. Sapp of Branford; daughters Betty Herring, Cynthia O'Steen and Phyllis Joiner all of High Springs and Jeannette Smith of Fort White; step daughters Barbara Ann Barnett of Branford and Stacie Sidani of Winter Park; brothers Leroy Harris of Jasper. 27 grand children and 14 great grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 7, at Spring Ridge First Church of God with Rev. Michael Hicks, Rev. Richard Harold and Rev. Eugene Polk conducting the service.
Burial was in the Spring Ridge Cemetery under the direction of Evans-Carter Funeral Home. Visitation was on Monday, October 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to Hospice of North Central Florida, 4200 N. W. 90th Blvd., Gainesville, Florida, 32606.
Obituaries for the Jasper News Oct. 9, 2003 issue
William Mortimer Peeples
William Mortimer Peeples, 82, of Valdosta, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2003 at South Georgia Medical Center. He was born on September 25, 1921, in Chatsworth, Ga. to the late Isaac Mortimer and Leona Peeples.
Mr. Peeples graduated from the University of Georgia in 1942 and was the Senior Class President.
He moved to Valdosta in 1957 and became a member of Park Avenue United Methodist Church. He was a part of the Fellowship Sunday School Class. He retired as a Ford Tractor Dealer after 47 years. He was a veteran of the United States Army during World War II. His unit received the WWII Certificate of Merit. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Evelyn, of 53 years, and by his brothers, Frank Peeples, Robert Peeples and Paul Peeples.
Survivors include his wife, Alice Carter Peeples of Valdosta; two daughters and son-in-law, Linda and Roy Tritt of Augusta, Ga. and Marcia Tillman of Valdosta; four grandchildren, Deborah Tritt of Augusta, Ga., Jennifer Tritt of Atlanta, Ga., Joseph Tillman, Jr. of Newnan, Ga. and Eric Tillman of Valdosta; one stepson, Carl Ivey Carter of Lake Park, Ga.; two stepdaughters and their husbands, Joanne and Dub Bagwell of Gainesville, Ga. and Jeannie and Dr. Pat Pennington of Valdosta; step grandchildren, Ivey Carter and Ginny Carter of Lake City, William and Jennifer Bagwell, Carla and John Bridges, Emily and Charles Bailey - all of Gainesville, Ga. - and Patton Pennington and Kate Pennington of Valdosta; several step great grandchildren; seven brothers and their wives, Morris and Eugenia Peeples of Madison, Tenn., Bernard and Margaret Peeples, Harlan and Linda Peeples, John and Frances Peeples - all of Chatsworth, Ga. - Jim and Ann Peeples of Hickory, N.C., Bud and Linda Peeples of Rocky Face, Ga., Julian and Jane Peeples of Dalton, Ga.; three sisters, Carolyn and Miles Anderson and Mary Nell Calfee of Chatsworth, Ga. and Martha Ann and Rev. Jesse Hart of Montgomery, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services were held Saturday, October 4, 2003 at Park Avenue United Methodist Church with Reverend Craig Rikard, Reverend V. L. Daughtery and Reverend Bob Dorsey officiating. Burial followed in McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. Contributions may be made to Hospice of South Georgia or any charitable organization. Carson McLane Funeral Home is serving the Peeples family and is in charge of all arrangements.
William "Bill" Scaff Sr.
William "Bill" Scaff Sr., 69, of Jasper, passed away Friday, Oct. 3, 2003 at South Georgia Medical Center, Valdosta, following a brief illness. The Hamilton County native and lifelong resident was a farmer and well known businessman. Mr. Scaff also worked as a correctional officer in Hamilton County for several years.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Dorothy "Dot" Scaff, Jasper; one son, Ronald Scaff (Jennifer), Jasper; two daughters, Lisa Spearman (Robert), Atlanta, Ga. and Lori Thomas, Valdosta, Ga.; one brother, Kenneth Scaff Sr., Jasper; two sisters, Margaret Tuten, Jasper, and Nora Evelyn Caldwell, Gainesville; six grandchildren, Simeon Spearman, Jillian Thomas, Erika Thomas, Trey Scaff, Tyler Scaff and Emily "Pumpkin" Scaff; and close friend Donald Rhoden of Lake City.
Graveside services were held Monday, Oct. 6, 2003 at Scaff Cemetery with Rev. Ralph Johnson officiating. Active pallbearers were: Stanley Cribbs, Jimmy Hancock, Wendell Waters, Ms. Patricia Rodgers, Johnny Owens, Jim Bates and Larry Williams. Honorary pallbearers were: Clarence Adams, Moses Robinson, John Jones, Gerald Coggins, Wayne Hurst, Kenneth "Sonny" Scaff Jr., Lester Scaff, John Allen Scaff, Mark Scaff, David Goolsby Sr. and Tom Dennis.
Harry T. Reid Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Willie R. Crawford Lewis
Willie R. Crawford Lewis passed away in the VA Medical Center in Lake City on October 1, 2003. Mr. Lewis was born on December 1, 1923.
Mr. Willie R. Crawford Lewis is survived by his wife, Venem C. Lewis; seven daughters, Debra Wilson, Diana Mollory, Rosa Lewis, Audreo Cherry, Annette Lewis, Lisa Lewis, and Debbie Jelks; seven sons, Willie Jr., Alton, William, Henry, Roy, Nicky, and Rusty; twenty-six grandchildren, a very, very special and devoted friend, Mrs. Katie Billington of Jasper, and many other close relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Lewis will be held on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003 at 2 p.m. in the African Baptist church. Rev. Alex Fountain, pastor.
D. M. Udell and Sons of Udell's Funeral Home are in charge of all funeral arrangements.
Obituary for the Mayo Free Press Oct. 9 issue
Gene McCray
Gene McCray 71, S. Atlantic Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, died Friday at home. Born in New Smyrna Beach, Mr. McCray moved to DelRay, Florida after serving in the United States Navy during the Korean War, where he farmed, with his brother until his return here in 1990 upon retirement. He was an avid fisherman.
Mr. McCray is survived by 2 sisters, Shirley Clark of Mayo, and Mary Lee of New Smyrna Beach; 2 stepsons, Matt Phillips of Wellington Springs, and John Phillips of St. Augustine; companion of many years, Joan Eldon; and several nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends was held on Monday evening at Settle-Wilder's New Smyrna Beach Chapel. Services will be held in Mayo, with burial in Midway Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial donations to the American Heart Association, Florida/Puerto Rico Affiliate, 555 W. Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL 32174.
Settle-Wilder Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 406 S. Orange Street, New Smyrna Beach is in charge of arrangements.
