OBITUARIES

Mar 4, 2025

William E. Jakes, husband of the late Marjorie Blakeman Jakes, father to Alison Jakes Argersinger (Tom), William B. Jakes, Rev. Jeffrey P. Jakes (Katie) was called to Heaven by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 4, 2025. Born in Syracuse, NY on April 29, 1932, Bill lived in several Upstate New York cities before becoming a Florida resident...

Apr 15, 2025

Apr 13, 2025

Charles Parkhill Mays, Jr., passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 13, 2025. In departing this world, he leaves behind a legacy as a devoted husband, beloved father and grandfather, respected friend, mentor, and community leader.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mason Carmichael Mays, and his parents, Katherine Bell and Charles Parkhill Mays. He was born...

Apr 9, 2025

Dora Padrón Corrales, born in Melena del Sur, in the province of Habana, Cuba, the 8th child of 9 siblings, born to Anacleto Padrón Gonzalez and Juana Gonzalez Otero. Her actual date of birth was in July, but due to the distances and poor communications of the times, her birth was not recorded until a month later, which then became...

Apr 7, 2025

Kathleen Helen Simpson, 84, of Lakeland, FL, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025. She was born on February 26, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to her loving family.

A teacher early in life, she was a beloved and caring homemaker for many years. Some of her passions included playing tennis and singing. She was an active member of the Resurrection Catholic...

Apr 6, 2025

Russell Glenn Fullerton died April 6, 2025. Born in the coal mining town of Clymer, Pennsylvania on January 20,1932 to Glenn Fullerton and Caroline Kuntz he grew up in Punxsutawney, PA. After proudly serving with the Army Third Division in Korea and receiving a Purple Heart he came home to marry his high school sweetheart Joan Weaver. A drafting degree...

Apr 4, 2025

Richard Charles Barfield Sr. was born to Buddy and Joan Barfield on December 5, 1956, in Lakeland, FL. He was a fourth-generation resident of Lakeland. He owned Ricks Auto Repair for 37 years.

He was preceded in death by his son Joshua Blasingame, his father Charles “Buddy” Barfield, and his mother Joan Barfield.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years...

Apr 3, 2025

Carolyn June Dierickx, 83, passed away peacefully at her residence on April 3, 2025. She was born on December 24, 1941, in Mercer County, Kentucky, to the late Calvert William Hockersmith and Ida Mae Douthitt.

Carolyn is survived by her husband of over 44 years, Charles August Dierickx; her children, Debbie Thompson (Jeff), Edwin Boggess (Lisa), Shawn Dierickx (Kandi), Sheri Nichols...

Apr 2, 2025

Billie Baggett Woods, known affectionately as Bunny, passed away on April 2, 2025, at the age of 77 after a battle with cancer, at Lakeland Regional Health.

Bunny was a beloved and caring homemaker who resided in Lakeland, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Justin Earl Baggett and Evelyn Thornberry, husband Floyd Woods, and son Daniel Woods (Jo Wu).

Bunny...

Mar 30, 2025

Sharon Gordy of Lakeland passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on March 30, 2025. She was born on September 6, 1940, in Clewiston, FL. 

Sharon was a Registered Nurse for 35 years. She worked at and retired from Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Previous to that she was the Director/Kindergarten teacher at Parkway Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. 

Sharon...

Mar 29, 2025

Judy Harris Cline, age 84 passed away peacefully at her home in Lakeland, Florida surrounded by her loved ones on March 29, 2025. She was a loving, generous and fearless woman.

A third-generation Floridian, Judy was born to Eric and Rosalee Harris in Lakeland Florida, on August 5th, 1940.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Marlin Funk, her sister Mary...

Mar 26, 2025

Mary Edna Slaga (Smith) passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025. She was born on July 23, 1941, in Heber Springs AR.

Mary Edna was a devoted wife and mother. She graduated from The University of Arkansas where she was a Zeta Tau Alpha. Mary Edna loved her family, often talking about vacation trips and family gatherings which created everlasting memories.

Mary...

Mar 25, 2025

Herbert Benjamin Hamic, 96, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025. Born on March 19, 1929, in Rising Fawn, Georgia, to William R. and Marjorie Brooks Hamic, Herb's life was defined by dedication, integrity, and love for his family and friends.

In 1940, his family moved to Dunnellon, Florida, where he spent his formative years. After graduating high...

Mar 25, 2025

Beverly Maxine Thompson Sylvester, age 98, of Lakeland, Florida, passed on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Lakeland. She was born at home on March 20, 1927, in Randolf, Maine to Erroll and Ruby Corbin Thompson. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great - great grandmother whose love, acceptance, and listening ear touched all...

Mar 16, 2025

Mary Smith Howell, age 99, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2025, at her home in Lutz, Florida, surrounded by her loved ones.

A fourth-generation Floridian, she was born to Lawrence L. Smith, and Edna L Hays, on December 30, 1925, in Medulla, Florida. Her passion was in preserving Florida history and sharing stories from her days as a space pioneer,...

Mar 16, 2025

Steven was born in Hampton Virginia and grew up in Lakeland Florida with his three brothers and enjoyed fishing, hunting and photography. He graduated from Stetson University and in 1991 married Katy Buckner and they lived happily in Clearwater. He was in law enforcement as a Pinellas County Deputy and a Code Enforcement Officer in Indian Rocks Beach. In later...

Mar 12, 2025

Donna Mae Severson Bebber, 99, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025, with loved ones by her side.

Donna was born on December 12, 1925, in Soldier, Iowa.

Donna graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, and her Master’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Alabama. There, she met the love of...

Mar 10, 2025

Richard Leonard Huggins passed away at 86 in Lakeland, Florida, Monday, March 10, 2025. He was born to the late Gerald Richard Huggins and Josephine Leonard Huggins on August 29, 1938, in Wheeling, West Virginia and was raised in nearby Wellsburg, West Virginia on the Ohio River.

Dick met his first wife, then Joy Scott, in the 6th grade. They married...

Mar 8, 2025

Our dear mother Lucy Marie Bono sadly passed away on Saturday March 8, 2025, at the age of 90. She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her, offering support, wisdom, and love in abundance.

Born in New Jersey and raised on a farm to Italian parents, she later moved with them to Flushing in Queens, New...

Mar 6, 2025

Marie Louise “Weezie” Vreeland was welcomed into the arms of her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on March 6, 2025. Weezie was born on Friday, September 13, 1946, in Cocoa Beach, Florida, to her parents, Ruth E. and Richard A. Stroud, who, along with her sister, Judy Chesley, predeceased her. Her first name is actually two words, Marie Louise, but...