Jean Gay Middel

Jean Gay Middel, 84 Peacefully went to be with her Lord from the palliative care unit of the Lakeland Regional Medical Center, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Jean was born in Colquitt County, Georgia (Moultrie) on August 30, 1938, to parents Aubrey Lucile Brown and Franklin Gay. At an early age, her family moved to Bartow, Florida and shortly thereafter to Mulberry, Florida, where she went through the Mulberry school system. Jean attended Mulberry High School, where she took part in many extracurricular activities, including varsity cheerleading. Jean proudly graduated from Mulberry with the great class of 1956. Jean was of the Baptist faith, attending several churches in the area. Jean worked at several positions in the Mulberry/Lakeland area, before finding employment in the phosphate industry, initially with VC Chemical and finally with Agrico Chemical Company, where Jean retired as an executive secretary. Jean was a member of the Lakeland Imperial Chapter of the American Businesswomen’s Association (ABWA), where she held several positions culminating in her election to ABWA’s Woman of the Year in 1980.

Above all, Jean’s focus was always on family and home life. Jean raised two wonderful children, Dennis Oral Anderson, and Robin Ann Anderson.

Jean opened a new chapter of her life, by marrying her “forever love”, Raymond T. Middel on June 25, 1977. For forty-five years of marriage, Jean led a happy, contented and satisfying life. From Lakeland, Jean lived in Milledgeville, Georgia, back to Lakeland, to Davie, Florida, and, finally back to Lakeland for retirement with her husband and to be close to her family. Jean’ interest were numerous, foremost family, making new lifelong friends, traveling, going to the theatre, plays and concerts, enjoying fine restaurants, cooking, entertaining, sewing, knitting, cross stitching and homemaking.

Jean is survived by her husband Raymond T. Middel of Lakeland, her daughter, Robin Ann Anderson (Brian Horn), four grandchildren, Heather Michelle Ward (David Ray Ward), Amber Danielle Whitfield, Ashley Lynn Tarr (Bryan Tarr) and Austin Douglas Horn all of Lakeland. Also six great grandchildren, Makenzi Michelle Richardson, Madyson Faith Richardson, Kinley Alexis Larmon, Kamden Thomas Hargett, Kaylee Diane Ward and Blake Lee Tarr all of Lakeland, her sister, Mary Ann Mills (Thomas Winston Mills) of Donalsonville, Georgia, her sister-in-law, Judith Barno of New Port Richey, two nieces, Kimberly Gray (Eric Gray) of Tallahassee and Stephanie Gay Clifford of Winter Park, as well as many other nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and her many dear lifelong friends throughout the Southeastern United States. She loved all of you!

Jean was preceded in passing by her parents Aubrey Revels (Mama) of Dade City and Franklin Gay, her beloved son, Dennis Oral Anderson of Mulberry, and her brother, James Franklin Gay of Tampa.

A Celebration/Memorial of Life ceremony is planned for Jean, on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at the Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, Florida, 33801. A reception will be held after the service.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jean’s name to the American Cancer Society, Nemour’s Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Florida or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

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