Obituaries

Audrey Sivley

AUDREY SIVLEY, 83

Homemaker

LAKELAND -- Mrs. Audrey L. Sivley of Lakeland died of heart failure Tuesday (April 26, 2005) at home. She was 83.

Born in Jamestown, Ala., on May 20, 1921, she came to Lakeland from Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1983. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Sivley is survived by her husband, Chester W. Sivley; sons, Charles Rickett, Chattanooga, Tenn., Glenn Rickett, Rossville, Ga., David Smith, Chattanooga; daughters, Cathi Barnett, Germany, Deanna Burk, Lakeland; sisters, Mattie Lou Hanson, Fort Wayne, Ind., Mozelle Willingham, Menlo, Ga.; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 this evening (April 29, 3005) at Heritage Funeral Home, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday (April 30, 2005) at the funeral home chapel in Oglethorpe.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Northside Funeral Home.

Jimmie Suit

JIMMIE SUIT, 99

Southside Baptist

LAKELAND -- Mrs. Jimmie "Gee Gee" Suit, a retired financial secretary for Southside Baptist Church in Lakeland, died of heart failure Thursday (April 28, 2005) at home. She was 99.

Born in Geraldean, Ala., on Nov. 6, 1905, she graduated from Auburn University. "Her mother worked running a boarding house and taking in laundry that put them through college," her grandson, Jon Munday of Lakeland, said. "She was one of the first women to graduate from Auburn University."

Mrs. Suit was a home economics teacher for a few years before she married R.M. Suit. She became a bookkeeper for his general store called Thrift Store in Fort Payne. "Her financial wisdom continued on to her career here at the church," Munday said.

She came to Lakeland from Fort Payne, Ala., in 1947, and began her 31-year career with Southside Baptist Church.

Mrs. Suit enjoyed reading, keeping a journal, and corresponding with friends.

"She was known for sending cards to people. We were blessed to have her this many years," Munday said.

She was a member of Medulla Baptist Church in Lakeland where she was active in the Sunday school class and a member of the Pioneer Club.

Mrs. Suit was preceded in death by her husband, R.M. Suit, in the mid 1980s. She is survived by her daughters, Ann Munday, Lakeland, Mary Letts, Polk City; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; seven great-greatgrandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday (May 2, 2005) at Gentry-Morrison Southside Funeral Chapel. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Lakeland Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Medulla Baptist Church building fund, 3930 Old Road 37, Lakeland, FL 33813.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel

Thomas Cowles

THOMAS COWLES, 79

Anne's Laundromat

LAKELAND - Mr. Thomas DeWitt Cowles Jr. of Lakeland died of lung failure Wednesday (April 27, 2005) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.  He was 79.

Born in Troy, Ala., on May 20, 1925, he came to Lakeland from Pine Level, Ala., in 1979.  He was a retired revenue examiner for the state of Alabama for 21 years.  He worked at Peoples Bank for eight years and owned Anne's Laundromat in Lakeland for 25 years.  He was a member of the alumni at the University of Alabama.  He was a Navy Veteran of World War II.  He was a member and deacon at Edgewood Church of Christ.

Mr. Cowles is survived by his wife, Ann Cowles; children, Claire Sawyer, Destin, Carol Nunnelee, Troy, Ala., DeWitt Cowles III, Lakeland, Fan Morrison, Opelika, Ala., Kay Cato, Montgomery, Ala., William Cowles, Russell Cowles, both of Lakeland; nine grand-daughters; six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday (April 29, 2005) at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.  Services will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the American Lung Association.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.

Frederick Terrill

FREDERICK TERRILL, 89

Highland City Glass

LAKELAND -- Mr. Frederick "Fred" Terrill of Lakeland died of complications of pneumonia and kidney failure Tuesday (April 26, 2005) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 89.

Born in Tampa on Jan. 4, 1916, he came to Lakeland from Plant City in 1965. He was the owner of Highland City Glass. He was a member of Victory Church.

Mr. Terrill is survived by his wife, Ollie Mae Terrill; daughters, Pamela Anne Barnes, Oklahoma City, Okla., Barbara King, Kissimmee; son, Alton Holloway, Sebring; sister, Susan Riley, Annandale, Va.; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday (April 28, 2005) at Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel. Services will be at 12 p.m. Friday (April 29, 2005) at Victory Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 2962, Lakeland, FL 33806-2962.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel.

Clifford Sells

CLIFFORD SELLS, 70

Truck Driver

LAKELAND -- Mr. Clifford Eugene Sells of Lakeland died of complications following a stroke Saturday (April 23, 2005) at Palm Terrace of Lakeland. He was 70.

He was born in Cabarrus County, N.C., on July 21, 1934. He was a truck driver. He was an Army veteran.

Mr. Sells is survived by his son, Ricky Sells, Midland, N.C.; daughter, Lisa Sells Huff, Rockwell, N.C.; stepmother, Margie Sells, Concord, N.C.; three grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 7 to 9 this evening at Hartsell Funeral Home, Concord, N.C. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home chapel in Concord.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.

Manuel Medeiros

MANUEL MEDEIROS, 83

Florida Gas Co.

LAKELAND -- Mr. Manuel M. "Pete" Medeiros of Lakeland, an office manager for Florida Gas Co. who was the son of Portuguese immigrants, died Saturday (April 23, 2005) at the Rohr Home of complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 83.

Born Oct. 13, 1921, in New Bedford, Mass., Mr. Medeiros came here from there in 1941.

His parents moved from the Azores, a Portuguese island territory in the Atlantic, and settled in New Bedford, which had a prospering Portuguese and whaling community, said his son, Gerald W. Medeiros.

"He grew up speaking Portuguese," his son said, but when he left Massachusetts for Florida he retained a faint New England accent.

"He had to adapt to different food and culture," his son said. "He adapted well."

Mr. Medeiros was a member of a national barbershop quartet organization and performed at The Lakeland Center and Florida Southern College.

"He loved to sing. He was also a member of his church choir," his son said. The church, now called Presbyterian Chapel in the Grove, began in a house. Mr. Medeiros was a charter member.

He also enjoyed golfing and his grandchildren.

"He was good with children, they loved to be around him," his son said.

He was an office manager for Florida Gas Co.

Mr. Medeiros was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving in World War II and the Korean War.

He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Cleveland Heights Golf and Country Club.

Mr. Medeiros is survived by his wife, Thelma M. Medeiros; son, Gerald W. Medeiros, Lakeland; daughter, Donna Medeiros, Lakeland; sister, Mary Messier, New Bedford, Mass.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday (April 26, 2005) at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel and 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday (April 27, 2005) at the Presbyterian Chapel in the Grove. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Chapel in the Grove, 1540 New Jersey Road, Lakeland, FL 33803, or the Alzheimer's Association, 9365 U.S. 19, N. Pinellas Park, FL 33782.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.

Joe Anderson

JOE ANDERSON, 72

Shepherd's Fold Ministry

LAKELAND - Mr. Joe "Papa" Anderson of Lakeland died of heart failure Thursday (April 21, 2005) at home.  He was 72.

Born in Hattiesburg, Mill., on March 20, 1933, Mr. Anderson came to Lakeland from Miami in 1979.  He worked for Shepherd's Fold Ministry.  He sang with the Regal Quartet in Lakeland.

Mr. Anderson is survived by his wife, Daisy Anderson; daughters, Roberta Weissman, Tampa, Jody Saenz, Miami, Cynthia Polston, Lake Wales, Charlotte Colacino, Palm City; sons, George Price, Anthony Price, both of Lakeland; brother, Robert Anderson, Clearwater; sister, Wanda Swendson, Tarpon Springs; 24 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel.  Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday (April 25, 2005) at the funeral home chapel.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel.

Anita Stuart

ANITA STUART, 75

Artist

Mulberry - Mrs. Anita Rose Stuart of Mulberry, died of heart failure Saturday (April 23, 2005) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, was a skilled painter of landscapes. She was 75.

Born Feb. 17, 1930, in Chicago, she came here from Pocahontas, Ark. in 1997. "She was a very loving, gentle woman," her husband, Robert Stuart said. After giving birth to her first child, she left college to stay home. "She was about 15 hours from being done," he said. During this time, she painted and created the landscapes that now hang on the walls of their home. "Her painting was just in her," Mr. Stuart said. After raising her children, she decided to return to school to finish her degree, Mr. Stuart said. Mrs. Stuart enjoyed traveling across the country with her family, mostly camping in the woods. She would often refer to her husband's travel photos while painting, he said. In 1997, Mrs. Stuart retired to Florida where her children and grandchildren live. "She was very loving of the kids," her husband remembered. "They just brought a smile to her face."

She was a member of Imperial Lakes Country Club. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Robert Stuart; daughters, Linda Christine Donaldson, Susan DeCamp Giliam and Janis Mason, all of Lakeland, Laura Stuart-Piel, Findlay, IL; brother, William Bennett, Chicago; sister, Dolores Giannini, Mount Prospect, IL; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 33823.

Arrangements By Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel

Marjorie Walters

MARJORIE WALTERS, 62

Sales Clerk

Lakeland- Mrs. Marjorie Cecelia Walters of Lakeland died of heart failure Friday (April 22, 2005). She was 62.

Born Sept. 11, 1942, in Minneapolis, Minn., she came here from Litchfield, Minn. in 1998. She was a sales clerk for Lowe's in Lakeland.

Mrs. Walters was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Walters. She is survived by her sons, Marc Walters, Litchfield, Gary Larson, Lakeland; daughters, Rhonda Rohrbeck, Watkins, Minn., Carol Renn, Prior Lake, Minn., Donelle Rohlfing, LeSeur, Minn.; brothers, Wally "Butch" Sanford and Bobby Sanford, both of Minnesota; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

Services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Plant City Community Church of the Nazarene.

Arrangements By Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel

Stephen Sopko

STEPHEN SOPKO

Stephen Sopko, age 85, passed away peacefully April 21, 2005.  Born in Manville, New Jersey on April 24, 1919, he lived in Florida after joining the Army Air Force in 1941.  His military assignments were at Hunter Air Field. Savannah, GA, Boca Chica AB. Avon Park Bombing Range and Sarasota, FL  during those years.  He met and married the love of his life, the late Georgia Madeline Pittman of Frostproof, FL on September 19, 1942.  Steve moved to Lakeland in 1946 and joined Tomlinson Cadillac Company where he was Parts Manager until 1975 when the company became Tinny Cadillac.  He retired in October 1981, after 35 years of service so that he and Georgia could enjoy their golden years more fully.  Steve and Georgia were very active in Lakeland's Model "A" Restorer's Club (MARC).  Joining in 1960, Steve served as President on and off for over 30 years.  If you saw Model "A" Fords in the Lakeland and surrounding areas, Steve was probably leading the pack, moving kind of slow!  Steve is survived by his son, Stephen Sopko, II (Mary) of Orlando, FL, daughter, Frances Elliott (Stephen) of Atlanta, GA; sisters, Veronica Banyas of Lady Lake, FL and Ann Drizga of Berkley Heights, NJ, grandchildren Stephen C. Sopko, Stacy Michelle Stoudemire, Kathryn Duncan, Jonathan Elliott and two great grandchildren, George Michael and Christopher.  Steve was lifelong member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church since 1946.  Steve lived for his family, community, country and Model "A's".  Visitation will be on what would have been his 86th birthday, Sunday, April 24th, at 6 - 8 PM at Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd, Lakeland.  Catholic Mass services will be a t St. Joseph's Church, 118 Lemon St. West, at 10 AM, Monday, April 25th.  Burial services will follow at Glen Abby Memorial Gardens, 2200 K-Ville Ave, (SR 524), Auburndale, FL.

Condolences may be left at: www.smsopko@aol.com  The family requests that contributions be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Funeral Home.