Obituaries

Hilda Anita Barr Smith

HILDA ANITA BARR SMITH, 82

Homemaker, Poet, Artist

LAKELAND - Hilda Anita Barr Smith passed away on April 25, 2008 from respiratory failure. She was 82 years old.

Hilda was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on December 20, 1925. She came to Lakeland in 1945, where she met and married Irby Earl Smith on April 12th, 1947.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 39 years and a sister Bonnie Furline of Allentown, Pa.

Hilda was dedicated to her three daughters and had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom and wife. She expressed her writing talents in writing poetry, some of which has been published. She had also won first place in a poetry competition. The family cherishes the collection of her works. She also expressed her artistic talents in the media of water color photo enhancements in her earlier years, which complimented husband Earl's passion for photography.

Her passion for life was expressed by family trips to the beach in the summer, and trips to the mountains in the fall. Her children share fond childhood memories of trips to the beach in 'Old Betsy' (Studebaker), and the preparation of fried chicken and potato salad for the adventure. Weekly family outings to the movies, showed her love and appreciation of the theatrical arts. Hilda always made things exciting, no matter how simple the event. Her legacy of love and talent for nature, writing, music, and art are passed to her children and all those who knew her.

Hilda was a woman of strong character, values, integrity, and fortitude. She raised a mentally-challenged daughter "Carolyn", in adverse times defying professional recommendations for institutional care. With Hilda's nurturing, her mentally- challenged daughter is now an independent person that is knowledgeable of the importance of family values. Her son-in-law Tom was quoted to say, "Hilda is one of the most resilient women I have ever known". Son-in-law David has quoted, "Hilda is a true class lady".

She was lovingly dedicated to her four grandsons. She was affectionately referred by them, as "Mimi". Her grandson Chris is quoted to say, "Mimi always cuts to the chase, we always know right where we stand, and it was always positive". With her "seventh sense" of wisdom, she could put the philosophy of life into a few simple words.

She is survived by: three daughters: Angela Smith Lester and son-in law David Lester, Lakeland, Florida, Carolyn Laverne Smith, Lakeland, Fl. Sylvia Smith Hart and son-in-law Thomas V. (Tom) Hart, Lakeland, Fl., four grandsons: Brian DeMott, Lakeland, Fl., Christopher (Chris) DeMott, Lakeland, Fl., Jason Hart, Manhattan N.Y., and Benjamin Hart, Bartow, Fl., two great granddaughters, Olivia Rose Hart, Brandon, Fl. and Karsyn Lynn DeMott, Lakeland, Fl.

A memorial service will be held in the Chapel of 1st Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, Fl. at 4.p.m. on Friday May 2, 2008. In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations be made to the Calvary Baptist Church-Lakeland Florida, "Pathfinders" program for the mentally-challenged on behalf of Carolyn L. Smith.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes, Dukes-Steen Chapel, Lakeland.

Herschell "Ronald" Flowers

HERSCHELL "RONALD" FLOWERS, 43

Construction

LAKELAND - Mr. Herschell "Ronald" Flowers, age 43, passed away on Sat. 4/26/08.

He was born in Jacksonville, FL and has been a lifetime resident of Highland City. Ronald graduated from the Lakeland Police Academy and loved to fish and hunt.

He is survived by a family that loves him very much: parents, Jane and Norman Poff of Highland City, sons, Dillon and Travis Flowers of Plant City, FL, brother, Mickey Flowers and sister, Cheryll Poff, both of Lakeland.

The family will receive friends Wed. 6-8pm at Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd. A funeral service will be conducted Thurs. 10:00 am at the funeral home chapel.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

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Marcia Diana Glover

MARCIA DIANA GLOVER, 81

LAKELAND - Marcia D. Glover, 81, died of lung failure Saturday 4/26/08.

Survived by husband Edmund; duaghter, Diana Wood; and brother, Allen Webb.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Dukes-Steen Chapel.

June P. Lord

JUNE P. LORD, 86

LAKELAND - June P. Lord, 86, passed away April 22, 2008 of an aneurysm.

She was the loving mother of Jane Cheatham Capewell-Hughes and Michael Lindsay Viar; dearest grandmother of Alexandria Lindsay Lister; devoted sister of Norah Pitts Byrnes, and Nancy Pitts Steuerwald. She was predeceased by husband's Walter Viar, Arthur Clayton Cheatham, William W. Lord, and brother, Lindsay Pitts.

A memorial service is to be held this summer in Mrs. Lord's hometown of Scottsville, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends are making contributions to the Lakeland S.P.C.A. or the World Wildlife Fund. Please send acknowledgements to Mrs. Lord's daughter, Jane Capewell-Hughes, 2209 Nevada Rd., Lakeland, FL 33803, and son, Michael L. Viar, P.O. Box 6001, Lakeland, FL 33807.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Dukes-Steen Chapel.

Elaine Wanda Knauer

ELAINE WANDA KNAUER, 78

LAKELAND - Elaine Wanda Knauer, 78, died of respiratory failure 4/23/08.

Survived by daughter Barbara Butler, son Grant Knauer.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

Gator Craig

GATOR CRAIG, 72

LAKELAND - Gator Craig, 72, died of COPD April 24, 2008. Survived by daughter, Deborah Smith; grandchildren,  Kristie & Koral Smith, Anthony Cobb.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Dukes-Steen Chapel.

Alberta Blanton

ALBERTA BLANTON

Lakeland – Mrs. Alberta Blanton, 98, passed away April 24, 2008 as a result of heart failure.

Mrs. Blanton was born in Ochlocknee, GA on July 30, 1909 to Stephen and Charlie Civility Cone Eason.  She moved to the area in 1939 from Thomasville, GA. Mrs. Blanton was a homemaker and charter member of Parkview Baptist Church. She also was a charter member of the Lone Palm Women’s Golf Association, charter member of Lone Palm Golf Club, Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 26, Garden Club, and the LP Investment Club. Her hobbies included shopping, golfing, fishing, and gardening.

Mrs. Blanton was preceded in death by her husband, Joe K. Blanton; sons, Joseph B. “Bo” Blanton and H. Edwin Blanton; granddaughter, Cheryl D. Parker. She is survived by her daughters, Ann and husband Ward Edwards and Kay and husband Art Wentworth; sister, Ruby Eason; grandchildren, Kim Edwards Wilbanks and husband Jim, Richard Parker, Lise Blanton, Steve and wife Vickie Blanton, Andy and wife Kristie Edwards, James Blanton, and Tama Parker Gifford; and 10 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Monday from 9-10 a.m. at Parkview Baptist Church. Services will follow at 10 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Lakeland Christian School, 1111 Forest Park St., Lakeland, FL 33803, Florida Southern College Nursing Program, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801, Florida Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 8190, Lakeland, FL 33802-9963, Parkview Baptist Church, 509 Parkview Pl., Lakeland, FL 33805 or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

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Teddy A. Zebrowsky

TEDDY A. ZEBROWSKY, 86

AU.S. Army, Ret.

LAKELAND - Teddy Alphonse Zebrowsky, United States Army, Ret., 86 of Lakeland, died Sunday, April 20, 2008 due to heart failure.

Teddy was born November 24, 1921 in Fairfield, CT to Constance and Stella Zebrowsky and moved to Lakeland from Miami. Teddy retired from the US Army as a Master Sergeant and is a WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War veteran. He was an Airborne Pathfinder and was assigned to the 503rd Airborne Regiment and was also a First Sergeant with the Airborne School at Ft. Benning, GA. Teddy was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lakeland, the Knights of Columbus Council #154 and the Catholic War Veterans.

Teddy was united in marriage on June 29, 1946 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Stratford, CT to Dorothy Elizabeth Vitka who preceded him in death in 1986. He is also preceded in death by his son, Mark in 1967 and his brothers, Charlie and Edmund Zebrowsky. Teddy is survived by his sons, Thad (Pam) Zebrowsky of St. Augustine and Jerry (Debbie) Zebrowsky of Groveland, FL; his daughters, Pat Stoltz of Deerfield Beach, Mary Lynn (Jon) Carter of Ft. Pierce, Mary Jane (Scott) McNaught of Oviedo and Susan (Chris) Engel of Umatilla, FL; his sisters, Victoria Recko of Bridgeport, CT and Dorothy Iwanicki of Waterford, CT; sixteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Friends will be received Friday between 1-2pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2pm. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

Arrangements by Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Beulah C. Martin

BEULAH C. "BUDDIE" MARTIN, 85

Secretary

LAKELAND - Beulah C. "Buddie" Martin, 85 of Lakeland, died Monday, April 21, 2008 due to heart failure.

She was born April 30, 1922 in St. Paul, MN to Fred and Edna (McLeod) Crisman. Buddie is retired as a secretary with the Florida Department of Transportation with over twenty years of employment and is a member of Chapel in the Grove Church, Lakeland.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William G. Martin, Sr. and a son, Glenn C. Martin. Buddie is survived by her son, William G. Martin, Jr. of Lakeland; a brother, Glenn Crisman of Minnesota; a nephew, Scott Crisman of Minnesota; her grandchildren, Annie Martin of Frankfort, KY and Chris Martin of Jacksonville; her great-grandsons, Nolan and Will; her caregiver, Richard Dickter of Lakeland and a special friend, Nancy Crisswell of Tampa.

Friends will be received Friday at Oak Hill Burial Park from 9:30am until time of funeral service at 10:00am with Rev. Shirley Wood officiating.

Arrangements by Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Dukes-Steen Chapel.

Mary L. Ryan

MARY L. RYAN, 84

Homemaker

LAKELAND - Mary L. Ryan, 84, died Saturday April 19 from respiratory arrest at Palm Terrace of Lakeland.

She was born in Fall River, Mass. on October 10, 1923 and came to Lakeland from Chicopee, Mass. Mrs. Ryan loved Bingo, singing and her family.

Mrs. Ryan was preceded in death by her 7 sisters and brothers, her husband of 60 years, William Ryan, and her daughter June E. Ryan.

She is survived by her daughter Rita (Emerson) Saunders, Carol Ryan, Sandra LaRochelle, all of Lakeland, and Janice (Bob) Farias, sons William (Debra) and Michael (Marie) all of Fall River, Mass., 20 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Serenity Gardens Chapel with a funeral service Wednesday at 10 am in the chapel.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, Fl. 33823.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home at Serenity Gardens.