Obituaries

Joyce Ann Smither

 

JOYCE ANN SMITHER, 52
Fed Ex

LAKELAND - Joyce Ann Smither, 52, of Lakeland, FL, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 due to complications from a brain aneurysm.

Joyce was born in Miami, FL on October 26, 1957 and met her husband in South Carolina. She graduated from Cooper City High School in 1975. She was a member of First Baptist Church at the Mall and was employed for 10 years as an Operations Support Assistant for Fed Ex in Lakeland. Joyce loved Disney and attended the parks frequently with family.

Russ and Joyce discovered on their first date that they were both from Hollywood, FL. As her husband, I was blessed and honored to know Joyce for over 20 years and I know that someday we will meet again in heaven where the words "good bye" will never be spoken. She touched all of her loved ones and friends with a sweet, quiet and gentle spirit that will forever remain in our hearts.

Survivors include her loving husband, Russell W. Smither; two stepsons: Brian R. & Andrew R. Smither; her beloved parents: mother & stepfather Doris & Robert LaFontaine and father, Charles Bourquin; two brothers: Larry & Charles Bour-quin; two sisters: Nancy Hartung & Doris Hill; and her in-laws: Russell L. & Della Smither.

A memorial service to celebrate Joyce's life will be held on Friday, July 2, 2010 at 7:00pm at Gentry-Morrison Northside Funeral Home, 5245 US 98 N., Lakeland with family receiving friends one hour prior to services from 6:00 to 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made in Joyce's memory to a charity of choice.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

View Video Tribute

Agnes Alene Hammond

AGNES ALENE HAMMOND, 91
Homemaker

LAKELAND - Agnes Alene Hammond, 91, went home to be with the Lord on June 24, 2010 from complications of dementia.

She was born on August 16, 1918 in Jasper, Florida. She was a homemaker and a member of the Reynolds Road Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl W. Hammond. She is survived by her son, Charles A. Hammond, two grandsons, one great-grandson and three great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 10-11 a.m. at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd., Lakeland. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with interment at Oak Hill Burial Park, Lakeland.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Mary Jean Collins

 

MARY JEAN COLLINS, 45

Volunteer

LAKELAND - Mrs. Mary Collins went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 27, 2010.

Mary was born on March 26, 1965 to Howard and Theresa Barnes in Schenectady, NY. Mary loved spending time with her family and friends doing a myriad of activities. Her greatest passion was her children and family. Mary volunteered countless hours at Wendell Watson Elementary and Lake Gibson Middle School.

She is survived by her husband, Greg Collins; son, Mark Collins; daughter, Leslie Collins; mother, Theresa Barnes; three brothers, Ken, Howard and Gene Barnes; sister, Terry Ann Barnes.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 33823.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am at North Lakeland Presbyterian Church on Saturday, July 3, 2010.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

Chester M. Caldwell

 

CHESTER M. CALDWELL, 90

LAKELAND - Mr. Chester M. Caldwell passed away on Sunday, June 27, 2010 due to pancreatic cancer.

Chester was born on February 26, 1920 to Charles William and Myrtice Estelle Caldwell in Lake Wales, Florida.  He was a United States Coast Guard veteran serving in WWII.  Chester was a summa cum laude graduate of Florida Southern College.  He was a teacher for many years at Lakeland High School. 

Chester was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Houston, Herbert and Herman Caldwell.  He is survived by son, Melvin Caldwell of California; granddaughter, Katherine Caldwell Miller of California; grandson, Kristopher Caldwell of California; brother, Carl Caldwell of Dundee; sisters, Ramona Bulloch of Winter Haven, Carol Meriwether of Lakeland, and Lavon Norton of Haines City; caregivers, Chris and Jaime Hathcock and numerous friends.

Graveside service will be conducted on Friday, July 2, 2010 at 12:00 pm at Socrum Cemetery with Pastor Wayne Roberts officiating.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

Victoria B. Ramirez

  Victoria B. Ramirez, 87

Homemaker

Lakeland – Mrs. Victoria Ramirez, 87, passed away Saturday June 26, 2010 from respiratory failure.

She was born in Wallace, TX and moved to this area from Immokalee, FL in 1990. Victoria was a homemaker and a member of the Jehovah’s Witness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Juan A. Ramirez and a son, Fernando Ramirez. Survivors include five sons, Enrique Burrego, Juan Ramirez, David Ramirez, Gonzalo Ramirez, Rudy Ramirez, four daughters, Erlinda Cuellar, Olivia Anzualda, Elida Garcia, Josephine Ramirez, her sister, Adelina Tellez, 34 grandchildren and many more loving family.

The family will receive friends on Tue. 6/29/10 from 1:00 – 2:00pm at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes, Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd., Lakeland, FL. Services will begin at 2:00pm in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Burial Park.

View Video Tribute

Ida "Pat" Moody

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ida “Pat” Moody, 65

Homemaker

 

Lakeland – Mrs. Ida “Pat” Moody died 6/24/10 from cancer. 

 

She is survived by a loving family. 

 

Memorial service Mon. 6/28/10, 11:00am at Gentry-Morrison Southside, 1727 Bartow Rd.

 

View Video Tribute

George MacQueen

  George MacQueen
 Cooperative Extension Agent

Lakeland – George Cameron MacQueen, 92, passed away June 24, 2010 due to a bronchial infection.

Mr. MacQueen was born in Mendham, NJ on Oct. 21, 1917. His parents, John and Margaret MacQueen, came to the U.S. from Scotland in 1909. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1939. He was drafted in 1941, and served as an Army Medic during World War II. Mr. MacQueen retired from MSU as a Cooperative Extension Agent.  He was a member of Highland Park Church of the Nazarene, VFW, Lions Club and The Gideons.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Geraldine MacQueen. He is survived by his wife, Joan MacQueen of Lakeland; daughter, Kay MacQueen of Lakeland; son, Alan MacQueen of Lakeland; grandchildren, Jennifer and Joshua Sanchez of Winter Garden, Fl, Tiffany and Victoria MacQueen of Lakeland .

Visitation will be Mon. from 1-2 p.m. at Highland Park Church of the Nazarene, 4777 Lakeland Highlands Rd., Lakeland. Services will follow at 2 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Highland Park Church of the Nazarene, 4777 Lakeland Highlands Rd., Lakeland, FL
33813.

View Video Tribute

Dorothy Heinrich

 

DOROTHY HEINRICH, 81
Homemaker

LAKELAND - Dorothy Heinrich, 81 of Lakeland, died June 19, 2010 at her home due to heart failure.

She was born February 8, 1929 in Dollar Bay, Michigan to Emil and Theresa (Hesse) Wenberg and moved to Lakeland in 1973 from Inspiration, AZ. Dorothy was a homemaker and a member of Resurrection Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her seven brothers and two sisters. Dorothy was united in marriage to her husband, Robert, on June 9, 1949 in Dollar Bay, MI. He resides in Lakeland. Dorothy is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00am Thursday at Resurrection Catholic Church. Interment will take place in Florida National Cemetery.

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

David Teal

 

DAVID TEAL, 49
Florida Metallizing

MULBERRY - Mr. David Charles Teal, 49, passed away June 18, 2010 of cancer.

David was born in Thomaston, GA on Jan. 31, 1961. He retired from the Mulberry Police Dept. and went to work for Florida Metallizing. He was a great father and enjoyed coaching Mulberry Dixie Youth Baseball for 8 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

David was preceded in death by his father, Coleman Teal and daughter, Jerika Teal. He is survived by his wife, Tanya Teal; sons, Joshua David Teal, Jordon Aaron-Jackson Teal and Jay Patrick Rollins; daughters, Jolene Nicole Teal, Jenna Brooke Teal and Stephanie Erin Rollins; mother, Newana Teal; brothers, Coleman Jackson Teal, Jr., Michael Eugene Teal and Colin Lee Teal, Sr.; sisters, Sharon Aleta Fields and Melinda Susan Teal; and a host of other loving family members.

Visitation will be Wed. from 2-3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Mulberry, 300 North East First Avenue, Mulberry. Funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. at the church.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Robert E. Burelison

ROBERT E. BURELISON, 77

MULBERRY - Robert Burelison, 77, passed away on Thursday, June 17, 2010 of resp. failure.

Servived by wife, Clarabelle, sons, Timothy & Michael & other loving family.

Arrangements by Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.