Obituaries

Rodger L. Hayman

RODGER L. HAYMAN, 63
Salvation Army

LAKELAND - Mr. Rodger L. Hayman, 63, passed away as a result of heart failure Sunday, March 27, 2011.

Born January 4, 1948 in Saginaw, MI, Mr. Hayman moved to Lakeland in 2000 from Michigan. He was a graduate of Central Michigan University, where he earned his BS in 1975 and his MA in 1981. Mr. Hayman was an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of the Salvation Army Church in Lakeland, the Central Michigan University Alumni Association, American Legion Post #72, AMVETS Post #32 and a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans. He was a former employee of the Salvation Army in Saginaw, Michigan where he worked as a recreational director.

Mr. Hayman is survived by wife Audrey Hayman; stepson Jeff Roberge of Scottville, MI, stepdaughters Bonnie Roberge Mark Bartz of Lakeland, FL and Cheryl Roczkowski Denny of Bay City, MI; brother Gary Hayman; sister-in-law Nancy Hayman of Melrose, FL; nieces Gail Jorge Hayman-Doming-uez of St. Augustine, FL and Lisa Tony Hayman-Crosby; great nephew Alex Crosby of Keystone Heights, FL; and 2 grandchildren Denyl Steve Esterhai of Bay City, MI and Cheyna Roczkowski of Bay City, MI.

Mr. Hayman's family will receive friends Thursday, March 31, 2011, from 10-11am at the Salvation Army Church, 2620 Kathleen Road in Lakeland. A funeral service will immediately follow at 11am with Captain Stan Colbert officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to The Salvation Army in memory of Rodger Hayman.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

ibsen R. Espada

IBSEN R. ESPADA, 82

LAKELAND - Ibsen R. Espada, 82, died 3/25/11 of heart failure.

Survived by sons, Ibsen and Alfredo Espada.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Walter F. "Chip" Meads

 
 
Walter F. “Chip” Meads, 88

Advertising Executive

Lakeland – Walter F. “Chip” Meads, 88, passed away March 25, 2011 at LRMC due to heart failure.

He was born March 11, 1923 in Ft. Wayne, IN to Frederick C. and Minnie E. Meads. He was a former Vice President and Director of Worldwide Creative Services for J. Walter Thompson, New York City. He was a graduate of Kent State and Fairfield University, and served in USAF and WWII. He also was President of Meads and Associates executive recruitment firm.

Mr. Meads is survived by his wife, Mary E. Meads; and two children by a former marriage, Catherine Sickler and Kenneth Meads; two grandchildren, Terra Sickler and Robert Sickler; sisters, Mary Jane Huling and Wilma Norbeck.

Private burial will take place at Florida National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to the Salvation Army and SPCA. The family thanks the kindness of the Staff at LRMC and Hope Hospice.

Nina Browne Davis

NINA BROWNE DAVIS, 87
Insurance Clerk

BARTOW - Nina Browne Davis, 87, passed away of heart failure 3/24/11. She is survived by a loving family. Gentry Morrison Southside Chapel, Lakeland.

Era Georgia Hearn

 
ERA GEORGIA HEARN, 88
Homemaker

AUBURNDALE - Ms. Era Georgia Hearn, 88, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, March 23, 2011, as a result of respiratory failure.
Ms. Hearn was born December 13, 1922 in Geneva County, Alabama. She was the light of her family's lives and she will continue to light their way. She was a loving mother and grandmother.
Ms. Hearn was preceded in death by her husband: Marvin Hearn, daughter: Sue Warnock, sons: Edward, O'Neal and Donny Hearn and grandchildren: Christopher and Matthew Hall and Tony Warnock. She is survived by daughters: Faye Yates of Auburndale, FL, Jean Forgue of Lakeland, FL, Gayle Knutson of Montgomery, AL and Cindy Mick of Bartow, FL, 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
Ms. Hearn's family will receive friends Monday, March 28, 2011 from 6-8pm at Pittman Funeral Home in Samson, AL. A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 1pm at Lime Springs Church in Samson, AL. Interment will follow at Lime Springs Church Cemetery.

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Alvin T. Willis

 

 

ALVIN T. WILLIS, 96     

Ford Parts Technician

LAKELAND - Alvin T. Willis, 96, died on March 22, 2011 due to a stroke.
Al was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Willis and his wife, Mary Gell Willis. He is survived by his step-son, Bill Gell and his wife Kathy; and all of his many wonderful friends, relatives and neighbors. Al will be missed by everyone.
Services will be private. Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.

Rosie D. Conley

 

 

 

 Rosie D. Conley, 62    

General Motors

LAKELAND - Rosie D. Conley, 62, went home to be with the Lord on Mar. 23, 2011 after a battle with cancer.
Rosie was born in Lebanon, KY on Sept. 15, 1948. She worked for General Motors as a mechanical tool & die troubleshooter. She was a member of Lake Gibson Church of the Nazarene.
Rosie was preceded in death by her brother, James Walker. She is survived by her husband, Roland Conley of Auburndale; daughters, Karen Aumand of Custer, KY and Paula (Chet) Rose of Lakeland; sisters, Betty Stowe of Wabash, IN and Nancy Walker of Louisville, KY; granddaughter, Brittany Berry-man and great-grandson, Aiden Berryman, both of Lakeland; and her Miniature Pinscher, Rocky.
Visitation will be Sat. from 10-11 am at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd., Lakeland. Services will follow at 11 am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lake Gibson Church of the Nazarene, 6868 N. Socrum Lp. Rd., Lakeland, FL 33809.

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Betty Sue Justice Burnette

 
BETTY SUE JUSTICE BURNETTE , 73

LAKELAND - Betty Sue Justice Burnette, 73, died at home in Lakeland on March 20, 2011 from lung cancer.
She was born on October 1, 1937 in Pikeville, Kentucky. She married Victor Burnette in 1957 and was married for 45 years before becoming a widow. Betty has resided in Florida since 1975.
Betty was actively involved in church and loved helping people through the different ministries she participated in. Family, church and friends were her life. She attended Abundant Life Church of God for 9 years and recently attended Family Worship Center with her family for the last year.
She was involved in the Prayer Group, Prayer Chain, Widow's Ministry, Joy Group, Bereavement Ministry, visitation, church office volunteer, Red Hats Ministry, she hosted home Bible studies, and her favorite ministry greeting. She greeted at both Abundant Life and Family Worship Center. You could always expect a hug and a sincere welcome when you attended church.
She was an amazing woman, devoted mother and grandmother and a friend to all who came in contact with her.
She is survived by her four children: Vickie Dunn of Lakeland, Brenda Smith of Shelby, NC, James Burnette of Lawrenceville, GA, and Marrow Burnette of Jacksonville, FL. She is also survived by 6 grandsons, 6 granddaughters and 6 great-grandchildren.
The viewing will be held at Gentry Morrison Northside, on Tuesday, March 22nd from 6:00-8:00pm. Services will be held at Abundant Life Church of God in Lakeland on Wednesday, March 23rd at 10:00am. She will be buried at Serenity Gardens Cemetery. At Betty's request, donations made in her remembrance can be made to Family Worship Center's building fund at 1350 Main Street, Lakeland, FL 33801. Please address checks "Memorial for Betty Burnette Faithful."

Wathena "Tina" Brown

WATHENA "TINA" BROWN, 83
First Baptist Church at The Mall Child Care

 

LAKELAND - Tina Brown went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday March 15, 2011 due to cancer.
She was born in Lakeland, FL and has been a lifetime resident of the area. Tina worked with the Salvation Army for over 20 years, and during that time period, she met her husband, Glenn E. Brown.  The past 20 years, Tina has been a loving and caring child care worker at First Baptist Church at The Mall.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Glenn, brother, Buster Grimes and sister, Ruth Huckeba. Survivors include her sister, Geraldine "Jerry" Stiltner of Lakeland and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will conducted Saturday, 11:00 am in the chapel of First Baptist Church at The Mall. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to First Baptist Church at The Mall, Pre School Ministry, 1010 E. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33801. Arrangements by, Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes, Southside Chapel.

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Margaret Jean Eilers

MARGARET JEAN EILERS, 73
Xerox

BARTOW - Mrs. Margaret Jean Eilers, 73, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2011 due to cancer.
She was born in Blackie, KY and moved to this area from Tabernacle, NJ in 1994. Margaret worked as a supervisor for Xerox Corp. in Columbus, OH for many years. Her favorite hobby was spoiling her grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by son, Kenneth Ray McDowell and daughter, Anna Marie Garren. Survivors include her husband, Harold "Joe" Eilers of Bartow, sons, James McDowell of Lakeland, Joseph McDowell of Franklin, NC, daughter, Jenna North of Winter Haven, FL, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be conducted Sunday, 2:00pm at Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to The American Cancer Society . Condolences may be made at www.gentry-morrison.
com.