Kathleen Douglas
Kathleen Michele Douglas, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend passed away on Monday, July 8, 2024, in Gainesville. She was born on May 29, 1965, in Gainesville to Walter and Elizabeth Ruth Douglas. She was known for her outgoing and social nature. She had a lovable personality that endeared her to all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her passions in life included shopping, going out to eat, and being pampered by getting her hair and nails done. She was preceded in death by her father, Walter H. Douglas Sr.
She will be deeply missed by her surviving family members, her mother, Elizabeth Ruth Douglas of Lake Butler; stepdad, James Ash; sister, Charlotte (Jerry) Johns of Macclenny; brother, Walter “Bo” (Kathy) Douglas Jr. of Fort White; nephews, Kelvin (Amber) Johns of Glen St. Mary and Kamron Johns of Macclenny; as well as several great nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her best friends and caregivers, Melissa Williams, Theresa Gaither, and Liyah Liyah; and her entire Stages of Gainesville family.
Services to honor and celebrate her life were held on Friday, July 12, at Archer-Milton Funeral Home located at 55 N. Lake Ave. in Lake Butler. A visitation preceded the funeral service. She was laid to rest immediately following the service at Dedan Cemetery.
Archer-Milton Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of Kathleen Douglas. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Wanda Griffis
Wanda Jean Griffis, 78, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at her home in Lake Butler, with her family by her side. She was born on May 10, 1946, in Mayo to the late Riley and Opal Driver. She led a fulfilling career spanning 30 years as a patient specialist with Northeast Florida State Hospital. Her dedication and compassion toward her work left a lasting impact on all those she served. Described as a simple woman with a heart of gold, she found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She enjoyed fishing, cherished being outdoors, loved cheering on the Florida Gators, and adored her chihuahuas. Above all else, it was her children and grandchildren who brought her immense happiness. Those who had the privilege of knowing her will remember her kind spirit and unwavering generosity. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Billy Griffis; and several brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her children, Kim (Tim) Shatto, Pam (Karl) Williams, and Chris (Heather) Griffis; grandchildren, Daniel Rengering, Jordan Williams, Austin Griffis, Teigan Rengering, Carissa Griffis, Christopher Griffis, Skyler Shatto, Brooklyn Williams, Karly Shatto, and Brandi Shatto; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings, Howard Driver and Glenda Crawford; her dogs, Lily and Molly Bea; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The services to honor and celebrate her life were held on Saturday, July 20. A visitation preceded the funeral service at Archer-Milton Funeral Home. She was laid to rest beside her husband immediately following the service at Dekle Cemetery. Pastor Paul O’Steen officiated the services.
Archer-Milton Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of Mrs. Wanda Jean Griffis. 386-496-2008
PAID OBITUARY
Richard Hood
Richard Frederick Hood, 76, of Starke, and formerly of Neenah/Green Bay, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Gainesville on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. He was born Sept. 8, 1947, in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Virginia Quaile Baggs and William Wells Hood Sr. He graduated from Bradford County High School in Starke in 1965. He began attending North Carolina State University before joining the Navy. He was stationed in both Norfolk, Virginia, and Charleston, South Carolina from 1967-1971. He worked aboard the fleet oiler, USS Canisteo. He married Evelyn Clare McMahon on May 2, 1970, in Mecklenburg, North Carolina. Their marriage later ended in divorce. Upon his discharge, he returned to North Carolina State University, where he graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pulp and Paper Technology. While at NC State, he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He spent his career in the paper industry. He began his career with Hammermill Paper in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1973 before settling his family in Neenah, Wisconsin, where he worked for the Menasha Corporation. After leaving Menasha Corp., he continued to work in sales until his retirement in 2005. Around 2015, he returned to Florida, where he was able to reconnect with his beloved friends and relive cherished memories. He loved Florida dearly, and this return to his happy place allowed him to embrace the warmth and familiarity of his past. He was also passionate about his family, friends, photography, painting and Green Bay Packer football. He was predeceased by his father in 1978 and his mother in 1983. His brother, William Wells Jr.; and his nephew, Stephen Hood, also predeceased him.
He is survived by three children, Kimberly Hood of Centerville, Minnesota, Melissa (Scott) White of New Delhi, India, and Ryan (Krista) Hood of Madison, Wisconsin; four granddaughters, Emma White and Ellen White of Boston, Massachusetts, Elizabeth White of New Delhi, India, and Parker Hood of Madison, Wisconsin; a niece, Lauren Hood Neese of Florida; and a nephew, Will Hood of Colorado.
Services will be private, with arrangements coordinated by the Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, Gainesville. Interment will be at Kingsley Lake Cemetery, Starke.
PAID OBITUARY
Barbara Luke
Barbara Faye Luke, known affectionately as “Faye,” peacefully passed away at Haven Hospice, Lake City on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, after a brief illness. She was born Dec. 18, 1950, in Lake City to the late Ervin and Pauline Taylor. She dedicated 18 years of life to the Lake Butler Apparel factory, where she was a skilled seamstress and supervisor. Beyond her professional career, she enjoyed sewing at home as well. She put her heart into creating outfits and decor for herself and her family. Cooking was another talent she possessed, and she took pride in preparing delicious meals for her loved ones. Her skills weren’t limited to the kitchen and the sewing machine; she also enjoyed farming and nurturing her garden. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin and Pauline Taylor; her son, Tony Luke; and siblings, Jerry Taylor, Patricia Parrish, and Gail Poole.
She will be missed by her loving husband of 54 years, Gary Luke; cherished daughter, Sherry (Robert) Shoup; adored grandchildren, Brandon (Kassie) Shoup and Cody Luke; great-grandchildren, Kennady Castleberry and Gunner Shoup; daughter-in-law, Debbie Luke; her siblings, Katie Feagle, Gary (Rosemary) Taylor, Greg Taylor, Yvonne (Keith) Osborne, Ronald (Maryann) Taylor, and Teresa Tomlinson; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Services to honor her life were held at Johnstown Baptist Church on Saturday, July 20. A visitation preceded the funeral service. She was laid to rest immediately following the service at Mt. Zion/Swift Creek Cemetery.
Archer-Milton Funeral home was honored to serve the family of Barbara Faye Luke. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Trista Holder
Trista Ann Holder, a dedicated wife, mother, sister, and friend, was called home on Friday, July 19, 2024. She touched many lives throughout her life and her unexpected passing has left a void in the hearts of all who knew her. She was born on Nov. 5, 1977, in Gainesville, to Edwin Lee and Sherry Joiner. She worked as a receptionist at the Acorn Clinic, where her warm smile and welcoming nature brightened the days of all who crossed her path. Outgoing, bubbly, and witty, she had a way of making even the most ordinary moments extraordinary. Her legacy of kindness, joy, and compassion continue to inspire us all to live our lives with the same vibrancy that she exemplified. She found joy in various hobbies, such as gardening flowers and vegetables, caring for her beloved animals, and orchestrating memorable parties that brought friends and family together. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sherry Joiner; paternal grandparents, Edwin Lee Sr. and Laverne Lee Ramos; and her maternal grandparents, Billy Joiner and Ann Nobles.
She is survived by her loving husband, Joseph “Joe” Holder of Starke; her sons, Landon Boyd, Richard Holder, and Seth Holder; along with Landon Beville, who was like another son. She is also survived by her father, Edwin (Jane) Lee of Brooker; siblings, Tiffany (Randy) Brooks, Cassie (Jeremy) James, Josh (Tracy) Lee, Jake (Meghan) Lee, and Robert Massey; her nanny, Janice Joiner; aunts and uncles, Dawn Harper, Joy (Howard) Joiner-Starling, Jenny Lee, and Brad Lee; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Sunday, July 28, at 3 p.m. at her church, Bayless Highway Baptist Church, Starke, with Pastor Mike Conner officiating. Trista’s final memorialization will be by cremation.
Archer-Milton Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Trista Ann Holder. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
