Justin Barfield
Justin Robby Barfield, 32, of Keystone Heights passed away suddenly on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in Lake Butler. He was born in Orange Park on Oct. 28,1991. He attended Keystone Heights JR/SR High School and was involved in Keystone Heights Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed fishing, mudding, and spending time with his family and friends, and the best joy of his life was to be a father. Preceding him in death was his “Papa” James Barfield and his “Papa” Buck Wiggins.
He is survived by his wife, Kymberlyn Barfield; children, Mackenna Barfield, Isabella Herring, Aurora Herring, Beckett Williams and Maverick Barfield; his parents, Robby and Teresa Barfield; siblings, Erica (Jarret) Frasco and Amanda (Jerry) Wahl. Also left are nieces and nephews, Lana Frasco, Wesley Wahl, Mackenzie Wahl and Talmadge Frasco; his “Nanie,” Jean Wiggins; and “Mema,” Peggy Barfield.
A visitation will be held at Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home in Keystone Heights, on Friday, Aug. 30, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Baptist Church in Keystone Heights, on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 11 a.m., with Chaplain Mitch Perry officiating. Interment will follow at Keystone Heights Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Lucinda Caldwell
Lucinda Joy Caldwell, 58, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Shands UF in Gainesville. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend.
She is survived by her husband; Jeffery Caldwell; five children, Kristinia Martin, Tabitha Wilson, Cassandra Underhill, Stanley Hamilton III, and Josephine Wood; 23 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Also surviving are her siblings, Timmy Nugent, Eric Nugent, and Becky Taylor; and numerous nieces nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
She will be deeply missed. A celebration of life will be held at the Raiford Community Center in Raiford beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. All who knew her and loved her or were touched by her are welcome to come celebrate her life.
PAID OBITUARY
James Ferguson
James Clarence Ferguson was born in Manhattan, Kansas on April 24, 1973, and passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at UF Shands, in Gainesville. James attended Union County High in Lake Butler from August 1987- December 1990 and later earned his diploma at Kansas State High School in 1993. He worked at Alma Dairy Cheese Plant in 1992-1998. Then, after returning to Florida, he finished his career as a lead dietary cook at Bradford Terrace Nursing Home in Starke (1998-2010), where he found his passion for cooking. Due to health challenges, James had to retire in 2010. His nickname to his closest friends was “Fergerburger” or “Fergie.” James enjoyed family dinners, cooking, watching cooking shows and horror movies. He loved trivia questions, listening to music (some favorites include rock-n-roll, bagpipes, & jazz), playing guitar, singing karaoke and fishing. He loved to read (his favorite author was Stephen King), loved to draw, eat Mexican food, loved fireworks, and loved football. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph A. Winfree Sr.
He is survived by his mother, Martha L. Winfree; siblings, Jason L. Ferguson, Lisa A. Thompson, and Joseph A. Winfree Jr.; and their spouses and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
A memorial service for James will be announced privately at a later date.
PAID OBITUARY
John Howard
John Carl Howard, 62, of Lake Butler, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. John was born in Gainesville on May 8, 1962, and was a lifelong resident of Union County. After graduating from Union County High School, he began his career working at the family business, Hobo Tractor. From dawn to dusk, his hard work was matched only by his love for his family, who were the center of his world. He married his high school sweetheart, Melanie, in 1982, and together they built a life deeply rooted in their family traditions and faith. His legacy extends beyond his work on the farm and at the family business. He was a lifelong member of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church. His commitment to preserving his family’s traditions was evident in the way he lived and worked, and he took great pride in passing down these values to his children and grandchildren. He was part owner of Hobo Tractor with his son, Justin, and his brother, David. In his 45 years at Hobo Tractor, many people came in as customers and left as lifelong friends. He lived his life as an honest, hardworking, faithful man and devoted every breath to his family and friends. On the rare occasion that he wasn’t working or on the farm, you could find him on his boat, in a tree stand, grilling for family and friends, watching his grandsons at the ball field, or seeing his granddaughters twirl on the dance floor. With his passing, this community will feel a tremendous void as his unselfish love was far-reaching and touched so many. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and loyal customers, but he will never be forgotten. His legacy will remain strong through his children, grandchildren, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Canova Howard; brother, Charles Howard; and nephew, Chuck Howard.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Melanie; their three children, Shayna (Kevin) Harrison, Justin (Jessica) Howard, and Ashton (Kendyl) Willis; eight grandchildren, Graysen, Kennon, Blair, Jepson, JoyDel, Drake, Judd, and Avie-Kate; his mother, Shirley Howard; brothers, Andy (Gigi) Howard and David Howard; brother-in-law, Jack Parrish; sister-in-law, Terri Parrish; nephew, Zeb Howard; cousin, Aimee Howard Cress; nieces, Megan Perry, Jesse Parrish, and Taylor Hanks; and extended family and friends.
The family received friends for a visitation on Monday, Aug. 26, at Archer-Milton Funeral Home. A funeral service was held Tuesday, Aug. 27, at his church, Harmony Free Will Baptist Church. He was laid to rest immediately following the service at Elzey Chapel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Harmony Free Will Baptist Church.
Archer-Milton Funeral Home is honored to once again serve the Howard family.
PAID OBITUARY
Mary O. Jones
Mary Ophelia “Opie” Jones, 68, of Starke passed away at her brother’s residence on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Opie was born in Middleburg on Dec. 24, 1955, to the late John Paul Bennefield and Dorothy May Bryan Bennefield. She was raised in Union County and lived in Georgia for the majority of her adult life. She recently relocated to Bradford County to be closer with her son. While in Georgia, she married her best friend and forever companion, M.L. Jones, and they shared many beautiful years together until his passing. More than anything, Opie loved her family and cherished time with them. She enjoyed listening to Hank Williams Sr.’s music, relaxing, and playing mobile games. She held the number one ranking score in the nation on Candy Crush for a short season and thoroughly loved being in the winner spot. She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, M. L. Jones.
She is survived by her son, Cody Alan (Robin Ferrell) Jones of Starke; brothers, Mark Bennefield and Enoch Bennefield; sisters, Sharon Norman and Bonnie Willingham; along with several extended family members.
Opie’s Life will be privately celebrated in the near future.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie Tanner Memorial chapel, Starke, 904-964-5757. Visit www.ferrierafuneralservices.com to sign the family’s guest book.
PAID OBITUARY
Imogene Varnes
Imogene Prevatt Varnes, 88, of Hilliard, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. Born in High Springs, in 1936, she was the 11th of 15 children born to Thelma and Morgan Prevatt. She was a member of Good News Baptist Church in Jacksonville for 20 years and also attended Live Oak Baptist Church in Callahan for the past two years. Her greatest passion was taking pictures of everyone and everything. She avidly enjoyed dancing, playing cards, slot machines, traveling, visiting her extended family, and faithfully attending the annual Prevatt Family Reunions! She was known for her many collections, including “what-nots,” and anything John Wayne or Elvis related. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Kaley Cooper; and 12 of her siblings.
She is survived by her four children, Dinah Castleberry of Ft. McCoy; Donald (Becky) Dawkins of Hilliard, Deborah Betts of Hilliard, and Patricia Cooper of Gainesville; two siblings, Dorothy Brightwell of Keystone Heights, and Jackie (Frances) Goolsby of Valdosta, Georgia; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Archer-Milton Funeral Home in Lake Butler, on Saturday, Sept. 7. Visitation will be at 1 p.m., followed by the service at 2 p.m.
Archer-Milton Funeral Home is honored to serve the family Mrs. Imogene Varnes. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
