Mary Anderson
Mary Juanita Anderson, 92 and a beloved matriarch, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville. She was born May 18, 1933, in Starke to Percy and Rosa Griffis. She dedicated many years of her life to serving others, working tirelessly in the kitchen at Northeast Florida State Hospital until her well-earned retirement. In her personal life, she was an avid reader. She loved visiting people and places, finding joy in social connections and admiring the growth of her surroundings. She found enjoyment watching butterflies, which gave her peace and tranquility.
Mary was a cherished mother to her son, Jack (Shelby) Anderson, and her daughters, Cindy Anderson Crews, Kris Prevatt, and Danielle Griffis (Jim Williams). She also took immense pride in her role as a grandmother, with a legacy that includes her grandchildren, Tyler Anderson, Ashley Collins, Justin (Jassy) Crews, Brittany Crews (Dino Harold Zink), Christopher Anderson, Kaleb (Lexis) Anderson, Kyle Griffis (Jeannie O’Steen), Jared Rice, Knightley Rice (Billy McAlpine), Kinton Williams, and Joey Williams. The light of her life extended further to her great-grandchildren, Jay Collins, Austin Collins, Braydon Crews, Braxton Crews, Emma Whittle, Lily Zink, Jordan Zink, Nadalynn Ramer-Anderson, Elijah Anderson, Albury Anderson, Cains Anderson, Zinniayah Anderson, Kristen Williams, Jimmy Williams, Dalton Griffis (Krista Certain), Hailey Griffis, Harmony Rice, L.J. Rice, Karson McAlphine, Oaklynn McAlphine, and one great-great grandchild on the way.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Anderson; her brother, Lester Griffis; and her devoted parents. Mary leaves behind a legacy of love and family that will continue to be celebrated by those fortunate enough to have known her. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Macclenny Nursing and Rehab for the dedicated care and compassion provided to their mother and grandmother over the past several years.
Mary’s final memorialization will be by cremation under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Barbara C. Owens
Barbara Christoffers Owens walked in a lot of shoes. She was born Dec. 7, 1932, the daughter of Bernhardt Christoffers, a chemist turned entrepreneur and business owner, and Gertrude Murray Christoffers, among the first women to enlist in the Navy in the first World War. In her baby shoes, she grew up as Babs, Daddy’s little girl, and a little sister to Bert, military pilot; Donald, veteran and civilian doctor; and Dorothy, noted Florida artist; first on Long Island, New York, then later in Keystone Heights, where her family relocated about the time of the Second World War. Her ninth birthday coincided with the infamous Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Too young to serve at the time, she still grew up when everyone laced up their boots as part of the Great Generation. She spoke often of the blackouts and rationing, and especially how everyone looked out for each other. Most of all, she would recall how she and her friends would get together and play records and dance either at their houses or at the Keystone Pavilion. Such were the earliest recollections of when she buckled on her dancing shoes. In high school, she was fitted for glass slippers as the first May Queen, the city’s once-upon-a-time beauty pageant. In her saddle oxfords, she earned an Associate of Arts degree from Stetson University in secretarial skills, meanwhile slipping into office pumps to work as a secretary on campus. While there, she married Byrns Lezelle Owens and so strapped on gospel sandals as a preacher’s wife. She later worked logistics for Standard Oil while putting her husband through seminary. In house slippers, she reared three children, Kyle, Erin, and Eric. She entertained and ministered to Apollo engineers and their families at the pastorium in Cocoa Beach, planted a new sustaining congregation in Oldsmar, worked as a secretary and bookkeeper to Clay County schools, and served on the Keystone Heights City Council. As a widowed empty-nester, she helped organize and manage the local chapter of the Singles Club and dedicated time at AMVETS. In the evenings, when she would finally take her shoes off, she spent time talking with the Lord in prayers that were audible across the house. At the end of her life, you could say she had slipped into a pair of ruby slippers: she just wanted to go home. Jesus called her from her own bedroom on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, with her children around her. She left very big shoes to fill.
Those working on filling them include her children, Kyle (Priscilla) Owens, Erin (Ron) Manning and Eric Owens (Marie); and grandchildren, Caitlin Owens, Austin Owens, Justin Minor, Rachel (Minor) Juchniewicz, Jarrod Minor, Andrew Smith, Angela Smith, Olivia Owens, Victoria Owens, Alexandra Owens, Judson Owens; and 12 great-grandchildren.
PAID OBITUARY
Ronda Stringer
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Ronda Louise Stringer, whose journey came to rest at her home in Lake Butler on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. Born Sept. 7, 1967, in Logan, Ohio, Ronda lived a life full of love for her family and anyone blessed to have known her. For 11 years, she shared her life and love with her husband, Joseph Stringer Jr. Together, they merged their families, including six children, Angel Louise Coakley, Terra Lee Cole, Jerry Lee Coakley (Kristine Rodriguez), Jason Junior Bratcher, Adam (Deitra) Stringer, and Lonnie (Pam) Stringer. Each child held a special place in her heart, and she embraced the chaos and joys of motherhood with grace and open arms. Her love only grew as she became a proud grandmother to her precious grandchildren, Michael Junior Coakley, Issac Edward Warren, Zackery Norman, Mackenzie Cole, Dalton Cole, Ellowyn Louise Coakley, Adelise Louise Coakley, Brody Morrison, Samatha Bratcher, Colton Coakley, Mason Tomlinson, Kinsley Stringer, and Mason Stringer. To them, she wasn’t just “Grandma,” she was a source of boundless love and inspiration. She is also survived by her siblings, Mary Sue and George Edward Coakley Jr. Beyond her pride in her family, she had a spirit that simply couldn’t be tamed. Be it crafting up a storm or shopping to her heart’s content, the girl loved to keep herself busy! Whether she was soaking up the sun on sandy beaches or camping under the starlit sky, anytime she could be on the go brought her pure joy, and her adventurous spirit encouraged others to join in on the fun. She is reunited with her parents, George Edward Coakley Sr. and Mary Louise Callahan Coakley; and her sister, Georganne Louise Coakley.
As we gather our hearts and minds to remember Ronda, let us carry forward her rebellious spirit, her artistic flair, and her fierce love for family. Her final memorialization will be by cremation under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Margaret TrimbleHaslach
Margaret “Peg” Mary Tierney TrimbleHaslach, 73, of Starke passed away peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at home, surrounded by her loving family—her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Peg moved with her late husband, Ray, to Starke 43 years ago from Toms River, New Jersey. Together, they raised their five children with deep faith and devotion as parishioners of St. Edward Catholic Church, where Peg became an integral part of the parish community. A dedicated Sunday school teacher for 13 years, Peg also served as the church secretary for seven years during this time and as the CYO youth director for six years, always fostering a spirit of love and service to others. Her passion for education was lifelong. After completing her Bachelor of Education and graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Florida in 1992, she began a rewarding 22-year career in the Bradford County School System. Long before becoming a certified teacher, she was deeply involved in the school community, volunteering for over 13 years as a class mom, PTA member, and school volunteer. Among her many achievements, in 1984, she co-created the beloved school-wide reading program, “The R.A.T. Race,” at Southside Elementary, which inspired a love for reading in countless children. Peg also played a key role in ensuring that all students had access to participate in the annual eighth-grade Disney field trip, making sure no child was left behind. In 1996, Peg was Bradford County District Teacher of the Year. Her belief in educating the whole child, not just the parts that read and write, was central to her life’s work of cultivating the emotional and spiritual growth of every child. In her quiet and steadfast way, Peg touched the lives of all who knew her. Her legacy of love, faith, and service will continue to live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all those she taught and mentored. As a mother, her home was always open to those in need, whether it was for a weekend or for an entire school year. There was rarely a time when the Trimble household was without company. Peg and Ray’s home became a sanctuary for many, providing a safe, adventurous, and loving space for all who entered. After being widowed at the age of 49, in 2006 Peg found love again when she met Bob. The two married Nov. 22, 2008, and together they shared 18 years filled with joy and adventure, traveling, camping, reading, and cherishing their time in retirement with family and friends.
Peg is survived by her beloved husband, Bob; sons, Raymond E. (Jacqueline)Trimble II of Keystone Heights and Jeremy (Stephanie) Trimble of St. Augustine; three daughters, Melanie (Marvin) Sanders of Starke, Casey Wingerter of Jacksonville, and Kelly Trimble of New Orleans, Louisiana; three stepsons, Michael (Raine) Haslach of Freehold, New Jersey, Tommy (Donna) Arthur of Forked River, New Jersey, and Danny (Justine) Arthur of Jackson, New Jersey; 17 grandchildren, Jeremy Andrew (Abbie) Trimble, Tristen Barton, Raychel (Manny) Rodriguez, Dylan (Jessey) Trimble, Raymond E. Trimble III, Elizabeth (Dylan) Smith, Rebecca (Jeff) Rittmer, Madison Wingerter, Bailey (Alex) Jarmusch, Younger Wingerter, Tierney Wingerter, Jonathan Haslach, Ryan Walder, Bobby (Ashley) Walder, Tiffany (Peter) Gowesky, Tommy (Summer) Arthur, Laura (Rick) Drahos; and 24 great-grandchildren, Coast, Cove, and Cast Rodriguez, Baby Rittmer (due 2026), Raygen and River Trimble, Adelynn and Avery Smith, Jeremy and Aurora Trimble, Finn Jarmusch, Emerson and Logan Walder, Jack, Connor, and Owen Walder, Noah, Grace, and Leah Gowesky, Willow, Izzy, and Luke Arthur, Maverick and Sawyer Drahos. She is also survived by her two brothers, James G. (Donnie) Tierney II of Merchantville, New Jersey, Kenneth (Anne) Tierney of Toms River, New Jersey; and sisters, Kathryn (Tye) Ferlsan of Bayville, New Jersey, and Jennifer (Ron) Palmerson of Toms River, New Jersey. Peg was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond E. Trimble; parents, James G. and Maryanne E. Tierney; sisters, Patricia Mary Tierney and Barbara Ann MacFarlane; and brothers Robert McAnnally, and Edward Trimble
A Memorial Mass in honor of her life will be celebrated at St. Edward Catholic Church, with Father Andy Mitera presiding. The memorial funeral Mass will be held Thursday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at a later date in a private family ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the American Liver Foundation or the American Heart Association. Arrangements are under the care of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home.
PAID OBITUARY
