Jessie Berry

Jessie Mae Berry passed peacefully at home on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. At the age of 90, following a courageous battle with breast cancer, Jessie answered the Master’s call, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of faith, strength, love, and cherished memories. Born June 2, 1936, in Enigma, Georgia, she was the beloved daughter of the late Jessie Sewell and Mary Anderson Sewell. She grew into a woman whose life would touch countless hearts through her unwavering faith, generous spirit, soulful cooking, and unconditional love for her family and community. She attended school in Georgia and was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Starke. She was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Jimmie Sewell and Willie Green; sisters, Maltie (Babe) Covington, Josephine French, and Jennie Sewell; her beloved husband, Hubert Berry Sr.; and her dear daughter, Janice Berry.

Her legacy continues through her surviving children, James Sewell Sr., Edmond (Shirley) Sewell, Donald (Cheryl) Sewell, Wayne Berry (Cynthia) Sr., Mary Berry, Hubert (Mia) Berry, Queenie (Marla) Berry, and Stephen Berry. Jessie was the proud grandmother of 17, the adored great-grandmother of 32, and the beloved great-great-grandmother of eight. She also leaves a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, church family, and dear friends.

The viewing will be Friday, Oct. 23, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 1120 Grand St., Starke.  The Cortege will form at the home of Mrs. Berry, 835 Reba Street, Starke, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 11 a.m. at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. The presiding pastor will be Pastor Harding with the Pastor and Eulogist, Pastor Michael Johnson. Burial will follow at Peetsville Cemetery, Lawtey.

Haile Funeral Home, 802 Oak St., Starke, 904-964-7905 are honored to provide services and support to the Berry family at this difficult time.

PAID OBITUARY

Joshua Boland

Mr. Joshua Michael Boland, 40, of Keystone Heights died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. He was born June 7, 1986, in Baltimore, Maryland.

 Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com

Earnest & Karen Boyles

Nearly 60 years ago, Earnest Dean Boyles I and Karen Sue (Woods) Boyles began a life together that would take them across the country, through a long military career, five children, several careers, a family business, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and more memories than could ever fit on one page. Earnest was born on Oct. 23, 1944, in California and later lived in Kansas. Karen was born on Aug. 5, 1949, in Virginia. They married in 1965, and from there, life took off. Earnest proudly served his country for 21 years in the United States Navy. Like so many military families, they learned to pack up, make a new home and go wherever the Navy sent them. When Earnest retired from the Navy in 1984, they made Florida their permanent home. Earnest always loved airplanes and wanted to know how they worked, so after the Navy, he found himself right back around them, beginning a second career in aviation. Karen worked as a civilian for the Naval Commissary until retiring in 1993. But retirement didn’t quite stick for either of them. Together they opened ESP Automotive (Earnie and Sons Performance), a family-run business they operated for 10 years. Eventually, after a lifetime of working, raising a family and building something of their own, they finally decided it was time to retire for good. Earnest and Karen had five children, Michael, Samantha, Tammie, Victoria, and Earnest Dean Boyles II. As the years passed, their family grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom knew them best as Mom-Maw and Pop-Paw. Their story wasn’t made up of one big moment. It was almost 60 years of ordinary life lived together. Moving from place to place, raising children, going to work, building a business, watching their family grow, growing older and walking through all the good and hard that comes with a lifetime. And now, after so many years spent side by side, it feels right that we have the opportunity to honor them side by side.

Our family invites you to join us for a celebration of the lives of Earnest and Karen Boyles on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 12 p.m. at Gadara Baptist Church. A catered lunch will follow the service, and we would love for everyone to stay, eat, visit and share memories with us.

PAID OBITUARY

Harridelle Bright

The family of Harridelle Taylor Bright, 96, announces her passing on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, at her residence in Lawtey. She was born Nov. 25, 1929, in Keysville, Georgia to the late Mamie Key Holmes and John Wesley Garrer. In 1946, Harridelle moved to Lawtey where she later met and married Emmett Bright Jr. on June 18, 1955. She worked faithfully throughout her life as a housekeeper, factory worker, and at the Winn Dixie bakery. She and Emmett also opened Bright’s Liquor and Lounge, where she became known for her famous chicken sandwiches. Everyone wanted Mrs. Harridelle’s chicken.

She leaves behind her children, Deborah (Dwight) Barber of Lawtey, Emmett W. (Debbie) Bright of Macon, Georgia, Judith Thomas of Brnadon and Mischell (Anthony) Williams of Avon, Indiana; one bonus daughter, Greta (Russell) Sebree of Gainesville; siblings, Eva Jean Evans of Louisville, Georgia, Ray (Jean) Garrer of Louisville, and Donna J. Miller of Cleveland, Ohio.

A viewing was held Friday, Oct. 16, at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Lawtey. The Cortege was formed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dwight and Deborah Barber in Lawtey. Services were Saturday, Oct. 17, at Mt. Zion AME Church, Lawtey, officiated by Pastor Emmett W. Bright. Burial followed at Peetsville Memorial Cemetery in Lawtey.

Haile Funeral Home, 802 Oak St., Starke, 904-964-7905, was honored to provide services to the Bright family.

PAID OBITUARY

Larry Douglas

In Loving Memory of Larry Alan Douglas – Oct. 10, 1948 – Sept. 3, 2026. Larry Alan Douglas, 77, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, following an extended illness. Born on Oct. 10, 1948, to Elton and Virginia Douglas, Larry was raised in Lake Butler, where he spent his younger years and graduated from Union County High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for four years. Following his military service, he went on to work as an engineer with CSX Railroad, where he dedicated more than a decade of service. He had a love for traveling and enjoyed the freedom of the open road, often setting out in his motor home to explore new places. St. Augustine was among his favorite destinations, a place he returned to and enjoyed throughout the years. He was also an avid collector of just about everything, always finding something of interest or a treasure worth bringing home. Whether enjoying a familiar destination or discovering something new, Larry appreciated the simple pleasures that life had to offer. A lifelong connection to his family and his Lake Butler roots remained an important part of his story. He leaves behind many cherished memories with those who knew and loved him. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Elton and Virginia Douglas; and his brother, Hayward Douglas.

He is lovingly remembered by his siblings, Polly and Ralph Douglas; and his nieces and nephews, Denise McCandless, Dwayne Douglas, Will (Monica) Douglas, Alli (Ray) Chamberlin, Juliana Brantley, Mara Chamberlin, Ryan (Samantha) Siemer, Jacob Douglas, Kaitlin (Brayden) Angelillo, Audrey Abrahamson, Renee Siemer, Jason Harlow, Kevin (Megan) Harlow, Melody Harlow, Dawson Harlow, and Drew Simmons; along with other extended family members and friends.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the dedicated staff of The Plaza Nursing Center and Hospice Care for the kindness, compassion, and care shown to Larry during his illness. Their thoughtfulness and support will always be remembered.

Services will be held privately.

May Larry be remembered for the roads he traveled, the treasures he collected, and the memories he left behind.

PAID OBITUARY

Rose White

Rose Marie White, 75, of Providence, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. She was born on Nov. 1, 1950, in Macon, Georgia, to Francis and Dessie Kempton. Family held a special place in Rose Marie’s heart. Though she had no children of her own, she considered her nieces and nephews her children. Through her first marriage, her family also grew to include daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandson. Rose Marie was twice widowed. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Felton Crosby; her second husband, JE White; her parents, Francis and Dessie Kempton; and her sister, Marcia Brinson.

She is survived by her sister, Gail Melvin; nieces, Elaine (Jon) Buchanan and Dessie (David) Calihou; nephews, John (Christina) Rogers (Christina) and Phillip Rogers, grandson, Dakota Rogers, her great-nieces and great-nephews, Nikki Doan, Rayla (Mac) Horn, Robin (Erica) Buchanan, Aaron (Cheyenne) Horn and Samantha Horn; her great-great-nephews, Emmett Horn, Waylon Buchanan, TJ Horn, Gabriel Rogers, Jason Rogers, Jimmy Rogers and Oliver McNamara; and great-great nieces, Jennifer Rogers, Jessica Rogers, Kali McNamara.

From her first marriage, she also leaves behind her daughters, Valory Gale and Diane (Gary) Cunningham; granddaughters, Amanda Gale, Tina (Timmy) Sapp, Wendy (Jim) Carroll, and Dena (Marcus) Holley and her family; great-grandsons, Tyler (Brianna) Gale and Colburn Colton; great-granddaughter, Hailey Carroll; and great-great-grandson, Eliam Gale.

A small celebration of Rose Marie’s life will be held with family and friends at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Rose Marie’s memory to Mooseheart Child City & School through Moose Charities at www.moosecharities.org/donate, selecting “Mooseheart Child City & School.” Rose Marie’s memory will forever be treasured by those who loved her. May she rest peacefully in the loving arms of the Lord, and may her family find comfort in the love and memories they shared.

To share memories with the family and sign the online guestbook, go to www.bismarckfuneralhome.com

PAID OBITUARY