Willie J. Carter Jr.
Willie James Carter Jr., 62, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at North Florida Regional Hospital, Gainesville. He was born in Cocoa on April 21, 1962. He was of the Baptist faith and self-employed.
Survivors are his wife, Yolanda Jones Carter; children, Precious Louise and Loundreika; sister, Wanda Carter; and brothers, Watson Jr., Andre Wanton Jr., Arthur Wanton, and Jametrius Pringle.
The viewing will be on Friday, April 25, at Haile Funeral Home Inc. Family hour will be from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. and public viewing from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. at Freewill Bethlehem Baptist Church, Starke. Interment will follow at Freewill Memorial Garden.
Haile Funeral Home Inc., 802 N. Oak St., Starke, 904-964-7905 is honored to provide their services to the family.
PAID OBITUARY
Mary Lhamon
Mary Lena Lhamon, 91, met her Lord and Savior face to face on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at UF Health Shands in Gainesville. Born on Aug. 26, 1933, in Lake Butler, she dedicated her life to spreading love and kindness to everyone around her. Her journey began in Albany, Georgia, where she met her future husband, Walter Lhamon, in late February of 1954. The couple sealed their bond on April 10, 1954, and together they spent an incredible 71 years of marriage, a testament to their unwavering love and devotion to one another. She was not just a wife but a true partner, sharing life’s joys and challenges with Walt by her side. Mary had a giving and nurturing spirit; her passion for cooking was her love language, as she often shared her culinary delights with family and friends. A faithful member of Old Providence Baptist Church, she loved the Lord deeply and dedicated herself to serving others, embodying the values she held dear. She was preceded in death by her parents, Silas and Annie Pearl NesSmith Crawford; and siblings, Leroy Crawford, Paul Crawford, Claudette Brannen, and OmiGene Lukatz.
She leaves behind a legacy of love through her family, including her devoted husband, Walter Lhamon; her sons, William Lhamon of Worth County, Georgia, and Phillip Lhamon of Lake Butler; and her daughter, Mariva Dawn Hammond; along with eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Ret. Col. James Crawford of Starke, Bobby Crawford of Lake Butler; and her sister, Virginia Fowler of Minnesota.
Her life was a glorious tapestry woven with love and faith and to honor her life. A visitation was held Tuesday, April 22, leading into a heartfelt Celebration of Life at Old Providence Church in Lake Butler.
Archer-Milton Funeral Home is honored to serve the Lhamon family as we say good-bye to their precious wife, mother, and friend. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Bonnie Lord
Bonnie Crawford Lord, 84, has gone to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior, in Paradise. Born Jan. 1, 1941, in Miami to “Peach” Crawford and Leona Starling Crawford, Bonnie passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Lexington, North Carolina in her children’s care. One of 12 children, she was a fraternal twin and grew up on a farm in Starke, surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins and all manner of extended family on a long, sandy dirt road that bore the Crawford name. Within this large family, the bonds of love were powerful and lasting, hard work was a way of life, and laughter was a love language. Shortly after graduating high school, she met William (Bill) Glenn Lord, who was stationed on a nearby naval base in Jacksonville. They married on Feb. 18, 1960, in St. Augustine and began building a life and family together. Their marriage thrived 45 years until Bill passed away in 2005. With a few moves to complete service in the Navy and to establish a career, they had five children early on, then settled in Oak Ridge, North Carolina in 1970. They soon had one more child, completing their close-knit family of eight. An extraordinary wife and mother, Bonnie carried on the legacy of love and hard work passed down by her family of origin. Possessing a strong mind, body, and spirit, she devoted herself wholly to her husband and her children, making home the center of the family’s life, and pouring all her heart, energy, and efforts into whatever would foster their flourishing, not considering it a sacrifice to give her all for their sake. Love can only grow in that kind of soil. She and Bill were true partners in everything they did, from raising six stair-step children on a single income to gardening their three acres and raising pigs and chickens, and to building significant parts of their home place over many years with the help of their young brood. A “can-do” woman, Bonnie was an excellent manager of the home and stretched the paycheck so that the family never had to do without. She made holidays and birthday celebrations special for all and established memorable traditions for the family. No matter how hard or gritty the work at hand, she was never unkempt, but maintained her natural beauty, aided only by bright lipstick. She used to blot her lips on an envelope, leaving a bright kiss print on the daily mail at the kitchen table among her well-organized lists. Once her children were gone from the home, her green thumb turned from gardening to provide food to cultivating beauty through landscaping around the home place. Resourceful, wise, beautiful, loving, independent, intelligent, organized, and strong, she remained so to the very end, handling her own affairs and giving wisdom to her children even when a years-long season with pain left her with diminished mobility. She loved to laugh, thoroughly enjoyed her husband and children’s antics and humor, and, when pain was overwhelming, she still managed to chuckle when someone tickled her funny bone. Among her parting words to her children were how much she loved each of her children, and not only that, but she also loved and enjoyed the people they have become, which she said ‘is a step above.” Though no one came ahead of Bill, her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren, Bonnie loved people and connected with others everywhere she went. As her pain crescendoed in the last weeks of her life, she was genuinely kind to nurses, doctors, caregivers, friends, family, or anyone with whom she spoke, offering a smile and making sure their needs were met even before her own, and still had the heart to “mother” her adult children. In her final days on this earth, some of her caregivers were moved to tears by the love she had fostered over a lifetime, which was manifest among her children tending to and loving her, as well as their closest childhood friends, who returned to give her their love as they said goodbye. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and her 11 siblings.
She is survived by her six children, son, Eddie (Robyn) Lord; daughter, Wendy (Kurt) Barlow; daughter, Suzan (Ben) Banks; son, Derek (Jen-i)Lord (wife, Jen-i); daughter, Kelly (Dave) Bishop; daughter, Felicia (Ryan Hoke) Lord; her 18 grandchildren, Craig (Maria) Ray, Andy (Dex) Ray, Eddie (Jennifer) Lord Jr., Brian Lord, Meredith (Stephen) Schwandt, Zack (Caroline) Barlow, Christian Barlow, Caitie Anne Banks, Charis Banks, Decker Banks, Lauren (Clay) Brock, Emily Lord (fiancé, Logan), Jessica Lord, Brett Lord, Ben Bishop, Peter Bishop, Anna Bishop, Jack Bishop, and her nine great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Tommy (Gwyn) Lord; brother-in-law, Dave (Lynn) Lord; sisters-in-law, Diane Gomez and Kay Lord; cousin, Helen Howard; as well as numerous, beloved nephews and nieces.
A service to honor Bonnie and glorify God was held on Monday, April 21, at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel, 3950 Macy Grove Road, Kernersville, North Carolina 27284 and was immediately followed by a graveside committal service at Mt. Gur Cemetery, 1050 Cemetery St., Kernersville, North Carolina, 27284. In lieu of flowers or trees, consider donating to AuthoraCare (hospice) at 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 at this link: www.authoracare.org/give
PAID OBITUARY
Ellen Lowe
In Loving Memory of Ellen Louise “Bootsie” Bailey Lowe,
March 6, 1945, to April 17, 2025.
Ellen Lowe, lovingly known as “Bootsie,” passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the age of 80. Born in Miami, she was the cherished middle daughter of Jack and Ellen Bailey. She lived a life full of laughter, love, and adventure. A devoted mother, she shared an unbreakable bond with her daughter, Jackie, the light of her life. Known for her wit, warmth, and signature laugh, she brought joy to every room she entered. She embraced life with spirited curiosity, from working as a waitress and nail technician to proudly grading lumber at a sawmill. She was a lifelong waitress and loved feeding people, especially at the small BBQ restaurant she worked at in Fort Walton Beach, feeding our military men. Her style, humor, and generous heart made her unforgettable. She loved the beaches, sunsets, antiques, eating (especially pasta), and had a special place in her heart for all animals and taking care of children. Her fierce love, bold personality, and compassionate nature touched many. She is survived by her daughter, Jackie; sisters, Jackie (Gordon) Taylor and Carolyn Bailey Pierson; nieces, Joellen, Susy, Sheila, Jodi; nephew Jackson; as well as all her beloved great nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
A celebration of life will be held in May or June 2025 (details TBA). No formal services will be held at this time.
Bootsie will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and always celebrated.
Archer-Milton Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ellen Lowe. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
William Thomas Jr.
William “Rowan” Thomas Jr., 80, of Keystone Heights passed away at his home Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2025. He was born in Palatka on Sept. 30, 1944, to William R. and Martha (Glisson) Thomas Sr. He graduated in 1963 from Bradford High School and then joined the Army. Following his time in the military, he began his career at Clay Electric for a short time before moving on to Florida Power & Light for several years. His training and dedication led him to begin his final employment with Seminole Electrical and retired as a substation relay supervisor. Prior to joining Gadara Baptist Church, he was a member of Lake Hill Baptist Church, where he was the song leader and deacon. He loved reading his Bible and was very knowledgeable of its contents. He also loved gardening and was known to help others in the community when needed. He was an avid hunter and, most definitely, a family man. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Wesley Clay Thomas; sister, Barbara Jane Thomas; nephews, Jody Alan Briggle and Ronald Harper; as well as a brother-in-law, Bill Nettles.
Left behind to cherish his memory is his loving and devoted wife of 48 years, Diane (Thigpin) Thomas; children, Robyn Thomas, Scott Thomas and Heather Thomas; along with sisters, Diane Nettles and Jo Ann (Jim) Briggle. He was lovingly called “Pa” by his grandson, Hunter Clay Thomas. Also left behind are several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members and friends who will miss his great sense of humor.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Justin Brown officiating. Interment will be at Gadara Cemetery. A luncheon will immediately follow at Gadara Baptist Church.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Charleta B. White
Charleta Brigham White, 67, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Shands Hospital UF, Gainesville. She was born in North Carolina and was a member of Church of Christ in Lawtey.
She is survived by her husband, Minister Curtis White; daughters, Catrice White, Cynthia White and Lashawn White; son, Curtis L. White Jr.; three brothers; three sisters; and seven grandchildren.
The Repose will be Friday, April 25, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Church of Christ, Lawtey. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 163 W. Jefferson St., Starke with Rev. Wesley T. Leonard officiating.
Haile Funeral Home, Inc. 802 N. Oak St., Starke 904-964-7905 is honored to provide their services to the family of Charleta Brigham White.
PAID OBITUARY
Sheryl Wilkinson
Sheryl Lynn Wilkinson, 54, peacefully passed away in her sleep in Starke, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. She was born on March 14, 1971, in Starke. She lived 14 years in Raiford until relocating to Tampa, where she resided the remainder of her life. She enjoyed going to the beach, watching movies and shopping. She also enjoyed spending time with her nephews. Sheryl’s three biggest loves were her mother, her dog “Bogie,” and sour, gummy candies. She was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Clinton Wilkinson, and nephew, Darin Strickland.
She leaves behind her mother, Shirley Wilkinson; sisters, Stacy Wilkinson and Melissa Kingery; and nephew, Matthew Wilkinson.
Archer-Milton Funeral Home is honored to once again serve the Wilkinson family during the passing of their daughter, sister, and aunt. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Calvin Wollitz
Frederick Calvin Wollitz (Calvin), 84, of Jacksonville went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. He was born on Feb. 25, 1941, to Aubrea and Frederick Wollitz. He worked for and retired from the Federal Aviation Administration. He had a deep love for Jesus and his family. He would do anything for anyone and always had a kind word to say. Although he was not a man of many words, when he did speak, he had the best one liners. He loved spending time with his family, extended family and friends. He loved flying and working on remote-control (RC) model planes and built a business off of that love, where he was well known in that community and throughout the world for his electronic work. He also loved old cars and working on old cars, especially his 1955 Belvedere. He also enjoyed fishing, water skiing and good food. He was preceded in his death by his parents; and his sister, Pat Shoemake.
Calvin is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Jo Wollitz; his two children, Peggy (Richard) Beach, and Roger (Christine) Wollitz; grandchildren, Casey (Victoria) Beach, Austin (Allison) Wollitz, Tyler Beach and A.J. Wollitz; great-grandchildren, Jason Wollitz, Deacon Beach and Carson Beach; as well as extended family and friends.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1 p.m. in Keystone Heights. The Rev. Tommy Capps will be officiating the service.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
