All Obituaries

Iona Lee Tester Shumate, age 83 of Bryceville, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2023, at Community Hospice, Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Iona was born November 27, 1939, in Hemphill, West Virginia to Fred and Rhoda Tester. She was married on May 7, 1960, to her husband of 59 years, Robert Shumate, and the Navy brought them to Jacksonville. In 1975 they moved their family to Bryceville. Iona loved her family, music, and talking about the places she and...

Mrs. Alberta Ann Wilkins, age 95 of Bryceville, passed away at her home on Thursday, April 27, 2023.  Mrs. Wilkins was born and resided in Jacksonville before moving to Bryceville fifty-four years ago.  She was a homemaker and a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed tending to her flowers and plants, doing ceramics, thrift store shopping, and baking cakes. She visited all fifty states while traveling the country in an RV with her husband, Bill. She will be missed by...

Jerry W. Thomas, age 85 of Macclenny, passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Born in Baker County, son of the late Romey Lee and Lettie V. Rhoden Thomas, he was a lifetime resident. He was a US Navy veteran, president of Barbara’s Kitchen Manufacturing Company in Macclenny, founder, owner, and inventor of The Thomas Magic Spindle™ Original Creation US Patent No. 5,403091, Who’s Who of American Inventors Selected Honored Member, retired General Building Contractor, former City...

Mr. Charles Edward “Scratching Charlie” Rhoden, age 68 of Maxville passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Mr. Rhoden worked in the steel industry as a crane operator and then as a billets operator until the time of his retirement from CMC Steel Florida in Baldwin. Upon his retirement, he enjoyed spending time outside in his yard and his garden. He is survived by his wife of forty-three years: Nancy Rhoden; mother: Elsie Rhoden of Maxville; daughters: Sara (Billy) Padgett of...

Ms. Peggy Mathews, age 84 of Bryceville, passed away Monday, March 20, 2023. Originally from Bartow, Florida, Ms. Mathews was a twenty five year Bryceville resident who enjoyed attending Brandy Branch Baptist Church. She was a retired real estate broker and loved dancing, sewing and crochet. She will be remembered as an intelligent, caring woman who is very much loved. She is survived by her daughters: Wanda (Buddy) McKinnon and Jonnie Sue Sikes of Bryceville; grandchildren: Jessica (Robert)...

Geraldine Elizabeth Crawford Young (Gerry) became a resident of Heaven on Sunday, March 12, 2023, after 82 years filled with joy, laughter, tears, love, and hope in the Lord. Geraldine was born on October 22, 1940 in Bristol, Georgia. She grew up in Patterson, Blackshear, and Folkston, Georgia where she and her siblings helped her parents Oden and Flora on the family farm. After graduating high school, Geraldine worked for the Gulf Life Insurance Company in Jacksonville, Florida. She met and...

Mr. Robert “Chris” Hewett, age 64 passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023, after a brief illness.  Chris will be remembered as a giving, down to earth man who enjoyed the simple things in life. He was devoted to his children, his grandchildren and to his best friend, Bandit, his fur baby. Chris loved being outdoors hunting and fishing and made regular donations to the Wildlife Association. A very patriotic man, he also donated to Wounded Warrior Project. He was an avid NASCAR...

Mrs. Donna Fouraker Bell, age 77 of Jacksonville, passed away Saturday, March 4, 2023. Mrs. Bell was born in Jacksonville to the late Clyde E. and Donna L. Suits Fouraker Jr. and was a 1963 graduate of Baldwin High School. Mrs. Bell was a longtime hairdresser before becoming a teaching assistant at Mamie Agnes Jones Elementary School in Baldwin, where she worked until her retirement. Her heart for children was evident as she always made sure the students had lunch and proper clothing. She...

Mrs. Areta Ruis Hensley, a seventy-year resident of Baldwin, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023, at the age of 89.  Born in Foley, Florida to the late George W. and Myrtle Lee Bethea, she grew up in Callahan and was a 1951 graduate of Callahan High School. Mrs. Hensley was a long-time hairdresser, an excellent seamstress and cook, and an exceptional housekeeper. She enjoyed camping with friends and hosting family gatherings. She was an active member of her church and a fine example...

Sara Jacquelyn Engels  known to friends as “Jackie”, (84) earned her angel wings after a lengthy illness on Monday, January 2, 2023. She was born August 20, 1938, in Pensacola, FL to Annie Laurie Burgess Merritt Taylor and Lofton Scott Merritt, Sr.  Jackie graduated from Pensacola High School, and Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Pensacola, FL.  Jackie was a registered nurse for over 35 years at Riverside Hospital and St. Vincent’s Hospital in...