Marguerite "Weetsie" Fletcher

Marguerite (Weetsie), 94, passed away on Monday, August 11, 2025, at home with her family. She is survived by her husband, James E. Boone, Jr; daughter, Ellen Huey; two grandchildren, Shyla and Jason Fletcher; stepdaughters, Jennifer Brinson and Jaime Gottlieb; 4 step-grandchildren, 5 step-great-grandchildren and two nephews, Chuck and Terry Thorpe.

Born on October 9, 1930, in Memphis, Tennessee, she moved to Florida upon graduating from Central High School in Memphis.

In 1951, she married Ralph (Buddy) Fletcher and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 16, 2011, raising a family of four children. She was employed by the City of Lakeland in the LEW department and later worked with her husband in their printing business, Fletcher Printing Co.

Weetsie was actively involved in her church, First Baptist Church at the Mall, in the “Welcome” and Information desk, Teacher, and later Director of Bible Study for Juniors; she chaired “Feast of Love,” an outreach program for the surrounding area. Member Junior Woman’s Club; Board member of the LRMC Auxiliary; Board Member of the American Cancer Society – West Polk Unit for 18 years; Imperial Symphony Orchestra Board member; Senior Games Board; Sun ‘N Fun Volunteer in Media.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry H. & Marguerite Thorpe; husband Ralph (Buddy) Fletcher; their three sons, Brian, Mark, and Philip Fletcher; five brothers, Richard, Hardy Jr., Kenneth, Robert, and Charles.

Weetsie loved the outdoors, gardening, camping with their children, travel, wildlife, and sports, especially tennis. She played team tennis starting at Beerman’s Tennis Complex. “It was always a good day when I was on the tennis court.”

A celebration of life will be on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 10:30 am at First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801.

Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army.