OBITUARIES

May 1, 2025

Elizabeth “Betsy” Strout Sargeant, 72, passed away on May 1st, 2025, of Alzheimer’s Disease. Born in Atlanta, Georgia to David & Josephine Strout, Betsy moved to Lakeland, Florida, during her middle school years and considered it her lifelong home. She graduated from Lakeland High School and later from Florida State University & the University of Central Florida. Betsy dedicated her...

Apr 29, 2025

Charles (Chuck) Chritton passed away peacefully at his home on April 29, 2025, after enjoying his 86th birthday two days before. He left this world being known as a damn good Marine and a kind man who loved his family and enjoyed the simple things in life. He will be most remembered for his big, jolly belly laugh that couldn't...

Apr 29, 2025

Shirley Mae Wuellner passed away peacefully into eternal rest on April 29, 2025. She was a devoted wife, mother, and granny to so many who loved her. She was born in Cincinnati, OH, on September 24, 1929, and moved to Lakeland, FL, in 1966. She was a longtime member of Resurrection Catholic Church, Lakeland, FL.

Her passion in life was nurturing...

Apr 28, 2025

Apr 28, 2025

Apr 21, 2025

Ernest Vane (E.V.) McClurg passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21st, 2025, at the age of 83. Born November 4, 1941, in Lakeland, Florida. Vane was the son of the late Ernest Challen (E.C.) McClurg and the late Marjorie Fowler McClurg. 

Vane attended Lakeland High School from 1956 to 1958, then graduated from The Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee in...

Apr 21, 2025

Quintine (Tina)Nesmith Barnett, age 89, went to be with the Lord on April 21, 2025, at Hawthorne Inn in Lakeland, Florida. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, real estate broker, investor and secretary. Mrs. Barnett was born in Cochran, Georgia to Rufus and Willie Bell Nesmith on January 01, 1936. She moved to Springhead, Florida and graduated from...

Apr 17, 2025

Montie Dale Campbell, 86, passed away on April 17, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida following a lengthy illness.

He was the fourth of five children born to Albert and Lucille Avis Sanders Campbell in Bakersfield, California on September 22, 1938.

Montie graduated from Paragould High School, Paragould, Arkansas in the class of 1955 and served in the US Army Reserves.

On August 17, 1964,...

Apr 15, 2025

A lady called Intrepid. This is the word that comes to mind when we think about our mother Marge King. Other adjectives like dauntless and courageous come to mind as well. Home room mother, PTA president, Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader and all-around world class human being doesn’t even begin to do justice in describing her legacy. Her...

Apr 13, 2025

Charles Parkhill Mays, Jr., passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 13, 2025. In departing this world, he leaves behind a legacy as a devoted husband, beloved father and grandfather, respected friend, mentor, and community leader.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mason Carmichael Mays, and his parents, Katherine Bell and Charles Parkhill Mays. He was born...

Apr 9, 2025

Dora Padrón Corrales, born in Melena del Sur, in the province of Habana, Cuba, the 8th child of 9 siblings, born to Anacleto Padrón Gonzalez and Juana Gonzalez Otero. Her actual date of birth was in July, but due to the distances and poor communications of the times, her birth was not recorded until a month later, which then became...

Apr 7, 2025

Kathleen Helen Simpson, 84, of Lakeland, FL, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025. She was born on February 26, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to her loving family.

A teacher early in life, she was a beloved and caring homemaker for many years. Some of her passions included playing tennis and singing. She was an active member of the Resurrection Catholic...

Apr 6, 2025

Russell Glenn Fullerton died April 6, 2025. Born in the coal mining town of Clymer, Pennsylvania on January 20,1932 to Glenn Fullerton and Caroline Kuntz he grew up in Punxsutawney, PA. After proudly serving with the Army Third Division in Korea and receiving a Purple Heart he came home to marry his high school sweetheart Joan Weaver. A drafting degree...

Apr 4, 2025

Richard Charles Barfield Sr. was born to Buddy and Joan Barfield on December 5, 1956, in Lakeland, FL. He was a fourth-generation resident of Lakeland. He owned Ricks Auto Repair for 37 years.

He was preceded in death by his son Joshua Blasingame, his father Charles “Buddy” Barfield, and his mother Joan Barfield.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years...

Apr 3, 2025

Carolyn June Dierickx, 83, passed away peacefully at her residence on April 3, 2025. She was born on December 24, 1941, in Mercer County, Kentucky, to the late Calvert William Hockersmith and Ida Mae Douthitt.

Carolyn is survived by her husband of over 44 years, Charles August Dierickx; her children, Debbie Thompson (Jeff), Edwin Boggess (Lisa), Shawn Dierickx (Kandi), Sheri Nichols...

Apr 2, 2025

Billie Baggett Woods, known affectionately as Bunny, passed away on April 2, 2025, at the age of 77 after a battle with cancer, at Lakeland Regional Health.

Bunny was a beloved and caring homemaker who resided in Lakeland, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Justin Earl Baggett and Evelyn Thornberry, husband Floyd Woods, and son Daniel Woods (Jo Wu).

Bunny...

Mar 30, 2025

Sharon Gordy of Lakeland passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on March 30, 2025. She was born on September 6, 1940, in Clewiston, FL. 

Sharon was a Registered Nurse for 35 years. She worked at and retired from Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Previous to that she was the Director/Kindergarten teacher at Parkway Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. 

Sharon...

Mar 29, 2025

Judy Harris Cline, age 84 passed away peacefully at her home in Lakeland, Florida surrounded by her loved ones on March 29, 2025. She was a loving, generous and fearless woman.

A third-generation Floridian, Judy was born to Eric and Rosalee Harris in Lakeland Florida, on August 5th, 1940.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Marlin Funk, her sister Mary...

Mar 26, 2025

Mary Edna Slaga (Smith) passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025. She was born on July 23, 1941, in Heber Springs AR.

Mary Edna was a devoted wife and mother. She graduated from The University of Arkansas where she was a Zeta Tau Alpha. Mary Edna loved her family, often talking about vacation trips and family gatherings which created everlasting memories.

Mary...

Mar 25, 2025

Herbert Benjamin Hamic, 96, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025. Born on March 19, 1929, in Rising Fawn, Georgia, to William R. and Marjorie Brooks Hamic, Herb's life was defined by dedication, integrity, and love for his family and friends.

In 1940, his family moved to Dunnellon, Florida, where he spent his formative years. After graduating high...