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Obituaries 3/23/17


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Hazel E. Sheffield
Hazel Edna (Hester) Sheffield was born in Alma, Georgia on July 18, 1925 to Rufus Clarence and Lottie Mae Williams Hester. She grew up in Alma picking cotton to pay for her school clothes and walking or riding a horse several miles to school each day.
Hazel was a member of the National Beta Club and graduated in 1942 with the highest honors in her Senior class.
She went to Japan after World War II to work for the Department of Defense with her sister Opal. She met and married John Sheffield who was in the Air Force. They were stationed in England for three years and Norway for another three years as well as several states within the U.S. She was called “Gammy” and “Grandma” by her grandchildren, neighbors and others who loved her. Her home became a sanctuary for those who needed a place for respite and healing.
Four years ago, she started to have failing health and lived with her daughter Rhoda until her death.
Hazel is preceded in death by her parents, R.C. and Lottie Hester; two brothers, Eugene and R.C.; three sisters, Claudine, Opal, and Dortha Ann; one daughter, Johnelle; one son, Scott; and a grandson, Bobby. She is survived by her children, Rhoda (Mark), Debbie, John (Leslie) and Jack (Susan); her grandchildren, Alicia (Doug), Mike (Jehizy), Libby, Nicholas and Zachary; and twelve great-grandchildren.
Hazel will live on in the hearts and memories of her family.


Marvin S. Bolante
Marvin S. Bolante passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017. Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, (904) 264-1233.

John Cordell, Sr.
John Cordell Sr., 78 of Enid, OK, passed away January 25, 2017. Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043, 904-284-7720. www.RHRFH.com

Gary William Thornton
Memorial for Gary William Thornton (8/7/60 – 10/9/16) will be held on March 25, 2017 at Gateway to Life, 37837 Eastwood Rd., Hilliard, Florida 32046.
Arrival 12:30 pm- Service 1:00 pm-Dinner 2:00 pm - Departure for Johnson’s Cemetery 3:00 pm, GA-121 mile marker 27 Folkston, Ga. St George County


Charlotte Orr Gill
Charlotte Orr Gill, 89 passed away March 3 2017. She resided at Westminster Woods at Julington Creek since 2006.
She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Dannitte Mays Gill. Together they served as a pastoral couple in the Florida Conference of the Methodist Church for 33 years serving 8 churches.
She is survived by her two sons, Rev. David Gill (Susan) of Tallahasse and Dr. Stephen B. Gill (Jeanne) of Fleming Island; Seven grandchildren: Daniel, Andrew, Matthew, Peter, Julia, Jimmy and Bethany and ten great grandchildren.
A Memorial service will be held Friday March 31, 2017 at Mandarin United Methodist Church on San Jose Blvd. Visitation at 10 am, Memorial Service at 11am and lunch at noon. Memorial gifts may be made to the Florida Methodist Children’s home.

Wayne Boston, Jr.
Wayne Boston, Jr., 30, of Green Cove Springs, Fla., passed away March 14, 2017. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

Ruby Sandrina Smith
Ruby Sandrina Smith passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2017. Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, (904) 264-1233.

Isabella M. Hird
Mrs. Isabella M. Hird, 87, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday evening, March 12, 2017 peacefully and in no pain after a lengthy illness. She was born Nov. 10, 1929 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland and came to the United States in the late 1950’s to be with the love of her life, Andrew L. Hird, whom she met in Kirkcaldy. They were married in the First Presbyterian Church of Ridgway on Nov. 24, 1958 and spent the next 58 years a loving couple. Isa loved all animals but especially her miniature Schnauzer, Schapsie.
She loved to play golf, traveling and being a gracious hostess to the countless cocktail and dinner parties she loved to throw. Isa loved spending her time up at the Elk County Country Club playing golf or enjoying the company of wonderful friends. She always loved company and sitting having a “splash” of wine with friends. She began her career in real estate sales in the late 70’s working for Strout Realty and eventually earning her broker’s license and starting her own real estate business, Isabella M. Hird Realty which she excelled at. She will forever be remembered for her kind, loving and gentle heart, a wonderful mother and a true angel here on earth.
In 1990 Isa and Andy moved to their dream home in Green Cove Springs, Florida at Magnolia Point Golf and Country Club where they met countless close friends from around the world. Isa will be terribly missed by many but she is finally at peace and in the arms of God. She was surrounded by her loving family constantly for the last month of her life and her only son, Gregory, was always with her, comforting her and taking care of her needs.
Mrs. Hird was preceded in death by her mother and father, Andrew and Mrs. Jesse Smart of Oswald Rod, Kirkcaldy and her loving brother and sister-in-law, Andy and Margaret Smart of Westwood Avenue, Kirkcaldy, Scotland. She is survived by her husband, Andy and son Greg.
A story she loved to tell was of seeing The Beatles in the now gone Carlton Theatre in Kirkcaldy in 1963, prior to them coming to America. A private Presbyterian Scottish wake will be held at a later date at her beloved home.
There will be no visitation and in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Haven Hospice, 745 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, Fla.
Sharon Irene LeKander Bailey
Sharon Irene LeKander Bailey, 70, of Orange Park, Fla., passed away March 16, 2017. Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

Denis Michael Gurney
Denis Michael Gurney, 89 of Middleburg, Fla., passed away March 17, 2017. Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043, 904-284-7720. www.RHRFH.com

Janice Christine Gooch
Janice Christine Gooch passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2017. Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, (904) 264-1233.

Velma Williamson Hatcher
Velma Williamson Hatcher, 98, of Middleburg, Fla. passed away March 17, 2017. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St. Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 (904) 284-4000

Judith Lee Survis
Judith Lee Survis passed away on Monday, March 13, 2017. Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, (904) 264-1233.

Louis Baker, Jr.
Louis Baker, Jr., 91, of Middleburg, Fla. passed away March 16, 2017. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

Stuart James Meadows
Stuart James Meadows, 38, of Fleming Island, Fla. passed away March 17, 2017. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St. Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 (904) 284-4000

Denis Michael Gurney
Denis Michael Gurney, 89 of Middleburg, Fla. passed away March 17, 2017. Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. 904-284-7720.www.RHRFH.com