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Obituaries 1/6/22


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Esta Wilson Waddell
Esta Wilson Waddell debuted on Earth in Miami 1945 as a Louis and Rae Wilson production. Her final curtain call was among friends and family December 24, 2021 in Jacksonville Florida. Along the way Esta touched many lives, traveled many miles, and touched many miles of fabric.
After earning her Bachelor’s Degree from University of Florida, Esta taught at duPont Junior High in Jacksonville. Then completed her Master’s in teaching, naturally from UF. She joined the faculty of Terry Parker High. Under her direction the Drama Club presented many outstanding and prize-winning performances in Competitions throughout the state and was recognized by the International Thespian Society. She also chaperoned several club trips to Disney World.
On occasion she brought along Ham Waddell, her husband since 1976. They shared an immense love of theater, travel and life for the next 40 years. Journeys and adventures include driving and navigating using a roadmap, whitewater rafting, Mardi Gras, Maid of the Mist, Canada, Grand Canyon, Abiquiu, San Francisco, Bahamas, England, France. They were the best of times.
New York City became the favored destination for the couple and friends. Esta’s love for live performances ran the spectrum from Broadway to ballet to children’s theatre. This autumn she joyfully attended ‘Hamilton’ on stage in Jacksonville with her devoted bosom buddy.
Esta willingly offered her time and directing skills to several local theatre groups with members young and old. She lent her voice to WJCT’s Radio Reading Services for over 10 years and was recognized for her time and devotion.
Many other hobbies and interests involved sewing, quilting and other crafts. She was invited to join a quilting clique which soon became a circle of close friends. One group project was making dresses for girls in African villages. She was inspired to make colorful, one-of-a-kind, quilts for kids in need, which she lovingly presented to local children’s organizations in ample batches.
Esta adored flowers (outdoors) and enjoyed gardening; she often wet her plants. She loved cooking, reading cookbooks and creating new dishes. Ham said that she never made the same thing twice; her dinners never repeated.
Preceded in death by Ham and Sara, their revered Corgi.
Survived by family and friends near and far, who love and miss her beyond measure. We, her family, extend our gratitude and appreciation to those special friends who gave their loving hearts and hands when she needed them most. You are truly Esta’s Earth Angels.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on Sunday January 23, 2022, 4 – 6 pm at Mandarin Garden Club, 2892 Loretto Road, Jacksonville, Florida.
Arrangements are being conducted by Neptune Society. For additional information and to share memories please go to: neptunesociety.com
Contributions in Esta’s memory can be made to WJCT Public Media (PBS), Jacksonville Humane Society, Wounded Warrior Project or any organization offering compassionate support for the universe.

Sue Busson Rice
On December 23, 2021, Sue Busson Rice, loving mother and grandmother, passed away in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 74. Sue was born in Akron, Ohio to Carl and Betty Rice, pre-deceased. As a former military spouse, she spent 20 years traveling the world while raising her family before settling in Middleburg in the Jacksonville area. She worked as a bookkeeper for several companies with her longest employment at Orange Park Medical Center. Sue was a great flirt who loved to dance, get her nails done, and go out to eat - especially if margaritas were served. She is survived by her two daughters, Dr. Danielle McDonald and Adrienne Tercero, their husbands Earle McDonald and Miguel Tercero, as well as four grandsons, Reece, Ramon, Diego, and Antonio.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

James Albert Smith ‘Fisher’
James Albert Smith “Fisher”, of 76 years, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, December 27, 2021. James was born on February 5, 1945 in Spartanburg, South Carolina to JD Smith and Lillian Ferol Ochiltree. Followed by Maggie Griffith Smith along with three brothers and one sister. In his late teens he moved to Clay County, Florida where he lived the rest of his life. He was initially employed by Burlington Mills, Johns Manville, and Jim Walter Homes, then became self-employed as facilities of (Jack of All Trades). Fisher was well known to his customers and friends for his attention to detail and producing high quality work. He had many loyal customers and friends. One of Fisher’s favorite activities was to participate in the Clay County Fair. There he would exhibit his prize-winning chickens and eventually he became the assistant superintendent of the fair’s poultry barn. He also became a 4-H leader and advised his grandson Joshua, Blake and his son Jacob on raising swine to show at the fair. Fisher Smith also enjoyed shrimping, flounder giggin, and of course fishing. He loved camping for days at a time. His craft hobbies included Christmas tree making, basket weaving and knife making. He loved traveling back to the Carolinas to visit his family. Fisher loved the gathering of friends and family, The Lord and his word.
Fisher was preceded in death by his mother and father along with his brothers, Robert (Hoppy) Smith, Terry Thaleus Smith, John Dean Smith, and his sister, Patricia Gail (Susie) Smith. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Melanie Joyce Brown-Smith; sons, Jacob Roscoe Smith and Terry Micheal Holm; he is also survived by his son, James Clay Smith and his daughter, Misty Leann Smith from his previous marriage to Deloris Ann Hilton; three grandchildren, James Chochran, Blake Richardson, and Joshua Mays; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com
Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. (904) 284-4000.

Cdr. James Allen Reed
Cdr. James Allen Reed, USNR Retired, of Orange Park, Florida, passed peacefully at Community Hospice Hadlow Center, Jacksonville, on January 1, 2021. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1928, to Ruth Elizabeth (Holbrook) Reed and Francis Paine Reed, James graduated from Northeastern University with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Shortly after graduation he joined the U.S. Navy. He served as ordinance officer on the USS Princeton during the Korean War. After the war, he trained as a pilot on seaplanes in Corpus Christi, Texas. He moved to Jacksonville to join VP-16 “War Eagles” as a P-2 Neptune pilot, performing maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare support. He later was an instructor pilot at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. A graduate of the Defense Intelligence School, he served as an ELINT Officer at NAS Ford Island, Hawaii. After working in Naval Intelligence at NAS Atlanta, Cdr. Reed transferred to South Weymouth, Massachusetts. He then served as Commanding Officer of the Naval Unit at Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado, and training director of the Intelligence school there. From Colorado, he returned to NAS Jacksonville. He retired as Vice Commander, Naval Station Mayport, FL, in 1973. After retiring from the Navy with 22 years’ service, James earned an MBA and an MPA from University of North Florida. He sold real estate and pursued his tennis passion.
James is survived by his wife of 64 years, Martha Louise (Kirkland) Reed, son Stephen Douglas Reed (Catherine Reed), daughter Jennifer Reed Cox, daughter Elizabeth Jane Reed, grandchildren Blanche Joslin (Alize Hand), Dylan Joslin, Mitchell Joslin (Alyssa Edney), Sarah Elizabeth Bird, Stephanie Jane Bird, Jingyi (Teresa) Sun, two great-grandchildren, and one Australian Cattle Dog–Missy.
He will be remembered as a kind and gentle man who loved his wife, children, and dogs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant son Francis, and his brother, Walter Holbrook Reed.
His ashes will lie at rest at the Jacksonville National Cemetery.
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com
Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. (904) 284-4000