OBITUARIES
Henry Frank Thornton, Jr.
Jul 14, 2025
Rev. Henry Frank Thornton, Jr. , a nearly lifelong resident of Starke, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday July 14, 2025. Born in Palatka on August 21, 1946 to Henry Frank and Julia Ann Klip Thornton, Sr., Henry was one of five siblings.
Brother Henry went into the ministry over fifty years ago, first serving...
Rita K. Hayes
Jul 12, 2025
Rita K. Hayes, 74 of Jacksonville, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside Hospital. Rita was born on September 20, 1949 to Mr. Roy Kile Kelso and Ossie Crews. Rita would graduate high school from Paxon High School and go on to attend Jones College of Business.
Her work history was extensive as she spent time...
Doris WillaMae Griffis
Jul 9, 2025
Doris WillaMae Griffis, 87 of Macclenny passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at W. Frank Wells Nursing Facility. A lifelong Baker-Countian, Doris was born in Taylor on June 8, 1938 to Mr. Paul and Rosie Wilkerson Crews.
Ms. Doris would attend cosmetology school at Lake City Community College and was passionate about hair and makeup. She would also work for...
Sarah Vernell Dowling
Jul 5, 2025
Sarah Vernell Dowling, 90 years young, a longtime Olustee resident, passed away Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Ed Fraser Memorial Hospital. Born on January 5, 1935 in Manor, Georgia, Sarah was the daughter of Joseph Daniel and Ruth Steedley Martin.
Sarah enjoyed fifty six years of marriage with the love of her life, Freeman Lavern Dowling until his passing in 2013....
William Edward Adams
Jul 3, 2025
William Edward Adams, 67 of Jacksonville, passed from this life on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at his residence. William was born on January 12, 1958 to Walter “Frank” Adams and Nancy “Virginia” (Hesters) Adams in Jacksonville. William would spend the majority of his life in Jacksonville and worked in landscaping. He enjoyed playing the guitar and listening to music. He...
Ryder Philip Jasper Buffett
Jul 2, 2025
Ryder Philip Jasper Buffett, 6 weeks old, of Sanderson, Florida passed away at home on July 2, 2025. He was born in Middleburg, Florida at St. Vincent’s Clay Hospital on May 18, 2025 to his mother Brittany Delp and father Zachary Buffett. Ryder was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin. His personality was starting to shine, and it...
Lydia Johnson-Oakes
Jun 30, 2025
Lydia Johnson-Oakes passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home in Jacksonville on Monday, June 30, 2025.
Born on September 29, 1945 to Logan and Ruth Ellison Sellers, Lydia was a lifelong resident of Jacksonville. Lydia grew up in a large family, surrounded by many siblings and family was very important to Lydia. She would work for many years in...
Donald Steven Zarrella, Sr.
Jun 26, 2025
Donald Steven Zarrella, Sr. Age 74 of Sanderson, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2025. Donald was born on October 4, 1950 to Mr. Louis and Victoria (Wolowitz) Zarrella in Newark, New Jersey. Donald would proudly serve his country in the United States Navy and later worked for the state of Florida as an Agricultural Law Enforcement Officer for nearly thirty...
Esther Belle Thomas
Jun 21, 2025
Esther Belle Thomas, a longtime Baker County resident, departed this life and entered into her heavenly home on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the age of 94. She was the widow of the late Reverend Lawton Thomas, longtime pastor of the Macclenny Church of God. She and Pastor Thomas also served as travelling evangelists, spreading the gospel as part of...
Janice Irma Weeks
Jun 21, 2025
Janice Irma Weeks, 89, of Macclenny, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on February 26, 1936, in Jacksonville, Florida, Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Edward and Helen Skinner; her stepbrother, Johnny Skinner; and her beloved husband of 30 years, Vernon Weeks.
She is survived by her devoted children: Terri (Mike)...
Judith Esther Santana
Jun 17, 2025
Judith Esther Santana of Huntersville, North Carolina passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Memorialization is by cremation.
The staff of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home is honored to serve the Santana family during their time of loss.
Ronald Horace Walker
Jun 16, 2025
Ronald Horace Walker, 84 of Jacksonville, passed on Monday, June 16, 2025. A lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Ronald was born on December 22, 1940 to Mr. Milton and Ethel (Jordan) Walker. Ronald was a skilled mechanic who wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. He was known for his generous spirit, being a people person and as an animal lover....
Buddy Duane Champion
Jun 15, 2025
Buddy Duane Champion, age 61 of Macclenny, passed away Sunday, June 15, 2025 after an extended illness. Buddy was born to proud parents, George and Vickey (Cummings) Champion on September 28, 1963. At the young age of 17, Buddy began driving a semi truck for a living, a career that he was very passionate about for many years. When not...
Robert Lee Thomas, Sr.
Jun 12, 2025
Robert Lee “Bobby” Thomas, Sr., former Mayor of Glen St. Mary, passed away peacefully in the care of Community Hospice on Thursday, June 12, 2025, age 87. Born on March 14, 1938, Bobby was the son of Charney and Nettie (Harvey) Thomas and was a lifelong resident of Glen St. Mary. Along with his brother Leslie Thomas, they operated the...
Fred Lee Sanford, Jr.
Jun 11, 2025
Fred Lee Sanford, Jr., 82 of Macclenny, passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital. A longtime resident of Macclenny, Fred was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia on January 7, 1943 to Mr. Fred and Bessie (Jacobs) Sanford, Sr. Mr. Sanford would proudly serve his country in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge after...
Terry Ann Morgan
Jun 11, 2025
Terry Ann Morgan, 65 of Macclenny, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 after an extended illness. Terry was born in Columbia, South Carolina on February 4, 1960 to Mr. Eugene and Vivian (Wolfe) Kinney. Terry was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved spending time at the river with friends and family and was an...
Roger Harvey
Jun 4, 2025
Mr. Roger Harvey, age 65, of Glen St. Mary, FL passed away Wednesday, June 4th at HCA North Florida Hospital, Gainesville, FL following an extended illness.
Mr. Harvey was born in Jacksonville, FL to the late James and Therese Harvey and has resided in Baker County for all of his life. He worked as a maintenance mechanic for the Baker County...
James Anthony Kyer, Sr.
Jun 3, 2025
Mr. James Anthony Kyer, Sr., age 60, of Sanderson passed away Tuesday, June 3rd at his home following an extended illness. Mr. Kyer was born in Arlington, Virginia to Jennings “Jack” and Sandra (Lambert) Kyer on January 29, 1965. He proudly served in the United States Navy and recieved an honorable discharge. James worked for many years in the manufacturing...
Marcus Gene Young
Jun 2, 2025
Mr. Marcus “Mark” Gene Young, age 70, passed away peacefully at home on June 2, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.
A lifelong resident of Macclenny, Florida, Mark (son of Rose Belleville and LJ Young) was lovingly raised by his mother and his “Granny Mert”
Mark’s memory will live on through his devoted wife of 48 years, Denise; his daughters...
Audrey Marie Barnes Rewis
Jun 2, 2025
Audrey Marie Barnes Rewis, a cherished member and servant of her community, passed from this life and into eternal rest on Monday, June 2, 2025 in the comfort of her home. She was born in Homerville, Georgia on November 6, 1955 to Mr. Marvin and Marthann (Landrum) Barnes. She grew up spending time between Clinch and Baker County and eventually...
