William “Blackie” Fred Blackmon, 80, of Plant City, died March 31, 2013. Born May 19, 1932, in Rock Mills, Ala., he was the son of the late Ezra Blackmon and the late Eva Hendley Blackmon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Mason Blackmon. Mr. Blackmon was a motorcycle mechanic, who raced motorcycles […]
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Obituary: Edith Nell Ervin
Edith Nell Ervin Edith Nell Ervin, 67, of Plant City, died March 25, 2013, at her home. She was born March 12, 1946, to the late Gaston Powell and late Una Vae Taylor. She is survived by her son, Johnny Ervin; grandchildren, Latasha, Johnny, Haley and Alexis; great-grandchildren, Thomas and Kaylynn; and lots of nieces […]
Continue ReadingObituary: John Robert Sapp Jr.
John Robert Sapp Jr. John Robert Sapp Jr., 23, of Dover, died March 25, 2013. Born Aug. 23, 1989, in Tampa, he was the son of John Sapp and Patricia Johnson Sapp. He attended Turkey Creek Church of God. He was known for writing stories, singing, dancing and playing video games. Surviving include brother, Joshua […]
Continue ReadingObituary: Faye Booth Gorman
Faye Booth Gorman, 75, of Plant City, died March 29, 2013. She was born Dec. 4, 1937, in Plant City, to the late Jay and Vera Booth. She was the wife of James “Dan” Gorman for 43 years. Mrs. Gorman was a 1955 graduate of the Plant City High School and a member of Shiloh […]
Continue ReadingObituary: Kenneth Virgil Simmons Jr.
Kenneth Virgil Simmons Jr. Kenneth Virgil Simmons Jr. died March 24, 2013. Mr. Simmons was a stock associate for Walmart and worked security for the Tampa Improv Comedy Club. He graduated from Plant City High School in 1998. He was on the wrestling, track and football teams. Mr. Simmons graduated from McMurray College with a […]
Continue ReadingObituary: Fred Mange Jr.
Fred Mange Jr. Fred Mange Jr., 78, of Plant City, passed away on March 26, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; daughters, Becky Rouse (Randy), Donna DesCombes (Martin); son, Dana Mange (Twalla); sisters, Delilah Bennett and Thelma Burr (Robert); nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. The funeral service was March 29, at Wells Memorial and Event […]
Continue ReadingObituary: Cecil E. Smith
Cecil E. Smith, 88, of Dover, died March 25, 2013. He was born Jan. 21, 1925, in Elba, Ala. He moved to Florida in 1950, where he met and married Fannie Miller Smith. She preceded him in death in 1996. Mr. Smith worked many jobs throughout his life, but he most enjoyed telling people about […]
Continue ReadingPhotojournalism winners announced
Three Plant City High School students took home cash prizes from winning the Photo Archive and History Center’s annual photojournalism contest. Jackson Hardee took first place for his submission about the Bing Rooming House, Robby Knox took second place for his submission about the First Baptist Church of Plant City historic building and Sydney Johnson took third place with […]
Continue ReadingGOTCHA!
Dear loyal Plant City Observer reader: Happy April Fools’ Day! Let me be clear: The story, titled “I-4 roundabout to alleviate strawberry jam,” which appeared today on our website, is an April Fools’ Day spoof. It is not true. I’ll say it one more time: It is not true. Transportation officials are NOT building a […]
Continue ReadingObituaries 03.28.13
Daniel Glenn Futch Daniel Glenn Futch, 57, of Plant City, died March 23, 2013. Born Feb. 21, 1956, in Plant City, he was the son of the late Danny and Marlene Morrison Futch. He was a great cook and a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, where he was a Sunday School teacher and was training […]
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