Martha Garva
Martha Garva, 57, of Plant City, Fla., born on July 22, 1966, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 7, 2025.
Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.
Thomas “Tom” Millaway
Thomas “Tom” Millaway, 71, of Valrico, Fla., born on Mar. 4, 1953, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 6, 2025.
Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.
Webster B. “Hap” Carson
Webster B. “Hap” Carson, 93, of Dover, Fla., born on Aug. 8, 1931, in Mobile, Alabama, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 7, 2025.
Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.
Julia “Judy” Elliot Struth Bray
Julia “Judy” Elliot Struth Bray, 81, of Plant City, born on Aug. 13, 1943, in Atlanta, Georgia, Fulton County, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 12, 2025. She was raised in the Atlanta area and graduated from Sylvan Hills High School, class of 1961. She was employed by General Motors, Chevrolet Division, where she met and marries James R. (Rod) Struth in 1964. Following the birth of their two sons, Kenneth and Charles, her husband’s job brought them to the Tampa Bay Area in 1968 and then to Plant City in 1970. She was involved in the PTA at Burney Elementary School and Jackson Elementary School, where her children attended. She was also a teacher’s aide at Jackson Elementary School for 3 years, and was involved with the Cub Scouts as Den Mother, with her sons, for several years. She was involved with the dolphin Youth Football program for 10 years, where her family all participated. She loved to read, travel, and spend time with her family whenever possible.
In her younger years, she enjoyed water skiing and bowling. She was a bookkeeper and Vice President of their family-owned business, Alert Tire Service, in Plant City for 25 years. Later, she was employed part-time by the Florida Strawberry Festival and sunshine State Federal Saving and Loan in Plant City. She has been an Auxillian at South Florida Baptist Hospital since 1966. She was a member of First Methodist Church for 25 years and later became a member of First Baptist Church in Plant City, where she met and married Richard F. (Dick) Bray in 2005. She was preceded in death by her husbands, James R. “Rod” Struth and Richard F. “Dick” Bray, both of Plant City, and parents, Augustine C. And Edna Pair Elliot of Henry County, Georgia.
She is survived by sons, Kenneth Struth and Charles Struth (Brenda), both of Plant City; grandchildren, Austin Struth (Naomi), Taylor Struth, Kiersten Struth, and Shaunie Zimmerman (Dillon), all of Plant City; step-daughter, Heather Bray of Tampa; great-grandchildren, Taylor Zimmerman, Cannon Zimmerman, Halston Zimmerman and Sadie K., all of Plant City; niece by association, Cheryl Duck of Scotts Hill, Tennessee; and niece and nephews in the Atlanta area, family, and friends. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 18 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Plant City, 3309 James L Redman Parkway, Plant City, where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m.
For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed at https://www.fbcpc.com/live. Committal to follow at Hopewell Memorial Gardens, Plant City.
Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.
Betty Fletcher
Betty Fletcher passed away Jan. 4, 2025, in Plant City, Fla. She was born on Nov. 21, 1933, a daughter of Madeline and Charles Phillips, in Oak Park, Illinois. Betty is survived by her eight children; Debb Hammond (Robert) Illinois, Angela Adams (Mike) New Mexico, Jeff Watson (Yaning) Florida, Marty Trageser (Jerry) Florida, Randy Watson (Elaine) Kansas, Don Watson (Nancy) Connecticut, Dave Watson (Akemi) Okinawa, Craig Watson (Debbie) Missouri, and twenty-one grandchildren, twenty- four great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her second husband, Paul Fletcher, her travel companion and soulmate for 35 years. They traveled to all fifty states, most of our National Parks and more than 30 countries. Betty and Paul enjoyed many activities at the Lakes; (shuffleboard, cards, travel groups, swimming and music). Betty moved to Walden Lakes after Paul passed away and then moved to The Meadows where she enjoyed swimming, coffee group, gardening, lunch bunch and many dear friends. Betty was very proud of her children, all eight graduated from college. Betty went back to college at 38 and earned an MA in Special education. She taught many special needs students in Illinois. Betty was also an active volunteer in the community, Cracker Country, Chamber of Commerce visitor center, Art Guild, Cancer Ward. She worked in her garden daily, swam most days, enjoyed her daily coffee group and cherished time with family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Meadows in Plant City on Mar. 8, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to join us.
Murel Lee Jones
Murel Lee Jones, a beacon of kindness and selflessness, passed away peacefully on Jan. 10, 2025, at the age of 88 in Brandon, Fla. Friends and family will be received on Jan. 17, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Plant City Church of God, 2103 Mud Lake Rd Plant City, FL 33566. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Plant City, FL.
Online condolences can be made at www.haught.care.
Angelina Steiner
Angelina Steiner, 88, beloved mother, grandmother, and sister went to be with the Lord on Jan. 4, 2025.
She was pre deceased by her husband, Hank Steiner and her brothers, Matthew and Joseph Pennisi and sister, Norma Pardee. She is survived by her four children, Christine, David, Eddie, and Dan (Stephanie); three grandchildren, Dominic, Cameron, and Marissa; and her sisters, Stella Emmert, Lydia Price and Joyce Pugh.
Angelina attended Pensacola Vocational School and studied typing and shorthand. Her earliest career began at the Pensacola USO Club where she worked as a stenographer. She also worked as a manager at Bell South Telephone Co.
Angelina was a passionate, award winning author whose timeless books of poetry are archived in the Library of Congress. She was a member of the Florida Writer’s Association and loved to cook, sew, and travel. She frequently volunteered through English Setter Rescue.
Angelina touched the lives of so many through her love, generosity and dedication to family. She was a proud member of St. Clement Church and enjoyed serving her community. Her legacy will be remembered as someone who was not only a literary genius ability, but a light that shined brightly through the many lives she touched.
A private service was held in Pensacola, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in her memory.
Deborah Louise Strand
Deborah Louise Strand, known affectionately as Debbie by her friends and family, passed away peacefully on Jan. 13, 2025, at the age of 72 in Plant City, Fla. Born on October 25, 1952, in Louisville, Kentucky, she was a beacon of love and kindness throughout her life. Services will be held privately by the family.
Online condolences can be made at www.haught.care.
June Marie Cason Bass
The memorial service, originally scheduled for Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, has been postponed due to weather conditions. It will now be held on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Moore Chapel at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, with Rev. Bill Britt officiating.