Obituaries 6.27.19
James Richard ‘Dick’ Wilson Jr.
Mr. James Richard “Dick” Wilson Jr., 81, of Cochran, GA, died Monday, June 24, 2019 at Heart of Georgia Nursing Home.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Daniel Cook officiating, with interment in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Wilson was born in Plant City, FL and was a graduate of Plant City High School. He received his Bachelor degree from Athens College in Athens, AL and his MBA from Mississippi State University.
He worked for several corporations over the years before beginning his career as an educator at Middle Georgia College in 1967. During his tenure, he taught economics and business classes and enjoyed being the sponsor of the Civitan Club.
After retirement in 1995, he enjoyed fishing, carpentry, music and reading about history. He was quick witted, loved to tell a good joke and his laughter was contagious. He was a great storyteller in both written and oral form and was in the process of writing his second novel.
He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who served his country as a veteran of the U.S. Army, and his Lord and Savior as a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Cochran. He was the son of the late Esther Beatrice Cone Wilson and James Richard Wilson Sr. and was preceded in death by a Sister, Norma Kay Wilson and a Brother-in-Law, Edward Wilson. Survivors: Wife of 33 years – Mary Ellen Tripp Wilson of Cochran; Daughter – Gretchen Wilson-Tuck (Jeff) of Cochran; Son – Todd Haynsworth Wilson of Cochran; 3 Grandchildren – Britton Amick Tuck of Atlanta, Bailey Marie Wilson (Jared) of Milledgeville, and Jada Lynn Wilson of Cochran; Brother – Harry Wilson (Patti) of Greensboro, NC; Sister- in-Law – Patricia T. Johnson of Newnan; Several Nieces and Nephews.
The family may be contacted at the Wilson residence, 1711 Roddy Hwy., Cochran, and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital. Stokes- Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman has charge of SSFH arrangements.
Kailee Carter
Kailee Carter, 9, of Plant City, passed away on June 22, 2019.
The family will receive friends Saturday, June 29, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 a.m.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.
Wade Watford
Wade Watford, 78, of Brandon, born on June 29, 1940 in Dothan, Alabama, entered into eternal rest on June 17, 2019.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Robert Sidney Edwards, Sr.
Robert Sidney Edwards, Sr. peacefully entered his eternal reward, embraced in the love of his family and friends, on June 24, 2019, at his home in The Estates at Carpenters, Lakeland.
He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his diligent practice of the law and his dedication and tireless service to his community. Born July 10, 1929, in Miami, Fla., Bob was the son of Hugh and Ouida Edwards and grew up in Mayo, Fla. After graduating from Lafayette High School, Bob headed to the University of Florida for undergraduate and law degrees. While serving as a JAG in the U.S. Air Force, Bob was stationed at England Air Force Base in Alexandria, La., where he met the beautiful and charming Carrie Ann Chicola, working at her family grocery store. The two married in 1954 and moved to Plant City, where he built a law practice and they built a life and family of six children.
His law practice primarily focused on corporate, real estate and family law, but in reality he did whatever he could to help his neighbors with their legal and life questions. And if he couldn’t find a creative solution to a problem, he would find someone who could help. Often describing himself as just a “country lawyer,” few people knew that he argued a case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1969. He was passionate about serving the community he loved, working night and day to revitalize downtown Plant City. Realizing he needed to “walk the talk,” he and his law partners led the renovation of the old Wells Building to move their law practice there. He lived to build up the Kingdom of God in every way possible, giving his time, talent and treasure to both the First United Methodist Church and St. Clement Catholic Church, where Carrie and the children worshipped.
The pastors and priests asked and Bob always answered the call, never seeking any credit or recognition, preferring to work behind the scenes. His beloved city is dotted with projects he helped succeed, from the Hillsborough Community College campus to the Otis Andrews Sports Complex to the YMCA, to name a few. An Eagle Scout himself, Bob was honored by the TIMUCUA District of Boy Scouts of America as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 2008. He received the Tampa General Hospital Board of Directors award for excellence in governance in 2003 after three terms on the board. He was honored by the YMCA with the George Williams Award for helping establish the YMCA and received the Heritage Award in 2011, for preserving the history of Plant City. Following the death of his wife, Carrie, in 1986, Bob didn’t lament or mourn for long, understanding that the Lord never gives you more than you can handle and that He expects us to embrace the gift of life bestowed on us for service to Him.
Bob forged a new chapter of happiness with the faithful and devoted Patricia Mann, his “Patsy Ruth,” and added her daughters to his brood to create a family of nine. Bob and Patt were quite a team, traveling the world from Moscow to Tokyo, all while serving their family, church and community in every possible way. Saving his best role for later in life, Bob was an incredible Papa to 23 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He regularly collected sugar (kisses) and although his “horsey” lap always seemed to break, causing a thrilling near-crash to the delight of the little ones, he was always able to return them safely and securely to his lap and its warm embrace. His wisdom and gentle guidance were much sought after by this younger generation as they grew to understand his lessons on forgiveness, loving selflessly and the importance of making others feel special. His influence on all will be greatly missed.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Carrie Ann Edwards, and his brother, Kenny Edwards. He is survived by his wife, Patt, his sister, Edna Buchanan, sister-in-law Jean Edwards, sister-in-law Cookie Luna, his children, Robbie Ann Lea, Lynn Simeone (Damon), Clare Hicks (Tim), Kay Brown (Jim), Bobby and Brian (Annmarie) Edwards, Barbara Morris, Lynne Ann Bisceglia (Craig) and Nancy Slagle (Bill). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Carrie and Jared Sullivan, Courtney Klein, Michael Peacock, Emily, Christen and Hilary Buckler, Philip, Katie, Patrick, Matt and Teresa Edwards, Michael and Christopher Morris, Shannon Innes, Trisha George, Brian Lewis, Michael and Amy Bisceglia, Lianne Lapierre, Casey, Courtney and Parker Slagle, 22 great-grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews. The family will receive family and friends on Friday June 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Plant City, 303 N Evers St., Plant City, FL 33563,where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 29. Interment private at Hopewell Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Plant City. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com
Methodist Church of Plant City, 303 N Evers St., Plant City, FL 33563,where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 29. Interment private at Hopewell Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Plant City. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Larry Ennis
Larry Ennis, 76, of Plant City, born on Nov. 11, 1942, entered into eternal rest on June 22, 2019.
He was a second-generation farmer and was extremely patriotic. He loved his family and was a great cook. He enjoyed fishing, boating, NASCAR racing and the Tampa Bay Rays.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judy Ennis; sons, Kevin Ennis (Cheri), Michael Ennis (Virginia), and Brent Ennis (Lisa); grandchildren, Justin Ennis and Alma Kingsley; and great-grandchildren, Skylar and Ashlynn Kingsley.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Ennis; and parents, Homer and Opal Ennis.
A funeral will be held Thursday, June 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 S. County Rd. 39, Plant City, where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. Committal to follow at Hopewell Memorial Gardens, Plant City.
Memorial contributions may be made to Moffitt Cancer Center, give.moffitt.org.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
