Corey Joseph Rice
Corey Joseph Rice, 26, of Tampa, Fla., born in Brandon on Oct. 31, 1994, entered into eternal rest on July 26, 2021.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
James F. Aldridge
James F. Aldridge, 74, of Lithia, Fla., born in Monmouth, Ill. on April 16, 1947, entered into eternal rest on July 27, 202.
Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.
Virginia Ruth Hilliard
Virginia Ruth Hilliard, 86, of Plant City, Fla., born in Fort Ogden on July 13, 1935, entered into eternal rest on July 31, 2021.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Leland ‘Lee’ Felton Williams
Leland “Lee” Felton Williams, 68, of Plant City, Fla., born in Tampa on Aug. 14, 1952, entered into eternal rest on July 31, 2021.
He was the 2nd generation owner of Felton’s Meat and Produce, and a graduate of the University of Florida, earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a minor in Physics. He was the Past President and Melvin Jones Fellow of the Plant City Lion’s Club, Past Chairman and Good Egg recipient for the Plant City Chamber of Commerce, board member of Unity in the Community, and member of First Baptist Church Plant City, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and the National Model Railroad Association.
He was an avid fan of the Florida Gators, enjoyed model railroading, and was a longtime student of physics and history.
He is survived by siblings, Karen Williams Davis (Elliot) and Jeff Williams (Pat); nieces, Kayla Davis, and Cameron Davis; extended family, Stacy Beasley, John Beasley, Laura Beasley (Jake), Jamie Beasley, Easton Elliott, and Tate Elliott; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by parents, Felton and Lucille Williams.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021 at First Baptist Church Plant City, 3309 James L Redman Parkway, Plant City. Interment was held at Memorial Park Cemetery, Plant City.
Memorial contributions may be made to Unity in the Community at unityinplantcity.org.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Earl Wayne Jameson
Earl Wayne Jameson, 82, of Lithia, Fla., born on June 12, 1939, entered into eternal rest on Aug. 1, 2021.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Alice A. Jenkins
Alice A. Jenkins, 73, of Plant City, Fla., born in Ft. Meade on July 28, 1948, entered into eternal rest on July 31, 2021.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Eddie Murrell Richter
Eddie Murrell Richter, 82, of Plant City, Florida, born on March 29, 1939, entered into eternal rest on August 3, 2021.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Victoria Jean Moore
Victoria Jean Moore, age 77, of Plant City, FL passed away on August 3, 2021.
The family will receive friends Friday, August 6, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m.
Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.
Martha Dean Baxter
Martha Dean Baxter, 77, passed away on July 31, 2021. She was born March 10, 1944 in Plant City, Fla.
Visitation will be 10 a.m., Aug. 9, 2021 with funeral at 11 a.m. at Wells Memorial Funeral Home. Burial at Auburndale Memorial Park in Auburndale, Florida.
Visit www.WellsMemorial.com for full obituary.
Joseph ‘Joe’ Hamel Regan
Joseph “Joe” Hamel Regan, 73, of Callaway, Va. passed away on July 24, 2021. He was born in Yazoo, Miss. Burial took place in Springhead Cemetery, Lakeland, Fla. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Regan family.
Joe Alexander Williams
Joe Alexander Williams, 82, passed away on July 24, 2021. Joe was born April 16, 1939 in Camilla, Ga.
A Memorial Service will be held Aug. 14 at Wells Memorial Funeral Home at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
Full obituary at www.wellsmemorial.com.
Donnie Coker Wells (Donald)
The family of Donnie “Don” Wells announces with a heavy heart that he has gone to be with our Lord in Heaven on July 29, 2021 at the age of 83.
Don was born and raised in Plant City, Fla.
At eight months old he fell ill with polio. He spent much of his childhood in the childrens hospital. Polio caused him to face many challenges in life, but he never allowed it to hold him back or dampen his spirit. He was a firm believer that a person’s disability doesn’t define them and that “you should never call someone by anything other than their name.”
He graduated from Turkey Creek High School, which was known as a “strawberry school.” The children, Don included, picked strawberries in the winter and attended school in the summer.
At the age of 20 he worked at Howard Johnson’s as a dishwasher when he met Sarah, the love of his life, on Thanksgiving. They were engaged at Christmas and married Easter of 1959.
Soon after, Sarah blessed him with four beautiful children. They share many fond memories of their dad teaching them things like how to play jacks or helping learn to swim and ride bicycles. He also spent many evenings after work playing ball with them. He truly was “the best dad in the world!”
Don was also an avid boater and loved taking his family out to water ski. It was common practice for him to offer strangers standing on the bank a boat ride just to see them smile.
On Sunday mornings you could find him at church and might have even heard him singing in the choir during his younger years. Afterwards he would meet with family at the park to have lunch. Faith and family were always held very dear to his heart.
Don became a Masterbarber in 1962. He went on to successfully own and operate Payless Barbershop located at 1201 South Collins St. in Plant City until cancer forced his retirement. He was the barber to countless families in the local and surrounding area, many of whom became close friends. Don mentored many of his family members during his nearly 60 year barber career. His family plans to keep the shop open and continue Don’s lifelong legacy of the beloved hometown barber.
Don leaves behind to cherish his memory, Sarah, his loving wife of 62 years. Also his three daughters; Donna Wells, Deborah Holeyfield, and Denise Wells; Two son-in-laws, Randy Holeyfield and Hugh Welchel; Nine grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Diana Welchel.
Don’s family would like to thank all of his friends/customers who called and stopped by to show so much love and support during his last days. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Sonlife Baptist Church 4020 East Lumsden Road in Valrico, Fl. Doors will open at 12 p.m. to receive family and friends. Service will begin at 1 p.m.