William Parks Johnson

Live Oak and Suwannee County lost a compassionate, southern gentleman on May 10, 2004, with the death of William Parks Johnson, 61, following his lengthy battle with cancer. Johnson, known throughout North Florida as a gracious, benevolent community friend, touched the lives of many people through his outreach to various church, school and community programs. Johnson was a devoted family and business man whose zest for life was demonstrated by his love for others in the community and surrounding areas.

Born in Albany, Ga., and reared in Pelham, Ga., Johnson graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in business administration. Following graduation in 1964, he moved to Live Oak to establish the management and ownership of the Nehi Bottling Company, which he operated for 11 years.

By 1975, Johnson opened the Parks Johnson Agency, which he operated for 29 years. During this time, he built professional and business relationships with city and county governments, school districts, businesses and individuals that set him apart with his agency. His commitment to the causes of his profession fostered an environment of loyalty and dedication among the staff and the communities they served.



Johnson was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Live Oak and the Live Oak Rotary Club. Professionally, he was a member of the Million Dollar Round Table and a consistent Council Producer with New York Life. Following his first 20 years of business performance, he achieved the status of Senior NYLIC.



Survivors include: his wife, Ethel Tyson Johnson; a daughter, Mimi Johnson; and two sons, Tyson and Robert Johnson; and six grandchildren, Adrienne Johnson, Tyler and Mary Beth Finch, Andrew and Faith Johnson and Landon De Pratter.



The family received visitors at Daniels Funeral Home, Live Oak Wednesday, May 12.



The Rev. Dr. Craig Moore, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiated at the funeral service on Thursday, May 13, at the First United Methodist Church in Live Oak. Interment followed at the Live Oak Cemetery,

Daniels Funeral Home of Live Oak is in charge of all the arrangements.



Priscilla Marie Merritt



Priscilla Marie Merritt, 65, passed away Friday, May 7, 2004, at Shands at University of Florida Hospital, Gainesville. A native of Dekalb, Ill., she moved to Live Oak from Miami, was a retired salesperson of 17 years and a member of the Dowling Park Church of God. She attended the Melody Christian Center, Live Oak.



Survivors include: her son, Adam Merritt, Live Oak and her sister, Shirley Lewis, Miami.



Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m., Friday, May 14, at the Dowling Park Church of God with the Rev. Doyle Glass officiating.

Morning Funeral Home, Inc., Melrose is in charge of all arrangements.



Lela Mathis Brim



Lela Mathis Brim, 89, a resident of Live Oak, passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2004, in the Shands at Live Oak Hospital, following a long illness. A native of Madison County and the daughter of the late Dixie and Estelle Williams Lyles, she had resided in Live Oak for the past 45 years. Brim was a former nurses aid and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dowling Park.

Survivors include: her daughter, Mary Barricklow of Live Oak; one sister, Mary Lou Hancock of Jacksonville; three grandchildren, Tommie Downing of Live Oak, Darlene Bush of Sommerville, S.C. and Robert Frost of Tallahassee; six great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces and nephews.



Graveside funeral services will be conducted Friday, May 14, 2004, at 11 a.m., in the Orange Baptist Cemetery, with the Rev. Shawn Johnson, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dowling Park, officiating.



Suwannee Funeral Home, Live Oak, is in charge of all arrangements.



Dorothy Mae Jordan



Dorothy Mae Jordan, 88, of Live Oak, passed away Monday, May 10, 2004, in Lee. A native of Blackville, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Levi and Flossie Mae Stell Rowell. Jordan moved to Live Oak 20 years ago from Tampa. She was a member of the Dowling Park Church of God and a homemaker.

Survivors include: her three sons, Milton Hair of Denver, Colo., Billy Joe “B.J.” (Pamala) Miller of Jennings and Donald (Traci) Miller of Lee; three daughters, Lavina (Dennis) Johnson of Lake Park, Ga., Nancy (Jerry) Hyde of Lee and Linda Cumbess of Dowling Park; one sister, Pearl Woods of Bamburg, S.C.; 30 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.



Funeral services were held at 4 p.m., Thursday, May 13, 2004, in Suwannee Funeral Home, 932 North Ohio Ave., Live Oak, with Pastors David Glass and Richard Quackenbush officiating. Interment followed in Live Oak Cemetery.

Suwannee Funeral Home, Live Oak was in charge of all arrangements.



Nancy C. Bass



Nancy C. Bass died May 12 at her home in Live Oak. The family will receive visitors May 14 at Daniels Funeral Home from 6 – 8 p.m.



Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 15 at 11 a.m. at First Advent Christian Church, Live Oak



Virgie E. McCord



Virgie E. McCord, 81, of Live Oak, passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2004 in the Lake City Medical Center.



Daniels Funeral Home of Live Oak



Clifford Lee Gamel Sr.



Clifford Lee Gamel Sr., 61, of Branford, passed away, Tuesday, May 11, 2004, in his home after a long illness.



Daniels Funeral Home, Branford