Rev. Lee Andrew Ford

Jan. 18, 1914 – May 29, 2015

Lee Andrew Ford, son of the late Charlie and Mary Ford, was born Jan. 18, 1914, in Suwannee County. He was the seventh son and 10th child of 13 siblings.

As a youth growing up in Suwannee County during the Depression years, his formal education was limited. During the mid-1930s, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). During his four year tenure in the CCC, Reverend Ford became certified in masonry, a skill that would become his lifelong profession.

Growing up in the Nebo Community of Suwannee County, he attended Queen Chapel Primitive Baptist Church and accepted Christ at a very early age. Reverend Lee A. Ford accepted the call to preach early in his life, and pastored many churches in the Eleventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Church. Among them were William Memorial AME, Orlando, Fla.; Claywood AME; Mount Olive AME, Live Oak, Fla.; Allen Chapel AME, Wellborn, Fla.; Union AME and Bethel AME, Lake City, Fla.

Reverend Ford is well known as a community leader and social justice advocate and has been honored with numerous awards for his distinguished service. Most notably, on April 20, 1977, Gov. Ruebin Askew, appointed Rev. Ford to serve on the Suwannee County School Board. This appointment made Rev. Ford the first African American to serve on the Suwannee County School Board.

He has also received awards for his community service from the mayor of the city of Live Oak, the Suwannee County Branch of the NAACP, and the African American Development Council Service Award.

On Jan. 18, 2014, Rev. Lee A. Ford celebrated his 100th birthday. Special Centenarian Letters and Awards were presented from national, state and local political, religious and civic leaders. Recognitions and awards presented included congratulations from President Barak Obama, Governor Rick Scott of Florida, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, Congressman Ted Yoho, State Senator Charles Dean, Garth R. Nobles Jr., the mayor of Live Oak, Jerry Taylor, chair, Suwannee County School Board, and Bishop Adam J. Richardson Jr., the presiding prelate of the 11th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverend Ford’s latest recognition included the Willard Scott Centenarian birthday selection to be aired on NBC’s Today Show.

Reverend Ford departed this life May 29, 2015. He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Annie Belle Ford (2010), son, Andrew Lee Ford Jr. (2008) and daughter, Susie Ford Boyd (2015).

He leaves to cherish his memory, daughter, Lucile (Jackie) Brooks of West-Memphis, Ark.; and grandsons, Andrew Lee Ford III (Soberina) of North Carolina; Ronald Ford, Homer Sapp, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Maurice Sapp (Ericka) of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; granddaughters, Sharon Hunter (George) of Live Oak, Fla.; Brianna Miller of Live Oak, Fla.; Andrea Ford of Valdosta, Ga.; Lisa West (Derrick) of Madison, Fla.; Keisha Sapp (Michael) of Fort Steward, Ga.; Mary Livingston, West-Memphis, Ark.; one daughter-in-law, Kate Ford of Valdosta, Ga.; 40 great grandchildren, 11 great great grandchildren, special nephews: Ozell Ford and Robert Ford; special niece: Grace Ford Jenkins; and a host of nieces, nephews and sorrowing friends.

Funeral services for Reverend Ford will be Saturday, June 6, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Greater New Bethel AME Church, 530 West Ave., Live Oak. Public viewing/visitation will be Friday, June 5, 2015, from 5-7 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home.

Thomas Funeral Home and staff are in charge of all arrangements.

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Jane E. Nelson

May 31, 2015

Jane E. Nelson, age 85 of Live Oak, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2015. Ms. Nelson was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed gardening and tending to her flowers, knitting and crocheting. Artistically inclined, she enjoyed drawing and making stained glass creations. She especially loved spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her son: Levi Watts of Live Oak; brothers: John (Jean) Cline and George (Cheryl) Cline all of Live Oak; one grandchild and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Forbes Funeral Home, MacClenny, Florida. 904-259-4600. Please sign the online guestbook at www.forbesfuneralhome.net

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Ruth Strachen Allen Lawton

Oct. 29, 1921 – May 20, 2015

Ruth Strachen Allen Lawton, 93, Dowling Park, Fla., passed from this life Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at Dacier Manor, Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park.  Her family and close friends will gather for a memorial service at Dacier Manor, Tuesday, June 9, at 2 p.m. Her family requests no flowers, but memorial gifts to The Forward Fund, ACV, Dowling Park, FL 32064, may be sent in her memory.

Survivors include children:   Thomas E. (Maribeth) Allen, Enterprise, Ala.; Dr. Susan Allen, Bend, Ore.; Dr. Barbara  Bode, Temple Terrace; Edmund Allen (Susie), Suches, Ga.; Dianna Fisel, LeGrange, Tenn.; George Lawton, Titusville; and Lola (Kirk) Finch, Kingsport, Tenn.; 13 grand-children; 17 great-grand-children; and one great-great-grandchild. Preceding her in death were her sister, Jane Strachen; a son, Brian Allen; and husband, Dr. Alfred H. Lawton.

Mrs. Lawton was born Oct. 29, 1921, in Elmira, N.Y., the elder daughter of the late Francis Emory Strachen and Mildred Arlene Havens Strachen. She was reared in Elmira and in 1943 graduated from Elmira College. Ruth’s first marriage brought five children who kept her busy at home but not too busy for her to volunteer in her church and community in various capacities. Later in life she returned to studies at the University of South Florida, where she earned an MA in library science.

Significant changes in the years ahead led to a second marriage, to Al Lawton, and with it, three additional children and their families, whom she loved as her own. A few years later, Ruth moved with Al to ACV, where she devoted many volunteer hours in various ways to serve the village—as a chancel choir member, a leader in the creation of the village television station, manager of the ceramics shop and a member of various committees, to name a few.  Many long-time friendships developed through her years at ACV, including those made with the staff of Dacier Manor, whom she loved as family.

Mrs. Lawton’s family extends their heartfelt thanks to the caregivers of Dacier Manor and Haven Hospice for their loving care for her especially during recent months.  ICS Cremation & Funeral Home.

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Richard A. “Rick” McManaway

May 28, 2015

Richard A. “Rick” McManaway, 49, Live Oak, Fla., passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2015 unexpectedly. The Alliance, Ohio native moved to Live Oak in 1978. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and worked for the United States Postal Service for thirty-one years. Mr. McManaway is survived by his mother: Darlene (Paul) Langford, Live Oak, Fla.; two daughters: Kristy Moody, Live Oak, Fla., Kelly McManaway, Live Oak, Fla.; one son: Kyle McManaway, Gainesville, Fla.; one sister: Heather Trice, Ft. White, Fla.; two brothers: Randy McManaway, Live Oak, Fla., Ritchie McManaway, Live Oak, Fla.; two grandchildren: Olivia Moody and Nathaniel Moody. He was preceded in death by his father: Richard “Dick” McManaway. Services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 1, at Westwood Baptist Church with Rev. Jonathan Rodrigez officiating. Interment followed in Live Oak Cemetery. There was a visitation held on Sunday, May 31, from 2-4 p.m. at Daniels Funeral Home.

Please sign the guest book at www.danielsfuneralhome.com

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., Live Oak & Branford, Fla. in charge of arrangements.

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Rev. Silas Bernard Aldridge

Nov. 22, 1929 – May 27, 2015

Silas Bernard Aldridge, age 85, of Dowling Park, Fla., passed away Wednesday evening, May 27, 2015, at the Good Samaritan Center in Dowling Park following a lengthy illness. Silas pastored churches in Jasper, Fla.; Brunswick, Ga.; Gadsden, Ala.; Wilmington, N.C.; Live Oak, Fla.; Clearwater, Fla.; Kissimmee, Fla.; and Waycross, Ga. He was highly respected by his parishioners and colleagues in ministry. He and his wife Mary Lou had been married and inseparable for 65 years.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Lewis and Harold and sister-in-law Marlene.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Aldridge, Dowling Park; one daughter, Debra (Matthew) Phillips, Rock Hill, S.C.;  one son, Ron (Deb) Aldridge, Ft. Mill, S.C.;  three brothers, Carl Aldridge, Waycross, Ga.; Gilbert (Carol) Aldridge, Waycross, Ga.; Henry (Ann) Aldridge, Waycross, Ga.; one sister, Carolyn Hutchison, Waycross, Ga.; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

All friends and family are invited to a celebration of his life June 13, at 3 p.m. at New Hope Advent Christian Church, 558 Miles Still Rd, Waycross, Ga. The service will be casual, “come as you are”.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made “In Memory of Silas B. Aldridge” to the Good Samaritan Center, Camellia Court, P.O. Box 4305, Dowling Park, FL  32064

As per his wishes, finalization will be by cremation.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc., Live Oak, Fla. is in charge of all arrangements.

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Jane McGraw

May 23, 1929 – May 31, 2015

Jane McGraw, age 86, of Live Oak, Fla., passed away Sunday, May 31, 2015, at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla. She was a native of Buffalo, N.Y., moving to Live Oak 27 years ago from Broward County, Fla. She loved the outdoors, watching hummingbirds and working with her flowers. She also loved NASCAR and, most of all, loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

She is survived by her husband, Lou McGraw, Live Oak; one son, Jim (Marie) McGraw, Live Oak; one daughter, Diane Trader, Live Oak, one brother, Edward Top, Live Oak; six grandchildren, Stephenie (Kevin) Shaw, Rolla, Mo.; Jason (Beth) McGraw, Melissa Ogles and Tiffany (Allen) Turnage, all of Live Oak; James “J.J.”(Amanda) McGraw, Lake City and Emily McGraw Live Oak; three great grandchildren, Devin Ogles, Mackenzie McGraw and Angelina Turnage all of Live Oak.

Visitation will be held prior to the services Wednesday, June 3, from 9 until 10:30 a.m.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Brody Harris Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow in the Live Oak Cemetery.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc., Live Oak, Fla., 386-364-5115 is in charge of all arrangements.

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Lawrence Garcia

Nov. 9, 1926 – June 1, 2015

Lawrence Garcia, age 88, of Live Oak, Fla., passed away Monday, June 1, 2015 at his home following a lengthy illness. He was a native of Slidell, La., moving to Live Oak in 1986 from Newberry, Fla. Lawrence owned and operated a hotel and restaurant before retiring. He was an avid duck hunter, who also loved to fish. He had a great passion for animals, especially raising and training homing pigeons.

He is survived by his wife, Mercedes Garcia, Live Oak; one son, Rene Galeas, Gainesville, Fla.; two daughters, Loretta Stevens, Slidell, La.; Veronica Garcia, Orlando, Fla.; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Graveside services will be held, 10 a.m. Thursday, June 4, 2015, in the Live Oak Cemetery with Father Bazan officiating.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc., Live Oak, Fla. is in charge of all arrangements.

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Carl Ray Carter

Carl Ray Carter, 89, Wellborn, Fla., passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2015.

ICS Cremation & Funeral Home, Lake City, Fla.

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Ruth Hill

Ruth Hill, 100, Dowling Park, Fla., passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2015.

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., Live Oak & Branford, Fla.

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Norma Jean Baldwin

Norma Jean Baldwin Gross passed away May 30, 2015, at her home in Live Oak, Fla.

D.M. Udell and Sons of D.M. Udell Funeral Home are in charge of all arrangements