Obituaries – Nov. 16

Published 9:46 am Thursday, November 17, 2011

William Sanford Nimmons Sr.

William Sanford Nimmons Sr., 75, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Leesburg, FL.

Darlene Gamble

Nov. 23, 1957 – Nov. 14, 2011

Darlene Gamble, 53, Live Oak, Fla. passed away on Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 after a long illness. The lifelong resident of Live Oak worked at Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse for six years and was a member of Westwood Baptist Church. She is survived by her mother: Elizabeth Bass, Live Oak, Fla.; two sons: Ricky & Shae Gamble, Live Oak, Fla., Chad Gamble, Live Oak, Fla.; two brothers: Drew & Renee Bass, Live Oak, Fla., Fletcher Bass, Jacksonville, Fla.; two grandchildren: Dawson Gamble and Hannah Gamble. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 at Macedonia Cemetery with Dr. Jimmy Deas officiating.

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

Victoria Knoth Baxley

July 23, 1951 – Nov. 10, 2011

Victoria Knoth Baxley, of Live Oak, Florid,a formerly of Long Island, New York.

Loving wife of Robert Wayne Baxley for 35 years. Devoted mother to Robert Angelo, Shawn Baxley, Renee Terry, Michael Wayne Baxley Sr. and the late Robert Andrew Baxley. Beloved daughter of the late Frank and Mary Knoth. Cherished sister of Frank Knoth, William Knoth, Karl Knoth, Keith Knoth, Toni Knoth Locascio and the late Candice Knoth. Proud grandmother to 11 and great grandmother of one.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Hopeful Baptist Church 289 S.E. Hopeful Drive, Lake City, Florida 32025. Arrangements entrusted to Ocoee Family Funeral Home and Cremation Chapel. 407-656-3079.

Dorothy Vireen Pepe

Dorothy Vireen Pepe, 87, O’Brien, Fla. passed away on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., Live Oak & Branford, Fl.

Arthur Pitts

Arthur Pitts, 94, died Oct. 19, 2011. Graveside was in Lakeland, Fla. on Oct. 21, 2011.

Memorial service Friday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, McAlpin, Fla. Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Lakeland, Fla.

Jessie J. Saunders

Jan. 26, 1943 – Nov. 13, 2011

Jessie J. Saunders, 68, Wellborn, Fla. passed away on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. She is survived by her three step-daughters: Teresa mays, Huntsville, Ala.; Karen Witney, Huntsville, Ala.; Kathy Saunders, Atlanta, Ga.; three sons: Roy Jessie Peterson, Live Oak, Fla., Randall Justin Peterson, Robin Thompson, Tallahassee, Fla.; one sister: Mary Fitts, Melrose, Fla.; one brother: John W. Brooks, Live Oak, Fla. and three grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Live Oak Cemetery with Rev. Tim Carver officiating. Visitation was held on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 5-7 p.m. at Daniels Funeral Homes in Live Oak.

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

Richard “Dickie” Grayson Odom Sr.

July 14, 1950 – Nov. 8, 2011

Richard “Dickie” Grayson Odom Sr., passed away after an extended illness. He is survived by the love of his life, Rose Griffis Odom, as well as his beloved mother, Doris J. Odom. Children: Richard G. Odom Jr. (Julie) Ardmore, Al, Jarrett D. Odom, Lake City; Stephanie Odom Wattles, Branford; Chad Griffis, Raiford, Jeremy Griffis, Raiford; Brothers and sister H.D. “Doug” Odom, Jr. (Candy), Sumter, S.C.; David F. Odom (Lorraine), Lloyd, Fla.; and Debra Odom (Khrys), White Springs, Fla. Grandchildren Derek and Laura Odom, as well as the extended family of John D. and Sarah Odom (grandparents). He is preceded in death by his father, H.D. “Doug” Odom Sr. The Vernon Griffis (Raiford, Fla.) family is his loved second family.

Richard lived the majority of his life in Columbia County. He graduated from CHS in 1969 and continued his education at LCCC, as well as other advanced classes qualifying him to become a vocation educational teacher at CHS, and also at the Department of Corrections. He helped many with life and job skills through his work. He went on to a long career with  the Department of Corrections, most recently serving at Maintenance Superintendent at Suwannee Correctional Institute, Live Oak, where the welfare of his coworkers and quality of service was always a priority for him. 

His greatest joys were his wife, Rose, his mother, his children and grandchildren. Tarpon fishing and turkey hunting with his family were two of his most favorite things. He possessed a special talent creating carvings from old fat lighter knots and making exquisite turkey calls from wing bones.

Memorial service was held at Gateway Forest Lawn, 3596 S. US HWY 441, Lake City, FL 32025 (386.752.1954) Saturday, Nov.12, 2011 at 11 a.m. Memorial donations are requested in lieu of flowers to Haven Hospice, 618 SW Florida Gateway Blvd, Lake City, FL 32024.