Essie Vernera Clark
CROSS CITY -- Essie Vernera Clark of Cross City died Wednesday at North Florida Regional Medical Center. She was 76.
She was a lifelong resident of Cross City.
She worked as a cashier in merchandising.
Mrs. Clark was a member of the Church of God in Cross City, and she enjoyed working in her flower garden.
Survivors include her husband, Clarence Edward Clark of Cross City; two daughters, Ann Saye and Beth Dees, both of Cross City; four brothers, C.F. Douglas, C.C. Douglas Jr. and Herman Douglas, all of Cross City, and J.R. Douglas of Horseshoe Beach; and two sisters, Katie Weeks of St. Augustine and Lorina Lucas of Old Town.
Icie Cook
Icie Cook of Gainesville died Thursday at the Hospice House of Gainesville She was 100.
She was born in Roane County, W. Va., and moved to Gainesville from Gandeeville, W.Va., in 1960.
In her early years, she worked at a county campground, where she cooked for everyone. She was famous for her country cooking. She later became a homemaker. During the Depression, she opened her house and farm to family and friends.
Mrs. Cook was always concerned about the well-being of others, especially her family and children, and she managed to send her sons to college during the Depression.
"She was aware of everyone, even up to the end. She was always the hub of the family, " said daughter-in-law, Kathy Cook.
She was famous for her quilts.
Mrs. Cook was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cluster C. Cook, in 1971, and three sons, C.C. Cook Jr., Carl H. Cook and Bernard C. Cook.
Survivors include a daughter, Peggy Joan Cook of Gainesville; a son Robert E. Cook of Raleigh, N.C.; 10 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Irene B. Cue
Irene B. Cue of Gainesville died Sunday at Shands at AGH after a lengthy illness. She was 86.
She was born in Earleton and moved to Gainesville 60 years ago.
She was a homemaker.
She was a member of Bartley Temple United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 306.
Survivors include three daughters, Lucille McKinney, Shirley Taylor and Zelma Cue, all of Gainesville; a son, Collist Cue of Gainesville; five sisters, Maggie Brooks, Eunice Watson, Geneva Watson and Frances Alford, all of Gainesville, and Cesorose Reddick of Miami; a brother, Earnest Watson of Earleton; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Eddie Duggan Sr.
MELROSE - Eddie Duggan Sr. died Saturday at Shands at the University of Florida after a brief illness. He was 67.
He was born in Sandersville, Ga., and moved to Melrose 45 years ago.
He was a truck driver.
Mr. Duggan was a member of St. Johns Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Katherleen Duggan of Melrose; three daughters, Angela Hicks, Tonya Duggan and Felicia Duggan, all of Melrose; four sons, Alphonso Duggan of Johnson, Eddie Duggan Jr. of Jacksonville, Michael Duggan of Melrose and Michael Duggan of Miami; two stepdaughters, Shandella Guyden and Prentiss Guyden, both of Melrose; two stepsons, Causey Guyden of Miami and Edward White Jr. of Keystone; five sisters, Nina Mae White of Gainesville, Sewilla Fleming and Carrie Bell Boss, both of Tennille, Ga., Lucille Walker of Texas and Hattie Mae Hall of Sandersville; a brother, Tommy Hall of Jacksonville; and 22 grandchildren.
Don Wayne Fortner
WILLISTON -- Don Wayne Fortner died Wednesday at his Williston home after a lengthy illness. He was 51.
He was born in Sanford and moved to Williston from Lake Mary 13 years ago in Williston.
Mr. Fortner was the owner and operator of Fortner Feed Store.
He was of the Pentecostal Faith.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda Allen Fortner of Williston; two sons, Justin Fortner and Grady Fortner of Williston; and his mother, Edith Bellamy Fortner of Williston.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to the American Cancer Society.
Gladys D. Fussell
Gladys D. Fussell of Gainesville died Tuesday at Integrated Health Services of Gainesville. She was 80.
She was born in Escambia County and moved to Gainesville from Tampa two years ago.
She was a Baptist.
Survivors include two daughters, Jean Rosell of Gainesville and Rosalie Thorton of Atwater, Calif.; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Charles M. Kivler Jr.
HAWTHORNE -- Charles M. Kivler Jr. died Thursday at Hospice of Marion in Ocala.
He was 98.
He was born in Winter Haven. He lived in Gainesville from 1963-1977, moved to Jacksonville from 1977-1984, and then relocated to Gainesville in 1984.
Mr. Kivler was a member of Mandarin United Methodist Church in Jacksonville and University United Methodist Church in Gainesville.
He was a former Mason and Shriner. He was manager of physical facilities for Alachua and Duval County school systems. He worked for the physical plant at the University of Florida as a building and plans inspector.
Survivors include four daughters, Elizabeth Ann Kivler and Sarah Rowan Kivler, both of Jacksonville, Barbara Kivler Hansen of Orange Park and Carolyn Hope Kivler of Gainesville.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to the Hospice of Marion.
Hester Jackson
Hester Jackson of Gainesville died Sept. 21 at the Oaks Care Center after a lengthy illness. She was 91.
She was born in Berrian County, Ga., and moved to Gainesville from Mississippi 37 years ago.
She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Jackson was a member of the Church of God in Unity, where she served as church mother, church secretary, deaconess and Sunday school teacher.
Survivors include a sister, Martha Lewis of Gainesville; a niece and caregiver, Gladys Thompson of Gainesville; two stepdaughters, Earlene Bright of Maryland and Paula Long of Newberry; and two stepsons, Charles Jackson of California and Eddie Jackson of Alachua.
Mai Neel Kahlich
HIGH SPRINGS -- Mai Neel Kahlich died Wednesday at Shands at AGH after a lingering illness. She was 85.
She was a lifelong resident of High Springs, living in the same house her entire life.
Mrs. Kahlich was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of High Springs, holding one of the longest memberships in the history of the church. She was recently presented with the Lifetime Membership in Presbyterian Women.
She is survived by a nephew, John Stephens Neel Jr. of Gainesville; and two grand-nieces, Laura and Cimaron Neel, both of Flagler Beach.
Barbara Jane Stephens Leigh
BROOKER -- Barbara Jane Stephens Leigh of Brooker died Wednesday at the Hospice House of Gainesville. She was 74.
She was born in Jacksonville and spent most of her school years in Alachua.
Her great-grandparents were pioneers of the state, settling in Punta Gorda and Alachua in the 1800s. Her father was a civil engineer and traveled the United States. During that time, she remained with her grandparents, Isaac and Birdie Futch.
She graduated from the last class of Florida State College for Women in 1947 and married
Louis Leigh in the same year. His ministry with the Methodist church took them throughout the state.
She was a retired elementary school teacher of 30 years and a self-proclaimed Florida historian.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Louis H. Leigh of Alachua; a daughter, Susan Leigh of Tallahassee; two sons, Thomas Leigh of Russell, Ky., and Hank Leigh of Gainesville; and seven grandchildren.
