Eddie Lee Simmons
Eddie Lee Simmons of Miami died suddenly on Wednesday. He was 47.
Mr. Simmons graduated from Gainesville High School in 1971, and later became a food service employee.
He was born in Grove Park and he moved from Gainesville to Miami in 1991.
He was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church in Gainesville, and a member of the Greater Holy Cross Baptist Church in Miami.
Survivors include a daughter, Lasonia Simmons of Gainesville; two sons, Eric Simmons and Brian Simmons, both of Gainesville; his father and stepmother, Dennis Watkins Sr. and Estella Watkins of Gainesville; three stepchildren, Aaron McGlon Jr. of Ocala, Brenda McGlon of Gainesville and Jackie Duncan of Savannah, Ga.; eight sisters, Betty Simmons, Rosemary Patterson, Bonnie Bryant, Jeanett Bryant, Ruby Lee Jackson and Patricia Bryant, all of Gainesville and Helen Isaac and Cathy Edwards, both of St. Petersburg; eight brothers, Henry McCone, of Laramie Wyo., Charles White of Lake City and Arnett Bryant, Leonard Bryant, Eugene Watkins, Dennis Watkins, Louis Watkins and Leroy Watkins, all of Gainesville; and five grandchildren.
Jimmie L. Smith
WILLISTON -- Jimmie L. "Peter" Smith of Williston died unexpectedly on Saturday at Nature Coast Hospital.
He was 68.
He was a retired self-employed masonry.
He was born in Monticello and moved to Williston many years ago.
He was a member of the Church of God by Faith in Raleigh.
He was an ordained deacon, and served as a Sunday school superintendent, a member of the finance board at both the local and district level and as a member of the choir.
He was survived by his wife, Odessa Smith of Williston; his mother, Ollie Smith of Monticello; four daughters, Barbara Allen of Detroit, Virginia Graham of Williston, and Patricia Bunkley and Chola Jean Little, both of Tampa; two sons, L.A. Mincey of Williston and Dennis Lewis of Gainesville; eight sisters, Maggie Smith of Jacksonville, Carrie E. Light and Rosa Nelson, both of Philadelphia, Janie Brockton of Wildwood, Mandy Connolley, Rose Mary Dawkins and Della Rogers, all of Orlando, and Theresa Hendly of DeLand; two brothers, John Nelson of Monticello and David Stebbins of Washington, D.C.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Daisy Mae McKnight Waters
Daisy Mae McKnight Waters of Gainesville died after a lengthy illness on Saturday at Shands at the University of Florida.
She was an anesthesiologist technician.
Mrs. Waters was born in Axiam, Ga., and moved to Gainesville from Miami 54 years ago.
She was a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church, where she served as a member of Choir No. 1. She was a member of the Pastor's Aid Committee, the Home Mission and the Mother's Board.
Survivors include her husband, Alfred Waters of Gainesville; a daughter, Patricia Long of Gainesville; a son, DeWayne Long of Gainesville; and four grandchildren.
Rose Patricia Bonagura
Rose Patricia Bonagura of Gainesville died Thursday at her home. She was 73.
Mrs. Bonagura worked for the Grand Union supermarket in New Jersey for 20 years. She also was a homemaker.
Born in Carbondale, Pa., she moved to Gainesville nine years ago from New Jersey. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and belonged to the Over 50 Club.
Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Nicholas J. Bonagura of Gainesville; two sons, Nicholas J. Bonagura Jr. of West Orange, N.J., and Frank C. Bonagura of Gainesville; her sister, Kitty Di Chellis of Flanders, N.J.; and three grandchildren.
Mildred Duncan
Mildred Duncan of High Springs died Saturday at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville after a long illness.
She was 91.
Mrs. Duncan was a schoolteacher in Fort White, Forest Grove, Hastings, Clay Sink, Daytona Beach and Cross Roads.
Born in O'Brien, she moved 64 years ago from Suwannee County to High Springs.
She graduated from the University of Florida, earning a degree in education.
Mrs. Duncan was a member of the First Baptist Church in High Springs.
Survivors include her daughter, Jeannette Duncan of High Springs; three brothers, Harry Barnett of West Palm Beach, Leon Barnett of O'Brien and Ovid Barnett of Marco Island; three sisters, Marguerite Linch of High Springs, Maxine Horne of Jacksonville and Marie Suggs of Rio Rancho, N.M.
Hardy Stanley McCalman Jr.
AUSTELL, Ga. -- Hardy Stanley McCalman Jr. of Bremen, Ga., died Saturday in Austell, Ga. He was 85.
Mr. McCalman was a Shell oil distributor with McCalman and Co. and a past president of the Georgia Oilman's Association. He also was the former mayor of Bremen.
Survivors include his daughter, Lynda Everitt of Gainesville.
Jerry Dean McKay
ALACHUA -- Jerry Dean McKay of High Springs died Thursday after an automobile accident in Alachua. He was 55.
Mr. McKay, a barber for 34 years, managed Jerry's Barber Shop in Gainesville.
Born in Deport, Texas, he moved nine years ago from Dimmit, Texas, to High Springs.
Mr. McKay was a Baptist.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Carol Sue McKay of High Springs; two sons, Rickey McKay of Whitharral, Texas, and Ron McKay of High Springs; his mother, Veda McKay of Bovina, Texas; his brother, Larry McKay of Alabama; and his sister Wanda Thurman of Paint Rock, Texas.
Ferdinand Daniel Oliver
Ferdinand Daniel Oliver of Gainesville died Saturday at North Florida Regional Medical Center after a long illness.
He was 78.
Mr. Oliver, a building contractor, was one of the first builders in northwest Gainesville. He served in the South Pacific during World War II.
Born in Peoria, Ill., he moved 41 years ago from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Gainesville.
He belonged to the North Central Baptist Church for 31 years, serving as deacon and director of the Adult Sunday School Department. He also was a charter member of the East Ridge Baptist Church in Chattanooga and Parkview Baptist Church in Gainesville.
Survivors include his wife, Martha C. Oliver of Gainesville; three sons, Michael D. Oliver of Alachua, John P. Oliver of Demopolis, Ala., and Robert A. Oliver of Charlotte, N.C.; one daughter, Dianna O. Long of Alachua; one sister, Rodella O. Sims of Cleveland, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Brian Michael West
Brian Michael West of Gainesville died Thursday after a short illness. He was 54.
Mr. West was a watch repairman.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., he moved to Gainesville 18 years ago.
Survivors include a daughter, Erin West of Tampa; a son, David West of Newberry; his mother, Mildred Irene West of Amherst, Ohio; his brother, Larry J. West of New York; and his sister, Nancy I. Burls of Amherst.
Billie H. Alexander
PINETTA -- Billie H. Alexander, a lifelong resident of Pinetta in Madison County, died Saturday at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta after a brief illness. He was 75.
Mr. Alexander was a shipping clerk for Owen Illinois Co. He was a member of Mount Ziona No. 2 AME Church.
Survivors include his wife, Bertha M. Alexander of Pinetta; three sons, Howard Alexander of New York City, Charles Alexander of Valdosta and Cain Alexander of Pinetta; two sisters, Rosa Lee Robinson and Louise Miles Jones, both of Orlando; a brother, Tommy Thomas of Orlando; and six grandchildren.
Thomas Brundage
MELROSE -- Thomas Brundage died Nov. 11 at his residence in Melrose after an extended illness. He was 77.
Mr. Brundage was born in Sparta, Ga., and moved to Melrose from Jacksonville seven years ago.
He was a brick mason.
Survivors include a son, Tommy D. Brundage of Jacksonville; a sister, Annie Belle Wanton of Melrose; a brother, Mazzeo Brundage of Melrose; and a grandchild.
Alberta Joshua
Alberta Joshua of Gainesville died Nov. 9 at Shands at AGH after a brief illness. She was 71.
Mrs. Joshua was born in Waynesville, Ga., and moved to Gainesville from Leesburg seven years ago.
She was a foster grandparent at Lake Forest Elementary.
She was a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Neal Joshua Sr.
Survivors include a daughter, Annie M. Young of Gainesville; a son, Neal Joshua Jr. of Gainesville; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
