Megan Oates
Megan Oates, 15, of Bartow, died of respiratory failure Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004, at her residence.
Born March 4, 1988, Miss Oates moved to Bartow 13 years ago.
She attended First Baptist Church of Bartow.
Miss Oates is survived by three foster parents: Mary L. Wilkins, Martha Walker, and Mary Alice Walker, all of Bartow.
The funeral: Monday, Jan. 26, at 10 a.m., at Wildwood Cemetery in Bartow.
Arrangements: Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow.
Benjamin N. Newman
Benjamin N. Newman, 39, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004, at Winter Haven Hospital.
Born June 25, 1964 in Lakeland, he was a longtime resident of Bartow.
He was a laborer.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Elouise Newman.
Survivors include his father, Willie N. Newman of Bartow; his sister, Wanda Smith of Bartow; and a nephew, William D. Smith of Bartow.
No services are planned.
Anna Laura Carter McBride
Anna Laura Carter McBride, 88, of Fort Meade, died Monday, Jan. 19, 2004, at her residence.
Born Feb. 12, 1915, in Bartow, Mrs. McBride was a lifelong resident of Fort Meade.
She was a cattle rancher. She attended First United Methodist Church of Fort Meade, where she was a member of the Ladies Circle. She also was a member of the Garden Club of Fort Meade and the Historical Society of Fort Meade.
Mrs. McBride was preceded in death by her husbands, Thurston Carter and Robert McBride, and her sister, Anita Stringfellow. She is survived by: one niece, Annette Stringfellow Morelock of Fort Meade; two great-nephews, Chris Roberts of Frostproof and Donny Roberts of Fruitland Park; one great-great-niece, Annalea Roberts of Frostproof; and two great-great-nephews, Dustin Roberts of Fort Meade and Wade Roberts of Frostproof.
Visitation: Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m., at McLean Funeral Home in Fort Meade.
The funeral: Thursday, Jan. 22, at 11 a.m., at First United Methodist, with Rev. Richard Humston and Rev. S. Harry Russell officiating.
Interment: Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Meade.
Memorial contributions: First United Methodist Church of Fort Meade, 135 East Broadway Ave., Fort Meade, 33841.
John G. Clark
John G. Clark, 76, of Winter Haven, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004, at his residence.
Born May 12, 1927, in Philadelphia, Mr. Clark moved to Winter Haven 17 years ago.
He was an employee and a charter member of Millright Local #1906, and he was a Merchant Marine.
Mr. Clark is survived by: his wife, Barbara Clark; four sons, John G. Clark, Jr., of Delaware, Thomas R. Clark of Colorado, Robert R. Clark of Philadelphia, and Terrell Crenshaw of Wauchula; three daughters, Catherine M. Dennison and Diana Fugett, both of New Jersey, and Kimi Thornhill of Winter Haven; nine granddaughters and 13 great-grandchildren.
The funeral: Saturday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m., at First Assembly of God in Bartow, with Rev. Mike Tedder and Rev. Billy F. Green officiating.
Arrangements: Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow.
Memorial contributions: Lifepath Hospice, 1037 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, 33803.
Ernest T. Hummell
Ernest T. Hummell, 83, of Fort Meade, died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004, at his home.
Born March 13, 1920, in Kulpmont, Pa., Mr. Hummell moved to Fort Meade 30 years ago.
He was a railroad tower operator. He was Episcopalian, and a member of the Mason-Delaware Lodge.
Mr. Hummell was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
He is survived by one son, Ernest Hummell of Port Charlotte.
Arrangements: McLean Funeral Home, Fort Meade.
Gladys Williams
Gladys Williams, 73, of Bartow, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, at the Rohr Home.
Born in Quincy on April 28, 1930, she was a homemaker and a member of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church.
She is survived by two daughters, Lillia Mae Ford of Mulberry and Viola Grant of Detroit; four sisters, Beatrice Williams of Bradenton, Rose Marie Robinson of Mulberry, Evelyn Knight of Mulberry, Mary Hird of Bradenton; two brothers, Rosevelt Broadnax of Plant City and James Hird of Bradenton; her father, Josh Jones of Mulberry; and 30 grandchildren.
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 17, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Gause Funeral Home.
The funeral: Saturday, Jan. 17, 11 a.m.
William Joseph Myers
William Joseph Myers, 82, of Shawboro, N.C., former resident of Fort Meade, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003, in Barco, N.C.
Born June 17, 1921, in Baltimore, Md., Mr. Myers was a longtime Fort Meade resident, recently moving to North Carolina.
He was a member of the Fort Meade Volunteer Fire Department for 31 years, and was Fort Meade's Santa Claus for 37 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
Mr. Myers was preceded in death by his son, William J. Myers, Jr., and one brother, John Myers. Survivors include: his wife, Marian Baggett Myers; one daughter and son-in-law, Lillian M. and Doug Hurdle of Shawboro; one granddaughter, Cindy Overman, and her husband, Mark, of Shawboro; one grandson, Lance Beckett of Knoxville; two great-grandchildren, Sanders and Alyson Overman; and two sisters, Ann Kriewald and Irma Samargo, both of Baltimore.
Family will receive friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dwight McKee on Doc Lindsey Road, Lake Buffum/Fort Meade.
The funeral: Thursday, Jan. 8, at 11 a.m., at Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Meade.
Arrangements: McLean Funeral Home, Fort Meade.
Memorial contributions: Alzheimer's Association, 400 Oberlin Rd., Suite 220, Raleigh, NC, 27605.
