Category: Obituaries

Margarita Santiago Torres, 74, passed away at home surrounded by family on Monday, May 8th, 2023. She is survived by husband Miguel, sons Melvin and Miguel, daughter Betzaida, 10 grandchildren, and 11 grandchildren.

Bruce Atlee Lawrence was born on December 10, 1931 in Jamestown, New York to Ethel Jane Fischer and Atlee Burpee Lawrence. Bruce grew up in Schenectady, New York and he attended Mt. Pleasant High School there. Bruce attended the University of Miami where he played as a guard on their basketball team. He is also a lifelong brother of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Bruce graduated in 1957 with a B.A. degree in Radio/TV. He married Josephine Myrtle Dewey and they had four children together. Bruce then married June Marion Johnson and they had two children together.

Seth was born in Lakeland Regional Medical Center on February 17, 2000. He was 23 years old. Seth was involved in a motorcycle accident April 22, 2023, and passed away May 2, 2023. Seth leaves behind his mother Alice & Bonus Dad Shawn Wester of Opelika, Alabama. Father Jay and Other Mother Nancy Carriere of Lakeland, Florida. He also leaves behind his sister Ansley Carriere of Opelika, Alabama and Bonus sisters Zoey & Xana Wester of Cullman, Alabama. Maternal Grandparents Carol Christian of Opelika, Alabama. Brian & Judy Ingram of Auburn, Alabama. Paternal Grandparents Lew & Diane Carriere of Lakeland, Florida. Bonus Grandparents Bob & Terry Deakins, Dale & Bridget Wester from Opelika, Alabama. As well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. And many amazing close friends such as Colby, Nick, Cloe, Arod, and Justin and many more. Seth was a 2018 graduate of Beauregard High School in Opelika, Alabama. One of Seth’s first phrases was “Go Tigers”.

Holly was born in Macon, GA on Feb. 20, 1956, to Freeman and Phyllis Hutchens. She was a graduate of Southwest High School in Macon, and later Crandall Business College. She enjoyed crafts, and decorating, and was a very talented cook. She enjoyed time at the beach, as well as the company of her cat, Pearl. Holly was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #2295 and Fraternal Order of Eagles #4356.

It is with great sadness the family of prominent Lakeland artist, James Mallory Surrency (Mal), announces that he passed away unexpectedly Sunday evening, April 30 at the age of 82 due to complications from a fall; he was surrounded by his loving family. Mal was born on March 15, 1941, in Winter Haven, Florida and was a longtime resident of Lakeland. His parents were Lee Roy and Anna Mae Surrency.

Born on September 30, 1938 to Warren G. Davis, Sr. and Lois (Homsher) Davis, Warren Glenn Davis, Jr. passed away, at age 84, in Lakeland, Florida, on April 28, 2023. He was a 1956 graduate of Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, was a 1960 graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, and spent his career at RCA. He was predeceased by wives Nancy (Lyons) Stevens and Ann (Piper) O’Brien-Davis. He is survived by wife, Patricia (Joos) Davis; son, Timothy (Emily) Davis; son, Michael (Richard Ellis) Davis; step-son, Mark (Cindy) O’Brien; and step-son, Kurt (Jessica) O’Brien. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Nathaniel, Bixley, and Porter Davis, and step-grandchildren, Ricky, Kevin, Greg, Derek, Austin, CJ, Colby, Noah, Cooper, and Josie.

She loved baking, and made a countless number of cakes for so many special occasions. She also loved painting in her later years. She worked at several flower shops throughout her life, as a floral designer; including Flowers by Edith in Lakeland. She adored her family and friends and loved to be the center of attention.

Judy Ann Whitaker, born on April 16, 1944, in Frostproof, Florida passed away peacefully into the loving arms of her Savior on April 23, 2023, at the age of 79, surrounded by her loved ones at home in Bartow, Florida. Judy was preceded in death by parents Earnest and Arrie Mae Palmer, and daughter Stephanie Lynn Buffington. She is survived by husband, Kermit J. Whitaker of 60 years; two daughters, Melissa Mitchell (Vince) and Nicole Thompson (Joseph); six grandchildren Joshua J. Whitaker (Jessica), Tieken Buffington, Ashley Blackburn (Bradley), Jessica Prevatte (Shane), Matthew McCullough, Connor McCullough; eight great-grandchildren Addison, Elijah, Blaine, Logan, Samuel, Rosalie, Riley and Emma; two siblings Earl Palmer (Tammy), Jean Salio (Jerry).

Roy Ray Payne Jr. 58, of Polk City, Florida, was called to Heaven on April 18, 2023, he was born in Noblesville, Indiana on September 26, 1964. Roy joins in Heaven, his beloved mother, Delores and brother, Paul, who he missed dearly. He also joins his beloved wife, Gail; may they rest in peace. Roy’s nickname was “Yonkey”; he loved to fish, hunt, and he sure loved his dogs. Roy is survived by his nieces and nephews. Roy was very loved

Dorris passed away peacefully at 4 a.m. on April 19th, 2023, only 2 months before her 91st birthday. She was born June 26th, 1932, in Tennessee. She spent many years working, 1st at Sears Tower in Chicago and then with Macy’s in Lakeland. Dorris and her husband William were very involved with Calvary Baptist church in Lakeland. She is preceded in death by her husband William, and one of her grandsons Cecil Junior. Dorris is survived by her 3 sisters, Wanda, Jeanette, & Carol. Also, her 2 sons, Cecil and Wayne Ramsey, and their wives Genny and Donna. Also, her 3 stepchildren Charlie and Kenneth Fowler and Robin Rice and their spouses, Debbie, Cindy and Bill. Her grandchildren in Chicago, Frank, Dustin, Wyatt, and Sarah. Her grandchildren in Lakeland, Leah and Ashley Fowler, Joshua Connor, and Tiffany Kidwell, her granddaughter in Arkansas, Angela Leatherwood and her 15 great-grandchildren.