Julius Alonzo Sellers

Julius Alonzo Sellers, 87, of Bartow, Florida, died June 8, 2024, at home, surrounded by his children. The son of the late Lucius Elonzo “Lon” and Mae Belle Davis Motes Sellers, he was born June 30, 1936, in his family’s farmhouse in Andalusia, Alabama. He met his future wife, the late Gleda Mae Burkett, when they collided after a service at Main Street Baptist Church in Bartow, where he served for decades. Their 55-year marriage began June 15, 1957. Julius taught all his children how to drive and many of his grandchildren how to ride their bikes. He was fascinated by draglines and loved to take the grandkids to watch them “walk.” He delighted in food, particularly caramel cake, and enjoyed stealing the last bite off an unguarded plate. He dutifully manned his post at the sink after every meal; the cook rarely washed dishes. His quiet presence, faithfulness, and strength of character were the bedrock of his family. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Timothy Long, and his siblings, Grady Motes, Lucille Stewart, Hazel Motes, and James Motes. He is survived by daughters Belinda Lewis (Rick) of Flat Rock, North Carolina, and Judy Long (Tim) of Bartow, son Jeff Sellers (Cheryl) of Bradenton, Florida, grandchildren Rebekah Hall (Michael), Rachel Hanes (Brady), Miriam Wolfensohn (Leo), Helen Turner (Neal), Maggie Johnson (Peter), Audrey Sellers, Emma Sellers, Jackson Sellers, Kate Long, and Grady Sellers; and great-grandchildren Porter, Evie Grace, and Leah Hanes, Julia and Amelia Hall, Henry and Annabeth Turner, and Cecilia and Cleo Johnson. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Rebecca Motes of Birmingham, Alabama, and Betty Tindall of Springfield, Utah, and numerous nieces and nephews, including Diane Miller, who lovingly cared for him in his last weeks. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10:00 am Thursday, June 13, 2024 at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 205 E. Stanford Street in Bartow, FL. Interment will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Bartow, FL. Condolences to the family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com