Fred Dennis Speight, Jr.
Dec 27, 2025
Fred Dennis Speight Jr. passed away December 27, 2025. He was born November 10, 1947 in Tampa, FL to Fred Dennis Speight and Alma Godwin Speight. Denny was preceded in death by his Paternal Grand Parents; Charles and Nora Bates Speight who came from England in 1907 to Tiger Bay Florida and later Fort Meade Florida, Maternal Grand Parents; Alfie...
Christine Spears Shiver
Dec 26, 2025
Christine Spears Shiver, age 75, passed away Friday, December 26, 2025. She was born August 21,1950 in Bartow, FL to Emmett & Emma Lee Spears. Christine was a Bank Teller for Wauchula State Bank for 25 years. Before her Banking career, Christine worked at Everett's Flower Shop in Fort Meade. She was a member of New Beginning Church of God...
Zellie F. Klumpp
Dec 23, 2025
Merritt Island - Zellie F. Klumpp, age 80, passed away on December 23, 2025, at her residence in Merritt Island. She was born on November 6, 1945, in Bartow, FL. She was of the Baptist faith. She worked as a Supervisor for Holiday Inn. She enjoyed reading, caring for animals, and spending time with her beloved cats. She was preceded...
Sandra K. Russ
Dec 23, 2025
Bartow - Sandra K. Russ, age 70, passed away on December 23, 2025, at Bartow Regional Medical Center in Bartow. She was born on January 15, 1955, in Bartow, FL. She worked as a Patient Care Technician. She enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, fishing, and sharing her infinite wisdom with others. She is survived by her life partner...
Janice M. Anderson
Dec 22, 2025
Mulberry - Janice M. Anderson, age 83, passed away on December 22, 2025, at Lakeland Hospice House in Lakeland. She was born on September 29, 1942, in Brownsville, PA, She was a homemaker. Janice was a member of Medulla Baptist Church. She enjoyed playing games with family and friends, studying her Bible and Bible history, and traveling with friends and...
Sandra Hancock Mitchell
Dec 19, 2025
Sandra Hancock Mitchell, age 87, passed away December 19, 2025. She was born January 18, 1938 to Woodrow W. Sr. and Maxine Russell Hancock. Sandra graduated from Fort Meade, FL, High School and received a B.S. degree in Business from Florida State University.
Sandra was employed with J. K. Stuart in Bartow, FL, for 65 years. In 2003 she was appointed...
Dorothy Lorraine Harris
Dec 18, 2025
Dorothy Lorraine Harris, age 89, passed away Thursday, December 18, 2025. She was born October 1, 1936 in West Franklin, PA to David & Jessie McClintock. Dorothy was a Homemaker. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bartow. Dorothy was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and for many years served as the church...
John Edwin Berry
Dec 17, 2025
John Edwin Berry, age 70, passed away Wednesday, December 17, 2025. He was born June 18, 1955 in Downey, CA to Calvin & Arlene Berry, John was Florida Highway State Trooper and retired after 29 years of service. He was a member of Turning Point Worship Center in Bartow. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Leo Berry,...
LaVerne F. McCall
Dec 17, 2025
LaVerne McCall, age 91, passed away Wednesday, December 17, 2025. She was born June 16, 1934 in Bartow, FL to Venson & Leola Flowers, LaVerne was the Vice President Branch Manager for SunTrust Bank, she retired after 43 years in Banking. She was a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bartow. LaVerne was very active in her community....
Freddy E. Richardson
Dec 17, 2025
Freddy E. Richardson, age 79, of Fort Meade, passed away on December 17, 2025, at Bartow Regional Medical Center in Bartow. He was born on November 28, 1946, in Alturas, Florida. Freddy was employed as an operator with U.S. Agri-Chemical. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, working outdoors, repairing small engines, and especially loved his chocolates. He...
William "Bill" Watts, Sr.
Dec 15, 2025
William "Bill" Watts, Sr. age 99, passed away Monday, December 15, 2025. He was born November 15, 1926 in Greenwood , SC to Erskine & Willie Mae Watts. Bill was a US Navy Veteran where he fought in World War II. After returning from the War, he started his Police Officer career with the City of Fort Meade and then...
Mable "Teatsey" Turner
Dec 15, 2025
Mabel Turner "Teatsey" age 93, passed away Monday, December 15, 2025. She was born in Lake City, FL on October 22, 1932 to Getzen & Elsie Parrish. She will join them, her sisters and brothers; Leona Hollingsworth, Mack Parrish, Joyce Smith and Oliver Parrish in Heaven. Teatsey was a caregiver and took pride in watching the families children. She is...
Dr. Robert David Mitchell, Jr.
Dec 14, 2025
Dr. Robert David Mitchell, Jr., (Bobby), age 89 went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 14, 2025. He was a long-time resident of Polk County, Florida. Bobby was raised in the Fort Meade Methodist Church. He was the son of the late Robert David Mitchell, Sr., and Edith Scally Mitchell. Most of his school years were in...
Jackie E. Gautney
Dec 14, 2025
Bartow - Jackie E. Gautney, age 78, passed away on December 14, 2025, at her residence in Bartow. She was born on January 13, 1947, in Statenville, GA. She was a Supervisor for RSS Field Services. She enjoyed cooking, baking and spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her husband Roland Gautney, brothers Roscoe Griner, Wesley...
Carmen Gonzalez
Dec 12, 2025
Carmen Gonzalez, age 76, passed away Friday, December 12, 2025. She was born August 29, 1949 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Carmen was a Medical Device Technician for Boston Scientific in Dorado, Puerto Rico. She was preceded in death by her son Richard Custodio. Carmen is survived by her four daughters Nora Rodriguez, Marisol Rodriguez (Victor Gonzalez), Cynthia Custodio (Milton Ruiz)...
Jeffery L. Tanner
Dec 8, 2025
Jeffery L. Tanner, age 65, passed away on December 8, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Lakeland, FL. He was born on June 11, 1960, in Fairmont, WV.
Jeffery lived a life dedicated to service, hard work, and the people he loved. He retired as a Park Caretaker for Polk County Parks and Natural Resources, where he took great pride in...
Ashley Means Straub
Dec 7, 2025
Ashley Lynn Means Straub, 36, of Bartow, passed away on December 7, 2025.
Ashley was born to James Radford and Sheila Means. She worked as a distribution associate with Publix, where she was known for her strong work ethic and dedication.
Ashley had a vibrant spirit and a heart full of love. She truly enjoyed spending time with those she loved and...
Ruben Bautista
Dec 7, 2025
Ruben Bautista Alvarez, age 55, passed away Sunday, December 7, 2025. He was born March 17, 1970 in Tamazula, Jalisco Mexico to Ruben Bautista Arteaga & Margarita Alvarez Lucatero. Ruben was the Owner & Operator of Bautista Auto Sales & Repair Inc. He assisted for an extended period of time the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall. Ruben is survived by his...
Betty G. Stinson
Dec 7, 2025
Lakeland – Betty G. Stinson, age 93, passed away on December 7, 2025, at Scott Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lakeland. She was born on September 12, 1932, in Orlando, Florida. Betty worked as a seamstress and enjoyed crocheting, bowling in the Special Olympics, and going on adventures. Above all, she cherished animals and treasured the time she spent...
Jeannette Duke
Dec 6, 2025
Bartow - Jeannette Duke, age 90, passed away on December 6, 2025, at Life Care Center in Winter Haven. She was born on June 1, 1935, in Lowery, AL. She worked as a Calibrator for Amitech. She enjoyed spending time with her family, going to the beach, fishing, and watching westerns. She was preceded in death by her first husband...
