Obituaries

Whidden-McLean Funeral Home & Crematory Obituaries

In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones

George Waters Mann Jr.

George Waters Mann Jr.

Jan 2, 2026



George Waters Mann Jr.

October 17, 1937 – January 2, 2026

George Waters Mann Jr., born October 17, 1937, in Bartow, Florida, died peacefully at home on January 2, 2026, with his beloved wife, Thu, by his side. He was 88 years old.

George is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Thu; his four children, Jeff Mann and George Mann III...

Robert G. Wilkinson

Robert G. Wilkinson

Jan 2, 2026

Lakeland - Robert G. Wilkinson, age 74, passed away on January 2, 2026, at Lakeland Regional Health and Medical Center. He was born on May 7, 1951, in Winter Haven, FL. He attended Bartow First Assembly of God and was a Commander for the Royal Rangers. He worked as a Custodian for the Polk County School Board. He enjoyed art,...

Sheron Carolyn Granger

Sheron Carolyn Granger

Jan 1, 2026

Sheron Carolyn Granger, age 84, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2026. She was born November 22, 1941 in Port Orange, FL to Thomas A. & Ada Mae (Price) Jackson, Sr. Sheron was an Entrepreneur. She was the owner of Connections Answering Service in San Francisco, CA, Dolls by Sheron in Crystal Springs, FL, she also worked in demo sells and...

Betty Pam Prine

Betty Pam Prine

Dec 31, 2025

Betty "Pam" Prine, age 73, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2025. She was born August 26, 1952 in Arcadia , FL. Pam was a Paraprofessional for the Polk County School Board. She was preceded in death by her mother Winifred "Winnie" Smithwick Prine, brother James "Jim" H. Prine, Jr. and granddaughter Riley Peterman. Pam is survived by her daughter Alicia...

Roger G. Branch

Roger G. Branch

Dec 31, 2025

Bartow - Roger G. Branch, age 77, passed away on December 31, 2025, at Lakeland Regional Health and Medical Center. He was born on August 13, 1948, in Hazlehurst, Georgia. He was a Mechanic for Peace River Packing Company. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his 10 siblings. He is survived by his son Shannon...

Tilton Jacobs, Jr.

Tilton Jacobs, Jr.

Dec 27, 2025

Tilton Jacobs, Jr. age 79, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025. He was born June 28, 1946 in Eagle Lake, FL to Tilton & Marie Jacobs, Sr. He served in the United States Army. Tilton worked in maintenance at the Vanguard School in Lake Wales and later was a Security Guard for Chemical Containers. He attended Lake Buffum Batist Church....

Fred Dennis Speight, Jr.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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...

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