Obituaries 5/16/19

Caleb Andrew Walker
Caleb Andrew Walker,17,of Green Cove Springs, FL passed away April 23, 2019 at Wolfson’s Hospital surrounded by his family.
He was born March 14, 2002 in Orange Park, FL to Catina Ernestine Buckhalter and the late Fred Walker. Caleb was an avid reader. His favorite books were about ghost and hauntings. Caleb was a gamer. He loved his X-Box and he met many wonderful friends while playing his games online. Caleb had a love for animals. He had two dogs, a pig, and four birds that he adored. Caleb will be forever remembered for his beautiful blue eyes and smile and his love for his family.
Caleb is proceeded in death by his father, his Papa Jerry Sheppard and Aunt Crystal Wright Whitcomb.
Caleb is survived by his mother Catina and Daddy James Fowler; brother Brandon Buckhalter, (Jessie) of Green Cove Springs; step-sister Delicka Fowler and niece Za’rayah Fowler both of Palatka; Granny Linda Sheppard of Green Cove Springs; Aunt and Uncle Candy and David Smith of Middleburg; Uncles Mark Miller of Green Cove Springs and Scott Whitcomb of West Palm Beach; cousins Chris Wright of Ponte Vedra; Kaitlyn Smith of Orange Park; Christopher, Alaura, and Shannon Whitcomb all of West Palm Beach; and Joshua Lee of Green Cove Springs. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family of Caleb would like to send a special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Nemours and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com
Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

Phillip Delany Yonge
Phillip Delany Yonge passed away suddenly Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019. Phil is survived by his beloved wife and companion of 22 years, Susan Schuyler Smith Yonge, his son and daughter-in-law Tom and Melanie Yonge and his grandchildren Phillip Yonge and Mason Yonge. Phil is predeceased by his sons Phillip Delany Yonge, and Robert Holbein Yonge and his brother Jim Yonge. 
Born in Miami Beach, FL on April 13, 1935 to James Ernest Yonge and Margaret Reeves Delany Yonge, Phil made the most of his youth in South Florida, spending time with friends at the beach or camping in the Everglades, while attending Coral Gables High School (Class of 1954), where he excelled as a member of legendary Coach Nick Koty’s Cavalier football teams. He also cherished his time as a member of the Stags Fraternity.
After a very brief stop at Florida State University, Phil attended Stetson University in Deland, FL, where he was a two-way lineman for the Hatters’ football team, was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and graduated with a degree in Mathematics in 1959. From Deland, Phil proceeded to serve in the United States Army as a missile platoon leader in El Paso, TX, Richland, WA, and Newport News, VA. After his time in the military, Phil returned to school, obtaining a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1964, and began his corporate career with Texas Instruments in Dallas, TX and then Martin Marietta in Orlando, FL.
While at Martin, Phil studied for the Florida General Contractor’s Exam and in 1973 started his first company, Yonge-Evans, which built homes in the Winter Park, FL area. He then relocated to Orange Park, FL to partner with his brother James to develop and build residential communities in North Florida. Over the next 40 years, Phil was the President of AY Ventures, Inc., which developed multiple residential and commercial properties in the area, enabling him to do one of the things he loved most – load up one of his big black Labrador Retrievers (Charlie, Blue, and Blue) in to the truck and visit one of his construction sites. Phil also owned and operated several local businesses, including The Club Continental and Doctors Lake Marina.
When not working and strategizing on his next deal, Phil enjoyed spending time with friends and family on his boat Ol’ Blue in Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas, or at PDY Farm in Greenville, FL. Phil, also known as Pally to his friends, could never sit still and found joy in a varied number of pursuits, including engine repair, lobster diving, beekeeping, cattle and chicken raising, and camellia judging (taking great pride in his certification as a camelia competition judge). When not doing (or often in conjunction with) one of these activities, Phil could be found a flight in one of his Cessnas ferrying people and/or boat supplies to and from the Abacos. He could also be seen regularly on the sidelines of his grandchildrens’ lacrosse games, making sure to let everyone know that his grandchild was the one who just scored or made a good play. Phil served as senior warden of the vestry at St. James Episcopal Church in Quitman, Ga, and was actively involved in helping the Church with whatever project needed to be completed. He loved late night talks over a bottle of wine about politics, Florida Gators football, or the intricacies of the latest thing that he had taught himself, like solar power, soil mechanics, or mutual fund analytics. His generosity was legendary, he wanted nothing more than for the people in his life to be comfortable, happy, and healthy – usually affirmatively responding to any request with “ok partner” or “ok sweetheart”.
A Memorial Service was held on May 11th, at 11am, at St. James Episcopal Church, Quitman, Ga. In lieu of flowers, a Memorial donation may be made to the Brooks County Boys & Girls Club, PO Box 588, Quitman Ga. 31643 or McKee Botanical Garden, 350 US Highway 1, Vero Beach, Fla. 32962.
A Celebration of Life Party will be held in Orange Park, Fla. at a later date. Arrangements have been made by Carson McLane Funeral Services in Valdosta, Ga. Condolences to the family may be conveyed on the obituary page at www.mclanecares.com.

Diane Elizabeth Longmire
Diane Elizabeth Longmire, 60, of Middleburg, entered the sunset of life on Monday, May 6, 2019 in Jacksonville. 
Diane, the daughter of Rex Longmire, Sr. and Geraldine Brown Longmire, was a native of Palatka, born on Saturday, January 10, 1959. 
She was a 1976 graduate of Orange Park High School and continued her education at St. Johns River Community (State) College. 
She was a County Court Clerk employed by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Courts Office for 23 years until retirement.  Diane was a member of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, Middleburg. Diane enjoyed gift giving, shopping, reading, entertaining family and friends.  Her father preceded her in eternal rest.  
She leaves to cherish her memories her beloved daughter, Tamari Elizabeth Harper; Miami; devoted mother, Geraldine Brown Longmire, Middleburg; Siblings, Debra (Chester) Austin, Rex (Jackie) Longmire, Jr., and Chet Longmire, all of Green Cove Springs;  Jacquelyn Longmire, Middleburg; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.     
Public visitation: 5-7 p.m., Friday, May 17; Homegoing Celebration:  2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, 2703 Forman Circle, Middleburg, FL., Rev. Willie Alston, pastor.   Rev. Dr. Howard Siplin, Senior Pastor, Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, Coconut Grove, FL, is the Eulogist.  
Interment will be in Forman Cemetery, Middleburg.
Longmire Family Condolences: www.flaggserenitychapel.com. Professional Arrangements entrusted to Karl N. Flagg Serenity Memorial Chapel, 2400 Madison Street, Palatka, FL.  Phone: (386) 312-0444.

Larry Wayne Sharp, Sr.
Larry Wayne Sharp, Sr., 78, of Green Cove Springs, FL, passed away May 9, 2019. Broadus Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

Barbara Jean Clester
Barbara Jean Clester, 77 of Middleburg, FL passed away May 7, 2019 Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL  32043 904-284-7720  www.RHRFH.com

Ronnie Woodrow Ellison
Ronnie Woodrow Ellison, 72, of Orange Park, FL, passed away May 13, 2019
Broadus Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

Vickie Lou Matthews
Vickie Lou Matthews, 79, of Middleburg, FL, passed away May 13, 2019. Broadus Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000
Condolences to the family may be conveyed on the obituary page at www.mclanecares.com.

John T. Collier
John T. Collier (95).  Our beloved Uncle peacefully passed away on 4/27/2019.
Memorial donations may be made in John’s name to Community Hospice.

Theodore Raymond Biggs Jr.
Theodore Raymond Biggs Jr., 84, passed away May 11, 2019. He was born February 10, 1935 in Syracuse, New York and resided in Orange Park, Florida. He served as the Finance Director and Utilities Director with the City of Green Cove Springs for 20 years. Mr. Biggs is survived by his loving wife of 47 years; Jean Biggs, son; Thomas (Randy) Biggs, son-in-law; Tim Matthews and granddaughter; Savannah Matthews and preceded in death by his daughter; Sandra Elaine Biggs Matthews. Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Thursday, May 23, 2019 at Pinewood Presbyterian Church, 198 Knight Boxx Road Middleburg, Florida 32068 with a visitation held 1 hour prior to service at the church. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 Main Street Jacksonville, Florida 32206. Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Holly Hill Funeral Home, Middleburg, Florida 32068. Please leave words of comfort at www.hollyhillfunerals.com.