Obituaries 7/13/23

Elizabeth Ruth “Betty” Taylor
Elizabeth Ruth “Betty” Taylor with pic
With profound sadness, the staff of Forbes Funeral Home announces the passing of our family member, Wes Taylor’s, beloved wife, Betty Taylor.
Elizabeth Ruth “Betty” Taylor, loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away Friday, June 30, 2023 at her home at the age of 79. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Betty was the daughter of the late Ramond “Tony” and Mary Ann (Cullifer) Harrell, born October 25, 1943. She would grow up in Jacksonville and attend Terry Parker High School until the family relocated to Georgia, where she would graduate from Carrolton High School. She would go on to attend the University of West Georgia for some time. She married the love of her life, Mr. Wesley Foster Taylor, Jr. and they would move back to Jacksonville to make a beautiful life together.
Betty took care of the home while Wes spent many years in the funeral industry, managing the family business, Oaklawn Cemetery. She was a dedicated mother and wife, she loved cooking for family and friends. She enjoyed gardening and maintaining a pristine home. She had an eye for antiques and on two occasions she ran her own consignment shop, once in Baldwin and again later after relocating to Green Cover Springs. She was always willing to welcome family and friends into their home and will be remembered for her caring nature.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She leaves behind her dear husband: Wesley “Wes” Taylor, Jr. of Green Cove Springs; seven children: Tammy, Boe, Paul, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Donna, and Maryann; seventeen grandchildren; four great grandchildren; siblings: David, Ray and Cici; as well as extended family members and friends whose lives she touched over the years.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Forbes Funeral Home with Chaplain Terry Yerby officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to services. Final memorialization will be by cremation.
Hawke M.T. Forbes, H.M. “Hank” Forbes, Jr., and the entire staff of Forbes Funeral Home are honored to assist the family with the arrangements. 409 West Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, Florida 32063 “With Your Family In Mind”. (904) 259-4600. Please leave your condolences for the family in the online guestbook at www.forbesfuneralhome.net.

Ralph Lee Matthews
Ralph Lee Matthews, age 87, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. He was born to the late William Washington and Vergie Mae Matthews on May 3, 1936 in Bristol, Florida. He graduated from Liberty County High School located in the Panhandle of Florida and moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1954 to pursue his lifelong career in Accounting and Bookkeeping. That is where he would meet and marry his one true love, Ollie, and they would raise their two children together. Ralph worked for different companies as their Controller. He enjoyed his work and maintained employment until the age of 77 in 2013. For many years Ralph served as a Deacon at Main Street Baptist Church where he was able to share his love for Christ with others. In his later years, he moved his membership to Lake Asbury Baptist Church and was a member there until his health prevented him from attending services; however he still watched the services from home every Sunday. Ralph enjoyed working in front of his computer and keeping up with world news. He loved being with his family and was always excited to attend any event they invited him to. He valued time with his grandchildren and could often be found chauffeuring them to various appointments or just hanging out and watching TV with them. He prioritized keeping in touch with his friends and would talk to them on the phone for hours. Ralph had an optimistic outlook on life and offered words of encouragement to anyone that needed it. He also had a spectacular sense of humor and was always willing to laugh at himself. His warm and humble nature had a substantial impact that the people in his life will carry with them forever. Ralph is preceded in death by his Mom, Dad, two brothers (Richard Alvin and William) and daughter-in-law (Sandy). Family was the most important thing in his life.
Ralph is survived by his brother, Felton (Nitza) Matthews; best friend, Ollie Sullivan; children, Timothy Lee Matthews and Lisa Anne (Kenny) Sweat; three granddaughters, Madison, Savannah, and Mallory; several nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be held at Lake Asbury Baptist Church at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 13, 2023 with Minister Tim Downing and Reverend John Dorsey officiating. Burial will follow at the Holly Hill Memorial Park.
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 32043. (904) 284-4000

Claudia Renee (Faircloth)
Anderson
Claudia Renee (Faircloth) Anderson, 65 of Fruit Cove, passed away Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in Jacksonville.  Affectionately known as Onay, Ms. Anderson was born March 13, 1958 in Charleston, South Carolina to parents Claude and Jerry Glendene (Dubose) Faircloth.  Born to a Navy chief, Renee and her family settled in Mandarin in 1970 where she attended Wolfson High School and met her lifelong best friend Dana Hope. Renee was a member of Mandarin Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir and played in the bell choir. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Deborah Parkhurst.  Survivors are her children, Joe Anderson (Christal) and Julie Thompson (Bryan), sister, Sheryl Parkhurst (Barry), grandchildren, Reese, Brayden, Isaac, and Hannah, Jensen, and Justin niece, Anna Luther (Adam) and nephew Phillip Kendro (Jill). Also surviving her are many cousins, extended family, friends, and Angel on Earth Celeste Hughes, who gave her the gift of life as a kidney donor 20 years ago. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Arrangements under the care of Helm-Gallagher Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1811 Idlewild Avenue, SR 16, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.  904-284-9696.  www.helmgallagherfh.com

Roger A. Suggs
The Honorable Roger A. Suggs passed away unexpectedly Sunday, July 9, 2023, in Orange Park, FL, at the age of 62. Roger was born April 17, 1961, in Fairfield, FL and grew up in North Central and Southwest Florida, settling in Clay County. Roger graduated from North Marion High School in 1979 where he lettered in baseball for three years. He later graduated from St. Leo University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.
Roger was predeceased by his parents, Hugh and Dolly Suggs, and brother Hubert Suggs. He is survived by his wife, Joni Masters Suggs, daughter Jessica (Eric) Allenson of Fort Worth, TX, brothers Kelly (Katie) Suggs, Edward (Janet) Suggs, Terry (Julie) Suggs, sister JoAnn (Richard) Besserman, stepdaughter Kelli (Aaron) Kaufman, stepson Jay Crossley, multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins. The three survivors who will miss Roger most and hold him in hero status are his beloved grandsons, Kellan, Kole, and Robin.
Roger served as the Assistant Clay County Property Appraiser beginning in 1990 and was later elected to serve as the Clay County Property Appraiser from 2009 to 2020. Throughout his career, Roger contributed to his profession by serving in leadership roles in professional organizations including IAAO, FAPA, and PAAF. He was a Past President of the Green Cove Springs Rotary Club. He also served on the local board of the Salvation Army.
Roger loved to plan trips and travel with family.
He loved to create mischief with his grandsons and provide them with the opportunity to get away with things that only a grandparent can allow. He was especially proud of the fabulous ice cream creations he created for his grandsons with preferred concoctions and grocery lists specific to each, with a lengthy list of tasty toppings.
There will be a celebration of life planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in his name to The Salvation Army of Clay County 2795 CR 220 Middleburg, FL32068 or online at https://jacksonville.salvationarmyflorida.org/
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 32043. (904) 284-4000.