Alachua County Today

Samuel Yancey Sweet

Samuel Yancey Sweet, 97, departed this life peacefully in his sleep at Chiefland Care Unit of Haven Hospice on October 31, 2012.

Mr. Sweet is a hero and inspiration to his surviving children, son Tipton Y. Sweet (Tip); daughter Louise Sweet Benson (Dani); daughter-in-law Rosario Sweet (Charo); son–in-law John Benson; and his loving grandchildren, Nathaniel Benson, Diego Sweet, Elisabeth Benson, Christopher Sweet, and Danielle Sweet and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Blanche Weeks Sweet of Newberry, Fla., and his parents, Edward W. Sweet and Carrie Morris Sweet and his sisters, Gladys Cook, John Lou Bowers and Sue Cottingham.

Friends and family will be received at Evans-Carter Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., High Springs, Fla., on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Newberry.

The family requests those wishing to send flowers may do so, or make a donation to First Baptist Church or Haven Hospice.

Willie James Dunbar, Sr.

  Mr. Willie James Dunbar, Sr., 86 of High Springs, Fla., passed on Monday, October 22, at North Florida Regional Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.

He was a member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church of High Springs and a retired truck driver.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruebin and Dora Dawson Dunbar, and children Willie Jr., Larry, Jerone and Michael Dunbar; (Loraine Heagles, Idella Hill and Ida Mae Dillon).

He is survived by children Geraldine Dunbar Bradley, Alfonza, Donnie, Famon, Billy James, Dewayne Dunbar, Erma Strawder, Jared and Maehelen Dunbar, Maxine Hill Woodside, Ruthie Hill Moore and Brenda Hill James; sisters Peggy Chesteen and Nellie Mae Smith; brothers Ramon Dunbar and Doshie Hatley; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews cousins and friends.

Memorial Services for Mr. Dunbar will be held on Saturday, October 27 at 11 a.m. at Anderson Memorial Church of God in Christ, 23075 NW 179^th Place, High Springs, Elder Lowell T. James, Pastor.

Viewing at the funeral home will be Friday from 6-8 p.m. Services entrusted to A. Jerome Brown Funeral Home 1560 NW 1^st Avenue, High Springs.

Betty Jean Dillon

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Robert Dillon of High Springs, Fla., and two daughters, Carol Paradise of Marietta, Ga., and Elizabeth Iverson of Sarasota, Fla.; also two step-children, Ron Dillon of Valparaiso, Ind., and Rebecca Nunnelle of Bowling Green Ky., four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one sister, Esther Line of Wabash, Ind. She is preceded in death by her former husband, Sam Adamson, her parents, two brothers and three sisters.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 29, 2012 from 10 – 10:30 a.m. at Evans-Carter Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at the High Springs Cemetery at 11a.m. following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice, Mikesville Presbyterian Church, or Mildred Bishop Scholarship Fund, PO Box 229, Trenton, FL 32693. Arrangements made by Evans-Carter Funeral Home, 220 North Main Street, High Springs, FL.

Joyce Christian Stevenson

Joyce Christian Stevenson, 83, of High Springs, Florida, died Monday, October 16, 2012 at her home with her family at her side, following a long illness.

Mrs. Stevenson was born April 13, 1929, in Port Henry, New York to the late John Oscar and Dorothy Irene Christian.  She moved to High Springs in 1978 along with her husband, the late Raymond Willard Stevenson, who preceded her in death in 2010 after 64 years of marriage.  Mrs. Stevenson was a homemaker, as well as a foster parent, a giving person with a heart of gold.  She loved spending time with her family.  Mrs. Stevenson was a faithful and active member of St. Madeleine’s Catholic Church in High Springs. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Baker of Port Henry, NY and Virginia Ida, of High Springs.

She is survived by one son, Danny (Rachel) Stevenson, of Gainesville; four daughters, Sharon (Thomas) Ida, of Moriah, NY, Kathleen (Stu) Boughton, of Pottstown, PA, Valerie (Mike) Lacey, of Orlando, and Brenda (Drandall) Thacker of High Springs; one sister, Ruth (Ralph) Jaquish, of Moriah, NY.  Thirteen grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren also survive.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 19, 2012 at 1:00 P. M., at St. Madeleine’s Catholic Church,  17155 NW US 441, High Springs, with Fr. Sebastian George, celebrant.  Interment will follow in High Springs Cemetery.  The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 12 noon.  Flowers are welcome, or to those who wish, memorial donations may be made to St. Madeleine’s Catholic Church Angels of Mercy, P. O. Box 892, High Springs, FL  32655 or to Hospice of the Nature Coast, 150 N. Main Street, High Springs, FL 32643. Arrangements by Williams-Thomas Westarea.