OBITUARY OF SUE MILLER

Avis Susan “Sue” Miller of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Winter Haven Hospital.

Formerly of Somerset, Massachusetts, she was born on August 30, 1941, in Fall River, Massachusetts.  She was the oldest daughter of the late Kenneth E. Brown and Alice H. Brown.  She married Jesse Jerrel “Jerry” Miller in 1984, and they were married for 30 years until his death in 2014.

She was a 1959 graduate of Somerset High School. Somerset, MA and graduated from Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA in 1963 with a BS in ED and in 1966 with a MS in ED.  She taught school for 33 years in the Somerset, MA School System, at the Pottersville School and the North Elementary School.  She was an active member of the Fall River, MA Junior League and served as assistant treasurer and treasurer.  She was a member of the Retired State, County, Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts, the Retired Educators of MA – Bristol County Chapter, NEA – retired, and the MTA – retired.

She and her husband moved to Winter Haven, Florida, from Massachusetts in 1996.  She enjoyed golfing, reading, playing Bingo, and helping others.  She was a member of the Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church of Winter Haven, FL.

Preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; a sister Shirley Costa of Somerset, MA; and brother-in-law, Rev. Everett Tremblay.

Sue is survived by two sisters, Nancy Tremblay of Swansea, MA and Cynthia (Ralph) Laurent pf Plaquemine, LA; and a brother, Kenneth (Michelle) E. Brown of Somerset, MA.; And leaves several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 9:00am till 10:00am, Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church.  Funeral Services will follow at 10:00am, followed by interment in Florida National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Beymer Memorial Food Bank.

VISITATION

9:00 am – 10:00 am

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church

700 North Lake Howard Drive

Winter Haven, Florida

FUNERAL SERVICE

10:00 am

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church

700 North Lake Howard Drive

Winter Haven, Florida

INTERMENT

1:30 pm

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Florida National Cemetery

6502 SW 102nd Avenue

Bushnell, Florida

Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team

Ski Show January 20 4pm Lake Silver in Winter Haven, FL. Bring your friends and family, chair or blanket. Concessions available. #centralflorida #waterskiing #usawaterski #showskiing #VisitCentralFlorida #mercurymarine #mercuryoutboards #mercuryproteam #GoBoldly #mercuryracing

Full Service Real Estate Team – Cheryl Brewer has a property available for sale in Lake Wales! 
Details:

3 bed 2 bath

$183,000

Come see this beautiful 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home located in the 55+ community Twin Fountains. This home is located on a corner lot with plenty of space between neighbors. Inside the home offers an open floor plan. There is plenty of space within this home with a lot of storage as well outside of the home and inside of the home. Walk-in closets, cabinet space, and storage in the work shop. All Furniture will be included with this home including the TV’s. Updated/new floors and one year old AC Unit. Twin Fountains offers a heated pool, shuffleboard, clubhouse and has lawn maintenance and water/sewer, cable and internet all included in a very affordable $180 month HOA fee. Perfect move in ready retirement home for winters or to stay year around, close to HWY 27 with plenty of shopping, restaurants and more.

Contact Cheryl Brewer at Full Service Real Estate Team today!

Full listing details here:

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/M5450353999

Winter Haven Public Safety Department

We all know that Goodwill serves a great need in our community and one way they are able to operate is through the sales at their local store. So, when someone takes items without paying for them, it impacts not only the store, but citizens who benefit from their services.
The woman seen in these pictures did just that – selected items and placed them inside of her bag and left without paying. Someone should be able to recognize her, especially with the unique pants or leggings she is wearing.
If you recognize this woman, please contact the Winter Haven Police Dept. at 863-401-2256.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:

• Call 1-888-400-TIPS (8477)
• From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
• Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
• Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
  You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

OBITUARY OF BOB FISHER

Extraordinary teacher, writer, actor, husband, father, and grandfather; Bob Fisher was loved and admired by all who knew him. 

Robert “Bob” Fisher, 95, of Haines City, FL passed away on Tuesday Dec. 26, 2023. Born April 6, 1928, in Morganton NC, he was a long-time resident of Haines City, FL. 

Bob was a teacher of English, Speech, and Drama at Haines City High School. Beloved by students and teachers, the school auditorium is named in his honor. He was chosen Polk County Teacher of the Year three times, a feat which has never been replicated. 

In 1973 he became the Supervisor of Language Arts for Polk County. He created the Polk County Poetry Contest in 1976, an event which enriched language competence for many students. Bob said “I have always felt that every child has a poem inside. I appreciate teachers who make themselves forever memorable by “squeezing” poems out of their students.” 

His theatrical contributions as an actor and director, both in high school and at numerous area community theatres, will never be forgotten. His impact was far reaching. A founding member of the Polk County teachers of English, president of the Florida Council of English Teachers, State Director for the National Thespian society, he embodied the motto “Act well your part, there all your honor lies.” He enjoyed membership in the Haines City Historical Association, singing, playing the piano, and entertaining everyone he met with his innate sense of humor. 

Preceded in death by his parents, 6 sisters, 2 brothers, and his dear aunt, Bob left a legacy. His treasured wife of 73 years, Dorothy “Dot”, 3 children Susanna Carey, Allyson Fisher, and Joey Fisher; 3 grandchildren; Jeff Jones (Shannyn), Katelyn Jones Liu (Alan) and Zachary Fisher, and 3 great-grandchildren; Luke Jones, Leya Rose Liu, and Piper Rose Jones. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday January 20, 2024, at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 2425 Havendale Boulevard, Winter Haven, FL. 

OBITUARY OF DURBIN R. PEARSON, JR.

Durbin R. Pearson, a commodities transportation broker for half a century, died Monday, January 8, 2024, of congestive heart failure at his daughter’s home in Lake Wales Florida. He was 77 and a long-time resident of Lake Hamilton. 

Born in Daytona Beach on March 6, 1946, Durb’s family moved to Winter Haven when he was an infant. He attended local schools, graduating from Winter Haven High in 1964 where he starred on the golf team. He attended the University of South Florida for a spell, then dropped out for a life of adventure exploring the country. 

Eventually the Vietnam War caught up with him and he was drafted into the U.S. Army where spent his tour of duty stationed in Germany. After being honorably discharged he resumed his studies, graduating from the State University of New York at Stony Brook with bachelor’s and master’s degrees. 

Following college, he was employed as a social worker in New York until, in the early 1970s, his father died and he returned to Winter Haven to care for his mother and run his dad’s truck brokerage. 

Throughout the years Durb brokered the shipment of countless tons of citrus, watermelons, vegetables and other produce that eventually landed on the breakfast and dinner tables of countless households. Driven and meticulous, he appeared indefatigable, often working through the night when troubles arose – as they invariably did when dealing with the oft-conflicting requirements of growers, independent truckers and buyers. 

During especially busy seasons his ear seemed glued to the phone as he employed his own highly distinctive and brutally efficient means of handling problems regarding shipments, deliveries, breakdowns, accidents, monetary disputes, road closures, bad actors, food spoilage and myriad other issues. He learned to expect the unexpected and did so with sardonic humor and his customary sense of proportion. Though slowed by illness near the end, he continued working until the last week of his life. 

His first two marriages ended in divorce. He was married for 36 years to Darleen Pearson, with whom he traveled the country and the world until her death in 2021. He was also preceded in death by his father, mother and sister Susan. He is survived by his devoted daughter Dana Tolley-Zenteno, her husband Henry Zenteno, and grandchildren Leah Ormond, Billy Ormond and Kique Zenteno as well as Durb’s beloved and faithful canine companion Ricky. 

Opinionated, stubborn, iconoclastic and highly intelligent, Durb read widely, studied history, abhorred political hypocrisy and though a very private person, proved a dear friend to a close circle of confidants.  

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of First Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024. Condolences may be sent to the family at oakridgefuneralcare.com. 

Obituary of Leona Christine Newsome

Leona Christine “Chris” Wilmoth Newsome April 18, 1936 – January 11,2024 Chris was born April 18th, 1936 to Nathan Wilmoth and Rosalee Irene Berry in LaGrange, Georgia. Chris went to her heavenly home January 11th, 2024, at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Lakeland. 

 She was preceded in death by two children, Johnny Lynn Spurlin and Lisa Joyce Morrow, her daughter-in-law Mary Cole, grandson G.W. Cole, great-granddaughter Shelby Griffin, her parents-Nathan and Rosalie, her sisters Sharon, Linda, Faye, and Edna and one brother Stanley. Chris is survived by her children, Janice and husband Michael Throgmorton of West Fork, AR, Jeannie Chodazeck of Lakeland, Eddie Cole of Polk City, Gary and wife (Allison) Cole of Lakeland, FL, and 8 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 9 great- great- grandchildren. 

  Chris retired from International Paper Company in Auburndale in 1998. After retiring, she spent time furthering her love of crafting, woodworking, sewing, playing her instruments, singing, and writing music and poems. If you knew Chris, you would never forget her infectious passion for her family, her church, her life, and Jesus Christ. Chris’ personality was so vibrant and colorful that when she wrecked her car, her daughters would not let her buy another one, but in true Chris fashion, she sweet talked her sons into helping her buy a 4-wheeler. Chris would drive her 4-wheeler into town and could often be seen driving down the road with her groceries strapped to her 4-wheeler with a bungee cord. Chris wouldn’t let not having a car keep her from doing what she wanted, when she wanted. This is only one of many stories that could be told. Whether you knew her as Mom, Leona, Christine, Chris, or Grandma your life was blessed beyond measure. “We don’t forget, but something vacant settles inside us” (Roland Barthis). Until we meet again, rest easy knowing your family misses you and loves you and will continue your legacy of love and faith.

Viewing is 12-1:30 and funeral at 1:30 at Kersey Funeral Home. 

Everyone will be invited to celebration of Life at Bethany Freewill Baptist Church in Eaton Park after the Interment.

Visitation

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Kersey Funeral Home 

108 Lake Stella Drive

Auburndale, Florida

863-967-1167

Funeral Ceremony

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Kersey Funeral Home

108 Lake Stella Dr

Auburndale, Florida

Interment

2:45 pm – 3:00 pm

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Auburndale Memorial Park

1889 West Derby Avenue

Auburndale, Florida

863-965-5514

Winter Haven MLK Parade 2024

by James Coulter

More than 60 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. declared his dream that one day both black and white people could walk down the street together in perfect harmony.

More than 60 years later, people both black and white marched down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Winter Haven in celebration of that one man’s dream during the annual MLK parade.

More than 100 units including floats, marching bands, dance troupes, and rescue vehicles traveled along the parade route starting from Lake Maude Park, along MLK Boulevard, and ending at Lake Silver Park.

Various local businesses and organizations, churches, schools, government bodies, and fire and rescue squads participated in the parade. Even the Honorable Sheriff Grady Judd made an appearance with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The parade served as the proud conclusion to a weeklong celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy in Winter Haven.

This celebration started with an official proclamation being read at the Winter Haven City Commission meeting on Monday evening. It continued with several events throughout the week including a wreath-laying celebration on Thursday and a Unity Day Luncheon on Friday.

These events were hosted through the Winter Haven MLK Parade Commission. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Spreading Hope, Courage, and Unity.”

According to their website: “The Winter Haven MLK Parade has continued to grow and improve in quality and content since its inception in January 1979, a vision founded by life-long resident and community advocate, Glenda Jones. Began 44 years ago as a peaceful march, the MLK Commemorative Parade has evolved into one of the largest and most attended MLK parade events in Polk County.”

A building under construction in Winter Haven suffered extensive damage after a fire tore through the structure causing the roof to collapse.

On January 12, 2024 at approximately 9:30 p.m., Winter Haven Fire crews responded to a structure fire at 1599 6th St. SE in Winter Haven. Crews arrived to flames shooting through the roof of the building that was under construction.

Five crews from the Winter Haven Fire Department and a crew from Polk County Fire tackled the blaze for close to two hours until the scene was deemed safe for investigators to begin sifting through the rubble.

During the event, a neighboring two-story apartment complex could potentially have been impacted. Members from the Winter Haven Police Department evacuated all residents until the fire was out. The apartment structure did not suffer any damage and there were no injuries to either civilians or firefighters.

“This was an extensive fire with buildings very close that were in danger of being impacted,” said Fire Chief Sonny Emery. “Our crews were dedicated to not only extinguishing the flames, but maintaining a constant defense to protect the surrounding structures.”

The fire is currently under investigation.