Obituaries 1/5/23

Dorris N. Stidham
Dorris N. Stidham, 92, of Orange Park Florida passed away peacefully on Friday December 30, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Rosevelle and Bess Stidham on May 5, 1930, in Pennington Gap, Virginia. He graduated Flatwoods High School and went to College at Virginia Tech. After graduating from college, he married his childhood sweetheart Amy Wilder. Dorris and Amy were married for sixty-three years, until Amy passed in 2016. Dorris proudly served the US Army for twenty years, including fighting in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
During his tours in Vietnam, he was awarded several medals of accommodation, including the Bronze Star.
Dorris and Amy had four children: Sidney, Alvin, Karen, and Gary. After retirement from the Army Dorris received his master’s degree from the University of Southern California and worked for the Department of Defense for the next twenty years. Dorris was a devoted husband and father, always putting the needs of his family and loved ones first.
He loved volunteering at Asbury United Methodist church; as an Usher, working in the annual Pumpkin patch, faithfully attending to the main marquee sign, and working at the Clay County Clothes closet. He will be remembered for his generosity, patience, and devoted faith. He is survived by his four children: Sidney, Alvin, Karen, Gary, and by his eight grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm. on Monday, January 9, 2023 in the Broadus-Raines Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Asbury United Methodist Church of Orange Park with Reverend Jennifer Ahrens-Sims officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 1:30 pm.
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.

Baby Scarlett Rose Maney
Scarlett Rose Maney, infant daughter of Andy Maney and Penny Leverett, was born sleeping on Monday, December 26, 2022 at Baptist Clay Medical Center on Fleming Island, Florida.
Baby Scarlett was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Charles Fox; and paternal grandparents, Vester Frank “Frankie” and Penny Maney.
Left to cherish her memory are her mother, Penny Leverett and father, Andy Maney; two brothers, Wyatt Griffin and Tyson Hambaugh; two sisters, Alani Leverett and Nova Maney; her grandparents; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be 6 p.m. Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Masters Funeral Home is Palatka with Pastor A. J. Hatfield officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Masters Funeral Home.
Condolences may be expressed on Brownie’s online tribute page at: www.themastersfuneralhome.com. Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is in charge of arrangements.

Bessie L. Buhr
Bessie L. Buhr, 89, of Orange Park, FL, passed away January 1, 2023.
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

Mr. William “W.O.” Blackwelder                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Mr. William “W.O.” Blackwelder age 88 of Middleburg passed away at his home Friday, December 30, 2022, following an extended illness. He was born October 2, 1934, in Lake Butler to William W. and Julia (Dukes) Blackwelder. Prior to retiring Mr. Blackwelder was a truck driver having owned his own trucking business at one time. He was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and attended Long Branch Baptist Church. He loved being on the farm, staying busy with yard work, landscaping, and at one point built a few pieces of furniture. Mr. Blackwelder was also known for his great sense of humor and his love of Cedar River Restaurant. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife Christine (Taylor) Blackwelder and his second wife Joenell “Wilkinson” Blackwelder, his adopted son, Rodney Blackwell, and a brother Samuel Blackwelder. His survivors are his sister Cybil Gene Douglas of Worthington Springs; stepson William Daniel Thompson (Joanne) of Deltona. Also left behind are numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews in addition to a host of extended family members and friends. Visitation for Mr. Blackwelder will begin at 12:00 p.m., at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Saturday, January 7, 2023. Funeral services begin at 1:00 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Harry Conaway and Pastor Kermit Mathews officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church or to VITAS Hospice. Arrangements are under the care of JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 620 East Nona Street, Starke, FL 32091. (904) 964-6200. www.jonesgallagherfh.com.