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Obituaries 9/15/22


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Patricia Ann McWhorter
Patricia Ann McWhorter died September 1, 2022 in the Pavilion for Health Care at Penney Farms, Florida. She was born on December 24, 1993 in Ducktown, Tennessee to Claudia McAllister Hall Beckler and Daniel Herbert Beckler. A 1951 graduate of Ducktown High School, she went on to study Biology at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. Further study enabled her to practice medical technology and cytology. Research on lung cancer in uranium miners on the Colorado Plateau was her passion prior to marriage to Purnal “Judge” McWhorter in 1965. She attended St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Green Cove Springs, Florida and was an active volunteer and leader in many charitable organizations throughout her life. She will be remembered for her generosity, intelligence, and wonderful sense of humor. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, David Beckler. She is survived by her husband of almost 58 years, “Judge” of Penney Farms, Florida; daughter Sarah McWhorter of Green Cove Springs, Florida; son Daniel McWhorter and daughter-in-law Candace of Hurricane, Utah; and grandchildren Abigail and Nathaniel. Memorial services will be held at a later date.
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.

Grant “Les” Lovell Alford
Grant “Les” Lovell Alford was born in Santa Maria, California on January 15, 1942 and passed away at the age of 80 on Thursday, September 1, 2022, as a resident of Green Cove Springs. Known for his larger-than-life personality and sense of humor, Grant always had something witty to share, and everyone he encountered felt better knowing him.
He was born to Grant Lovell Alford, Sr and Ann Howe Jeffriss. He is survived by siblings, Berwick Bryant and Suzan Sharpley. His Aunt Chloe and Uncle Matthew Tangye also held a very special place in his heart growing up.
Grant graduated from Northridge Military Academy in 1961. He served in the Navy on aircraft carriers and patrol squadrons and ran aerial bombing ranges between the years of 1960 and 1968. He moved to Florida in 1970.
Grant had many professions, and he tackled each with great enthusiasm. These included a radio disc jockey, a reporter, an actor appearing in local/national commercials, tv and big screen movies, but his primary career was in insurance and financial services attaining the designation of Certified Financial Planner. Even in retirement, he continued school at Walters State Community College receiving a degree from Rel Maples Institute for Culinary Arts in 2015. His instructor would tell you that “This 70-year-old walked circles around the young kids and brightened everyone’s day doing it.” Grant also had served in the Kairos prison ministry addressing the spiritual needs of incarcerated persons, and he was a Eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
One of his other achievements (and he would say his greatest) was marrying his wife and best friend, Cathy. As a reporter in Jacksonville, he was standing on the bumper of her car taking a picture when she saw him and abruptly asked him to get off her car. From that point forward, they enjoyed a life together of fun, family, friends, years of sailing adventures on the “Wanderer” and many of their retirement years in the mountains of Gatlinburg, TN. Never missing a moment to cherish her, he wrote daily notes to her along with cards and presents. She will miss her “Julio” dearly. Grant is survived by his wife, Cathy and children: Matt (wife Ana; children Thais and Rodrigo), Kelly, Ian (wife Grace; children Lilly and Isabella), Anne-Marie (husband Danny; children Jason and Brian). We must not forget their beloved fur child, Spirit, who brought much happiness to them in their later years. Grant and Spirit were local celebrities in town, known for lively conversation and daily walks in stores and in Spring Park. May he now Rest in Peace and be with God.
A celebration of Grant’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 7190 Highway 17, Fleming Island, FL.
Grant will be inurned in the columbarium at Jacksonville National Cemetery. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories of Grant 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.

Debbie Brooker-Britt
Debbie Brooker-Britt, 62, passed away in her home in Clay County, Florida on Friday, September 9, 2022 surrounded by family. She was born to Susan Cook and Charles Grossman on October 26, 1959, in Gainesville, Florida – a true Gator fan from birth. Debbie graduated from James Campbell High School in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. After high school, Debbie started a family and went on to pursue a career in real estate.  As an agent in Clay County for over 40 years she helped countless families find their dream home. Debbie loved life and was affiliated with the Fallen Riders and the Yaya Sisterhood. She enjoyed spending time with her friends, water aerobics, water skiing, scuba diving and live music (Big Engine & Boogie Freaks). Above all else she enjoyed her grandbabies – being sure to love and spoil them at every opportunity.
She will be remembered for being a loving Nana, mother, sister, wife, daughter and friend. She is survived by her husband Luke Lawley, mother Susan Cook (Jim Cook, stepfather), father Charles Grossman, brother David Grossman, sister Michelle Cook (Don Tuten), brother Jimmy Cook, sister Danielle Grossman, stepsister Lisa Grossman, daughter Mandy Lopez (Sammy Lopez), son Charles Maxwell (Nikki Garrett), daughter Liz Brooker (Brian Buzen), stepdaughter Kendra Giddens (Trevor Myers), stepdaughter Danielle Lawley, stepson Lucian Lawley, grandchildren Noah DeNys, Quintin Bernstein, Trenton Wilson, Ashley Buzen, Bryce Buzen, Angelina Lopez, Mariah Maxwell, Taylor Buzen, and Paul Lopez and nephew Sidney Grossman, nephew Cody Borgert, niece Carlie Borgert, niece Kaiya Borgert & nephew Colby Borgert.
She was preceded in death by her sister Candy Grossman and grandparents Hilda and Sydney Grossman.
A Celebration of Life was held at 2 pm on Monday, September 12, 2022, at the Fleming Island campus of The Church of Eleven22 (4459 US Hwy 17, Fleming Island, FL 32003) with Pastor Todd Hickory officiating.
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

Joey Thomas
Joey Thomas, 59, of Orange Park, FL, passed away August 28, 2022
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.

Barbara Gene Duty
Barbara Gene Duty, 82, of Orange Park, FL passed away September 7, 2022. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000. www.broadusraines.com

Sylvia Marie Kinnear
Sylvia Marie Kinnear, 78, of Green Cove Springs, Florida passed away on September 10, 2022. She was born on December 1, 1943, in Clarksville, Arkansas to the late Fred and Ophelia (Jacobs) Kauffeld. Sylvia came to the area in 1964 and was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church where she enjoyed reading to the Pre-K children. She was a teacher for 38 years, loved to garden and take care of her flowers and the birds around her home. She collected antiques which she proudly decorated her home with. Sylvia was a world class traveler and sightseer, she really enjoyed going to her family reunions in Clarksville. She was an expert cook who loved to feed her boys and loved her dog Peanut.
Sylvia is survived by the sons, James and Chad Kinnear; brother, Fred Kauffeld (Irene); sisters, Sue Duff (James) and Wanda Shivley; and two grandchildren, Riley and Alexis.
The family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, September 15, 2022, in the Broadus-Raines Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, September 16, 2022, at Hickory Grove Baptist Church with Reverend Russell Franklin officiating. Burial will follow in Hickory Grove Cemetery.
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

James “Jamie” Douglas
Palazzolo
James “Jamie” Douglas Palazzolo, 59, of St. Johns, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, September 7, 2022. He was born to Janet Parker Palazzolo and Ernest Salvatore Palazzolo on June 7, 1963 in Sidney, New York.
He graduated from Wade Hampton High School in Hampton, South Carolina. He then went on to get his degree in welding and started his career at Westinghouse Cooperation in Hampton. In 1992 he moved to Florida and began his 30-year career at Seminole Electric.
He was an amazing athlete and enjoyed golfing, hunting and being in the outdoors, a love and enthusiasm he shared with his sons. He will be remembered for his kindness, honest and respect, but most of all his love for his family.
He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Ann P. Shake. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 33 years, Susan Shuman Palazzolo; two sons, Blain Douglas Palazzolo and Braden Pierce Palazzolo; his mother; a brother, Joseph Palazzolo; three sisters, Susan P. Henderson, Christine P. Pellegrini, and Lisa P. Hill; and fifteen nieces and nephews who all loved him dearly.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Orange Park, Florida on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association.
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.

Janet Bult
Janet Bult, 81, of Orange Park, Florida passed away September 10, 2022.
Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring Street, Green Cove Springs, Florida 904-284-4000. www.broadusraines.com