Obituaries

Charles Stokes was the son of a Florida State Pioneer and he went to high school with country singer Mel Tillis

Henry Traylor retired as a lieutenant with the Tallahassee Police Department and he and his wife in 1999 moved to The Villages.

Mae Fern West, of Belleview, taught Sunday school classes, was a 2nd and 3rd-grade schoolteacher, spoke at ladies’ retreats, and mentored many ladies, young and old, at Memorial Baptist. She also loved to sew, quilt, crochet, and cook for her family and friends. 

Villager Sandra Simonson volunteered for Give Kids the World and worked part time for Disney Cruise Line in Orlando and at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney.

Ruth Louise Deegan of Belleview was a fourth generation member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings in the church.

Eloise A. Young, of The Villages, passed away on Tuesday, November 23, 2021.

Lynne Carol Sheppard, of Belleview, was a successful horse trainer/riding instructor. She was a founding member of STRIDE (a local dressage club), and even though she changed her career path from animals to people, she never gave up her love of working with animals and continued to support animal rescue shelters across the state.

Marva O'Leary was born in Detroit and she and her husband moved in 2005 to The Villages. They loved to visit Disney World.

Kathy A. Shirley of Del Webb Spruce was married to Cavil “Ray” Shirley for 52 years and also a retired registered nurse.

John Robert Shoemaker, of Lady Lake, enjoyed working as a private investigator and in his retirement he kept busy with multiple Security Officer Positions.

Charles C. Stokes, of Lady Lake, served in the Army during the Korean War 1951-1953. He was a member of the American Legion Post #347 in Lady Lake, Florida, a lifetime member of the VFW Post #8083 in Belleview, Florida, and a member of the Military Order of Stars and Bars

Bertha "Peggy" Werner of the Villages loved to play piano and organ, giving her children music lessons for many years.

Joseph Grego of Summerfield was a proud family man and avid golfer. He and his wife recently celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Dr. Preston Morgan served as principal at South Sumter Middle School and then served as the Superintendent of Schools for Sumter County. He also served as principal at South Sumter High School.

Gary Lee Stroud of The Villages loved to play golf, walk on the beach and show off his moves on the dance floor.

Marlene Losey of The Villages was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years James R. Losey.

Larry James Kelly of Lady Lake grew up in Mt. Gilead, Ohio where he enjoyed raising and showing horses and ponies.

Phillip Smith of The Villages, retired as the President and Chief Financial Officer of Alcoa's Subsidiary Railroads.