Thursday, August 24, 2023

Obituaries - Hendry County

Lois Mae Blount, age 97, a longtime resident of Clewiston, passed away on Friday, August 18, 2023 at Hendry Regional Medical Center in Clewiston. 

Lois was born on July 28, 1926 in Galva Illinois, parents the late Richard and Hazel (nee Partidge) Heflin; late siblings Dean Heflin, Glen Heflin and Jean Thomas. She married the late Lews Blount. 

She is survived by her loving family; children Richard (Cindy) Blount, Raymond Blount and Robert (Angela) Blount; brother Billy Ray Heflin; 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. 

A visitation for Lois will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023 at Akin-Davis Funeral Home, 439 E. Sugarland Highway, FL 33440 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM, with a funeral service in the funeral home chapel at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow to Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clewiston.

Helen Ruth Rackstraw, 75, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 17, 2023. 

She was born on January 8, 1948, in Pitcher, Oklahoma and was the daughter of William and Wilma Busick, and sister to Billy Wayne and Jesse Busick.

During her early life Helen moved all around the United States because her father was in construction and coal mining but eventually settled in Greenville, Kentucky where she called home. In 1963 she and her family moved from Greenville, Kentucky to Clewiston, Florida. When she moved to Clewiston she was a sophomore in high school and fell in love with her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Gaynam R. Rackstraw (GR).

 In 1966 she and GR graduated high school and she moved back to Greenville. Shortly after, GR enlisted in the Army and they married in Madisonville, Kentucky on June 15, 1968. They then had three beautiful children together, Gaynam B., Anesa and Amy.

From 1979 to 2000 Helen worked by her husband’s side at the family business Rackstraw’s Auto Electric. She then moved on to work for another 18 years at Maxis Screen Printing but being a mother and loving grandmother (NeNe) was the best and most important job to her. She loved to craft, cook/bake, decorate, and spend time with family and loved ones. She was also an active member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Clewiston and loved Christ.

Helen is survived by her husband Gaynam R. Rackstraw, son Gaynam B. Rackstraw (wife Alexis), daughter Amy Swindle (husband Michael), as well as her six beloved grandchildren Jacob Muniz, Conner and Myles Swindle, Mackenzie Bradley, and Riley and Avery Rackstraw. She is also leaving behind sister-in-laws Brenda Busick and Rhonda Davis, brother-in-law Jack Davis, as well as several incredible and loving nieces, nephews and friends. 

 She is preceded in death by her mother and father, her brothers (Billy Wayne and Jesse Busick), and her daughter Anesa Rackstraw. All of these she loved and touched deeply. She will be deeply missed.

Celebrating Helen’s life took place on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at Akin-Davis Funeral Home in Clewiston, Florida. Visitation for friends and family was at 9am and service began at 10am.

Richard James "Richie" Cross, age 29, of Lehigh Acres, Florida formally of Fort Myers, Florida passed away on August 16, 2023, in Fort Myers, Florida after a lengthy illness. 

Richie was born in Peekskill, New York on May 15, 1994, to Donna Horan and Richard Cross. 

Richie enjoyed cooking, listening to music and spending time with his family and friends. Richie leaves fond memories with his mother. Donna Cross of Lehigh Acres, brother, Billy Cross of Lehigh Acres, uncle, James Horan, cousins, Dominique Johnson and Kenny Johnson along with many extended family members and close family friends. 

Richie was preceded in death by his grandmother; Mary McPadden, on November 10, 1999, his uncle, John Purce on December 9, 2021, his aunts, Sheila Purce on October 21, 2011, Eileen Purce on August 12, 2006, and his uncle Mark Horan on May 3, 2019. 

Celebration of Richie's life will be held at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Akin-Davis Funeral Home located at 13932 Palm Beach Blvd Fort Myers, Florida 33905, a visitation will follow until 6 p.m. also at the funeral home. Father Dr. Murchadh O'Madagain will preside over the celebration of life service.

Mary Helen Deas

Mary Helen was born in Columbia, South Carolina on October 22, 1924. She was the daughter of the late Solomon and Helen Green.

She married the late Solomon Joseph Deas in Columbia, SC and gave birth to two children, Solomon Joseph Deas Jr (Teedy) and Carolyn Diane Deas.

Mary Helen was affectionately known as Pat.

Mary was educated in the South Carolina school system in Columbia, SC, and attended Benedict College before moving to NYC.

Mary worked as a Home Health Aide for years before retiring and moving to Labelle, FL on April 30th, 1991.

After moving to FL, Mary returned to work at Senior Connections where she served hot meals to the senior citizens of Labelle until she became ill.

Mary Helen Deas transitioned quietly on August 16, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was preceded in death by her Mother Helen Cheeks and Father Solomon Green, siblings (Johnny, Margaret, Leon and James), husband Solomon Joseph Deas and children Solomon Joseph Deas Jr (Teedy) and Carolyn Diane Bright.

She is survived by her devoted granddaughters Patricia McKenzie and Anika Deas. Grandson, David McKenzie. Great Grandson, Dorian Deas. Two great granddaughters, Peyton Aubri and Kenzie Lynn Deas. Three Nieces, Margaret Green Browne, Sheryl (Carl) Finn, and Karen Knuckles. One Nephew, Ray (Stephanie) Hammie. A special long time friend Ruby Little and a host of great nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Homegoing Services will be held on Saturday, August 26th at 11am at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 874 Suwannee Avenue, Labelle FL 33935. Viewing will be from 10a-11a.

Howard Jay Atun age 69, a resident of LaBelle, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers, Florida. 

He is survived by his loving family: wife Diane, children Laura (John) and Amanda (Kyle), and sibling Ilene. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Celia Atun. He will be greatly missed by his many cousins, nephews and nieces, and his beloved granddogs Rosie and London.

Jody Tigertail Bert, age 44 of Clewiston, Florida passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on August 14, 2023. 

Jody was born on November 20, 1978, in South Bay, Florida to the late Ernie and Minnie Tigertail Bert. 

Jody married Pearl Friday. Jody enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Jody leaves fond memories with his mother; Minnie Tigertail Bert, his loving wife; Pearl Bert, his children; Athena Bert, Colten Bert, Lania Bert, Bradley Bert, Joanna Bert, Neyom Osceola, Agullbul Osceola, Cheche Osceola, along with his grandchildren; Maryelle Clay, Bobby Clay, Natasha Clay and one sister; Dusti Bert and many extended family members and close friends. 

Memorial funeral services celebrating Jody's life took place at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at First Baptist Church Big Cypress with Pastor Salaw Hummingbird officiating. Burial was in Big Cypress Cemetery on Big Cypress Reservation. Celebration arrangements were handled by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - Clewiston.

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