Obituaries - John Stitt, Joyce Highsmith Jones

John Monroe Stitt lived a life rooted in faith, family, and service. A devoted husband, father, beloved Papaw, mentor, and friend, he touched countless lives with his steady guidance, generous spirit, and deep love for those around him.

Born in Seattle, Washington, in 1938, John moved with his family to South Florida at an early age, settling in Miami Springs. As a teenager, he helped his father develop family land near Clewiston into a thriving cattle operation—an experience that sparked a lifelong dedication to agriculture and stewardship of the land.

After graduating from Clewiston High School, John earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Animal Production from Texas A&M University. Following service in the Air Force Reserve, he returned home in 1964 to manage the family ranch, beginning a career that reflected both hard work and deep commitment to Florida agriculture.

John and his wife, Sandra, built a loving home and raised three daughters, all of whom were involved in ranch life. He was known for offering wise counsel—often delivered with animated “encouragement”—and for showing up wholeheartedly for his family. Whether driving the ski boat, chaperoning livestock judging trips, attending horse shows, or helping wrangle show steers at the county fair, John created memories that his family will cherish for generations.

As the years passed, cattle operations evolved into sugarcane and citrus farming, yet John’s role as a steward of the land and advocate for South Florida agriculture remained constant. He was deeply respected throughout the agricultural community for both his leadership and vision. Outside of work, his greatest joy was fishing, and some of his happiest memories were made on trips to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas with family and dear friends.

John gave generously of his time and talents to his community. A faithful and active member of First Methodist Church of Clewiston for more than 60 years, he also helped organize the South Florida Agricultural Council and played an instrumental role in establishing the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. He held many leadership positions in the county and state Florida Cattlemen’s Association, was a trustee of Florida SouthWestern State College, and was an active supporter of the local and state Florida Farm Bureau. In 2022, he was inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame.

John is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sandra Willis Stitt; his daughters, Jennifer Stitt Mays and her husband, Steve Mays, and Rachel Stitt DeMay and her husband, David DeMay; and his cherished grandchildren, Madison DeMay, Luke Mays, Allison Mays, and Jackson DeMay.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Tillman Stitt and Christova Sawyer Stitt; his sister, Elizabeth Stitt Johnstone; and his daughter, Melissa Stitt.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 10:00 a.m. at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clewiston, followed by a gathering at the First Methodist Church of Clewiston.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the First Methodist Church of Clewiston.


Joyce Highsmith Jones (99) passed away peacefully at her home on May 12, 2026.

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 18, 1927, Joyce was the oldest of Louise and Everett Highsmith’s six children. Two of her sisters survive, Shirley Turknett of Melbourne, Florida, and June Hough of Walla Walla, Washington.

Joyce married Harold Jones in 1945, and they had four children, all of whom survive her: Susan (Scott) Cooper of LaBelle, FL, Robert (Susie) Jones of High Point, NC, Mark (Gail) Jones of St. Augustine, FL, and Greg (Bonne) Jones of St. Augustine, FL. Joyce has eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Joyce was truly the matriarch of the Jones clan, always supportive and welcoming.

Joyce and Harold made their home in Mandarin, Florida, where they farmed and raised their children. After the farm operations moved to St. Johns County, they moved first to Summer Haven, Florida, then Elkton, Florida. After Harold’s passing in 1988, Joyce moved to St. Augustine.

In 2019, Joyce moved to LaBelle to live near her daughter Susan and her husband Scott. She loved visits from her extended family, riding her tricycle, and lying in her hammock to enjoy the outdoors.

Joyce was the bookkeeper for the family farm for many years. She also was an avid seamstress, able to sew anything from prom dresses to slipcovers. She loved word games and puzzles, especially Scrabble and Wordle.

When asked the secret for a long and purposeful life, Joyce attributed it to clean living, hard work, and determination. Those who knew her add that her optimism and dedication to her family made her a very special person. Her smile could light up a room.

Fun fact: When Joyce’s oldest grandchild (Nan Akin) was born to Susan and Scott, she got a passport and traveled to Ghana to meet Nan and help the new parents.

A private celebration of life will be held in St. Augustine later this summer.

Memorials may be sent to Hope Hospice https://hopehospice.org/donate/ (Hope Development Department, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908), or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, https://www.macular.org/want-to-help/donate (PO Box 515, Northampton MA 01061-0515.

Pahokee, Fl Woman Wins $2 Million From Florida Lottery But Takes Home $1.1 Million

Today, the Florida Lottery announces that Lekisha Epps, 33, of Pahokee, claimed a $2 million top prize from the 100X THE CASH Scratch-Off game at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee on January 20. 

Epps chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,111,700.00. 

Epps purchased her winning ticket from Kwik Stop, located at 379 Bacom Point Road in Pahokee.

Spillway Gates Opening At Three Dams On River

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will begin opening spillway gates at the Julian Keen Jr. Lock & Dam (S-77), the W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam (S-78) and the Ortona Lock & Dam (S-79) along the Caloosahatchee River effective 13 May 2026. The  Caloosahatchee River (C-43) is lower-than-normal channel depths between lock sites.

 

All boaters are requested to exercise caution while navigating lower-than-normal channel depths, which are expected between lock sites.

Please contact the local lock operators for updates. Note: There may be impacts to local docks and marinas.

For the current Lake Okeechobee water levels, please see: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml

For up-to-date Lock information, contact the shift operator 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:

St Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148
Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-2858 or 863-662-9424
Julian Keen, Jr. Lock & Dam 863-946-0414 or 863-662-9533
Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616 or 863- 662-9846
W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam 863-662-9908
Canaveral Lock 321-783-5421 or 863-662-0298 (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)

Florida State Parks Free Admission Memorial Day Weekend

Florida State Parks will offer free admission Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, inviting visitors to enjoy the outdoors while honoring those who gave their lives in service to the United States as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

“As visitors enjoy the holiday weekend, Memorial Day is also a time to pause and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Florida State Parks offer meaningful places to connect with the history and natural beauty that define our state.”

Across Florida, state parks protect some of the nation’s most iconic natural and historic places, from crystal-clear springs and beaches to trails, rivers and historic landmarks that help tell Florida’s role in America’s story.

Visitors can enjoy hiking, paddling, fishing, wildlife viewing, camping and more in diverse natural settings statewide.

Florida State Parks also preserve a wide range of cultural and historical resources, including forts, battlefields, archaeological sites and historic landscapes that reflect chapters of Florida’s past.

Please note: Free admission applies to day-use only and excludes Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. All other fees, including overnight accommodations, special events, concessions and rentals from park vendors, will remain in effect.   

Find your park and plan your visit at FloridaStateParks.org. To learn more about Florida’s role in America’s 250th anniversary, visit America250FL.com.

Traveling outside Florida?  Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee are states having free entry to state parks every day.

Hendry County Sheriff Arrests - Drugs, Probation Violations

ARREST BLOTTER

05/04/2026 – 05/10/2026

Felony/DUI Arrest

Alex James Pettway, 27, Greenacres was arrested on May 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff N. Velasquez Olvera on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Ignacio Cordova Quesada, 44, LaBelle was arrested on May 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Angelo on charges of Hindering Communication Information to Law Enforcement Officer, Battery and Resist Officer without Violence

Rudolph Atkins, 57, Belle Glade was arrested on May 5, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of DUI, DUI – Refusal to Submit, Driving While License Suspended/Revoked and Failure to Register Vehicle

Shilo Ann Marie Dickerson, 44, LaBelle was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Conant on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Victor Manuel Bueno, 35, Clewiston was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff H. Ramirez-Garcia on four counts of Felony Probation Violation

Walfredo Jesus Masses, 59, Clewiston was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Det. K. Rosado on charges of Sexual Assault on victim under 12 years of age

Thomas Jacob Vantassel, 22, LaBelle was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff K. Rollins on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Alfredo Perez-Lopez, 19, Immokalee was arrested on May 7, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony FTA

Chiniah Rose Martinez, 28, Clewiston was arrested on May 7, 2026, by Det. K. Rosado on charges of Child Neglect

Nicole Joy Alcantara Martinez, 44, Clewiston was arrested on May 7, 2026, by K9 Deputy M. Elsaid on charges of Felony Probation Violation, Misd. Probation Violation, Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Lena Dorine Lamb, 60, Moore Haven was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Crawford on charges of Felony Probation Violation and Misd. Defraud Urine Test

Lester Lian Estrada-Espin, 25, Tampa, was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of Felony Failure to Appear

Jimmy Salgado, 42, Ft. Lauderdale, was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Charles Russell Sikes, 55, Alva, was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Sgt. J. Newbern on charges of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – 3rd of Subsequent

Lewis McKenzie, 72, Clewiston was arrested on May 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff H. Carranza on charges of Lewd & Lascivious Behavior on Victim under 12 years of age