All Obituaries

Brian Richard Johnson, age 64, of Baldwin, Florida, passed away quietly on Monday, April 15, 2024, at his home with his wife by his side. He was born on November 7, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, one of nine children adopted by Richard F. and Elaine D. (Harnish) Johnson. Brian graduated high school and joined the United States Navy, where he served this nation faithfully for 20 years. Afterward, he transitioned to civil service at the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base and has since retired. Brian...

Freddie Eugene Griffis, age 76, of Maxville, Florida, slipped away quietly with Jesus on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at his home in Maxville. He was born in Maxville on July 23, 1947, to Addie (Spivey) and Waver Griffis. He was a lifelong resident of Maxville, where he started his first job working at Gillman Paper Company before getting on the Seaboard Coastline Railroad, which later became CSX. Freddie retired after 20+ years there before becoming what Maxville knew him best as Pastor...

Frances Pauline Witchley, age 77, of Macclenny, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Ed Fraser Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. She was born on December 27, 1946, in Herkimer, New York, to Edith (Wentworth) and Nick Letesrio, and had lived in Baker County since 2015. Mrs. Frances was a caring mother and grandmother who enjoyed crocheting, watching her favorite TV shows, and shopping. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Jean Swan; and her beloved...

Julian Foster Hill, age 76, of Macclenny, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Ed Fraser Memorial Hospital. He was born in Macclenny on January 4, 1948, to Nadine (Griffith) and Foster Betha Hill. He was a lifelong resident of Macclenny who loved being with his family and friends. Julian enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing. He was of Holiness Faith, loved the Lord, and had a loving and kind heart. Julian was a good friend, neighbor, host, and jokester. He...

Richard "Rich" Lee Maxwell Jr., age 60, of Macclenny, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 25, 2024, in Jacksonville. He was born in Jacksonville on February 6, 1964, to Lottie (Miller) and Richard L. Maxwell Sr. Richard moved to Baker County in 1999. He was a loving husband and father who enjoyed watching football, NASCAR (Dale Earnhardt Sr. was his absolute favorite), and tinkering around his home. He was a Jack of all trades. Richard's greatest joy was his...

Johnny Duane Paxton, age 68, of Glen St. Mary, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 1, 2024, at home under the care of Community Hospice. He was born in Jacksonville on September 18, 1955, to Juanita (Synder) and Bernard Eugene Paxton. After graduation, he proudly served in the United States Army for six years. Johnny was a member of Glen Baptist Church, and he loved the Lord, his family, and church family. He was a kind man who found joy in teaching and working. Johnny...

Cherie Lynn Case, age 47, of Macclenny, Florida, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Palm Garden of Jacksonville under the care of Community Hospice. She was born on July 31, 1976, to Lana Jo (Rex) and Robert James Case in Osaka, Japan. After her father retired from the Navy, the family eventually settled in Macclenny, where Cherie attended Baker County High School, graduating in the class of 1995. She then went on to earn an Associate's Degree in...

Elizabeth "Betty" May Brown, age 99, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, under the care of Community Hospice at Baptist Medical Center South. She was born to Elizabeth (nee Schmelzer) and Fred L. Carpenter on October 3, 1924, in Madison, Wisconsin. Prior to retiring to Sarasota with her husband of 63 years, Kenton John Brown, they resided in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Loves Park, Illinois, Rockford, Illinois, Suffern, New York, and...

Nellie Frances Wood, age 86, of Jacksonville, Florida, went home to Heaven on Monday, February 26, 2024. She was born to Nellie (Leigh) and Dupont Magill in Jacksonville on March 15, 1937. Frances graduated in 1955 from the first graduating class of Paxon Senior High School and worked at Prudential Insurance for many years. On June 13, 1964, she married Raymond Wood, a sailor in the US Navy. Frances was a consistent and enduring example of a Christian woman who lived her life fully "as...

Glenn Edward Deel, age 58, of Sanderson, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Macclenny Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born on July 9, 1965, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Lena Alberta (Willis) and James Howard Deel. Glenn had lived in Baker County for six years. He was an avid outdoorsman. Glenn enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. He always had to keep his hands busy. Glenn was an automobile mechanic and...