Mary Elizabeth Irby, 89, of Alachua passed away June 1, 2013. Born May 12, 1924 in Bradenton, Fla., she was predeceased by her loving husband, William W. “Bill” Irby.

Mary Elizabeth was the daughter of Aaron Jesse Knight and Emily Williams Knight. A devoted mother and grandmother, she is survived by her four children, William W. “Will” Irby and wife Carol, J. K. “Buddy” Irby and wife Linda, Anne Irby Mitchell, and C. B. “Rusty” Irby and wife Connie; her grandchildren, William, Jesse, Patrick, Mary Elizabeth, Hanna, Brittany, and Roman; Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Juliana I. Wilson, Lewis M. Irby and Audrey W. Irby, and Palmer Darcey; eight neices and nephews.

Mary Elizabeth was a member of First Baptist Church of Alachua. Her membership in the Alachua Woman’s Club exceeded half a century. She was a graduate of Florida State University (FSCW) where she was a member of the marching band. An artist and teacher, she taught for many years at the Alachua Elementary School. Mary Elizabeth enjoyed reading, the arts, gardening, scrapbooking and travel. She and her husband, Bill, were world-wide travelers. They particularly enjoyed their visits to the British Isles, which influenced both Mary Elizabeth’s style of painting and gardening. She and Bill also spent many wonderful summers at their cabin above Penrose, outside of Brevard, N.C.

Mary Elizabeth loved her family, her hometown of Alachua, her many friends including her bridge playing pals and the “Walkie Talkies.” She was always proud to be recognized among the women of the Alachua Woman’s Club. Mrs. Irby remembered fondly and kept faith with the children she taught in public school and Sunday school. She treasured the delightful times with all whom she and Bill had the good fortune to travel. She loved her cats, too, they being good gardening companions.

Her family thanks the City of Alachua and its people for the warm embrace given to William and Mary Elizabeth Irby and their family over so many years.

A Graveside Service will be held at the Knight-Irby plot in the Newnansville Cemetery, Alachua. The service is scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2013. Contributions to the Alachua Woman's Club Building Fund, P.O. Box 374, Alachua, FL 32616 or Friends of Children of North Florida, P.O. Box 358502, Gainesville, FL 32635 are requested in lieu of flowers.

Funeral Services will be under the direction of the Milam Funeral and Cremation Services, 311 South Main Street Gainesville, Florida 32601 352-376-5361.

Samuel Cleff Means, Jr., age 79, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2013 in his home. He was born on a farm in Miami, Dade County, to Samuel C. Means, Sr., and Elise Robinson Means and had one sister.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Betty Ann, and three wonderful sons, Greg (Merry Lynn), Jeff (Valerie), and Kevin; five grandchildren, Megan (Jeffery), Molly (Wally), Jared (Britney), Mallory (Josh) and Zack (Sarah); two great-granddaughters, Kenidy Jean and Brynley Elizabeth. Sam was deeply loved by his family and many friends.

After high school, he attended the University of Florida before serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he was stationed at the 38^th Parallel, north of Uijongbu.

Mr. Means was a Field Supervisor for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for many years. He truly enjoyed his work and fellow co-workers all over the state and in his Tallahassee office, as well as working the family farm.

His interests, other than family, was serving as Ruling Elder Emeritus for his beloved Mikesville Presbyterian Church, the UF Gators and being a charter member of Gator Town Gators Booster Club, and serving as Trustee/Chaplain of the James A. Van Fleet Korean War Veterans Association #267 as a charter member.

He will be remembered as a kind, gentle and loving man.

The viewing will be held Thursday, May 9, 6-8 p.m. at Evans-Carter Funeral Home in High Springs, with services held Friday, May 10, 2 p.m. at Mikesville Presbyterian Church, 384 SE Clubhouse Lane, Mikesville, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Mikesville Presbyterian Church, 384 Clubhouse Lane, Lake City, FL, 32024 or Community Cancer Center of North Florida, 7000 NW 11^th Place, Gainesville, FL 32605.

Arrangements are under the care of Evans-Carter Funeral Home, 220 N. Main Street, High Springs, FL 32643

Bertha Mae Strawder Phillips, 87, a lifelong resident of Fort White passed Saturday, May 11, 2013, in her home. She was the daughter of the late Reverend Oscar Strawder and Fannie Harris Strawder. She was a dedicated Christian and mother.

She served faithfully at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church until her health declined.

Ms. Phillips was preceded in death by husband, children and siblings.

She is survived by her children, Lana Phillips, Debra Phillips, Barbara Fleming (Sam), Lisa Sheppard (Elven) and Isiah Phillips, Jr. all of Fort White; grandchildren, Tamara Phillips, Dwayne Fleming, Devon Sheppard, Christopher Fleming, Toni Fleming, Elven Sheppard, Jr., Santeis Harris, Deidre Fleming, Trey Phillips Gabriel Allen and Princess Brown; great grandchildren, Cam’ron Brown and Alyssa Sheppard; siblings, Leander Strawder Bennett, Fort White, Mildred Strawder Brown, High Springs, Eugene Strawder, Fort White and Jasper Strawder, Miami; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Viewing for Ms. Phillips will be held Friday, May 17, 2013, 6-8 p.m. at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church located on Jordan Road. Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Antioch, Pastor Sanders, Eulogist.

Professional services entrusted to A. Jerome Brown Funeral Home, High Springs, Fla.

Karen Lynn Hesser, 52, of Alachua, Fla., died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at E.T. York Hospice Care Center. A Graveside Service was held Wednesday, May 1, 2013, 11 a.m. at Forest Grove Cemetery, Alachua, with Pastor Angela Anderson, officiating.

She is survived by a son, Clayton C. McCullers, Alachua; a grandson, Jace Connor McCullers, Alachua; and a sister, Laurie Morgan, High Springs. Arrangements by Evans-Carter Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., High Springs, FL.