Pastor Rodriguez, 91, of Gainesville passed on Sept. 9, 2013. She was born in Cuba and lived most of life there before moving to Texas, then to Gainesville. She served faithfully as a pastor for more than 60 years with the international church, Soldiers of the Cross. She was a kind and loving person. She was deeply loved by her relatives and friends.

Funeral Services for Pastor Rodriguez were held Sunday, Sept. 15. 2013. Burial followed in the High Springs Cemetery.

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

Wallace Malcolm Hawkins, 80, died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013. Mr. Hawkins was born in Jacksonville, Fla., to the late Wallace Marvin Hawkins and Lillian Wilson Hawkins. He served in the Air Force, retired from the civil service at Robins Air Force Base and was a member of Hardison Baptist Church, where he cared for the church grounds for several years. He enjoyed being outdoors, loved to garden, and spent time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Louise Hawkins; their children, Daryl and Melaine Hawkins of Byron, and Don and Vicky Hawkins of Centerville; grandchildren, Kristin and Dennis Fryzel of Louisville, Ky., Kystle and Kris Williamson of Perry; great grandchildren, Hayden, Landyn, Aaron James, Aslyn, and Luke; and a sister, Yvonne McMillian of Stockbridge. He is preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Gallimore, and a brother, Jimmy Hawkins.

Visitation was held Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at Rooks Funeral Home in Bryon, Ga. A graveside service with military honors was held Monday, Sept. 9, 2013 at Elim Baptist Church Cemetery in Fort White, Fla., Rev. Rick Odum officiated.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southern Care Hospice, 5233 Riverside Dr., Ste. E., Macon, Ga., 31210. Burial arrangements by Evans-Carter Funeral Home, High Springs, Fla.

Marjorie Dees Alligood, 95, of Alachua, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the E.T. York Haven Hospice Care Center surrounded by her family. Alligood was born on May 21, 1918 in Union County to Walter and Lois Nesmith Dees. She was the oldest of their seven children. Marjorie was a faithful member of the New Oak Grove Baptist Church and was a homemaker all of her life. Marjorie is preceded in death by her husband, Turner Alligood, her sisters, Lucille Buhl and Willa Mae Johnston, brothers: B.W., J.L, Tom and Charlie Dees, and one granddaughter, Tammy Alligood O’Steen.

Marjorie is survived by her daughter, Yvonne A. Kwiatkowski of Alachua, sons Jerry Alligood, Billy Alligood and Bruce Alligood, all of Alachua. Five grandchildren, Sandy A. Jones, Troy Alligood, Kristin A. Dukes, Clay Alligood and Mandy Alligood, six great-grandchildren, Shanna Spires, Jessica O’Steen, Jacob Alligood, Caleb Alligood, Ashley O’Steen and Caroline Dukes. One great-great-grandson, Zane Spires also survive.

Funeral Service for Marjorie were conducted on Monday, Sept. 9 at 11 A.M. in the New Oak Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Eddie Blalock and the Rev. Terry Elixson officiating, internment followed in the church cemetery.

Mr. Feirmon E. Welch, 100, passed away, Sept.3, 2013 at North Florida Rehabilitation and Specialty Care Center, Gainesville, Fla. Mr. Welch was a member of Paradise United Methodist Church, Alachua, where he actively served in a number of positions including Lay Leader, Sunday School Superintendent and Trustee. Mr. Welch was also a member of the Masonic Family and Retired Teachers Association. Mr. Welch received his Masters Degree from Florida A & M University and Bethune Cookman College, and retired as Principal from Springhill Elementary School.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma G. Welch, Alachua; children, Rudolph Welch and Virginette Welch of Alachua and Feirmon Johnson and John Johnson of Ft. Lauderdale; sister, Edith Johnson of Hollywood, Fla., and two grandchildren.

Funeral Services for Mr. Welch were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013 at A.L. Mebane Middle School, Alachua, with Rev. Yolonda Godbolt, and Rev J.D. Johnson, officiating. Burial followed in Pleasant Plain Cemetery, Jonesville, Fla. Arrangements entrusted to Chestnut Funeral Home, Inc., 18 N.W. 8th Avenue, Gainesville, Fla.