Guerry Forbes Funeral Home

09/26/2025

Lucy Mae Willis, 77 of Middleburg, passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025 at her home with her family by her side. Lucy was born in Valdosta, Georgia on April 8, 1948, to Mr. John Lashley and Lottie Simpson Lashley.

Ms. Willis worked for the Jacksonville Jaguars for over twenty years as a parking attendant. She was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs. In her free time, she enjoyed solving puzzles and keeping up with friends and family on Facebook. Ms. Lucy also looked forward to family reunions in Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Lonnie Lashley, John “Junior” Lashley, Helen York, and Janie Schultz; and her beloved husband, Wiley Willis, Sr.

She leaves behind two sons, Wiley (Charlene) Willis, Jr. of Middleburg and John Willis of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Sandra, Samantha, and Harvey; one great granddaughter, Serenity; brothers, Edward Lashley and Danny Lashley.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM in the chapel of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home with Chaplain Terry Yerby officiating. Visitation will be held an hour prior in the chapel of the funeral home. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

The staff of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home is honored to serve the Willis family during their time of loss.

09/26/2025

🏈It’s GAME DAY in Baker County! Gooooo Wildcats!

Your biggest fans at Guerry Forbes Funeral Home are cheering for you! See you at Memorial Stadium tonight!

09/24/2025

Robert Alvin Branch, Jr., 66 of Glen St. Mary, passed from this life on Monday, September 22, 2025 at the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville. Known affectionately by friends and family as "Alvin”, he was born in Macclenny to Robert Branch, Sr, and Frances Gaskins Coleman.

At age 17, Alvin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served his country for five years.There, he built friendships that would last a lifetime. After completing his service, Mr. Branch began a career as a heavy-haul truck driver, one he would work in for over forty years.

He loved spending his free time with his wife of thirty five years, Penny, enjoying precious time with his children, watching his grandsons play sports, laughing and embracing the role of big brother with his siblings, traveling with his Marine Corps brothers, long motorcycle rides, and camping with friends and family. The most important relationship in Alvin's life was his relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John Coleman.

Mr. Branch leaves behind his beloved wife, Penny Lane Branch of Glen St. Mary, daughter, Heather "Nicky" (Daniel) Andrews of Callahan, son, Tres (Amanda) Hicks of Jacksonville; grandsons, Hayden Andrews, Oliver Hicks, and Hudson Hicks; siblings, Denese (Mike) McNeil of Fernandina Beach, Darlyn (Philip) Schweckendieck of Baldwin, Aaron Branch of Macclenny, Bobby Ray (Sandy) Branch of Glen St. Mary, and Roy Coleman, Jr. of California, as well as a host of nieces and nephews who adored him.

A Celebration of Alvin's Life will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Grace Baptist Church at 11:00 AM with Pastor Dewayne Jowers officiating. Interment will follow at Brandy Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 26, 2025 in the chapel of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

The staff of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home is honored to serve the Branch family during their time of loss.

09/19/2025

Earl Daniel “Bud" Hodges, 86 of Glen St. Mary, left his loving family and joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Bud was the son of Wallace and Gertie Hodges, born on October 1, 1938 in Moniac, Georgia. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army. He then dedicated thirty years of service to the Florida Department of Transportation, where he retired as District Safety Engineer. His passion with the FDOT was the safety of children.

Bud’s life outside of his career revolved around working for the Lord. He served as a deacon at Glen Baptist Church and Moniac Baptist Church and was active with the Carpenters for Christ. He was devoted to his church and was also active with the Gideons. He went on several mission trips, helping build churches in places like Mexico.

Bud also enjoyed tending his garden and was particularly proud of his grapevines. He was a proud husband, father, and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Emogene Arnett.

He is survived by his wife of sixty one years, Barbara Hodges of Glen St. Mary; children, Vanessa Pendleton of Ormond Beach, Darren Hodges of Glen St. Mary, and Shelley (Jimmy) Cole of Macclenny; grandchildren, Brandon (Amanda) Heppner, Michael Heppner, Joshua (Desiree) Heppner, Tyler Pendleton, Darrin Hodges, Benjamin Hodges, Lucas Hodges, Amber (Kyle) Wray, Ashley (Randy) Druin, and Austin Cole; fifteen great-grandchildren; as well as extended family members.

Funeral services will be held Monday, September 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Glen Baptist Church with Pastor Chas Rowland officiating. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Taylor Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Glen Baptist Church Awana’s Club or the Gideons International.

The staff of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hodges family during their time of loss.

09/19/2025

❤️You say RED on the count of 3! 1-2-3, RED!

It's GAME DAY! Eva and Emee are ready for Friday Night Lights as the Wildcats travel to Baldwin to take on the Indians.

🏈 We have been cheering for the Wildcats since 1982. Go Cats!

09/15/2025

Mark Allen Ritcheson, Sr., 69 of St. George, passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at his home. He was born on May 18, 1955 to Walter and Juanita (Weeks) Ritcheson.

Mark was a jack of all trades, a skilled carpenter and a talented painter. His passion was fishing and his favorite spot was out of Horseshoe Beach.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Raymond and Bonnies; and two sons, Clayton Ritcheson and Aaron Sutton.

He is survived by his son, Mark A. (Marcia) Ritcheson, Jr. of Douglasville, Georgia; six grandkids; and one great grandchild. He also leaves behind his sisters, Darlene, Pam, and Gail; as well as nieces and nephews.

Final memorialization will be by cremation.

The staff of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ritcheson family during their time of loss.

09/12/2025

🏈It's GAME DAY, Baker County! Generation after generation, we have been cheering for the Wildcats since 1982!

🐾❤️Tonight, our Wildcats will ROCK the Bucs! Let’s go Cats!

09/11/2025

Margaret Ann Nelson, 83 of Hilliard, passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 under the care of Community Hospice Jane and Bill Warner Center in Fernandina Beach. Margaret was the daughter of Broadus William and Martha Mae (Davis) Garrett, Sr., born on September 12, 1941. She spent time in Tennessee and Jacksonville before settling in Nassau County.

Margaret loved nature, especially flowers, butterflies, and horses. Above all she was happiest spending her time surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

She leaves behind her husband, Robert L. Nelson of Hilliard; son, Robert W. Nelson of Hilliard; daughter, Michele (Robert) Strang of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Tyler (Ashlee) Strang, Lola Nelson, and Lochlan Nelson; great- grandchildren, Luke Strang and Yinnifer Strang; as well as extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Broadus William Garrett, Jr.

Final memorialization will be by cremation.

The staff of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home is honored to serve the Nelson family during their time of loss.

To view the full obituary and share memories online, please visit: https://www.guerryforbesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/margaret-nelson

09/10/2025

Velma M. Rosier, a loving mother and grandmother, passed from this life on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, age 92. Velma was born in Grafton, West Virginia on May 2, 1933, the daughter of Strawther J. and Alta Ester (Stewart) Moore. She eventually settled in Baker County and worked for the Baker County School Board in food services for more than twenty years.

Velma enjoyed traveling and camping with her late husband, Ervin. She loved the admiring the outdoors, particularly bird watching and tending to her flower beds. She will be remembered as a loving and caring mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, James Moore, Bea Hovatter, and Linda Perris; and her beloved husband Ervin J. Rosier.

She is survived by her children whom she admired, Julie (David) Thomas, Velinda (Mike) Lyons, Jim (Michele) Rosier, and David (Deborah) Davisson; grandchildren, Katie (Dave) Brockrath, Sydney Davisson, Scott (Danielle) Lyons, Jason (Tina) Lyons, Victoria Baker, and Joey (Sabrina) Baker; seven great-grandchildren; as well as a host of extended family members and friends.

A celebration of Ms. Velma’s life will be held on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at Christian Fellowship Temple at 3:00 PM with Pastor David Thomas officiating and Rev. Eddie Griffis assisting. The family will be receiving friends at the church beginning at 2:00 PM. Graveside services will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

The staff of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rosier family during their time of loss.

To view the full obituary and share memories online, please visit: https://www.guerryforbesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/velma-rosier

09/09/2025

🤍Nothing fuels a winning game like a good meal and hometown support! Guerry Forbes Funeral Home was proud to provide the BCHS Wildcat Volleyball team with their pregame meal.

❤️Go Wildcats!

These girls are spoiled by our community! Thank you to Guerry Forbes Funeral Home for feeding the girls Darbyville today. Its better in Baker!!

09/09/2025

Joseph Douglas Dube, Sr., age 81 of Sanderson, passed from this life on Monday, September 8, 2025. Joe was born in Altha, Florida on February 15, 1944 to Mr. Joseph A. and Hardie Pumphrey Dube. Joe had a love for fitness that started at a young age when his father purchased him and his brother exercise equipment. Joe would attend Terry Parker High School where he excelled in athletics and would start his competitive weightlifting journey. He became the youngest person in the world to Olympic press 400 pounds at age 16. He would go on to become a multi-time Florida State Champion and eventually set Junior and Senior World Records. In 1967, Joe became a Pan American Champion and would win a bronze medal the following year in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. In 1969 he won a gold medal and world championship in Warsaw. Thru his athletic accomplishments, Joe was recognized as a guest of President Richard Nixon at the White House and as a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Mr. Dube would say that of all of the achievements and accolades of his life, his greatest two medals were his sons, Joe, Jr. and Jason.

In his free time, Mr. Dube enjoyed riding with the Gold Wing Club of Jacksonville and watching horse racing. He also was an avid New York Yankees fan and a Superman enthusiast. Joe was a skilled artist and some of his pieces were displayed with the Art of The Olympians. He loved spending time with his family and will be remembered for his joking and upbeat personality.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Adron Matthews.

He is survived by his sons, Joseph (Mary Tyler) Dube, Jr. and Jason Dube both of Sanderson; eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild; brothers, Virgil (Sharon) Dube of Jacksonville, Alfred (JoAnn) Dube of Tifton, and Clifford (Linda) Dube of Daytona; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Services to honor Joe’s life will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025 in the chapel of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home at 11:00 AM with his sons, Rev. Joseph Dube, Jr. and Jason Dube officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Cedar Creek Cemetery.

To view the full obituary and share memories online, please visit:
https://www.guerryforbesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/joseph-dube-sr