Watson-Milton Funeral Home

02/07/2026

Lolena Feltner, 63, of Bell, Florida, passed away on February 4, 2026 in Gainesville. She was born on January 9, 1963, in Hazard, Kentucky, to John and Lola Noble. From the very beginning, Lolena carried a spark that never dimmed. She was upbeat, outgoing, and known as a true “spitfire.”

Lolena lived a life full of creativity, strength, and heart. She was both a talented cosmetologist and a gifted photographer, bringing beauty and perspective to everything she touched. A black belt in karate, she was known for her lightning-fast reflexes. So much so that her family joked they had to be careful even when playing around or trying to sneak up on her. She was super crafty, loved being near the ocean, and found joy at Crescent Beach. A proud Kentucky native at heart, she never missed a chance to cheer on the Kentucky Wildcats.

Above all else, Lolena cherished her family. She was a wonderful mother, but her greatest joy was being “Mimi” to her grandchildren. She adored them and spoiled them every chance she got. Her faith was also central to her life; she was a devoted member of Rock Sink Baptist Church for over 20 years and deeply loved the Lord.

Lolena shared a strong and loving marriage with her husband, James, who said he couldn’t have asked for a better wife or partner to raise their children with.

Lolena is preceded in death by her parents John and Lola Noble.

Lolena is survived by her husband James Feltner; her son John (Mary) Feltner and daughter Shamberlena (Joseph) Carlisle; six grandchildren, Nobella, Normalena, Shane, Adam, Jasper and Raelynn; her sister Teena (Chester) McFall; and her nieces and nephews Shondotta, Cameron and Mackie and great nephew Bentley.

A funeral service to honor the life of Lolena will be held on Tuesday, February 10, at 1:00 PM at Rock Sink Baptist Church in Old Town. Family will receive friends for a visitation beginning at 12:30 PM. Lolena will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Rock Sink Baptist Church Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Watson-Milton Funeral Home, Trenton. www.WatsonMilton.com (352) 463-8888

02/06/2026

Delivering a eulogy for a loved one can be a great honor but also a challenging task. If you're preparing to give a eulogy, check out these public speaking tips to help you feel more confident while speaking at the funeral.

Delivering a eulogy can be both a great honor and a challenging task during a time of grief. Here are a few tips to help you deliver a eulogy well.

02/06/2026

Patricia “Pat” Engesser passed away on January 31, 2026. She was born on February 8, 1948, in Nashville, Tennessee, to her parents, Steve and Betty Flair.

Pat’s life changed forever when she met and fell in love with the love of her life, Roby. Together, she relocated to Florida to be with him and built a life rooted in devotion, adventure, and an extraordinary love for animals. Though Pat never had children of her own, she and Roby often said their children walked on four legs. Anyone who knew them understood just how true that was.

Pat was a dedicated and passionate animal trainer whose life’s work spanned decades. Alongside Roby, she trained and cared for a remarkable range of animals, including lions, tigers, snow leopards, monkeys, and even elephants. Their work brought joy and wonder to countless people through events held at schools, shopping malls, children’s hospitals, and county fairs. One of Pat’s greatest joys was helping put smiles on the faces of sick children, offering moments of magic and happiness when it was needed most.

Known for being full of life, Pat had a vibrant spirit and an unmatched love for her animals. They were truly her heart. She was also a wonderful partner. Someone Roby could always count on, through every challenge and triumph.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents, Steve and Betty Flair.

Pat is survived by her husband, Roby; her brother, Larry Flair Sr. (Sharon); her step siblings, Wanda and Ira Flair, Brenda and Wayne Ashworth, Jeff and Cindy Sisk, and Phillip and Babara Sisk; she is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration on Pat’s life will be held on Sunday, February 15, at 2:00 PM, at The Gilchrist County Women’s Club in Trenton, Florida. Watson-Milton Funeral Home is honored to assist Pat’s family during this time. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Watson-Milton Funeral Home. www.WatsonMilton.com (352) 463-8888

02/02/2026

It's Groundhog Day! Did you know that Punxsutawney Phil is just a nickname? His full name is "Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary." That's a mouthful! Do you think Phil will see his shadow?

02/01/2026

It's African American Heritage Month! This month, join us as we honor and recognize the achievements of African Americans in all areas of life, from politics, science, and the arts to sports, business, and education. Which African American leader has most impacted your life?

01/31/2026

Yvonne Martin, age 91, passed away surrounded by family on January 29, 2026, in Trenton, Florida. She was born on December 1, 1934, in Bell, Florida, to her parents, Bob and Beulah Cannon.

Yvonne was a woman who could be described as loving, strong-willed, and always put together. She loved looking her best. So much so that even when she went swimming, everyone knew better than to get her hair wet. She carried herself with grace and quiet confidence, and she was truly the rock of her family. Yvonne was known by many names, including Y Momma and Granny Y.

Family meant everything to Yvonne. She spent many years babysitting and caring for the children of her family and children of the community, pouring her time and heart into them. Each summer, she made it a tradition to take all the children to Hart Springs, where she made sure every one of them learned how to swim.

Yvonne was a devoted and lifelong member of Bell Baptist Church, where she was recognized as the oldest member, having attended since birth. In honor of more than 70 years of faithful service, she was awarded a Certificate of Membership by the church. Her faith was unwavering and deeply rooted. Even in her final days, she could be heard preaching the gospel to those caring for her. Her purpose in life was clear: to serve others and to make heaven crowded.

In her quieter moments, Yvonne found joy in reading, embroidering, and traveling. She especially loved traveling with her girlfriends through the Rose Classic tours, creating friendships and stories that lasted a lifetime.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Noel Martin; her parents, Bob and Beulah Cannon; her daughter, Jean Roberts; her brothers, Clark Cannon, Wallace Cannon, and Ray Cannon; her brother in laws, Nathan Martin and Newcomb Wasson; and honorary mentions, Vett Roberts and Jeff Reed.

Yvonne is survived by her daughter Joan Reed and Debra Wright (Jerry); her sisters, Kathy Spears (W***y) and Karen Wasson; her sister in laws, Arnette Cannon and Vida Martin; her grandchildren, Devon Studstill (Bruce), Dara Watkins (Eugene), Jeffrey Reed (Emerald), Sherry Walker (Lex), Janie Sanchez (Kelby), Kate DeForest (Josh), and Lexi Buffington (Brian). Her legacy will live on with her 17 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren

A funeral service to honor Yvonne will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Watson-Milton Funeral Home, at 11:00 AM. Family invites friends for a visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. After the service, Yvonne will be laid to rest at Jennings Lake Cemetery.

Due to the outstanding care she received, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Haven Hospice in her memory. www.havenhospice.com/donate

Arrangements are under the care of Watson-Milton Funeral Home, Trenton. www.WatsonMilton.com (352) 463-8888

01/30/2026

How do you know what to write on a loved one's headstone, memorial marker, or plaque? As you work on writing an epitaph, check out these tips for creating a meaningful, personalized inscription.

What should you write on your loved one's headstone or memorial plaque? Learn how to write a great epitaph here.

01/28/2026

Relationships are what really matter in life, and we couldn’t agree more. You are our community, and you are important to us. We are here to walk with you through the funeral planning process from beginning to end. You are not alone.

For more information about planning a fitting final tribute, please visit us at www.watsonmilton.com.

01/26/2026

01/23/2026

Choosing personalized songs for your loved one?s funeral can be a great way to celebrate their life and help your family begin their grief journey. Check out this article for 11 songs from the 1950s that you can incorporate into a service for a loved one.

Personal music choices are a great way to make your loved one's funeral unique. Here's our list of the best 1950s songs to play at a funeral!

01/22/2026

Patricia Ann Denton, 81, of Bell, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on January 14, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Born on January 9, 1945, in Kinston, North Carolina, Pat was the second youngest child and only​ daughter of Henry and Verna Massey. She married her husband Frank on August 10, 1962, and​ welcomed her daughter Amanda in May of 1964.

Throughout her life, Pat enjoyed gardening, cooking, spending time in nature and most of all, spending time with her family. She was a devoted and beloved wife, mother, and grandmother
who is greatly missed.

She is preceded in death by her mother Verna Burkhead, her father Henry Massey, her brothers Haywood Massey and Allen Massey. She is survived by her husband Frank, her brothers Harvey (Winifred) and Douglas (Mae) Massey, her daughter Amanda (James) Hammers, her granddaughter Angela (Harley) Conner, Heather (Marshall) Johnson, four great grandchildren, and a host of family and friends that miss and love her dearly.

A memorial date is to be determined and will be communicated to friends and family through Frank, Amanda, and Angela when it is arranged.

01/22/2026

Mildred Marie Hurst, age 89, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026, in Chiefland, Florida. She was born on August 14, 1936, in Trenton, Florida, to the late Lester Pope and Gussie Harris.

Mildred was a selfless and devoted woman whose life was marked by service to others. For many years, she worked as a caregiver, tending to the elderly. She was known for her kindness, dependability, and compassionate heart, and was in high demand by families seeking trusted care for their loved ones. Mildred cooked meals, ran errands, kept homes in order, and, most importantly, provided comfort and dignity to those she served.

As a mother, Mildred was firm yet deeply loving. She raised her five children on her own, instilling in them strong values, respect for others, and the importance of hard work and integrity. Her strength, independence, and unwavering dedication to her family were evident in all she did.

Mildred had a strong and abiding relationship with Christ and was a faithful member of the Trenton Church of Christ for the majority of her life. Her faith guided her actions and shaped the way she cared for others.

Mildred is preceded in death by her parents, Lester Pope, Gussie (Harris) Colson, and F.R Colson; and her siblings, J.W Pope, Nellie Simpson, Kathleen McElroy and John Wesley Pope.

Mildred is survived by her children, Morton “Cobby” Watson, Kenneth Gary Watson, Rebecca “Becky” Watson, Cheryl (Charles) Moore, and Tammy Watson; her siblings, Alfred Pope, Clyde Mae Hillard and Marcile Coyer. Ms. Mildred’s legacy will live on with her 16 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and 2 with a 3rd on the way great great grandchildren.

A funeral service to honor Ms. Mildred will be held on Monday, January 26th, at 2:30 PM, at Trenton Church of Christ. Family will receive friends for a visitation beginning at 1:00 PM. Ms. Mildred will be laid to rest a Chiefland Cemetery immediately following the service. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Watson-Milton Funeral Home. www.WatsonMilton.com (352) 463-8888