James was very mischievous and curious as a child. He was an insatiable reader, especially enjoying science fiction and books on military history and aircrafts. He was the original Jersey boy, spending many summers at his parent’s beach house in Seaside Heights, NJ where he became an accomplished fisherman and crabber. As a teen, he was a medal-winning debater and, for a short time, a high school wrestler. He became proficient at photography, auto mechanics, and an expert on military history. James was sometimes boisterous, always loud but had a tender heart for the disadvantaged and lost. He graduated from South Hagerstown High school in 1970. 

After moving to Orlando, Florida James met and married his wife Betty-Jo Carlo on June 21, 1987. Together they raised their two children, Barbara Carlo and Robert Russell.  

James was a strong, smart, fun, and loving man. He enjoyed history, science-fiction, books, NASCAR, movies, and making people smile. His energy and mood were contagious and he will be forever missed. 

James is survived by his wife Betty-Jo Carlo; his children, Barbara Carlo and Robert Russell; his brother Peter Carlo; and his two grandchildren, Kai and Eli McLeod. 

Hollis worked in the textile industry for Shoreland Textile and Eldridge Textile as a sales representative. After retiring from the textile industry, he became a school bus driver for Jersey City Board of Education. Eventually, Hollis moved to Central Florida and worked for Payless Shoes and Old Tyme Pottery. After retiring from retail, he moved to Trinidad to live for a short time. He then moved back to Central Florida and settled in Orlando. 

Hollis made many friends. He enjoyed having long conversations about his family, politics and religion. He loved listening to Calypso, Steelpan, Reggae, R&B, and classic music, He also enjoyed watching good movies and reading good books including Astrology. 

Hollis leaves to mourn his daughters, Judy Belton (Clarence), Kendra Cooper; stepdaughter, Victoria Justice (William); sons, Hollis Vankummer (Paula), Hollis Smith Jr.; Stepson, Winston Braithwaite; grandchildren, Sharmaine, Jenelle, Dominic, Natalie, Kamieo and Fanaka; step-grandchildren, Lisa, Diana, Winston Jr., Jermaine (Crystal), Christopher, Amanda; step-great-grandchildren, Valerie and Nicole; siblings, Edith Boyd, June Layne (Esau), Alexander Smith Jr., Jennifer Jones, Arthur Smith-Baptiste (Elizabeth), Judith Ann Scott (Roger) and Debra Ann Smith-Baptiste; nieces and nephews, Ruth, Francesca, David, Lisa, Gerard, Ayesha, Atiba, Meesha, Khalil; nine great-nieces and great-nephews and several step nieces and nephews. Hollis also leaves dear and close friends to mourn especially Bertrand and Joan Moore, James and Rosemary Babb, Carl Pinder Jr., Esther Arthur and Pamela Rock.

His funeral will be held on Friday, March 19, 2021 at St. Andrews Church, 101 N. Hastings St., Orlando, Fl. 32808. Viewing will be at 10:00AM followed by the Mass at 11:00AM. His final resting place will be Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando, Florida. For live stream: http://standrew-orlando.org/

Throughout his professional engineering career he held many offices and received many honors and awards in his professional organizations.  He was an active, member of the Georgia Engineering Society (named engineer of the year in 1980) and served as vice president of the national society of professional engineers.  During his career he built many roads and bridges in the U.S. and Turkey and mentored many young engineers.

Though he loved his chosen career his priorities were always the love of his life Marilyn and his children.  He spent precious time coaching his children in their many sports.  Camping in the motor home at the beach was a favorite activity as well as golf, fishing and boating and travel.

Jim's special family and friends has made possible a life filled with love and joy.  Jim's memory will be cherished by his best friend and loving wife, Marilyn, of 62 years and their children.  James A. Rhyne Jr. and wife Lesley, Kimberly Rhyne Cantu and husband Mark, Kristen Rhyne Booth and husband Matthew.  He was blessed with 7 grandchildren and 1 great grand child.

Interment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery following a memorial Mass at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 801 N. Hastings, Orlando FL. on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 10:00 am.   In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to: Shriners Children's Hospital, 855-661-5683, www.loveshriners.com  

Michael Boyd Ellis, Sr., age 69 of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away Friday, March 19th, 2021 at Health Central Hospital in Ocoee.  He was born in Denton, Georgia, the son of  the late Syhla Louise (Trowell)  and Marcus  Ellis.  He was employed as a forklift operator for 42 years at Louis Dreyfus Citrus in Winter Garden.  

Michael leaves to cherish his memory, wife Martha S. Humphrey-Ellis of Winter Garden and son Michael Boyd Ellis, Jr. of Alabama.   

Esther was employed as a banker and was a member of First Baptist Church of Orlando.  She leaves to cherish her memory, husband Anthony Kodwiw of Longwood; mother Felicia Korley of Ghana; brothers Jimmy and Harold Laryea and sister Gifty Laryea all of Manchester, UK.

The family will be receiving friends in the Henry Chapel at First Baptist Church of Orlando at10:00 am, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 in the Henry Chapel.  Interment will follow the service at Orlando Memorial Gardens in Apopka.

Michael (Mike) was born in Walnut Creek California on August 11, 1988.   He started elementary school in Santa Cruz Bolivia, then went on to attend school in Sugar Land, Texas, Danville, California, and then graduated High School in Sugar Land, Texas.  He started college life at the Rosen School of Hospitality at the University of Central Florida.  After a year at UCF he then transferred to Full Sail University in Winter Park Florida, where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Audio Engineering. 

Mike moved to Denver Colorado in 2013 to pursue his dream of being an audio engineering technician.   He had jobs with multiple companies there including ESPN Radio and the Comedy Club (where he met and ran sound boards for multiple high profile comedians).   He decided to continue his education in Denver by obtaining an AA degree from the Community College of Aurora in General Business, and then started working towards his degree in Finance/Accounting at the University of Colorado-Denver.  In 2019, he moved back to Orlando, FL to be closer to family and friends. 

Once back in Orlando, he started to work as a volunteer at First Orlando Church by helping them with their streaming services for their Monday night service.  He then landed a part time job at Disney as an Entertainment tech in early 2020.   When COVID hit, he was furloughed from Disney, but remained a cast member until the end of 2020.   In the meantime, he finished up more Finance classes at Valencia and was in the process of transferring back to UCF to finish his Bachelors Degree in Finance.  

Mike had two real passions, sports and music.   He was a Varsity Basketball Player in High School and set a school record for 3 pointers in a single game.   He was an avid football fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (we watched the Super Bowl Video they put out in 2002 more times than you can imagine), the Oklahoma Sooners and the UCF Knights.   He managed to attend several Sooner and UCF games over the years.   But the latest thrill was seeing his beloved Buccaneers win another Super Bowl in 2021.   But it wasn’t only football, he loved Premier League Soccer (or properly “football” in the UK), NBA basketball (an avid Warriors fan), hockey, UFC, you name it, he knew more about it than anyone we could imagine.   He had discussions going with all his friends and family on all of those sports.  

His music passion started at a young age.   We realized at the age of about 5, while taking piano lessons, that he had “perfect pitch”.   He could hear a note and know what it was.   That carried into his desire to do audio engineering at Full Sail University, where he learned how to mix, and he did some independent mixing for various musician friends as he pursued other careers.   His favorite band was 311.   He traveled multiple places in the US to see them and always tuned into “311 Day” on March 11 every year.  His real career desire was to be hired back into Disney as an entertainment tech in a post Covid world.

In addition to all of this, Mike was an avid reader.   One of the most intellectual and knowledgeable people you could ever meet.   His room was full of books on every subject you can imagine, and he could carry on a competent conversation on just about any of them. 

But more than any of his passions, Mike was a compassionate soul.   His legacy was being able to help people, and he understood the downtrodden people whose life was not so good. He was able to meet and identify with people of completely different backgrounds and strike up a friendship.   He had a spiritual sense to him from a very young age (he memorized Psalm 91 at age 5) and he confirmed his faith in Christianity when he arranged to be baptized at First Orlando in December 2018 when he was at a particularly low point in life. 

Mike passed away peacefully while working on his laptop on April 1, 2021.  Mike had been dealing with a lot of serious medical issues over the past years and was determined to find the cause of his pain.  Mike never quit in pursuing his dreams even while being frustrated with doctors being unable to diagnose his pain.  Mike lived life with a positive attitude and truly had a desire to make others happy.  He was also a great proponent for mental health.  He would want anyone reading this to live with a positive attitude and to enjoy life to the fullest.

We miss him dearly, but know he is not suffering any longer.  We know he is in heaven with Grandpa Sunday (trying to find a way to beat him in chess) and Grandma and Grandpa Nelson (we are sure Granny is fixing him more of his favorite mac and cheese) and other family members.  We know we will see him again.  

Mike is survived by his parents, Kenneth Nelson and Glenda Sunday-Nelson, and his brother and sister-in-law, Glen and Zoe Nelson. 

In lieu of flowers, we ask everyone to donate to a local Mental Health foundation in Michael Nelson’s name.  He was a big advocate of Mental Health issues.   

Gregory is  survived by his daughter, Beth Wheatley of Orlando; brother Thomas Wheatley.   A graveside service will be held 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 8th, 2021 at Oakdale Cemetery in Deland, FL  with Pastor Thomas Hensley officiating. 

Besides her children, Francisca is survived by twenty-six (26) grandchildren, fifty-four (54) great grandchildren and more than ten (10) great-great grandchildren.

The family will be receiving friends at 10:00 am, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 17th, 2021 at Dobbs Funeral Home.  Interment will follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery.

Maria leaves to cherish her memory, husband  Ariel  Dias De Oliveira; Children Gilson Oliveira, Ariani Oliveira, Adriana Oliveira, Rafael Oliveira, Siblings Jose Valim, Antonio Ferreira, Paulo Afonso Valim, Maria da Gloria Ferreira, Dulcelina Valim Duarte,  

Grandchildren  William Silva, Victor Silva, Christopher Oliveira, Phillip Oliveira  and Stephanie Oliveira

The family will be receiving friends at 1:00 pm followed by the funeral service at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Igreja Assembleia de Deus em Orlando, located at 4151 W. Oakridge Road, Orlando FL 32839.

Earnest enjoyed life.  He enjoyed, travel, fine food, and family.  Earnest loved to eat, having fun and making you laugh.

He is preceded in death by 7 brothers and 3 sisters and leaves to cherish his memory wife Constance (Tarver) Green of Orlando; daughter Mareshea Foster and her spouse James Foster; 2 sons Findley Green and Lamar Green, all who live in Rochester NY; brothers Curtis Green , Jack Green, Kennith Green all of Alabama; sisters Annie Faye  Smith of Rochester NY, Minnie Green of Texas;  sister-in-law Charlene Harris, a special aunti Eulays Tarver; 4 grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family will be receiving friends at 2:00 pm, followed by the funeral service at 3:00 pm on Friday, April 23, 2021 at Dobbs Funeral Home with Elder Jeffrey Scott, Officiating.

The second oldest of four children, John graced this earth on December 5, 1973 to father John Shaw and mother Berthina (McKinney) Shaw.

A Beloved father/grandfather and a proud auto mechanic, John enjoyed spending quality time with family, appreciated delicious food and was fascinated with working on cars, to which he often offered his services for free all throughout Orlando.

Though he is physically no longer with us, his memory lives on through his siblings; Berthina “Dee Dee” Shaw, Tammy Shaw, and James Shaw,  his  children; Jasmine Shaw, Charmaine Shaw, Shakira Shaw, Rayshad Shaw and Na’Isha Shaw, and his granddaughter Kendi Boyd.

The family will be receiving friends on Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm, followed by reflections.  There will be a chapel service at 1:00 pm with Pastor Ray Lloyd officiating.

 Gone from our sights but never from our hearts, rest well John.

Tom’s career started in Miami which quickly led to headlining at the popular Miami Beach Newport room for several years.  His popularity led to appearances all around the Miami club scene from the Fountainbleau, The Deauville, Marco Polo and others throughout the area.  Tom took his stage show on the road, touring all across the country for many years, from concerts and shows to appearances in Las Vegas.  All this led to releasing several albums with all original songs that played on radio stations from the West coast to the East coast.  Tom wrote and performed over 200 original songs in genres from Pop, Rock, Blues, Holiday, Christian, & Country music that are all streaming today across the world. 

Tom’s career accomplishments were numerous and his talent and passion for music showed in his performance and songwriting.  But it was family that he cherished the most and everything he did in life he would always say he did for them.  Tom married Laraine on Nov 20, 1960 and together they raised 6 children.  Tom’s amazing life and legacy will continue through his family.  Tim (son) and Suzanne, Debbie (daughter), Tommy (son) and Judy, DeAnna (daughter) and Peter, Kim (daughter) and Brian, Chris (son) and Nikki.  Tom adored his “amazing” grandchildren as he often said.  Timothy, Michael, Ashton, Summer, Meghann, Ryan, Olivia, Kylee, Logan, Ashley, Emily, Dylan, AnaLuna, Rece, Laney, Hayden, Malley, Macayle, and Mackenzie and most recently his bonus-grandchildren, Kaylen and Jaidynn.

Tom passed away peacefully, early Sunday morning, April 25 at 2:25 am with his family by his side, finishing his “last show” for the evening, which he had done his entire career.

The family will be receiving friends at Dobbs Funeral Home from 9:00 until 10:00 am followed by the funeral service on Friday, April 30th, 2021 with Pastor Ray Lloyd officiating.  Interment will follow the funeral service at Winter Garden Cemetery.

Donations can be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association.  See link below:

https://www.apdaparkinson.org/0000d4l/?gclid=CjwKCAjwj6SEBhAOEiwAvFRuKJhn4z8fQ1EfQVLf3w1yrlyn9IatDJu2PzppzLSus3PEnftzXIml1BoCpqYQAvD_BwE 

John was lovingly welcomed into this world by father John Lawrence Nielsen and mother Esther Nielsen in December of 1962, in Southern California. He spent his teenage and young adult years in the great state of Texas.

John enjoyed a distinguished and accomplished career in the automotive industry, understanding the intricacies of the business from turning a wrench, to writing technical service bulletins, speaking to congress and advocating legislation, to giving radio and television interviews on all matters automotive related. In addition to his technical skills, he gained a skill for public speaking and leadership, and took great pride in his work while posturing those around him for success.

He exhibited a passion and exuberance in learning and teaching, both through academic and autodidactic endeavors. He enjoyed sharing this found knowledge with anyone and everyone. This thirst of knowledge and self-improvement was exhibited in many of the activities in which he immersed himself, including cooking, music, fishing, orchids, and of course, cars (always the cars). John was an avid boater and had a love of the water, where he would captain his boat with his wife, family, and friends aboard. John expressed great love for many aspects of his life, but none more so than for his friends, family, and faith.

John is survived by his wife Rachel Nielsen; daughters Rachael Gentry, with husband Jayson and children Ava and Jaycob; and Sarah Bronson, with husband Chris and son Colt; sons Nathaniel Bayliss, with wife Stephanie and children Nicholas, William, and James; Robert Bayliss, with wife Krystle and son Everett; brother Mark “Ben” Nielsen, and sister Tawnya Wren.

The funeral service will be held at noon, Saturday, May 8, at Ascension Episcopal Church, 4950 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32819. 

Reception to follow at: Orange Tree Country Club, 7540 Woodgreen Dr, Orlando FL 32819.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to PanCan.org 

or the Boys & Girls Club of Seminole County

 A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 8^that 2:00pm at Bell Shoals Baptist Church, 2102 Bell Shoals Rd, Brandon, FL, 33511, in the Multipurpose Room (original worship center).

Judith Kay Wilson was born on June 29, 1946 in Aransas Pass, Texas but was raised in Grand Isle, Louisiana, a close-knit community of oilfield workers and their families. She married her high school sweetheart, Roger, in 1969 after graduating from Louisiana State University (LSU) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in history. They then began their love affair with big game fishing. Although she served as a teacher in New Orleans, they spent much of their summers pursuing blue marlin and sailfish in tournaments in the Bahamas, Mexico, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and the south pass of the Mississippi River.

After their twins graduated from high school, Roger and Judy moved to Florida, settling in Key West where she served with the Department of Children and Families and with the 16^th Judicial Circuit Court as an Operations Manager/Emergency Coordinating Officer. She volunteered for many organizations while in the Keys, including the United Way.

Retiring in 2008 and moving to Brandon, FL, she spent much of her time with her beloved Bell Shoals Baptist Church family in the choir, in the Shepherd’s Ministry and in serving others.  If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the United Way of Collier and the Keys, P.O. Box 2143, Key West, FL 33045, or by going to their website at www.keysunitedway.org. 

Even though Earl's life was too short for many, but those who were touched by his wisdom understood his strength and knew that the quality of his existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives.  He was a man who would push others to strive for more in their lives and not to listen to those who would tell you that you could not do something.  He would say, "Research what you want to do and obtain the education you need for that area of expertise.  Then, be whomever you wanted to be in life".

Earl was a very smart man who had many goals and was very talented.  He was a basketball, football, and track and field star from elementary school all the way through his college years.  While at Valdosta State  University, he became a proud member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and from there on he was known as "Avalanche" to his fraternity brothers and his Zeta Phi Beta sisters.

Earl played many roles throughout his life but being in the educational field was such an inspiration for him that he wanted to share his passion for learning with others.  He would always say, "We have to keep moving forward.  We have to keep pushing to make things happen in our lives.  If we don't who will".  His one priority was to make sure his family and students were taken care of and were provided the same opportunities as everyone else.  He was incredibly tough in laying down the law on the first day of school.  Then, from that point forward he changed lives and gave his kids the confidence that normally would have been pushed by the wayside.  The impact he had was legendary.  Earl was probably the most well-beloved educator in history.  His memory and legacy will forever be cherished in the lives of the loved ones he left behind.  

Earl will always be remembered as a devoted fiance', loving father, brother, brother-in-law, caring uncle, thoughtful great uncle, cousin, best friend, friend, father figure, grandfather, coach, and inspiration to many.  He will be greatly missed by all.

The family will be receiving friends at 11:00 am, followed by the funeral service at 12:00 pm on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Dobbs Funeral Home with Pastor Tyrone Thompson officiating.

She is survived by her mother Altagracia Santos, her siblings Edith Claudio, Mariel Claudio, Felix Correa, her children, Jeanette Santos, Jennifer Rodriguez, Jessica Santos, Jesus Claudio-Santos, and Jasmin Dorsett. She was also survived by her 8 grandchildren: Jeremyah Rodriguez, Novaley Santos, Germain Santiago, Luis Berrios, Gizel Santiago, Diamond Berrios, Zion Rodriguez, and Chasity Rodriguez. 

Mimi lived a free spirited and fun life. She was and is always loved and embraced her family and friends to the fullest. She was known as the life of the party, and enjoyed helping others. Mimi loved music, dancing, spending time with those she loved and loved traveling with her children. 

She is well known in her hometown of Bronx New York,  Allentown, Pennsylvania and Orlando, FL and she will deeply be missed. 

Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 11th, 2021 at Dobbs Funeral Home 430 N Kirkman Rd, Orlando at 12:00pm, Service is at 2:00pm and her final resting place will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando, FL. 

“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.”

Johnson leaves to cherish his memory,  daughter Courtney of Minnesota;  he is also survived by two sisters, Wura Ogunbodede, and Jumoke Babalola, both of Nigeria; and 1 grandchild along with other sorrowing family members and friends.

The family will have a Song Service on Friday, May 14, 2015 from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm at Dobbs Funeral Home.

Calling hours will be held at 9:00 am, followed by the funeral service at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 15th, 2021 at Dobbs Funeral Home in Orlando, FL .  Interment will follow the service at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Apopka, FL.

She is survived by her son, Donald Anthony Burroughs, Jr. of Atlanta, GA; her daughter, Penny Robinson, of Orlando, FL; grandsons Steven, Bryan, and Jonathan Burroughs and Richard Danese, granddaughters, Mariellen Batchelor, Kellianne Robinson &  April Danese; eight great grandchildren; her brother, Russell I Geyer, Jr. (Elizabeth Dixon) of Miami, FL and the many hearts she touched through education, mentoring, and friendship. 

She is predeceased by her beloved Husband, Donald A. Burroughs Sr., two of her four children, Annette Danese Williams and Mary L. Burroughs; and her parents, Russell I. Geyer and Mamie K Geyer.  

Noreen was born in Tampa, FL.  She graduated from Miami High School and attended Stetson College in Deland, FL where she met her Partner in Life for 59.5 years, Donald Anthony Burroughs. Noreen and Don were married September 1946 at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Miami. 

Noreen went on to earn her Masters in Education at Barry College. She had a 25-year teaching career with the Miami-Dade Public Schools teaching kindergarten and first grade. 

After retiring, Don, Noreen, and Penny moved to Sautee-Nacoochee where she became known to many as “Nana”. Spending much of her time volunteering in her Granddaughter’s (Mariellen Batchelor) classrooms as a reader, tutor, and all around classroom Nana. 

Noreen proudly served as the President of the Daughters of the King at Grace Calvary Episcopal Church, for the Atlanta Diocese of the Episcopal Church and as President of the Nacoochee Women’s Club at the Sautee-Nacoochee Community Center.

Nana spent her later years in Orlando, FL surrounded by sunshine, her great-granddaughters, Kiley Dawn & Aubri Lane Batchelor, and Mickey Mouse. 

A memorial service and celebration of life  will be held on her 94th birthday, June 30th 2021, at the Grace Calvary Episcopal Church in Clarkesville, Georgia. 

Ronald is  survived by wife Victoria (Coletta) Scarpato of Orlando; three sons Ronald Scarpato of Virginia, Salvatore Scarpato of Springfield, PA, Frank Scarpato of Philadelphia, PA; sister Elizabeth Piccone of Longport, NJ.;  and is  also survived by 1 grandchild Nicholas Scarpata.

Calling hours will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 at Dobbs Funeral Home in Orlando with Deacon Armand officiating a Wake Service at 7:00 pm.