J.W. Sparkman, former resident

James William “J.W.” Sparkman, 82, a resident of Bell, Florida, died Friday afternoon at Memorial Hospital of Jacksonville. A native and longtime resident of Baker County, Mr. Sparkman had been a resident of Bell for the past six years, having moved there from Waccasassa, Florida. He was the son of the late Ralph Franklin Sparkman Sr. and Lillie Mae Garrett Sparkman.

Mr. Sparkman served in the United States Navy for three and a half years and was stationed on the USS Leyte for more than two years in the Korean War. He then began working as an aide at Northeast Florida State Hospital in Macclenny, a position he held for ten years prior to working at Florida Wire and Cable, in Sanderson as a mechanic for more than twenty years.

Following his retirement, Mr. Sparkman enjoyed honing his woodworking hobby. He was known for his extremely “precise” finishing carpentry work. Mr. Sparkman was preceded in death by his brother Ralph Franklin Sparkman Jr. He was a member of the Ichetucknee River Baptist Church.

Ms. Chism, 36,
longtime resident

Tanya R. Chism, 36, of Sanderson died June 21. She was born in Waycross, Georgia on October 21, 1974. She was a resident of Baker County most of her life. Tanya had a big heart and was a great mother to her sons. She was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Survivors include her parents Frank Wesley Chism and Deborah Lynn Carlson Chism of Sanderson; children Charlie and Wesley Siemering of Sanderson; grandparents Harvey and Winifred Carlson of Waycross; sister Michelle (Beep) Thaimes of Waynesboro, Georgia; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral service was held Friday, June 24 at 3:00 pm in the chapel of Ferreira Funeral Services with Pastor Alvin Baldwin officiating. Interment followed at Canaday Cemetery in Moniac, Georgia.

Carlton Lee, 73, of Macclenny, died June 21. He was born in Moniac, Georgia to the late Frank J. Lee and Mamie Thrift Lee on September 7, 1937. He was a resident of Baker County since 2000, after moving from Jacksonville. Mr. Lee honorably served in the US Air Force and retired in 1999 after 40 years of service from Smurfit-Stone Corporation where he was a machinist. He loved hunting, fishing and the outdoors, and was predeceased by son Douglas Lee, and grandson Casey Lee.

Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years, Barbara Foran Lee; children Tim (Heidi) Lee of Macclenny, Mark (Holly) Lee of Macclenny, Michael David Lee of Charlotte, NC; brothers Clifford Lee of Macclenny; sister Minnie Yarbrough of Macclenny; grandchildren Jana Crews, Jeremy Lee, Jared Lee, Hannah Diggs; and nine great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held Friday, June 24 at noon at the First United Methodist Church in Macclenny with Pastor Tom Pope officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 23 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

Brandon Fish, 26, dies June 18

Joshua Brandon Fish, 26, of Sanderson died June 18. He was a lifelong resident of Baker County and an iron worker. He is survived by his mother Debbie Burnsed Fish; father Tommy Fish; grandmother Hazel Fish; sister Kristen Fish; girlfriend Jessica Barnwell; sons Jobe, Jayden and Joshua; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Mr. Fish was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Lovie Burnsed, and his paternal grandfather Elgin Fish.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 24 at Taylor Church with Pastor Jim Cox officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 23 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Country Federal Credit Union in his mother’s name. Arrangements are by Forbes Funeral Home, Macclenny