The Baker County Press Baker County's Circulation Leader

Richard D. Smith, 52, of Jacksonville, died Monday, November 14, 2011. He was born January 2, 1959 in Jacksonville. He was a kind and loving man who enjoyed fishing and camping. He was an avid Florida Gator fan and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Mr. Smith was a member of Moose Lodge 455 but spent the last few years at Moose Lodge 2412 in Macclenny. He was preceded in death by his father John D. Smith.

Survivors include mother Dorothy L. (Larry) Scott; brother Michael R. (Melanie) Smith; nephews Michael Smith, John Nugent, Jeremy Nugent, and Kyle Leach; niece Kendall (Ryan) Apelquist; his best pal and dog Pewee.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, January 7 at the home of Don and Lucille Fraze, 10733 Small Branch Trail, Glen St. Mary with Randy and Rolland Fraze officiating. Forbes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lois Lee Bridges, 65, of Glen St. Mary died December 26, 2011. She was born in Naples to the late Gerald Chesser and Myrtle Kirkland on September 24, 1946. She was a resident of Baker County after moving from Brandon, FL in 1990 and a member of Faith Baptist Church.

Lois was owner and operator of L & L Kennels for 20 years and enjoyed raising and breeding dogs and birds. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, making ceramics and crafts, yard sales and over the years was very active in the youth department at church. 

Survivors include husband of 42 years Doyal H. Bridges of Glen St. Mary; children Lonnie L. (Lauren) Bridges of Brandon, FL and LaSondra L. Bridges of Glen St. Mary; brothers Leonard and Lonnie Chesser, both of Naples; sister Virginia Sparks of Arkansas; grandchildren LaTianna Bridges-Miracle and Lucian Bridges-Miracle; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral service will be held on Friday December 30 at 2 pm at V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services chapel in Macclenny.  Interment will follow in South Prong Cemetery in Sanderson. The family will receive friends on Friday from 12-2 pm at the funeral home.

Johnny Scott Bennett, 51, of Sanderson died December 22, 2011. He was born in Lake City to the late Johnnie and Geraldine Conway Bennett on January 5, 1960. He was a life-long resident of Sanderson, a 1978 graduate of Baker County High School and was employed at InSteel Industries where he worked as a production leadman for the last 33 years.

Scott was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was gentle and always willing to lend a helping hand. He also enjoyed bull riding and hunting shows.

Survivors include wife of 13 years Kimberly R. Long Bennett of Sanderson; children Ashley Bennett of Macclenny, Tyler Bennett, Christopher Johns and Zachary Johns, all of Sanderson; brothers Vic (Kathy Jo) Bennett of Macclenny and Terry (Kim) Bennett of Sanderson; sister Joy (Ellis) Rhoden of Sanderson; aunt Dolly Mann of Sanderson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral service was held on Tuesday, December 27 at 11 am at V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services Chapel in Macclenny with Tom Mann and Pastor Joe Ruise officiating. Interment followed at North Prong Cemetery in Taylor.

Thomas Sirk might have been a late addition to the roster for the 57th annual FACA North/South All Star Classic in Sebring, Florida on December 21, but he certainly made his presence known. The senior Wildcat quarterback was named the game’s MVP after he led the North to a 47-21 victory over a strong South squad.

Sirk, who will be enrolling early at Duke University this January, shone with pinpoint passes and some effective scrambling. He found Brandon Brooks from First Coast and AJ Legree from Ft. White for a pair of touchdowns. The toss to Legree was particularly nifty, a lob pass that floated into the corner of the end zone where Legree used his athleticism to take it from two defenders.

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