Obituaries for week of Aug. 29, 2019

Opal Barfield

Opal Jean Cox Barfield, 88, passed away August 22, 2019 in Lifepath Hospice of Sun City Center, following a brief illness.

A resident of Aston Gardens Courtyards, Sun City Center since 2011, Opal previously lived in Brandon, FL for 34 years, during which she worked as a bookkeeper for various area businesses and was co-owner of Brandon Supply Hardware. Born in Gwinnett ​County, GA, into a farming family with 13 siblings, Opal graduated from Conyers High School, then Greenleaf Business College in Atlanta.

She married her late husband Robert L. (Bob) Barfield in 1950, and is survived by four children, Donna (John) Atwood of North Bridgewater, VT, Richard (Connie) Barfield of Riverview, FL, Cathy (Allen) Clark of Keystone Heights, FL and Lisa Barfield of White River Junction, VT; six grandchildren, Julie (Jeff) Emminger, Sherry Barfield, Leah Atwood, Dawn (Matt) Clark, Rob Seaman, and Laurie Ben-Haim; her sister Reba (Ansley) Ogletree, brothers Tom Cox and Jerry (Patsy) Cox; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

After her retirement in the late 1990s, her Brandon volunteer service involvement encompassed work with Newcomers, First United Methodist Church, ECHO’s thrift shop, and many hours volunteering at Brandon Regional Hospital, where, in 2008, she was named Frist Humanitarian (Volunteer) Award Recipient. Most recently, she volunteered her time to maintain The Courtyards resident library. She was also skilled at needlepoint and much enjoyed gardening, nature, and music.

She will be buried next to her husband in a private service in New Hope Cemetery, Brandon, FL.

The Barfield family would like to thank the staff at South Bay Hospital and Lifepath Hospice who cared for Opal in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, celebrate Opal’s life by donating money in her name to the charity of your choice, give an organization the gift of your time, or simply visit people in need of companionship and brighten their lives.

Evelyn Brown

Evelyn Brown (nee Hess) of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away on August 20, 2019, at the age of 96. Beloved wife of the late Stanley E. Brown who predeceased her in 2011. Loving mother of Richard S. Brown (Sandra Zucca-Brown), Jeffrey D. Brown, and the late Gary L. Brown. Proud grandmother of Ian Brown, Bridget Ferreira (Michael), Rebecca Fidura (Thaddeus), and Daniel Brown; great-grandmother of Henry Ferreira and Trey Fidura. Evelyn was predeceased by her three sisters: Grace Lease, Pearl Miller and Jean Schiffert.
Evelyn enjoyed sewing and needlepoint, was a longtime member of the Sun City Needlecrafters and the Sun City Sew N’ Sews. She loved to swim and play bridge. She deeply enjoyed dancing and even owned her own dance studio for a time.
Services will be held at a later date at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. Condolences may be shared at www.earlefuneralhome.com

Walter I. Flocken III

Walter Ivan Flocken III, 75, passed away in his home on Tuesday, July 23, 2019. A faithful husband and a caring father, he spent his final hours at home, surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with cancer.
Mr. Flocken, a financial advisor and business associate, was born in Queens, New York, on October 5, 1943, to Walter Flocken II and Norma Bright.
He was the beloved husband of Idalia Maria Flocken.
He is survived by his sons Jeffrey, Craig, Eric, Gabriel, and daughter Catherine. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Carissa, Megan, Collette, Melanie, Sara, Mariana, and Ella.
Mr. Flocken and his wife Idalia lived in Apollo Beach, Fla., for the past 21 years. He will be remembered as a great friend and notable contributor to the neighborhood.
He wished not to leave a wake in his passing. Despite that, his good spirits, strong ethics and willingness to help and give advice touched the hearts of many.
Walter Ivan Flocken III, a wonderful father, a loving husband, and a great man. You live on in our hearts and minds.