Etta Mae Orr Wetherington
Etta Mae Orr Wetherington entered heaven on Feb. 17, 2026, to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and her husband of 65 years, Joe Wetherington.
Etta was born in a log cabin near Corbin, Kentucky, on Nov. 11, 1922, to Frank Weatherford Orr and Lula Alice Hendrix Orr, and moved to Florida with her family when she was 12 years old.
She married Joe, her long-time sweetheart on March 31, 1943, in Polk County, Florida, while he was home on leave during the war. She was employed at the Tampa shipyards during World War I, and afterward, she worked for many years as a clerk for the City of Plant City alongside her close friend Nettie Mae Draughon. She retired from the city in Nov. 1984 and traveled extensively with her husband in the US, Canada, and Central America.
She is predeceased by her husband, Joe, and is survived by her loving daughters, Joetta Sharon Green and Betty Ann Denton, along with her beloved son-in-love, Richard Denton. Etta had five grandchildren, John Allan Gilford (Tina), Jennifer Anderson (Keith), Michelle Hall, Paul Rogers, and Russell Denton. She also had many great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren, along with many beloved extended family members.
As a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Dover, she was known and loved by all.
Her last four years were spent at Solaris Healthcare in Plant City, where she received dedicated, loving care from her nurses and support staff.
She truly experienced a life well lived.
A funeral service was held Feb. 25, 2026, at First Baptist Church Dover Old Chapel, 3223 Gallagher Road, Dover, FL. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Julie Breeden
Julie Breeden, 63, of Lithia, Fla., born in Tampa, Fla., on Nov. 9, 1962, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 14, 2026.
Expressions of condolences at HopewellFuneral.com.
Edna B. Hall
Edna B. Hall, 93, of Plant City, Fla., born in Glenwood, Georgia on Apr. 17, 1932, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 15, 2026.
Expressions of condolences at HopewellFuneral.com.
Eustolia Sanchez
Eustolia Sanchez, 64, of Plant City, Fla., born on Mar. 24, 1961, in Balleza, Chihuahua, Mexico, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 19, 2026.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Dorothy Lougean Johnson Jones
Dorothy Lougean Johnson Jones, 95, of Plant City, Fla., born in Garland, Alabama on Aug. 12, 1930, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 15, 2026.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Claude William Linton
Claude William Linton, known affectionately as Billy by his friends and family, passed away peacefully on Feb. 21, 2026, in his hometown of Plant City, Florida, where he was also born on Dec. 26, 1946. Services were held Feb. 25, 2026, at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd, Plant City, FL 33563.
Online condolences can be made at www.haught.care.
Peggy Ann Silva
Peggy Ann Silva, a beacon of warmth and generosity, passed away peacefully on Feb. 22, 2026, in her hometown of Plant City, Fla., the same place where she first graced the world with her presence on June 19, 1948. Services will be held privately.
Online condolences can be made at www.haught.care.
Moriah “Diann” Gillespie
Moriah ‘Diann’ Gillespie, 76, went to be with our Lord on Feb. 4, 2026. She was deeply loved by all who knew her and was a well-known hairdresser in her community, where she built lasting friendships through her warmth, kindness, and generous spirit. Diann was born on Dec. 3, 1949, in Plant City, Fla., to the late Bill Gillespie and Iris Boyette. She was the oldest of three children and graduated from Turkey Creek High School, Class of 1967. She is survived by her four children: Melisa (Neville) Davis, Tamas, Annalisa, and Carl Crossen.
