Obituaries
Betty Jo Tanner Vernon
Betty Jo Tanner Vernon, 94, of Plant City, passed peacefully at home on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Betty Jo was born and raised in Plant City. She attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega and Kappa Pi, National Honorary Art Fraternity.
She was always interested in art and painted with oils, water colors, chalk and on porcelain.
In January 1947 she married William D. Vernon and was happily married for 73 years. They were blessed with two boys, Jim and Chris. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was her greatest love, pride and joy.
Betty Jo was active in civic, social and church work of the community, serving as President of the Junior Woman’s Club of Plant City and Vice President of the Woman’s Club of Plant City. She served as President of the Lions Auxiliary. In 1974, was the Art train Chairman for the City of Plant City. She was the President of the Arts Council, worked for the restoration of the train station and helped bring the Artist in Residence program to Plant City. She was a long-time member and chairman of The Bruton Memorial Library Board. A member of the First United Methodist Church, she served on the board and taught bible school.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James Ira Tanner and Myrtle Mae Massey Tanner; husband, William D. Vernon; son, Jim Vernon and sister, Doris Mae Tanner. She is survived by son Chris (Tami), daughter-in-law, Bett Vernon Pate, granddaughters; Brittany Vernon (Ryan Dodge), Laura Middleton (David), Grace Vernon and Katie Vernon, great-grandchildren; William, Charlotte and Benjamin Dodge-Vernon and Kayleigh Middleton.
A private family graveside service will be held at Oaklawn cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bruton Memorial Library of Plant City in person, and/or the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home at https://www.fumch.org.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Rufus ‘Pete’ Donald Purvis
Rufus “Pete” Donald Purvis, 93, of Keller, Tex., previously of Lakeland, Fla., born in Keysville, Fla. on March 31, 1928, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 15, 2022.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
David Bailey
David Bailey, 68, of Lithia, Fla., born in Plant City on Nov. 28, 1953, entered into eternal rest on March 2, 2022.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Paul Alan Seifert
Paul Alan Seifert, 59, of Dover, Fla., born in Dunedin on Dec. 19, 1962, entered into eternal rest on March 6, 2022.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Genevieve Mallardi
Genevieve Mallardi, 101, of Ocala, Fla., born in Bronx, NY on March 9, 1920, entered into eternal rest on March 2, 2022.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
