GATLYN, Minnie Lee (Jones) 91, of Brandon, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 25, 2015. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Lloyd L. Gatlyn; children Jacqueline Elaine Campbell (Bobby) of Brandon, and Eugene Gatlyn (Paulette) of Brandon; brother, William H. Jones (Frances) of Alachua County; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Clara Jones. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 2:30 pm at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 CR 39 S, Plant City, where the family will receive friends beginning at 1:30 pm. Interment to follow at Pelote Cemetery, Lithia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alderman-Pelote Cemetery, P.O. Box 655, Lithia 33547.
Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens - Plant City
6005 CR 39 South Plant City, FL 33567
Minnie Lee Jones Gatlyn was born on September 14, 1923, to William Henry Jones and Clara Ella Speight Jones in Edison Junction, Hillsborough County, Florida. Their family was large, nine children and one stillborn. The first five were girls. She was the fifth girl. (Sallie, Ruth, Evelyn, Annie Laurie and Minnie). Her three brothers were all younger than her. (Charles, William Henry, Jr. (Dub) and Cye).
The Jones family lived on a 40 acre farm. There was a total of five rooms. It was tight and cozy, with an abundance of laughing, singing and love. Life was not fancy, but was filled with hard work and good food. Minnie Lee could tell you how to cook swamp cabbage or crackling cornbread and how to dodge the hen when the eggs were collected.
Her early schooling was at Keysville School. It was at this time she competed in a scholastic contest with other neighboring schools and met Lloyd Gatlyn. She won the blue ribbon, but they remained friends. When Pinecrest School was built, Minnie Lee and Lloyd became schoolmates and their friendship blossomed. She graduated as Valedictorian from Pinecrest High School. She completed her formal schooling at Brewster Technical School in Tampa.
After Lloyd’s honorable discharge from the Navy in 1943, they were married in Jacksonville, Florida on June 14th in Minnie Lee’s parents’ home. They returned to Tampa, where they set up housekeeping. Their first child, Jacqueline Elaine, was born on April 17, 1944. He always told her that he wanted a girl to look just like her.
Minnie Lee worked at Hav-a-Tampa cigar factory for about 25 years, starting when Elaine was old enough to be cared for at a good day care. She retired from work in 1979.
It was through her work at Hav-a-Tampa that their family was completed. Minnie Lee worked with a lady who, with her husband, had adopted a boy in Okinawa. She confided to Minnie Lee that their marriage was beyond repair. One day, she brought her son, Gene, to work with her. When Minnie Lee saw him it was instant love. When his mother realized she could not support him, Minnie Lee, Lloyd and Elaine brought him into their home on Minnie Lee’s birthday in 1956 when he almost 4 years old and loved him dearly.
Alongside her husband, Minnie Lee raised her family first on Clewis Ave. Later they purchased forty acres on Bryan and Williams Road, just outside of Tampa. They lived in the home that came with the farm for some time. For their 25th anniversary, they moved into a new brick home Lloyd built for her on their property. She again made it a home, filled with love. Family and friends lived with them throughout the years, fortunate to have the blessing of sharing the love of their home.
Minnie Lee always saw the need of others and immediately responded with attention and care for as long as it was needed. This was the very core of Minnie Lee. Her special gift of caring for others was what made Minnie Lee the keeper of so many. She never left a family member or friend in need.
Minnie Lee and Lloyd have been married seventy one years.
Find A Grave contributor Jacqueline Campbell provided additional data.
Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens - Plant City
6005 CR 39 South Plant City, FL 33567
Minnie Lee Jones Gatlyn was born on September 14, 1923, to William Henry Jones and Clara Ella Speight Jones in Edison Junction, Hillsborough County, Florida. Their family was large, nine children and one stillborn. The first five were girls. She was the fifth girl. (Sallie, Ruth, Evelyn, Annie Laurie and Minnie). Her three brothers were all younger than her. (Charles, William Henry, Jr. (Dub) and Cye).
The Jones family lived on a 40 acre farm. There was a total of five rooms. It was tight and cozy, with an abundance of laughing, singing and love. Life was not fancy, but was filled with hard work and good food. Minnie Lee could tell you how to cook swamp cabbage or crackling cornbread and how to dodge the hen when the eggs were collected.
Her early schooling was at Keysville School. It was at this time she competed in a scholastic contest with other neighboring schools and met Lloyd Gatlyn. She won the blue ribbon, but they remained friends. When Pinecrest School was built, Minnie Lee and Lloyd became schoolmates and their friendship blossomed. She graduated as Valedictorian from Pinecrest High School. She completed her formal schooling at Brewster Technical School in Tampa.
After Lloyd’s honorable discharge from the Navy in 1943, they were married in Jacksonville, Florida on June 14th in Minnie Lee’s parents’ home. They returned to Tampa, where they set up housekeeping. Their first child, Jacqueline Elaine, was born on April 17, 1944. He always told her that he wanted a girl to look just like her.
Minnie Lee worked at Hav-a-Tampa cigar factory for about 25 years, starting when Elaine was old enough to be cared for at a good day care. She retired from work in 1979.
It was through her work at Hav-a-Tampa that their family was completed. Minnie Lee worked with a lady who, with her husband, had adopted a boy in Okinawa. She confided to Minnie Lee that their marriage was beyond repair. One day, she brought her son, Gene, to work with her. When Minnie Lee saw him it was instant love. When his mother realized she could not support him, Minnie Lee, Lloyd and Elaine brought him into their home on Minnie Lee’s birthday in 1956 when he almost 4 years old and loved him dearly.
Alongside her husband, Minnie Lee raised her family first on Clewis Ave. Later they purchased forty acres on Bryan and Williams Road, just outside of Tampa. They lived in the home that came with the farm for some time. For their 25th anniversary, they moved into a new brick home Lloyd built for her on their property. She again made it a home, filled with love. Family and friends lived with them throughout the years, fortunate to have the blessing of sharing the love of their home.
Minnie Lee always saw the need of others and immediately responded with attention and care for as long as it was needed. This was the very core of Minnie Lee. Her special gift of caring for others was what made Minnie Lee the keeper of so many. She never left a family member or friend in need.
Minnie Lee and Lloyd have been married seventy one years.
Find A Grave contributor Jacqueline Campbell provided additional data.
GATLYN, Minnie Lee (Jones) 91, of Brandon, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 25, 2015. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Lloyd L. Gatlyn; children Jacqueline Elaine Campbell (Bobby) of Brandon, and Eugene Gatlyn (Paulette) of Brandon; brother, William H. Jones (Frances) of Alachua County; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Clara Jones. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 2:30 pm at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 CR 39 S, Plant City, where the family will receive friends beginning at 1:30 pm. Interment to follow at Pelote Cemetery, Lithia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alderman-Pelote Cemetery, P.O. Box 655, Lithia 33547.
Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens - Plant City
6005 CR 39 South Plant City, FL 33567
Minnie Lee Jones Gatlyn was born on September 14, 1923, to William Henry Jones and Clara Ella Speight Jones in Edison Junction, Hillsborough County, Florida. Their family was large, nine children and one stillborn. The first five were girls. She was the fifth girl. (Sallie, Ruth, Evelyn, Annie Laurie and Minnie). Her three brothers were all younger than her. (Charles, William Henry, Jr. (Dub) and Cye).
The Jones family lived on a 40 acre farm. There was a total of five rooms. It was tight and cozy, with an abundance of laughing, singing and love. Life was not fancy, but was filled with hard work and good food. Minnie Lee could tell you how to cook swamp cabbage or crackling cornbread and how to dodge the hen when the eggs were collected.
Her early schooling was at Keysville School. It was at this time she competed in a scholastic contest with other neighboring schools and met Lloyd Gatlyn. She won the blue ribbon, but they remained friends. When Pinecrest School was built, Minnie Lee and Lloyd became schoolmates and their friendship blossomed. She graduated as Valedictorian from Pinecrest High School. She completed her formal schooling at Brewster Technical School in Tampa.
After Lloyd’s honorable discharge from the Navy in 1943, they were married in Jacksonville, Florida on June 14th in Minnie Lee’s parents’ home. They returned to Tampa, where they set up housekeeping. Their first child, Jacqueline Elaine, was born on April 17, 1944. He always told her that he wanted a girl to look just like her.
Minnie Lee worked at Hav-a-Tampa cigar factory for about 25 years, starting when Elaine was old enough to be cared for at a good day care. She retired from work in 1979.
It was through her work at Hav-a-Tampa that their family was completed. Minnie Lee worked with a lady who, with her husband, had adopted a boy in Okinawa. She confided to Minnie Lee that their marriage was beyond repair. One day, she brought her son, Gene, to work with her. When Minnie Lee saw him it was instant love. When his mother realized she could not support him, Minnie Lee, Lloyd and Elaine brought him into their home on Minnie Lee’s birthday in 1956 when he almost 4 years old and loved him dearly.
Alongside her husband, Minnie Lee raised her family first on Clewis Ave. Later they purchased forty acres on Bryan and Williams Road, just outside of Tampa. They lived in the home that came with the farm for some time. For their 25th anniversary, they moved into a new brick home Lloyd built for her on their property. She again made it a home, filled with love. Family and friends lived with them throughout the years, fortunate to have the blessing of sharing the love of their home.
Minnie Lee always saw the need of others and immediately responded with attention and care for as long as it was needed. This was the very core of Minnie Lee. Her special gift of caring for others was what made Minnie Lee the keeper of so many. She never left a family member or friend in need.
Minnie Lee and Lloyd have been married seventy one years.
Find A Grave contributor Jacqueline Campbell provided additional data.
Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens - Plant City
6005 CR 39 South Plant City, FL 33567
Minnie Lee Jones Gatlyn was born on September 14, 1923, to William Henry Jones and Clara Ella Speight Jones in Edison Junction, Hillsborough County, Florida. Their family was large, nine children and one stillborn. The first five were girls. She was the fifth girl. (Sallie, Ruth, Evelyn, Annie Laurie and Minnie). Her three brothers were all younger than her. (Charles, William Henry, Jr. (Dub) and Cye).
The Jones family lived on a 40 acre farm. There was a total of five rooms. It was tight and cozy, with an abundance of laughing, singing and love. Life was not fancy, but was filled with hard work and good food. Minnie Lee could tell you how to cook swamp cabbage or crackling cornbread and how to dodge the hen when the eggs were collected.
Her early schooling was at Keysville School. It was at this time she competed in a scholastic contest with other neighboring schools and met Lloyd Gatlyn. She won the blue ribbon, but they remained friends. When Pinecrest School was built, Minnie Lee and Lloyd became schoolmates and their friendship blossomed. She graduated as Valedictorian from Pinecrest High School. She completed her formal schooling at Brewster Technical School in Tampa.
After Lloyd’s honorable discharge from the Navy in 1943, they were married in Jacksonville, Florida on June 14th in Minnie Lee’s parents’ home. They returned to Tampa, where they set up housekeeping. Their first child, Jacqueline Elaine, was born on April 17, 1944. He always told her that he wanted a girl to look just like her.
Minnie Lee worked at Hav-a-Tampa cigar factory for about 25 years, starting when Elaine was old enough to be cared for at a good day care. She retired from work in 1979.
It was through her work at Hav-a-Tampa that their family was completed. Minnie Lee worked with a lady who, with her husband, had adopted a boy in Okinawa. She confided to Minnie Lee that their marriage was beyond repair. One day, she brought her son, Gene, to work with her. When Minnie Lee saw him it was instant love. When his mother realized she could not support him, Minnie Lee, Lloyd and Elaine brought him into their home on Minnie Lee’s birthday in 1956 when he almost 4 years old and loved him dearly.
Alongside her husband, Minnie Lee raised her family first on Clewis Ave. Later they purchased forty acres on Bryan and Williams Road, just outside of Tampa. They lived in the home that came with the farm for some time. For their 25th anniversary, they moved into a new brick home Lloyd built for her on their property. She again made it a home, filled with love. Family and friends lived with them throughout the years, fortunate to have the blessing of sharing the love of their home.
Minnie Lee always saw the need of others and immediately responded with attention and care for as long as it was needed. This was the very core of Minnie Lee. Her special gift of caring for others was what made Minnie Lee the keeper of so many. She never left a family member or friend in need.
Minnie Lee and Lloyd have been married seventy one years.
Find A Grave contributor Jacqueline Campbell provided additional data.
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