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Honoring Darrell "Sarge" LaBorn

Darrell David LaBorn was the fourth of six children born to the Late Willie Lee LaBorn & Thelma Davis on June 2, 1948, in Wayne County – Highland Park, Detroit.  

On Saturday morning, December 9, 2023, God called Minister Darrell “Sarge” LaBorn, from Labor to Reward while at home in Key West, FL. 

Minister LaBorn graduated from High School in 1966.  At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Army and went to Vietnam. He spent several years in Thailand where he learned to speak the language fluently.  He meritoriously served his country from 1967 to 1987 as a USA Vietnam Vet.

His Accomplishments included, Master Mason at Mountain Post Military Lodge Number 26 Colorado Springs / Eastern Star, Post Commander 1986-87 in Ludwigsburg, Germany. He worked for NAS, Key West in the IT Department from 1998-2002. He then worked for Navy Gateway Inns & Suites, as the General Manager (GM) here in Key West - 2002-2008.  13 Hundred Gospel Service – Lay Leader in Guantanamo (GTMO), Black Heritage Organization GTMO – President 2012-2014.  He served NAS, Key West IT Department in 2014. He joined Bethel A.M.E. Church and is recognized as Minister LaBorn. He joined the American Legion, Post 168 as the Judge Advocate. He served as the Secretary for Compassion for Humanity, Inc. in 2019 and sponsored two boys in an orphanage in Haiti. While living in Germany, he managed a band (Sir Lancelot) for several as well as opening a Restaurant (International Inn).  He worked for University of Maryland (European Division) in the IT department and obtained his AA Degree in Computer Science.   He enjoyed and loved serving in the Prison Ministry at the Monroe County Sheriff Department in Key West Florida.  He was passionate toward helping the brothers that were incarcerated. Serving with a humble heart.

Honoring Mary Beth Neely

Mary Bethe Neely, 75, passed away October 30, 2023 in Surprise, Arizona. She

was born in Manhattan, Kansas, on June 25, 1948 to Marion and Betty Sack.

She moved to Wichita at an early age and attended schools there. While

earning a chemistry degree at Kansas State University, she met and married

Richard Neely. She subsequently earned her Master's in chemistry at Arizona

State University. After moving to Colorado Springs in 1975 they raised one

daughter, Karen.

In Colorado Springs, Mary Bethe introduced thousands of college students to

the magic of chemistry at Pikes Peak Community College and then, for many

years, at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Away from teaching,

she was active as a docent at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, member and officer of

Junior League of Colorado Springs, a member of P.E.O., and a Girl Scout

leader. She believed in supporting women, encouraging education, and doing

her part to make the world a better place.

Mother, wife, sister, friend, and teacher are roles she was proud of, but smart,

determined, organized, resilient, helping, and kind are words that described

her. Missing her but thankful that they had her in their lives are daughter

Karen Neely of Big Pine Key, Florida; husband Richard Neely of Surprise,

Arizona; brother Joe Sack of Wichita, Kansas; sister Ann Gruenbacher of

Cincinnati, Ohio; seven brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and

nephews.

Honoring Arthur "Buzzard" Rahming

 Arthur Lee Rahming was born June 7, 1944, in Key West, Florida to the late Otis T., Sr. and Gloria Rahming. He was the 4th son of their 11 children.

He grew up in Key West and to all he was known as "Buzzard". Arthur traveled the world as a truck driver and worked on the railroads. Some would call him a drifter. During his journey he met many people from all walks of life. Many of those he met along life's way remembered him and considered him to be a friend and frequently visited him in his neck of the woods, Key West, Florida. When he wasn't traveling, he would do masonry work. He mastered the skill of plastering.

Buzzard had a gift of making others laugh. He had many unique sayings that he loved saying and would have everyone in stitch­es after they were said.

If you knew him, you also know that he loved his family and traveling to the Bahamas where his father originated. The apple of his eye was his baby sister Carolyn (Carrie) Maclin. The love he had for her was like no other.

His Christian faith started when he was a child and the lessons that were taught throughout his life remained in him. He was a faithful member of St. Peters Episcopal Church.

Buzzard was a man that never complained therefore his short sudden battle with sickness filled his entire family with shock. Although he wasn't blessed with his own biological children, he raised many. There were those that recognized him as their father, and some would call him daddy.

Honoring George Jeffrey Baty

George Jeffrey Baty, age 61, was born on Monday, April 23,1962 in Key West, Florida to the late John Henry Baty Sr. and Eloise Stoney-Baty. Jeffrey was the youngest of the seven children born to the union of John and Eloise.

After graduation from Key West High School, Jeffrey embarked on a journey to connect with family and pursue his work career. His first stop was in San Diego with his oldest sister, Lerine. He welcomed the opportunity to see her again but was unable to find employment there and moved on to Los Angeles with his 3rd oldest sister, Ethel. Jeffrey was employed in LA with Montgomery Ward and Standard Brand. After many successful years with those companies, the desire to see more of his family took Jeffrey to Colorado to live with his brother Alfred. Jeffrey returned to Key West for a while, but eventually landed in Fort Pierce, FL where he would establish his home and begin employment with The Hill Group, Inc. Jeffrey's work and contributions to the company were so much admired and appreciated that even as his health failed and he could no longer work as previously, his employer kept him on the payroll, hopeful that he would be able to return. Through many different moves, work experiences, some personal trials and a few climate changes, Jeffrey was always blessed to have the love and support of family. He was overjoyed to connect with his daughter Kah Li and begin to build a closer relationship with her. Jeffrey's legacy of hard work, commitment to family and friends, enthusiasm, and a smile so warm it easily touched all he was blessed to encounter is the testimony of an individual who said "YES" to Jesus as his Lord and Savior - he lived an honest life, a life to honor God.

Honoring Izette Allen

Izette Scott Graves Allen, affectionately known as “Izzy” was born in Key West, Florida on January 19, 1936. She was the eighth of nine children born to Roscoe Scott and Ellen Ileen Sands Scott. 

Izette is preceded in death by her mother, Ellen Ileen Sands Scott, Father Roscoe Scott, Eldest sisters Mary Scott, Pearl Scott Thompson, Elmira Scott Edwards, Eldest brothers, Quinton Scott, Henry Scott and Solomon Scott.

Izette attended Douglass High School from grades 1 through 12 where she was involved in school activities and was a star player on the women’s basketball team, until she graduated in 1955.

After graduation she married Bernard Ralph Graves Sr. and from this union she would have three children, one daughter Brenda Graves and two sons Bernard Ralph Graves Jr. and Kelvin Stafford Graves. Later in life, Izette and Bernard would divorce, and she would marry James Allen who also proceeded her in death in 1982.

Izette held several jobs during the course of her life but primarily worked for MWR at the Bachelor’s Officers Quarters on Trumbo Point Naval Base for approximately 30+ years.  After retiring from MWR she decided to occupy her time and began working for Monroe County. Her last position with the county would be as Director of Senior Citizen Meal Services. During this employment she warmly referred to her clients as “her Seniors”.  Izette’s final retirement was in January of 2021.

Izette grew up in a Christian home and at an early age gave her life to Christ.  She attended Trinity Presbyterian Church where she was an active member for many years. She sang in the church choir, was a member of the “Willing Workers” club and was also a trustee and church elder.

Izette left Trinity Presbyterian and would become a member of Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church. Izette was a faithful and beloved member of both churches until she passed. 

Throughout her entire life, Izette had a nurturing and caring spirit which showed in her continued devotion as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Honoring Reverend Stephen Braddock

Reverend Stephen Braddock

Community Hero

In Paradise for Good – June 14, 2023

Reverend Stephen Braddock arrived in Key West in 1999 and quickly became a part of the island community. Stephen assumed the role of President and CEO of the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition from 2000-2017. He grew the organization from a small 16-bed shelter for homeless male addicts to a multifaceted organization consisting of seven facilities with 180 beds, serving individuals who were recovering from homelessness, domestic violence, alcohol and drug addiction, and living with serious mental illness.

Stephen also founded Key West’s Loaves and Fish Food Pantry; established the annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day; sat on and chaired numerous nonprofit boards throughout the Keys, statewide and nationally; and served as the lead hospice chaplain on the interdisciplinary team for Hospice/VNA of the Florida Keys.

During his lifetime, Reverend Braddock joined the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys’ Legacy Society by creating the Matthew 25 Endowment Fund. It was funded upon his passing in 2023 and now every year in perpetuity, the fund will provide meals for the hungry, end of life care, services for addicts, and support for service dogs for disabled individuals. To donate to the Matthew 25 Fund, visit CFFK.org/matthew25/


Thank you, Reverend Braddock, for Leaving a Legacy in Key West and the Florida Keys.

Honoring Jeanne White

Jeanne Marie Seibyl White, 66, departed this life on August 28, 2023 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the beloved wife of Dr. D. Steven White, cherished mother of four children, and grandmother of one.
Vivacious and brilliant, she was a dedicated genealogist, archivist, and historian, and was profoundly passionate about her family history. Spending countless hours analyzing and documenting Eastern European records spanning the last four centuries, she developed an unparalleled cultural and historical understanding of these areas. She authored several books which remain indispensable and treasured tomes by researchers of Maryland Polonia.
Jeanne doted on her pets, was famous for her matzo ball soup, and enjoyed old movies. She had a razor-sharp wit and enjoyed spending time with her family.
As a friend and neighbor, she was simply The Best. We all miss her. Rest in Peace Jeanne! We Love you!!

Honoring Linda Cates

Linda Cates was our friend and neighbor. A lifelong resident of Key West, she was born right next door to the house in which she lived her whole life, and just a couple of blocks from where she worked. She was extremely loyal to those she liked, and especially so to her brother James, who lived with her. She was the "historian" of the neighborhood, and could tell stories about it that were fit for a novel. She had a good heart and was always ready to help out when a neighbor needed something she could do. That includes the local cats, which she loved. But not the chickens! Her friends and neighbors and her cats will miss her. Rest in Peace Linda!

Linda Marie Cates
Born 11/17/1955
Died 9/18/2023
Beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend of many.
A TRUE CONCH UNTIL THE BITTER END!!!!

Honoring Billy Martini

Billy was born on February 14, 1963 in Kingston, New York. He was a Kingston High School graduate, class of 1981. He lived at the Jersey Shore in Manasquan for many years before returning home to Kingston. Billy worked at Romeo Kia in Kingston, New York, where his coworkers were family to him. He was an avid boxing fan and music lover. He had unmatched swagger and gave love freely to all who knew him.

Honoring Sterling Sands

Sterling Calvin Sands, the son of the late Charles B. and late Etta Y. Sands, was born on October 4th, 1960, in Key West, FL. 

He attended the Monroe County Public Schools System, graduating from Key West High School in 1980. During his high school years, Sterling was a high school basketball team member. Upon graduating high school, he attended Miami Dade Junior College and played on college’s basketball team. After returning to Key West, Sterling was employed by the City of Key West Sanitation Department for several years and was employed as a maintenance technician for Key West Historic Inns at the time of his death. Sterling enjoyed coaching youth basketball in the city’s intermural basketball league which he did for many years.

He was an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and enjoyed singing in Church.  Sterling was also a member of “The Blessed Community Choir”, a multi-denominational city gospel choir that performed at community events.

Honoring Danny Reid Carter

Danny Reid Carter was a tremendously talented performer and songwriter.  The Carter Brothers Band with brother Tim Carter and a series of other  players toured the US, Canada, Ireland, Norway, and were  State

Department Cultural Emissaries to Russia. 

The Carter Brothers were very popular in Key West, playing at Sloppy Joe’s, the Hog’s Breath Saloon, and The Green Parrot Bar.

When Danny became ill he could no longer play.

In a lucid moment shortly before he died, he asked Tim to keep his music alive. As long as we are able to listen to his songs, his music lives in our hearts.

Honoring Rachel E. Ligon

Rachel, a proud Kentuckian by birth, dedicated close to 18 years of her life to capturing the magic of Key West life and Key West weddings through her lens. With a remarkable flair for home restoration, she cherished the notion of breathing new life into aged treasures. Her passion for living and her creative spirit knew no bounds. She was not just a daughter, a sister, and a friend, but a cherished presence that will forever be deeply missed.

Honoring Baxter

Baxter is a special dog who persevered. Being given to us at too young of an age, he became sickly and could not digest puppy food. We spent his early year cooking special food for him until he was able to process regular dog food. From there on out, he was small but mighty, both in activity and in love. Baxter was my side kick and constant companion. He has travelled everywhere with me, and he loved nothing more than being squished up against you, held and snuggled. He loved everyone and just wanted affection from everyone he met. People were always telling us what a special, one-of-a-kind dog he was. Around age 8, Baxters eyes started to get bad. He could still see, but not well, and we started carrying him up and down the stairs at our home. Our vet sent him to an animal eye doctor in Miami. Shortly after, it was discovered that he had a tumor in his brain. Baxter started having seizures, but did not want to give up. He still wanted to play and have fun. Eventually the seizures made it hard for him to walk. Even with this difficulty, he tried and tried to be active and play, and we took him to a pet neurologist in Miami who was able to stave off the seizures. We had several more months with Baxter when suddenly his love of playing stopped, and we knew it was time to say goodbye. Baxter was always with me and at my side, no matter if it was through days of migraines or just to follow me from one room to another, and I was holding him just like he loved when he was put to sleep. He had 10 years of a beautiful life, traveling from Michigan, where he was born, to Summerland Key, where he lived out his final years. There will never be another dog like him, and I can only hope that we successfully returned all the love and devotion that he gave to us.