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PlantCityObserver.com
| FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017 we’re W E ’ R E P R O UD TO S E RVE our community
PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
with personal, compassionate care since 1896. As your Dignity Memorial® professionals,
dedicated to helping families create a unique and meaningful memorial that truly celebrates the life it represents.
Carolyn G. Eady THINKING POSITIVE > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability James Crawford > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® Carolyn G. Eady, age 83, of Plant City, ‘Jim’ Beaty
Compassion works for communities
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passed away on Nov. 18. She is survived by her loving family James Crawford “Jim” Beaty, 67, of and Plant City and formerly Proudly Gainesville, supporting thefriends. Plant City Strawberry Festival. born on June 18, 1950 in Plant City, entered into eternal rest on Nov. 19. He was a 1968 graduate of Plant City High School, where he was a member of the varsity football team, and a 1973 graduate of the University WELLSMEMORIAL.COM of South Florida. He was the owner of RW Beaty Restaurant Equipment & Supplies in Geneva B. ‘Granny’ & event Center Gainesville. He attended FirstWells United MeMorial Keene PlanT CiTy Methodist Church of Plant City and was a member of the Optimist Club of GenevaWellsMemorial.com B. “Granny” Keene, 81, of 813-752-1111 Plant City. Plant City, born in Milan, Georgia on He is survived by his wife of 44 April 23, 1936, entered into eternal M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1 years, Connie Hinson Beaty; sons, rest on Nov. 22. James Earl Beaty (Anne Marie) of She loved her grandchildren and West End, North Carolina, Jason Robgreat-grandchildren and enjoyed ert Beaty (Christina Marie) of Oldsworking in the yard with her plants mar, and Jared Adam Beaty (Jaclyn and flowers. She was a member of Ann) of Plant City; mother, Louise Sharon Baptist Purity Church, Plant Crawford Beaty of Plant City; sisters, City. Jean Beaty Blake, Martha Beaty CaShe is survived by her children, nady, and Frances Beaty, all of Plant Teresa Keene, Marlon Keene (Sally), City; mother-in-law, Frances Hinson Sherlene Elliott (Ronnie), and Felita of Plant City; grandchildren, Cameron Keene, all of Plant City; sister, Thelma and Zoe Beaty of West End, Preston, Bohannon Turner, of Perry; grandchilChloe, and Lyla Beaty of Oldsmar, and dren, Tyler Elliott (Lexie Meyer), Jake Jackson Edward Beaty of Plant City; Elliott (Laura Beasley), and Cody and many other nieces, nephews, inElliott (Leann); great-grandchildren, laws, family and friends. Easton Elliott, and Sadie Elliott; He was preceded in death by his nephew, Jason Turner (Heather); and father, Earl Hollis Beaty; and brother, great-niece, Lexie Turner and greatGerald E. Beaty. nephew, Noah Turner. Services were held on Saturday, She was preceded in death by her Nov. 25 at Hopewell Funeral Home. parents, Jexie Lee “Jake” and Martha In lieu of flowers, memorial contriBohannon. butions may be made to the Optimist A Celebration of Life was held Club of Plant City Youth Programs, PO Sunday, Nov. 26 at Hopewell Funeral Box 1755, Plant City, FL 33564. Home. Expressions of condolence at www. HopewellFuneral.com.
www.HopewellFuneraI.com
www.HopewellFuneraI.com FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971
10/27/15
FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS
FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS
HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM
Plant City’s abundance of empathy is something all towns should strive for.
HOPEWELL
HOPEWELL 239042
HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971
Florist
SCOTT TOLER
239042
The country saw compassion in action these past few months in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma. If anyone needed confirmation that Americans still take care of 10:42 AM each other, the evidence displayed itself there. Rescues from flooding, donated power generators and removal of debris acted as part of the overall helpful effort. Empathy motivates compassionate actions. It manifests as the ability to see ourselves in someone else and their situation. If someone’s house floods, people respond by helping because of the obvious need. They also realize that human vulnerability places us all in certain situations that call for assistance. Compassion and empathy flow best when we live in communities that connect people to each other. Organizations and associations based on similar needs or interests flourish in these places. Plant City thrives as an example of this. Opportunities flourish for business networking, service to others, and endeavors in the creative arts. While some recent commentaries highlight the isolation of American life caused by social media and political positions, proof that people still congregate for constructive activities lives here. At first glance, it seems ordinary and usual to gather with a purpose and to help other people. Then we realize that individuals made choices to serve in these beneficent ways, not responding to any form of coercion or negative reinforcement. The Las Vegas incident provided more instances of these positive
impulses in people. Strangers gave rides to others who needed medical attention, and others shielded those close to them from getting wounded. Choices like these made under extraordinary circumstances remind us of the compassion and empathy we need to express. I find it heartening to live in a town and a country that encourages these kinds of actions. While events such as hurricanes and the fires in California damage visible objects, they also call forth helpful and edifying aspects of human nature. Ignoring the less noble behaviors of others in times like these stands as naïve, but focusing on the better actions that result from life’s turbulence serves to uplift us all. It affirms the assertion that America is still the kind of place where we give help when needed. After World War Two, President Truman and Secretary of State George Marshall devised and implemented the “Marshall Plan.” This effort helped the devastated countries of Europe rebuild themselves, including nations that once acted as our adversaries. Recent altruistic examples prove that this strength of character still runs strong here. Though we hear the winds of hurricanes and feel the heat of fires, Americans help each other. In fact, asking ourselves who we could help today on a daily basis contributes to the health of this often overlooked strength that we as a people share.
Scott Toler is a licensed mental health counselor living in Plant City. He can be reached at etoler25@tampabay. rr.com.
116 North Collins Street Plant City, FL 33563 ph: (813) 567-5735 allabloomtampa.com
Historic Downtown 256725
Warmest wis
from our fam to yours.
Warmest wishes DURING THE HOLIDAYS , we know that mem Warmest wishes Warmest wishes Warmest wishes from our family family and friends are what make the season from our family from family from ourour family and joy as you celebrate traditions and rem to yours. to to yours.Happy holidays from your local Dignity M toyours. yours. DURING THE HOLIDAYS , we know that memories and time spent with
CHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCE SERVICE family friends are season special. Wishing you hope DURING THE HOLIDAYS , we know thatand memories andwhat timemake spent DURING THE HOLIDAYS , we know that memories and time spent withthewith and joy as you celebrate traditions and remember your loved ones. 12, 2017, 7:00 P.M. andDecember friends are make what make the season special. Wishing you hope familyfamily and friends are what the season special. Wishing you hope Happy holidays from your local Dignity Memorial® professionals. and you celebrate andafter remember your loved and joy asjoy youascelebrate traditions and remember yourservice loved ones.ones. Light Refreshments willtraditions be served the ® professionals. ® professionals. holidays your Dignity local Dignity Memorial HappyHappy holidays from your local Memorial There will befrom a candle lighting ceremony
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