Florida
Julie Foshee-Knowell, 44
Died December 20, 2020.
Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, FL
Preschool Director
A Jacksonville, Florida, preschool is left reeling over the holidays after losing two members of its staff.
The beloved women were also closely related.
Marilyn Foshee, 81, and her daughter, Julie Foshee-Knowell, 41, were longtime employees at Trinity Christian Academy. Both were diagnosed with COVID-19 in late November and died within days of each other.
Foshee-Knowell, the preschool director, died on Sunday. Her mother, a teacher, died Dec. 15.
“I think this is a time that you come together and you recommit yourself to the mission of what Julie and Marilyn were all about, and that is being selfless and in the sense that you give yourself away to other people,” Trinity spokesman Pastor Tom Messer told The Florida Times Union of the double tragedy.
A GoFundMe page was initially set up by one of Julie’s friends, Angie Dennard, to help offset just Marilyn Foshee’s funeral costs. Now the money will go toward two services.
Dennard updated the fundraising page on Sunday hours after the news of Foshee-Knowell’s passing due to coronavirus complications.
“Thank you to all who have donated so far. I know that her brother [Ray Foshee] would appreciate us all helping him out during this difficult time in his life,” wrote Dennard. “Julie and her mom will be missed by all. Let’s continue to lift her family up in prayers.”
As of midday Wednesday, $6,780 had been reached of the $10,000 goal.
Marilyn Foshee, 81
Died December 15, 2020.
Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, FL
Preschool Teacher
A Jacksonville, Florida, preschool is left reeling over the holidays after losing two members of its staff.
The beloved women were also closely related.
Marilyn Foshee, 81, and her daughter, Julie Foshee-Knowell, 41, were longtime employees at Trinity Christian Academy. Both were diagnosed with COVID-19 in late November and died within days of each other.
Foshee-Knowell, the preschool director, died on Sunday. Her mother, a teacher, died Dec. 15.
“I think this is a time that you come together and you recommit yourself to the mission of what Julie and Marilyn were all about, and that is being selfless and in the sense that you give yourself away to other people,” Trinity spokesman Pastor Tom Messer told The Florida Times Union of the double tragedy.
A GoFundMe page was initially set up by one of Julie’s friends, Angie Dennard, to help offset just Marilyn Foshee’s funeral costs. Now the money will go toward two services.
Dennard updated the fundraising page on Sunday hours after the news of Foshee-Knowell’s passing due to coronavirus complications.
“Thank you to all who have donated so far. I know that her brother [Ray Foshee] would appreciate us all helping him out during this difficult time in his life,” wrote Dennard. “Julie and her mom will be missed by all. Let’s continue to lift her family up in prayers.”
As of midday Wednesday, $6,780 had been reached of the $10,000 goal.
Tom Russell, 61
December 8, 2020.
Flagler Palm Coast High School, Palm Coast, FL
Principal
Tom was born on September 18th, 1959 in Bethesda, Maryland to James and Marie (Rowan) Russell. He earned his History and English degree from Florida State University in 1984, and later his masters degree in education from Nova Southeastern. Tom was a teacher for four years before moving into administration. He served as an assistant Principal at Silver Sands Middle, and Deland High School. Tom would later become principal at Deltona Middle and then Pine Ridge High School. He became an area superintendent for Volusia County and later the superintendent for four years. Finally in 2019 Tom became principal at Flagler Palm Coast high School.
On December 18th, 1981, he married Julie Lynn Freeman. They raised two sons, James (Alex) and Jacob (Jake). Tom raised his family in Deltona Florida before moving to Deland.
Tom had a passion for learning. As a lifelong student he enjoyed reading, writing, and listening to Podcasts. Tom also enjoyed watching sports( Florida State and Tampa Bay Bucs), listening to music, gardening and taking walks. He was known for his quick wit, his compassionate spirit, and uncanny ability to communicate with others.
Tom was preceded in death by his father Jim. He is survived by his mother Jean, wife Julie, his two children Alex (Laura), and Jake, his grandchildren Olivia and Rowan, his brother and sister, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Shyla Pennington, 41
Died September 19, 2020.
Sugar Mill Elementary School, Port Orange, FL
Special Education
Graduated Mainland High School, 1997. She was employed as a Paraprofessional at Volusia County School, worked at Pine Trail Elementary, South Daytona Elementary and Sugar Mill Elementary for almost 2 decades. She helped with special needs children. Her passion was her students and her son, Phillip and South Beach Dance Academy. She was also involved with the Girl Scouts in her younger life and was also involved with the Mainland High School Band.
She was preceded by her grandparents Elmer and Phyllis Jones, Elton and Clara Mullis, and brother Gerald Jones (Paramedic), and Aunt Dinah Jones She is survived by her son Phillip Yutzy, Jr., parents, Greg and Mary Jones, sister-in-law Emily Jones, nephew, Joshua Jones, uncle Richard Jones, aunt Clara Lamb and cousins, Bill and Shirley Lamb, Caren Mulder.
Gail Brusseau, 66
Died October 9, 2020.
Clay County School District, Green Cove Springs, FL
Bus Driver
Gail Ellen Brusseau, 66, passed away on October 9, 2020. She was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and resided in Middleburg, FL. She was a School Bus Driver with Clay County Transportation. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Gail is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, William Brusseau; mother, Mary P Jenkins; children: William Brusseau Jr., Greg Brusseau, Christopher Brusseau, Cynthia Brown; brothers: Guy Guidry and Jay Jenkins; sister: Gloria Barilleaux; grandchildren: Isabella Brusseau, Sara Brown, Ashley Brown, Jonathan Brown, Tehya Brusseau, Allen Brusseau, Gregory Brusseau, Dakota Brusseau and Laela Brusseau; great grandchildren: Elizabeth Brown and Nevaeh Brown; and a host of extended family and friends.
Timothy Clyatt, 59
Died November 13, 2020.
Bannerman Learning Center, Green Cove Springs, FL
Technology
Timothy Ray Clyatt, 59, of Green Cove Springs, FL passed away November 13, 2020. He was born April 16, 1961 in Lake City, FL. He graduated from Columbia High School as part of the class of 1979. Timothy received a Master’s Degree in Education from Florida State University in 1992 and continued his career with the Clay County School District. He was known for his strong Christian faith and playing the piano at his church. Timothy was a member of the National Education Association, Florida State University Garnet Key Honor Society, Clay County Education Association and Florida Education Association. He expressed a tremendous love for his friends and family and would always be there when someone needed him. Timothy had a huge heart, infectious laughter and his sense of humor was unforgettable. He was a kind and gentle person and Timothy will be deeply missed by all who had the honor to know and loved him. He is preceded by his brother, Randall Clyatt and his grandmother, Agnes Lewis. Timothy leaves behind to cherish his memory his parents, Loma and Charles Willis and siblings, Therese Willis, Billy Willis and Pilar Dixon with many friends and extended family.
Michael Wanner, 61
Died November 3, 2020.
Plant City High School, Plant City, FL
Science
Michael Dean Wanner, age 61, of Plant City, FL passed away on November 3, 2020.
He was the son of the late Leonard and Delores Caskey Wanner.
Survivors include wife, Ara Wanner, children, David (Heather) Johnson, Jennifer Johnson, Alex Wanner, Evan Wanner, sister, Lori Donaldson Rotter, and niece Amanda Donaldson. Michael worked as a Science Teacher at Plant City High School; he also was a Scout Master for Troop 5. He enjoyed Reading, woodworking, leather crafts, and trivia.
Elizabeth Toro, 52
Died December 9, 2020.
Lyndon B. Johnson Middle School, Melbourne, FL
Reading