Ms. Mable Easterly “Ms. Elaine”
May 10, 1943 – June 14, 2020
Mable S. Easterly, also known as “Ms. Elaine,” passed away on June 14, 2020. She was born in Hillsborough, Florida on May 10, 1943 to the late Paul E. and Evelyn Otto Jones Lloyd. Ms. Elaine was a very wonderful daughter, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Ms. Elaine was retired from CCPS Nutrition and Food Services, a job she worked for many years.
Ms. Elaine had many family and friends, al l of whom she loved dearly. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her children, William Higginbotham (and his wife, Nancy), Evelita “Jo” Duval; grandson, Dwayne Higginbotham; and brothers, Jerry and Marshall Lloyd.
Left to treasure her memory are Ms. Elaine’s last surviving child, John Spears (Tammy); grandchildren, Crystal Francis (Stephen), Derrick Higginbotham; Tracey Higginbotham (Gordy) and Bryan Delp, Melissa Ann Spears, Matthew Justin Spears, Laura Spears, Faith Spears, and John Spears; great-grandchildren, Maurice Lucius, Shianna Francis, Derrick, Zackary, Shawna, Preston, Laura, Liam, and Connor; sister, Sandra Gautney; six nephews and one niece; as well as many extended family members and friends, all of whom she loved dearly.
Ms. Elaine helped raise several children along the years. She was a rare gem, a blessing, treasure to us all, she was loved beyond words, and will be missed beyond measures. What she loved most of all was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Words cannot explain her character because she was an awesome, wonderful, loving woman. Very friendly, and willing to give her last of whatever she could. No matter how much she was stressed or struggling, she always managed to find reasons to smile. She will be truly missed but never forgotten.
As a final quote, Ms. Elaine treasured the following: “Safe in God’s keeping,”
“I am Home in Heaven dear ones. Oh! so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this Everlasting light. All the pain in grief are over, every restless yearning past; I am now at peace forever, Safely Home in Heaven at last. Dear ones, do not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still; try to look beyond earth’s shadows. Pray to trust Our Father’s Will. When your work is all completed, He will gently call you home, Oh! the rapture of the meeting! Oh! the joy to see you come!” (Cenecal, n.d.)
The family will receive guests for a Memorial Service on Thursday, July 2, 2020 from 3:00pm until 5:00pm at Naples Funeral Home.
Crystal Francis
June 20, 2020, 8:59 pm
Words cannot express how her passing has left a hole in my heart. I love and will truly miss my grandma Elaine. She was my world, my rock, she was a mom to me. I know she was right with God and was ready to see her heavenly father, son (William), daughter (my mom), daughter-in-law (Dixie), and many others who have gone ahead of her. Elaine has done so much for everyone she loved, she fought many battles along the way, but she never gave up. She gave willingly and without asking for anything back. She fed me, took care of me, and let me live with her when we had nowhere else to go. She has done the same for many others. She fought so hard to keep the house so we all had somewhere to go. It breaks my heart that I am having to say these final words. Grandma, I love you so much. I know I can’t keep you here on earth but you will forever be in my heart. I will forever cherish our wonderful memories we shared forever. Until we see each other again, give mom and Aunt Dixie my love. Love you always and forever. Love your granddaughter Crystal Francis.
Tiffany Dearo and Family
June 21, 2020, 3:16 am
My condolences to family and friends. May her precious memories be close to your hearts. She is an angel in Gods Arms watching over you. Praying for peace. ❤️ All my love to you.
Anna Spears
June 21, 2020, 8:21 pm
You were truly a great lady, I will never forget the life lessons you taught me, nor the wonderful memories you shared. Thank you for sharing your love of cooking with me.
Meegan Hargrave
June 27, 2020, 12:41 am
My heart breaks knowing she is gone. Elaine and her family have been a huge part of my life for years. She even came to my wedding. I will miss her dearly! ❤
Alton and Cathy Brown
June 27, 2020, 2:51 pm
I am so sorry for your lost. God had gained an angel. Elaine was an awesome lady of God. She will be missed by family and friends. She is in a better place.
Arlene
June 28, 2020, 1:46 am
Elaine was an inspiration to us all she had a huge heart and she loved big, she took me in and gave me a place to live at a very young age , She loved our lord and was not a shame of it , she always tried to be positive and tried to always set positive examples, she worked hard to make a living and to keep everyone else alive a roof over there head as well, there isnt one bad thing I can think of this woman had ever done , fly high Elaine hug and tell everyone I love them walk on those streets of gold and rejoice , rejoice for you are home I love you Ma always
Brittany Brodowsky
June 28, 2020, 2:44 am
I hope with time the ache will lessen and acceptance can be found for those of us left down here. She was loved greatly by the many people that she in turn loved. I know she was faithful to god and she probably went eagerly to his embrace. She never wanted to leave her family, but she looked towards reuniting with her lost loved ones too. I love and miss you Grandma. I hope god has prepared a beautiful place in heaven for all of the good you brought into this world. I hope Uncle Williams got the barbecue going….what a celebration they must be hosting for you.
John 14:1-3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Sandra Gautney
July 1, 2020, 3:03 am
Where do u start when your heart is broken. My dear,DEAR SISTER, WE went thur some of the most awful times
and had some of the best times. I don’t think that I never called on u to come and be with me that you didn’t come quickly.
Life has been something else for us. Now I am the only one left, 2 brothers, Mom, Dad, Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Aunts $
Uncles all gone. Now my Sis, is gone also. It is hard, I lost my best friend ,lover & husband 12-2018, so I feel so alone. I have
3 wonderful sons although they have lives of there own, I know how that is. I will miss u Sister, I can’t call u any more to tell
you how I am doing, that leaves a big hole in my heart.. I know u will be waiting for me when I get to Heaven, so I am just
saying see you later because goodby is to hard to take. SEE YOU SIS. on the other side
LOVE SANDRA