Community Mourns Beloved Residents in Gainesville

News Summary

The Gainesville community is grieving the recent loss of several cherished residents, including Brenda Diane Davenport Winburn Truelove, Ms. Ontaria Baisden, Mrs. Marietta McDonald Brown, and Ann W. Williams. Each individual made significant contributions to their families and society. Their legacies will be remembered and honored by their loved ones and the community. Memorial donations may be directed to local charitable organizations in their memory.

Gainesville, FL – The community is mourning the loss of several beloved residents, each of whom contributed in unique ways to their families and society. Recent obituaries highlight the lives of Brenda Diane Davenport Winburn Truelove, Ms. Ontaria Baisden, Mrs. Marietta McDonald Brown, and Ann W. Williams, all of whom have passed away over the last few weeks.

Brenda Diane Davenport Winburn Truelove passed away on May 12, 2025, at the age of 78. She resided at 1326 Myrtle Terraces in Gainesville, Georgia, and was married to James (Ray) Truelove. Born in Greenwood, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Jones M. and Lennie Davenport. Brenda was a charter member of Bethlehem Union Church in Waterloo, SC, where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, played the piano and organ, and sang in the church choir. Throughout her career, she was employed by G&P Trucking Company and Self Memorial Hospital. Brenda was known for her love of family and friends, often sharing uplifting stories and memories. She is survived by her son, Jones Melvin (Mel) Winburn, stepson Stanton Truelove, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A visitation was held at Memorial Park Funeral Home on May 13, 2025, with a graveside service at Bethlehem Union Church cemetery on May 15.

Ms. Ontaria Baisden transitioned on April 24, 2025, at the young age of 20. Her life was celebrated with a Wake and Public Viewing on May 9, 2025, at Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Gainesville, FL. Funeral services took place on May 10, 2025, at Upper Room Church Of God In Christ, followed by her entombment.

Mrs. Marietta McDonald Brown, aged 85, passed away on April 29, 2025, in Gainesville, FL. Visitation services for Mother Brown are scheduled for May 16, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Chestnut Funeral Home in Gainesville. The funeral services are set for May 17, 2025, at the Female Protective Temple in Gainesville, with burial to follow at Forest Meadows Cemetery – East.

Additionally, Ann W. Williams, also aged 78, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025, after a prolonged illness. A Gainesville native who grew up in Micanopy, she attended PK Yonge and graduated from both Olivet Nazarene University and Florida State University, where she earned degrees in Library Science. Ann is survived by her husband, Jack L. Williams, brother-in-law, nephew and niece, and daughter Jenifer with Ben Rodriguez. She had significant contributions to the Gainesville Public Library and played a pivotal role in establishing the Alachua County Library District. Ann served as President of the Florida Library Association in 1993 and was a strong advocate for intellectual freedom and access to community libraries. Visitation for Ann was held on April 25, 2025, at Milam Funeral and Cremation Services, followed by a funeral service on April 26 at the First Baptist Church of Micanopy and burial at the Micanopy Historic Cemetery.

The passing of these residents marks a deep loss in the community, as each lived their life with purpose, contributing to their families and the broader society. Their legacies will be cherished by their loved ones and the communities in which they lived. Memorial donations in memory of these individuals may be directed to various organizations, including Hospice of Northeast Georgia, the ACLD Foundation, or the Community Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation.

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Additional Resources

• Gainesville Obituary: Brenda Diane Davenport Winburn Truelove
• Wikipedia: Obituary
• Gainesville Obituary: Ms. Ontaria Baisden
• Google Search: Obituaries
• Gainesville Obituary: Mrs. Marietta McDonald Brown
• Google Scholar: Obituaries
• Gainesville Obituary: Ann W. Williams
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Obituaries
• Gainesville Obituary: Additional Notices
• Google News: Obituaries

Author: HERE Greenwood