Flora "Heidi" Hibernia Donnell

Flora Hibernia “Heidi” Norris was born to Carlos and Anna Norris In Bradenton, FL. April 19, 1922, the fourth of eight eventual Children born to a carpenter. When she was six, he moved his family to a small farm in tiny Parrish, FL a few miles east of Bradenton. The move precipitated the hard times to come at the beginning of the great depression. They survived on the chickens, pigs, and vegetables they raised in addition to the fish and swamp cabbage gathered from the nearby creek. After graduating from Palmetto High School in 1940, lack of local work caused her to eventually move to Jacksonville where she rolled cigars at the local swisher cigar plant. During this time she met a young sailor, James W. Donnell of Kentucky, Whom she married in October, 1942. Having toured the local surrounding area, they decided to move back to and raise their family in Green Cove Springs in early 1946. This was due in part to the local Navy base as support for the growing Navy family. Their home built and completed in 1948, they lived there (except for 2-year deployments in Key West, FL, and New London, CT.) until his death in 1983, and her death February 21, 2010. She had a career as a bookkeeper working for a CPA, and a local Auto dealership until her retirement in 1984. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, her loving husband James William Donnell (1983) and son James Norris Donnell (2006). She is survived by sons, William “Ed” Donnell and Lawrence “Larry” Earl Donnell (Connie); daughter, Karen Marie Thomas; brother, Clarence Norris (Doris); 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She will always be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and a child of God. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Thursday, February 25, 2010 in the Broadus-Raines Chapel. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Friday, February 26, 2010 in the Broadus-Raines Chapel with Reverend Mike Madaris and Dr. Tim McDaniel officiating. Interment will follow in Hickory Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family ask that memorial contributions be made in her memory to Community Hospice of NE Florida 4266 Sunbeam Rd. Jacksonville, Florida 32257 Please sign the family's online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring Street, Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.