Emily Mizell Dennis' Obituary
Emily Mizell Dennis passed away at home on December 11, 2021 at age 100. She was born in Parrish, Florida on July 19, 1921. She grew up in the rural farming area of Depression Era Central Florida. She always spoke of her appreciation of growing up in Florida in a much simpler time. There was an abundance of resources for the taking for those lucky enough to live there at that time. Emily often said that “if someone starved to death in Florida in those years, it was because they were too lazy to get the food that was growing all around them.” After graduating from Palmetto High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Wilbur Larkin Dennis in 1938. She cared for 2 children while her husband was serving in the Navy in the South Pacific during WWII. After the blessing of her husband’s safe return in 1945, the couple had 2 more children. Emily and Wilbur were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Emily lost her beloved Wilbur, a police officer in the Tampa Police Department in 1976 from a heart attack and stroke. She has lived in Ocala, Florida since 1989. She lived independently until 2018 when at age 97 she moved in with her youngest daughter, Angela Dennis Willard and her husband, Dr. Mark R.V. Willard also in Ocala. She celebrated her 100th birthday with a large gathering of family in July 2021. She was in very good health and read, played cards and enjoyed life up to her sudden death due to a stroke. She is predeceased by her 2 oldest children, Richard Larkin Dennis in 2007 and Patricia Dennis Robinson in 1998. She is survived by her son, Rodney Joel Dennis, age 72 and her daughter, Angela Dennis Willard, age 61. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren. Emily was a joy to everyone who knew her but especially to her family. She was truly loved and will be deeply missed. A viewing and memorial service will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Thonotosassa, Florida on Saturday, 12/18/21 from 12:00-3:00, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved Wilbur.
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