Obituary: Julia Mae Best

She is survived by her two children, Julie (Jimmy) Bean, and Terry (Mona) Best; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews of all ages.

She was, indeed, the matriarch of the family, keeping up with all of her large family, all the way down to the newest child. She is also survived by her No. 2 daughter, Brenda Beckett McClung, and her husband Lynn.

Julia Mae moved to the Ocoee-Winter Garden area from Monroe, Georgia, when she was around 3 years old. She attended the Ocoee schools and graduated from the Old Ocoee High School with Honors. She has resided in the same home here in Winter Garden for over 70 years until her death.

She worked all of her life as a bookkeeper and accountant, primarily in the Citrus Industry. She retired after many years of service from Silver Springs Citrus, formerly known as Youngblood and Sons. In addition to her regular office duties, she also trained nearly all the office employees as the business grew and thrived over the years.

Viewing and visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, 1148 E. Plant Street, Winter Garden, (407) 877-6700.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 10, at Beulah Baptist Church, where she has been a member for more than 70 years and was the oldest member of the church.