Molly’s legacy

Continued from page A1 passing began to spread on social media, many of the comments were about her “legacy.”

“It so true,” Baron said. “She has a legacy and I am going to continue to work for a statewide registry. I won’t stop!”

And, she added, “I’ve been talking with senators and state representatives from both parties. It will come together. That’s Molly, bringing people together. It’s just who she is.”

A marble statue of Molly is being created by South Florida artist Nilda Comas, who recently made history with her sculpture of Black educator and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune for the National Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol.

To view the “Molly’s Law Documentary,” go to spcaofocala.org

The county’s animal abuser registry is accessible at marioncountyfl.org/aar

To report animal abuse, within unincorporated areas of Marion County or the city of Ocala, call Marion County Animal Control at (352) 671-8727. For emergencies after-hours or on weekends, contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 732-9111. Within the city of Belleview, contact the Belleview Police Department at (352) 245-7044. Within the city of Dunnellon, contact the Dunnellon Police Department at (352) 465-8510.

St. Matthew’s plans to give back during Lent

By Rosemarie Dowell rosemarie@ocalagazette.com

Asmall local church is giving back to the community during the Lenten season by offering free meals to area residents.

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 3453 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala will serve the hot and freshly made meals at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays beginning March 1 through March 29 in the church’s fellowship hall.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY FLORIDA

IN RE: ESTATE OF Jon Riser Thompson, Deceased. CASE NUMBER: 23-CP-0346

/ NOTICE TO CREDITORS (summary administration)

TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE:

You are hereby notified that an Order of Summary Administration has been entered in the estate of Jon Riser Thompson, deceased, file number 23CP000346AX, by the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is P.O. Box 1030, Ocala, FL, 34478; that the decedent’s date of death was January 27, 2023; that the total value of the estate is $5,000.00, and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are:

Name Katherine Thompson Simon 539 Poincianna Drive Sarasota, FL 34243

James Thompson 24 Spring Drive Place Ocala, FL 34472

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT:

All creditors of the estate of the decedent and person having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent other than those for whom provision for full payment was made in the Order of Summary Administration must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this Notice is February 17, 2023.

Attorney for Person Giving Notice is: Person Giving Notice:

SYPRETT MESHAD, P.A. KATHERINE THOMPSON SIMON 1900 RINGLING BLVD. 539 POINCIANNA DRIVE SARASOTA, FL 34236 SARASOTA, FL 34243 (941)365-7171 TEL FLORIDA BAR NO. 180030 EMAIL: jdumbaugh@smrl.com

“It seems to me, during Lent, the focus has been on giving things up, like sweets and chocolate,” said the Rev. Gayle Nelson, senior pastor of the church since Sept. 2021. “But my thought was we are supposed to be of service to one another, so why not serve the community by providing a meal?”

Church leaders considered other ideas for the 40day season of Lent—which Christians traditionally observe through fasting, praying and almsgiving— giving food, money or other acts of charity to the less fortunate. But Nelson said they opted for hosting the community meals after careful thought.

“The church council had several options to consider, but this is the one we voted on to do,” said Nelson. Lent began Wednesday and will end April 6, and marks a period of preparation and reflection to celebrate Christ’s resurrection at Easter.

The church is surrounded by working families, the homeless and people experiencing food insecurity, said Melissa Hartfiel, a member of the church for the past 15 years.

“In our little area we have homeless people and folks that are struggling to put food on the table because of the economy,” she said. “We want to let them know we are here, what we do and that we care about them.”

Even so, the meal is open to everyone, regardless of their financial or housing situation.

“It doesn’t matter if you have a million bucks and every single bit of food that will last forever, you can still come,’’ Nelson said. “It’s more about having fellowship and serving the community. It’s our way of doing what God has called us to do.”

Each week, a different church committee will take over hosting duties for the meal.

“Our property maintenance committee is all men and they’ve come up with a garage theme for the meal and will serve pasta. It’ll be fun,” said Nelson, who started seminary in 1993, put her ministry aspirations on hold after having quintuplets and then completed her education in August of 2021.

“God was still calling me,” she said.

The meal will be served until all the food is gone, said Hartfiel, and the church will have a donation basket set up for those who want to contribute to the church’s community outreach projects, including its Ministry of Hope Food Pantry.

Meanwhile, the church also hosts a free meal at 5 p.m., the third Wednesday of each month.