Barbara Dee Arthur, age 69, passed away on Sunday, November 21, 2010 She was born June 16, 1941 in Jacksonville, Florida. She was retired. Barbara Dee moved to Anthony, Florida with her family in 1954. She attended Anthony High School from which she graduated in 1959. Upon graduation, she began a 30 year career with Certified Grocers of Florida, Inc. During her days at Certified, she was secretary to the President/General Manager. She was liaison between the employees and management. She became Manager of Special Projects where she designed and oversaw the building and staffing of the first on-site employee day care center in the food industry in the Southeast as well as one of the top acclaimed child development centers in the State of Florida. She also oversaw the opening of Certified's cafeteria serving some 1,000 employees daily. Barbara Dee handled all employee functions and events put on by the company. Later on in her career she became Manager of Business Relations where she was the liaison between Certified and the community of Ocala and Marion County. She handled all donations and contributions to agencies and served on the original founding board of Interfaith Emergency Services as well as The Boys and Girls Club of Marion County. She served on several United Way Committees. Upon retiring from Certified Grocers in 1989, she co-owned and opened C & D Coliseum on Baseline Road where she operated the sports bar and grill for 5 years. She enjoyed playing golf, traveling and most of all following the "Florida Gator Football Dream". Barbara Dee is survived by her brother, Buford (Rosemary) Arthur of Anthony, Florida; cousins John D. Reid of Louisville, GA; Robert (Irene) Pfaff of Richardson, TX. Jimmy Pfaff of Columbia, MD; niece Kimberly Biddix of Belhaven, NC; nephew Chad (Debbie) Arthur of Belhaven, NC; 4 nephews and several nieces and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Pearl and Buford Arthur. Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 from 10:00 am to 12:00pm at Roberts Funeral Homes, 606 S.W. 2nd Avenue, Ocala, Fl. The service will be at 12:00pm on Wednesday the 24th with Pastor Phillip Hanes officiating. Burial will be in Anthony Cemetery following the service.
Contributions may be made to Hospice of Marion County in memory of Barbara Dee Arthur. Roberts Funeral Homes Downtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Published in Ocala Star-Banner from November 22 to November 23, 2010