Lonita Roberts McGill

Lonita McGill of Lake Butler, Florida, age 90, passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Lonita was born on June 5, 1932 in Ocala, Florida to George Wesley Roberts and Fay Fagan Roberts. She graduated from Alachua High School in 1949 and from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Education in 1953 and a Master's degree in 1966. Lonita married William (Bill) McGill of Lake Butler in Alachua, Florida on March 23, 1952. They lived most of their married life in Lake Butler.

Lonita served as a teacher for over 35 years. Most of her career was spent teaching mathematics at Union County High School in Lake Butler. The exceptions were a year she and Bill taught in High Springs and a year she and Bill taught in Guantanamo, Cuba. Lonita was respected and appreciated by her students and fellow faculty members.  She had a significant impact on the lives of many students in Union County.

Lonita and Bill retired in 1989 and traveled the country and the world. They were members of the New River Ramblers and were always off in their motor home to their next adventure in the US and Canada. Their world trips and tours took them to Europe, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand.  Lonita loved to paint, read, and play cards and games. Most of all, she loved being with her family and grandchildren. Lonita would plan cruises for her family (19 total) to destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Bermuda, Cuba and Canada in addition to beach holidays in Florida and Georgia. Lonita was a member of First Baptist Church of Lake Butler for almost 70 years. She was also a member of the Lake Butler Women’s Club for over 60 years. She and Bill were active in Lake Butler with church, school, veterans and community events up until recent years. 

Survivors include daughters Lindy Warrick of Williamsburg, VA and Jeanne Ternier (Don) of Houston, TX; sons Jack McGill (Sheri) of Orlando Florida and Tim McGill (Teri) of Augusta, Georgia; sister-in-law Mary Sue McGill Mosby, of Canton, MS; 9 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren. Lonita is preceded in death by her husband Bill, her son-in-law William (Bill) Warrick, sister Dottie Roberts, her brother George Roberts and her sister-in-law Jean Hitchcock Roberts.