Robert "Hy" Albritton

ALBRITTON, Robert Hyman "Hy", 98, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away February 14, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Martha, to whom he was happily married for 70 years. They had no children. He was born January 9, 1908, in Bowling Green, Fla. to Hosea and Elizabeth Albritton. He was their first of eight children, which included two sisters, Marie Albritton (Polk) and Mary Albritton (Garrett) and five brothers, Hubert, Roy, Lamar, Merle and Emory. He outlived them all, as they are all deceased. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a number of nieces and nephews, including Merilyn Albritton Strickland of Ft. Meade, Betty Ruth Pace of Wauchula, Clarice Johnson of Punta Gorda, Anne Stephens of Wauchula, Linda Kay Huff of St. Augustine, Robert H. Albritton II of Maryland, Emory C. Albritton, Jr. of St. Louis, Roy J. Albritton of Hollywood, Fla. Mr. Albritton retired after 28 years in the food brokerage business. He was president of Common & Co. which later merged with L. T. Acosta & Co., In c. of which he continued to be president until his retirement in 1974. Today the company is known as Acosta Sales & Marketing Co. and is in its 79th year of business. Mr. Albritton was a visionary leader and gave the company a strong foundation to grow on, providing many benefits to his employees that allowed them to share in the profits of the company. Mr. Albritton was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Army. He was a Past Master of John H. Pratt Lodge #261, F & AM, and a member of Temple Lodge #23, F & AM, Scottish Rite Bodies and Morocco Temple of the Shrine. He was a charter member of The University Club and a former member of Deerwood Country Club. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, February 17, 2006, at 11 a.m. at Southside Baptist Church in Jacksonville, conducted by Dr. R. Wayne Stacey, with visitation 10-11 a.m. Pallbearers will be H. C. Sims, Jay Robinson Sr., Ken Jones, Steven Berry, Michael Sims, Walt Tucker and Leo Davis. Interment will be Saturday, February 18, 2006, at 2 p.m. at Bowling Green Cemetery with Rev. Bob Norman officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Southside Baptist Church, 1435 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207 or to River Garden, 11401 St. Augustine Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32258. Arrangements entrusted to ROBARTS FAMILY FUNERAL HOME Wauchula, Fla. (863) 773-9773