It was an afternoon that otherwise would have gone unnoticed in the quiet, southwest corner of Gainesville. But to one family, every passing minute was painful and significant.
“He was a good son,” Debra Peace said Wednesday about her son Anthony Hall. “He loved everybody, and everyone loved him.”
Peace and her family are mourning the death of Hall, 37, of Gainesville, who was killed on Nov. 4 in a shooting along with his girlfriend.
A funeral service and burial for Hall will cost Peace and her family roughly $7,000 — more than she can afford. But there’s some help for Peace.
The Flying Biscuit Cafe, a colorful restaurant on 4150 NW 16th Blvd., has been open since about April 2009 and Peace has been an employee since the beginning.
“We’re one big, happy family there,” Peace said, as her quiet, sad expression transformed into a wide smile.
When the news about the death and Peace’s financial situation hit the cafe, the staff wanted to help.
Peace posted a flier in the cafe on Sunday asking fellow employees for any financial help they could afford to give.
As of Thursday afternoon, employees of the cafe had raised more than $600, according to Jamie Edmondson, a server at the restaurant.
Stan Given, owner of The Flying Biscuit Cafe and other local restaurants, said he would match the final dollar amount raised by the staff.
“You have to do what you can to help,” said Matthew Pasciuta, the assistant general manager of the cafe. “That’s what a family does.”
Pasciuta and his wife donated $100 to Peace.
General Manager Lyndsey Wells and her fiance donated $200.
The wake is scheduled for tonight at Combs Funeral Home in Lake City, which is where Hall grew up.
The burial service will be at New St. James Missionary Baptist Church, also in Lake City, on Saturday.
Peace worked out a payment plan with the funeral home, which will allow her to pay the $7,000 in installments.
The final figure is still a burden, but the fact that friends are helping during the situation comforts her.
“It is unimaginable how kind people have been at a time like this.” Peace said. “There are still good people out there in the world.”
Peace doesn’t know how much money she has raised so far.
She posted fliers with her son’s picture in a few local churches and passed them out to family and friends who knew and loved Hall.
Hall, who was in prison for a drug offense, was released July 25 and was trying to turn his life around, his mother said.
He was a father to five children between the ages of 7 and 18. Peace said he has a newborn grandson.
Peace and her family would gladly accept any contribution for her son’s funeral. Donations can be sent to Debra Peace, 1101 SW 61st St. Apt. B, Gainesville, Fla., 32607, in honor of Anthony Hall.
Flower arrangements and other gifts can be sent to the above address or to Combs Funeral Home at 292 NE Washington St., Lake City, Fla., 32055.
When told that The Flying Biscuit Cafe raised more than $500 for her family within just a few days, Peace shook her head in disbelief.
“They have really reached out to us,” Peace said. “I am overwhelmed. I really am.”
