Royce H. Foreman Sr.
Royce Holland Foreman Sr., age 55, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2002, in an area hospital.
Royce was born in DeFuniak Springs on Oct. 18, 1946, to Thomas Jefferson and Berla Missouri Infinger Foreman. He was a lifelong resident of DeFuniak Springs and Baptist by faith. Royce was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving his country in the U.S. Navy for over six years. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and barbecuing with family and friends.
Royce was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Dianna Poole.
Royce is survived by his wife of 19 years, Shirley Foreman of DeFuniak Springs; sons, Royce Holland Foreman Jr. of DeFuniak Springs, and Daniel Scott Foreman and wife Lisa Kelly Foreman of DeFuniak Springs; stepdaughters, Cynthia Colitzas and husband Ken of Boynton Beach, Fla., Renee Mckenzie of Boynton Beach, Felecia Colitzas of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; brothers, Cliff Foreman of DeFuniak Springs, and Doyle Foreman of Bunker Creek, Fla.; sisters, Mattie Andrews of DeFuniak Springs, Ruth Myres of DeFuniak Springs, and Juanita Petrino of Memphis.
A memorial graveside service will be held on Friday, April 12, at 1 p.m. in Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Larry Watts officiating.
Flowers will be accepted.
Clary-Godwin/Comander Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
Danny Sherman Phelps
Danny Sherman Phelps, age 49, passed away April 8, 2002, in Tyler, Texas, following an extended illness.
Dan was born on April 5, 1953, to Barbara Phelps and the late Leonard O. "Buddy" Phelps of Niceville, Fla. He resided in the Niceville area until his graduation from Niceville High School in 1971.
Dan was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis Phelps of Freeport, Fla. He is survived by his mother, Barbara Phelps of Niceville; sisters, Cathy Hopkins and husband Richard of Lindale, Texas, and Karen Schweitzer of Freeport, Fla.; brother, David Phelps and wife Marie of Freeport; nieces, April Adams, Lauren Hopkins and Jasmine Phelps; nephews, Jonathan Phelps, Joshua Phelps, Chase McCullough and Houston Schweitzer.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at Destin Assembly of God Church, 726 Legion Drive, Destin, Fla., with Pastor Joseph Rogers officiating.
Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.
Wayne C. Johnson
Wayne C. Johnson, age 66, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, April 8, 2002, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
Wayne was born April 3, 1936, in Andalusia, Ala. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was a civil service employee for 38 years with the U.S. Department of Defense, serving at Brookley Field, Mobile, Ala., and with the 46th Test Wing Division at Eglin Air Force Base until he retired. He was a member of the Mason's, Alpha Lodge 172, and the American Legion, Post 0235.
Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Autrey and Martha Johnson.
He is survived by his wife, Bessie; daughters, Teresa and husband Rob Mackin of Niceville; Donna Johnson of Mableton, Ga.; and Rhonda and husband Ken Hamall of West Chester, Ohio; sons, Mark Johnson and wife Linda of Pensacola, Fla.; and Scott Johnson and wife Christine of Mount Dora, Fla.; eight grandchildren; sister Marilyn and husband Carl McCracken of Tiro, Ohio; sisters-in-law, Hattie Bell and husband Rodric Lynn of Brewton, Ala.; Betty and husband Bob Stuart of Mobile, Ala.; Joann Hastings and Anise Hastings of Brewton; brother-in-law, Marion F. Hastings Jr.; aunts, Ruby Teel of Pleasant Home, Ala.; and Mary Alice Johnson of Foley, Ala.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Bobby Wetherington and Lisa Reese for their support during the family's time of need.
The National Cremation Association is taking care of arrangements. A private burial will be held at a later date.
Shirley Gomillion
Shirley Gomillion, age 67, of the Sandy Creek community, Fla., passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2002, in an area hospital.
She was born in Walton County, Fla., on July 2, 1934, to Lonney and Stella Butts Garrett. Shirley was a lifelong resident of the Walton County area. She was Baptist by faith and a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Shirley enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, camping, and all of the outdoors. She also enjoyed gospel concerts and serving the Lord. Shirley was known for her strong faith in the Lord.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Willie Ray Gomillion of the Sandy Creek community; daughter, Brenda G. Wells of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; son, Tony Gomillion and wife Tareesa of Freeport, Fla., and Larry Gomillion and wife Jenny of DeFuniak Springs; sisters, Sybil Davis and husband Melvin of Enterprise, Ala., and Reba Blankenship and husband Bill of Eufala, Ala.; and grandchildren, Joy DeAnne Wells, Tiffany Gomillion, Kale Gomillion, Morgan Gomillion, Brad Gomillion and Luke Gomillion.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 13, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Clary-Godwin Funeral Home, 230 Park Ave., DeFuniak Springs, with the Revs. Kenneth Harrison, Mike Brown and Doug Hogg officiating. Burial will follow in Sandy Creek Cemetery.
Active pallbearers for the service will be Kale Gomillion, Brad Gomillion, Derek Allen, Donald Butts, Steve Storey and Andy Laird. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Jerry Stafford, Jack Butts and Glenn Thomason.
A time of visitation for the family to receive friends and loved ones will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the chapel of Clary-Godwin Funeral Home.
Flowers are being accepted, or donations may be made to the Florida Baptist Children's Home, 1000 Chemstrand Road, Cantonment, FL 32533.
Clary-Godwin/Comander Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.
Sheila M. Kannry
Sheila Margaret Kannry, age 83, of Navarre, Fla., passed away at home Monday, April 8, 2002.
She was born on May 1, 1918, in Canada to Halliburton S. and Martha E. MacLellan and became a citizen of the United States on Dec. 12, 1927.
Sheila is survived by her husband, Harry F. Kannry Sr. of Navarre; daughter, Patricia G. Dolby; grandson, Keith I. Dolby; sister, Martha E. Heath; brothers, Edson J., George W. (Mona), and Robert C. (Jane) MacLellan, and Harry F. (Karen) Kannry Jr.; grandchildren, Scott M., Tracy A., and Laura A. Kannry; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan and Arthur Briede; plus many nieces and nephews.
Sheila and Harry are members of Navarre United Methodist Church and their pastor is Joe S. Lay. Sheila was also past matron of Eastern Star of Great Barrington, Mass.
Sheila will be cremated and at a later date placed in the family plot located in Great Barrington.
The family will always be grateful to Covenant Hospice for their dedication and true caring.
In lieu of flowers, and if you wish, a donation may be made to Covenant Hospice Okaloosa-Walton, 101 Hart St., Niceville, FL 32578.
Trahan Mortuary Services, Pensacola, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Rodney C. LaShum
Rodney Charles LaShum, age 44, of Crestview, Fla., died Wednesday, April 10, 2002, in Okaloosa County, Fla.
Rodney was born in Walker County, Ala., on Dec. 7, 1957, to George and Lois LaShum, who preceded him in death. Rodney was employed with Playground Music Center in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and was in the Southern Gospel Music Industry for 16 years. He was a member of Auburn Assembly of God Church and was the church pianist.
Survivors include his loving wife, Pam C. LaShum of Crestview; his cat, Callie; mother-in-law, Betty Crawford of Crestview; brothers, Lonnie LaShum of Milton, Fla., Bobby LaShum of Okaloosa County, Tommy LaShum, Ray LaShum, Jimmy LaShum, Johnny LaShum and Phillip LaShum, all of Birmingham, Ala.; several nieces and nephews; and sisters, Mary Lanton and Martha Creed of Anniston, Ala.
A time of visitation will be conducted at Auburn Assembly of God Church in Crestview on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
Funeral services will be conducted from Auburn Assembly of God Church at noon Saturday, with interment in St. John's Baptist Church Cemetery near Brundridge, Ala., at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The Rev. Ron Williamson is in charge of the service.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
Gloria L. Garcia
1973-2002.
Gloria L. Garcia, age 29, of Santa Ana, Calif., passed away April 10, 2002, at West Florida Hospital after a brief period of illness.
She was born in Santa Ana on Jan. 19, 1973. She lived in Crestview, Fla., and was employed by Eglin Federal Credit Union as a teller.
Gloria is survived by her husband, Frank Garcia; her parents, Jorge and Flora Flores; her brothers, Luis and Gilbert Flores; and her family at Eglin Federal Credit Union (Eglin Branch).
Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at Eglin Air Force Base West Gate Chapel. Viewing will be from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Gloria will be laid to rest in the Los Angeles National Cemetery.
Flowers are being accepted or donations may be made to the account of Gloria Garcia at any branch of Eglin Federal Credit Union.
Helen Marler Cox
Helen Marler Cox, age 89, of Destin, Fla., passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2002.
She enjoyed flowers and was an avid lover of her family.
Helen was one of the original founders of Destin.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, James Clifton Shirah and T.C. Cox; and daughter, Emily.
She is survived by two sons, James L. Shirah and wife Sandra of Destin, and Gay Shirah and wife Janice of Radford, Va.; daughter, Joan Adkins of Destin; and stepdaughter, Mildred Forbes of Seabrook, Texas. Helen is also survived by two sisters, Pearl Painter and Bill Matthews, both of Destin; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, April 12, at the funeral home, and burial followed in Marler Cemetery in Destin.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is handling arrangements.
William E. Varner
William E. Varner of Niceville, Fla., died April 11, 2002, in Twin Cities Hospital due to complications from a prolonged illness.
Bill was born in Charleston, W.Va., to Enos and Anna Varner on March 20, 1923. He was one of 11 children. He was employed as a bus driver for Port Authority Transit in Pittsburgh, Pa., retiring in 1985 to Niceville after 34 years of driving. Bill served his community with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Leslie; daughter, Mary Lou Achtzehn and husband Wayne of Niceville; granddaughter, Angel Squire and husband Richard of Waldorf, Md.; sisters, Opal Mathews of Elizabeth, Pa., Mazie Romero of Chicago; and brother, Harry Varner of Brownsville, Pa.
A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date.
The family suggests any memorial contributions be made to a charity of one's choice.
Evie Inez Hobbs
Evie Inez Hobbs, age 80, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., passed away Friday, April 12, 2002, in a local hospital.
She was born on Oct. 30, 1921, to Mr. J. M. Brannon and Ida Martin Brannon in DeFuniak Springs. Mrs. Hobbs was a lifelong resident of DeFuniak Springs. She dedicated her life to her family, providing a home filled with love. As a pastor's wife she extended a warm welcome to many visiting missionaries and evangelists. She was a member of the Alaqua Homemaker's Club and enjoyed sewing, gardening and attending area churches they pastored. Mrs. Hobbs was a current member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.
Evie Inez Hobbs was preceded in death by her parents, J.M. Brannon and Ida Martin Brannon; brothers, Viance Brannon, Roy Brannon and D. Buddy Brannon; and two infant sisters. She was also preceded in death by two grandchildren, Alex Ken Reddick and Albert Lynn Reddick.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, the Rev. James Aubrey Hobbs. They were married on April 26, 1939. Inez is survived by one brother, Grady Brannon and wife Jean of DeFuniak Springs. She is also survived by her children: son, Wendell W. Hobbs and wife Mary; daughter, Dorothy Vogel and husband Paul; daughter, Patricia Laird and husband Larry; daughter, Gloria Gainey and husband Ronnie; son, Sammy Hobbs and wife Lina, all of DeFuniak Springs; son, James E. Hobbs of Pensacola, Fla.; grandchildren, Tony Reddick, Jenny Porter, Lisa Johnson, Andy Hobbs, Kevin Laird, Eric Laird, Clint Gainey, Henry Gainey, Heath Hobbs and Devin Hobbs; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and special caregiver, Melissa Costa of DeFuniak Springs.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 14, at 2:30 p.m. at Clary-Godwin Funeral Home Chapel, 230 Park Ave., DeFuniak Springs, with the Revs. Glenn Spence and Phil McMillian, and Dr. Bob Jaye officiating. Burial will follow in Alaqua Methodist Church Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Clary-Godwin Funeral Home Chapel.
The grandsons of Mrs. Hobbs will serve as pallbearers.
Flowers will be accepted.
Clary-Godwin/Comander Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
