Cynthia A. Hayes
Cynthia (Cyndi) A. Hayes, age 22, of Mary Esther, Fla., passed away in Pensacola West Florida Regional Hospital Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998.
She was born on Oct. 13, 1976, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and had been a resident of this area for the past 18 years when she moved here from Tuscaloosa. She was Baptist by faith. Cyndi was a graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School Class of 1994. She was also a cross country runner for Fort Walton High School. She attended college at the University of South Alabama and most recently at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla.
Survivors include her parents, Jerry and his wife Robin Hayes of Pensacola; mother, Janet Hayes of Mary Esther; brother, Jeremy Hayes of Mary Esther; grandparents, Richard and Lill Brown of Montgomery, Ala., Margaret Harrell of Tuscaloosa, Alice Hayes of Moundville, Ala., and Linda Hayes of Fort Walton Beach; and aunts, uncles and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Little Chapel Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Little Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Ken Murie officiating. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with arrangements.
Sampie Hall Jr.
On Nov. 27, 1998, God called Sampie Hall Jr. (Sam) home at age 60.
He was born the son of the late Lela May Crenshew and Sampie Hall in Georgana, Ala. Sam was married to Lillie Mae Hall. He moved to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., 35 years ago and worked for Sears Roebuck and Co. in major appliances until his retirement in 1996.
Sam was very active in his community. He was a softball coach; a member of the NAACP; and a Sylvania Heights Fire Department board member.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Barbara Gean Blackman; and stepfather, Nathannal Pool. Sam is survived by his wife, Lillie Mae Hall; seven children, Sampie Hall Jr., Gwendolyn (Tamie) Berkwitt, Loretta Hall, James Stephen Hall, Terrin Matthew, Gregory Hall and Ricky Hall; six brothers, James Hall, Sonny Hall, Ronald Hall, Donald Hall, Leon Hall and Melvin Pool; sisters, Betty Lewis and Barbara Ann Henderson; 13 grandkids; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.
Visitation will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at Gainer Funeral Home, 605 N.W. Oak St., Fort Walton Beach.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m. at Hollywood Church of Christ, Hollywood Boulevard. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Alma Bayliss McReynolds
Alma Bayliss McReynolds, age 86, of Sandestin, Fla., died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, in a local health care facility.
Mrs. McReynolds was born in Gadsden, Ala., and had resided in Birmingham, Ala., until 1989. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Crestline, Ala., and was preceded in death by her husband, I.E. McReynolds. Survivors include her daughters, Reecy Turner of Alpharetta, Ga., Alice Forrester of Point Washington, Fla., and Ivy Smith-Trovas of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; brothers, Robert Bayliss of Birmingham, and Eugene Bayliss of Connecticut; sisters, Margrete Griffin and Janie DeShazo, both of Birmingham; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted in Point Washington Cemetery on Friday, Dec. 4, 1998, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Bob Hendricks officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with arrangements.
Randall Jackson Arnett
Randall Jackson Arnett, age 73, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Dec. 1, 1998, at North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview.
Mr. Arnett was born in Crestview on May 4, 1925, and was a lifelong resident of Crestview.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew J. and Bernice Day Arnett; and by an infant son, Randall Dale Arnett.
Randall was a devoted husband, father and brother. He was a member of Airport Road Church of Christ. As a young man he was in the U.S. Army and served his country with honor and valor. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for his action during the invasion of Okinawa in 1945. After military service he worked in civil service until his retirement in 1986 with 41 years of service.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Maxie Lee Arnett of Crestview; daughter and son-in-law, Randella and Lou Lindsay of Crestview; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Becky Arnett of Hattiesburg, Miss.; granddaughters, Ashley Lindsay and Taylor Arnett; grandson, Lee Arnett; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ruth Lowe of Pensacola, Fla., Frances and Jack Poole of Naples, Fla., and Thelma and Ray Brooks of Land 'O Lakes, Fla.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lance and Earline Arnett of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Andrew "Andy" and Judy Arnett of Quincy, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A time of visitation will be conducted at Whitehurst Funeral Home on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at Airport Road Church of Christ in Crestview on Friday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. with Mr. Terry Hanna, Pat Brinn and Tom Dugan officiating. Interment will follow in Union Hill Church of Christ Cemetery in Escambia Farms, Fla. Mr. Arnett will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services from 9 to 10 a.m.
Active pallbearers will be Roy Barnhill, R.D. Lawson, J.C. Connor, Greg Helms, David Helms and Kevin Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Settles, Willard Sanders and Coleman Hargrave.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
Marylandrae Joyner
Marylandrae "Pat" Joyner, age 74, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in a local hospital Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998.
She was born on Dec. 30, 1923, in Baltimore and had been a resident of this area since 1967, when she and the family moved here from New Hampshire. She was Presbyterian by faith and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Fort Walton Beach. Pat was a former deacon and past president of the Presbyterian Women's Association and a former Sunday school teacher at various churches where they lived. She was also a former member of Church Women United; former president of the Playground Area Square and Round Dance Association PASARDA; owner and manager of Joyner Boarding Stables. She was a former Brownie and Girl Scout leader; a volunteer Christian education director at First Presbyterian Church; also a volunteer editor for the Presbyterian newsletter; charter member of Fort Walton Beach Saddle Club; and often helped at Gulf Coast Convalescent Center with bingo; and was an active helper with the Sharing and Caring program at First Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include her three daughters, Patricia Diane Knee of Jacksonville, Fla., Donna Rae and husband Orbie Parks of Fort Walton Beach, and Debra Lynn Marshall of Fort Walton Beach; grandchildren, Christine Lynn Dizon, Laura Kay Knee and Jamie Scott Marshall; and one great-grandchild, Jubran Dizon.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Little Chapel Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Jack Walchenbach officiating. Burial will be in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola at a later date.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Shirley M. Puffer
Shirley M. Puffer went to be with Jesus on Dec. 2, 1998. She was 64 years old and passed away in a local hospital.
She was born in Norridge, Ill., on Aug. 22, 1934, to Morgan and Lois Russell, and had lived in this area for the past 28 years. She was a very devoted military wife and a loving and caring mother to her children. She was very doted to her family and will be missed greatly.
Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Harold V. Puffer of Mary Esther; son, Russell Puffer of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.; daughter, Helga Puffer of Crestview, Fla.; brothers, Robert Russell of Rolling Meadows, Ill., and Gerald Russell Gilbert of Arizona; sisters, Janet D'Argo of Wheeling, Ill., and Betty Read of Bloomington, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Jessie Olene Barnhill
Jessie Olene Johnson Barnhill, age 90, of Baker, Fla., died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998, in a Milton, Fla., hospital.
Mrs. Barnhill was born in Baker and was a lifelong resident of Okaloosa County, Fla. She retired from civil service at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and was a faithful member of Milligan Assembly of God Church.
Mrs. Barnhill was preceded in death by her daughter, Perry Lee Smith. Survivors include her son, Grover (G.C.) and wife Rosemary Barnhill of Phenix City, Ala.; grandchildren, Betty and husband Michael Ward, Donnie Smith and Vicky Robinson; son-in-law, Victory Smith, all of Baker; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
A time of visitation will be conducted from Whitehurst Funeral Home on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at Whitehurst Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. with the Revs. David VanZant and D.C. Worley officiating. Interment will follow in Griffith Cemetery in Baker.
Only artificial floral tributes will be accepted. The family has requested no fresh-cut flowers.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
William L. Peacock
Chief Master Sgt. William L. Peacock, U.S. Air Force retired, age 76, of Valparaiso, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998, at West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, Fla.
He was born in Fluvanna, Va., on Aug. 9, 1922, to the late Julian J. and Ethel Peacock. Chief Master Sgt. Peacock served 30 years and eight months of active duty, including World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He had over 4,000 flying hours as an aircraft flight engineer. His Armed Forces awards included the Meritorious Service Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Army Commendation Medal; Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Army Good Conduct Medal with two silver loops; Presidential Unit Citation with four oak leaf clusters; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster; National Defense Service Medal; World War II Victory Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; and Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver oak leaf cluster and one oak leaf cluster.
Mr. Peacock had also taught Junior ROTC at Niceville High School; Lewis and Ruckel middle schools; and Choctaw High School for 16 years. He also taught airframe and power plant certification courses at Okaloosa-Walton Community College. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Niceville, Fla.; member of Disabled American Veterans; and Air Force Sergeants Association. Chief Master Peacock had resided in this area for a total of 45 years.
He is survived by his wife of 551/2 years, Mary E. Peacock of Valparaiso; sons, Maj. William J. Peacock, U.S. Air Force retired of Niceville, Roy L. Peacock and wife Patricia of Slidell, La., and Jimmy L. Peacock and wife Judy of Elon College, N.C.; daughters, Margie A. Cramer and husband Don of Knoxville, Tenn., and Susie P. Braswell and husband Wilson of Suwanee, Ga.; and grandchildren, Steve Cramer, David Cramer, Laura Shaw, Craig Hamilton, Lee Braswell, Corey Peacock, Emily Etland, Janna Peacock and Jared Peacock.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at First United Methodist Church in Niceville at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7, with the Revs. Rurel Ausley and J. Edward Chandler officiating. Interment, with full military honors, will follow at 1:15 p.m. in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery.
Floral tributes are accepted (red was his favorite color) or memorial contributions may be made to the Air Force Enlisted Widow's Foundation, 92 Sunset Lane, Shalimar, FL 32579.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Mary Louise Brooks
Mary Louise Brooks, age 79, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998, in a local hospital.
Mrs. Brooks was born in Gastonia, N.C., on Oct. 19, 1919, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Holden. She moved to the Fort Walton Beach area in 1978 from Tampa, Fla. She and her husband owned and operated Terrace Jewelers in Temple Terrace, Fla.
Mrs. Brooks was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Woody Brooks. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Livesay and husband Stan of Fort Walton Beach; daughter, Pam Romeo and husband Tony of Fort Walton Beach; grandchildren, Sean Livesay, and Patti Lancaster and husband Rodney of Crestview; great-grandchildren, Mandy and Jesse Lancaster; sister, Velma McDonald of Lithia, Fla.; brother, Walt Holden of Lithia; sister, Jewel Fulghum of Temple Terrace; sister, Jean Moore of Vaden, Miss.; and brother, Sonny Holden of Lithia.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ruth Turton officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery. The family will greet friends one hour prior to services.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Acie Lee Grimes
Acie Lee Duke Grimes, age 75, of Destin, Fla., passed away Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998, unexpectedly at her home.
Acie was born in Newton, Miss., on Nov. 6, 1923, to William Thomas and Winnie McCraney Duke, and had lived in the Destin area for the past 25 years. As the young wife of an Army lieutenant, Acie had to face the challenges of keeping her home and household together from the beginning of her married life. Together with her husband and children, Acie was called on to meet these challenges as one of the first military families in occupied Japan after World War II and during the outbreak of the Korean War.
After returning to the United States, Acie developed great skill in packing up and moving at the drop of a hat, never complaining and always able to make it seem like home for her family, wherever they happened to be. After being widowed with three young children at home, Acie began a new chapter in her life as businesswoman and manager of the gift shop at the Holiday Inn in Destin.
She will be remembered for her sacrifices for her children, unselfish love for her family above all, and for the friendships and affection she had for her many friends and coworkers. In addition to being a wonderful mother, Acie was a true friend and angelic spirit to those who knew her on earth.
Acie was preceded in death by her husband, W. Martin Grimes. She is survived by one son, Carl Martin Grimes and wife Kim L. Grimes of Destin; daughters, Gerry G. Ingram and husband Chuck Ingram of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Bobbie G. Metz and husband Philip D. Metz of Destin, Gail G. Starling and husband J. Franklin Starling of Destin, and Ann G. Queen and husband Richard E. Queen of Montgomery, Ala.; grandchildren, Sydney E. Ingram, Acie Starling, J. Martin Starling, Andrew P. Metz, Alexander P. Metz, Samantha J. Queen and R. Peyton Queen; sisters, Tommie D. Baucum Humphries of Jackson, Miss., and Gladys D. Rolison of Hattiesburg, Miss.; and many beloved nieces, nephews and their children.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at Village Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Davies officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Floral tributes are accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Village Baptist Church Building Fund or to the American Heart Association.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
