U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Ward S. Merrick Jr.
Ward S. Merrick Jr. joined his beloved maker on Feb. 17, 1999.
Ward was born on Jan. 4, 1928, to Jinks I. and Ward S. Merrick Sr. in Ardmore, Okla. Ward married Marianne Brown on March 24, 1951.
He is survived by his spouse, Marianne of Niceville, Fla.; their four children and their spouses, Ward S. and Linda Merrick III of Edmond Okla., Valda and Jerry Buchanan of Tulsa, Okla., Frank W. and Debbie Merrick of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Robert B. and Kellie Merrick of the Woodlands, Texas. He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren, Jennie Merrick, Joshua Merrick, Merrick Ann Buchanan, Mary Katherine Merrick, Gwen Buchanan, Will Merrick, Michael Merrick, Gerald Buchanan, Scott Merrick, Matthew Merrick, Jonathan Merrick, Gordon Merrick; and his sister, Elizabeth Merrick Coe of Oklahoma City; and her three sons.
Ward and the Merrick family were also blessed on May 23, 1979, when they adopted a family of Vietnamese boat people. There has been a close bond between the two families ever since.
Ward was very active in the oil and gas industry on a local, state and national level in his management of the family business, Ward S. Merrick Inc. He represented his community on numerous charity boards, including Southern Oklahoma Memorial Hospital, United Way, and Ardmore Public School's Board of Education. He was active in the Ardmore Little Theater, Chamber of Commerce, and the local YMCA. He was also an honorary member of the University of Oklahoma Foundation Board of Trustees and a member of the Merrick Foundation Board of Trustees since its inception in 1948. Perhaps his greatest gift to Southern Oklahoma was his brainchild - The Greater Ardmore Scholarship Foundation.
Ward will always be remembered by his motto "Accentuate the Positive ... Eliminate the Negative" which he took from a Bing Crosby song. He was very strong in his Christian beliefs and was a longtime member of St. Philips Episcopal Church in Ardmore and upon retiring and moving to Niceville in 1987 he and Marianne joined St. Jude's Episcopal Church. Ward will be very much missed by his family and friends.
Services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at St. Jude's Episcopal Church, 200 N. Partin Drive, Niceville.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ward's eight grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, he has asked that memorial gifts be made to St. Jude's Episcopal Church, 200 N. Partin Drive, Niceville, FL 32578.
John A. Stovall Jr.
John A. Stovall Jr. of Destin, Fla., died unexpectedly Feb. 13, 1999, of heart failure shortly after his daily swim at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin.
He was born in 1927 in Greenville, Miss., served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and graduated from the universities of Mississippi and Southern Mississippi. He was an ordained Southern Baptist minister in the 1950s; taught at Auburn University and Arkansas Polytechnic College between 1956-1969; and taught at Wright and Longwood Elementary schools from 1970 until his retirement in 1989.
He was a devout Christian and led weekly worship services at Bay Heritage Nursing and Convalescence Center and Sandestin Delta Health Care Center since his retirement.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Griffin Stovall; daughters, Millie Johnecheck of Pensacola, Fla., Olivia Boggs of Navarre, Fla., and Esther Crumpton of Clarksdale, Miss.; son, Roy Stovall of Princeton, N.J.; mother, Willie Fletcher Stovall of Troy, Ala.; and eight grandchildren in Florida and Mississippi. His living brothers and sister are Fletcher Stovall of St. Louis, Peter Stovall of Mountain Home, Ark., and Christine Green of Troy, Ala.
A family service was held in Destin.
Maude Reed Perkins
Maude R. "Mickie" Perkins of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Sunday, Feb. 14, 1999, in a local hospital.
Mickie was born in Floyd County, Va., on April 15, 1925, to Cora May Sumner and Uriah Quentin Reed. Mickie was a beloved wife, loving mother and doting grandmother. After a life as an Air Force spouse that saw her call Alabama, Alaska, Tennessee, Virginia and Germany home, she settled in Fort Walton Beach in 1965.
Survivors include her daughter, Cynthia King; son-in-law, Charles; and grandchildren, Brittany, Brandt and Trevor of Arlington, Texas; sister, Dene Reed of Arlington, Va.; nephew, Gary Moss and wife Barbara of the Washington, D.C., area; nephews, Larry and Donald Reed, all of Virginia; uncle, Edmond Sumner of Virginia; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Betty Perkins of Dyersburg, Tenn.; sisters-ion-law, Charlene Avery of Alamo, Tenn., and Christine Perkins of Adamsville, Tenn.
Mickie was preceded in death by her husband, Lytle R. Perkins, in October 1998; brothers, Seth and James V. Reed; and a grandson, Brett Austin King.
Funeral services will be conducted at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel on Friday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m. with Chaplain Benjamin Tandy officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the mortuary.
Mickie loved and was loved and will be missed dearly.
"The years have changed us - but brought us closer. Mother and daughter friends for eternity."
If desired, donations may be made to the Better Breathers Association of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in care of American Home Patient.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
George C. Chestnut
George C. "Shorty" Chestnut, age 69, of Holt, Fla., passed away at his home Monday, Feb. 15, 1999.
He was a lifelong resident of Okaloosa County, Fla., and owner/operator of Shorty's Trim Shop in Crestview, Fla.
Shorty was preceded in death by his wife, Joy Ann Chestnut, on Aug. 27, 1998.
Survivors include his sons, Rex Chestnut, Rick L. Morgan, both of Holt, Randal and Cheryl Morgan of Baker, Fla., and Ronald W. and Becky Morgan of Hueytown, Ala.; brothers, Jim Chestnut of Holt and Billy Chestnut of Crestview; sister, Edwina Baggett of Crestview; and nine grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at Whitehurst Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Larry Batson and Carson Judah officiating. Burial will follow in Old Bethel Cemetery.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Alzie L. Gibson
Alzie L. "Gip" Gibson, age 85, of Baker, Fla., passed away Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 17, 1999, in a local hospital.
He was a native of Falco, Ala., and had lived in Okaloosa County, Fla., since 1940. Mr. Gibson was a retired farmer and a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lucille Gibson of Baker; daughter and her husband, Wyndola and Charles Griffith of Holt, Fla.; sons and their wives, Al and Marilyn Gibson of Baker, and Dale and Peggy Gibson of Pensacola, Fla.; brothers, Willie Lee Gibson and Frank L. Gibson; and grandchildren, Dale Margaret Gibson, Randolph Lee Gibson,, Vicki, Larry, Jimmy, Bryan, Sandy, Jenny and Elaine.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church with the Rev. Don Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Pilgrim Rest Cemetery. Mr. Gibson will be placed in the church one hour prior to services.
Brackney Funeral Service, 480 E. James lee Blvd., Crestview, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Sarah Blue Barbe
Sarah Blue "Sally" Barbe, age 40, passed away in the early hours of Feb. 16, 1999.
She was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, fianc�e and friend. Everyone who knew her loved her and she never met a stranger.
Sally is survived by her daughter, Amber Woodham; her father, Alfred D. Blue; sisters, Patricia Williams and husband Ross Williams, Laura Blue, Jackie Blue; brother, Alfred D. Blue Jr.; her beloved fiance, Saverio "Chuck" Perotto; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sally was preceded in death by her loving mother, Wayne B. Blue, whom she has now joined.
She will be cremated and her cremains will be scattered to be with her mother's in a private family service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to a charity of your choice.
Katherine Praisnar Babineau
Katherine Praisnar Babineau went into the hands of the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 18, 1999, just 20 days short of her 89th birthday. She was preceded by her loving husband, Alphee Joseph Babineau by 36 years. She leaves behind her three sons, Alton, Alfred and Alphee Babineau; her daughter-in-law, Mary; six grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
Katherine was a 25-year resident of Valparaiso, Fla. Here, she enjoyed her home, gardening and sailing. Katherine had previously lived in Hartford, Conn. for more than 40 years. She was born and educated in New Bedford, Mass., where she leaves behind many friends, cousins and other relatives.
A memorial mass will be held at Eglin Air Force Base Chapel One on March 6, 1999 at noon.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society, 4 Jackson St. NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
James Edward Guinn
James Edward Guinn, age 55, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Saturday, Feb. 20, 1999, in a local hospital.
Mr. Guinn was born on March 15, 1943, to Gaines Franklin and Margaret Christine Oakes Guinn in Knoxville, Tenn.
He moved to this area 24 years ago from Miami, Fla., and was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman. He was known for his fun-loving nature and his wonderful sense of humor.
Survivors include his loving wife, Jean Guinn, of Crestview, Fla.; children, Nancy and George Stewart, of Panama City, Fla., Rob and Wendy Finley, of Crestview, Fla., Denise and Curtis Wells, of Franklinton, La., Lynn and John Davis of Destin, Fla.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Harry and Sandy Guinn, of Mossy Head, Fla., Frank and Irene Guinn, of Knoxville, Tenn.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jo and Buddy Thompson, and Virginia and Clyde Stephens, all of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; and seven grandchildren.
Memorial services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999, at McLaughlin Mortuary with Robert Finley Jr. officiating.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with the arrangements.
Lillian Irene Fillingim
Mrs. Lillian Irene Fillingim, age 92, of Fort Walton Beach, passed away Friday, Feb. 19, 1999, in a local hospital. Mrs. Fillingim was born Oct. 18, 1906, in Laurel Hill, Fla., to the late Beecher and Lydia Weeks. She has been a longtime resident of Fort Walton Beach, moving here from Pensacola, Fla. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and a past president of the Women's Auxiliary for the Pensacola Fire Department. She enjoyed raising her large family.
Mrs. Fillingim is preceded in death by her husband Joseph Lawrence Fillingim and many of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Godfrey and her husband, Chester, of Fort Walton Beach; six grandchildren, Christopher Carnes Sr., and wife, Janet; Kelly Riddle and husband, Joe; Alisha Carnes; Jonathan Carnes; Jason Godfrey; and Britni Godfrey, all of Fort Walton Beach; six great-grandchildren, Ashley Fillingim, Christian Fillingim, Joseph Riddle, Christopher Carnes Jr., Beecher Riddle and Katelyn Carnes, all of Fort Walton Beach; two nephews, Joseph Weeks and wife, Roxanna, and Brian Weeks and wife, Candy, all of Fort Walton Beach; niece, Colinda Weeks, of Fort Walton Beach; two great-great-nieces, Shelby Lynn and Dakota Irene, both of Fort Walton Beach; four brothers, Roy A. Weeks, Arnold Weeks, both of Gulf Breeze, Fla., Orville Weeks, of Fort Walton Beach, and M.L. Weeks, of Panama City, Fla.; and two sisters, Gladys Mitchell, of Fort Walton Beach, and Mavis Wilson, of Melborne, Fla.
Funeral services for Mrs. Fillingim will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Garrett officiating. Interment will follow in Wright Community Cemetery. Asked to serve as pallbearers are: Joseph Weeks, Brian Weeks, Gary Rich, Warren Weeks, Randy Taylor, and Jeff Brown. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, with a Rosary Service at 6 p.m.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., 32547, is in charge of the arrangements.
Anna Carson
Anna Carson, age 93, of Crestview, Fla., died Saturday, Feb. 20, 1999, in a local nursing facility.
She was born in Jay, Fla., and was a resident of the Crestview area since 1989. She was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Crestview.
Survivors include her son, Bruce Carson of Crestview; brother, Rufus Daugett of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; nephew, Carlton Daugett of Holt, Fla.; aunt, Grace Mason of Crestview; cousins, Dottie Harden of Pensacola, Fla., Claudine Williams of Tallahassee, Fla.; and grandchildren, Lisa Milligan, Greg Milligan, Linda Milligan, Heather Milligan, James Carson, Susan Gamble and Debra Hubert.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, with a U.S. Naval chaplain officiating.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
