Barbara Miriam Ferguson
In the early morning of Feb. 19, 1999, my mother, Barbara Miriam Ferguson, age 79, quietly passed away due to complications from pneumonia. She was a longtime resident of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., before moving to Niceville, Fla., in 1996.
It is the most humbling experience I know to bear witness to my mother's passing. Her hand was still warm from the long hours I held it at her bedside in Twin Cities Hospital. The medical staff was very gracious to let me sit with her through those long troubling nights as her condition worsened.
I reflect back not so much on her accomplishments but on the enduring love she gave me. Her once indomitable will has now given into a greater will. She said that when she died she wanted to be a grain of sand on Rosario Beach, which she remembered so fondly from her childhood excursions to Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, near Seattle.
My mother was born in Juneau, Alaska, on Dec. 26, 1919. She essentially grew up in Seattle during the depression years in a very loving family. Her parents, James and Garnet Lahr, typified the resilient spirit we honor today from that time.
In 1952 she traveled to Angola, in southern Africa, as part of the U.S. Foreign Service, where she met my father, Louis Wright Ferguson, an exploration geologist. They later married on June 14, 1956. My parents had 37 wonderful years of marriage before my father passed away in 1993.
During the first third of their marriage they traveled extensively. A rich collection of faded color slides and photographs bear witness to their journeys in southern Africa, South America and the Caribbean. For six years I was part of these travels until we settled in Dune-Allen Beach, Fla., in 1967.
It seems as though our lives had come to a standstill in what was then a small retirement community. For several years my parents managed Clayton's restaurant. My father extolled the virtues of cold tar roofs with aluminum painted surfaces to mostly deaf ears before turning to real estate sales. Both were instrumental in the formation of the Santa Rosa Golf and Beach Club. We were active members of the Santa Rosa Beach Community Church. My mother, along with a relative handful of other mothers, valiantly struggled to keep Bay Elementary School open when at most there were 30 children in grades 1-6. Because of my mother's quiet determination she was president of this small PTA.
Most of all, my mother enjoyed the warm beaches and soft winds of the Gulf of Mexico. I envied her long walks and treasure trove of sea shells she amassed. Once, she said, a dolphin came so close to shore that when it raised its head out of the water to look at her she could see its smile and she smiled back. It is this profound sense of solitude that is the most compelling aspect of my mother.
She will be remembered for her rich intellect, sharp wit, wonderful compassion and most of all her enduring love.
You may pay your respects to this lovely woman at the Santa Rosa Beach Community Church, corner of Church Street and Highway 98, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28. The pastor, Robert E. Hendricks, will preside. A special remembrance will follow at Beach Highlands Dune Walkover at Stallworth's Lake on Scenic 30-A in Santa Rosa Beach.
If you wish to pay tribute to Barbara Ferguson, please do so in the form of contributions to Caring and Sharing of South Walton or any other charitable organization.
She is survived by her son, James Norman Ferguson, and many others who were deeply touched by her gracious presence.
Pat Arnold
Pat Arnold, age 58, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Tuesday morning, February 23, in a local hospital. She was a native of Middletown, Ohio, and had moved to Crestview in 1979 from Centerville, Tenn. Mrs. Arnold was employed by Holiday Inn in Crestview as a waitress and was Baptist by faith.
Survivors include her husband Bill Arnold of Crestview; son Daniel N. Arnold of Lynnville, Tenn.; two daughters, Yvonne J. White and husband Wayne of Crestview and JoAnne M. Odom of Pensacola, Fla.; one brother, Darryl O'Malley of Crestview; seven grandchildren, Lori A., Daniel R., and Dustin L. Wesson, Adam B. and Jeremy Odom, and Blake and Bradley Arnold; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, from the Chapel of Brackney Funeral Service with the Rev. Donnie Cadenhead officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Bethel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Brackney Funeral Service, 480 East James Lee Blvd., Crestview, is in charge of the arrangements.
Jeanette Griswold
Jeanette Griswold, age 78, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., passed away Tuesday night, February 23. Mrs. Griswold was a native of Holmes County, Fla., and had lived in DeFuniak Springs most of her life. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of DeFuniak Springs.
Mrs. Griswold was preceded in death by her husband Lyle Griswold
Survivors include two sons, Thomas W. Hutchinson of Coden, Ala. and Arnold Glen Hutchinson, Jr. of New Hampshire; one brother, Harvey Mitchell of DeFuniak Springs; one sister Mildred Brown of DeFuniak Springs; numerous nieces and nephews including Charles and Lorraine Blankenship of DeFuniak Springs, and three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, from the First United Methodist Church of DeFuniak Springs with the Rev. Bobby Ellisor officiating. Burial will follow in the Magnolia Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Brackney Funeral Service, 480 East James Lee Blvd., Crestview, Fla., is in charge of the arrangements.
Emiliana Caranto
Emiliana Aquino Sison Caranto, age 80, a resident of Crestview, Fla., passed away Wednesday morning, Feb. 17, 1999. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Geronimo Caranto, in 1986, and had lived in Crestview for the past ten years. She was born on May 27, 1919, in Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines.
She had 11 children. She is survived by daughters Purita C. Daluz and husband Antonio and family, Carmen Bewley and husband David, Rosalinda Allan of The International Market in Crestview and family, Mercedes Ward and husband Dennis and family, Virginia Caranto and family, all of Crestview; her son Rudolfo Caranto, Saudi Arabia; daughter Julieta Romero and family, Philippines; many nieces and nephews, and 21 grandchildren.
The family will greet all of her friends at the McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral home in Crestview on Friday evening, February 26, between 5:30 and 8 p.m. with a service on Saturday, February 27, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Crestview at 10 a.m., followed by internment at Liveoak Park Cemetery in Crestview. Following the internment, there will be a lunch at Our Lady of Victory Church Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in memory of Mrs. Caranto.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sam Alford Jr.
Sam Alford Jr., 48, of Deltona, Fla., passed away Feb. 20, 1999. A native of Crestview, Fla., he later resided in Niceville and attended Niceville High School before joining the Army and serving in Vietnam.
He is preceded in death by his father Sam Alford Sr., and two sisters Blendia Kay and Beverly Ann Alford.
Mr. Alford is survived by his loving wife Mary Alford of Deltona; mother and stepfather Juanita and Gene Little of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; one daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Todd Barbe of Crestview, Fla.; stepdaughter Rebecca Whitesell of Pa.; step-son Joseph Whitesell of Deltona; one granddaughter Colbie of Pa.; two sisters and brothers-in-law Frances and Cliff Perry of Pensacola, Fla., Barbara and Jack Gray of Mossy Head, Fla.; and his best friend Roy of Deltona. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends.
Mr. Alford will be cremated and a memorial service will be held on March 14 in Deltona.
The family will be receiving friends at the home of his mother Juanita Little, 35 Pitts Drive, DeFuniak Springs, Saturday Feb. 27 between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. All flowers and cards will be accepted at this address. Directions are as follows: North on 331, turn left on Douglas Drive, then right to Pitts Drive. Call 892-4451 for directions.
Sam will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
Chandler "Colorado" Isaac Canterbury
Mr. Chandler "Colorado" Isaac Canterbury, age 23, of Fort Walton Beach passed away Sunday, February 21, 1999. Mr. Canterbury was born Feb. 11, 1976, in Beckley, W. Va., to Edward E. and Gina R. Canterbury. He moved to Fort Walton Beach about four years ago from Colorado Springs, Colo., and was employed by Andron Constsruction Company out of Colorado Springs.
"Colorado" is survived by his wife, Heather D. Canterbury, of Fort Walton Beach; two sons James Dalton Canterbury and Nathaniel Cole Canterbury, both of Fort Walton Beach; father Edward E. Canterbury Jr. of Oklahoma City, Okla.; mother and stepfather Gina and James Stilwell of Colorado Springs; maternal grandmother Joan Osborn of Lansing, W. Va.; paternal grandmother and step-grandfather Bethel and Jerry Hamrick of Dixie, W. Va.; sisters Jessica Canterbury of Camp Cascy, Korea, and Nicola A. Canterbury of Milden Hall, England; and many extended family and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Canterbury will be conducted at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999, in the Emerald Coast Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. James G. Cole officiating. Interment will follow later this weekend in McKinney Cemetery in Victor, W. Va.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 West College Blvd., Suite B, Niceville, Fla. 32578 in memory of Mr. Chandler Canterbury.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32547 is in charge of the arrangements.
Mary Sanborn
Mrs. Mary Sanborn, age 85, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, in a local nursing home. Mrs. Sanborn was born Apr. 8, 1912, in Boston, Mass., to the late Benjamin and Rose Iroff. She was a secretary with GTE for forty years.
Mrs. Sanborn is survived by her son Richard Sanborn of Los Altos, Calif.; son, Herbert Sanborn of Sudfury, Mass.; daughter, Judith Williams of Shalimar; daughter Barbara Pezzlo of Framington, Mass.; sister Bessie Kusharsky of Pembrook Pines, Fla.; and nine grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Sanborn will be 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 26, 1999, in the Emerald Coast Funeral Home chapel with Rabbi Mitchell Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Temple Beth Shalom in memory of Mrs. Mary Sanborn.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32547 is in charge of the arrangements.
George Emanuel Rodrique
Sgt. George E. Rodrique, age 81, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away at his home. Sgt. Rodrique was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Feb. 9, 1917, to the late George and Frances Rodrique. He moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and retired from the U.S. Air Force after thirty-two years of service. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars all of New York City.
Survivors include a sister Anita Alimossy of Staten Island, N.Y.; five nephews John Alimossy and William Alimossy of Staten Island, Craig Rodrique, Claude Rodrique and Christopher Rodrique all of Coral Gables, Fla.; close friends of 43 years Bill and Chiyoko Zuppa of Fort Walton Beach.
Burial will be in Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, donations are to be made to the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 72, 716 Edge Street, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32547.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32547.
Dr. K. Douglas Bowers Jr.
Dr. Karl Douglas Bowers Jr., age 64, of Morgantown, W.Va., died Feb. 19, 1999, at his home.
He was born on Dec. 9, 1934, in Beckley, son of Lucy Ragland Bowers, of Daniels, W.Va., and the late Karl Douglas Bowers Sr.
He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Morgantown. He developed a national reputation as a pioneer in the field of sports medicine during his tenure as a team physician at WVU, a responsibility he held for 30 years until he retired in 1997. He attended WVU and was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He graduated in 1959 from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University of Philadelphia. He was the first resident to complete the orthopedic training program at WVU Hospital.
He was in private practice in Morgantown for 31 years, and was a partner with Morgantown Orthopedic Associates. He also served as a clinical associate professor of orthopedics in the WVU School of Medicine.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Sue Truman Bowers; three sons and spouses, Dr. K. Douglas III and Phyllis Bowers of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Paul Alfred and Mary Kay Bowers of Lawrenceville, Ga., and John Rush and Terri Bowers of Park City, Utah; daughter and spouse, Anne Cameron and Robert Bittinger of Morgantown; six grandchildren, Rebecca, Katie, Paul, Carson and Allison Bowers and Jessica Bittinger; and sisters, Mrs. R.G. (Lucy Sue) Wilson of Daniels, Mrs. R.K. (Nancy) Davis of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Mrs. R.M. (Phillis) Workman of Forest, Va.
Friends may call at Hastings Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, and at Trinity Episcopal Church in Morgantown from 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, until the 11 a.m. memorial service with the Rev. Kirk B. Haas officiating.
Cremation service will be provided by Hastings Funeral Home.
Donations may be made to: The Dr. K. Douglas Bowers Jr. Football Scholarship Fund, WVU Athletic Endowment Fund, c/o the WVU Foundation Inc., 3168 Collins Ferry Road, Morgantown, WV 26504, or to Trinity Episcopal Church Organ Fund, 247 Willey St., Morgantown, WV 26505.
Dorothy Frey Begor
Dorothy Elizabeth Frey Begor of Destin, Fla., died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999, after several years of suffering with cancer.
Mrs. Begor was born in Baltimore, where she attended Catholic schools. In her early career with the federal government in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Begor worked with and for several individuals who became leaders of our country.
Mrs. Begor retired from the State Department in 1980. She served our country overseas in Australia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Congo and Taiwan. She also served in Saigon, Vietnam, for several years during the Vietnam War.
Mrs. Begor's husband, Roland, preceded her in death by two days. Her survivors include her beloved niece and godchild, Theresa G. Giardina of Baltimore; two sisters, also in Baltimore; and several grandchildren in Virginia and Delaware.
A memorial Mass was held on Feb. 19, at Corpus Christi Church in Destin.
Memorial donations may be made to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Corpus Christi Church, 307 Beach Drive, Destin, FL 32541.
Roland D. Begor
Lt. Col. Roland D. Begor, U.S. Air Force retired, of Destin, Fla., died Feb. 15, 1999, after an extensive illness.
Col. Begor was born in Hampton, Va., on July 23, 1922, and had lived in the local area since 1980. After retirement from the U.S. Air Force he lived abroad with his wife, Dorothy, who worked for the State Department. Mrs. Begor died two days after her husband.
Col. Begor was a graduate of schools in Hampton. He graduated from Otterbein College in Ohio and completed graduate studies at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Col. Begor also attended the Air Force Command and Staff College and other Air Force training programs. He was a fighter pilot during World War II and later served in Air Force intelligence and psychological warfare programs.
He is survived by two sons and one daughter, Roland D. Begor Jr., and his wife Gloria of Stevensville, Mich., Robert S. Begor and his wife Susan of Seaford, Dela., and Julia Hubbard and husband Larry of Lynchburg, Va. He is also survived by his sister, Alma Lee Jordan and husband E.M. of Hampton, Va.; and numerous grandchildren. The mother of his children is Mary Raney Begor.
A memorial Mass was held on Feb. 19 at Corpus Christi Church in Destin.
Memorial donations may be made to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Corpus Christi Church, 307 Beach Drive, Destin, FL 32541.
Helen Gray DeLoach
Helen Gray DeLoach went into the hands of the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 14, 1999, exactly two months after her 92nd birthday.
Mrs. DeLoach was born on Dec. 14, 1906, in Minden, La., to Edward Silverberg Gray and Ida Bassett Gray. Mrs. DeLoach grew up in New Orleans, lived most of her life in Monroe, La., and later moved to High Point, N.C., Columbus, Ga., and eventually settled in Destin, Fla.
She spent the last two years and seven months of her life on earth at Delta Health Care in Destin, where she was deeply admired by other residents and staff alike, all who will miss her dearly. Everyone was always amazed by her sound mind, even in the later years of life.
Mrs. DeLoach is survived by three children and their spouses, Burt DeLoach and wife Frances of New Orleans, Herman DeLoach and wife Loraine of High Point, and Leone D. Moore and husband Frank of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. She is also survived by a sister, Ruth Hortman of El Dorado, Ariz.; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Leone Moore, her loving daughter, was deeply devoted to her mother and spent exceptional quality time with her mother. Numerous people commented that Mrs. DeLoach had a better quality of life than anyone they had seen in Delta Health Care because of the love and support of her family. Mrs. DeLoach will always be remembered by her family and friends for her wonderful ability to sew and create beautiful things with her hands.
She left behind many treasures that will remind her family and friends that she will always be with them. Her loving heart and sense of humor were gifts that helped her family through many times. She was always ready to listen.
Mrs. DeLoach requested that she be cremated and her ashes spread on her parents' grave in New Orleans. Her wish will be granted on Feb. 27.
She left behind in her important papers a copy of "How Great Thou Art" with a request that it be sung when her family gathers to say their goodbyes. Her great-granddaughter, Nichole D. Boyer, will have the honor of singing her song.
Mrs. DeLoach will never be forgotten.
Joaquin M. Aldrete
Joaquin M. Aldrete, age 85, of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., died Saturday, Feb. 20, 1999, leaving behind all who loved him.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Carmen Aldrete, in October of last year.
Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, J. Antonio Aldrete M.D., and Valentina, Joaquin S. Aldrete M.D., and Melinda; his granddaughters, Anna Beerens Aldrete and Laura Plakorus Aldrete; his grandsons, Andres Aldrete M.D., Jorge Aldrete M.D., and Gregory Aldrete Ph.D.; and great-grandchildren, Sol Del Mar, Manuel, Jorge, Winona, Olimpia and Aracelia.
Private memorial services will be held at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Santa Rosa Beach.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, Fla., is entrusted with arrangements.
