U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Mary Frances Cox
Mary Frances Cox, age 83, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Wednesday morning, April 7, 1999, in a local nursing home.
Mrs. Cox was born on April 13, 1915, in Denton, N.C., to the late W. Jones and Effie Dare Snider. She moved from Charlotte, N.C., to Destin in 1989. She was a bookkeeper with the Tate Brown Co., and a member of Destin United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Cox was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Dewey Cox; and brother, Scott Snider. She is survived by her daughter, Liz Cox of Destin, Fla.; son, Barry Cox and wife Joyce of Jacksonville, Ala.; grandson, Adrian Cox of Jacksonville; sister, Lois Floyd of Denton; sister, Polly Hanson of Asheboro, N.C.; sister, Hilda Younts of Lexington, N.C.; sister, Sallie Sexton of Denton; sister, Ella Mae Beck of Lexington; brother, Velton Snider of Denton; brother, Harold Snider of Liberty, N.C.; and brother, Dawson Snider of Denton.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, April 9, at Destin United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service.
Following the service, Mrs. Cox will be taken to Charlotte for a service at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at McEwen Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery West.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation; or to Destin United Methodist Church, in memory if Mrs. Mary Frances Cox.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
David V. Nunn
David V. Nunn, age 33, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in a local hospital on April 5, 1999, after a brief illness.
He was born on Sept. 13, 1965, at March Air Force Base, Calif., to Charles B. and Laufey O. Nunn and moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1970. He was a graduate of the Bay Area Vocational Technical School with a degree in industrial electronics, and a student at Troy State University, Fort Walton Beach campus.
Mr. Nunn was preceded in death by his father, Charles B. Nunn in 1976; and is survived by his mother, Laufey Nunn of Fort Walton Beach; brother, Alan K. Nunn of Orlando, Fla.; sister, Linda C. Nunn of Fort Walton Beach; special nephew, Jonathan Ficarra of Fort Walton Beach; and nephews, Joshua Huels and Jeremy Huels, both of Fort Walton Beach.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, April 9, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Frederick W. Reinke officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until service time on Friday.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Dallas W. Kennington
Dallas W. "Duck" Kennington of Red Bay, Fla., peacefully departed this earth the morning of Wednesday, April 7, 1999.
He was born on May 5, 1926, in Palmetto, Fla., and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, World War II. He was a former dairy/rancher; an employee of St. Regis Timber Co.; and most recently developed and sold real estate. Duck was an avid fisherman and enjoyed golf. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Duck was preceded in death by his father and mother, James Patrick and Sarah Kennington; older brothers, Cameron R. and James R. "Dick" Kennington. He is survived by his sisters, Carmen Davis of Chattahoochee, Fla., and Betty Stafford of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, April 9, at Clary-Godwin Chapel with the Rev. Mike McVay officiating. Burial will follow in Red Bay Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home chapel.
Pallbearers will be Carl Hardin III, Kurt Lischka, Dave Eby, Don Easley, Jim Coley and Don Zeanchock.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Laird, B.F. Faulkner, Bud Lindsey, Drew Morris, Bob Boudreux, Ingram McDonald, Gene Florence, Zeke Carter and W.L. Barrett Jr.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Myrtle Pryor
Myrtle Pryor, age 80, passed away Tuesday, April 6, 1999, in a DeFuniak Springs, Fla., health care facility.
A native of Walton County, Fla., she was the daughter of the late Frank and Lena Johnson Alford. She was a homemaker and the widow of Willard Pryor, who passed away in 1985. She was a member of Limestone Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughters, Betty Graham of Norton, Mass., and JoAnn Mathews of Darlington, Fla.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, April 9, in Limestone Baptist Church with Phil McMillian officiating. Interment will follow in Limestone Cemetery.
Friends may call at the church from 5 p.m. Thursday until funeral time on Friday.
Evans Funeral Home, Florala, Ala., is in charge of arrangements.
Marion Davis Thompson
On Feb. 2, 1936, to Tom and Mary Frances Thompson, a son was born and they named him Marion Davis. At an early age, Dave joined the Mountainview Baptist Church. He departed this life on April 4, 1999, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
He leaves to cherish his memory his very loving and devoted sisters, Peggy L. Shepherd of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Louise McCray of Dothan, Ala., and Mattie B. Blue of Birmingham, Ala.; brother, Jack Thompson of Birmingham; a very loving and devoted nephew, Steve D. Shepherd (Bobbie) of Fort Walton Beach; brothers-in-law, Arthur L. Shepherd of Fort Walton Beach, and James Young of Columbia, Ala.; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who all loved him dearly.
A memorial service will be conducted from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave. S.E., Fort Walton Beach. All friends of Dave are invited to attend.
Richard David James Jr.
Richard David James Jr., age 64, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Wednesday, April 7, 1999, in a local nursing home after a battle with lung cancer.
Mr. James was born on Dec. 7, 1934, in Harrisburg, Pa., to the late Richard David James Sr. and Martha Elizabeth James. He moved to this area in 1962 from Scranton, Pa., and was employed in civil service as a weapons tester at Site C-6 in Freeport, Fla.
He was an avid dancer, fisherman and hunter.
Mr. James is survived by his son, Robert Charles James and wife Debra of Austin, Texas; son, Brian Lee James and wife Jan of Rapid City, S.D.; mother, Martha James; sister, Dianne Linko of Long Beach, Calif.; grandchildren, Alexandria, Corey and Christopher; stepgrandchildren, Shanna and Brody; and by beloved companion of 13 years, Carol Sorrendino of Niceville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 490 Highway 85 north, Suite C, Niceville, FL 32578, in memory of Mr. Richard James Jr.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
W. Ray Touchstone Jr.
W. Ray Touchstone Jr., age 52, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Friday evening, April 9, 1999 in the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. Mr. Touchstone was a local, practicing attorney and had bee a resident of this area for the past 39 years. He was a 1964 graduate of Choctawhatchee Senior High School in Fort Walton Beach and earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He earned his law degree from Florida State University Law School. Mr. Touchstone was a member of the St. Simon's Episcopal Church in Fort Walton Beach, a member of the Omega Masonic Lodge 380 in Fort Walton Beach and was a member and trustee of the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #1795 in Fort Walton Beach.
Survivors include his mother, Shirley Touchstone of Pensacola; his wife, Suzanne Touchstone; his son, Taylor Touchstone; and his daughter, Jayne Touchstone, all of Fort Walton Beach.
The family will receive friends at the McLaughlin Mortuary in Fort Walton Beach on Monday, April 12, 1999 from 6 to 8 p.m.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Simons on the Sound Episcopal Church in Fort Walton Beach on Tuesday, April 13, 1999 at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Jim Spencer officiating.
Interment in the columbarium of St. Simon's Episcopal Church will take place a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of St. Simon's Episcopal Church; 28 Miracle Strip Parkway; Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with arrangements.
Sheila Dianne Stepp
Ms. Sheila Dianne Stepp, 42, of Holley, died Saturday evening April 10,1999 at her home after a lengthy illness.
Ms. Stepp was born in Big Spring Texas, and had resided in Northwest Florida area for most of her life.
Ms. Stepp loved music dearly and was a wonderful, accomplished pianist. She played piano in many churches during her life, having started playing for a church in Columbus, Miss., at the young age of 13. She played piano for the Florosa Baptist Church for 20 years.
Ms. Stepp helped start and work in many church libraries with her mother, Ruth. She attended college at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. She was a member of the Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton.
She is survived by her mother and father, Ruth and Jack Stepp of Holley; brother and sister in law, Jackie Darrell and Bev Stepp of Lynn Haven, Fla.; two nieces and one nephew whom she loved dearly, Jennifer Danielle Stepp, Allison Marle Stepp, and Travis Scott Stepp; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Funeral Services for Ms. Stepp will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 1999, at the Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton with Rev. Carl Gallups, pastor, officiating.
Burial will follow in the Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton with Lewis Funeral Home of Milton directing.
The family will receive friends at the Lewis Funeral Home in Milton from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday April 12, 1999.
Active pallbearers will be deacons from Hickory Hammock Baptist Church.
Zoie B. Campbell
Zoie. B. Campbell of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., peacefully departed this earth the evening of Thursday, April 8, 1999.
Zoie was born in Effingham, S.C., to Eugene Austin Gardner and Myrtie E. "Tanner" Gardner. She made Fort Walton Beach her home since 1968. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach.
Zoie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all who knew her.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Gary Campbell; son, Eugene F. Campbell; daughter and son-in-law, Angela K. and Chip Kooser and grandchild, Kaleigh C. Kooser, all of Fort Walton Beach; brother, Eugene Austin Gardner II of Mechanicsville, S.C.; sister, Mary Nell "Gardner" Copeland of Greenville, S.C.
Zoie Campbell is best remembered for her talent as an artist, a teacher, founder of the Fort Walton Beach Art Museum, and creator of the Fort Walton Beach Seafood Festival. Her paintings and sculptures reflect the south in which she was raised. Her works of art have been coveted by collectors nationally and internationally for their spontaneity, honesty and truth. In 1994, her affectionate and humanistic sculptures were exhibited at the Montserrat Gallery in New York.
She is listed in the Who's Who in Florida, Artists of Florida, and was a charter member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. She was dedicated to promoting the arts for future artists and was known and respected for her ability to encourage others to follow their dreams. The Fort Walton Beach Art Museum, a non-profit organization, was chartered with the State of Florida on Oct. 9, 1981. The Art Museum is devoted to collecting works of art, as well as having monthly shows supporting both local and out of area artists.
Former Mayor John Shortall recognized Zoie's efforts on behalf of the arts in the community when he said, "Flying in the face of many obstacles, you persevered in your dream to establish such a museum. I wish to commend you and extend our appreciation for a job well done and for a lasting contribution to the betterment of the community."
Anyone who ever met Zoie knew that her love for the arts was her life. Her endless perseverance for the protection of the arts, her kind and encouraging words of support to all, will surely be missed. Although the essence of Zoie and what she represented will never be forgotten.
A graveside service will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Lake City, S.C., at the Lake City Memorial Cemetery with Brockington Mortuary entrusted with the arrangements.
A candlelight memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 15, at the Fort Walton Beach Art Museum, in celebration of Zoie's life.
In honor of Zoie Campbell, the Fort Walton Beach Seafood Festival will be dedicated to her memory.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fort Walton Beach Art Museum, P.O. Box 4081, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of local arrangements.
Vernon H. Miles
Vernon H. Miles of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died peacefully on April 10, 1999.
Vernon was born in Kerens, Texas, on April 30, 1925, to Vernon C. Miles and Florence Lively Miles. He graduated from Waco High School and volunteered for the U.S. Navy during World War II serving three years.
He graduated from the University of Texas in 1951 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. Later, he earned a M.S. degree in systems management from Florida Institute of Technology. He was employed as a field engineer with Sperry Rand Corp. for 12 years, and then joined RCA as a project engineer, working with the ARIS ships instrumentation systems. Subsequently, he worked for Boeing at the Kennedy Space Center, involved in the electrical networks required to load liquid oxygen in missile launch vehicles.
After moving to Northwest Florida he worked with various corporations, including Potomac Research, Bell Technical Operations, Dynetics, General Research Corp. and Setac Inc. When he retired in 1990, he was working for Vitro Corp. Since retiring, he invented and patented an after-market product for motorcycles and was involved in its manufacture and marketing.
Vernon enjoyed any activities associated with engines - whether on cars, airplanes, boats or motorcycles. He was never happier than when he was tinkering in his garage. He and his wife enjoyed traveling in every state, Mexico and Canada - usually on his motorcycle. He was a member of Shalimar United Methodist Church, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Goldwing Road Riders Association.
Vernon is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Carolyn Davis; daughter, Laura of San Francisco; son, Douglas and daughter-in-law, Joni Roberts of Duluth, Ga.; granddaughters, Maria, Victoria, Ashley and Christina; brothers, Albert Thomas Miles of Alvin, Texas, and Wayne Eric Miles of Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army; or to Shalimar United Methodist Church Building Fund.
Vernon's life will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 14, with greetings at 10 a.m. and a service at 11 a.m. in McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
