Robert E. Mauldin
Robert E. "Bob" Mauldin, age 62, of Mary Esther, Fla., passed away Friday, April 9, 1999, in a local health care facility.
He was born on March 25, 1937, in Panama City, Fla., and moved to this area in 1951 from there. He was Baptist by faith. Mr. Mauldin was active in his community, serving on the Volunteer Fire Department for Mary Esther. He loved and enjoyed the out of doors. He was employed as a federal police officer with civil service at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., until his injury while in the line of duty in 1985, leaving him a quadriplegic.
Survivors include his son, Ronald, and daughter-in-law Darlene Mauldin of Houston; brother, Ewell M. and wife Mary Mauldin of Panama City; nieces, Faith Mauldin and her daughter Brittany, and Hope Mauldin.
The family will receive friends at Little Chapel Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 14, at the funeral home with the Rev. James Harrison officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Panama City at 2:30 p.m.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Earnestine Banks
Earnestine "Stine" Banks, age 36, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away early Saturday morning, April 10, 1999.
She was born on Nov. 26, 1962, and was a graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School and worked locally as a certified nursing assistant at Emerald Coast Nursing Home.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Banks; parents, Richard and Frances Hawthorne; daughters, Monique Lee and Zatese Banks; sisters, Angela "Kim" McKinnie (Albert) of Chipley, Fla., Sharon Bush (Jackie) of Grand Forks, N.D., and Arzella Hawthorne of Bainbridge, Ga.; and brother, Christopher Graham of Fort Walton Beach.
There will be a memorial service for her family on Wednesday, April 14, at 2 p.m. at First Community Baptist Church, 605 Lovejoy Road, Fort Walton Beach.
Marjorie L. Hunt
Marjorie L. Hunt, age 85, passed away Sunday, April 11, 1999, at home in the New Harmony community, Fla.
Mrs. Hunt was a lifelong resident of the New Harmony community and the last surviving charter member of New Harmony Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Willie Fred Hunt. Survivors include her sons, Willie Fred "Buddy" Hunt Jr. and wife Ann of New Harmony, Edwin Jack Hunt and wife Annis of New Harmony; daughters, Mildred Hunt, Erin "Sally" Scofield and husband Foy "Johnny" Scofield, all of New Harmony; sisters, Sarah MacDonald and Elizabeth Elleman of Gainesville, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at New Harmony Baptist Church with the Revs. Jimmy McNeal, Kenneth Kicklighter and Ed Anthony officiating. Burial will follow in New Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Wilbur Hunt, Joel Hunt, Larry Hunt, Virgil Hunt, Lynwood Hunt and Lance Hammac. Honorary pallbearers are Coy Yates, James Cecil Hall, Edwin Thorn, Louis Thorn, Walton Bell, Rob Neal and Gordon Gregory.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Jo Smith
Betty Jo Smith, age 69, of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., died Saturday morning, April 10, 1999, in a local nursing facility.
She was born in Long Beach, Calif., and moved to this area in 1970. She was a homemaker and a Roman Catholic by faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Howard M. Smith in 1972.
Survivors include her sons, Martin Howard Smith of Destin, Fla., and David Leroy Smith of Santa Rosa Beach; daughter, Terri Smith Rowlett of Santa Rosa Beach; sister, Melba Fullmer of Long Beach; and grandchildren, Hailey and Martin Smith.
Graveside services will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., with the Rev. Bobby Turner officiating.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with arrangements.
Helen B. Wolford
Helen B. Wolford of Destin, Fla., died Sunday, April 11, 1999, in a local nursing home in Destin.
Mrs. Wolford is survived by her husband, Paul E. Wolford of Destin; daughter, Paula and husband Jeff Crow of Memphis, Tenn.; son, Duncan G. Wolford and wife Denise of Conway, Ark.; son, James R. Wolford of Columbus, Ohio; son, Ted R. Wolford and wife Jessa of Davao, the Philippines; brother, David Miller of Columbus, Ohio; loving grandchildren, Taylor, Adam, Joshua, Alyssa, Zane, Allison, Michael and Teddy.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 490 Highway 84 north, Suite C, Niceville, FL 32578.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Hellen B. Wolford
Hellen B. Wolford of Destin, Fla., died Sunday, April 11, 1999, in a local nursing home in Destin.
Mrs. Wolford is survived by her husband, Paul E. Wolford of Destin; daughter, Paula and husband Jeff Crow of Memphis, Tenn.; son, Duncan G. Wolford and wife Denise of Conway, Ark.; son, James R. Wolford of Columbus, Ohio; son, Ted R. Wolford and wife Jessa of Davao, the Philippines; brother, David Miller of Columbus, Ohio; and loving grandchildren, Taylor, Adam, Joshua, Alyssa, Zane, Allison, Michael and Teddy.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 490 Highway 84 north, Suite C, Niceville, FL 32578.
Violet L. Robey
Violet L. Robey, age 94, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Monday, April 12, 1999, in a local hospital.
She was born on April 16, 1904, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and had been a resident of the local area for the past six years, when she moved here from Orlando, Fla. She was Baptist by faith and a member of Rocky Bayou Baptist Church. Mrs. Robey was a woman who actively practiced her faith.
Her family and friends would describe her as an elegant woman who loved to dress up for all occasions.
She and her husband loved to travel and enjoyed seeing much of the world. She loved flowers and enjoyed seeing the scenery whenever she traveled.
Survivors include her loving husband of 21 years, Irwyn; son, Harry Mullaney of Portland, Ore.; daughters, Violet Edenfield of Lake Havasu, Ariz., and Leslie and son-in-law Bill Stoltz of Niceville; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be conducted at Heritage Gardens Cemetery at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 15, with the Rev. Larry Corder officiating.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Jodi Ann Gilbert
Jodi Ann Gilbert, age 20, of Destin, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 12, 1999, in Cuthbert, Ga., as the result of an automobile accident.
Jodi was currently in her sophomore year at Andrew College in Cuthbert. She was a 1997 graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School. Jodi was Christian by faith and had lived in this area for the past four years. She was preceded in death by her sister, Gina Gilbert.
She was the beloved daughter of Virginia L. Robinson of Destin, and John Gilbert of St. Louis; the beloved granddaughter of Anna Gilbert and Virginia Rose Robinson, both of St. Louis; beloved sister of Tiffany Smith and husband James of St. Louis, and Sarah Brooks and husband Kenneth of Sumter, S.C.; beloved aunt of James and Samuel Smith; and beloved fianc�e of Chris Morrell of Albany, Ga.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted in Beal Memorial Cemetery at 10 a.m. Friday, April 16, followed by a celebration of life service beginning at 11 a.m. at the Family Christian Fellowship, 1000 Airport Road, Destin, with the Rev. Daniel Robinson officiating.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with arrangements.
Blanche Cunningham
Blanche (Granny Ham) Cunningham, age 99, of Escambia Farms, Fla., passed away Monday, April 12, 1999, in a local hospital.
Mrs. Cunningham was born in Wing, Ala., and was a lifelong resident of the area. She was a homemaker and a member of the Olive Branch Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mrs. Cunningham was preceded in death by her husband, Noah Cunningham, and a son, Carlos Cunningham. She was also the mother of three infants who did not survive. Survivors include her sons, Noah Calvin Cunningham of Baker, Fla., Joseph A. Cunningham of San Antonio, Texas, Delmus D. Cunningham of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Robert L. Cunningham of Baker, Royce G. Cunningham of Pensacola, Fla., and Jerry T. Cunningham of Milligan, Fla.; daughters, Vonda Gatewood of Baker, Flora Maxine Bryan of Wing, and Gladys Myra Davidson of Gautier, Miss.; brother, Percy Nichols of Wing; 28 grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, April 16, at the Olive Branch Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Burial will follow in Wing Cemetery. Mrs. Cunningham's remains will lie in state at the church from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Friday.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Grandchildren will serve as active and honorary pallbearers.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Jeannette Henwood Nelsen
Jeannette Henwood Nelsen passed away unexpectedly Monday, April 12, 1999.
She was born on July 6, 1920, in Yonkers, N.Y., graduated Yonkers High School at age 15, Teaneck High School, N.J., as a post graduate student, and subsequently Katherine Gibbs in New York City.
She was preceded in death by her brother, John Henwood, who gave his life in World War II as a member of the U.S. Air Force.
Mrs. Nelsen was active in the Bluewater Bay Ladies Golf Association, Bluewater Bay Garden Club, several bridge groups, and was a talented amateur artist. Most of all, she enjoyed trips to visit her family and friends.
Survivors include her loving husband of more than 58 years, Ralph; daughter, Marjorie Free of Jackson, Miss.; son, Robert and wife Linda of Savannah, Ga., and son, James and wife Sara of Malvern, Pa. Survivors also include five granddaughters; two grandsons; and two great-granddaughters.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 17, at First Presbyterian Church, 1800 John Sims Pkwy., Niceville.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, Emerald Coast Chapter, 220 Hospital Drive N.E., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549.
Brian Scott Swafford
Brian Scott Swafford, age 36, of Shalimar, Fla., died unexpectedly Friday, April 9, 1999, in Portugal.
Brian was the president of QStar Technologies Inc. in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., where he relocated from Maryland four years ago. He was born in St. Louis and earned a bachelor of science degree in math and physics from the University of Maryland. He was the president of Garnier's Cay Townhome Association, Phase I, and was a frequent support of the schools in this area with donations of computer equipment.
Brian loved Northwest Florida and especially enjoyed jet skiing and scuba diving.
Survivors include his parents, Joann Swafford of Shalimar and Clarence Swafford of Niceville, Fla.; his beloved sons, Christian Swafford and Xavier Swafford, both of Maryland, and Nicholas Swafford of Portugal; sisters, Pamella Deveney of Fort Walton Beach, and Kimberly Workman of Navarre, Fla.; and his nephews and nieces, Todd Deveney, Jacob Schumacher, Elizabeth Deveney, all of Fort Walton Beach, and Gabrielle Workman of Navarre.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18, at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
