U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Lula Oates Pruitt
Lula Oates Pruitt died Monday, April 12, 1999, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
She was born on Dec. 14, 1925, in the home of her parents, the late Fisher and Linna Jane Oates, in Flowersview, Fla. She graduated from Tivoli High School, DeFuniak Springs, Fla., in 1946, and attended Florida Memorial College in St. Augustine, Fla. She also attended Okaloosa-Walton Junior College, majoring in early childhood and worked to obtain her child development credentials.
When she moved to Fort Walton Beach she united in wedlock with the late Chester Pruitt on June 6, 1948. Two years later they were blessed with a son, Chester Pruitt Jr.
Sister Pruitt worked at the Okaloosa Headstart Child Development Center for 21 years before retiring in 1990. Her dedication and concern for the welfare of children extended to her church as well as to the center. She was a faithful member of Beulah First Baptist Church and served in the choir, Sunday school, state and national convention, and with the Mission No. 1 Auxiliary. She was also an Eastern Star member.
As a dedicated Christian, Sister Pruitt had always taken time to visit the sick and shut-in, and gave care packages to brighten the lives of those around her. She was aware of the political climate in the community and encouraged others to vote through voter's registration.
She leaves to cherish her memory one son, Chester Pruitt Jr. (Cynthia) of West Palm Beach, Fla.; sisters, Mary O. Barnes (Tony) of Panama City, Fla., Bertha O. Williams (James) of Flowersview, Melvina O. Young of Chicago, and Lucille Oates of Mary Esther, Fla.; brothers, Albert Neal Oates (Partica) of Florala, Ala., William A. Oates (Bernice) of Atlanta, Edward Oates (Clara) of Fort Walton Beach, and Frederick Douglas Oates (Janice) of Mary Esther, Fla.; and a special goddaughter, Christine Isom; two aunts, Nellia Galin and Catherine Tabon; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and a special cousin, Alfred (Dick) Moore.
Arrangements entrusted to McKinney Funeral Home of Crestview, Fla.
The wake and funeral services will be held at Beulah First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach. The wake will be on Friday, April 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 17. Interment will take place in Flowersview Cemetery. Repast will follow the funeral services at Mount Pleasant AME Church in Flowersview.
Effie C. Jackson
Effie C. Lamb (Jackson), born Dec. 27, 1954, in Meigs, Ga., passed away at her residence with family and friends nearby on Tuesday, April 13. 1999.
A woman of the heart, she was a person that if you knew her you'd never forget her. She always put her friends and family before herself. She never complained about anything. Her life was hard, but she made every day the best for her and others around her. If you needed an ear, she was there; if you needed a shoulder to lean on, she was there without a fuss. She was the strongest woman we, her family, ever knew. A single mother raising two girls alone, she stood the test of time. She taught my sister and me how to live life to the fullest. She always said life is short, make the most of life - and she did!
She touched the hearts of a lot of people's lives and in her parting she will touch a lot more. Everyone will have their own way of remembering her. We will always remember her unconditional love and warm smile, but most of all her strength and trustworthiness. She will always have a place in our lives, heart, soul and mind.
Her death is saddening. I wish she didn't have to go so soon, but we see that only in body is she gone. Her heart and soul will always be with us, as well as others she touched. We will always love her.
Survivors include her daughters, April Wright, and Alisha Gailey, and Bobby Sharp; and two grandchildren, Jessica and Dustin.
Family and close friends will gather at the Okaloosa Pier on Sunday, April 18, at 8 a.m. for a final tribute to Effie's life.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with arrangements.
Lenore Fortenberry
Lenore Sutherland Fortenberry, age 93, of Niceville, Fla., died Thursday, April 15, 1999.
She was born in Detroit in 1905 and moved to Arizona in 1968, where she lived until 1979 when she moved to Niceville.
She was a member of the TNT Club of Michigan; first lady of the Building Owners and Management Association; life member of the University of Michigan Nursing Alumi; and Episcopal by faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Fortenberry. She is survived by her sons, Lawrence J. Fortenberry and wife Naomi, James E. Fortenberry and wife Beverly, and Jerry B. Fortenberry and wife Sue; sister, Elizabeth Shirley Regina Herbert; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18, in Singley Cemetery in Columbia, Miss.
She was a kind, generous and gentle person who only wanted the best for everyone, in particular her own family. She will be missed and remembered by all she touched. She is now at peace with our Lord. May her soul rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to a favorite charity.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with local arrangements.
Robert Daniel Sublette
Robert Daniel Sublette, born Nov. 30, 1937, went to the fishing paradise in the sky on April 9, 1999, after a short illness.
"Brother Bob," as he was known to his friends, was a long distance swimmer and coach for many years until he moved to Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Bob was preceded in death by his loving parents, Capt. William H. Sublette, U.S. Navy retired, and Edith E. Sublette.
He leaves behind his beloved brother, Capt. Frederick W. Sublette, U.S. Air Force retired; his loving sister, Phyllis E. Api; sister-in-law, Judith A. Sublette; nephews and nieces, Frederick W. Sublette Jr., Jesse D. Api, David A. Api, Sara M. Williams and Abigail S. Sandilands; and his good friend and fishing partner, Don Trent.
Bob was an avid fisherman and his love for that sport is the reason his ashes will be laid to rest at sea at a later date.
Richard M. Perdue
Richard M. Perdue, age 64, of Crestview, Fla., died Tuesday, April 13, 1999, in a local hospital.
He was born in Jay, Fla., and had been a resident of the Crestview area since 1989.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Perdue of Crestview; sons, Millard Perdue and James Perdue of Panama City, Fla.; daughters, Tammy Zelm of Crestview, Joann Miller of Canton, Ohio, and Mildred Rager of Navarre, Ohio; brothers, John Perdue and Richard Perdue of Pace, Fla.; sisters, Jewell Ricks of Robertsdale, Ala., Ellen Turner of Pensacola, Fla., and Mattie Thomas of York, Pa.; and 12 grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Funeral services will be conducted at McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 17, with the Rev. David Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in Live Oak Memorial Park Cemetery, Crestview.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Enzor R. "Smiley" Mathis
Enzor R. "Smiley" Mathis, age 63, of Crestview, Fla., died Friday, April 16, 1999, in a local hospital. He was a life long resident of Okaloosa County. He was a barber by trade. He had retired from the Okaloosa County School Board as a carpenter.
Survivors include his sons and daughter in laws, Bobby and Dena Mathis, Thomas and Kim Mathis, all of Crestview, and Jess Thomson of Beverly Hills, Fla.; brother, Richard Mathis of Crestview, Fla.; sisters, Jean Sanders of Crestview, Fla. and Ann Soles of Andalusia, Ala.; and eight grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home Chapel, Monday evening from 6-9 p.m.
Funeral Services will be conducted at McLaughlin Chapel, Tuesday, April 20, 1999 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Francis Picker officiating.
Those serving as pallbearers are Haywood Nixon, Kelly Burress, Jerry Sanders, Bobby Childree, Chad Wilkinson, and Chris Wilkinson.
Burial will follow in the Live Oak Memorial Park Cemetery in Crestview, Fla.
Florence Patricia Alnwick
Florence Patricia Alnwick, age 88, of Destin, Fla., died Saturday, April 17, 1999, in a local hospital. She was born in New York City and moved to the Emerald Coast with her husband, Lester, in 1974, following several delightful visits to this area to see their son, Kenneth, an Air Force commando pilot, then stationed at Hurlburt Field.
Florence was the Admin-istrative Officer for the Herricks Public School District of Long Island, N.Y., prior to relocating to the Fort Walton Beach/Destin area. Here she was a member of the Seaspray Condominium Association from 1977-1985, and a member and past president of the American Legion Auxilliary, Unit 296 in Destin, and with her husband, a former member of the Fort Walton Beach Elks Club 1795.
She was also a member of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Destin.
Survivors include her two sons, Col. Kenneth Alnwick, U.S.A.F. Retired, and his wife, Judith of Alexandria, Va., and Lester C. Alnwick, Jr., and his wife Mary Lou, of Hyde Park, N.Y., six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at the McLaughlin Mortuary in Fort Walton Beach on Monday, April 19, 1999, from 6-8 p.m.
A funeral mass will be held at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Destin on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at 11 a.m., with Father Bob Morris officiating.
Interment will follow in the Destin Memorial Cemetery. There will be a reception following internment services at the American Legion Hall in Destin.
Floral contributions are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Gift of Remembrance Headquarters, 1101 N. Lake Destiny Rd. 415, Maitland, Fla. 32751-7105.
McLaughlin Mortuary of Fort Walton Beach is entrusted with arrangements.
Julia M. Schroeder
Julia M. Schroeder, age 61, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died peacefully at her home early Saturday morning, April 17, 1999.
She was born in Bradford, England, on Sept. 7, 1937. Julia was a Lutheran by faith and was a member of the American Legion. She most recently worked at Albertson's in Fort Walton Beach and had resided in this area for the past 27 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hans T. Schroeder, in 1991.
Survivors include her children, James R. Edge and his wife Angie of Broussard, La.; Michael Dale Edge and his wife Tammy of Lafayette, La.; Cheryl Edge Poling and her companion Keith Kindred of Fort Walton Beach; and Diane Edge Cornett of Middletown, Ohio; her stepchildren, Dutch Schroeder of Mobile, Ala.; Sandra Schroeder Caston and her husband Steve of Wiggins, Miss.; and Karl Schroeder and his wife Teri of Fort Walton Beach; and 13 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Walton Beach on Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Steven Marko officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery, Fort Walton Beach.
Florial contributions are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4 Jackson St. N.E., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
McLaughlin Mortuary of Fort Walton Beach is entrusted with arrangements.
John H. Strength Jr.
In memory of John H. Strength Jr., age 41, who lost his life on April 8, 1999, in an automobile accident after suffering a heart attack. The accident occurred at Highland Home in Alabama.
Surviving relatives include his mother and father, Sarah and John Strength of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; brother, David Strength of Fort Walton Beach; sisters, Sonja "Polly" Harris of Fort Wayne, Ind., Susan Edwards of Fort Walton Beach, Joyce "Jo" Minor of Thorsby, Ala., and Beth Smith of Jacksonville, Ark.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
We will miss you so very much Johnny.
The Strength family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers, kindness and generosity during this difficult time.
Robert W. Fuss
Robert W. Fuss, age 51, passed away at his home in Destin on April 18, 1999, after a long and courageous fight with cancer.
He was born and raised in Atlanta and moved to the Fort Walton Beach, Fla., area in June 1993, where he joined Fort Walton Beach Medical Center as director of engineering. He was active in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era and served for 15 years as a firefighter in the Air Force Reserves, having been stationed at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Ga., and then at Duke Field, Fla. He was a member of Destin United Methodist Church, where he served as a greeter and an usher.
Mr. Fuss is survived by his wife, Sherri, of Destin; mother, Mabel Fuss; brother, Jerry Fuss; sister, Nettie Craig; sister and brother-in-law, Vera and Hayward Thames, all of College Park, Ga.; son, Andrew Fuss; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Jimmy Holmes, all of Fort Walton Beach; four grandchildren; nine nephews; and three nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father, Francis Fuss; and brother, Bradley Fuss.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at McLaughlin Mortuary.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel with Dr. John Friedman and Minister Allan B. Thames officiating. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery, with military honors.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
