James Clark
Mr. James Clark, age 56, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., died Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1999. Mr. Clark was born July 27, 1943, in Louisville, Ky., to Joseph and Juanita Woods Clark. He was a resident of DeFuniak Springs for the last nine years after moving from Woodstock, Ga. He was Protestant by faith and attended Lakewood Baptist Church in Paxton, Fla. He is preceded in death by one daughter, Kimberly Clark, and his first wife, Linda Clark.
Mr. Clark is survived by his wife, Juanita C. Clark of DeFuniak Springs.; one son, Brian D. Clark of Panama City, Fla.; one daughter, Wendy M. Gilreath and husband Timothy of Calhoun, Ga.; one brother, Joseph Larry Clark of Louisville, Ky.; one sister, Sandra Johnson of Bardstown, Ky.; and two granddaughters, Lindsay and Molly Gilreath.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, 1999, at Commander Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Wendell Ard officiating. Burial will follow in Paxton Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, 1999, at Comander Funeral Home Chapel.
Comander Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Rupert Murphy
Mr. Rupert Harvey Murphy, age 93, died Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999, in a local hospital. Mr. Murphy was born Feb. 1, 1906, in Holmes County, Fla., where he remained a lifelong resident. He was Baptist by faith and a member of the Bridge Creek Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and charter member for forty-five years. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ida Murphy, and one daughter, Kathleen Farrior.
Mr. Murphy is survived by one son, Billy S. Murphy and wife Mildred of the Bridge Creek Community; two daughters, Wavine B. Evans and Corine Money of the Bridge Creek Community; one brother, A. R. Murphy of Live Oak, Fla.; one sister, Myra Bell Alford of the Bridge Creek Community; eight grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, 1999, at Bridge Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Scott officiating. Burial will follow in Sandy Creek Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, 1999, at Clary-Godwin Funeral Home Chapel.
Pallbearers will be Earl Alford, Jerry Alford, Clint Alford, Mike Balkom, Chip Farrington and Donnie Slay.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Gwen McCart
Gwen McCart, age 86, of Baker, Fla., passed away Wednesday night, Dec. 15, 1999, in a local hospital. She was born at Danley's Crossroads, Ala., and had been a resident of Baker for many years. Mrs. McCart was a member of the Baker United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam McCart.
Survivors include two step-daughters and their husbands, Wanda Rummel and Dr. David Rummel Jr. of Prescott, Ariz., and Lynda Dianne Bayard and Kenneth Bayard of Stewart, Okla.; numerous step-grandchildren, including Dr. David Rummel III and his wife Becky Rummel of Jay, Fla.; and numerous other relatives.
Funeral services will e held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 18, 1999, from the Baker United Methodist Church with the Rev. Nancy Snyder officiating. Burial will follow in Pilgrim Rest Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Mrs. McCart will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to the funeral service.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, Fla., is in charge of the arrangements.
Billy H. Batson
Mr. Billy H. Batson, age 61, of Baker, Fla., went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, from Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Fla., on Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999, after a lengthy illness. Mr. Batson was born in Althea, Fla., on Nov. 14, 1938, to Grady Charles and Myrtice M. Childs Batson and had been a long time resident of Okaloosa County, Fla. He was a farmer, carpenter and surveyor. Mr. Batson was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a Christian by faith.
Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years, Obera Batson, of Baker; mother, Myrtice M. Batson, of Crestview, Fla.; son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Terry Batson, of Baker; daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and the Reverend Jerry Nelson, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe Don and Ronda Batson, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., and Charles and Teresa Batson, of Milligan, Fla.; sister, Marion McDonald, of DeFuniak Springs; grandchildren, Daniel and Jarrod Batson and Hannah Nelson.
A time of visitation will be conducted from Whitehurst Funeral Home on Friday, Dec. 17, 1999, from 6 until 9 p.m. The funeral service will be conducted from Good Hope Baptist Church on Highway 189, Escambia Farms, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 18, 1999, at 10 a.m. Mr. Batson will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service in Wing Cemetery in Wing, Ala. The Reverend Richard "Dick" Driskell and the Reverend Carson Judah will conduct the service.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, 436 West James Lee Boulevard, Crestview, Fla.
Opal Marie Hill
Opal Marie Hill, age 74, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away at her Wright, Fla., residence on Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999. She was born on Feb. 28, 1925, south of the Shoal River on homesteaded property. She was a life-long resident of the Fort Walton Beach/Wright communities. She was a pioneer of the community and in her early years belonged to the Women's Club and the American Cancer Society. During her working years, she worked as a real estate sales person for local agencies. She also was a receptionist for Walton's House of Beauty for nine years. She loved ballroom dancing, gardening, was a baseball fan and also enjoyed seamstress work. She was a life-long patron of the library. She was an active member of the Fort Walton Beach Second Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was a faithful visiting teacher.
She was preceded in eternal life by her mother, Alice Settles Givens; her father, Richard Givens; her son, James Richard Winters; and her grandson, Benjamin Cody Hill. She leaves behind her loving husband of 52 years Wiley Benjamin Hill Jr.; son, Wiley Benjamin Hill III and daughter-in-law Rebecca of Wright; daughters, Margaret Marie Harris and husband Ed of Fort Walton Beach and Sarah E. Hill and husband Bob Mantovani of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.; eight grandchildren: Richard Caldwell, Gwen Green, Chris Dalton, Benji Dalton, Debbie Dalton, Kevin Harris, Hayden Hill, Tracy Hill; nine great grandchildren; one aunt, Hazel Diaz, and numerous cousins. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and caregivers Pauline, Priscilla and Maury.
The family will receive friends at a visitation on Friday evening, Dec. 17, 1999, from 6 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 18, 1999, at 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 339 Lake Drive, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., with Bishop Gary Reynolds officiating. She will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Following services, burial will take Place in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Floral tributes are acceptable or for those who so desire a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society, 4 NE Jackson Street, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 in memory of Opal Marie Hill may be made.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Avenue, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with the arrangements.
Clemmis Earl "Shorty" Davis
Mr. Clemmis Davis, age 78, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., died Friday, December 17, 1999 in a local nursing home. Born in Esto, Fla. on August 11, 1921 he was the son of the late Jessie and Lizzi Elmore Davis. Mr. Davis had lived in DeFuniak Springs since 1941. He was Pentacostal by faith. He served in the Army during WWII and retired from the U.S. Civil Service at Eglin. He was the former owner and operator of Davis Grocery Store on 23rd Street in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. Mr. Davis enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. Mr. Davis was a loving father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Mr. Davis is survived by his wife of 61 years, Minnie Myrl Davis of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; daughter, Sybil L. Alford and husband Adrian of DeFuniak Springs, Fla; six sisters-in-law, Addie Campbell of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., Sarah Campbell of Defuniak Springs, Fla., Mildred Davis of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., Willie Jean Infinger and husband Ray of West Palm Beach, Fla., Christina Adkinson and husband Bill of Pace, Fla. and Jean Campbell of Pace, Fla.; two stepgrandchildren and three step-great great grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 19, 1999 in Magnolia Cemetery. The Reverend Jack Faircloth will be officiating. Nephews will serve as pall bearers.
A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, December 18, 1999 at the Comander Funeral Home, Chapel 21, West Main Street, DeFuniak Springs, Fla.
Comander Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
H.C. Hap Hanson
H.C. Hap Hanson, age 79, of Destin, Fla., and Applevalley, Minn., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1999, at his home in Destin.
Hap was born in Mankato, Minn. On Sept. 30, 1920, to Carl and Enga Hanson. For the lat 16 years he has been a snowbird. Hap was a loving husband, father and grandfather and a good friend to many people, he will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Jean Hanson of Destin, Fla.; sons Richard and wife Linda Hanson of Tucson, Ariz; Mark and wife Tamera Hanson of North Barrington, Ill; daughters Kay Jones of Seoul Korea; Pam and husband Doug Clausen of Colorado Springs, Colo.; step-daughters Jeannine and husband Keith Acker of Plymouth, Minn; Eileen and husband Steve Canakes of Eden Prairie, Minn.; 11 grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
McLaughlin Mortuary is entrusted with the local arrangements.
Terry Lynn Dean
Terry Lynn Dean, age 46, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1999, in a local hospital. She was born Sept. 5, 1953, in El Paso, Texas. She had been a resident of the local area on and off for most of her life. She was a graduate of Choctawhatchee High School. She honorably served her country in the U.S. Army and later was retired. She was a member of the local AMVETS and also the Disabled American Veterans Organization. She was a proud inspirational member of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Survivors include her son, John Daniel Griffin of Albuquerque, N.M.; three brothers, Michael Dean of Navarre, Fla., Ronald Dean and Richard Dean both of Fort Walton Beach; and two grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at a visitation on Sunday evening, Dec. 19, 1999, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Little Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 20, 1999, at 10 a.m. at Little Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. James Spencer officiating. Friends may also call one hour prior to service. Burial will follow the services at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS, Pensacola, Fla., at 1:15 p.m.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with the arrangements.
John W. McGriff
John W. McGriff, age 96, of Fort Walton Beach passed away Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999 at a local nursing home.
He was born in Sneads, Fla. on February 25, 1903 to William F. and Lula McGrif. He had been living in this area since the early 50's. He was an avid fisherman and loved camping. He was also a long time member of the Masons. He is survived by nieces, Fay H. Beale of Chipley, Fla., Sylvia Short of Duluth, Ga., Susanne Newton of Longwood, Fla., Betty Ruth Spence of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; Nephew, Joseph P. Beale of Tangerine, Fla.; sister-in-law Nell Robinson of Oklahoma; brother-in-law, Robert Hatcher of Pensacola, Fla.; cousins, Susie May Lane of Alabama, Bernard Smith of Alabama, Bill Chambless of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Buddy Chambless of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; grand nieces, Lynn Taylor of Orlando, Fla., Ellen Worley of Chipley, Fla.
A visitation will be held at McLaughlin Mortuary on Sunday, December 19, 1999 from 6 to 8 p.m.
A graveside service will be held at Hatcher Cemetery in Freeport, on Monday, Dec. 20, 1999 at 10 a.m.
McLaughlin Mortuary is entrusted with the arrangements.
Harold Stanley Hansen
Harold Stanley Hansen, age 82, of Navarre died in a local hospital on Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999.
Mr. Hansen was of the Catholic faith and a member of St. Peters Catholic Church. He was a veteran of World War II and a member of V.F.W.
He is survived by three sons, Robert (Helen) Hanson of San Diego, Calif., Dr. Donald S. (Patricia) Hansen of Navarre, Fla., David Hansen of Navarre, Fla.; one daughter, Lou Ann of Navarre, Fla.; one brother, Kenneth (Mary) Hansen of Port Richie, Fla.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, December 21 at 11 a.m. at Beal Memorial Cemetery with Father Joseph Callipare, Pastor of St. Peters Church officiating.
Friends may call at Lewis Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, December 21.
Funeral arrangements are being conducted by Lewis Funeral Home, Navarre Chapel.
