Vergel Dallas (Little Boy) Cooey
Vergel Dallas (Little Boy) Cooey, 81, of Westville, Fla., passed away Sunday, Jan. 2 2000, at Northwest Florida Community Hospital in Chipley, Fla.
Mr. Cooey was a member of the Westville Masonic Lodge 148.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Cooey of Westville; sons, Tom K. Cooey and Julius K. Cooey, both of Freeport, Fla.; sister, Lawson Bufford, of Jacksonville, Fla.; granddaughters, Freda Wreenn, Penny Brooks, Priscilla Cooey and Kristy Edwards; and great-granddaughter, Victoria J. Edwards.
Visitation will be held after 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at Sims Funeral Home in Bonifay, Fla.
Funeral services will held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at Sims Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kenneth Bradley officiating.
Burial will be in the Westville Cemetery with Sims Funeral Home directing.
Hazel L. "Jackie" Wright
Hazel L. "Jackie" Wright, 89, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in a local hospital Saturday, Jan. 1, 2000.
She was born in Huntington, Ind., to Frank and Merle Little Sept. 15, 1910.
She and Harry B. Wright were married June 9, 1929. They were married 67 years. He passed away Aug. 14, 1996.
Due to her husband's career in the Army Air Corps, she lived on many Army bases, including bases in Japan and Hawaii.
They settled in Fort Walton Beach after his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1961.
Local survivors include Mildred Reifert and husband Robert; and special friends "The Girls," Melody Jackson and Nancy Thiele.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, with funeral services following the visitation.
Interment will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach.
Margaret Sheridan Gibson
Mrs. Margaret S. Gibson, age 63, of Destin, Fla., passed away late Saturday evening, Jan. 1, 2000 at her residence. Mrs. Gibson was born April 3, 1936 in Greenwood, S.C. to the late James Liston and Lona Williams Sheridan. She has been a resident of the Destin and Fort Walton Beach area for the past thirty-five years, living in England for a short time during 1979 to 1981. Mrs. Gibson was an active member of the Destin and Fort Walton Beach area for the past 35 years, living in England for a short time during 1979 to 1981. Mrs. Gibson was an active member of the Destin United Methodist Church, taking part in the Singles Class and singing in the choir. She also was active with the Okaloosa Walton Community College Chorus.
Mrs. Gibson is survived by daughter, Kimberly D. Raimey and husband Donald of Fort Myers Beach, Fla.; daughter Patti Lynn Rosenberg and husband Stuart of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Margaret G. Mehserle and husband James of Perry, Ga.; daughter, Carol Leigh Tendrich and husband Todd of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; son, Charles David Gibson of Taylors, S.C.; daughter, Sheridan Ann Gibson of Wellington, Fla; sister, Beth Rambo and husband Warren of Greenville, S.C.; eight grandchildren, Kerri Raimey, Chloe Raimey, Jimmy Mehserle, Liston Mehserle, Gibson Tendrich, Devynn Tendrich, Sorcha Gibson and Brianna Gibson; and many extended family and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Gibson will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000 in the Destin United Methodist Church with Dr. John C. Friedman and Dr. Charles W. Avery officiating. Interment will follow in Destin Memorial Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be held in the Destin United Methodist Church Youth Room following the interment.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Sacred Heart Hospital, 5151 North 9th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504 or to the American Cancer Society, 4 NE Jackson Street, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 in memory of Mrs. Margaret S. Gibson.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 is in charge of the arrangements.
Martha Collins Wilson
Martha Collins Wilson, age 69, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 4, in a local hospital, following a lenthy battle with cancer.
Martha was born Oct. 6, 1930 in Rome, Ga. She has resided in Crestview for the past 27 years and was a faithful member of the Woodlawn Baptist Church. She had long been a registered nurse and even served briefly as an officer/nurse in the U.S. Air Force.
Martha was a wonderful, loving, caring and devoted wife, mother, daughter and sister. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her father, D.J. Collins, and her brother, John William Collins.
Martha is survived by her husband of 44 years Lewis R. Wilson, Sr.; son and daughter-in-law, Lewis R. Wilson and Sharon Everage Wilson; two daughters, Lynn Wilson Crow and her husband Chris Crow, and Jennifer L. Wilson, all of Crestview; five adoring grandchildren, Kim and Candice Wilson and Danielle Thornton of Crestview, Camille and Joe Crow of Atlanta, Ga.; her mother, Zelma Collins of Niceville; one brother, David J. Collins and his wife Louise Collins of Niceville; two sisters, Elizabeth A. Collins of Rome, Ga., Linda C. Hertz of Miami; sister-in-law, Barbara Collins of Charlottesville, Va.; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bob and Katherine Wilson of Crestview; Lillian Wilson Viveiros of Fall River, Ma., Harold and Mary Wilson of Atlanta, Ga., Kathryn and Snelling Roberts and Ruby Wilson of Pinehurst, Ga.; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and close friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000 at the Woodlawn Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Joy Officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made in her name to either the Woodlawn Baptist Church building fund or the American Cancer Society.
They also wish to express their deep gratitude for everyone's kindness and support during these difficult times.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of the arrangements.
Larry B. Cook
Larry B. Cook, age 43, of the Villa Tasso Community in Niceville, Fla., passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 1, 2000, in the Twin Cities Hospital. Mr. Cook was a construction carpenter and was born in Pineville, W. Va. He was an associate member of the VFW and American Legion, was a Baptist by faith, and had resided in this area for the past 5 years.
He was preceded in death by his father, Alvin B. Cook, Sr.
Survivors include his mother, Della Cook of Calhoun, Ga.; his fiancee, Patricia "Squaw" Moore of Villa Tasso; his son, Travis Cook of Pineville; his daughter, Charlotte Cook of Calhoun; his brothers, Alvin B. Cook, Jr. of Navarre, Fla., Alfred, Garland, Lewis and Eddie Cook, all of Calhoun; and his sister, Bertha Jane Cook of Calhoun.
A visitation with viewing will be held at the McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Mr. Cook's remains will be cremated.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
H.P. (Pat) Campbell, Sr.
H.P. (Pat) Campbell, Sr., 87, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. passed away at this home on Tuesday morning Jan. 4, 2000. He was born on April 23, 1912 to the late James O. and Nettie Williams Campbell.
He moved permanently to the Fort Walton Beach area in 1948 and was an electrical and mechanical contractor in the area since 1955, doing business as OK Electric Company. Mr. Campbell was actively involved in the local community as a past member of the Lions Club, the Moose Lodge and the Elks Club. Mr. Campbell especially enjoyed being involved with local athletic programs, particularly Chotawhatchee High School, where all of his children attended school. He was a charter member of the Old Choctaw Quarterback Club, charter member of the Choctaw Booster Club, charter member of the Choctaw Band Parents and at the time of his death he was still a member of the Choctaw Touchdown Club.
In recognition of his contribution to local athletics the All Sports Association presented him with the Al Byrne Memorial Award in 1987. The baseball field at Choctaw was also named in his honor in 1987 in recognizing his efforts in obtaining the on campus field in 1974.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Bettye Hodge Campbell, originally from Newton, Ala.; two daughters, Patricia Campbell Lopes, Bunny Klein and her husband Lorin; three sons, James C. Campbell and his wife Debbie, John H. Campbell, and H.P. (Bo) Campbell, Jr., and his wife Lisa, all of whom still reside in Fort Walton Beach; 12 grandchildren and one sister Raycile Caddell of Montgomery, Ala.
The family will receive friends at a memorial service at McLaughlin Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2000.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Choctawhatchee Baseball Clubhouse Fund.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Avenue, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Hilton Q. Owen
Mr. Hilton Q. Owen, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000 at a local hospital. Mr. Owen was born July 29, 1915 in Oneonta, Ala. to the late B.J. and Isabell Owen.
Mr. Owen is survived by his wife, Elnor Owen of Fort Walton Beach; son, Jack E. Owen and wife Patricia of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; daughter, Jean O. Rivard and husband Bill of Fort Walton Beach; two grandchildren, Renee Rivard Lawson and husband Chris of Auckland, New Zealand, and Lee O. Rivard of Destin, Fla.; and two sisters, Grace Bull and husband Charles of Birmingham, Ala. and Connie Sullivan and husband Kermit of Pelham, Ala.
Funeral services for Mr. Owen will be 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2000 in the Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the funeral home Thursday evening, Jan. 4, 2000 from 5 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family ask the donations be made to the American Diabetes Association or to the charity of your choice in memory of Mr. Hilton Q. Owen.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32547 is in charge of the arrangements.
Ferne Mae Sheldon
Ferne Mae Sheldon passed away Dec. 31, 1999 at the Fort Walton Beach Care Center. She was born on Feb. 10, 1914 in Mammoth, Utah to Wesley and Rita McDonald. Ferne was preceded in death by her childhood sweetheart and husband of more than 50 years, George W. Sheldon; brother, Frank McDonald and sister Madge Stanford of Livermore, Cali. She is survived by daughters, Shirley and husband James Davis of Henderson, Nev. and Nancy and husband Donald Dorow of Fort Walton Beach; six grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Ferne was the consumate homemaker and she provided a lovely and loving home for her husband and family in dozens of cities and states over the years. She and George took great care and delight in their many projects and Ferne's handmade quilts, rugs and needlework were a favorite passion until her eyesight failed. According to her wishes, Ferne was cremated and her ashes will be placed next to her husband in the Chapel of Chimes, in Hayward, Cali. Wonderful memories of happier days remain with us forever.
Laura Bertice Rogers
Mrs. Bertice Rogers, age 81, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Mrs. Rogers was born Aug. 16, 1918, to Adolf and Pearl Weekley in Niceville, Fla. She was a resident of Walton County since 1977. She was a member of the First Assembly of God of DeFuniak Springs, where she was a Sunday School teacher. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She devoted her life to her family. She is predeceased by her husband of 56 years, James T. Rogers, Sr.
Mrs. Rogers is survived by two daughters, Pearl Lorenz and husband Ken of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., and Sharon Church of Niceville, Fla.; four sons, James T. Rogers, Jr. and wife Sandra of Freeport, Fla., Roy Rogers and wife Elizabeth of DeFuniak Springs, David Rogers and wife Sandy of Milton, Fla., Larry Rogers and wife Debi of DeFuniak Springs; one brother, Terrell Brooks of Valparaiso, Fla.; one sister, Faye Pearson of Tampa, Fla.; 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000, at the First Assembly of God of DeFuniak Springs with the Rev. Jeff Cain and Dr. Ernest Raley officiating. Burial will follow in Cluster Springs Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, at Clary-Godwin Funeral Home Chapel.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Howard Shipley
Howard Shipley, age 81, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Jan. 5, 2000, at a local hospital after an extended illness.
After growing up and being educated in the north, he and Shirley, his wife of 60 years, were moved south where he was employed by Pratt and Whitney for 45 years. They made their home in Fort Walton Beach and have lived here the last 55 years.
Howard was a wonderful husband and a loving father to his six children. His wisdom, generosity, kindness and selfless love touched all who knew him, and the world is a better place having had him for this time.
Mr. Shipley goes to join his one predeceased son, Robert S. Shipley. Survivors include his wife Shirley Shipley; sons, Dennis K. Shipley of Gulf Breeze, Fla., Stephen T. Shipley of Jacksonville, Fla, William A. Shipley of Nice, France; and daughters, Carol Johnson of Acworth, Ga., and Susan Fishbaugh of Gulf Breeze, Fla. His extended family of daughters and sons-in-law were precious to him. This also includes 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, nieces and sister-in-law Merle Bixby.
"If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide into the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and sea are one."
"A little while, a moment of rest on the wind and another woman shall bear me."
Private services will be held for Mr. Shipley and the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 490 Hwy 85 North, Suite C, Niceville, Fla., 32578, (850) 729-1800, in memory of Howard.
