Martin Robert Purtee
Martin Robert Purtee died Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital.
He was born on Feb. 17, 1931, in Bayshore, Long Island, N.Y., to William Purtee Sr. and Ursula Maasch Purtee.
Marty very proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean years and was a life member of VFW Post 7674 in Fort Walton Beach. He was also a member of the American Legion. Marty was employed for 30 years at Pacific Bell Telephone Co. and for 10 years as a private contractor for Lockheed in California, and had worked for State Assemblyman Jerry Eaves in California.
Marty, along with his twin sister Louise Ford, would have turned 69 on Feb. 17, 2000.
Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Anita Purtee of Navarre, Fla.; children, Donna Mann of Spokane, Wash., Cindy Kane of Valley Village, Calif., Doug Purtee of Gahanna, Ohio, Mark Purtee of San Francisco, Sandra Fanara of Spokane, Deborah O'Neil of Phoenix, Ariz., Christine Reeves of Chicago, along with nine grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Lorene Podlesny and family of Islip, Long Island, Eunice Aichroth and family of Islip, William Purtee Jr. and family of Victorville, Calif., Jim Purtee and family of Shalimar, Fla., and Louise Ford and family of Navarre.
Marty was preceded in death by his sister, Rose Behrens.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at VFW Post 7674, Carol Street, Fort Walton Beach.
In lieu of flowers, Marty wished donations be made in his name to the American Heart Association.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Beverly S. Wray
Beverly S. Wray, age 82, of Atlanta and formerly of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Jan. 10, 2000.
She was the widow of Harold M. Wray.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Len and Cecile Sievers of Sugar Hill, Ga.; son and daughter-in-law, Phillip and Debi Way of Cornville, Ariz.; grandchildren, Leonard Robert Sievers of Sugar Hill, Wendy Gralla of Susanville, Calif., and Phillip Harley Wray of Cornville; three great-grandchildren; and godchild, Mary Johnson of Kennesaw, Ga.
Mrs. Wray was a native of Minneapolis and a retired office planner and seamstress. She was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, Ga., and of the Business Women's Association in Fort Walton Beach.
A memorial Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Buford, Ga., with Father John Anderson serving as celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Church Building Fund, 4300 South Lee St., Buford, GA 30518, in memory of Beverly Wray.
Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, is in charge of arrangements.
Norman MacDonald
Norman "Mac" MacDonald, age 76, of Shalimar, Fla., passed away at his home Sunday, Jan. 16, 2000.
Mac was born in Birmingham, Mich., on Jan. 26, 1923. He was a beloved member of the American Legion Post 235; a lifetime member of VFW Post 7674; and member of the Officers' Club at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
Mac was a World War II veteran and retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1965 after 21 years of service. He was employed by McDonnell Douglas and retired as a civil service employee.
Mac was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Lorraine.
Survivors include his daughter, Susan, and husband Don and a grandson Michael, all of St. Louis; and daughter, Shirley, and granddaughter Vickie.
Mac will be truly missed by many friends and relatives in the Fort Walton Beach, Fla., area, Missouri and Arizona.
At Mac's request, his remains will be cremated and internment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, where a small memorial service will be held.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the World War II Veterans Memorial Fund.
Helen Pearson Hart
Helen Inez Pearson Hart, age 84, of Selma, Ala., died Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000, in a local hospital.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at New Live Oak Cemetery with the Rev. Edna Love officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Survivors include her daughters, Helen Long Elliott and husband Jerry of Aransas Pass, Texas, and Sylvia Long Jenkins and husband Mike of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Michael Elliott of Kingston, Okla., Jennifer Elliott-Burton and husband Doug of New Braunfels, Texas, Karla Elliott-Leitner and husband Matt of Duncan, Okla., Clifton Elliott and wife Denise of Willow Springs, N.C., and Joey Jenkins of Las Vegas; great-grandchildren, Brittany Leitner and Justin Leitner, both of Duncan, Nicholas Elliott of Willow Springs, Jeremy Burton of New Braunfels, and Allyson Elliott of Willow Springs; brothers and sisters, Louise Pearson Vickers and husband Herbert, Naomi Pearson Godwin, M.A. Pearson and wife Katherine, and Thomas A. Pearson and wife Frankie, all of Selma; brother-in-law, Paul (Woody) Hart of Plano, Texas; sister-in-law, Laverne Hart of Weatherford, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Hart was preceded in death by a sister, Sadie Pearson Bolen; brother, William E. Pearson; and brother-in-law, Mack Godwin.
Honorary pallbearers are M.A. Pearson Sr., Jerry J. Elliott, Mike Jenkins, Clifton Elliott, Michael Elliott, Matthew Leitner, Joe Jenkins, Tommy Pearson Sr., H.C. Vickers Sr., Cecil LaGrone and Doug Burton.
Lawrence Brown Funeral Home, Selma, is in charge of arrangements.
Virginia Brown Humphreys
Virginia Brown "Ginna" Humphreys passed away at home of cancer on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000, at 1:30 p.m.
Formerly a member of the Pomme De Terre United Methodist Church in Hermitage, Mo., she was a member of Good News United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., where she served as treasurer. She was a member of Pomme De Terre Golf and Country Club and the Gold Diggers Dance Company, of both Bolivar, Mo., and Destin, Fla. Ginna worked as an administrative assistant for the 3M Company for a total of 40 years in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Chicago.
She was born in Chattanooga on Aug. 29, 1921, and is survived by her husband, Robert R. Humphreys of Niceville, Fla., as well as daughters, Lina Ellen Kibler and husband Jerry of Douglasville, Ga., Susan Davis and husband Leonard of Camden, S.C., Sharon Gaddy of Vancouver, Wash., and Shirley Neisis and husband Jim of Wichita, Kan. She is also survived by two sisters, Betty Brown Rawlston and Charlotte Brown Clopton, both of Chattanooga; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Good News United Methodist Church, four miles east of Sandestin on U.S. Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach, at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 21.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society and Good News United Methodist Church.
Keith Henry Nix
Keith Henry Nix of Destin, Fla., died Monday, Jan. 17, 2000, at 11:28 p.m. at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
He was a faithful friend to all who knew him, a devoted husband, and a loving father and grandfather. He was a man of extraordinary character who touched many lives in a special way.
He was born on July 4, 1927, in Anderson, S.C., and served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He later graduated from Clemson University in the field of agricultural and nutritional chemistry.
His entire career was devoted to the meat packing industry and he worked for Swift & Co. for 40 years before retiring and moving to Destin in 1990. He enjoyed literature and music, and was an astute crossword puzzle master. One of his greatest joys was the outdoor sportsmanship he enjoyed with his grandson. He was a gentleman and a scholar.
Mr. Nix was the current president of the Destin Lions Club; member of ARMOD; and past president of the Chancel Choir at Destin United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Harry S. Nix of Destin. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Doris Martin Nix of Destin; daughters, Marian Martin Nix of Raleigh, N.C., and Dorothy Harriet Nix of Destin; and grandson, Keith Henry Nix II of Destin.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at McLaughlin Mortuary.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at Destin United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the building fund of Destin United Methodist Church, 300 Beach Drive, Destin, FL 32541.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with arrangements.
James H. Parrish
James H. Parrish, age 78, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Wednesday morning, Jan. 19, 2000, at Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville.
Mr. Parrish was a retired electronic technician with civil service at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Niceville, where he previously served as deacon. He was born in Florala, Ala., and moved to this area in 1958.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Frances Parrish of Niceville; son, James David Parrish and wife Bonnie of Niceville; daughter, Saundra C. Allen of Illinois; brothers, Edward Parrish and wife Margaret of Montgomery, Ala., and Clifford Parrish and wife Josephine of Milton, Fla.; sisters, Doris Price of Niceville, Martha Jo Gomillion and husband Vernon of Laurel Hill, Fla., Ruth Blakey of Florala, Joyce Perdue and husband Bill of Florala, Helen Kilpatrick of Laurel Hill, and Myrtle Fowler and husband Lloyd of Milton, Fla.; grandson, John Eric Martini; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home with the Rev. J.C. McLendon officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery, Valparaiso, Fla.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Christine Sappington
Christine Sappington, age 83, died Jan. 19, 2000, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center due to respiratory complications.
She was a graduate of FSCW, with a bachelor of science degree in education, and of Emory University in Atlanta, with a bachelor of science degree in nursing. She was a longtime resident of Havana, Fla., and recently moved to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., with her sister, Rachel, to be near her family.
She was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church of Tallahassee, Fla., for many years and later a member of Salem Methodist Church.
Survivors include her sisters, Rachael Sappington of Havana, Fla., and Mary Lou Goodman of Fort Walton Beach; nieces, Nancy Fitzgerald of Geneva, Ala., Claire Schmidt of Lakeland, Fla., Faith Whiteside of Tallahassee, Fla., Carolyn Hart of Panama City, Fla., Susan Sappington of Jacksonville, Fla., and Carol Ceigler of Manassas, Va.; and nephews, Greg Goodman of Fort Walton Beach, Mike Sappington of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Dan Sappington of Chesterfield, Mo.
A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at Woodland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Salem Methodist Church in Havana.
Sasser Morgan and McClellan Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. Local arrangements are being handled by McLaughlin Mortuary.
Obie Farris
Obie Farris, age 87, of the Liberty community, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000.
He was born on April 12, 1912.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Atrice Jones Farris; and grandson, James O. McKee.
Mr. Farris is survived by a son, Jerry Farris and wife Bernie of Helotes, Texas; daughters, Myrtice O. McKee and husband Kerwin of the Liberty community, and Louise Stone and husband Bill of Pensacola, Fla.; sister, Mildred Skinner of Enterprise, Ala. He was blessed with eight grandchildren, Bill Mckee, Ann Tankersley, Robert Stone, Ronald Farris and Beverly White, Cindy, Brandi and Benji Johnsey; 16 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren, Paul and Brittany Lewis, Celeste and Charlie Rachels, Ben McKee and Katlyn Farrior.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Clary-Godwin Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harold Bigham officiating. Burial will follow in Cluster Springs Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Tommie Fae Beck
Tommie Fae Anderson Beck, a retired property manager who lived at Gulf Terrace in Destin, Fla., died peacefully at Fort Walton Medical Center on Jan. 20, 2000.
Tommie was born on June 25, 1924, in Columbus, Ga., and spent most of her childhood in Gadsden, Ala., her adult life in Atlanta, and her retirement years in Destin near her family.
Tommie was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Curtis and Janie Allen Anderson.
She is survived by her only son, Michael Beck of Destin; daughters-in-law, Jody Godwin Beck and Valerie Beck Lowerison, both of Destin; grandchildren, Laine Beck Preston and husband Tom, and Monte Beck, all of Destin; stepgrandchildren, Chip Godwin and wife Tracy, Casey Godwin and Chris Godwin; great-grandchildren, Porter Beck Allmon, Peyton Beck Preston and Cooper Beck Preston; step-great-grandchildren, Justin Godwin and Caymon Godwin, all of Destin; and former husband, Reuben E. Beck of Atlanta.
Tommie was a property manager who was always available as a friend to her tenants. After retirement, she moved to Destin to be near her family and she worked at various jobs - as a cashier at the SunDestin Gift Shop and as a hostess at Chick-Fil-A. She was a sweet, pretty lady who loved people. She was active until her last illness and could often be found walking the beaches and stopping in at the various businesses on U.S. Highway 98.
She never met a stranger and would, in fact, invite complete strangers home for coffee and a chat. If you asked Tommie what she considered to be her finest accomplishment, she would smile with twinkling eyes and tell you about her only child, Mike Beck. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
A gathering of friends to have coffee and celebrate Tommie's life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at the Club House on the lake at Gulf Terrace Condominiums in Destin.
The National Cremation Society of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is handling the arrangements.
Edie Ella McCurley
Edie Ella Leverett McCurley, age 83, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Thursday, Jan. 20, 2000, at her home following an extended illness.
She was a native of Glenwood, Ala., and had resided in Crestview for more than 50 years.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Elton E. McCurley; sons, James E. "Mack" and Morris McCurley, both of Crestview; daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Von Jones, Connie and Junior Dukes, Frances Ellen and Ronald Gautney, Emmerjean and Tony Despain, all of Crestview, Janalla and Jack Marler of Elba, Ala., and Faye Bush of Pea Ridge; granddaughters, Rhonda McCurley of Pensacola, Fla., Christy M. Brown of Riverton, Utah, Vonda L. Jones of Crestview, Edie L. Marler of Elba, Trini Fields, Tanya Bush, Andrea Bush and Katie Bush, all of Pensacola, Fla.; grandsons, Jason Despain, Christopher Gautney and Dakota Von Jones, all of Crestview; six great-grandchildren; brother, McAlra Leverett of Glenwood; sister, Cornelia Sexton of Whigham, Ga.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at McLaughlin-Aultman chapel.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3 Del Cerro Camino, Crestview, with Bishop Vernon Cahoon officiating. Special music will be provided by Vonda Jones, Genny Tew, Betty Miller and Holly Tew, for this loving wife, mother, and friend who lived her life in loving service to everyone who ever came in contact with her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Pallbearers will all be nephews. Burial will be in New Travelers Rest Cemetery in Laurel Hill, Fla.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Ellen K. Olmstead
Ellen K. Olmstead, age 52, of Shalimar, Fla., passed away Jan. 15, 2000, at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle from complications during the recovery of her second bone marrow transplant.
She was born on July 2, 1947, in Roswell, N.M., and lived in this area since 1985.
Ellen is survived by her husband of 31 years, Dennis Olmstead; son, David Olmstead, daughter-in-law, Amy Romano, and granddaughter Katherine Isabella (Isa) of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; sister, Judy Wilt of Goldsboro, N.C.; brother, David (Tide) Cobb and wife Trisha of Bellingham, Mass.; sister, Janet McCarthy and husband David of East Falmouth, Mass.; brother, Wayne Cobb of Forestdale, Mass.; sister, Lori (Weege) Mahoney of East Falmouth; and sister, Shelly Cobb of Phoenix, Ariz.
Friends knew Ellen as a straightforward, quick-witted, tell-it-like-it-is person. She brightened the days of patients and staff alike at the Eglin Air Force Base Oncology Clinic during her visits. The Social Works Department of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle selected her to interview on the need for clean and affordable Seattle housing for recovering transplant patients. On Dec. 15, 1999, The Pete Gross House opened and Ellen was one of the firsts to move in.
The family wishes to thank their many friends for their care, support and prayers. They also wish to extend a special thank you to her bone marrow donor, Raymond Dufour of Ste Cecile De Masham, Quebec, Canada.
A memorial service will be conducted by Chaplain Mike Grubbs at Hurlburt Field Chapel on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help defray the cost of medical and related expenses. For more information, call the Bollinger's at 678-5709 or the Beckett's at 581-5388.
