Earl S. Simpson Sr.
To say farewell to "The Swing Man of Mossy Head."
Earl S. Simpson Sr. ("Swing Man"), U.S. Air Force retired, of Mossy Head, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2000, after an extended illness at age 71. He was born on May 25, 1929 in Clifton Forge, Va., the son of Hallie Stone and Joseph R. Simpson. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Earl Jr. and Pam Simpson of Franklin, N.C., Michael Simpson of Mossy Head, Fla., Jack Simpson of Crestview, Fla.; daughter, Ann S. Wilson of Navarre, Fla., and friend and previous wife, Frances Dudley Simpson of Niceville, Fla.; grandsons, Jason, Joshua, Tyler; one granddaughter, Brittany; and a great-granddaughter, Shelby, all of Florida.
Earl was preceded in death by his son Phillip Simpson in 1992.
The family requests no flowers. Those wishing to make a contribution in Earl's name may do so to Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church Building Fund, P.O. Boxes 681, Destin, FL 32540 or Hospice of Northwest Florida, 101 Hart Street, Niceville, FL 32578.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Highway 20, Niceville, at 1:30 p.m. to receive friends. The service will begin at 2 p.m.
James H. Kidder
James H. Kidder entered into rest unexpectedly Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2000. He was 55 years old.
James was born on April 13, 1945, in Orange County, Calif., to Paul and Margaret Walton Kidder.
He was a Vietnam veteran who was the recipient of the Purple Heart. A family statement: "He was a very strong and dedicated man who would do anything for anybody. He was an avid biker and loved riding his Kawasaki with the Sanddollar Club. He also loved his drums and popcorn. James will be greatly missed by those family and friends whose lives he touched."
James worked at BFI Waste Services.
Survivors include his father, Paul Kidder of Fort Walton Beach; sons, James S. Kidder and Chris Kidder, both of Niceville; brothers, John Kidder of Niceville, Richard Kidder of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Cyril Kidder of Atlantic Beach, Fla., Michael Kidder of Memphis, Tenn., and Tom Kidder of Pensacola, Fla.; sisters, Mary Justman of Conyers, Ga., Teresa Bullock of Live Oak, Fla., and Catherine Riley of Titusville, Fla.; and grandchild, Sidney Shaw Kidder.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home with Father Kevin Johnson officiating. Interment will be in Heritage Gardens Cemetery in Niceville.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville.
Roosevelt Douglas Sr.
Roosevelt Douglas Sr., age 97, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Nov. 29, 2000.
He was born on Jan. 2, 1903, in Ebro, Fla., to John and Mary Douglas. He was retired from the construction and landscaping business and was a master gardener.
Survivors include his loving wife of 76 years, Bessie Lee Douglas of Fort Walton Beach; son and daughter-in-law, Roosevelt Jr. and Royce Douglas of Chipley, Fla.; daughters, Willie B. Woods of Quincy, Fla., Dr. Thelma D. Wood of Vernon, Fla., and Connie Montgomery of Fort Walton Beach; sister, Eva Douglas of Cottonwood, Ala.; sisters-in-law, Abbie Daniels of Thomasville, Ga., and Ruby Wallace of Chicago. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Beatrice Hodge of Tacoma, Wash., Patricia Potter of Quincy, Kenneth Douglas of Panama City, Fla., Donna Douglas of Tampa, and Marcus Montgomery of Tallahassee, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Darran K. Clary of Atlanta, Stephanie Potter of Jacksonville, Fla., Shaun Potter of Quincy, and Tracy and Brandi Hodge of Tacoma; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Luke AME Church near Ebro with the Rev. Jerome Goodman officiating. Interment will follow at 4 p.m. in Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach.
Cooper Funeral Home, Chipley, is in charge of arrangements.
Marilyn McKee
Marilyn McKee, formerly of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., left this earth on Nov. 22, 2000, to be with the Lord.
She was born in Unionville, Mich., on July 9, 1926, to Frederick and Marie Dehmel.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, retired Master Sgt. Rodger McKee.
Mrs. McKee is survived by her children: daughter, Marie and husband Al Kay; daughter, Theresa and husband Glenn Persons; son, William and wife Sharon McKee; and six grandchildren. A sister, Madeline Albee, also survives her, along with nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Marilyn McKee to Hospice of Northwest Florida.
"Remember me with smiles and laughter; if you remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all."
Alice Lena Sargent
Alice Lena Winifred Sargent, age 83, of Destin, Fla., passed away Thursday, Nov. 30, 2000, in a local hospital following a sudden illness.
Alice was born in London, England, on Dec. 10, 1916.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Leonard Sidney Sargent. She is survived by her sons, Anthony of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Keith and wife Vickie of Seabrook, Texas, and Paul and wife Arlene of North Wales, Pa.; grandchildren, Stephen Sargent, Christopher Sargent, Dale Sargent, Keith Sargent, Simon Sargent, Alastair Sargent, Candace Berrios, Lisa Shelly and Lance Clark; and great-grandchildren, Samuel, Madison, Janine, Melissa, Brianna, Dakota, Vanessa and Trevor.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel. Alice will be interred at the City of London Cemetery next to her husband.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation in Alice's memory to your favorite charity.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with arrangements.
Sylvester Fox
Sylvester Fox, age 65, passed away Dec. 1, 2000, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital due to a long-term illness.
He was a longtime resident of Crestview, Fla., and retired from the Okaloosa County school system.
Sylvester was preceded in death by a daughter, Eileen Duncan. Survivors include his sons, James Holstead and Ron Holstead, both of Crestview; daughters, Julia Simpson, Linda Hilton, both of Crestview, and Charlotte Martin of Freeport, Fla.; sisters, Linda Hartman and Margie Wyne, both of Front Royal, Va.; grandchildren, Mike, Teresa, Susan, Jason, Sean, Zachary, Christy, Michelle, Kimberly Jo, Seth, Charity, Eva, Michelle, Kimberly, Alicia and Mary Beth; great-grandchildren, Scout, Amber, Nikki, Mikala, Connor, Lucas and Heather; and cousin, Barbara Poe of Front Royal.
A time of visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at Whitehurst Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Franzene Rowell Drake
Franzene Rowell Drake, age 73, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Friday afternoon, Dec. 1, 2000, at her home.
She was born on July 20, 1927, in Moultrie, Ga., and had resided in Crestview for the past 10 years. Mrs. Drake was a retired nurse's assistant and a member of Southside Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Woodson A. "Tom" Drake of Crestview; sons, James and wife Cynthia Johnson, and Timothy Johnson, all of Mobile, Ala.; daughter, Pat and husband Stan Houston of Crestview; sister, Ceresa and husband Buddy Springer of Lithia, Fla.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a special cousin, Mary Lee Patterson.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, in the chapel of Brackney Funeral Service with Chaplain Mike Stokes officiating. Burial will follow in Heritage Gardens in Niceville, Fla.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Hospice of Northwest Florida for their help.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
William H. Steele
William H. Steele, age 79, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in a local health care facility on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2000.
He was born on Dec. 11, 1920, in Paterson, N.J., and was a resident of the local area since 1972 when he moved here from Fort Sill, Okla. He was Protestant by faith. William honorably served his country for 30 years in the U.S. Army during World War II and Korea, retiring as a major and receiving the following decorations: the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Occupation Medal, Korean Service Medal, Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Marie; sons, William Jr. and wife Jan Steele of Niceville, Fla., and Charles and wife Carolyn Steele of Vienna, Va.; sister, Elanor Dill of Lawrenceville, N.J.; and grandchildren, Dottie Steele, Travis Steele, Jessica Steele and John Steele.
Funeral services will be conducted at Arlington National Cemetery, with full military honors, at a later date.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with arrangements.
Mary A. Adams
Mary A. Adams, 78, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., gently slipped away Nov. 26, 2000, at home in peace, after a long fight against heart disease.
She was born in Eurieka Springs, Ga., to Edgar Roswell and Abbie Estelle (Sutton) Grice.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, William L. (Bill) Adams Sr.; and three siblings, Roswell Grice, Louise McKee and Estelle Cope.
She leaves behind her sister, Ruth Torteson; four children, William (Billy) L. Adams Jr., Dr. Edward (Eddie) R. Adams, Cynthia (Cindi) A. Bush and Milton (Milty) E. Adams (names in parentheses were her nicknames for each child); five grandchildren, Donna, Bryan, Justin, Krystal and Jennifer; three great-grandchildren, Brandon, Hailey and Andrew (Drew), all of whom she loved dearly.
Mary retired after 25-plus years for Chuck Clary Inc. in management. She was a loyal, devoted employee and friend to the entire family, as they have remained to her. She was a member of VFW auxiliary, River Rats (charter member), a successful member of AA for 13 years and a Hospice volunteer for 5 1/2 years.
She leaves behind new and lifelong friends. Thank you for your calls and visits during her final stay at home. A special thanks to Glen Wilkerson, Sue and Bruce Rowlands, Jack and Geri West, Jeanie Vincent and so many others. Thanks to her caregivers, Lessie Musgrove and Mary Harris.
A very special "thank you" to Broughton Howard from her sons for being there 24-7 for their sister and mother in their absence. Words can't express their gratitude.
Hospice has been wonderful. Thank you for your support.
McLaughlin Funeral Home handled cremation. A private family service will be held.
From me, Mommy, you have been the center of my life for so many years. You were strong for me when I needed you in illness, as I have been there for you. You always gave words of wisdom when I saw dark moments. Then I would see the bright side of what was making you sad. You always said I made you laugh and could drag you out of sadness.
Here's hoping you are smiling, hugging and holding loved ones, laughing and being eternally happy. We all love you and will keep you in our hearts forever.
Thomas J. "Buddy" Grandstaff Sr.
The Rev. Thomas J. "Buddy" Grandstaff Sr. of Mossy Head, Fla., received the reward of his faith after passing away on Dec. 2, 2000, in his home after an extended illness.
He was born on May 17, 1918, in Westville, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Ira Grandstaff; his mother, Minnie Bell Barefoot Grandstaff; two brothers, James W. Grandstaff and George H. Grandstaff; and one sister, Essie Mae Bolton.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lunette Laird Grandstaff; four sons, Thomas J. and Carol B. Grandstaff, Jerry M. and Rhonda T. Grandstaff, Wayne L. and Deborah B. Grandstaff and Bobby Dale and Cathy G. Grandstaff; sisters, Lucy Brewer and Pearlie Mae Long of Crestview, Fla.; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was a disabled veteran of World War II, having served with honor in the South Pacific. He was a lifetime member of the Florida Chapter 57 of Disabled American Veterans. He was found by the Ordination Council to be sound in the Christian faith on Nov. 11, 1951, when ordained to the Gospel ministry. He served a number of churches in Northwest Florida and South Alabama.
He enjoyed his family, gardening, hunting and fishing, and was an avid baseball fan.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2000, at Dorcas Baptist Church, with the four sons and the Rev. David Van Zandt officiating. Five grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Interment will be in Crowder Cemetery in Mossy Head. Visitation will be held on Monday, Dec. 4, 2000, from 5 until 8 p.m. at Whitehurst Funeral Home in Crestview.
