Peggy Lynette McGee Gotcher
Peggy Lynette McGee Gotcher, 77, passed into God's hands on Friday morning after a short illness. She was at home surrounded by her family and friends.
Much beloved of many stitchers in the area, Peggy was a long time member of the Embroiderer's Guild of America, and an inspiration to many of the friends and customers of the Stitchery House where she sat quietly quietly several days a week working her crosstitch and hardanger, and sharing her knowledge with great affection.
Peggy is survived by her husband, James R. Gotcher Jr.; daughter Pam Gotcher of Niceville, her son James R. Gotcher III of Orlando, his wife Rosa and his children Karla and CJ also of Orlando; Kristen Gotcher Wilson of Dallas, with her husband Brandon and their two children Emily and Benjamin Aaron. She is also survived by her mother, Mrs. H.W. McGee Jr.; her brother Harry W. McGee and his wife Kathleen McGee all of Marshall, Texas, and their children and grandchildren. She will especially be missed by her sister-at-heart, Sally Rheam.
A memorial service will be held July 11 at 1 p.m. at McLaughlin Twin City Funeral Home located at 1405 John Sims Parkway, Niceville, Florida, to be followed with service in Marshall, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made in Peggy's name to Hospice of Northwest, Florida located on 101 Hart Street, Niceville, Florida 32578.
Geraldine Creighton Utter
Geraldine C. Utter, age 70, of Crestview, Fla., died Saturday, July 7, 2001, at West Florida Regional Medical Center in Pensacola, Fla.
Mrs. Utter was born in Oneonta, N.Y., on Feb. 21, 1931, to Smith and Evelyn Masker Lasher and was a resident of the Northwest Florida area since 1952. Mrs. Utter was a store manager with Tom Thumb Food Stores. She was a member of the Portlandville, New York Methodist Church.
Survivors include her loving husband, Robert M. Utter; daughter and son-in-law, Regina and Wayne Hellijas, all of Crestview; brother and sister-in-law, John and Rita Lasher of Levitown, N.Y.; sister and brother-in-law, Pauline and Richard Cole of Maryland, N.Y.; grandchildren, Heather and Billy Barrow and Kimberly and Daniel McCarra; and great-grandchild, Destinie McCarra.
A time of visitation will be conducted from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Whitehurst Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted in the chapel of Whitehurst Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, with the Rev. Raymond Williams officiating. Cremation will follow.
Floral tributes will be accepted at the funeral home.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home in Crestview.
Peggy Downs Novak
Peggy Downs Novak, age 66, passed away at her home in Niceville, Fla., on July 8, 2001, from cancer.
She was born in Ayden, N.C., on March 25, 1935, and was retired from Wagner Brake Division, Tullahoma, Tenn.
Peggy always had an active interest in athletics, having played on her high school basketball team. She was a 300 bowler and competed in tournaments throughout the United States. She was a graduate of the Emmit Kelly Clown School and performed as a professional clown for the Eastern Star of Melbourne, Fla.
Peggy was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Jacqueline Bell. She is survived by her husband, Richard W. Novak of Niceville; daughters, Teresa Eggleston of Lilburn, Ga., and Debra Latremore of Daleville, Ala.; grandsons, Michael Brady and John Eggleston; granddaughter, Leah Latremore; brothers and sisters, Myrtis Stallings of Edenton, N.C., Emma Haislip and James Downs of Hurley, Miss., Cecil Downs of Plymouth, N.C., Carolyn Barber and Sue Tice of Williamston, N.C., Bobby Downs of Palm Bay, Fla., Faye Jenkins of Seneca, S.C., and Jake Downs of Pattersonville, S.C.; numerous nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, stepchildren and great-stepchildren.
A memorial Eucharist service will be held at St. Jude's Episcopal Church, 200 North Partin Drive, Niceville, at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 12.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Peggy's name to Hospice of the Emerald Coast, 2529 South Ferdon blvd., Crestview, FL 32536.
The National Cremation Society, Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Ollie Mae Price
Ollie Mae Price, age 85, passed away Friday afternoon, July 6, 2001, at her home in Niceville, Fla.
Mama Price put aside all of her worldly burdens and began her eternal Sabbath rest with the Lord, in his house.
The daughter of the late Finas and Mollie Coin Clowdus, she was born July 2, 1916, in Gadsden, Ala. An area resident for 22 years, she was a member of the Living Word Church of Niceville. She will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Ollie Mae was preceded in death by her husband and a grandson, Adam Price.
Survivors include a son, Billy R. and wife Jan Price of Niceville; daughter, Patricia Miles of Navarre, Fla.; brother, Raymond Clowdus of Cheyenne, Wyo.; sisters, Wilma Santini and Betty Bowles, both of Mechanicsville, Va.; grandchildren, Nathan and Caleb Price, Charity Miles, and Dawn and husband Travis Griffin; and one great-grandchild, Darian Griffin.
A visitation will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Living Word Church, 144 Adams St., Niceville. Funeral services will begin at 5:30 p.m. following the visitation. The Rev. J.V. Aspinwall will officiate. Interment will take place in Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso, Fla.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Ollie Mae's name to the Living Word Church, 144 Adams St., Niceville, FL 32578.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville.
William D. Jones
Lt. Col. William D. Jones, U.S. Air Force retired, passed away Sunday, July 8, 2001, at Westwood Nursing Home in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. He was 85 years old at the time of his passing.
Lt. Col. Jones is survived by his wife of 63 years, Melba (Fuchs) Jones, originally of Charleston, S.C. He was born to William Hatcher and Laura (Bellinger) Jones on June 7, 1916, in Columbia, S.C.
After graduating from The Citadel in 1937, he worked as a civil engineer for the Army Corps of Engineer in Vicksburg, Miss. As an officer in the Army Air Corps he provided distinguished service as a fighter pilot in North Africa and Italy during World War II. After the war he returned to his boyhood love of motorcycling as the owner of the Harley-Davidson franchise in Columbia. He later rejoined the U.S. Air Force, received his master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois, and retired from active duty in 1965. A radar expert, he worked for the MITRE Corp. until 1981.
An avid and studied sailor, he was an active member of the Fort Walton Yacht Club for many years. He was also active in coordinating several reunions of his wartime comrades who were members of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing. He also had a lifelong enjoyment of dogs and cats.
Lt. Col. Jones was preceded in death by his brother, Martin; and sister, Suzanne, both of Columbia. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister, Laura of Columbia; and his three children, William D. Jones Jr. of Stone Mountain, Ga., and Folly Beach, S.C., Elise J. Chapman of Plantation, Fla., and Michael A. Jones of Wakefield, R.I. He has four grandchildren, William D. Jones III of Dallas, Julie Jones of Charleston, Amy Guillont of Miami, and Seth Chapman of Plantation, Fla.; as well as two loving great-granddaughters, Anna Bailey-Jones and Madeleine Guillont. He has two nephews, Martin Jones of Columbia, and Edmund Jones of San Diego.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at McLaughlin Mortuary.
He will be interred in Charleston later this week.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Humane Society of the United States; or other animal rights organizations.
McLaughlin Mortuary is entrusted with local arrangements.
Amanda L. Phillips
Amanda L. Phillips of Niceville, Fla., entered into eternal rest on Monday, July 9, 2001. She was 98 years old.
The daughter of the late John and Julia Wright Regans, Amanda was born on Nov. 19, 1902, in Sampson, Ala. An area resident since 1919, she will be deeply missed by her friends and family.
Survivors include her daughter, Marilyn Beckham of Carrollton, Texas; and two grandchildren, Melissa Steel of Plano, Texas, and Michelle Steel of Macedon, N.Y.
A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 12, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Rurel J. Ausley officiating. Interment will be in Earley Cemetery in Niceville.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville.
Willard Harvey
Willard "Bill" Harvey passed away July 9, 2001, in Niceville, Fla.
Bill was born June 7, 1916, in Portland, Ore. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1939 in logging engineering and botany. He was affiliated with Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. His career included: forester in charge of the Cedar River Watershed in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State, to the technical editor, purchasing agent and office manager for Moen Faucets in Elyria, Ohio.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Virginia Hoskins Harvey; son, Willard W. Harvey and his wife Carol of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; and daughter, Claire Cones of Niceville. He is also survived by four granddaughters, Lee, Claire, Jennifer and Dianna. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a deep love of country, history and the beauty of the American West. He was a faithful Christian and loved the Lord. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Niceville on Thursday, July 12, at 2:00 p.m.
In place of flowers the family requests donations be made to the First United Methodist Church, Niceville, in the name of Bill Harvey.
Jeffrey Reid Newell
Jeffrey Reid Newell, age 48, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2001, in his home after a long battle with cancer.
Born Sept. 22, 1952, to retired Lt. Col. Donald and Marylaide Newell, Jeff was a longtime resident of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. He attended Choctawhatchee High School as a member of the Choctawhatchee Style Marchers and began a music career attending the University of Florida.
Prior to graduation, Jeff entered the military service under the U.S. Navy. Upon completion of his service, he finished his education at the University of West Florida with a major in economics and a minor in journalism.
Using his journalistic talents, Jeff started with the Pensacola News Journal and soon furthered his professional career with his hometown paper, the Northwest Florida Daily News, where he was employed for more than 11 years. During his career, Jeff received numerous journalistic awards and has a scholarship award in his honor through the University of West Florida School of Journalism.
Jeff continued his love of music by performing with the Emerald Coast Community Band playing the trumpet.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Jeff worked tirelessly with the American Cancer Society to help others stricken with this disease. Jeff has been honored by his efforts by receiving numerous awards, including the American Cancer Society Courageous Award.
Jeff was preceded in death by his father, retired Lt. Col. Donald E. Newell, and is survived by his mother, Marylaide G. Newell; brothers, Michael D. Newell and wife Jill Work Newell of Fort Walton Beach, Mark E. Newell of Fort Walton Beach, and Stephen A. Newell and wife Norma Long Newell of North Augusta, S.C. Jeff also leaves eight nieces and nephews who were very precious in his eyes.
In addition, Jeff is survived by his uncle, John T. Granaghan, and aunt, Nancy Granaghan, both of Aiken, S.C.; aunts, Cornelia Warren and Sister Mary Joan Newell of New York.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at McLaughlin Mortuary.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, at St. Marys Catholic Church, with interment following in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeff's honor may be made to the University of West Florida's Journalism Department. Checks can be made out to the UWF Foundation, earmarked "journalism" or "Jeff Newell," and mailed to 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with arrangements.
Andrew Jackson White
Andrew Jackson "Jack" White died July 13, 2001, in Niceville, Fla.
Mr. White was born in Pensacola (Escambia County), Fla., the youngest child of Emma Britt and Andrew Jackson White Sr.
He came to Christ early and was baptized. His siblings were Nathaniel and Lucille. Both parents were natives of Jackson County, where Jack completed high school in 1928.
He enrolled at Florida A&M College in Tallahassee, Fla., and served as the band's drum major. He joined Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and graduated in 1934. He also held membership as a 32nd degree Prince Hall Mason. As a young man he became a printer and was subsequently hired at the Florida Sentinel, Tampa Bulletin and Carolina Tribune.
Soon he would marry his college sweetheart, Cleo C. Wang of New Smyrna, Fla., on Feb. 19, 1937, in Wayne County, Mich. He had a brilliant mind and a determination to overcome all odds. In 1941, he attended Akron University in Ohio. Later, he attended the Ford Motor Engineering School, earning its associates degree and then remaining to work 10 years for Ford.
Later, he became employed with the Department of Defense in Material Readiness Command as supervisor in Research and Development and as engineering directorate-Rubber Branch in Warren, Mich. After 30 years, he retired from the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research and Development Command in the 1970s.
He and his wife had no children. They enjoyed life in the big city, where he had an opportunity to practice some skills gained in his small towns. He kept a thriving garden and was an excellent cook. Cleo Wong White died in Detroit on March 10, 1986.
The retired Jack continued to live through the harsh winters of Detroit but was coaxed by several relatives to return to Florida. Curlie White searched Northwest Florida at his request for a suitable retirement community. After many exploratory trips and mailing him brochures he decided to move to Fort Walton's Westwood Community, where his portrait was painted by Salvatrce S. Creel (1996). In 1998, he chose the convenience of The Sterling House in Niceville, Fla. As a resident he enjoyed many activities and trips to interesting places planned under the leadership of Mrs. Leslie Perkins.
He was visited and loved by many relatives and friends from DeFuniak Springs to California, and several cities in between.
He was a gentleman with a quiet sense of humor and made friends wherever he went. Local merchants and businessmen loved and adored him.
He is survived by Britt and Wong family members; Curlie S. (William Charles) White of Coral Springs, Fla., Dr. Joyce White Mills of Atlanta, Cozie Smith of Coral Springs, Dr. Valoria W. Latson of Coral Springs, Mrs. Hortense Sapp, Charles Morton and Tallulah M. Ellis of Los Angeles, Fairy Mae B. Coar of Orlando, Fla., Henry Britt of Englewood, Calif., Sondra W. Dease of Benicia, Calif., and Helen B. Kane of Washington, D.C.; and a host of relatives and other friends.
The family received relatives and friends on Monday, July 16, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home from 10 to 11 a.m., with a service following at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Gerald Reeves officiating. Interment followed in Sunset Cemetery, Valparaiso, Fla.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville.
Harold William Lawson
Harold William "Bill" Lawson, age 72, died July 14, 2001, at 10:35 a.m. after a long illness at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
He leaves his wife, Vivian; eight children; and 12 grandchildren in Massachusetts, Texas and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. He also leaves three sisters and their families in Ohio.
Mr. Lawson will be cremated, with interment at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Arrangements by Trahan Mortuary in Pensacola, Fla.
Ila M. Leftwich
Ila M. Leftwich, age 94, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2001, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
She was born on Dec. 13, 1906, the daughter of the late Issiak and Lou Webb Kaclip. She was a resident of Choctaw Beach, Fla., since 1988 after moving from Tampa, Fla. Mrs. Leftwich was a member of Choctaw Beach First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Albert Pridgen; and second husband, Carl Leftwich.
Survivors include her niece, Mildred F. Linton and husband Willard of Choctaw Beach; nephew, Ben King and wife Jean of Freeport, Fla.; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
A time of visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at Portland United Methodist Church.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Portland United Methodist Church with the Revs. Michael Garner and Bob Cupstid officiating. Burial will follow in Hatcher Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the building fund of Choctaw Beach First Baptist Church.
Clary-Godwin Freeport Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Edna G. Holly
Edna G. Holly of Niceville, Fla., entered into eternal rest on July 14, 2001, at the Destin Health Care and Rehab Center. She was 72 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Everitt Isaac "Ike" Holly.
The daughter of the late Norman and Ethel Smith Gregory, she was born August 30, 1928 in Montgomery, Ala.. She moved to the Emerald Coast in 1934. Her family and friends will sadly miss her.
Survivors include her son, James E. Holly and wife Janeene of Fort Walton Beach, Fl; one brother, Raymond Gregory of Sefner, FL; one sister, Norma Hartly of Montgomery, AL; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville.
Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, July 18 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Steve Olivier is officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Cemetery.
Flowers will be accepted or if one wishes, they may make a memorial donation in Edna's memory to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 101 Hart Street, Niceville, Florida 32578.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, 1405 John Sims Pkwy., Niceville.
