John C. Scheidt Jr.
Maj. Gen. John "Jack" C. Scheidt Jr., U.S. Air Force retired, age 67, passed away Friday, Feb. 1, 2002.
Gen. Scheidt was born in 1934 in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he graduated from Brooklyn Technical High school in 1952. He received a bachelor's degree from New York University in 1958, and a master of arts degree in business administration from Auburn University in 1970.
Gen. Scheidt was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and entered primary pilot training in July 1958. During his 32 years of active duty, Gen. Scheidt served in numerous important flying and staff assignments until he retired on Aug. 1, 1990.
Gen. Scheidt, call sign "Hunter," was a Command Pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours. Known fondly to family and friends as "Jack," Gen. Scheidt's immediate family survivors include his loving wife of 43 years, Vivian Scheidt of Green Valley, Ariz.; sons, John, Stephen and Michael; daughters, Susan and Jackie; and four granddaughters.
A funeral Mass will be said at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley at 1 p.m. Thursday, followed immediately by burial.
Flowers may be sent to Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley; or memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Jack's name.
Vernon Porter Sr.
Master Sgt. Vernon Porter Sr., U.S. Air Force retired, age 73, of Roanoke, Va., and formerly of Destin, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002.
He retired from the U.S. Air Force with 24 years of service. He was a life member of the DAV and a member of the American Legion.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Helen Porter; sons and daughter-in-law, Vernon Porter Jr., Stevan J. and Stacey Porter, all of Roanoke; grandsons, Mark, Kevin, Matthew and Sean Porter; granddaughter, Lauren Porter; sisters, Kathleen Hawkins of Orange, Va., Rose Gentry of Kingsport, Tenn., Helen Walters of Chesapeake, Va.; twin sister, Verna Sullivan of Norfolk, Va.; numerous nieces and nephews; uncle, Howard Porter of Martinsville, Va.; and aunt, Stella Hunt of Jacksonville, Fla.
Funeral services will be conducted at Oakey's East Chapel in Roanoke at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. Interment will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, with full military honors.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at Oakey's East Chapel.
Oakey's East Chapel Funeral Home, Roanoke, is in charge of arrangements.
Pauline H. Champagne
Pauline Hagwood Champagne, age 73, died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002, in a Jacksonville, Fla., nursing home.
Mrs. Champagne was born in Franklin, N.C., a daughter of the late Roger and Rebecca Robbins Hagwood. She was a retired waitress and a member of the Pentecostal Holiness faith.
Survivors include two daughters, Terry Sue H. Notchick of Jacksonville, and Joann H. Worster of Johnston, R.I.; brothers, Ted Hagwood of Conway, S.C., and Roger Hagwood of Orangeburg, S.C.; and granddaughter, Dani Worster of Johnston.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, in Williamsburg Funeral Home Chapel in Kingstree, S.C., conducted by the Rev. Melvin Stalvey. Burial will be in Broad Swamp Pentecostal Holiness Church Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Williamsburg Funeral Home, Kingstree, is in charge of arrangements.
Olga Jane Adams
1926-2002.
Olga Jane Merritt Adams, age 75, of Pensacola, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002, at a local hospital following a long illness.
She was born Feb. 25, 1926, in Baker, Fla., and had resided in Pensacola for the last 21 years of her life. She graduated from Baker High School and received her nursing degree from Sacred Heart Nursing School, Pensaco-la, in 1948. In 1950, after pinning Navy "Wings of Gold" on her future husband, they were married on Nov. 11, 1950. She traveled with her husband to many duty stations and after his retirement they spent 13 years in Alaska. She was known as the "neighborhood nurse" wherever she resided and volunteered nursing care to all who needed her professional knowledge and care. She was an active member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, William K. Adams Jr.; daughters, Virginia J. Dancaescu and husband of Pensacola, Debora R. Rosa and husband of Scotia, N.Y., and Merry Wanda Vukmir and husband of Fairbanks, Alaska; son, William I. Adams III of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; sisters, Mrs. Lucille Gibson of Baker, Fla., and Mrs. Gertrude Darner of Fort Walton Beach.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 North 9th Ave., Pensacola, with the Rev. Michael Schulen-berg officiating. Inter-ment will be in Pilgrim Rest Cemetery, Route 4, Baker, at 2 p.m. Saturday following the funeral services.
Those who prefer may make memorial donations to Holy Cross Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 7979 North 9th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32514, in memory of Olga J. Adams.
Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, Pensacola, is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Frances Cooper
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002, God dispatched an angel and beckoned Betty Frances Mock Cooper home into the waiting arms of Jesus.
She was born in Winston-Salem, N.C., on July 28, 1935. She was the eldest daughter of the late James and Joanne Mock. She was a loving wife for 37 years to John L. Cooper and a model mother to her children and daughter-in-law.
Betty leaves to cherish her loving memories her husband John L. Cooper; daughter, Renee J. Cooper, both of Niceville, Fla.; sons, John L. Cooper Jr. of Tallahassee, Fla., and Andre S. (Elizabeth) Cooper of Hemet, Calif.; brother, James (Veronica) Mock of Winston-Salem; sisters, Vermelle Maxine Parks of Lynn, Mass., Mary Anne (James) Arnold of Windsor Locks, Conn., and Martha Jean Thomas of Boston; very special sisters-in-law, Virginia Lee Cooper, Lena Mae Cooper, and Lizzie Mae (William) Holifield, all of Cuthbert, Ga. Also left to cherish her loving memories are a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She received her education in Winston-Salem and graduated from Atkins High School in 1953. After graduating from high school Betty moved to Boston, where she lived and worked until she married John L. Cooper. Betty worked 20 years for the Army Air Force Exchange System (AAFES), performing numerous jobs of which the last one was sales associate at Military Clothing Sales, where she retired in 1995. At the time the Lord called her home she was a member of the Gospel Service at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
Betty was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, sister and friend. She loyally participated in her husband John's Air Force career and activities. She loved her Lord and Savior and used every opportunity she had to tell others about Him. She loved life and enjoyed spending time and encouraging her many family members and friends. Betty touched the lives of many people with her kind and generous heart. She will always be remembered for the countless acts of selflessness and dedication to her family and everyone she met.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home.
Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Chapel Center on Eglin Air Force Base. Interment will follow in Heritage Gardens Cemetery.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Sally Patterson
Sally Patterson, age 67, passed away Feb. 5, 2002.
Sally was a longtime resident of Grayton Beach, Fla., and attended Walton County ARC for many years.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Wilhelmina Miller Patterson; and father, W.L. Patterson.
She is survived by her siblings, Shirley P. Sahlie, Malcolm L. Patterson and Linda P. Eyer of Grayton Beach, and Susan P. Hood of Tallahassee, Fla.; 14 nieces and nephews; and 16 great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 1 p.m. at the Point Washington United Methodist Church, 1290 North Highway 395, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., with the Rev. Tonya L. Elmore officiating, assisted by the Rev. Harry Houseman. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be on Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. at Point Washington United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Walton County ARC, P.O. Box 813, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435; or to Point Washington United Methodist Church, 1290 North Highway 395, Point Washington, FL 32454.
Clary-Godwin Freeport Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Rev. Jack Coley Jr.
The Rev. Jack Lambert Coley Jr., a Florida resident for the past seven years, from the Woodlawn community in DeFuniak Springs, Fla., passed away Feb. 6, 2002, at Northwest Florida Hospital in Pensacola, Fla.
Mr. Coley was born in Pensacola. He was a former pastor of Gray Church of God in Gray, Ga., Lost Mountain Church of God in Marietta, Ga., Chamblee Church of God in Georgia, and pastored a church in Deland, Fla. He was a member of the New Beginnings Church in Freeport, Fla.
Mr. Coley was preceded in death by his father, Jack Lambert Coley Sr.; and mother, Willie Esther Williamson Coley.
He is survived by his sons, Scott Coley and wife Laurin of Marietta, Jason Coley and wife Stephanie of Moorehead City, N.C., and Christopher White of Moorehead City; daughter, Lana White of Moorehead City; brothers, Gary Coley of Macon, Ga., Sim Coley of Tallahassee, Fla., Johnny Coley of DeFuniak Springs, Ronnie Coley of Centerville, Ga., Hugh Coley of Freeport, Fla., Chuck Coley of Macon, Ga., and Bill Coley of Tallahassee; and grandchildren, Cassie Coley, Scotty Coley, Devon Coley, Abby Coley and Kelly White.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at New Beginnings Church, Highway 20 West, Freeport, with the Rev. Louis Taunton officiating. A time of visitation will be held at the church from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Beginnings Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1022, Freeport, FL 32439.
Clary-Godwin Freeport Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Irene B. St. John
Irene B. St. John, age 79, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in a local hospital Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002.
She was born on Sept. 7, 1922, in Montgomery, Ala., and was a resident of this area for the past 32 years, moving here as a military family from New Mexico. She enjoyed playing pinochle and making special trips to Biloxi. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting and cooking, and was a member of DAV.
Irene was a woman of many talents and a special loving and caring wife and mother to her family. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Survivors include her loving husband, John D. St.John, of 60 years; mother, Dora Burnette of Alabama; sons, John D. St.John III of Mossey Head, Fla., Marcellous St.John of Fort Walton Beach; daughter, Rebecca Fleming of Alabama; brothers, Oddis Brunner and Randall Burnette, both of Alabama; sister, Hilda McGough, also of Alabama; grandchildren, Laura Koche, Marschell Holmes, Melvin Fleming Jr., Wendy Charles, Holly Jill St.John; great-grandchildren, Tawsha, Dallas, Danielle, Richard, Riley, Crystal, Dustin and Ty; and many other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 1 to 2 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at Little Chapel Funeral Home, with the Rev. Oddis Brunner officiating. Following services, burial will be in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with arrangements.
Earl L. Lamalie
Earl Lee Lamalie, age 38, of Lancaster, Calif., passed away suddenly on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, at his home.
He was born on Oct. 10, 1962, in Bermuda and lived in California for the past 15 years. He was employed as chief of security with Metro Security in Los Angeles County.
Survivors include his brothers, Mark Lamalie of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Gary Lamalie of Fort Walton Beach; sister, Karen Clark of Prattville, Ala.; uncle and aunt, Robert and Dorothy Lamalie of Marco Island, Fla.
Graveside services will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. in Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach.
McLaughlin Mortuary is entrusted with the care and local arrangements.
Dorothy L. Curry
Dorothy Louise Curry of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002.
Mrs. Curry was a resident of South Florida for 70 years before she and her husband, Robert, moved to the Fort Walton Beach area.
Mrs. Curry was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Those who knew her will cherish her memory and greatly miss her sense of humor and kindness. She was an avid fisherman and gardener, but was happiest when in the company of family and friends. Mrs. Curry's husband of 59 years preceded her in death this past summer - June 2001. She is survived by their four children: sons, Robert G. Curry Jr. of Severna Park, Md., Darrell Curry of Las Vegas, and Steven Curry of Miami; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Charles Moran of Mary Esther, Fla. Also surviving are grandchildren, David Curry, Greg Curry (Jennifer), Stacey Abbott, Ryan Curry (Jessica), Matthew Moran, and Michel Moran; great-grandson, Jared Curry; and brother, Dave Cowan.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at Westwood Health Care Center for the excellent care and friendship they gave to "Moma Dot" and her family.
Services will be held in Big Pine Key, Fla.
Little Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
