Joseph H. Arnold
Joseph H. Arnold, age 80, of Mary Esther, Fla., left this world for a better place on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002, after a brief illness.
"Mr. A" was born and raised in Montgomery, Ala., where he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1940. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War and often spoke with pride of his military service and travels. His last tour abroad brought him and his family to the Emerald Coast, where he retired and made his home 35 years ago.
Mr. Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, Norman Sr. and Mary Ann; brothers, Norman Jr. and James; and sister, Nan, all of Montgomery; and by his loving wife of 48 years, Mary.
He is survived by his daughters, Nan E. Boswell and Ann Marie Bass of Mary Esther, Fla.; daughter, Mary Jo and son-in-law Jerry Biggs II of Merit, Texas; grandson, Gary J. Bass and wife Tracy; and grandson, Matthew J. Bass; great-grandsons, Tyler M. and Gage M. Bass; and great-granddaughter, Cierra Kay-Marie Bass, all of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
"Mr. A" loved to socialize and tell stories of days gone by. He spent part of his days visiting with friends and acquaintances around town and in local businesses. His sense of humor and handsome face will be missed by all whose lives he touched.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Ken Murie officiating. Following the services, burial will be in Jesse Rogers Cemetery in Mary Esther.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with arrangements.
Edward Thomas
Edward "Shorty" Thomas, age 82, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002.
He was born on June 29, 1919, in Pensacola, Fla., and moved to Crestview in 1960. He was a retired cook with civil service; an Army veteran; and served in World War II. Mr. Thomas was a member of Evelenar Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Luenell Thomas of Crestview; son, Nathaniel Mitchell of Waycross, Ga.; daughters, Linda Evans, Brenda and Waylon Bess, Patricia and William Todd, and Felicia Thomas, all of Crestview; brother, Uzziah Thomas of Crestview; brother-in-law, Willie Brown of Virginia; sister-in-law, Ola Mae Peacock of Crestview; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at Evelenar Baptist Church with the Rev. Benjamin Randolph officiating. Burial will follow in Milligan Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Mr. Thomas will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Bobbie M. Odom
Bobbie M. Odom, warrant officer (JG), U.S. Army retired, of Westwood Retirement Resort, left this life for one with his Lord and Savior on Feb. 16, 2002.
Mr. Odom was born on Feb. 9, 1908, in Lamesa, Texas, to Roger C. and Julia C. Odom. He graduated from high school in Uvalde, Texas, and attended Texas Tech University. He married the former Nina Bess Sprawls of Scranton, Texas, on March 20, 1932.
Much of his early life was spent working full-time with the Texas National Guard. He was ordered to active federal service in the Army of the United States, along with his unit the 131st Field Artillery Battalion, 36th Infantry Division, on Sept. 10, 1942. He was in the North African Campaign and the invasion of Italy. On Nov. 26, 1943, near Tora, Italy, he was struck in the head and back by enemy shell fragments, which essentially brought his military career to an end. He was awarded the Order of the Purple Heart for wounds received. He spent a year in recovery at Ashford General Hospital, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., and on Nov. 2, 1944, was medically retired.
Mr. Odom returned to his home in Plainview, Texas, where he worked for the Postal Service for a number of years. In 1959, he retired in earnest to Lake Buchanan in the Hill County of Texas. In 1996, he and Mrs. Odom moved to Westwood in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
He is survived by his bride of 70 years, Nina Bess; daughter, Nina Janette Gregg, and son Karl Martin Odom; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister, Nina May Scarbrough. A daughter, Nancy Jeannine West, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 10:30 a.m. at Little Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Danny Adkinson officiating. Inturnment will be in Barrancas National Cemetery on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Covenant Hospice with any remembrance envelopes provided at the funeral home, in memory of Bobbie M. Odom.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with arrangements.
Kathryn A. Vickery
Kathryn Arvezena Vickery, age 85, passed away in a local hospital on Feb. 18, 2002.
She was a resident of Emerald Pointe Nursing Facility in Niceville, Fla., at the time of her passing. She and her husband, Wayne Vickery, moved to Niceville from Ellington, Mo., in January 1991. They were members of the Methodist Church (formerly Venter's Methodist Church), Choctaw Beach, Fla.
Kathryn was the third of four daughters of Francis Marion McKenzie and Daphne Iras McKenzie and was born on May 14, 1916, in Garwood, Ripley County, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; and husband Wayne.
Kathryn and Wayne were married on April 12, 1940, in Ironton, Mo. In addition to being a wife and mother, she worked as a ladies clothing salesperson and model, waitress, book binder, poultry processing line supervisor, Avon salesperson, home interior decoration salesperson, antique dealer, upholstery shop operator/manager, newspaper reporter, specializing in family histories and human-interest stories, and Municipal Judge in the state of Missouri. In addition, she was instrumental in forming the Big Springs Medical Association, serving Reynolds County, Mo., and served as one of their board trustees for several years.
During her time as a reporter for the Reynolds County Courier (Missouri) her "Neighbor's" column and articles on family histories inspired many to look further into their roots. Several of her articles and works were incorporated into books and other research on the families of southern Missouri. She completed a genealogy on the Carver Creek, Mo., McKenzie family and did a lot of research into the Iron County, Mo., Vickery family.
She was elected to two terms as Municipal Judge, serving Ellington and Bunker, Mo.
Kathryn and Wayne had three sons; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She is survived by Bill and Margo Vickery of Valparaiso, Fla., Dennis and Donna Vickery of Houston, and Ron Vickery of Warm Mineral Springs, Fla. Her grandchildren: Tracy Matthews of Ormond Beach, Fla., Kristin Vickery of Atlanta, Ian Vickery of Brewton, Ala., Scott Vickery of Hoover, Ala., Tammy Harms of Temple, Texas, Andria Vickery of Houston, Daphyn Vickery of Fremont, Mo., and Aleacia Vickery of Van Buren, Mo. And great-grandchildren, Kayla and Kendall Vickery of Hoover, Ala., Miller Vickery of Brewton, Ala., and Aeryn Vickery of Atlanta. In addition, she has several nieces and nephews.
She will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Niceville on Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
Contributions to the Building Fund, FUMC, 214 S. Partin Drive, P.O. Box 278, Niceville, FL 32588, in Kathryn's name will be appreciated.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, is in charge of arrangements.
James Leroy Holland
James Leroy "Jim" Holland, age 84, of the Black Creek community of Freeport, Fla., passed away late Monday evening, Feb. 18, 2002, at the family residence.
He was born on April 22, 1917, in Stonington, Maine, the son of James Edward and Daisey Stockbridge Holland. Mr. Holland was a veteran, having served his country for over 22 years with the U.S. Air Force. In 1954, he and his family built their home in the Black Creek community of Freeport, where Mr. Holland was a member and trustee of Black Creek United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Ina Inez Holland of the Black Creek community; daughter, Betty A. Patton and husband Ronnie of the Black Creek community; granddaughter, Teri Lynn Irwin and husband Michael of Blackmon, Fla.; great-granddaughters, Courtney Fountain and Sarah Hudson; sister, Margaret Grindel of Stonington, Maine; and brothers, Alvernon Holland and wife Olive of Stonington, Carliss Holland and wife Lillian of Belfast, Maine, and Howard Holland of Newport, R.I.
Flowers are being accepted, or donations may be made in Mr. Holland's memory to Covenant Hospice, 101 Hart St., Niceville, FL 32578.
A time of visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. in Black Creek United Methodist Church with the Revs. David Wilson and Curtis Mixon officiating. Burial will follow in Black Creek Cemetery, with full military honors.
Jerry Evans Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, is in charge of arrangements.
Mary E. Thornton
Mary E. Thornton, age 68, of Niceville, Fla., and formerly of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, Feb. 18, 2002, in a Niceville health care facility.
She was born on Jan. 10, 1934, in Rye, Ark., and was a resident of the local area since 1961, when she moved here from Arkansas. She was Baptist by faith and a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Family and friends would say that Mary was such a very caring person who always enjoyed caring for others rather than herself.
She will be greatly missed by her family and all that knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Ray Thornton; and son, Randy Steve Thornton.
Survivors include her mother, Pearl McMahon of Arkansas; sons, Dennis Thornton and wife Brighetta of Powder Springs, Ga., and Tony Thornton and wife Kim of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; brother, Gene McMahon of Arkansas; sister, Margaret Adair, also of Arkansas; former daughter-in-law, Beverly Thornton; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to services on Thursday at Little Chapel Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home, with Stephen Olivier officiating. Following services burial will be in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with arrangements.
Arthur E. Gilmore
Arthur E. Gilmore, age 68, of Niceville, Fla., died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002, in Pensacola, Fla.
Art was born in Myrtle Point, Ore., and moved to Tomah, Wisc., where he graduated from high school and joined the U.S. Air Force. He was chosen for flight school, became a pilot and was commissioned. He retired from the Air Force in 1971.
After retiring from the Air Force at age 38, he returned to school to complete a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Maryland and then went to work for the Army Air Force Exchange Service as an auditor. After retiring a second time he indulged his passion for literature, guitar, art and music. He completed a course in Braille and translated books into Braille for blind students.
Art was a genuinely nice person who is remembered for his conversation about ideas rather than people. He was a suave and debonair world traveler. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Peggi of Niceville; daughter and son-in-law, Ken and Channa Beckman; and grandchildren, Will and Emerie Kate Beckman, all of Gig Harbor, Wash. Additionally, he has many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews who reside in Wisconsin. He is also survived by his two faithful companions, Beau and Bree, who provided much comfort to him during his illness.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, Feb. 22, at 10:30 a.m. at the Air Force Armament Museum at Highway 85 and State Road 189, adjacent to the Eglin Air Force Base west gate.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Family Services Inc., 3454 East Olive Road, Pensacola, FL 32514-4722.
Trahan Mortuary Services, 419 Joakum Court, Pensacola, is in charge of arrangements.
Joan Ella Phillips
Joan Ella Phillips, age 70, of Destin, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, after a brief illness.
She was born on Oct. 19, 1931, in Chicago and was a resident of Destin for more than 15 years.
She is survived by her husband, Lawrence Phillips of Destin; son, Dr. Paul Phillips of Clearwater, Fla.; daughter, Lynne Phillips-Werbel of Portland, Ore.; sisters, Shirley Schmook of Union Grove, Wisc., and Diane Hudlow of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Steve Olivier officiating.
Friends may call on Thursday, Feb. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Eden State Gardens Pavilion, P.O. Box 4, Point Washington, FL 32454.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with the care and arrangements.
Jamie L. Woods
Jamie Lyyne Woods, age 42, of 2280 Harlan Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died at her parents home in Destin, Fla., on Feb. 20, 2002, after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
Jamie was born in Charleston, S.C., on Oct. 27, 1959, and as a member of a military family she traveled widely before moving to this area in 1995. Miss Woods was a communicant of Saint Mary's Catholic Church and she worked at the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center in the Medical Transcription Department. Jamie was a delightful young lady whose co-workers were struck by her radiant smile and total dedication to doing her job in the best way possible.
Thanks to the efforts of its leader, Joyce Pybus, Jamie was able to become an active member of the Destin/South Walton Breast Cancer Support Group and helped numerous women deal with the fears associated with diagnosis and treatment of this terrible killer. Jamie was honored as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation "Hero of the Year" for this area in 2001.
A shy but spirited young lady, Jamie always enjoyed being with family and friends and was a member of the Emerald Coast Singletons, as well as the One plus One singles group, sponsored by Shalimar United Methodist Church.
Her quiet nature belied the fact that she had accrued an impressive record of academic achievements and that she had served with distinction in varied and complex positions at such places as the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., the Environmental Protection Agency in Las Vegas, and the Heart Center of Sarasota, Fla.
In addition to numerous friends locally and around the country, she is survived by her parents, Jim and Liz Woods of Destin; sister, Anna Woods of Las Vegas; paternal grandmother, Doris Milanese of Springfield, Mass.; maternal grandmother, Tyyne Regan of Vero Beach, Fla.; aunt, Phyllis Baker of Vero Beach; and uncle and aunt, Ed and Lee Shields of Fort Walton Beach. She is also survived by cousins, Mari Lee Shields and Lori Hill of Fort Walton Beach, and Bill Baker of Washington, D.C.
Jamie wishes to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to the entire staff of The Emerald Coast Oncology Center. She wants to thank nurses Katie, Belinda and Jody, and physicians, Dr. Harvey Hsiang and Dr. Dale Johns for helping so much in her battle against cancer.
She also asked to express her gratitude to the staff of the Hospice of Northwest Florida (729-1800) and asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to this vital and caring organization.
A memorial service will be held for Jamie at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23.
Jeffrey L. Edgeworth
Jeffrey Leroy Edgeworth, age 40, a resident of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002.
Jeff was born in San Angelo, Texas, on July 16, 1961.
He is survived by his wife, Renee Nickels Edgeworth, whom he considered the "single most important person in his life"; parents, George and Aprill Edgeworth of Destin, Fla.; daughter, Jennifer Lee Edgeworth of Fort Worth, Texas; brothers, Timothy Edgeworth of Dallas, and Richard Hunter Edgeworth of Tampa, Fla.; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews from Florida to Ohio.
Jeff was an avid fisherman in the local area and worked on the party boat "Sweet Jody" and the charter boat "Reveille II."
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Community Church, 3524 U.S. Highway 98 West, Santa Rosa Beach. Per Jeff's request, his ashes will be scattered in the Gulf at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Renee Edgeworth, c/o the Community Church, P.O. Box 1723, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459.
