Shirley Louise Hurst
Shirley Louise Hurst, age 87, of Holley-Navarre, Fla., died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001, in a local hospital.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the Billory Baptist Church with the Rev. George Kellum officiating. Burial will follow in the Harper Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Ronnie Aldridge, Tim Brown, Pete Hurst, Tut Hurst and Deacons of Billory Baptist Church.
Lewis Funeral Home, Navarre, is in charge of arrangements.
Gertrude Ernst
Gertrude Ryder Dyer Ernst died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Trudy was born on Sept. 9, 1914, in Chicago. She moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 1951, where she and her late husband George operated Poinsettia Press for 30 years. She was an active member of school PTAs, Scouts and the Fort Lauderdale Swimming Association when her children were young. She later became active in the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the state of Florida and the PEO Sisterhood.
In 1987 she moved to Covenant Village of Florida in Plantation, where she lived until her move to Fort Walton Beach in 2000. She resided at Wellington Place and was a member of the Hurlburt Field Catholic Community.
Trudy was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Cheney Dyer and Mary Warren Welch Dyer, and her husband, George Joseph Ernst. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Bunny and Jack Halligan of Navarre, Fla.; son and daughter-in-law, Fritz and Elizabeth Ernst of Burke, Va.; grandchildren, Tracy Graef and husband Rob of Laguna Niguel, Calif., and Michael Ernst and wife Amy of Alexandria, Va.; her precious great-grandson, Max Farrell Graef; stepgrandson, Kevin Halligan and wife Amanda of Tucson, Ariz.; and niece and nephew, Mary Bevilacqua of Miami, and Gerald Ungar of Switzerland.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Monday, Dec. 17, at 2:30 p.m. at the chapel at Hurlburt Field with celebrant Father Juan Diphe.
Private interment will follow in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery in North Lauderdale, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to a charity of your choice.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Billy C. Fields
Billy Cleveland "Bill" Fields, age 75, of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
He was born on May 13, 1926, to Thomas Walter Fields and Rebekah Blanks Fields, and was a native of Anguilla, Miss. He attended Woodberry Forest School in Orange, Va., and Mississippi State University, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Until his retirement he was a cotton producer and ginner in the Mississippi Delta.
Bill was an avid outdoorsman and active member of Flag Lake Hunting Club. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Pilkinton Fields of Santa Rosa Beach; daughter, Anne F. Shirley and husband Dr. Stephen Shirley of New Albany, Miss.; daughter, Rebecca Lee Fields of Jackson, Miss.; daughter, Ruth F. Hollis of Starkville, Miss.; daughter, Melanie F. Livingston and husband Matthew Livingston of Lake Village, Ark.; sister, Frances F. Leake of Santa Rosa Beach; and brother, Thomas W. Fields of DeFuniak Springs, Fla. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Matt Shirley of Memphis, Laura Shirley of New Albany, Kathryn Hollis of Starkville, Rebecca Hollis of Rolling Fork, Miss., and Will Livingston of Lake Village. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Harris J. Fields.
A memorial service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Anguilla United Methodist Church in Anguilla. Memorials may be made to the Anguilla United Methodist Church, Anguilla, MS 38721; or to The Community Church, P.O. Box 1723, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32549.
Theodore G. Norman
Retired Master Sgt. Theodore Gordon Norman passed away Tuesday evening, Jan. 29, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. in his home in Niceville, Fla., after an extended illness.
He was cared for and survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Delores Joann Norman; daughters, Deborah Shinholster, Teri Dunning, Lucia Bottenfield and Betty Jo MacNeill; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister, Jean Adams of Albuquerque, N.M.
Ted was born in Sylacauga, Ala., on Sept. 8, 1934, and moved to the Niceville area in 1972. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Ted worked at the NCO Club at Eglin. The family is grateful for his peaceful passing, but more gratitude is given to their loving mother and his wonderful wife for the loving care she gave him in his final years.
The family would also like to thank Daniel Diaz along with David and Marty Coggins for their continued support and friendship.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m. at Niceville Baptist Church on Bayshore Drive.
Oscar S. Walters
Oscar S. Walters, age 82, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and formerly of Birmingham, Ala., passed away Jan. 29, 2002, in Fort Walton Beach.
He was born in Ragland, Ala., and went on to serve faithfully in the U.S. Navy Sea Bees in World War II. He was retired from Connor Steel and was a member of the American Legion.
He was predeceased by his wife, Gladys; a son, Steve; and a brother, Jerry Weiss. Survivors include his daughters, Faith (Mark) Tooke and Barbara (Gary) Stewart; grandchildren, Michelle (Michael) Paradiso, Jason Patterson, Amber Tooke and Teri Stewart. He is also survived by his sisters, Helen Wiley and Octavia Fennell; and brothers, J.B. Walters and Bob Weiss.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 2, at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East at 1 p.m. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11 a.m. until funeral time at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville.
He was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Florence Hill Prichard
Florence Hill Prichard passed away Jan. 28, 2002. She bravely fought the diseases that finally claimed her in the 88th year of her life.
Florence taught school in Ohio and Florida for 42 years. She loved her profession and was wonderful at it. She spent her retirement years with her husband, family and hobbies.
Florence is preceded in death by her husband, Clayton Prichard. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marcella and Harold (Bud) Wright; grandchildren and spouses, Christina J. and Matthew P. Griffiths, and David B. Wright; and her four great-grandchildren, Amanda and Sean Griffiths, and Robin and Kevin Wright. Florence also cherished her many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Her death has left a great void in the lives of all who loved her.
A graveside memorial including family and close friends will be held in her honor at a later date.
Robert L. Jackson
Robert L. Jackson, age 63, of Mary Esther, Fla., died Monday, Jan. 28, 2002, at his residence.
He was born on Feb. 28, 1938, in Wren, Miss., and lived in Mary Esther since 1989. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force.
Survivors include his wife, Buathom Jackson of Mary Esther; sons, James K. Jackson of Tallahassee, Fla., and David R. Jackson of Las Vegas; sister, Eloise Wamble of Wren; and cousins, Nancy Payne and Bubba Andrews of Wren. Robert was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne Jackson.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at McLaughlin Mortuary.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel with Stephen Olivier officiating, with military honors. Following the services, Mr. Jackson's remains will be cremated.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with arrangements.
Juanita M. Jones
Juanita Mcbee Jones, age 80, a retired mathematician and computer operator, died Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, in Ocala, Fla., following a courageous battle with cancer.
Born May 5, 1921, in Knoxville, Tenn., she was the daughter of William Lon Mcbee and Ollie Golden Mcbee.
The family moved to Claiborne County, Tenn., in 1923. Juanita graduated from Claiborne County High School in 1938. She was married to Sgt. Paul Bentley, U.S. Army, of New Tazewell, Tenn.
Following a move back to Knoxville, Juanita worked on the World War II Manhattan Project (Atomic Bomb) at the Oak Ridge Nuclear Laboratory, Tenn. She was later married to Staff Sgt. James Jones, U.S. Army Air Force (later the U.S. Air Force), of Orlando, Fla.
Moving to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Juanita continued to serve her country. She worked with computers and in 1986 retired from civil service after 30 years of service. She was retired from the Armed Forces Systems Command, Headquarters Armament Division, Computer Sciences, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Following her retirement she moved first to Gulf Breeze, Fla., and later to Ocala, where she attended Word of Faith Church. Her faith in God helped her accept her illness and ultimately trust in God's will.
She enjoyed the outdoors, especially the mountains and the beach, and being with family. Juanita appreciated the romance of the French language, and New Orleans and Paris were among her favorite cities. Dancing and sharing jokes and stories were among her favorite pastimes, her sense of humor was wonderful. Mathematical puzzles and games also interested her.
She is survived by sons, Bruce Bentley of Knoxville, Tenn., James Jones of Pensacola, Fla., and Jeffrey Jones of Tallahassee, Fla.; daughters, Jennifer Allen of Brooklyn, N.Y., Brenda Alexander of Gainesville, Fla., and Serena Emerson of Deltona, Fla. Other survivors include a brother, W. Lon Mcbee of Knoxville; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. We deeply miss her.
Visitation and services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at the chapel at Lynnhurst Cemetery, 2300 W. Adair Road, Knoxville (850) 689-2120, with inurnment at Lynnhurst.
Dexton A. King
Dexton Alexander King of 300 Dexton King Road, Freeport, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002, at his home.
He was a lifelong resident of Freeport. Mr. King was Methodist by faith. He was born in Jefferson County, Fla., and enjoyed shrimping and fishing in the bay and looking at the bayou.
Mr. King was preceded in death by his father, Griffin King; mother, Pearl T. King; wife, Mary King; and brothers, Royce King and Jerry King.
He is survived by his children, Faye A. Currie and husband John Paul Currie of Enterprise, Ala., Richard L. Morris and wife Becky Morris of Portland, Fla., Larry A. Morris of Freeport, and Tressia K. Tousignant of Freeport; grandchildren, Dexton McKee, Nevada Morris, Amanda Commander, Dewayne Morris, Danny Morris and Magnolia Tousignant; and two great-grandchildren, Ally Oates and Tyler Morris.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. at New Beginnings Church, Highway 20 West, Freeport, with the Rev. Louis Taunton officiating.
Pallbearers will be Masons from the Freeport Masonic Lodge F&AM 108. Masonic rights will be held at graveside. Burial will follow in Hatcher Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be held on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Clary-Godwin Freeport Chapel.
Floral contributions are accepted, or donations may be made to Emerald Coast Hospice, 2529 South Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536.
Clary-Godwin Freeport Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Ralph O. Kersten
Master Sgt. Ralph O. Kersten, U.S. Air Force retired, age 67, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away at Eglin Regional Hospital on Friday, Sept. 12, 1997, after an extended illness.
He was born on Oct. 28, 1929, in Chicago, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948 for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1951. Master Sgt. Kersten was stationed in Thetford and Burdrop Park, England, Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Schilling Air Force Base In Salinas, Kan., Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, N.M., Eglin Air Force Base in Fla., and Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth. He also served two tours during Vietnam, one at Korat Air Force Base in Thailand and one at Phu-Cat Air Force Base in Vietnam.
He received the Bronze Star and the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1970, and retired from the Air Force on Oct. 1, 1970. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for Los Panchos Mexican restaurant in Fort Walton Beach for 20 years, retiring in 1995.
Ralph was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Walton Beach for the past 30 years.
Survivors include his mother, Margaret A. Kersten of Chicago; wife, June E. Kersten of Fort Walton Beach; son, Richard E. Kersten of Fort Walton Beach; daughter and son-in-law, Adrienne and Lonnie Dennis of Denver; daughter, Sandra C. Bell of Buena Vista, Colo.; son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Alecia Kersten of Fort Walton Beach; granddaughters, Dawn Bell of Buena Vista, Desiree Kelly of Denver, Kailie Irby of Fort Walton Beach, and Christina Kersten of Fort Walton Beach.
Memorial services will be conducted at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Walton Beach at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, with the Rev. Steven Marko officiating. A reception for the family will follow the services at the church.
Interment, with full military honors, will take place in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., on Wednesday beginning at 1:15 p.m. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Mortgage Reduction Fund, 363 Miracle Strip Parkway S.W., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
