Willetta H. Pennington
Willetta H. Pennington, age 92, of Franklinville, N.C., passed away Sunday, Feb. 15, 1998, in a Asheboro, N.C., health care facility.
She was a native of Jacksonville, Miss., and a housewife.
Graveside services will be conducted in Beal Memorial Cemetery on Thursday, Feb. 19, at noon with the Rev. Maurice L. Hodges officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with arrangements.
George Stonebraker
George Stonebraker, age 94, of Oakland Circle, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Feb. 15, 1998, in Orlando, Fla.
Born in Foreman, W.Va., he was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Hattie Stonebraker; wife, Sara; and only child, Betty Jean Jolley; and 13 brothers and sisters.
He was employed by the B&O Railroad for 50 years before moving to Fort Walton Beach in 1970 from Maryland.
Surviving are his two grandsons, Jim Jolley and wife Susan of Orlando, and Richard Jolley of Ocala, Fla.; also his great-grandson, Richie Jolley, U.S. Marine corps, Okinawa; and great-granddaughter, Jennifer Jolley of Orlando.
Funeral arrangements will be in Cumberland, Md., at Merritt-Adams Funeral Home on Friday, Feb. 20.
Wanda Jeffries Davis
Wanda Jeffries Davis, age 75, of Shalimar, Fla., died Monday, Feb. 16, 1998, at Eglin Air Force Base Hospital.
She was born on Nov. 12, 1922, to the late Warnie P. and Betty J. Jeffries of Ronceverte, W.Va. She was the beloved wife of Maj. Gen. Woody Davis Jr., U.S. Air Force retired.
Wanda was a devoted Christian who enjoyed each day of life to its fullest. She clung to her faith to the end, and it sustained her in a tremendous personal battle against cancer throughout a lengthy illness.
Her childhood was lived in the White Sulphur Springs area of West Virginia where she graduated from high school as an honor student with many scholarship and activity awards. She moved to Newport News, Va., where she continued her education through the University of Virginia while working as a telephone operator. It was there that she met Lt. Woody Davis, who was enroute overseas to his first combat tour in World War II. They were married in 1944 and began a life and career together that spanned 35 years in the Army Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force.
Wherever Wanda went she always engaged herself in useful work supporting people of the base and community around her. She was very active with the Red Cross, serving as a Grey Lady at many hospitals around the United States and overseas. After moving 31 times, Woody retired and they settled in Shalimar in 1976.
She was a caring wife and a patient and loving mother and grandmother. If the number of friends one had counted as wealth, and in a way it does, she was a very rich person. She endured and survived many health problems over a long period. In her final days, Wanda wanted to say a special "thank you" to all the caring people who helped her so much at Eglin Air Force Base Hospital, Keesler Air Force Base Medical Center and Hospice of Northwest Florida, and to her many friends and neighbors, especially those in the active and retired Air Force, Army and Navy, whose support meant so much.
Survivors include her loving husband, Maj. Gen. Woody Davis Jr., U.S. Air Force retired; son and daughter-in-law, Woodard E. III and Evelyn Davis of Brussels, Belgium; daughter, Debra Ann Lewis of Fort Walton Beach; grandchildren, Guenevere Davis Wischmann and husband Eric of Knoxville, Tenn., Jessica Flood and Andrew Flood of Fort Walton Beach, and Bryan Woodard Davis of Brussels; sister-in-law, Betty Davis Lyons and husband Don of Selma, Ala.; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted at First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m. with Dr. Howard L. Gates officiating.
In lieu of flowers, those who desire may make contributions to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 W. College Blvd., Niceville, FL 32578.
Active pallbearers will be Dr. Forest Townsend, Sean Clancy, Tim Herndon, Maj. John Mills, James Simmons, Bob Wessells, Jim Bennis and Buddy Burke.
Honorary pallbearers will be Maj. Gen. Walter B. Putnam, U.S. Air Force retired, Dr. Kenneth Cross, Dr. Dan Stewart, Frank Woodall, Maj. Gen. William Maxson, U.S. Air Force retired, Dr. James Mills, C.H. "Bud" Fisher, Lt. Gen. Gordon Fornell, U.S. Air Force retired, Dr. Eric Swartz, Dr. Eric Adler and Frank Westmark.
Wanda will be buried in the Davis family plot in Live Oak Cemetery in Selma on Friday, Feb. 20, at 11 a.m.
She was much loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Aquilina S. Duaqui
Aquilina S. Duaqui, age 60, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Sunday, Feb. 15, 1998.
Mrs. Duaqui was born in Tarlac, the Philippines.
She is survived by her husband, Felix G. Duaqui of the Philippines; daughter, Juliet D. Jackson of Mary Esther, Fla.; and a grandson, also of Mary Esther.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Aquilina will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Hurlburt Field Chapel.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Charles E. Allgood
Charles E. Allgood, age 76, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Sunday, Feb. 15, 1998, in a local hospital.
Mr. Allgood was born on Aug. 29, 1921, in Bloomington, Ind., and came to Florida in 1976. He was Baptist by faith. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict and the Vietnam era, having served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He later began a second career and retired from the City of Fort Walton Beach. Mr. Allgood was a member of Disabled American Veterans; American Legion; and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include his loving wife, Ida L. Allgood of Fort Walton Beach; sons, Charles E. Allgood Jr. of Bloomington, Steve Allgood of Greenfield, Ind., and Eric Burton of Fort Walton Beach; sister, Betty Sheilds of Center Point, Ind.; and granddaughter, Rachel Allgood.
A time of visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Little Chapel Funeral Home. Graveside services and interment will take place at 3 p.m. in Hartford Cemetery in Hartford.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
D.F. White
D.F. "Doc" White, age 81, of Crestview, Fla., died Monday, Feb. 16, 1998, at a local area hospital.
Mr. White was born in Geneva County, Ala., on Dec. 16, 1916, to John Thomas and Allie Sorrels White, and had been a resident of the Northwest Florida area since 1955, when he moved here from Detroit. Mr. White was a charter member of Woodlawn Baptist Church; a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving as a first sergeant from 1941 to 1945; member of the Lions Club and the Elks Lodge. He had retired as the chief of police of Crestview in 1981.
Mr. White was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; and five sisters.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Euna White of Crestview; daughters and son-in-law, Frankie Maguire of Crestview, Glenda and Larry Castle of La Palma, Calif., and Dianne Potter of Crestview; sister, Gervis Jones of Crestview; grandson, Steven Potter of Crestview; granddaughters, Karen Potter of Niceville, Fla., Lisa Darby of Crestview, Carol Morris of Crestview, Laura MacAdam of Corona, Calif., and Suzanne Castle of Corona, Calif.; great-grandsons, Christopher Darby and Brandon Darby, both of Crestview; and great-granddaughters, Amanda and Amber Morris, and Bryonna Potter, all of Crestview.
A time of visitation will be conducted at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted from the chapel of Whitehurst Funeral Home on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. with the Revs. Billy Joy and Rhett Everage officiating. Interment will follow in Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery in Crestview.
Floral tributes will be accepted at the funeral home, or for those who so desire, the family suggests contributions be made to the American Heart Association.
Active pallbearers will be Jim Darby, Greg Jackson, John Wilkins, J.W. Brown, Don Register and Jim Brogan. Honorary pallbearers will be Sandy Rose, Arther Helms, Harold Barton, Virgil Register, Everette Helms, James Thomas and Benson Currie.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
Vincenzo James DeSimone
Vincenzo James DeSimone, age 86, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in local nursing facility on Feb. 16, 1998, after an extended illness.
He was born in New York City on June 2, 1911, to Antonio and Angela Currina DeSimone. He was Catholic by faith; a retired garment factory worker; and a member of the International Garment Workers Union. He moved here from New York City in 1991.
Mr. DeSimone is survived by his wife, Jennie DeSimone of Fort Walton Beach; daughter and son-in-law, Angelina and Louis Carpinone of Shalimar, Fla.; son, Anthony DeSimone of New York; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, with a rosary being recited at 6:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, with Deacon Tony Restivo officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 W. College Blvd., Niceville, FL 32578.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Walter "Mae" Anderson
Walter "Mae" Anderson, age 66, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Saturday, Feb. 14, 1998, in a local hospital.
Mae had lived in Fort Walton Beach since 1975. She was born in Saluda, S.C., on April 3, 1931. Walter Mae retired from the Okaloosa County school system after serving as head of maintenance at Valparaiso Elementary and Ruckel middle schools. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was devoted to her family and friends. Walter Mae enjoyed fishing and playing bingo.
She is survived by her son, Larry Ervin Bush; son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Elaine Anderson; son, Timothy Anderson, all of Fort Walton Beach; grandchildren, Amber, Iman and Timothy Jr.; three great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Carlisle and George Williams; brother and sister-in-law, James and Doris Bush; sister, Naomi Bush, all of Washington, D.C.; and a host of other relatives.
Services to celebrate the life of Mae Anderson will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. at Beaulah Baptist Church with the Rev. Leonard Williams officiating. Interment will be in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Rev. Willie C. Harmon
The Rev. Willie C. Harmon, residing at 229 Burkette Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., was born in Chipley, Fla., on April 21, 1939, to the late Mr. William Taft and Annie Mae Harmon.
He had one daughter, Diretta King, precede him in death. He was the pastor of Sylvania Heights First Baptist Church, where he served faithfully for the past 16 years. In past years he had been a successful merchant and for many years an entrepreneur in the Fort Walton Beach area.
He was a loving husband, father, and under-shepherd for Jesus Christ to a church that he dearly loved, and a true friend to many.
The Lord called him home to be at peace and rest on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 11:30 p.m. while at the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
He leaves to cherish his loving and unforgettable memories a devoted and loving wife, Elouise; one son, Willie A.; and one daughter, Sherry R. Freeman, both of Fort Walton Beach; brothers, Daniel Taft (Becky) of Louisville, Ky., Ira MD (Loretta) of Jacksonville, Fla., Robert (Betty) of Tampa, Fla., Grady (Rosa) of Newark, N.H., and Lonnie Ray of Fort Walton Beach; sisters, Cora McCallister, Martha Ann Rodgers (Annie), all of Fort Walton Beach, and Dora L. Patterson (Elyard) of Orlando; brothers-in-law, Andrew Belser (Betty) of Augusta, Ga., Peter (Betty) of Fort Walton Beach, Mose (Jerelene) of Daytona Beach, Fla., Otis of Kileen, Texas, Frederick (Brenda) of Salina, Kan., Travis (Sandra) and David (Susan) all of Atlanta; sisters-in-law, Ida Mae Jones, Connie Johnson, Carol Jean Belser, all of Chicago, Odyessa Dirden (Ben) of Detroit, and Edna Ford (Randolph) of Fort Walton Beach; seven lovely grandchildren; and lots of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and a loving church congregation.
Visitation will be Friday evening from 5 to 8 at Sylvania Heights First Baptist Church.
The funeral will take place on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. in Sylvania Heights First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Gainer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
