Ruby Morrissey
Ruby Morrissey, age 84, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Tuesday, March 31, 1998, at the Manor at Bluewater Bay, where she had resided since February 1996.
Ruby was born near Cortland, Neb., on Nov. 7, 1913. A school teacher in North Dakota, she taught all eight grades in a one-room schoolhouse before marrying and starting her family. They moved to Seattle in 1942 from Fargo, N.D.
Divorced in 1950, Ruby raised her four children by working two and three jobs at a time. She had a successful career in the mortgage loan and real estate industry until her retirement in 1983. Ruby enjoyed bowling, playing bridge and she really loved to travel.
Since her arrival in Niceville in 1988, Ruby spent considerable time as a volunteer at Sharing and Caring. She also started the Twin Cities Bridge Club. While a resident of the Manor at Bluewater Bay she was voted "Queen of the Manor" in 1996, served on the Residents' Council, and was an avid and loyal bingo player.
Ruby was preceded in death by her younger son, James A. Morrissey; and her sisters, Cleo Miller and Cora Wells. She will be dearly missed by her daughter, Kathy and husband Jake Bush of Niceville; daughter, Patricia and husband John vanAdrighem of Guemes Island, Wash.; and by her son, Michael B. and wife Karen Morrissey of Mukilteo, Wash. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Ruby will be missed by many. Her continuous courage and good humor endeared her to all who've known her over the years and miles.
Military services will be handled by McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, and a memorial service will be held at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church on Friday, April 3, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Ruby's family suggests donations to the American Heart Association or to the Niceville Sharing and Caring.
Arrangements entrusted to McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home.
Roger Steven Haigler
Roger Steven Haigler, age 42, of Mary Esther, Fla., died Sunday, March 29, 1998, in local hospital.
He was born in Bennettsville, S.C., on Oct. 9, 1955, and moved to the Fort Walton Beach, Fla., area in 1972 from Newport News, Va. Mr. Haigler graduated in the second graduating class from Fort Walton Beach High School in 1973 and later attended Okaloosa-Walton Junior College. Most of his life was spent traveling with his parents as an Air Force family.
Mr. Haigler is the son of Sidney R. and Betty Sue Haigler of Fort Walton Beach and Mary Esther. He is also survived by two aunts, Marilyn Hyatt and husband Bill of Bennettsville, and Margaret Quick and husband Carey of Clio, S.C.; cousins, Joann Reynolds of Darlington, S.C., Natlie Cacho of Navarre, Fla., and Jeff, Scott and Paul Quick, all of Bennettsville.
Funeral services for Mr. Steven Haigler will be conducted on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ken Murie officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Robert A. Fleischman
Robert A. Fleischman, age 49, of Cape Carteret, N.C., died Saturday, March 28, 1998.
Mr. Fleischman was born in Utica, N.Y. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served his country during the Vietnam era. He had worked for civil service for the past 23 years.
Survivors include his loving wife, Betty Louise Fleischman; son, Paul A. Fleischman of Clearwater, Fla.; daughter, Patricia Couch of Atlanta; brothers, Michael Fleischman, Jack Fleischman and Leon Sutton, all of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; sister, Loni Marie Hesse of Panama City, Fla.; grandchildren, Mason W. Couch and Brenden Fleischman; and uncle, Leo Nichols of Laurel Hill, Fla.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Little Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. A.E. Tennes officiating. Graveside services and interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Nowell D. Nelms
Dr. Nowell D. Nelms, age 89, passed away March 30, 1998, at Westwood Health Care Center.
Dr. Nelms was born on Feb. 9, 1909, in Newport News, Va. In 1936 he graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and began practice in Mathews, Va. During World War II he served with the Army Air Corps as a flight surgeon with the 8th Air Force in Europe. After the war he practiced in Hampton, Va., for many years before becoming the assistant chief of admissions at the Kecoughtan Veterans Hospital. Upon retirement he moved back to Mathews, where he lived until he moved to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in 1991.
He was an avid sailor and a member of Hampton Yacht Club for many years. He was also active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and retired from the local Flotilla.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy "Dot" White Nelms. He is survived by three sons and their wives. Nowell D. Nelms Jr. and wife Jackie of Dunedin, Fla., Robert E. Nelms and wife Debora of Shalimar, Fla., and Chandler C. Nelms and wife Emily of Potomac, Md.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Doris V. Whitfield
Doris V. Whitfield, age 70, passed away peacefully Monday, March 30, 1998.
She was born on Aug. 20, 1927, in Bruce, Fla. She was a member of Rosemont Baptist Church in Niceville, Fla., and was an active member of Eastern Star, Okaloosa Chapter 254, having held the post of Worthy Matron, and earned the Cross of Colors.
She will be best remembered by the community for founding and owning Doris' Restaurant, a local landmark for 33 years. Her life touched us all, and her family and friends will miss her. We were all moved by her courage and love for her family.
She was preceded in death by her son, George "Skipper" Dupraw; her father, Frank Rooks; and her mother, Lillie Bell. We are glad they are finally together.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Whitfield; daughter, Vickie Cole; son-in-law, Pat Cole; grandchildren, Patrick, Jennifer, Kimberly and Katie Cole; and her beloved aunt, Maudie Keaton.
Funeral services will be conducted at Rosemont Baptist Church in Niceville on Thursday, April 2, at 2 p.m. with the Revs. Sharber Smith and J.C. McClendon officiating. There will be an Eastern Star service following.
Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
"Goodbye, Granny. We'll see you soon. We love you."
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with services and arrangements.
Maude Richards Barnes
Mrs. Maude Richards Barnes, age 83, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Thursday, April 2, 1998, in a local hospital. She was born in Altha, Fla., to the late Miles and Ida Richards. Mrs. Barnes moved to the Fort Walton Beach area in 1992 from Murfreesboro, Tenn. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro and attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Fort Walton Beach.
Mrs. Barnes is preceded in death by her husband, Terry A. Barnes. She is survived by three sons, Richard A. Barnes of Brownsburg, Va., Thomas M. Barnes of Eustis, Fla., and Daniel M. Barnes of Atlanta, Ga.; two daughters, Cherry A. Douglas of Shalimar, Fla., and Crystal J. Brandon of Wartrace, Tenn.; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Barnes will be on Sunday, April 5, 1998, in the First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro, Tenn., with the Rev. John Mark Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32547 is in charge of the arrangements in Florida. Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home, 820 S. Church, Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37133 is in charge of the arrangements in Tennessee.
Ralph Edward McKenna
Mr. Ralph Edward McKenna, age 88, of Destin, Fla., died Tuesday, March 31, 1998, in a local nursing home. Mr. McKenna was born in Barrington, R.I., to the late Charles Howard and Minnie McKenna. Mr. McKenna was Lutheran by faith and moved to the Destin area in January 1985 from Rockport, Texas. Mr. McKenna is retired from the Navy and from the Navy National Reserves.
Mr. McKenna is survived by his wife, Susan W. McKenna of Destin, Fla.; daughter Kitty Brothers and husband Chris of Santa Fe, N.M.; son Ralph McKenna Jr. and wife Teresa of Greenville, S.C.; stepdaughter Paulette Freeman and husband Walter of Columbia, S.C.; four grandchildren and three stepgrandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., on Friday, April 3, 1998, at 11 a.m. with Chaplain Harold Burrell officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Mr. Ralph Edward McKenna.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32547 is in charge of the arrangements.
James Richard Proch II
James Richard Proch II -- known as "J.R." and "J.P." -- age 17, of Navarre, Fla., died Monday, March 30, 1998.
J.R. had attended Fort Walton Beach High School and the Okaloosa County Applied Technology Center.
Survivors include his loving mom and pop, Debbie and Barney Reid of Navarre; father, James Proch of Connecticut; brothers, Barry Proch Reid of Navarre and Robert Reid of Texas; sister, Deanne Reid of Kansas; maternal grandparents Jeannette and Simon Hetu of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; paternal grandmother Shirley Widel of Weathersfield, Connecticut; stepgrandparents, William and Joan Reid of Navarre; cousins Jessica, Jennifer and Christopher Reid of Navarre; uncle, Carl Reid; aunt, Debbie Anthony; uncle, Jeffrey Widel; aunt, Lisa Hetu; uncle, Allen Reid and family; and so many very dear, special friends of "J.P." and his family.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 1998, at Little Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. John N. Dickerson officiating. Family and friends are invited to share the service.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, has been selected for the arrangements.
James Franklin Oliver
James Franklin Oliver, age 85, of Laurel Hill, Fla., died Wednesday, April 1, 1998, in a local hospital. He was born in Laurel Hill Sep. 14, 1912. He was a life-long resident of Okaloosa County, a truck driver by trade and a member of the First Baptist Church of Laurel Hill.
Survivors include his wife, Milbrey Oliver of Laurel Hill; daughter, Nellie Campbell of Laurel Hill; sister, Rosie Bryant of Seminole, Fla.; three grandchildren, Jean Marie Mahedy-McVea, Debra Kelly and Shane Campbell; and five great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home chapel Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted from the First Baptist Church in Laurel Hill Saturday, April 4, 1998, at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in the Almarante Cemetery.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Lillian Jones Armstrong
Lillian Jones Armstrong, age 85, of Niceville, died Saturday, April 4, 1998, at the Manor in Bluewater Bay. She was a retired bookkeeper with the Spence Bros. Fish Company in Niceville and was a former member of the board of directors of the 1st National Bank in Niceville. Ms. Armstrong was born in DeFuniak Springs and had resided in this area all of her life.
She is survived by her son, James H. Armstrong, and her sister, Eva Domorad both of Niceville; her granddaughter, Jean Schultz, and her great grandson, Cole Schultz, both of DeFuniak Springs.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, 1998, at the McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 1998, at the McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso, Fla.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
