Mariana Brown
God's special angel, Maria, left this life and entered into Heaven on Friday afternoon, May 15, 1998.
Maria was born in Caqus, Puerto Rico, on March 17, 1930, to Estaban Pedraza and Leonoc Ramos and had been a resident of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., for the past 40 years. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Maria will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
"The world has lost a warm and loving person
Who made a special difference every day.
Yet all those seeds of love so greatly planted,
Leave blossoms that will never fade away."
Maria is survived by her husband, Fred Brown; and son, Jose Brown, both of Fort Walton Beach; and grandchildren, Jose, Angela, Amanda and Shelly Brown.
She also leaves to mourn their loss her extended families, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Clary of Destin, Fla., Barbara, Michael and Christopher Kelly of Fort Walton Beach, Jeannette, Vanessa and Lindsay Irving of Fort Walton Beach.
A Mass to celebrate the life of Maria Brown will be at St. Mary's Church in Fort Walton Beach on Wednesday at 2 p.m. with Father Peter Zalewski officiating. Interment will follow in Beal memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jose Brown Jr., Michael Clary, Michael Kelly and Chris Kelly.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Sgt. Mitchell Moran
Sgt. Mitchell Moran, U.S. Army retired, age 63, of Paxton, Fla., passed away in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital on May 19, 1998, after an extended illness.
He was born in Hickman, Ky., on April 24, 1935, and moved to this area in 1972, coming from Hickman. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1973 with over 20 years of service to his country, having served in Korea and Vietnam.
He was a member of the Hadji Shrine Temple AANMS in Pensacola, Fla.; Scottish Rite Bodies; Order of the Eastern Star and the Killeen Masonic Lodge 1125 F&AM in Killeen, Texas.
Mr. Moran is survived by his wife, Grace M. Moran of Paxton; two daughters and son-in-law, Sunny Lynn and James Pfau of Freeport, Minn., and Jamie Dawn Theburg of Laquey, Mo.; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael C. Moran of New Orleans, Mitchell Jr. and Jo Moran of Paxton, Fla., and M.G. and Kim Moran of Fort Walton Beach; brothers, R.B. Moran of St. Louis and Leonard Moran of Hickman; sisters, Gertie Castleman and Jessie Jones, both of Hickman, Katherine Parnell of Fort Walton Beach, and Wanda Avery of Fort Scott, Kan.; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday, May 22, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Jack Walchenbach and the Rev. Danny Glidewell officiating.
Entombment, with U.S. Army military honors and graveside Masonic services provided by Alpha Lodge 172 F&AM, will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
The family will be staying at the home of Mr. Moran's son, M.G. Moran, 347 Gardner Drive, Fort Walton Beach.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Roger James Masden
Roger James Masden, age 68, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in a local nursing facility on May 16, 1998, after an extended illness.
He was born in Chicago on July 21, 1929, and moved to this area in 1962. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and owner and operator of the "I Wanna" paper in Fort Walton Beach for 33 years. Mr. Masden was an amateur pilot; former air traffic controller; and professional photographer, who owned his own photography business for several years. He loved playing bingo and frequenting the casinos in Biloxi, Miss.
Mr. Masden is survived by his son, Bill Masden of New Port Richey, Fla.; daughters, Susan Young of Nashville, Tenn., and Carol Shurtleff of New Port Richey; brothers, Jim Masden of Chicago, and Lyle Rosenthal of Los Angeles; sister, Pat Knueppel of Villa Park, Ill.; grandchildren, Nathan Young of Nashville, Tenn., Amber Schurtleff and Christopher Schurtleff, both of New Port Richey; five nieces and nephews, James Masden Jr., Pamela Hartsock and Lynne Kelliher, who are the children of Jim Masden, and Karen Gionetti and Lisa Jolliff, who are the children of Pat Knueppel.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be conducted at a later date in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Herbert A. Schmidt
Herbert A. "Herb" Schmidt Sr., age 74, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in a local hospital May 18, 1998, after an extended illness.
He was born in Paducah, Ky., on July 19, 1923, and moved here in 1963 from Paducah. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach; a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II; member of Fort Walton Beach Senior Center; Walking Club; and retired from the Sears Group as furniture manager.
Mr. Schmidt was preceded in death by his wife, Bettie Dean Cates Schmidt and is survived by two sons, Andrew Schmidt of Fort Walton Beach, and Gary Schmidt of Destin, Fla.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lester and Myra Schmidt of Lone Oak, Ky., and George and Patricia Schmidt of Louisville, Ky.; sister and brother-in-law, Lorenda and Raymond Rudd of Paducah; former wife, Wendy Kidd; and granddaughter, Katherine Ann Schmidt of Austin, Texas.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, May 22, at First United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach with the Rev. James T. Ross officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Ruby Jewell Holland
Ruby Jewell Terrell Holland, age 90, of Blackman, Fla., passed to be with her Lord on the evening of Tuesday, May 19, 1998, at the Crestview Nursing and Convalescent Home.
She was a native to Okaloosa County and an active member of the community. Ruby and her family were well established in the business community with a general store, motel and farming.
Ruby was born in Rockford, Ala., on Sept. 30, 1907, to Carrie Janie Gillespie and James Starling Terrell. She was the fourth of six children with whom she shared her childhood in Foley, Ala.
Ruby attended Troy State University and spent many years as a committed school teacher and devoted wife. A loving and endearing person, she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Ruby was preceded in death by her loving husband, Mr. O. Bryan Holland, on April 12, 1986; her brothers, James Kerney Terrell and R.E. Terrell; and her sister, Jettie Pearl Terrell Giles.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Lynda and Allen Sloan of Blackman; daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Thomas Smith of Crestview, Fla.; son, James Bryan Holland of Crestview; sisters, Mae Linnie Terrell Lloyd of Pensacola, Fla., and Henri Sue Terrell Frank of Montrose, Col.; grandchildren, Lisa Atcher, Traci Mitchell, Richard Sloan, Jim Holland, Lee Holland and Tiffany Smith; and great-grandchildren, Devin Holland, Sarah Holland, Christopher Atcher, Bryanna Mitchell and Brandi Mitchell; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, May 22, at Whitehurst Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gary Winstead officiating. Interment will follow in Cotton Cemetery in Blackman.
Floral tributes will be accepted at the funeral home.
"Goodbye, Sweetheart."
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, entrusted with arrangements.
Christian Chase McMichael
Christian Chase McMichael, infant son of Gary and Lisa McMichael of Mary Esther, Fla., was called to be with our Lord and Savior on May 19, 1998.
Other survivors include a sister, Miranda Ray McMichael; maternal grandparents, Edith and Ray Gibbs, all of Mary Esther; and paternal grandparents, Gale and Tom McMichael of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
The Rev. Nate Johnson of Abundant Life Church will be conducting final services at a private graveside funeral service.
Floral tributes, arrangements and private services are under the direction of Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach.
Zelma L. Gipson
Zelma L. Gipson, age 83, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center May 21, 1998.
She was born in Ramer, Tenn., on June 27, 1914, and touched many lives throughout her journey. She graduated from Booneville Nursing School, Booneville, Miss., as a registered nurse. She later completed post graduate studies at Baylor University. She served as an Army nurse in World War II in France and continued nursing in various hospitals in Tennessee and Arizona.
She was the devoted military wife of Burnis L. Gipson who preceded her in death on Sept. 5, 1988. She moved to this area in 1960 after accompanying him in several locations throughout the world. She later owned and operated Joyland Nursery in Fort Walton Beach.
She was devoted to her family, having cared for her mother and mother-in-law, husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by two sons, Gerald L. Gipson of Raleigh, N.C., Thomas A. Gipson of Fort Walton Beach; daughter, Carol A. Gipson of Fort Walton Beach; grandchildren, Michael Wong and wife Michelle of Navarre, Fla., and Christa Wong of Fort Walton Beach; two great-grandchildren; brothers, Philip S. Reeder of Ramer, and Henry Reeder of Littleton, Colo.; brother-in-law, James L. Miller of Collierville, Tenn.; sister-in-law, Martha Sutton of Memphis, Tenn.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A local memorial service will be held at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23.
Funeral services will be conducted in Selmer, Tenn., at Shackelford Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 26.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Katie Early
Katie Early, age 86, of Niceville, Fla., passed to be with her Lord on the morning of Thursday, May 21, 1998, in a local hospital after a brief illness.
She was a lifelong resident of this area, coming to Niceville in 1931 from Destin, Fla., and was a member of First Baptist Church in Niceville.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Grady Early, who died in 1982.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Dale and Earl Shaw of Dothan, Ala.; sons and daughters-in-law, Doug and Anita Early of Niceville, and Donald and Linda Early of Cheney, Wash.; sister, Irene Wells Holland of Niceville; grandchildren, Steve Early, Dennis Early, Deborah Hamilton, David Early, Dan Early, Darrell Early, Ashley Shaw, Earl (Buba) Shaw and Jennifer Gillman; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be conducted at McLaughlin Twin Cities Chapel on Saturday, May 23, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. J.C. McLendon officiating. Interment will follow in Early Cemetery in Niceville.
Her great-grandsons, Jake Early, Stevie Early, Brian Early, Kilon Hamilton, Kevin Early, Chad Early, Justin Hamilton and her great-granddaughter, Jackie Hamilton, will serve as pallbearers.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Carra Lee Sturm
Carra Lee Sturm, age 74, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Sunday, May 24, 1998, in a local hospital.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Maj. (ret) Jack J. Sturm.
Carra Lee and her husband retired in Fort Walton Beach in 1966 after Maj. Sturm served in the Air Force for 20 years. She worked for the City of Fort Walton Beach Water Department for 20 years before retiring in 1986. She enjoyed beach-combing and archaeological digs with her husband and never ceased to love the sounds of the surf.
She did volunteer work for Catholic Social Services and Eglin Air Force Base Hospital, but always took time off when the "kids were visting." She always enjoyed the monthly City Hall retirees luncheon and played bridge at the Senior Citizens recreation hall before her illness.
She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Pat Spielman and Pam and Tom Latoszewski; son Jack Charles Sturm; grandchildren Kelley, David, Lauren Christopher and Glenda; and two great-grandchildren.
She was loved by many in Fort Walton Beach and will be missed by family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary. A funeral Mass will be conducted from St. Mary's Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 27, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Sean Garrett as celebrant.
Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fort Walton Beach Catholic Social Services.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with arrangements.
Luz M. Mena
Luz M. Mena, age 84, of Shalimar, Fla., died Saturday, May 23, 1998, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
Luz was born in Camuy, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 5, 1913, to Maximilon and Manuela Ramos. She had been a resident of this area for the past six years. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be missed by all who knew her.
Luz is survived by her husband Samuel Mena, of Shalimar; sons Julio Velez, of Shalimar, and Pedro Mena, of New York; daughter Maria Velez'Raffo, of Shalimar; sister Amanda Ramos, of Puerto Rico; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A time of visitation will be held Tuesday, May 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 27, at 10 a.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel. Interment will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., is entrusted with arrangements.
