Clara M. Partin-Jackson
Clara M. Partin-Jackson passed away Thursday, July 16, 1998, in Pensacola, Fla.
She was born in Copperhill, Tenn., on Nov. 5, 1912, and spent her early adult life in Pensacola. From 1950 until her last year she resided in the Fort Walton Beach, Fla., area. She was an avid golfer and a member of the "Hole in One" Club. As a real estate broker she was the first woman elected to the Fort Walton Beach Board of Realtors.
She is survived by her two sons, William D. Partin Jr. and wife Suzanne, and John Gary Partin and wife Deborah; brothers, Norman and Clinton McFarland; sister, Louise McFarland; grandchildren, Lisa Partin Young, Eric D. Partin, Laura Partin Fredrickson, Philip S. Stephens, Margaret Partin Betty and Tehran D. Partin; her great-grandchildren by love and marriage, Harbor, Michaela and Skylar Partin, Savannah and Dallas Fredrickson, Mary and Katy Young and Austin and Cameron Stephens, and Brook, Tess and Ashley Betty. She was predeceased by another grandchild, William T. Partin.
Interment will take place at a later date in Barrancas National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Florida Elks Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 49, Umatilla, FL 32784.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
James Irving Sanders Jr.
Mr. James Irving Sanders Jr., age 91, of Crestview, Fla., was called from this life to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, from the Niceville Twin Cities Hospital on Saturday, Sept. 5, 1998. Mr. Sanders was born in Wilmington, Del., on April 9, 1907, to John and Irene Donnelly Sanders, and had been a resident of the Northwest Florida area since May 1997 after moving here from Lady Lakes, Fla. He had previously been a resident of the St. Petersburg, Fla., area from 1945 to 1989. Mr. Sanders had been employed in the refrigeration repair industry. He was a dedicated Christian.
Survivors include one son and daugher-in-law, James Jr., and Man Hwa Sanders, of San Francisco, Calif.; one daughter and son-in-law, Jacquie and James Gibson, of Crestview, Fla.; five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
A time of visitation will be conducted from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1998, at the Whitehurst Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1998, from the Chapel of Whitehurst Funeral Home with the Rev. David Van Zandt officiating. Entombment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to a favorite charity in memory of Mr. Sanders.
Special thanks are given by the family to Melissa and John Byrne and staff at Forgetme'not ALF for the living care given to him.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of the Whitehurst Funeral Home, 436 W. James Lee Blvd., Crestview, Fla.
George C. Stephenson Jr.
George C. Stephenson Jr., age 80, passed away on Sept. 6, 1998, at the Crestview Nursing and Convalescent Home in Crestview, Fla.
He was born in Carney, Ala., on March 24, 1918, and was raised in Robertsdale, Ala.
During World War II he served in the South Pacific with the U.S. Marine Corps. He retired from the Air Force in 1963.
In 1977 he retired from the federal prison system in Atlanta.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Dorothy Stephenson; daughter Helen Pemberton, of Forest Park, Ga.; son John W. Stephenson, of Piedmont, S.C.; brother John Stephenson, of Mobile, Ala.; four grandchildren; one great-grandson; and foster sister Mable Forsmen.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1998, at 11 a.m. from McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home chapel with Chaplain Frank Dole officiating. Burial will be at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 West Blvd. Suite B, Niceville, FL, 32578, in memory of George G. Stephenson Jr.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home in Crestview is in charge of arrangements.
Kaylee Elizabeth Robinson
The bells rang on Sunday, Sept. 6, 1998, and a beautiful angel got her wings.
Kaylee Elizabeth Robinson passed away at her home after an 18-month battle with leukemia. She was surrounded by her loving parents, Staci and Billy Keith Robinson, of Crestview, Fla.
Kaylee was in Mrs. Dorsey's second grade class at Northwood Elementary School. Kaylee loved school and a short time before she passed away she sang her ABC's in her sleep. Special friends and classmates Sabrina Dickinson and Jessica White brought much happiness to Kaylee. The three often wore their "Best Friends Forever" t-shirts to school.
Kaylee will be remembered for her many talents, especially singing and dancing for her friends and family. She even performed for the doctors and nurses at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Kaylee is also survived by her maternal grandparents, Donnie and Elaine Holland, and her paternal grandparents, Billy Ray and Glenda Robinson, all of Crestview. Her uncle Kevin Robinson was very special to Kaylee, and she enjoyed having him from college these past few weeks.
Kaylee's great-grandparents include Margaret Ward and the late Brady Ward, and Jessie and Helen Welch, of Crestview; Minnie Holland and the late Homer Holland, of Shalimar, Fla.; Juanita Martin, of Benton, Ark.; and Mary Ellen Robinson and the late Alver Earl Robinson, of Butler, Ala.
She also leaves behind may great-aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends may call during a visitation on Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Whitehurst Funeral Home in Crestview.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Crestview with the Revs. Francis Picker and and Raymond Williams officiating. Burial will follow Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Floral tirbutes will be accepted at the funeral home, or for those who desire, the family suggests contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in memory of Kaylee.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, 436 James Lee Blvd. in Crestview, is entrusted with services and arrangements.
Frank Henry Ritenour
Mr. Frank Henry Ritenour, age 71, of Freeport, Fla., died Sept. 5, 1998, at his residence.
Mr. Ritenour was born in Fort Payne, Ala., on Aug. 27, 1927. He was retired after 34 years of service with the United States Army where he served as a master sergeant. Mr. Ritenour was honored with various medals and was a veteran of World War II, the Korean conflict and Vietnam War. He was also a member of the Lebanon Masonic Lodge 205 F&AM.
Mr. Ritenour was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Lotte Helena Ritenour. On Sept 5, 1998, he departed our earthly company to join her to resume their 52-year love affair in the place of peace and pure love. He was a proud soldier, loving and generous father, grandfather and great-grandfather and he strived his whole life to take care and protect others, whether they be of human or animal life. Those whom he left behind will miss him immensely and will also be marked by his strength of character.
Mr. Ritenour is survived by one son, Raymond Ritenour of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; one daughter, Marlena Ritenour of Freeport; one brother, Billy Ritenour of Fort Payne; two sisters, Virginia Simpson and Ruth Ritenour, both of Fort Payne; four granddaughters; one great-granddaughter; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Damascus Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Louis Taunton officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Damascus Assembly of God Church building fund.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
William I. Brewster
Mr. William I. Brewster, age 70, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., died Sept. 6, 1998, at his residence.
Mr. Brewster was born on July 22, 1928, and had been a resident of DeFuniak Springs for the past 10 years. He was Protestant by faith. Mr. Brewster was a Master Mason in the Guy T. Smith Lodge No.883 F&AM of Mobile, Ala., and a honorary lifetime member and volunteer fireman for the Niceville Fire Department. He was also a big supporter of the Niceville High School Band. Mr. Brewster had 32 years of combined service in the Air Force and civil service.
Mr. Brewster is survived by his wife, Lorraine M. Brewster of DeFuniak Springs; two sons, John P. Brewster and wife Rafidah of Columbus, Ohio, and William I. Brewster III of DeFuniak Springs; one daughter, Lynn M. Brewster of Jacksonville, Fla.; one sister, Eleanor J. Fourroux and husband Sylvester of Mobile; several brothers and sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Clary-Godwin Funeral Home Chapel.
Flowers are being accepted, or donations may be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, is in charge of arrangements.
Paul Pence
Paul Pence, age 68, of Shalimar, Fla., commercial fisherman, died Sept. 3, 1998.
Memorial funeral arrangements will be announced by Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Billy Bob McClendon
Billy Bob McClendon, age 76, went to his heavenly home on Sept. 7, 1998.
He was born in Millerville, Ala., on June 16, 1922. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1940 and was a Pearl Harbor survivor. He was one of the earliest water skiers in Florida and was active in starting ski clubs in Jacksonville, Fla., and Orlando, Fla., in the 1950s. He was a competition skier for several years and always loved the sport.
Mr. McClendon was a Mason and past master of Lunar Lodge 918 in Madison, Ala. He held a certificate of proficiency in the degree work and taught masonry for several years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Linnie McClendon; a brother, Homer Merriel McClendon; and his beloved son, Daniel Grady McClendon. He is survived by his wife, Dorothea, of the home; daughters, Debbra Walker of Harvest, Ala., Diane Smithy of New Hope, Ala., and Linda McClendon of Huntsville, Ala.; son, Michael McClendon of Niceville, Fla.; seven dearly loved grandchildren; and a brother, James L. McClendon of Summerfield, Fla.
The funeral service will be held at Emerald Coast Cathedral, 814 Forrest St., Destin, Fla., at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, with the Rev. Ruth Turton officiating. A visitation at the church will take place preceding the service at 1 p.m. Interment will be in Destin Memorial Cemetery following the service.
Bill loved his church and would be pleased if memorial contributions were made to the Emerald Coast Cathedral, in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements by Emerald Coast Funeral Home, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Jack K. Gray Sr.
Lt. Col. Jack K. Gray Sr., U.S. Army retired, age 78, passed away Sept. 8, 1998, in Cincinnati after a cardiac arrest.
He was a veteran of World War II with service in North Africa, the Normandy Invasion and Korea, where he commanded a contingent of Philippine troops (the 45th Infantry Division) and was awarded that country's highest decoration, the Legion of Honor. He also served the United Nations as chairman of the Israeli-Egyptian Mixed Armistice Commission (1949-50). Mr. Gray retired from Vitro Corp. (Eglin) in 1972.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Jane of Cincinnati; his oldest son, Dr. Jack Kenneth Gray Jr. and wife June of Niceville, Fla., and their daughter, Saber; son, Tom Gray of Jacksonville, Fla., and his sons, Christopher, Harrison and Bradley Gray; and his daughter, Janine Heppner and husband Larry of Cincinnati, and her daughter Laura and son Michael.
Funeral arrangements by T.P. White Funeral Home in Cincinnati.
Phillip Gordon Kelly
Phillip Gordon Kelly, age 42, passed away Sunday, Sept. 6, 1998, in Michigan.
He was born in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., on July 7, 1956, and was raised in Destin, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his father, Carnera Lee Kelly. Survivors include his mother, Mary T. Knight; sisters, Susan Schlott and Louise Pulaski; brother, Carnera Lee Kelly Jr.; half-sister, Carmera Kelly; seven nephews; five nieces; two grand-nieces; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family will receive friends at McLaughlin Mortuary on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at St. Simon's-on-the-Sound Episcopal Church on Monday, Sept. 14, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Jim Spencer officiating. Interment will follow in Destin Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in remembrance of Phillip Kelly be made to a charity of your choice; or to the building fund of St. Simon's Church.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
