Grace L. Ratcliff
Grace L. Ratcliff, age 85, passed away Oct. 23 in Destin. Grace is survived by her husband of 23 years Clifford Ratcliff of Destin, a son J.B. Neely of Destin and a daughter, Dagmar Bergan of Miami. Also Grace left behind a stepson, Robert Ratcliff and a stepdaughter, Ann Shirah, and four grandchildren.
Grace was born in Mena, Arkansas on April 7, 1913 to Frank and Sally Elliot. Grace was preceded in death by brothers Robert and John Eliott and a sister Nettie Manatt. She had a love of painting and horses.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Destin on Sat., Oct. 31 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Bob Boone officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Hospice of N.W. Florida.
Carrie Hazel Bludsworth
Carrie Hazel Bludsworth, age 82, of Niceville, Fla. died Sun., Oct. 25, 1998 at her home. She was born in Clayton, Ala. and moved to this area from Miami, Fla. 25 years ago. Ms. Bludsworth was a widowed homemaker and was a member of the Bluewater Bay Baptist Church.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pamela G. and Stephen Griner and "her" grandchildren, Cody and Jake Griner, all of Niceville, her sisters-in-law and their husbands, Rubye and Johnny North, Claudene and Wilbur Curenton, Violet and Bill Brown, all of Orlando, Fla., Jewel Kelly of Coffee Springs, Ala., Trudy Helms of Bartow, Fla. and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at the McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1998 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held at the McLaughlin Twin Cities Chapel on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1998 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery of Valparaiso, Fla.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Dennis Carroll Chapman
Dennis Carroll Chapman passed away October 25th after a brief illness. Mr. Chapman was born in Portland, Maine, the son of William and Verna Chapman. He attended Deering High School.
Mr. Chapman was retired from the United States Air Force having served 22 years of active duty service in various countries.
His love of life was baseball, starting at the age of 8 and continuing through his life helping his son coach and attending both of his grandson's games. At the time of his death he was doing what he loved most, watching one of his grandsons play ball.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sharon Hoyt Chapman, his son, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren, Chip, Deb, Travis, Meria, and Lacey Chapman; his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, Cindy, Glenn, and ShaneYox. Also his three sisters, Marjorie Carroll of Westfield, Mass., Carolyn Way of Nalcrest, Fla, and Beverly Burdwood of Westbrook, ME.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7:00 p.m. at The Little Chapel located at 210 North Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 222 NE Hospital Drive, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32548.
Max Carter
Maxine Carter was called home on Oct. 26th after a lengthy illness to be with her maker and those of her family who have preceded her in death.
Max was a well known artist in the Pensacola area and has taught hundreds of art students through the years. She began her career in the arts at an early age as the violinist in her family string quartet that toured the Midwest. She majored in Music at Illinois Wesleyan but soon her love of drawing and painting also became a part of her life fabric. She studied with the great artists in Europe, England as well as America and crossed the Atlantic seven times in her quest for more knowledge and better technique in painting. Her works have been shown in one man shows and galleries both locally and in metropolitan settings. She was an American Penwoman had been an Eastern Star and was featured in "Who's Who of American Artists". Her art career also included writing and she is the author of "Just Call me Max", a whimsical story of her travels in the art world often with a little black dog by the name of "Christopher".
Surviving are her daughter, Elaine; grand-daughter, Liana along with her husband Rick and Daren, grandson with his wife Teri. Also surviving is Neta Callaby of Fairbury, Illinois.
Pensacola Memorial Gardens is in charge of arrangements.
According to her wishes, there will be no funeral. If memorial gifts are wished to be given they should be sent to the Pensacola Humane Society.
Interment will be at the Pensacola Memorial Gardens on Pine Forest Road.
James Edward Watson
At home with his wife at his side, Jim went to be with his Lord Oct. 26, 1998, after a courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease). Born in Galesburg, Ill, February 12, 1918, Jim lived there until marrying the former Phyllis Northup on Sept. 2, 1939.
Jim supported the WWII effort as a CB&Q Railroad foreman. He served in City Government for 28 years both as an Alderman and as City Manager in Rolling Meadows, Ill., before retiring as City Manager of Olney, Ill., in 1979. Jim and Phyl then moved to a home they built on Lake Barkley, Ky, near Cadiz.
Heart surgery necessitated a move to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., to be near family. Always civic-minded, Jim was elected to the Fort Walton Beach City Council in March 1995. As his disease progressed, Jim resigned his council seat in March 1997.
Jim is now reunited with his parents, 4 brothers, l sister and a daughter, all of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; 2 daughters: Luree Miller, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Marte Garlett, Los Angeles, Calif.; l son, Skip Watson of Shalimar, Fla.; 5 grandchildren and l greatgrandson.
He was a man of honor, integrity and love, putting others above himself, with family always first. Jim set an example with his life of humbleness and high moral values.
"The journey was long, the water rough, but now I'm safely past. Jesus captained my boat. He charted my course. He steered me home, and in His arms I'm resting at last."
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, Inc., 2001 Palafox St., Pensacola, Fla. 32501, designated for the Niceville Team who will never be forgotten for their loving care during Jim's last months. Memorial contributions may also be made to lst United Methodist Church, 105 First Street, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32547, designated for new Sanctuary doors.
Memorial service will be held at the lst United Methodist Church in Fort Walton Beach, Sun., Nov. l, at 2 p.m.
Koontz Little Chapel entrusted with arrangements.
Senior Master Sergeant Ted R. Hawkins
SMSGT. Ted R. Hawkins (USAF, Retired) passed away on Oct. 27, 1998 at his residence in Crestview, Fla. He was born in Caldwell County, N.C. on Dec. 20, 1926.
As a member of the U. S. armed forces, Ted traveled the world in support of his beloved country. His military career began with his enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After a brief break in military service following VJ Day, Ted enlisted in the U.S. Army. In Sept. 1947 he transferred to the brand new U.S. Air Force as a member of the service's elite Pararescue team. Ted remained a Pararescueman until his retirement in April 1973. He served his country with distinction in many combat theaters and during many military campaigns, including the Pacific Theater during World War II, Korea and the Republic of Viet Nam. Some of his many combat and peacetime decorations include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Meritorious Service Medal. He proudly wore the maroon beret of the U.S. Air Force Pararescue Corps and lived by their motto, "These things we do that others may live."
Ted is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Mamie; daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Bob Printy of Crestview and little grandson, Joseph Patrick Printy. Also surviving are his brothers and their wives, James K. and Thelma Hawkins and William H. and Peggy Hawkins all of Hudson, N.C.; his sister and her husband, Betty and Demmest Gentry of Lenoir, N.C.; many aunts, uncles, cousins, neices and nephews; and his extended, world-wide Pararescue family.
A memorial service will be conducted at the Hurlburt AFB Air Park on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11:30 a.m. The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Ted's name to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 W. College Boulevard, Niceville, Fla. 32578.
Martha Waltera "Pat" Peters
Martha Waltera "Pat" Peters, age 84, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. passed away Tues., Oct. 27, 1998 in a local hospital.
Mrs. Peters was a native of Omaha, Neb. and moved to this area in 1968 from Washington, D.C. She was a life member of the Women's Club and the Playground Antique and Classic Cars, NARFE Chapter 1428.
She also volunteered to many local agencies such as a driver for the American Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels, School of Hope, Arthritis Foundation, Librarian and Fitness Instructor at the Senior Citizens Recreation Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey E. Peters, brother, Fred E. Graham and a niece Shirley Shook.
Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Walter B. and Lolly Graham, Jr. of Omaha, Neb.; her faithful friend Button; nieces, Nancy Rima of Horseheads, N.Y. and Noni Weir of Sacramento, Calif., and several great nieces and great nephews.
Memorial services will be conducted from Little Chapel Funeral Home on Sat., Oct. 31, 1998 at 11:00 a.m. with Chaplain Joel Underwood officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to P.A.W.S. 752 N.W. Lovejoy Road, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32850.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. is entrusted with the arrangements.
Marianna Campbell
Mrs. Marianna Campbell, 278 Quebec Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Fla. expired Oct. 26, in Bay Medical Center, Panama City, Fla. Mrs. Campbell was a lifelong resident of Walton County and a member of Mt. Olive AME Church, Red Bay, Fla.
Survivors include seven children, Marvin (Eva) Campbell, Ruby (Johnny) Campbell, Wynell (Late Curtis) Broxton, Erin C. Johnson, Millard (Marva) Campbell, Claudewell (Katherine) Campbell, and Sandra O. Campbell. Thirteen grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Phillip (Maggie) Russ, and Wilbert Russ.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Fri., Oct. 30 at Mt. Olive AME Church, Red Bay, Fla. with the Reverent Larry Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Euchee Valley Cemetery, Ponce de Leon, Fla.
Park Funeral Home, P.O. Box 168, DeFuniak Springs is entrusted with arrangements.
Louise Maloy Beck
A memorial service will be held for Louise Maloy Beck on Sun., Nov. 1, at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach. Mrs. Beck, a highly-respected piano teacher in Fort Walton Beach for 27 years, died on Oct. 4.
Thomas E. Clark, Jr.
Thomas E. Clark, Jr., of Madison, Fla. died Oct. 27, 1998 in Fort Pierce, Fla., after a lengthy illness. He was a verteran of WWII and retired in 1989 from Civil Service at Eglin Air Force Base. He was a graduate of Madison High School.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia; three sons Jimmy and wife Lila, Tommy, Billy and wife Vivian all of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; his mother, Ethel Clark of Madison, Fla.; three grandsons Cody, Kyler, and Logan.
Funeral Services will be held at graveside at New Hopeful Cemetery in Medison County, Fla. Sat., Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. The family will receive friends at Beggs Funeral Home Madison Chapel Friday evening from 4-6 p.m.
Beggs Funeral Home Madison Chapel, 301 N. Orange Street, Madison, Fla., (850) 973-2258 is in charge of arrangements.
Claude Boaie Cook
On Wed., Oct. 28, 1998, Mr. Claude B. Cook, age 66, of Niceville, Fla. was finally able to join his wife of 47 and one half years in that place where there is no more pain or suffering. Mr. Cook had fought a very courageous battle with diabetes and kidney disease for the past several years. He was our beloved Dad & PawPaw.
Mr. Cook was born in Culpeper, Va on Sept. 2, 1931 and had been a resident of Niceville since 1948. He proudly served his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. Claude was the co-owner of the Cook Bros. Trucking Co. in Niceville along with his brother Jerry. He worked there for 30 years before retiring in 1990.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ouida L. Cook, in May of this year along with his father, Fenton B. Cook, and his brothers, Jerry and Sam Cook.
Suvivors include his mother, Mirtha E. Cook of Crestview, his devoted children who he raised as his own since their early childhood, Ronnie Bush and wife Mickey of Red Bay, Fla, and Dianne Tomlin and husband Harry of Crestview, his beloved and faithful brothers, Tommy Cook of Niceville, Jimmy Cook and wife Betty of Crestview, his sisters, Laura Hollingsworth and husband Cecil of Nahant, Mass., and Rebecca E. Gore of Castleton, Va., brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Billy and Polly Howell of Forest Park, Ga., his six grandchildren that he loved dearly, Jeannie M. Bush of Freeport, Carrie E. Geralds, John H. Geralds and Buster Bush, all of Niceville, Alex Bush of Red Bay, Fla. and Jessie Bush of Elyria, Ohio, five great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was loved and respected by his family and will be missed tremendously. His family was the most important thing in his life.
Funeral services will be held at the North Bay Baptist Church in Niceville on Friday, Oct. 30, 1998 at 2:00 p.m. with the Revs. Donnie Cadenhead and Terry Floyd officiating. Interment will follow beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Hardy Cemetery near the Hinson crossroads community. Family and Friends will reconvene at the cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church. Pallbearers include: Jack Cowan, Randolph Smith, Steve Early, Faron Evans, Cecil Ryals, and Wayne Watts. Honorary Pallbearers include: grandsons, Buster Bush, John Geralds, and Alex Bush, and great grandsons, Gregory Gilligan, Cody Gilligan, and Jacob Claude Geralds.
Floral contributions are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity in memory of Mr. Cook.
The children of Mr. Cook would like to personally thank Mr. Jack Cowan of Niceville, a very devoted friend, who so unselfishly and faithfully provided transportation for multiple trips for Mr. Cook to receive dialysis. In addition, heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful nurses that cared so diligently for Mr. Cook at the Renal Care Center in Crestview as well as thanks to both Dr. Keith Sherlock and Dr. Robert Harris. Your kindness to him will never be forgotten and we know that he thought the world of you all.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Leah F. Cecil
Leah F. Cecil, age 77, of DeFuniak Springs died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1998 in a Pensacola, Fla. hospital.
Coming here from San Mateo, Calif. Where she lived for 50 years, she had resided in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. for 1 1/2 months. She was protestant by faith and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Peninsula Chapter 186. Mrs. Cecil was of Indian heritage, a loving mother and friend.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles C. Cecil, Jr. on April 18, 1987. She is survived by daughter Pamela "Babe" & husband, Rev. Durl Odom of DeFuniak Springs, one sister Minnie L. Hoyt of Kalispell, Mont., two brothers Davis Ussery of Gore, Okla. and Henry Brown of Sapulpa, Okla., and other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held Friday from 6-7 p.m., closed by a brief celebration of her life, in the Clary-Godwin Funeral Home chapel, DeFuniak Springs, Fla.
An Eastern Star service will be held Nov. 3 at 10:00 a.m. at Sneider & Sullivan Funeral Home in San Mateo, Calif., followed by interment at 11:30 a.m. at Skylawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, Nov. 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Hospice, or the charity of your choice through United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties, 112 Tupelo Avenue, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32548.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
