HAZEL JEANETTE FORD
Hazel Jeanette Ford, 71, of Panama City Beach, died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000, in her home. She had been a resident of Panama City Beach since 1995 moving here from Cataula, Ga. She was a member of the Emanuel Baptist Church of Cataula and the Ladies Mission Class. She was preceded in death by her parents, Noah & Rena Jones; and a brother, Winfred Jones. She is survived by her husband, Richard G. Ford of Panama City Beach; son, Gary Rice and wife Kathy of LaGrange, Ga.; daughter, Jean Dierks and husband Erich of Panama City; brother, George W. Jones and wife Peggy of Marietta, Ga.; sister, Glenda Grisham of Columbus, Ga.; many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family members; and devoted lifetime special friend Betty Collier. Graveside funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, Ga., with the Rev. Russell Thornton officiating. The family will receive friends at the Striffler Hamby Funeral Home, Columbus, from 6 to 8 p.m. today. Those desiring to may make a contribution to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 502 N. MacArthur Ave., Panama City, FL 32401 in memory of Hazel Ford.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
EMMA JOSEPHINE DELACEY HILTON
Florida lost one of it's pioneer settlers, Emma Hilton, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2000, when at 91 years of age, she decided it was time to go home to her good Lord. Born Jan. 4, 1909, in Fort Myers, Fla., she was the daughter of J.L. and Mamie Gafford DeLacey, who owned a citrus grove and cattle ranch in what is now downtown Fort Myers. Hard working, feisty, yet always the consummate lady, Emma met Lloyd C. Hilton Sr., the love of her life, at church, and he proposed on their second date. Married for 60 years, their life together began in Fort Myers, where her husband, a road construction foreman, helped construct the Tamiami Trail, moving their family from job to job in and around the Southeast. They settled in Panama City in 1946 and, with their son, Charles, began Gulf Asphalt Corporation in 1958. A woman who embraced the simple pleasures of life, she loved gardening, but especially enjoyed the happy hours she spent at Howard's Creek fishing beside her beloved husband. Independent and opinionated, Emma instilled an appreciation for hard work in her children, and lived for sixty years in the same modest home where she raised her family. Her husband died in 1978, and at age 60 Emma decided to get a dental assistant degree at Gulf Coast Community College. She graciously shared her wry sense of humor and loved a good debate, but her greatest love was for her children. Up until the day she died, she cooked lunch every day with her son, Lloyd Charles Hilton Jr., whom she gave birth by C-section at home on the kitchen table after a 48-hour labor. A devoted son, Charles celebrates the love of simplicity and humor this great lady taught him. Charles' wife, Lela Griffin Hilton, provided Emma support and unconditional love into her last days. Emma also leaves behind a daughter, Patricia Hilton Tolbert; and a son-in-law Fred E. Tolbert Jr., of Destin. Pat cherishes her childhood memories of her mother as a gentle perfectionist and a pioneer woman and wife, graciously entertaining church ladies one moment and calmly shooting a rattlesnake off the trailer doorstep beside her three-year old son the next. Emma also loved being a grandmother and delighted in the time she had with her grandchildren, Julie K. Hilton, Lloyd Charles (Chip) Hilton III, of Panama City Beach, and also with Theresa (Teri) Tolbert, Tami D. Tolbert, and Fred E (Trip) Tolbert of the Destin area, who know they were blessed to have such a spirited lady enhance their lives. Emma is also survived by a brother, Clyde DeLacey, of Fort Myers; and his son Grady De Lacey of Tampa. The family wishes to give special thanks to Emma's amazing medical team, Drs. Naima Abdel-Ghany, Amin Abdel-Ghany and Dr. Hashem Mubarak; her nurse Barbara Gershenson; her special caregivers, Alice Harvey, Sonia Nissley, Lynn Stalling, Inez Jones and Julia Carrillo; and her massage therapist, Terri Jermyn. Visitation will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Friday evening at 6 to 8 p.m. The Rev. Joe Patterson will conduct the memorial services on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, with burial following at Evergreen Cemetery
on U.S. 231. There will be a celebration of Emma's life following the interment at the Holiday Inn Select, across from the mall.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
NETA SUE JEREMIAH
Mrs. Neta Sue Jeremiah, 87, of Myakka City, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000, at her daughter's home in Myakka City. Sue was born in Fountain, Fla., on Feb. 26, 1913, and lived in Panama City for most of her life. She had been living with her daughter Marie since 1995 and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Panama City. She was also a member of Panama City Garden Club. Sue was a very devoted wife, mother and friend and we will truly miss her. Memories of her will always be with us and she will hold special place is our hearts until we are with her again. She is survived by one son, John P. Jeremiah of Pensacola; two daughters, Nora Batts of Orlando and Marie Nelson of Myakka City; one sister, Betty Westcott-Plummer of St. Petersburg; five grandchildren, Michelle and Kevin Jeremiah, Brent Sapp, Keith and Ryan Nelson. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m. in Southerland Family Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ross Hilton officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Kevin Jeremiah, Brent Batts, Keith Nelson, Ryan Nelson, Adam Reames and Jimmy Smith.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
CONNIE MADDOX
Ms. Connie Maddox, 59, of Panama City, Fla., died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000, in National Healthcare Center. Born in Percipio Furnace, Md., she spent her childhood in Havdegrace, Md. She moved to Bay County in 1955 and was Episcopal by faith. Her mother, Edith Foy; her father, Charles Foy; and a brother, Bradley Foy, precede her in death. Ms. Maddox is survived by five children, Darita R. Katic of Montgomery, Ill., Donna K. Pratt, Debra A. Henderson, James T. Maddox and Edward A. Maddox, all of Panama City; eight grandchildren, Amanda, Ashley, Scott, Robert, James, Brittney, Charles and Jamie; one sister, Carol Grace of Oklahoma; four brothers, Brian Foy of North Carolina, Dennis Foy of Panama City, Neal Foy and Brent Foy, both of Louisiana. Graveside funeral services will be conducted on Friday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m. in Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home this evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
SHARON L. SNYDER
Mrs. Sharon L. Snyder, age 62, of 111 S. Charlene Drive, Callaway, Fla., died Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2000, at her home. She had been a resident of the area since 1972, coming here from Michigan. Mrs. Snyder was the first woman commissioner and mayor of the City of Callaway. She served two terms as commissioner in the 1970's. A 1976 New Herald article described her using a phrase borrowed from a conquering Roman Emperor, "Vini, Vidi, Vici", which means she came, she saw, she conquered. She is survived by her husband, John E. Snyder of Callaway, Fla.; two daughters, Cheryl Wilson of Jacksonville, Fla., and Pamela Wages of Panama City, Fla.; two sons, Richard Snyder of Seattle, Wash., and Erin Snyder of Jacksonville, Fla.; six grandchildren, Bennie, Lisa, Eric, Robert, Michelle and Sarah Lynn; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Sammy Spence officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today, Sept. 14, from 6 to 8 p .m.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
JIM WEBER
Jim Weber of Seminole, Fla., died Sept. 10, 2000, in the Palms of Pasadena Hospital. He was a resident of Seminole, Fla., since 1958, moving there from Pittsburgh, Pa. He was an oil spill contractor. Mr. Weber was a member of the St. Jeromes Catholic Church of Largo, Fla., Feather Sound Country Club and active in Seminole Youth Activities. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Peggy Weber; a son, Jim Weber Jr. of Panama City, Fla.; two daughters, Jane DeKorte, Chris McKenna; mother, Margaret Weber, all of Seminole, Fla.; six grandchildren, James John Weber III, Daniel Weber, both of Panama City, Fla., Lydsey McKenna, Logan McKenna, Bo DeKorte and Parker DeKorte; a brother, Joe "Skip" P. Weber Jr., all of Seminole, Fla.; and two sisters, Dorothy "Dottie" Witt of Jacksonville, Fla., and Janet Roland of San Diego, Calif. Memorial services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Father Marty Bratek officiating.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
ROBERT E. 'BOB' COATES
Mr. Robert E. "Bob" Coates, age 62, of 1015 S. Comet Ave., Panama City, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2000, at a local hospital. He was a native of Holmes County, Fla., and had lived in the Panama City area most of his life. Mr. Coates was the owner and operator of Stereotronix for many years. He was an accomplished woodcarver, specializing in carvings of ducks and birds. Mr. Coates was of the Assembly of God faith and loved listening to the Gaithers Homecoming recordings. He is survived by his wife, Edith Coates of Panama City; two daughters, Janet McCaw and Kim DeBoer, both of Columbia, S.C.; a son, Robert D. Coates of Columbia, S.C.; a step-daughter, Kim Clewis of Panama City; father and step-mother, Gilbert and Irene Coates of Panama City; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Broynease Coates. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. today, Sept. 15, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Scalf officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are: Jim Mobley, Huey Bozeman, Elton Register, Otis Stubbs, Mac McIntosh, and Marty Lane.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
WANDA LOUISE CORUM
Mrs. Wanda Louise Corum, age 73, of Panama City Beach, Fla., went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, evening, Sept. 13, 2000, at home with her family at her side. She was born Feb. 11, 1927, on a farm where she grew up near Phillipsburg, Mo. She attended Mt. Zion Elementary School and graduated from Phillipsburg High School. She later moved to Kansas City, Mo., and attended William Jewel College in Liberty, Mo. She was a faithful member of Gulf Beach Baptist Church of Panama City Beach, where she sang in the choir, and was a part of the women's prayer group. Louise enjoyed painting, writing, poetry, and watching her family perform at the Ocean Opry. She married Sonie E. Corum on May 27, 1950, in Lebanon, Mo., and he preceded her in death after 43 years. She is survived by seven children: Randy Corum and his wife Robin of Panama City Beach, Mary Farthing and her husband Jim of Wichita, Kan., Becky Rader and her husband Billy, Carla Rader and her husband Dennis, Kevin Corum, Jeanette Mann and her husband Wayne, all of the Panama City area, and Eric Corum and his wife Shanna of Lee's Summit, Mo.; two sisters, Betty Hill and her husband Al of Lee's Summit, Mo., and Glenda Carpenter and her husband Lyle of Des Moines, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Edwina Ozias of Shawnee Mission, Kan., and Francis Judd of Belton, Mo.; eleven grandchildren: John, Christine and Stacy Farthing, Shawn and Ashley Rader, Brent, Daniel, Cale , Austin, and Mollee Rader, and Zack Mann; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Greg George, Rudy Guta, and Dennis Rader officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are: Kevin Corum, Shawn Rader, Brent Rader, Daniel Rader, Eric Corum, and Randy Corum. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today, Sept. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. If you wish, contributions may be made to the Emerald Coast Hospice, P.O. Box 1530, Lynn Haven, FL 32444.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
JOSEPHINE REBECCA ELLISON
Mrs. Josephine Rebecca Ellison, age 79, of 3303 B. St., Panama City, Fla., died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000 at her home. She has been a resident of the area for eight years, coming here from New Jersey. Mrs. Ellison is survived by a daughter, Joann DeCrescenzo and her husband Larry of Panama City; granddaughters, Dawn Marie Decrescenzo and Amber Melissa Yarbrough; and great-grandchildren: Devin Tyler Smith, Dallas Lawrence Decrescenzo, and Meriah Lauryn Yarbrough. Funeral services will be held 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16 at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Saturday, Sept. 16 from 3 to 4 p.m., an hour prior to service time.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
CHARLES GODDIN JR.
Charles Goddin Jr., age 65, died Sept. 13, 2000, in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. Mr. Godding was born Jan. 12, 1935, in Ponce de Leon, Fla., where he remained a lifelong resident. He was the son of the late Charles and Alma Goddin. He is predeceased by his wife, Lavell Goddin and son, Robert Goddin. Survivors include his son, Charles Randall Goddin of Clanton, Ala.; daughters, Cindy Howard and her husband, David of Seffner, Fla., and Teresa Paterson and her husband, Billy of Clanton; sisters, Melissa Bryant of Otter Creek, Fla., and Ossie Mae Goddin of Panama City; ten grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 at Pine Log Community Church with the Revs. Cecil Bryant and Rossie Earl Bryant officiating.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home
DeFuniak Springs, Fla. 32433
EMMA JOSEPHINE DeLACEY HILTON
Funeral services for Emma Josephine DeLacey Hilton will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Patterson officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 6 to 8 p.m. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers will be: Derwin White, Allan Bense, Cody Khan, Gordon McCall, Richard Whitsitt and Kevin Gazia. Honorary palbearers will be: Sonia Nissley, Alice Harvey, Lynn Stalling, Inez Jones, Julia Carillo, Dee Paffos, Dr. Naima Abdel-Ghany, Dr. Amin Abdel-Ghany and Nancy Gilmore. Following the interment, there will be a celebration of Emma's life at the Holiday Inn Select, across from the mall. Those desiring to may make a contribution to The Option Institute, 2080 South Undermountain Road, Sheffield, MA 01257-9643.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
