TOM FREEMAN
Mr. Tom Freeman, 75, passed away Wednesday evening, March 7, 2001. Having made his home in Panama City for 14 years, he was on the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association and the Board of Directors at Regency Towers. He was founder and owner of Arco Steel Building Systems of Atlanta, and was also founder of East Ridge Fire Department of East Ridge, Tenn. He served in the Navy in World War II. He and his wife, Nelda, were married 58 years and were both members of St. Andrews Baptist Church of Panama City. He is survived by his two daughters, Vickie Blanton and husband, Dr. M.A. Blanton of Union City, Tenn., and Kim Freeman of Atlanta, Ga.; son, Allen Freeman and wife, Barbara of Atlanta; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Heart Association in memory of Mr. Freeman . A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews Baptist Church at 1 p.m. today, conducted by Dr. Dewey Davidson.
Southerland Family Funeral Home
Panama City, FL 32405
RICHARD E. MORLEY
Funeral services for Dr. Richard E. Morley, 85, of 401 S. Bonita Ave., Panama City, who was called home to the Lord Thursday morning, March 8, 2001, will be held today at 3 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Panama City with the Rev. Bruce Raley officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers are: Earl Cochran, Bob McSpadden, Charlie Bond, Leon Miller, Ivie Burch, Jimmy Barr and Raymond Powell. Honorary pallbearers are Billy Joe Rish, the Deacons of First Baptist Church and Dept. G Sunday school. Those desiring to, may make a contribution to the Gulf Coast Community College Foundation, the Memorial Fund of First Baptist Church of Panama City or Hospice of the Emerald Coast 700 West 23rd St. Suite 59, Panama City, FL 32405 in memory of Dr. Richard Morley.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, FL 32405
MYRLENE COOK SEXTON
Myrlene Cook Sexton, 66, of 3592 State 79 Vernon, Fla., passed away March 7, 2001, at Northwest Florida Community Hospital in Chipley, Fla. She is survived by her husband, Leon B. Sexton of Vernon; daughter, Libby Whitaker of Vernon; brothers: Archie Cook and Henry Cook, both of Vernon and Jim Cook of Bradenton, Fla.; grandchildren: Ashley Hickman, Allison Hickman and Tessa Whitaker. She was preceded in death by her parents, David J. and Tina Cook; son, Davie Whitaker; brothers, Allen Cook and Theron Cook; and sister, Thelma Jones. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, March 10, at Abigail Freewill Baptist Church in Vernon with the Rev. Frank Willis, the Rev. Troy Lee Walshingham and the Rev. Irvin Jennison officiating. The visitation was be held Friday, March 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Peel Funeral Home Vernon Chapel.
Peel Funeral Home
Bonifay, Fla.
JOSEPH ROGERS
Mr. Joseph Rogers, 87, of 1508 East 9th Court, passed away Monday, March 5, 2001, at his residence. He was born in Cairo, Ga. He was a resident of Panama City for more than 60 years. He was a carpenter in his early years. However, after moving to this area, he became a dedicated public servant, transporting many for years to the beach for work. Later in his life, he joined St. John Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held today, March 10, at 1 p.m. at the St. John Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Woodrow Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. The remains will lie in state one hour prior to services at the church. The family will receive friends at their residence 1508 East 9th Court.
Battle Memorial Funeral Home
Panama City, FL 32401
WAYNE SMITH SR.
Mr. Wayne Smith Sr., 69, of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., and formerly of Enterprise, died Friday morning, March 9, 2001, in the Fort Walton Beach Center. He was a native of Enterprise, Ala. He was retired from the SunTrust Bank in Atlanta, Ga. He was of the Baptist Faith. After his retirement, he and his wife, Mary moved to the Panama City and Santa Rosa Beach area where he enjoyed fishing and volunteering with the Florida Trail Association. He also loved spending time in the North Georgia Mountains hiking as well as spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary Helen Miller Smith of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.; his mother, Murl Miller Smith of Enterprise; a daughter, Beth Broome and husband, Tim of Acworth, Ga.; three sons: Robert Smith and wife, Karen of Dawsonville, Ga., Greg M. Smith and wife, Melanie of Enterprise; a sister, Peggy Smith Bowden of Enterprise; two brothers, Don Smith of Freeport, Fla., Mickey Smith of Enterprise; eight grandchildren and several neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Mercer Lee Smith and a brother, Robert Smith. Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, from the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Enterprise with the Rev. Cavin Cawton and the Rev. Ken May officiating. Burial will follow in the Meadowlawn Cemetery
in Enterprise with Patterson -Sorrells Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 6 to 8 p.m. At all other times the family will be at the home of a son, Greg and Melanie Smith, County Road 711, Enterprise. Flowers will be accepted or donations could be made to the Village Baptist Church, P.O. Box 968, Destin, FL 32540. The body will be placed into the church one hour before service time.
Patterson-Sorrells Funeral Home
Enterprise, Ala. 36330
ROBERT H. STEPHENS
Mr. Robert H. Stephens, 79, of Panama City, died Thursday, March 8, 2001, in a local healthcare facility. He was a lifelong resident of Panama City and a member of the St. Andrews Baptist Church. Mr. Stephens was an accounting clerk with the U.S. government at Tyndall Air Force Base for 28 years. He was a veteran of World War II while serving in the Army Air Corps in Europe. Mr. Stephens was a member of the VFW and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Nora Stephens. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane M. Stephens of Panama City; two daughters, Mary Ann Baker and husband, Steve of Milton, Fla., and Joyce D. Poston of Lynn Haven; six grandchildren, Pam Wilkes of Panama City Beach, Lisa Wilkes of Gulf Breeze, Fla., Amanda Poston and Amy Poston, both of Lynn Haven, Susan Kelly and Brad Baker, both of Milton; two great-grandchildren, Dylan Kelly and Bradley Baker, both of Milton. Funeral services will be conducted today, March 10, at 2:30 p.m. in the Southerland Family Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Pickrell officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. The following gentlemen will serve as active pallbearers: Brad Baker, Joseph Gilstrap, Stoney Kelly, Roger Jones, Ray Smith and Randy Nelson. Honorary pallbearers will be Howard Padgett, Charles Sexton, Bo Jones, Eugene Williams, Jim Gross and Lamar Harris. The family will receive friends this evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Council of Aging of Panama City in memory of Mr. Robert Stephens.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
JAMES HAROLD SWEARINGEN
Funeral services for Mr. James Harold Swearingen, 42, of 6807 John Pitts Road, Panama City, Fla., who died Wednesday, March 7, 2001, will be held at 11 a.m. today, March 10, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Warren Wright officiating. Interment will follow at Salem Cemetery
in Jackson County, Fla.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City Fla., 32402
CHARLES EDWARD BROWN
Mr. Charles Edward Brown, age 81, of 4716 6th St., Parker, Fla., went to be with the Lord, Thursday, March 8, 2001, from his home. He was a lifelong resident of Bay County, for many years a deacon at First Assembly of God in Millville and later a devoted member of Life and Praise Assembly of God. He lived his life trusting and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. He was an inspiration to his family who will miss him yet find joy and comfort knowing he is with his true Father. Mr. Brown is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rosa Brown; his daughter, Betty Ann King and husband Walter King; two grandchildren, Frida Masters and Timothy King; three great-grandchildren, Victoria Davis, Christina Banks, and Angelique Manley; seven great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Sara Harris and husband Robert Harris, Myron Davis and husband David Davis, and Mizelle Ritchie; one brother, Earnest Brown and wife Laura Brown; a host of nieces and nephews; and many beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ida Victoria and Artemus Brown; his son, Joseph Brown; and one sister, Ophelia Merchant. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 11, 2001, at Life and Praise Assembly of God with the Rev. W.T. Davis and the Rev. John Broome officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are Marvin Lee, Donnie Wilson, Ronnie Clanton, Fred Andrews, Harold Kelly, Jessie Smith and John Pearcy.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
GLADYS CARR
Mrs. Gladys Carr of 4843 East Highway 388, Youngstown, died Saturday, March 10, 2001, in a local hospital. Mrs. Carr was preceded in death by a son, James E. Carr. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Buell E. Carr; her daughter, Helen F. Carr; her son, Tommy (Elaine) R. Carr; her daughter-in-law, Katy R. Carr; and grandchildren, Kathy L. Carr of Youngstown, Matthew J. Carr and Erin A. Carr of Demopolis, Ala.; and great-granddaughter, Jayme K. Carr of Youngstown; her brother, Tom W. Peacock, and her sister, Lottie F. Peacock, both of Lynn Haven. The funeral will be at Kent-Forest Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, March 12, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Bob Hayes officiating. Interment will follow at the Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetary. Visitation will be at Kent Forest Funeral Home today, March 11, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
EDSEL G. 'DUCK' DAVIS
Edsel G.(Duck) Davis, 71, of Panama City, passed away in his home early Saturday morning, March 10, 2001. He was a lifelong resident of Panama City. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years during the Korean War. He built, worked on and designed boats for over 50 years. He loved his work so much, he always said he didn't work but played. He was a member of the St. Andrew Baptist Church. Edsel is survived by his wife of 50 years, Elsie; daughter, Jannie D. Flood of Culshawg, Australia; son, Gregg Davis of Panama City; granddaughter, Lori D. Cannon; grandson, David Odell, both of Orlando, Fla.; three sisters, Clara Nell Miller, Silva Fuller, both of Southport, Margaret Fisher of Fort Worth, Texas, two brothers, Joe Ed Davis, Grover Davis, both of Panama City. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Wilson Funeral Home chapel, with the Rev. R.G. Warren presiding. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
DELLA LYNN FERNEY
Della Lynn Ferney, 37, of Panama City Beach, died Thursday, March 8, at Gulf Coast Medical Center. She moved to the area 12 years ago from Indiana
. She was a co-manager at Wendy's Restaurant on Front Beach Road. She is survived by Mack and Jeanne O'Neil, Lisa Lear, Audry Bonanno and numerous friends. There will be a celebration of life service for Della at 4 p.m. Monday, March 12, at Wilson Funeral Home, in Panama City. All friends are invited. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society. Potted plants will be accepted.
FREDDIE LEE HENDERSON
Freddie Lee Henderson, 67, of Panama City, died Tuesday, March 6, 2001, in Panama City. Mr. Henderson was a native of Odena, Fla. He moved from Apalachicola to Thibodaux, La., where he lived until moving to Panama City in December 2000. He was a brick mason and a member of the First Baptist Church of Thibodaux. He is survived by four daughters, Carolyn Washington, Flora Bryant, Loretta Peake, and Florida Henderson all of Youngstown, Ohio; a son-in-law, Albert Peake; a sister, Coretha Turner of Port St. Joe; a brother and sister-in-law, Jessie and Virdie Dobson of Perry; 10 grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. The Rev. Henderson's nephew, the Rev. Robert Pierson, will be officiating the services, which will be on Monday, March 12, 2001, at 1 p.m. EST. The services will be held in Apalachicola, Fla., at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Snowhill Cemetary. Visitation will be held today, March 11, 5 to 7 p.m. at Kelley Funeral Home. Kelley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
ROBERT S. 'BOB' HUFFMAN, SR.
Mr. Robert S. (Bob) Huffman Sr., 65, of Parker died March 10, 2001, in a local health care facility. Mr. Huffman was a real estate agent for ERA Neubauer Real Estate, and he was also a retired U.S. Air Force officer. Funeral services are incomplete at this time and will be announced at a later date by Southerland Family Funeral Home.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
MAUDE T. LANIER
Maude T. Lanier, age 78, of Panama City Beach, died Thursday, March 8, 2001, at her home. She was a native of Alabama and had been living in Bay County for the past six months. Mrs. Lanier is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Bill and Susann Lanier of Panama City Beach; grandchildren, Rhonda and Mike, Lisa and Don; great-grandchildren Ryan, Zack, Shane, Stephanie and Michael; two brothers, Joe Thomas of Sacramento, Calif., and James Thomas of Tulsa, Okla. The family has requested memorialization by cremation.
Yorkshire Cremation and Casket Society
Panama City, Fla. 32405
GLADYS PEACOCK CARR
Mrs. Gladys Peacock Carr of 4843 E. State Highway 388 in Youngstown, died Saturday, March 10, 2001, at a local hospital. She was born July 30, 1910, to James Mason and Annie Hagins Peacock in Geneva County, Ala. She grew up in Geneva County and in Jackson County, Fla., and moved to Bay County in 1942. Mrs. Carr was a loving wife, mother and homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Junior Peacock and Z.B. Peacock; and a son James E. Carr. Mrs. Carr is survived by her husband of 65 years, Buell E. Carr; daughter, Helen F. Carr; son, Tommy (Elaine) R. Carr; daughter-in-law, Katy R. Carr; grandchildren, Kathy L. Carr of Youngstown, and Matthew J. Carr and Erin A. Carr of Demopolis, Ala.; great-granddaughter Jayme K. Carr of Youngstown; sister, Lottie F. Peacock; brother, Tom W. Peacock; and a number of cousins. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, March 12, 2001, at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Robert S. Hayes officiating. Interment will follow at the Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are: Larry Barnes, Chuck Brannen, Ray Collins, Jerry Halstead, Tommie Pitts and Buck Rhames.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
