JAMES FRANKLIN STEPHENS
Mr. James Franklin Stephens, age 50, of Clarksville, died Monday in Bay Medical Center in Panama City. A native of Blountstown, he was a longshoreman and farmer. Survivors include his father, J. Frank Stephens of Clarksville; fiancee, Sandra Fisher of Clarksville; two brothers and a sister-in-law, William Scott and Debra Stephens of Bennettsville, S.C., and Dewey and Mary Jo Stephens of Blountstown; three sisters and brothers-in-law: Maxine Hobby of Clarksville, Jackie and R.G. Ritter of Clarksville, Lisa Stephens and friend Steve of Panama City. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. CDT in Chapel of Adams Funeral Home with Jimmy Hatcher officiating. Cremation will follow. Visitation will be held this evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Adams Funeral Home
Blountstown, Fla. 32424
EUNICE SIMS BURCH
Mrs. Eunice Sims Burch, 95, of 1332 Lincoln Drive, Panama City, Fla., passed away Saturday, April 7, 2001, at Bay Medical Center. A native of Oglethorpe, Ga., she had been a resident of this area most of her life, since moving here and settling at Red Fish Point. She attended the public schools in Georgia, and she was a member of St. John Baptist Church where she rendered dedicated service until a few years ago. She especially enjoyed Sunday school and the senior mission where she spent much of her time in service. She was a member of the Christian Band of Benevolence and the Ladies Aid Missionary Society. Two children preceded her in death, Robert James Burch and Gertrude Burch Evans. She is survived by two sons, Ivie R. Burch and wife Hattie of Panama City and Josh Burch and wife Bernice of Pittsfield, Mass.; 12 grandchildren, Brenda Gales of Atlanta, Ga., Pamela Fort and husband, James of Tallahassee, Fla., Gregory Waters and wife, Yolanda of Atlanta, Emma Carlton and husband, Euria of Key West, Fla., Stacy Burch of Hollywood, Fla., Violet Pierre and husband, Pete of Miami, Fla., Cynthia Frye and husband, Michael, of Boston, Mass., Sylvia Cousin and husband, Albert of Decatur, Ala., Beverly Bolden of Centralville, Va., Lynn Pierce and husband, Vernie of Pittsfield, Mass., Lori Burch of Boston, Mass., and Josh Burch, Jr. of Pittsfield; 25 great-grandchildren, 22 great-great-grandchildren, and six great-great-great-grandchildren; sister, Mamie Cook of Springfield, Mass.; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral service for Mrs. Burch will be held Thursday, April 12, at 1 p.m., at St John Baptist Church with the Rev. Rufus Woods Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Redwood Cemetery. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service. The family will receive relatives and friends at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Ivie and Hattie Burch. Visitation hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Gainer Family Funeral Home Inc.
Panama City, FL 32405.
DANNY PHILIP CARVER
Philip Carver, age 23, of Panama City died Monday morning April 9, 2001. He was a lifelong resident of Bay County and a graduate of Margaret K. Lewis Exceptional Student Center. He is survived by his mother, Pat Carver; brother, Roy Carver III and Donny Carver; sister, Kelly Carver and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. In remembrance of Philip's playful spirit and love of the water, a sunset memorial service will be held on Panama City Beach. For more information on date and time call the Carver family at 914-9589. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Margaret K. Lewis School.
DYLAN JAMES PAUL CURTIS
Infant Dylan James Paul Curtis of Panama City, Fla., died Monday, April 9, 2001, at a local hospital. He is survived by his mother, Tina Curtis of Panama City and father, Robert T. Flowers of Deer Point, Fla.; his grandparents, Ray and Angela Johnson of DeFuniak Springs, James and Marilyn Curtis of Panama City, and Donnie White of Altha, Fla.; two brothers, Brandon Curtis of Panama City and Robert T. Flowers Jr. of Deer Point; and a sister, Sarah Flowers of Cedar Grove. Graveside funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 12, at Garden of Memories with the Rev. John Ramsey officiating. Interment will follow.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
CLARENCE EDISON GIBSON SR.
Clarence Edison Gibson Sr., 89, of 4038 Woodridge Road, Panama City, died Tuesday, April 10, 2001, in a local hospital. He was the retired owner and operator of C.E. Gibson & Son Contractors. He had been a resident of Panama City since 1952. He was a member of the St. Andrew Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was also a member of the Charles Nichols Sunday School Class, Gideons International, St. Andrew Kiwanis Club, St. Andrew Masonic Lodge No. 212, and York Rite. He also served as a chaplain for the Bay County Sheriff's Office. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Louise Hinson Gibson; son, C.E. (Tim) Gibson Jr. and his wife, Dauhrice, all of Panama City; daughter, Joyce Gibson Edwards and her husband, Wm. C. of Palm Harbor, Fla.; four grandchildren, Stephanie Solar and her husband, Rick of Bradenton, Fla., Tim Gibson and his wife, April of Panama City, Brent Wiggins of Birmingham, Ala., Ted Wiggins and his wife, Robin of Helena, Ala.; three great-grandchildren: Ricky Solar IV, Savannah Solar, Reese Walker Solar, and a sister, Eunice Pearce of Lutz, Fla. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Montgomery, the Rev. Dan Harrison and Dr. Dewey Davidson officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Those desiring to may make a contribution to Gideons International or the building fund of St. Andrew Baptist Church. The family will be at the home of C.E. (Tim) Gibson Jr., 4446 Ashland Road, Panama City.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
INA LEE MERCHANT
Ina Lee Merchant, "world's best mom," passed away April 6, 2001. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse L. Merchant. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Hanahan Chapter No. 250. She will be missed very much by her daughters, Carol McCloud and Sue Rudd; sons-in-law, Monty McCloud and Glen Rudd; and grandchildren, Kenny McCloud and Morgan Tyler Rudd. Also surviving her are two sisters, two brothers, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She loved to fish and tell stories about the ones that got away. Her warmth and wit will forever be remembered. Private graveside remembrances to be held.
Yorkshire Cremation and Casket Society
Panama City, Fla. 32405
DAVID A WARFIELD
Mr. David A. Warfield, age 66, of Panama City, Fla., passed away Sunday, April 8, 2001, at a local hospital. He was a native of Honesdale, Pa., and had lived in Panama City for 22 years, moving here from Homestead AFB, Fla. Mr. Warfield retired as a master sergeant after 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Era. After his retirement, he worked in civil service at Tyndall Air Force Base. He is survived by a daughter, Kathryn Latza of Panama City; one son, Dennis Williams and his wife Susan of Wichita, Kan.; one brother, Lawrence Warfield of Honesdale, Pa.; two granddaughters, Sierra Latza and Carmen Williams; and one grandson, Albert Williams. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 12, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jim Kirkland officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens with full military honors conducted by Tyndall A.F.B. Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today, April 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
JULIA ANNE BATCHELOR
Mrs. Julia Anne Batchelor, 46, passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2001, at St. Andrews Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was survived by her husband, Amos Henderson; five daughters; three sons and seven grandchildren. Graveside services will be held April 13, 1:30 p.m., at Garden of Memories. Family and friends are invited to attend.
EUNICE SIMS BURCH
Funeral services for Mrs. Eunice Sims Burch, 95, of 1332 Lincoln Drive, will be held today, April 12, 2001, at 1 p.m., at St. John Baptist Church with the Rev. Rufus Wood Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Redwood Cemetery. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service. The family will receive relatives and friends at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Ivie and Hattie Burch.
Gainer Family Funeral Home, Inc.
Panama City, FL 32405
MABLE GARDNER
Mable Gardner, age 82, died Tuesday, April 10, 2001, in Jackson County Convalescent Center in Graceville, Fla. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 13, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Bottoms Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Hartford, Ala., with the Rev. James Farris Stewart and the Rev. Hughvon King officiating. Burial will follow in Clark Cemetery
in Dothan with Bottoms Garden Chapel Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home this evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Survivors include two daughters, Leisa Richards of Malvern and Cornelia Richards of Dothan; three sisters, Lessie Payne of Panama City, Ruth Walker of Panama City, Helen York of Panama City; one brother, Grady Payne of Wausau, Fla.; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Bottoms Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Hartford, Ala. 36344
CLARENCE EDISON GIBSON SR.
Funeral services for Clarence Edison Gibson Sr., 89, of 4038 Woodridge Road, Panama City, who died Tuesday, April 10, 2001, in a local hospital, will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Dewey Davidson, Dr. Bill Montgomery and the Rev. Dan Harrison officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. today. Those desiring to may make a contribution to Gideons International or the building fund of St. Andrew Baptist Church. The family will be at the home of C.E. (Tim) Gibson Jr., 4446 Ashland Road, Panama City.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
THEO GRAY
Mr. Theo Gray, age 98, of Cottondale, Fla., passed April 8, 2001, in Marianna Convalescent Center. He was a native of Jackson County and a member of Springfield A.M.E. Church. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 14, at 2 p.m. at Springfield A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Ras Godwin officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Christian Memorial Chapel of Graceville in charge of the arrangements. The remains will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the services. He is survived by two daughters, Minnie Gray Russ of Cottondale and Mary Duncan of Panama City; one son, Roosevelt Gray of Tampa; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Christian Memorial Chapel
Graceville, Fla. 32440
MERLE E. GUTHEIL
Merle E. Gutheil, 66, of Panama City Beach, Fla., died Monday evening at his home. Merle and his wife Betty have lived in Panama City Beach for the last 51/2 years. Merle was born in Iowa and prior to moving to Florida, lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa and was a self-employed houspainter. Survivors include his wife Betty of the home; nine children and stepchildren, 28 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, five sisters and one brother, all residing in the Iowa-Nebraska area. Services and burial will be in Iowa on Monday, April 16, 2001. Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold, Iowa, (712-778-4315) is in charge of the arrangements.
BETTY SUE ROMACK
Mrs. Betty Sue Romack, 65, of 2455 Pretty Bayou Circle, Panama City, Fla., died Tuesday, April 10, 2001, in a Tallahassee nursing home. Born in DeFuniak Springs, she was a lifelong resident of this area. She was a homemaker and Baptist by faith. Mrs. Romack is survived by her husband, Joseph C. Romack of Panama City; three sons, Stewart Francis Romack and wife Sydney of Tallahassee, Bradley Lindsey Romack and wife Libby of Panama City, Joseph Gilbert Romack and wife Carol Ann of Yulee, Fla.; four grandchildren, Angela Marie Romack, Michelle Couch, Justin Alexander Baldwin and George Bondur Jr.; two great-grandchildren, Nicholas James Couch and Jennifer Nicole Couch. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
DAVID A WARFIELD
Funeral services for Mr. David A. Warfield, age 66, of Panama City, Fla., who passed away Sunday, April 8, 2001, will be held at 2 p.m. today, April 12, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jim Kirkland officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens with full military honors conducted by Tyndall AFB Honor Guard.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
