DOYLE LEE GRIFFIN
Doyle Lee Griffin, 58, of Port St, Lucie, Fla. passed away Nov. 21, 2001, in Gainesville, Fla. Mr. Griffin had previously lived in Vero Beach, Fla., for 28 years. He was retired from the Department of Transportation where he was an engineer for 40 years. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. today, Nov. 24, at Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. Tim Owen officiating. Burial will follow in the Piney Grove Cemetery
with Brown Funeral Home directing. Survivors are two daughters, Cynthia Elizabeth Rider, Vero Beach, Fla., and Cathy Elizabeth Bishop, Titusville, Fla.; three sisters and one brother, Lucille Collins, Auburndale, Fla., Allen Griffin, Tallahassee, Mabel Tenefrancia, Longwood, Fla., Merlene Croft, Chipley; three grandchildren, Melanie Hope Rider, Vero Beach; Thomas Wayne Rider, Vero Beach; Jordan Elizabeth Bishop, Titusville. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Brown Funeral Home
Chipley, Fla. 32428
ARMA JEAN HUGHES GRIGGES
Sister Arma Jean Hughes Grigges went to be at peace with her Lord on Nov. 18, 2001, at her home. Homegoing services for Sister Arma Jean Grigges will be held at 1 p.m. today, Nov. 24, 2001, at Brown's Temple with Bishop Randy E. Williams officiating. Family and friends will gather at the home of the late Mrs. Arma Jean Grigges at 1701 Hamilton Ave., Apt. M-196. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. The remains will lie in state one hour prior to services at the church.
Battle Memorial Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32401
MARY ETTA CALVERT HENDERSON
Mary Etta Calvert Henderson entered into eternal peace on Nov. 21, 2001. She was born Feb. 16, 1916. She was a resident of Westwood Healthcare Center in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. She was a Christian and a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church. She was a member of Panama City Chapter 112 Order of the Eastern Star. She worked many years for Alvin's Island on Thomas Drive. She was married to William Homer (Slim) Henderson who died on March 15, 1975. She is survived by one daughter, Doris Knight and CMsgt. Willie Knight, USAF retired, of Fort Walton Beach, two grandsons, Capt. Mike Knight and Cindy Knight of Fort Walton Beach; Capt. Joel Knight (deceased) of Fort Walton Beach. Two great-grandchildren, Kevin and Heather Knight of Fort Walton Beach. She is survived by one brother, George Calvert of Birmingham, Ala., and numerous nieces and nephews. Brothers who preceded her were Brice Calvert, the Rev. Hubert Calvert, and Jasper Calvert from the Birmingham area. She had a very loving, caring extended family while a resident at Westwood Healthcare Center. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today, Nov. 24, 2001, at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Charles Key officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, today, Nov. 24, at noon until time for the services at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the building fund at the Cedar Grove Baptist Church., 2608 E. 15th St., Cedar Grove.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
MARSHALL MATTHEW 'MATT' STEDHAM
Mr. Marshall Matthew "Matt" Stedham, 86, passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2001, at a local nursing facility. He was a native of Gadsden, Ala., and lived in Panama City for 42 years. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, being awarded the Purple Heart, and was a retired paint and body specialist. Mr. Stedham was a long-time member and past elder of the Jenks Avenue Church of Christ, and was a member and past president of the Chapter 17, Disabled American Veterans. Mr. Stedham is survived by two daughters, Wanda Dick and her husband, Danny, of Panama City; Mary Nelson and her husband, Randy, of Lynn Haven; grandson, Keith Nelson and his wife, Carla, of Allen, Texas; sister, Ruby Beard of Glenco, Ala.; and a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the minister, Jack Reece officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Asked to serve as pallbearers are Willard Anderson, Ken Anderson, Arthur Willliams, Hugh Tucker, Jack Hobson, John Coburn, Tom Skipper, and Ferrell Lawrence. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today, Nov. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jenks Avenue Church of Christ Building Fund, 3332 Jenks Ave.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
HAZEL LOUISE STEINKE
Mrs. Hazel Louise Steinke, 60, of Panama City, Fla., died Nov. 20, 2001, in a nursing home in Port St. Joe. Mrs. Steinke was a resident of Panama City for 12 years. She was born Hazel Louise Barber in Greenville, Ga., on Feb. 21, 1941. Her husband of 38 years, Louis J. Steinke, passed away on May 7, 2001. Our mother was very involved in our father's care with Army Community Service and worked in various jobs while moving with our father while he was in the Army. She is survived by her daughter, Brenda and her husband, Ski; her son, Louis Jr. and his wife, Alex. She had a daughter, Sherry, who passed away in May 1998. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Richard, Joseph, Michael, and Joe. Hazel Steinke was very special. She touched many people in her passing through the different places that she lived. Our mother was very devoted to her husband and children and there was nothing she wouldn't do for us even after we were grown and left home. She always reminded us that no matter what ever happened, we always had a place to go home to. If there were ever two people that were as one it was our mother and father. Even though we feel a tremendous loss in our hearts, our parents are now as one again. We all know one of their trademarks was that they always held hands wherever they went. We know there are many people that would agree that they had something very special. You have only one mother and we had the very best one in our lives. We love you mom. Your loving family. Memorial services will be held today, Nov. 24, 2001, at 11 a.m. at the Southerland Family Funeral Home with Dr. Floyd Wright officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
WILLIAM CHARLES WHITE
Mr. William Charles "W.C." White was born March 28, 1911 and died of natural causes in Atlanta, Ga., on Friday, Nov. 16, 2001. He was baptisized as a youngster. In 1942, he was ordained as a deacon at Mount Olive Baptist Church, Marianna, Fla., and later served the same at the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Panama City, Fla. He also served as Sunday school superintendent and in other capacities at various churches in communities where he lived. More recently, while a resident of Coral Springs, in Broward County, he became a church member at First Baptist Church Piney Grove. Mr.White was born in Alachua County, Fla., the 11th of 16 children of Emma and George White Sr. He completed grammar school in Stuart, and finished high school in Daytona Beach. He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta; Bethune-Cookman, (A.A. degree); Florida A&M College (FAMC) and received the B.A. degree from Morehouse in 1947. He later received his master's degree from Columbia University in New York, in 1955. Professor White's career included teacher/ principal in several north Florida counties including Jackson County (Marianna), and Bay County (Panama City). He became an assistant principal at Bay High School, Panama City, in 1970 following the desegregation movement and retired in June 1975. His other affiliations include Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and he was a Thirty-Third Degree Mason. He served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1945 as stewart third class. He owned and operated several businesses including Motel Neota, the first black-owned motel in Panama City, which was in operation from 1956-1996. He participated in the leadership for the merging of the Florida Educators Association and the Florida State Teachers Association where he served as president (1963-1965). Religion played a very important role in Mr. White's life. He made a journey around the world to attend the Baptist Alliance in Tokyo, Japan, in 1970. William C. White and Curlie Neota Sansone married, and to the union three daughters were born, Cozie Esther (Arthur F.) Smith, Dr. Emma Joyce (Lev T.) Mills, and Dr. Charlene Valoria (John W.) Latson. These survivors cherish his memory along with his six grandchildren; two grandsons-in-law; three great-grandchildren, several sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; and numerous other family members and friends. Deacon White will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his church, his professions; as well as his love for all children and his kind and generous spirit. L.C. Poiter Funeral Home, 954-943-7050 is in charge of the arrangements.
KATHRYN VERNON HOUSE
Kathryn Vernon House died Nov. 23, 2001, in a local hospital. Mrs. House was born in Alexander City, Ala., but had lived in this area for many years. Mrs. House was a retired manager from the Long Beach Resort Motel. Mrs. House is survived by one son, James 'Jimmy' House (Belinda) of Panama City Beach, Fla.; one daughter, Julia Kathryn House of Panama City Beach, Fla.; one Brother, Ed Vernon of Pinehurst, N.C.; four grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Mrs. House was preceded in death by her husband, Fabian House; one son, Donald House and wife, Carolyn House Pitt. She also was a member of the Mignon Baptist Church and resident of Sylacauga, Ala., for 34 years. Funeral services for Mrs. House will be held at 2 p.m. today, Nov. 25, 2001, at the Mignon Baptist Church in Sylacauga, Ala., with the Rev. Todd Ravens officiating. Interment will follow in the Marble City Cemetery
in Sylacauga. For further information, call Curtis and Son Funeral Home, 1315 Talladega Hwy., Sylacauga, Ala., 256-245-2207.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
JOHNNY F. HAGLER
Mr. Johnny F. Hagler, age 58, of Panama City, passed away, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2001, at his home. He was born in Hartford, Ala., and lived in Panama City most of his life. He was the office manager for J.B. Hagler and Sons Concrete Forming Company. He was a member of the Panama City Amateur Radio Club and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Mr. Hagler was a member of the Cedar Grove Baptist Church. He is survived by his parents, John B. and Bunch Hagler, of Panama City; one daughter, Joanna Alarcon and her husband, Jay, of Orlando; two brothers, Junior Hagler and his wife, Monica, and James R. Hagler, all of Panama City; two sisters, Bonnie Yates and her husband, Joey, and Marilyn Thomas and her husband, Mike, all of Panama City; two grandsons, Christopher Alarcon and Steven Michael Alarcon and his fiancee, Reita "Buzz" Walsh, all of Orlando. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, 2001, at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Charles Key and the Rev. David Halstead officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Asked to serve as pallbearers are Don Hagler, Joe Trawick, Joey Yates, Mike Suggs, Mart Yates, Jerry Hutto and Charlie Wooten. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today, Nov. 25, 2001, from 4 until 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Emerald Coast, 700 W. 23rd Street, or to a charity of your choice.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
RUTH C. HEMPHILL
Funeral services for Mrs. Ruth C. Hemphill, age 79, of Panama City, who passed away Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26, 2001, at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jack Hankins officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today, Nov. 25, 2001, from 6 until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Emmaus United Methodist Building Fund - 1206 County Road 2297.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
MARSHALL MATTHEW 'MATT' STEDHAM
Funeral services for Mr. Marshall Matthew "Matt" Stedham, age 86, of Panama City, who passed away, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2001, will be held at 2 p.m. today, Nov. 25, 2001, at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jack Reece officiating.
Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
