DOUGLAS LEE WHITAKER
Mr. Douglas Lee Whitaker, 31, of Panama City Beach, passed away Feb. 1, 2002. He was employed by Arizona Chemical Company. Douglas is survived by his parents, Lee and Barbara Whitaker, of Panama City and Nancy Whitaker of Gordo, Ala.; one sister, April and her husband, Todd Combs; and one brother, Jason Whitaker. His grandparents are Louvenia Whitaker of Panama City and Bob and Betty Fisk, also of Panama City; aunts and uncles, Jack and Pat Kirkland, and Janie Bees of Panama City, Richard and Lutrell Sohn of DeFuniak Springs, Kie and Derah Carter and Dorothy Brookshire, all of Dallas, Ga., Geary Carter of Austell, Ga., Barbara Haines of Cedartown, Ga.; cousins, Avery, Merrinda, Paul, Ray, Ben, Paul, Russell, Steven, Ken, Jack, Phil, and Chris. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. Alvin Whitaker and Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Carter. Memorial services will be held, today, Feb. 5, at 4 p.m. at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Phil Kirkland officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Anchorage Children's Home in memory of Douglas Lee Whitaker.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
ALPHUS A. 'AL' COBB
Mr. Alphus A. (Al) Cobb, 70, of Lynn Haven, Fla., passed away on Monday, Feb. 4, 2002. Born on Feb. 18, 1931, he was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Delilah Cobb, four brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Helen; his daughter, Ellen Gerlecz and her husband, Joe; and their children, Mary Katharine, Mark, and Sarah Beth; and his son, Allen Cobb and his wife, Saundra; and their daughter, Emily; and by six sisters-in-law and six brothers-in-law. At the time of his death, he had been employed at Tommy Thomas Chevrolet for 22 years, where he was the recipient of many of Chevrolet's top salesman awards, both locally and nationally. Before his employment at Tommy Thomas, he was owner of Bay Tractor Company. He was a faithful member of The Rock of Panama City for over 40 years. Funeral services will be held today, Feb. 6, at 2 p.m. at The Rock of Panama City with Apostle F. Nolan Ball officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are Billie Barnes, Gene Barnes, Clayton Hood, Colan Hood, Jerry Hood Sr., and Jimmy Hood. Asked to serve as honorary pallbearers are Mark Ball, Stephen Barnes, the Rev. David Barnes, Donnie Boykin, the Rev. George Brantley, Steve Burdeshaw, Harry Cobb, Bill Cramer and the staff at Tommy Thomas Chevrolet, Archie Creamer, Bill Erickson, Butch Erickson, Kenny Fortner, Steve Gerlecz, the Rev. Tim Grindstaff, Larry Hayes, Sammy Hayes, Preston Heath, Charlie Hilton, Chris Hood, Jerry Hood Jr., Tim Hood, the Rev. Ron McGee, LaVaughn McNeil, the Rev. Todd Murner, Randy Neese, the Rev. Steve Parker, Robert Reece, Eddie Reece, Craig Smith, the Rev. Aaron Smith, Thomas Statham, Jimmy Yon, and the countless numbers of other men who passed through "Cobb's College." In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to The Rock of Panama City Ministry Fund, which will help to establish men in the ministry.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
PREBEN CHRIS DUUS
Mr. Preben Chris Duus, of Panama City, passed away Jan. 31, 2002. He lived a long and happy life. He had been a resident of Panama City since 1972, when he moved his family here from Denmark. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. He enjoyed many years as a Merchant Marine after the war. Mr. Duus was a loving brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who is survived by his brother, Paul Duus and wife, Rigmor; sons and daughters, Michael Duus and his wife, Debra, Tina DeShields and her husband, Mark, Martin Duus and his wife, Donna, and Cindy Taylor and her husband, Phil; grandchildren, Michael Duus, Mindy Stone and Travis Stone, Jenna Duus and Ashley Duus; and a great-granddaughter, Lexi Nicole Anderson, all of Panama City. Memorial services will be confirmed at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Chris Duus.
GEORGE E. DRYDEN
George E. Dryden, 99, of Marianna, died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, at Jackson County Hospital. Born in Evanston, Ill., he was a veteran of World War II, where he served as a major in chemical warfare. His family owned Dryden Rubber Company in Chicago, Ill., and he was the great-nephew of George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak. He was the owner-operator of Circle D Ranch & Western Shop in Marianna for many years, was a champion hog farmer, and was the chairman of the Jackson County Fair. He was a member of the Marianna Moose Lodge, the VFW and was of the Episcopal faith. He was preceded in death by a son, George Eastman Dryden Jr.; and a grandson, Christopher M. Dryden. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ruth Murdock Dryden of Marianna; one son, Matt C. Dryden and his wife, Barbara, of Marianna; five daughters, Dotsey Hofferman of Wisconsin, Mary Ellen Dryden of North Carolina, Alice Terri Jordan of West Virginia, Mary Jo Gibson of St. Petersburg, and Mildred Klingemann of Bonifay; 16 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held today, Feb. 6, at 1 p.m. CDT at Maddox Chapel with the Rev. Parson Bill Breyfogle officiating. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with James and James Funeral Home, Maddox Chapel, directing.
James & James Funeral Home - Maddox Chapel
Marianna, Fla. 32446
DOROTHY JO MITCHELL
Funeral services for Mrs. Dorothy Jo Mitchell, 62, of Howard Creek, Fla., who passed away Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, at Howard Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Dennis Hopkins and the Rev. Sheldon Adams officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home today, Feb. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. There also will be a visitation at the church from noon Thursday until service time.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
BRENDA WILSON RICHEY
Brenda Wilson Richey, 45, of Weldon, passed away Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, in East Texas Medical Center, Crockett, Texas. Brenda was born Oct. 3, 1956, in Panama City and had lived in Weldon, Texas, for the past year. She was a registered nurse and a member of Weldon Baptist Church in Weldon, Texas. Survivors include her sons, Chris Sanders and wife, Charlotte, of Stockbridge, Ga., Joseph David Szabo of Panama City; daughter, Elizabeth Dawn Richey of Houston; grandsons, Nathan and Cody Sanders of Stockbridge, Ga.; father, Alonzo L. Wilson and wife, Sherry, of Weldon; mother, Mary C. Webb of Panama City; sisters, Vicki D. Gillmore and husband, Frank, of Panama City, Kathy Alene Trigg of Fort Walton Beach; brother, Daniel L. Wilson of Panama City; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Funeral services for Brenda Wilson Richey were held Tuesday, Feb. 5, in Weldon Baptist Church, Weldon, Texas, with the Rev. Reggie Gregory officiating.
Callaway-Allee Funeral Home
700 East Houston Ave.
Crockett, Texas 75835
NORMA JEAN BEAVER
Norma Beaver, 75, of Panama City, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002. She is survived by her son, William T. Hamilton of Panama City; her daughter, Jacquelyn Hohn of Hudson, Fla.; her grandson, William E. Hamilton; granddaughters, Marona Hohn, Melissa Trahan, Kimberly Faulkner; her great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Amber and Alex Trahan and Sebastion Faulkner. Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of cremation.
KENNETH SHELTON BRADFORD
Mr. Kenneth Shelton Bradford, age 52, of Panama City Beach, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002, at his home unexpectedly. He had been a resident of the area since 1967, coming here from Satellite Beach, Fla. Mr. Bradford was a graduate of Gulf Coast Community College and the University of West Florida. He was also an administrative assistant for the City of Panama City Beach Wastewater Treatment Section and was Protestant by faith. He is survived by his parents, Ellis and Edna Ruth Bradford of Panama City; a brother, Ronald Bradford of Panama City Beach; two nieces of whom he was very fond, Farren Bradford and Breanna Bradford; and several cousins. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Interment will follow. The family will receive friends at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home today, Feb. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
RUBY 'JUDY' CROKER
Funeral services for Ruby "Judy" Croker, 83, of Panama City, who died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002, at a local nursing home, will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Henry Hazard officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 6 to 8 p.m.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
BEBBLE DUNN
Mrs. Bebble Glynn Sheppard Dunn, age 70, of Tallahassee, formerly of Panama City, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 5, at her daughter's residence in Tallahassee. She was born June 15, 1931, in Bonita Springs, Fla., to the late Barney Sheppard and Zellie Young Sheppard. Mrs. Dunn was a homemaker and attended Heritage Bible Church in Panama City. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Ray Dunn, former owner and operator of Dan-D's Donuts of Panama City; a daughter, Sheila McGraw; and a brother, Charles Sheppard. She is survived by one son, Dan Dunn and wife, Pam, of Carrollton, Ga.; one daughter, Rhonwyn Geiger and husband, Tom, of Tallahassee; two sisters, Alma Roberts of Cross City, Fla., and Nora Futch of Birmingham; two brothers, Frank Sheppard and Edward Sheppard, both of Cross City, Fla.; two aunts, Alma Brinson and Loraine Graves, both of Tallahassee; five grandchildren, Kim and Julie Geiger; Jason, Brandon and Laura Dunn; and two great-grandchildren, Scott and Kelly Dunn. Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, in Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery
with the Rev. Henry Hazard officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home this evening from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, Fla. 32308.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
JO BETH FOREMAN McCLELLAN
Jo Beth Foreman McClellan, formerly of Panama City, died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002, in Johnson City, Tenn., where she was currently residing. She was born Jan. 21, 1916, in Pavo, Ga., and moved to Panama City in 1928 where her father, J.J. Foreman, owned a drug business and her mother, Ethel Foreman, established Panama City's first kindergarten. She grew up at 714 Grace Ave. and graduated from Bay High School in the Class of 1932, later attending Florida State University with a degree in elementary education. Beginning her teaching career here at the old Panama City Grammar School, she also ended it here when she taught at Hiland Park Elementary School. In 1937 she was married to William Don McClellan who preceded her in death in 1988. Mrs. McClellan also taught in Miami, DeFuniak Springs, Palatka and Chipley where her husband pastored churches in these towns. She always taught first grade because she liked to give children a good start in learning to read. She worked with primary children in all these churches and led many vacation Bible schools as well as primary departments. Her teaching included teaching patriotism, Christian principles, morals and love for one another and God. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Panama City and the Joyful Servants Sunday school class taught by Mrs. Bonnie Spear. She is survived by a son, Van Foreman McClellan and his wife, Ann, of Johnson City, Tenn.; daughter, Donna Beth Woodham of Franklin, N.C.; five grandchildren, Katie McClellan, Jennifer McClellan, Amy Jo Dunbar, Laurie Dunbar, and Emily Dunbar; and two great-grandchildren, Will Dunbar and Lindsey Dunbar. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
PAULINE ALICE NORTON
Mrs. Pauline Alice Norton of Panama City passed away Feb. 5, 2002, in a local hospital. She had lived in Panama City since 1987. Mrs. Norton graduated from Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., with a degree in nursing. She was a nurse for 40 years before retiring in 1990. Mrs. Norton was a member of Parkway Baptist Church. She was also the church librarian and enjoyed this immensely. Mrs. Norton was predeceased by her husband, Ray; her sister, Wanda Fitch; and two brothers, Floyd Fitch and Olin Fitch. She is survived by her children; daughters, Wanda Buckallew and husband, Gene, of Brookfield, Mo., Elizabeth Johnson and husband, Wayne, of Raeford, N.C.; sons, Donald Norton and wife, Diane, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Edward Norton and wife, Beverly, of Lynn Haven; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family will be staying at the home of Edward Norton, 1106 Bradley Circle, Lynn Haven. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
