Brown, Lois VanWey
Lois VanWey Brown, 65, of Yulee passed away Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at her home surrounded by her loving family. A native of Conway, Texas, she had resided in Yulee since 1973. Mrs. Brown was a dedicated homemaker and a lifelong member of the Baptist faith. She was also a loving wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was very skilled and loved making many various types of handicrafts such as crocheting, knitting and sewing, in addition to being a wonderful cook. Survivors include her seven sons, Robert Lee VanWey, John Henry VanWey, Ronald Alan VanWey, Donald Eugene VanWey, all of Yulee, and Michael Patrick VanWey, Robert Lee VanWey, and Jerry Ray VanWey, all of Fernandina Beach; a daughter, Merri Allyce Marcum of Five Points, Ala.; three brothers, James Henry Boyd of Fernandina Beach, Martin Keith Simms of Beaumont, Texas, and Frank E. Batterson of Lawton, Okla.; three sisters, Doris Holmes and LaReita Brown of Fernandina Beach; and LaRee Stroh of Yulee; 18 grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Graveside funeral services were held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Bosque-Bello Cemetery
with the Rev. Brooks Monk officiating.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
Darlington, Nadine Jo Ann
Nadine Jo Ann Darlington, 71, a native and lifelong resident of Yulee, passed away Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville. During her career Mrs. Darlington was employed as a housekeeping supervisor for the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens for more than 30 years. She was a longtime member of the Blackrock Baptist Church. Throughout her life she was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 40 years, Richard Franklin Darlington, on Oct. 5, 1992.
Survivors include her three sons, John (Ruth) Darlington and Ira Darlington, both of Fernandina Beach, and Richard Darlington of Yulee; two daughters, Nancy (Freddy) Arnett of Yulee and Lu Ann (Al) Smith of Fernandina Beach; a brother, Jack McKendrees (Betty Shaw) of Fernandina; a sister, Edna (Bennie) McClellan of Fernandina Beach; 11 grandchildren, Christy, Erika, Mandy, Richard, Kelly, Casey, John, Katie, Jonathan, Jessica and Carrie; and by five great-grandchildren, Kailey, Madisyn, Ritchie, Samantha and Brayden.
Graveside funeral services were held Sunday at 3 p.m. in Hughes Cemetery
with the Rev Frank Camarotti, pastor of Blackrock Baptist Church, officiating.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
Ferreira, Ernest L.
Ernest L. Ferreira, 85, 501 Date St., died at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville on Oct. 10, 2003, following a stroke Oct. 3.
Mr. Ferreira was born in Fernandina Beach, Fla., on Jan. 14, 1918, the youngest of five sons of Louis Anthony Ferreira and Ruby Donald Ferreira, who operated a grocery store on the corner of Beech and Sixth streets. Mr. Ferreira's father died when he was 2, and his mother subsequently married Dennis King.
The Ferreiras are a pioneer Florida family, having arrived in St. Augustine from Portugal in 1787.
The Ferreiras also were a musical family. Ruby G. King was a piano teacher, and she and her sons formed a popular local dance band. They spent a memorable summer in 1933 performing in and managing the casino on Main Beach. Ernie Ferreira played saxophone. His brothers, Louis, Ted, Vincent and Donald, preceded him in death.
Ernest Ferreira was valedictorian of his Fernandina Beach High School Class of 1936. He delivered mail for the post office and was a bookkeeper at the Fernandina Mill after graduation.
During World War II, he was a technical sergeant in the U.S. Army's 18th Machine Records Unit, serving in Hawaii, Okinawa and Korea.
He met his wife, Gena, while on leave in Fort Worth, Texas. They were married after the war, on May 20, 1946, and honeymooned in Havana, Cuba. He and his wife, a professional actress, lived in Fort Worth for more than 50 years. Mrs. Ferreira died this year, on May 23. The Ferreiras were married 57 years.
Mr. Ferreira received his degree from the Chicago Business School. He became a certified public accountant in 1956. He was a partner until 1968 in the accounting firm of Leatherwood and Ward, in Fort Worth, since purchased by Coopers & Lybrand, now PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was a member of the American Institute of Accountants.
After retirement, he devoted more than three decades of volunteer service to others. He was a lifetime member of the Sertoma Club - he was named Sertoman of the Year multiple times - and served the Arthritis Foundation and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Ernie Ferreira always joked that his "two claims to fame" were his friendship with Col. Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, and shaking hands with Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, in an elevator at a Fort Worth hotel.
The Ferreiras visited Fernandina Beach nearly every year, returning to live here in February to be closer to family and the ocean, which he loved. He was devoted to his family - especially his wife, daughter Julie and granddaughter Kim.
Survivors include Julie Ferreira, of Fernandina Beach, Kim and Jim Tanner of Richmond, Ind., his brothers' widows Billie, Edith, Ocie and Sylvia, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives in Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville and elsewhere in Florida.
The family received friends from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home.
Graveside funeral service with military honors will be at 2 p.m. today in Bosque Bello Cemetery. The Rev. Kammi Young, rector of Ft. George Island Episcopal Church, will officiate.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
Logue, Carol S.
Carol S. Logue, 63, South Sixth Street, Fernandina Beach, widow of the late Carl F. Logue who passed away in 1996, died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at Shands Medical Center in Jacksonville. A native of McRae, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Leonard Slappy and Mrs. Hazel Slappy of Hawkinsville, Ga., and had resided in Nassau County since 1960. Mrs. Logue was a homemaker and a member of Springhill Baptist Church. She enjoyed flower gardening and caring for her family.
Survivors, besides her mother, include: her children, Timmy Logue, Joey Logue, Davy Logue, Tine (Mike) Snead and Kathy (Danny) MacDonald, all of Fernandina Beach, Pam (Danny) Stapleton, Yulee, and Eddie (Donna) Logue of Tampa; a sister, Alita (William) Shade of Hawkinsville, Ga.; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday at 3 p.m. at the Springhill Baptist Church with the Rev. Jackie Hayes, pastor, officiating. Interment followed at Bosque Bello Cemetery
next to her husband. Pallbearers were James Thrift, Keith Stapleton, Andrew Stapleton, Danny MacDonald, Danny Stapleton and Elton Croft. The family received friends Sunday evening at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
Thrift, Fannie Lula Bradham
Fannie Lula Bradham Thrift, 80, passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, at the Satilla Regional Medical Center in Waycross. A native of Glynn County, she had lived in Fernandina for 35 years. She then moved to Waycross for 15 years and she had lived the past three years in Blackshear, Ga. She was a housewife and a member of the Smyrna Fellowship church. Prior to becoming a Sunday school teacher and a faithful worker at the Deenwood Baptist Church, she was a member of the Joy Sunday School class at Springhill Baptist Church. She was a member of the Busy Bees sewing class in Waycross.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Ester Lee Thrift; three sons, Cary Albert Thrift, Oscar Roscoe Thrift and Samuel Wallace Thrift; and her husband, George Hattress Thrift, Sr. She was the daughter of the late Cary Albert and Willie Alma Jones Pitman.
Survivors include four daughters, Diana (Aubrey) Tyson of Fernandina Beach, Bonnie (Harry) Carter of Waycross, Willie Alma (Harry) Rathbone of Waycross, Edith (Floyd) Bratcher of Blackshear; and one son, George H. (Barbara) Thrift Jr. of Fernandina Beach; 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services took place on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home. Interment followed in High Bluff Cemetery.
Visitation was Monday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home, Blackshear, Ga.
Violet Hickey "Vickie" Poole
Violet Hickey "Vickie" Poole, 82, died on Oct. 26, 2004, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau after a lengthy illness.
Born on July 30, 1922, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to David Joseph Hickey and Bridget Reddy Hickey, she had lived in Fernandina Beach since age 6.
She was an active and devoted member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and the Fernandina Beach Ladies Golf Association. For many years before becoming ill, Vickie donated her time and efforts to the annual church Christmas bazaar and many other church activities. She also loved the game of golf taught to her by her husband, Harry.
Survivors include: her daughters, Sylvia Poole (Bob) Gedeon and Diane Poole Duval; sons, H. Price (Mary) Poole Jr. and Wesley R. (Debbie) Poole; grandchildren, Jennifer Gedeon, David Duval, Deirdre Duval Galley, Brian Poole, Adrienne Poole, Paige Poole Poechmann, Harrison Poole and Bridget Jones; one great-grandchild, Taylor Poole; a sister, Vivien H. Pace; brothers Richard P. Hickey and Stanley F. Hickey; and sister-in-law Yetta Ewing of Fernandina Beach. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Harry P. Poole Sr., her brother, David J. Hickey Jr., her daughter, Sara Poole Jones, and her grandson, Brent Thomas Duval.
A funeral mass at St. Michael's Catholic Church is planned for Friday at 10:30 a.m. with interment to follow in Bosque Bello Cemetery. A vigil service will be held on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home. The family will receive friends until 8 p.m. following the service.
Jennie E. Byrd
Jennie E. Byrd, 76, Hickory Street, Fernandina Beach, widow of the late Trubee Byrd, passed away Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, following a lengthy illness.
A native of Brunswick, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Hubert Nuel Holmes and Ethel Olean Head Holmes and was a longtime resident of Fernandina Beach.
Mrs. Byrd owned and operated a grocery store in Chester with her husband for many years. She was a member of Blackrock Baptist Church and enjoyed playing board games with her family and growing flowers in her garden.
Survivors include: her son, Gerald "Pete" (Gloria) Byrd, Yulee; her grandchildren, Jeremy (Gina) Byrd, Mayo, Jessica (Jamie) Moore, Kingsland, Ga., and Jason, Byrd, Yulee; her great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Makala, and Drew Moore; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held today at 11 a.m. in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home with the Rev. Frank Camarotti, pastor of Blackrock Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Hughes Cemetery
in Yulee, next to her late husband. Mrs. Byrd's family members will serve as pallbearers.
The family received friends Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Carl J. Rowe
Carl J. Rowe, 58, Hickory St., Fernandina Beach, husband of Barbara McCarthy Rowe for 37 years, passed away Friday, Dec. 24, 2004, at his residence following a lengthy illness.
A native and lifelong resident of Fernandina Beach, he was the son of the late Marcus and Maude Cowart Rowe, and worked as a shrimper for several local shrimp boats, fishing the waters from the Carolinas to Texas. In recent years, he was a shop foreman for Standard Marine Hardware of Fernandina Beach.
Mr. Rowe was baptized at the Bible Baptist Church on South 14th Street. He was an artist, painting in both oils and watercolors. Mr. Rowe also built and carved shrimp boat models, created art items from driftwood, made jewelry from shell and sharks' teeth, and was an accomplished cabinet maker. He was also quite adept at dispensing valuable advice to his family and friends.
Survivors include: his wife, Barbara Ann McCarthy Rowe; his children, Belinda (Steven) Braswell, Fernandina Beach, and Brandy (Ruben) Garza, Kingsland, Ga.; a very special friend, Dorian (Mrs. Lance) Herbert; a brother, Oliver (Betty) Rowe, Fernandina Beach; and his grandchildren, Brittney Braswell, Jamie Braswell, Joey Braswell, Kaitlin Garza, Dalton Garza, Ashley Garza, Brady DuBose and Samuel Herbert.
Private funeral services are planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257 in Mr. Rowe's name.
Roberta A. "Bobbie" Callis
Roberta A. "Bobbie" Callis, 68, widow of the late Edward Callis, passed away Friday, Dec. 17, 2004.
A native of Boston, Mass., she was the daughter of the late William F. and Minerva Ida Craus Maloney, and resided in Duxbury, Mass., for many years before moving briefly to St. Marys, Ga., and then to Hilliard.
Mrs. Callis worked in the food service industry for over 20 years in several restaurants in Massachusetts before her retirement in 1993. She was an Episcopalian for many years and currently was a member of the Bethany Episcopal Church in Hilliard.
Mrs. Callis belonged to the American Legion Post in Duxbury, was an avid bridge player, was involved in various church activities, and was a staunch supporter of the Boston Red Sox. She belonged to the BO SOX as the only female member of this fan group because she was such a lifelong, dedicated Boston Red Sox Baseball devotee.
Survivors include: her children, James Michael McGrath and Christopher P. McGrath of Atlanta, Ga., Deborah McGrath, St. Marys, Ga., Ellen Galofalo, Weymouth, Mass., and Rosemary McGrath, Sandwich, Mass.; and six grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Monday at Bethany Episcopal Church in Hilliard with the Rev. W. Marvin Boyd, vicar, officiating. Interment will be at a later date in Mayflower Cemetery
in Duxbury, Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mrs. Callis' name to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.
James A. Largin
James A. Largin, 75, of Callahan passed away on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004, at his residence following a lengthy illness.
The Alabama native was retired from St. Regis Paper Co. and was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. He was pre-deceased by a son, James Michael Largin (1973).
Survivors include: his wife, Mary N. Largin of Callahan; two daughters, Regina N. Taylor of Fountain Valley, Calif., and Rhonda L. Jones of Callahan; two sons, Gary L. Largin and Terry W. Largin, both of Hilliard; a sister, Vivian (Johnny) Styres of Danville, Ky.; as well as 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday in the chapel of Callahan Funeral Home with graveside funeral services at 10 a.m. on Monday in Jones Cemetery, Callahan.
Ruth B. Delaney
Ruth B. Delaney, 94, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2006.
She was born in Fernandina to Jack Benton and Allie Benton-Williams. She was educated in the local school system, graduating from high school in Tallahassee. She furthered her education at City College of New York.
She lived in New York City for 37 years with her husband, Daniel Ray Delaney, who died in 1993. Prior to moving to New York, she taught home economics at Peck High School in Fernandina.
She was a dedicated employee of the Human Resources Administration in New York City, where she held various positions until her retirement in 1977. She was a faithful member of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, where she was on the Altar Guild until her health failed.
She leaves to cherish her memories two daughters, Betty J. Delaney and Alice P. (Emmit) Boyd; two grandchildren, Tyrone Wong and Brooke Rucker; three great-grandchildren, Tyrone Wong II, Jeremy Wong and Daniel Ray Delaney Wong.
Funeral services in celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 7, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Bosque Bello Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the funeral home. Additional viewing will be from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association or Hospice of Northeast Florida.
Nicholas Tavanis
Nicholas Tavanis, 88, died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005, after a lengthy illness.
Born in New Hampshire, he made his home in several cities, but mainly lived in Somerville and Medford, Mass. After retiring, he and his wife, Stella, moved first to Yarmouthport, Mass., then in 1994 to Fernandina Beach.
From his youngest days, family was his main priority throughout his life. He devoted his life to support his family, real or "adopted." For 10 years, during the '50's and early '60's Uncle Nick (along with his wife, Stella) was foster parent to teenage girls, being a strong, loving and stable father figure to kids who never had a good male role model.
The Tavanis house was known as a place of "last resort," but it was the most successful foster home of its time. Even though it was the home that took only the most difficult, dejected kids who had failed everywhere else, there were only four failures out of 52 girls who passed through their doors. It was a lively place. Along with his wife and two daughters, there were always 12 females in the house ... and only one man.
None of the girls chose to leave when their required time was completed. They stayed until they were married or went on to college. "Uncle Nick" walked 38 of his "nieces" down the aisle in churches of all faiths.
Nick always worked long hours to support his family, usually 12 to 16 hours per day; however, when he came home, he was the father figure, the quiet centering force so necessary to broken lives. So often one of the girls would ask his advice. No matter how tired he was, there was always time for "the kids."
He had a passion for flying and was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol and a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary. Nick was a 32nd degree Mason, Mt. Herman Lodge, Medford, Mass. He was also a member of the Pharos Club, a fellowship organization of immigrants from Asia Minor. Nick was a decorated U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, assigned to Patton's Third Army. He was part of the brigade known as "The Iron Men of Metz."
Nick Tavanis was a man with an incredible sense of family, loyalty, honor, devotion and love. Many lives were changed because of his influence. We are all the more fortunate to have had him as part of our lives.
He is survived by his two daughters, Audrey and Sandra Tavanis of Fernandina Beach; a son, Jim (Cecilia) Cartwright of Yulee; two grandchildren, Angela Eaddy and Vernon (Dawn) Cartwright; four great-grandchildren, Katie and Quincy Hall, Nichole and Cody Cartwright; and 52 foster girls.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Green Pine Funeral Home, 96281 Green Pine Road in Yulee, with Father Niko Graff of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Green Pine Cemetery
with military Honors provided by the U.S. Army. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Lawrence Ross Baker
Lawrence Ross Baker, 76, of Amelia Island, died on March 29, 2006, after a long illness.
He was born in Rural Hall, N.C., to Hoover R. Baker and Clara Stultz Baker. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Boxer (CV-21). He graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C., in the class of 1952, where he was a four-year letter winner in baseball. He also was an accomplished semi-pro baseball player during college.
Larry started his career in the transportation industry at McLean Trucking Company in 1952 as a clerk and advanced to be the assistant to the Vice President of Operations. In 1960, after Malcolm McLean started Sea Land Service, Larry took the position of Southeast Regional Operations Manager in Jacksonville. In this position he was instrumental in the development of modern containerized shipping and in 1965 he was transferred to Rotterdam to bring containerized shipping to Europe.
He returned to the United States, where he served as the Director of Atlantic Operations until his retirement after 27 years.
After a brief retirement Larry returned to work as the Vice President for Eastern Seaboard Operations for Crowley Maritime in New Jersey. Larry was transferred to Jacksonville and after 10 years of service Larry retired with his wife at their longtime vacation site on Amelia Island.
During his retirement, Larry enjoyed spending time with friends and family, attending University of Florida football games, golf, bridge, traveling, his church and his special Tuesday dates with his granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Patricia Crouch Baker, daughter Mary Elizabeth Perkins, her husband Greg and granddaughter Sarah of Amelia Island, son Lawrence Ross Baker Jr. and his wife Allison of Alexandria, Va.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at Amelia Plantation Chapel, with Pastor Ted Schroeder officiating.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 158 Central Ave., Stirling, NJ 07980, Catawba College, 2300 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144, Amelia Plantation Chapel Building Fund, P.O. Box 8014 Amelia Island, FL 32034, or the Nassau Humane Society, 671 Airport Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.
