Ruth Murial Martin
Ruth Murial Martin died on March 8 in DeFuniak Springs.
She was born on March 10, 1918, in Ponce de Leon and had lived in Fort Walton Beach since 1965.
Martin is survived by her sons, Glenn Martin and his wife, Becky, of DeFuniak Springs, and Roger Martin of Fort Walton Beach; a brother, Buford Jenkins of DeFuniak Springs; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Services were scheduled for March 11 at the Ponce de Leon Cemetery.
McLaughlin Mortuary in Fort Walton Beach handled the arrangements and services.
Mary Frank Hancock
Dr. Mary Frank Hancock, 81, of Santa Rosa Beach, died March 7 in a Panama City hospital.
She was born Mary Frank Merritt in Houston County, Ala., and graduated from Slocomb High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education in 1953 from Troy State University, a master of science degree with emphasis on elementary education and supervision from Florida State University in 1965, and in 1977 was awarded the degree of doctor of philosophy from Florida State University, majoring in educational management with early childhood education as a support area.
Her professional career was wide in scope. She served as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, assistant director of federal programs, elementary supervisor, and supervisor of Florida State University student teachers in Florida and Alabama schools.
Hancock also served on the Florida Courses of Study Committee, the Florida Accountability Review Committee and the FASCD Board of Directors. Also, she directed the Follow Through Program, authored training modules for early childhood education and served as educational consultant for a textbook publisher. She was presented the 1992 Distinguished Educational Achievement Award by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard E. Hancock, and three brothers, Malan, Byron and Cecil.
She is survived by a son, John Hancock, and wife, Linda, of Panama City; two daughters, Gail Smith, and husband, Darold, of Santa Rosa Beach, and Hope Thompson and husband, Al, of Tallahassee; three grandsons, Bryan Hancock of Chicago, Jay Hancock and wife, Laura, of Panama City, and Jason Woodham and wife, Kefrin, of Destin; and one great-granddaughter, Merritt Rain Woodham of Destin.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to a charity of your choice.
David N. Wilson
David Nicholas “Nick” Wilson, 16, of Freeport, died March 5.
He was born on Nov. 20, 1985, in Geneva, Ala. Nick was a lifelong resident of Freeport. He was a member of Freeport United Methodist Church.
Nick was an avid auto racing fan and among his other interests were building racing cars, hunting, fishing, making friends and making people smile. He was a sophomore at Freeport High School. He was known as “the jokester of Freeport High School.”
Nick was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Dewey Wilson Sr., and maternal grandmother, Ina Sapp.
Nick is survived by his father, the Rev. David LaDon Wilson, and mother, Lora Sapp Wilson, of Freeport; sister, Brandy Wilson of Freeport; paternal grandmother, Lois Wilson of DeFuniak Springs; maternal grandfather, Lewis Sapp of Metter, Ga.; aunts, Danna Calhoun of Freeport, Sue Ballard and husband, Ronnie, of Morelia, Mexico, Carol Wiggins and husband, Byron, of Pensacola; five uncles, Dewey Wilson Jr. and wife, Vivian, of Seagrove Beach, John Wilson of Freeport, Russell Wilson and wife, Darlene, of DeFuniak Springs, Steve Sapp of Mississippi, and Michael Sapp and wife, Maria, of Norman, Okla. Nick also is survived by many cousins and numerous friends.
Services were scheduled for March 8 at Ark of Damascus Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Jim Allison of Mobile, Ala., officiating. The eulogy was to be given by Freeport High School. Burial was to follow in Hatcher Cemetery.
Pallbearers for the funeral service were to be Eric “Barnyard” Baynard, Robby Messer, Brandon Lambeth, Steven Sapp, Ryan Marse and Jimmy Dunaway. Honorary pallbearers were the students of Freeport High School.
Donations may be made to the Nick Wilson Memorial Fund at First American Bank in Freeport.
Arrangements were entrusted to Clary-Godwin Freeport Chapel.
Douglas G. Worley
Douglas G. Worley, 82, died March 3 at a Pensacola hospital.
Worley moved from Andalusia, Ala., 51 years ago. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps as a master sergeant. He was Assembly of God by faith and a member of Liberty Assembly of God Church. He enjoyed farming and serving the Lord.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Vivian Worley of DeFuniak Springs; sons, John C. Worley and wife, Carolyn, of Pensacola, and Wayne Worley of Moss Point, Miss.; brother, Clinton Worley of Andalusia; sisters, Nora Bailey of Carrabelle, Mildred Rhodes of Moss Point, and Mavis Lindsey of Elberta, Ala.; grandchildren, Kathy Redins, Mike Allan, Ronnie Allan, Jackie Ray, James Worley, Michael Worley and JoAnn Golf; 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Services were scheduled for March 6 in Clary-Godwin Chapel in DeFuniak Springs with the Revs. Jeff Cain and George Scroggins officiating. Burial was to follow in Cluster Springs Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by Clary-Godwin Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs.
Bruce Alan Peavy
Bruce Alan Peavy, age 35, of Destin died March 1, in an automobile accident on Okaloosa Island.
He resided in Destin and was also known as “mayor” of the neighborhood. He enjoyed preparing meals, and tending to the needs and “chatting” with all his neighbors. Bruce was known for his kind heart, especially at Christmas time when he often dressed up as Santa to wrap and present gifts to children and friends. During his career as an “18–wheeler,” he would decorate his truck and throw presents out the window in various cities, especially New Orleans.
Bruce came to Florida to work in the restaurant business with his aunt and uncle, Donna and Michael Callahan. He got sand in his shoes, fell in love with the area and decided to stay. Bruce was also employed by Tom Thumb Stores and Destin Taxi while here.
He is survived by his parents, Floyd Peavy, Sr., and Barbara Davis; brothers, Floyd Peavy, Jr., Tommy Peavy, and Steve Peavy; sister, Pamela Sirmons, all of Bossier City, La.; and maternal grandparents, Bonnie Simmons of Bossier City, La., and Walter Callahan of Destin. Bruce is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A local memorial in his honor is scheduled to be at 4 p.m., Saturday, March 9, at Crosspoint Church, 393 South, Santa Rosa Beach. Friends and relatives are invited for reflection and visitation. Bruce lives on in the hearts of the many who knew and loved him.
Jessica A. P. Russell
Jessica A. Powers Russell, age 32, of Destin, and formerly of Cannelton, Ind., died Friday, March 1, at Tulane University Hospital in New Orleans from complications of Crohn's disease.
She was born in Tell City, Ind., on Aug. 1, 1969. Jessica was a 1985 graduate of Cannelton High School.
Her father, David E. Powers, preceded her in death in 1998.
She is survived by her husband of six years, Chris Russell; sons, Zachary Zuelly of Tell City, Ind., and Ricce Russell of Destin; stepdaughter, Forrest Russell of Louisville, Ky.; stepson, Brik Russell of Louisville; mother, Betty Mattingly Powers of Cannelton; sister, Shari Everly of Tell City, Ind.; brothers, Brett Powers of Tell City, David M. Powers of Cannelton, and Jon Powers of Aurora, Colo.; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were scheduled to be held March 5, at Huber Funeral Home in Cannelton with Father Tom Richstatter, OFM scheduled to officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jessica Russell Memorial Fund, in care of Old National Bank, 529 Main St., Tell City, IN 47586.
Huber Funeral Home, Cannelton, is in charge of arrangements.
Benton M. Southard Jr.
Benton Montgomery Southard Jr., 83, died at his home March 1.
He was born on Oct. 16, 1918, in Greensboro, Ala., the son of Benton M. Sr. and Minnie Downer Southard. Ben moved to DeFuniak Springs on June 1, 1927, where he resided for the remainder of his life.
He is survived by his wife of more than 55 years, Mattie Lou McPhail Southard; son, Benton, and wife, Ruby, of DeFuniak Springs; brothers and their wives, Frank and Carolyn Southard of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Robert and Patricia Southard of Robstown, Texas. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the charitable organization of their choice.
Services were scheduled for this past Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of DeFuniak Springs with Dr. Robert Jaye officiating. Burial was to follow in Magnolia Cemetery.
Jerry Evans Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs was in charge of arrangements.
Elizabeth Katherine Allen
Elizabeth Katherine Allen died Feb. 27 at Miller County Hospital in Colquitt, Georgia.
Elizabeth was born Oct. 1, 1914 in Bethlehem, Pa.
Elizabeth “Betty” Allen’s early years were spent in and around Washington D.C. During the late 1920’s and through the Great Depression, Betty worked for the Federal Government in Washington. Betty was married to Ralph L. Allen, of Falls Church, Va., Sept. 13, 1940.
She is survived by a son, Lars R. Allen and daughter, Betty Christina “Chris” Callender of Donaldsonville, Ga.; three grandchildren, Janice Elizabeth Gregory of Mary Esther, Hyla Noelle Corley and Arielle Liann Freeman both of Naples, Florida; two great–grandchildren, Allison Mitchell of Naples and Gloria Haylee Elizabeth Gregory of Mary Esther.
Betty resided in Destin from 1980 to 1990. The Allens had many friends and happy times in Destin. She will be loved and missed by all who knew her, family and friends alike.
Rev. William S. Holcomb
The Rev. William Spencer Holcomb, 66, Episcopal priest retired from the Diocese of Alabama, died Feb. 27 at his home in Sandestin.
Holcomb was a lieutenant in the Marine Corps and an insurance adjuster and manager for Allstate. He earned a juris doctorate from George Washington University and a master of divinity degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. He did his theological studies at Wycliffe Hall Seminary at Oxford University, England.
During his career as a parish priest, Holcomb served congregations in Jacksonville, Gadsden, Decatur and Montgomery, Ala., Vicksburg, Miss., and Lime Rock, Conn. He was instrumental in establishing the Cursillo Movement in the Episcopal Church in Alabama and has had a profound impact on the lives of many hundreds of people he has pastored, counseled and loved.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Duncan Holcomb, formerly of Bloomington, Ill.; brother, John Dewitt Holcomb of Janesville, Wis.; sister, Ellen Walker of Wilmette, Ill.; four children, William Duncan Holcomb of Indian Springs, Ala., Gretel Holcomb-Hoffman of Cornelius, N.C., and Polly Holcomb Robb and William Whitney Holcomb, both of Huntsville, Ala.; and five grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Diocesan Missionary Fund for Namibia at the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, 521 North 20th St., Birmingham, Ala., 35203, or to the University of Oxford Wycliffe Hall, North American Office, 198 Madison Ave., 13th floor, New York, N.Y. 10016.
Benton Montgomery Southard Jr., 83, died at his home March 1.
He was born on Oct. 16, 1918, in Greensboro, Ala., the son of Benton M. Sr. and Minnie Downer Southard. Ben moved to DeFuniak Springs on June 1, 1927, where he resided for the remainder of his life.
He is survived by his wife of more than 55 years, Mattie Lou McPhail Southard; son, Benton, and wife, Ruby, of DeFuniak Springs; brothers and their wives, Frank and Carolyn Southard of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Robert and Patricia Southard of Robstown, Texas. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the charitable organization of their choice.
Services were scheduled for this past Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of DeFuniak Springs with Dr. Robert Jaye officiating. Burial was to follow in Magnolia Cemetery.
Jerry Evans Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs was in charge of arrangements.
Alvin Herman Lurie, born Dec. 16, 1918, passed away peacefully on Feb. 24, and Edith Grace Lurie, born Dec. 28, 1916, joined her husband 14 hours later on Feb. 25.
They are survived by their children, Ella and Michael D’Autilia of Santa Rosa Beach, Marsha Lurie Sachs of Sugarland, Texas, and Stephen and Eleanor Lurie of Gainesville, Ga.; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Services for both were scheduled for this past Sunday march 3 in Greenwood Cemetery in Florala, Ala.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Florala Library Building Fund, Florala, Ala. 36442.
Virginia M. Lyon
Virginia M. Lyon of Kansas City, Destin and Cumming, Ga., died Feb. 27.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan D. “Red” Lyon.
She is survived by her daughters, Christine Anne Early and her husband, James W. Early Jr., of Houston, and V. Dale Stearns and her husband, Jerald Stearns, of Fargo, N.D.; and three grandchildren, Heather O’Connor–Perkins of Highland Village, Texas, and Erin Stearns and Michael Stearns, of Fargo; three great-grandchildren; sister, Myrtice Bolin and her husband, Richard, of Chamblee; brothers, Virgil Prater and his wife, Barbara, of East Point, Louis Prater and his wife, Margie, of Kansas City, Mo., and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was scheduled for today.
