ARTHUR GREENING RATHJE
Arthur Greening Rathje, 49, of 1217 Brenau Terrace, Panama City died Monday, Oct. 1, 2001, in a local hospital. He had been a resident of Bay County since September 1999, moving here from Erie, Pa. He was a graduate of the Florida Baptist Theological College, Graceville, Fla. He previously served as minister of Sunnyside Baptist Church, Panama City Beach, Southside Baptist Church of Marianna, Fla., and Open Bible Baptist Church of Erie, Pa. He was a member of Cook Memorial Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Anne Rathje of Panama City; mother, Mary Jane Rathje of Ocala, Fla.; son, Sgt. Christopher Louis Rathje and his wife, Jaime of Fort Hood, Texas; grandson, Evan Christopher Rathje; sister, Mary Lou Barlow and her husband, Dr. Michael Barlow of Durham, N.C.; and brother, Merritt William Rathje of Deerfield Beach, Fla. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 4 p.m. in the Cook Memorial Baptist Church with Dr. Morris Denman officiating. The family will receive friends after the service in the church Fellowship Hall. Those desiring may make a contribution to the Florida Baptist Theological College, Graceville, Fla., or to their favorite charity in memory of Arthur Rathje.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
RUTH BOWLER TEMPLE
Ruth Bowler Temple, 80, of Panama City, died Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001, in a local hospital. She had been a resident here for eight years, moving here from Lake Jackson, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, James B. Temple. She is survived by two daughters, Lynette Davis of Panama City, Saundra Simiskey of Lake Jackson, Texas; son, Charles Ray Temple of Ogden, Utah; 19 grandchildren; and two sisters, Betty Lee of Oakland, Calif., and Lola Pleasant of Mesa, Ariz. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 6 to 8 p.m. Graveside services will be held in Washington Heights Memorial Park, Ogden, Utah.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
WILLIAM D. 'BILLY' FERRELL JR.
Funeral Services for Mr. William D. "Billy" Ferrell Jr., 34, of Panama City Beach, Fla., who passed away Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001 will be held 1 p.m. today, Oct. 5, 2001 at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bruce Raley officiating. The family will receive friends from noon until service time at the funeral home.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
BALLARIE JEAN ANDERSON
Ms. Ballarie Jean Anderson, 39, of 700 Transmitter Road died Sunday, Sept. 30, in a local hospital. She was a lifelong resident of Panama City. She attended public schools in Bay County. She was employed at Blue Haven Retirement Center until her health failed. She is survived by her sister, Gloria A. Sly (Todd) and a brother, Terry Sly (Paulett), both of Panama City); a niece, Maja Sly of Atlanta; two nephews, Bruce Falson of Panama City and Tyverious Sly of Atlanta; two aunts, one very dedicated aunt, Willie Mae Fryer of Panama City and Alfell Hightower of Tampa; two uncles, A.C. Fryer of Louisville, Ala., and Clyde Fryer of Miami; cousins, Anita Fryer and Holly White, both of Panama City; other cousins, Danelle, Dominque, Gabrielle, David, Daon, and Dikijah all of Panama City; Martha Fleming and son, Eric Fleming of Haywood, Calif., and Beverly Fryer; special and very devoted friends Ann Jackson and Derrick Stevenson; a host of other relatives and friends. Graveside funeral services for Ms. Anderson will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 at 3:30 p.m. in Hillside Cemetery
with an officiating minister. Interment to follow. The family will receive relatives and friends at 212 Kilbourne Ave.
Peoples Funeral Home
Marianna, Fla. 32446
ANNIE JOHNSON
Mrs. Annie Johnson, 76, of Panama City, Fla., passed away Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001 at a local nursing facility. She has been a lifetime resident of the area and was Assembly of God by faith. Mrs. Johnson is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Hutchinson and her husband Skipper of Panama City, Fla., and Rhonda Kay Johnson of Kenosha, Wis.; three sons, Leonza "Butch" Johnson and his wife Teresa of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Ronald Johnson and his wife Vicki of Lynn Haven, Fla., and David Johnson and his wife Edna of Panama City, Fla.; a sister, Janie Lou Skinner of Lynn Haven, Fla.; two brothers, Dwight Butler of Ventura, Calif., and Burnice Tipton of Ocala, Fla.; an uncle, Bob Nelson and his wife Josie of Panama City, Fla.; 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2001 at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Apostle Nolan Ball officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are Buck Hutchinson, Jimmy Hutchinson, Claude Hutchinson, Colin Hutchinson, Rusty Hutchinson and Jimmy Ray Hutchinson Jr. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today, Oct. 5, 2001 from 6 until 8 p.m. The family will be staying at 3755 Atlantis Drive in Panama City.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
HATTIE MAE 'PLAT' RIVERS
Mrs. Hattie Mae "Plat" Rivers of 409 School Lot A-13, passed away on Wednesday evening, Sept. 26, 2001 in a local hospital. Mrs. Hattie Mae "Plat" Rivers was born in Valdosta, Ga,. on Dec.16, 1940 to the late Mr. Oscar "Duce" Edmond and Mrs. Emma Mae Brooks. She later moved to Panama City, where she remained until her demise. She was united in holy matrimony to Mr. Willie Rivers on Dec. 16, 1961. Hattie gave her life to Christ and was a member of Second Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, where she served faithfully on the usher board. Her father, Oscar "Duce" Edmond and two sisters, Lucille Sims and Alberta Brunton preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory, a loving and devoted husband, Willie Rivers; a loving and faithful daughter, Martha Nelson (Grady), and a daughter she raised as her own, Nettie B. Edmond, all of Panama City; her mother, Emma Mae Brooks; two granddaughters, Marquita Mims and Cynithia Edmond; one grandson, Sedrkus Nelson and great-granddaughter, Cynikeia Bostwick, all of Panama City; three sisters, Mae Lee Henderson of Gastona, N.C., Bonita Robinson and Marshale Spikes, both of Panama City; a special nephew, David Spikes of Panama City; three nieces, three nephews, a great aunt, Emma Jane Dorsey of Enterprise, Ala.; one uncle, Tommy Brooks of Panama City; three sisters-in-law, Lorrine Wesley (Tommy) of Detroit, Mich., Mary Lou Rivers of Phenix City, Ala., and Lucille Wilbern Eufaula, Ala.; one brother-in-law, Oscar Lamore of Columbus, Ga.; three special cousins, Nettie Mae Brown, Mary Ellis (Morris), and Annie R. Coleman all of Panama City; special friends, Eunice Brown, Hazel Doracy, and Cora James, all of Panama City; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. Funeral services for Mrs. Rivers will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. in Second Mt. Moriah Church with the Rev. Henry Harper officiating. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery. The remains will lie in state at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time. The family will receive family and friends at 809 Bob Little Road.
Peoples Funeral Home
Marianna, Fla. 32446
CLEALUR LOUISE DYKES SAPP
Clealur Louise Dykes Sapp, age 84, died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001 at Bay Crest Nursing Center. She is survived by a son, Keith Larkin Spooner, two grandchildren and three sisters, Gertrude Tucker, Juanita Hudson, and Mary Alice Gross. Memorial services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Millville Advent Christian Church, 2220 E. Third St., with Wendell Owenby and Dr. Floyd Wright officiating. Those desiring to may make a contribution to Hospice of Northwest Florida in memory of Mrs. Sapp.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
MRS.JOSEPHINE LEGGETT
Mrs. Josephine Leggett, 95, of 2105 East 8th Court died Thursday Oct. 4, in the Panama City Nursing Center. She was born April 3, 1906, in Alabama. She proceeded in death a husband, Sherman Leggett. A loving grand-niece, Carolyn C. Hicks. She leaves to mourn a niece, Inez Payton of Century, Fla.; three great-great nieces, Fintress Payton of Century, Fla., Phaleshia Richardson (Ricki), of Panama City, Fla., Gretta Preston (Henry); one great-great nephew, Maurice Hicks, of Monticello, Fla.; and seven great-great-great nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of both Panama City Nursing Center and Covenant Hospice for the care of Mrs.Leggett. Graveside services for Mrs. Leggett will be held today, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m. in the Redwood Cemetery. Interment will follow visitation for viewing will be held today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Funeral Home.
Battle Memorial Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32401
W.M. 'BILL' HIDDLESTON
W.M. "Bill" Hiddleston, 75, of Panama City, died at his home Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001. He was born in Oklahoma City, Okla., lived in Fort Worth, Texas, for twenty years prior to moving to Panama City where he resided for the past ten years. He was a manufacturing engineer with PVI Industries and was a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Mr. Hiddleston served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force for three years, attended Oklahoma State University, receiving a B.S. Degree, and was a member of the Forest Park United Methodist Church in Panama city. Mr. Hiddleston is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy, of Panama City; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Charlotte Hiddleston of Oklahoma City, Okla., and David and Lori Hiddleston of Ovilla, Texas; one daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Tony Irwin of Waxahachie, Texas; one sister, Dorothy Gall of Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, from the Forest Park United Methodist Church with Dr. Kenneth Taylor officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made, in honor of Mr. Hiddleston, to the American Cancer Society for pancreatic cancer research (1-800-227-2345) or to Forest Park United Methodist Church Media Ministry.
Yorkshire Cremation and Casket Society
Panama City, Fla. 32405
Richard Nixon McLure
Richard Nixon "Nick" McLure died Friday, Oct. 5, 2001, at Campbellton-Graceville Hospital. He was 62 and a lifelong resident of Marianna and Panama City, Fla. The cause of death was complications from cancer, his family said. Born August 13, 1939, in Hartford, Ala., to the late Richard S. and Merle A. McLure. Nick graduated from Marianna High School and Chipola Junior College. Proud of his Scottish heritage, he always enjoyed reminiscing about his South Carolina immigrant ancestors who fought in both the American Revolution and Civil War. Nick's professional career included positions at WTOT/WJAQ radio station in Marianna, WJHG-TV and Cook-Whitehead Ford in Panama City, and the Jackson Correctional Institution. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Jaycees, Elks Club, and National Guard. An accomplished saxophone player and entertainer in his early years and always a supporter of the performing arts, Nick was actively involved in Chipola Junior College Theatre during the 1970s when he participated in award-winning productions starring Ann B. Davis, Robert Horton, Ken Howard and Julie Newmar. He is survived by three daughters, Mary M. (Mel) McLure of Panama City Beach, Synthia E. Alvarez and her husband Jose M. Alvarez of Callaway, and Amy K. Buchanan of Spokane, Wash.; two grandsons, Adrian and Benjamin Alvarez; and one brother, Samuel E. McLure of Round Lake. He is further survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at the First Presbyterian Church in Marianna with the Rev. Buran Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Memory Gardens with James & James Funeral Home, with Maddox Chapel directing. The family will embrace friends today, Oct. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers are welcome, as are contributions in Nick's memory to Covenant Hospice, 4349 Lafayette St./Bldg. 2, Marianna, Fla. 32446 or Campbellton-Graceville Hospital, 5429 College Drive, Graceville, Fla. 32440.
James & James Funeral Home - Maddox Chapel
Marianna, Fla. 32446
FAYE MARIE NEAL
Faye Marie Neal, of 525 Oak Avenue Panama City, Fla., was called from this world on Friday, October 5, 2001, after a long illness. She was born in Pike County, Alabama, May 9, 1939 and grew up in Montgomery, Ala., and Atlanta, Ga. Faye was preceded in death by her mother, Bernice Hill; father, Gafford Hill; and brother, Ralph Hill. She is survived by her loving husband, Gary P. Neal of Panama City; her devoted children, son, Bill Hill Jr. and wife Tammy of Panama City; daughters, Lisa Eckhoff and husband Walter of Avianio, Italy, Jenna Heyse and husband Edward of Satellite Beach, Fla., and Sara Rock and husband Jeff of Stilwell, Okla.; her grandchildren, who were the shinning lights of her life, Brandon and Brooke Hill, Crystal Lynn, all of Panama City, Terry Perez of Pensacola, Florida, Krystal Roush of Avianio, Italy, Sarah and Lucas Heyse of Satellite Beach, Fla., and Chelsey Rock of Stilwell, Okla. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Christine Wilson of Stilwell, Okla., and Aunt Verbie Wynn of Montgomery, Ala.; numerous uncles and cousins. She also leaves to mourn her passing a host of friends. Memorial services will be held Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Smokey Paul officiating. Those desiring to may make a contribution to the Diabetes Association.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
