MARY JANE 'JANIE' BLACK
Mrs. Mary Jane Black, 72, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002, at her home. She was a native of Oklahoma and had lived in Lynn Haven since 1989. Mrs. Black was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Her family was her life. She is preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Robert Black; one brother, John Gesioroski; and two sisters, Mary and Blanche Gesioroski. Mrs. Black is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and David Hicks; two grandchildren, Alexandra and Ashton Hicks; two sisters, Adeline Jorski and husband, Tom, and Helen Link; four nephews, John and Bill Link and Robert and David Jorski; one great-niece; four great-nephews; and two loving caretakers, Mary Hitt and Leticia Aplin. Funeral services for Mrs. Black will be conducted Monday, Feb. 18, in Millport, Ala. The Dowdle Funeral Home at 270 McAdams St., Millport, Ala. 35576 will be in charge of the services.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
JOSEPH BROWN
Funeral services for Joseph Brown, 61, of Vernon, who passed away Feb. 10, 2002, in Melbourne, Fla., will be at 1 p.m. today, Feb. 15, at St. Luke A.M.E. Church, Vernon, with the Rev. Price Wilson and the Rev. Jerome Goodman, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in St. Luke Memorial Garden Cemetery. The remains will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services.
Cooper Funeral Home
Chipley, Fla. 32428
GLEN ALAN HALSTEAD
Mr. Glen Alan Halstead, 46, of Panama City, Fla., passed away on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, at the Panama City Nursing Center. He had been a resident of the area for a number of years after relocating from Denver, Colo. He received his education in the Denver and Bay County school systems. Glen was a very hard worker and a handy man at many things. He loved playing the bass guitar and was formerly employed with Victory Motors. He leaves to cherish his memories his daughters, Corin and Karen of Denver, Colo., and Fekecia and Britney of Panama City, Fla.; his son, Glen Alan; and grandson, Ty'reione, both of Panama City, Fla.; his mother, Katie L. Halstead of Pensacola, Fla.; two brothers, Vincent (Jackie) of Tacoma, Wash., and Reginald (Erma Kim) Halstead of Baton Rouge, La.; three uncles, Albert (Margaret), Paul (Reva) and Minister John Smith, all of Panama City, Fla.; one aunt, Dorothy (Richard) Bender of Pensacola, Fla.; a devoted cousin, Tracy Brown; loyal friends, Cheryl, Manley and Beverly Duncan; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. Funeral services for Mr. Halstead will be held Saturday, Feb. 16, at 11 a.m. in the Saints Temple Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, with Elder Emanuel Dempsey officiating. Interment will follow in Redwood Cemetery. Public visitation will begin today at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. The family will receive friends at the home of Mrs. Tracy Brown at 1004 Elm Ave.
Pasco Gainer Sr. Funeral Home, Inc.
Panama City, Florida 32401
GLADYS LUCILLE 'LUDY' KENNEDY
Sister Gladys Lucille "Ludy" Kennedy of 1332 Roosevelt Drive, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002, in Glen Cove Health Care Center, Panama City, Fla. Gladys was born on June 9, 1928, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Curry Donar in Liberty County, Bristol, Fla. She attended the public schools in Liberty County. She moved to Bay County early in her adult life and united with Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church where she was a faithful and devoted member. She sang in the adult choir and attended church school until she became ill. She was united in matrimony to Mr. Jessie Kennedy who preceded her in death. They were the parents of four daughters. She was also preceded in death by three sisters, Alfreda Cooper, Annette Porter and Mattie Mask; and two brothers, Luke Donar and William Donar. Sister Kennedy leaves to cherish her memory four beautiful and caring daughters, Ms. Juliaette Smith of Panama City, Mrs. Jessie Lucille Winigasuriya of Denver, Colo., Mrs. Paulette Marie (Vincent) Tyre of Fayetteville, N.C., and Mrs. Mary Kennedy (Jarvis) Moore of Springfield, Ill.; four grandchildren, Crystal Ozar of Denver, Osemeke Uwadibie of Springfield, Nefertiti Tyre of Fayetteville and Jar'mar Moore of Springfield; two sisters, Lillie Cee Watson and Zola (Walter) Williams, both of Denver, Colo.; three brothers, John (Elizabeth) Donar and Leathman (Dorothy) Donar of Hartford, Conn., and Curry (Cora) Donar of Roselle, N.J.; brother-in-law, Curtis Porter of Panama City; sister-in-law, Dorothy Donar of Panama City; and two aunts, Mrs. Laurentine Black of Fort Lauderdale and Mrs. Irene Donar of Ocala. She is also loved and remembered by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends too numerous to mention, but not forgotten. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 16, at 1 p.m. at Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Charles Cloy, pastor, officiating. Public visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Gainer Family Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends at 1332 Roosevelt Drive.
Gainer Family Funeral Home, Inc.
Panama City, FL 32405
MARLENE ELAINE SCHMITT
Marlene Elaine Schmitt, 82, of Panama City Beach, died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002, in a local nursing home. She had been a resident of Bay County for 10 years moving here from Tucson, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth R. Schmitt. Mrs. Schmitt is survived by a son, Donald Jack Schmitt and his wife, Patti, of Panama City Beach; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Lee Schmitt, Jody Lynn Robinson, James Lamont Schmitt, Cindy Hayes, Angie Houseman; and 10 great-grandchildren. Private family services will be held. Those desiring to may make a contribution to Hospice of the Emerald Coast, P.O. Box 1520 Lynn Haven, FL 32444-6320.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
AYJAH SIMONE WARE
Ayjah Simone Ware, 3-month-old daughter of Meeha and Eugene Ware of Austin, Texas, formerly of Panama City, passed away Feb. 10 in Austin. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at St. Luke Baptist Church, Panama City, with the Rev. Arthur Thomas Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Survivors are her parents, Meeha and Eugene Ware, formerly of Panama City; a twin sister, Brooklyn Mechelle Ware; maternal grandparents, Michelle and Michael Grady of Panama City; great-grandparents, Mrs. Versie L. McDougald of Chipley and Mrs. Mildred Grady of Panama City; paternal grandparents, Eugene Sr. and Deloris Ware of Panama City; great-grandparent, Mrs. Mary Robinson; and great-great-grandparent, Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell of Dothan, Ala. The remains will lie in state at the church one hour prior to service. The Cooper Funeral Home of Chipley is directing.
LORENE WRIGHT YARBERRY
Memorial services for Lorene Wright Yarberry, 87, who died Feb. 2, 2002, will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 5209 E. 11th St., at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, with Roland Haskell officiating. She is survived by three sons, Jack L. Gose, Richard L. Gose and James M. Yarberry; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
CALLIE MAE BANNISTER
Callie Mae Bannister, 80, of Panama City, died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002, in a local hospital. She had been a resident of Bay County since 1953, moving here from South Carolina. She was a member of Forest Park United Methodist Church. Mrs. Bannister was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Earl Bannister Sr. She is survived by her two sons, Joe C. Bannister and his wife, Vivian, Thomas Earl Bannister Jr. and his wife, Gail; loving sister, Hazel Wall and her husband, Hubert, all of Panama City; three brothers, Singleton (Boy) Boles and his wife, Mary, of Iva, S.C., Charles (Lindy) Boles and his wife, Frances, of Columbus, Ind., Carroll Parnell and his wife, Mary Jo, of Abbeville, S.C.; aunt, Bessie Sanders of Newberry, S.C.; five grandchildren, Krista Bannister, Amanda Bannister, Richard Bannister, Charlie Fischer, Alicia Roberts; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. in Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Michael Bryan officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 6 to 8 p.m. The family will be at the home of Thomas Earl Bannister, 234 Allen Ave., Panama City.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
LINDA RUTH WILSON CAIN
Funeral services for Ms. Linda Ruth Wilson Cain, 54, of Lynn Haven, Fla., who passed away Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002, will be held at 3 p.m. today, Feb. 20, at Lynn Haven United Methodist Church with the Rev. Doug Pennington officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2012 A Lisenby Ave., Panama City, Fla. 32405.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
SARA EMILY DICKERT
Sara Emily Dickert, 85, died Feb. 19, 2002, in Tallahassee. Mrs. Dickert was a native of Clio, Ala., and had lived in Panama City from 1954 until she moved to Tallahassee in November 2001. She was a member of Gulf Beach Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her daughters, Dixie Kimmey and husband, Andy, of Live Oak Island, Fla., Emily Mathews and husband, Preston, of Tallahassee; brother, Col. Robert Strickland of Texas; sister, Marion Bessant of Panama City Beach; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. CST Saturday, Feb. 23, at Dillard Funeral Home in Brundidge, Ala. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Dillard Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308.
Bevis Colonial Funeral Home
Tallahassee, Fla. 32303
JERYL DALE HUMMEL
Jeryl Dale Hummel, 66, of Panama City, passed away Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002, in Panama City. Mr. Hummel was a retired master sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, serving faithfully for more than 22 years. He was also retired from the Bay District Schools Transportation Department. He was a volunteer at the Tyndall Air Force Base pharmacy, a member of the Meals on Wheels group and a honorary deputy with the Bay County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife, Gail Hummel of Panama City; son, Brian D. Hummel of Pensacola; daughter, Robin M. Smith of Americus, Ga.; brother, Harold Hummel of Pottstown Pa.; sister, Jean Goetter of Sauderton, Pa.; three grandsons, Jonathon D. Holt, Glen J. Engle II and Chris Williams; two granddaughters, Britney Holifield and Shannon Hummel; and one great-grandchild, Lucas A. Holt. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m. at Noma Assembly of God Church with the Rev. James Sapp and the Rev. Don Shutes officiating. Burial will be in Noma Cemetery. military graveside honors will be provided by the U.S. Marine Corps. Visitation will be held at 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Pat Seaborn, Greg Banks, DeWayne Brown, Wilbon Johnson, Rusty Rooney and Jose Segovia.
Sims Funeral Home
Bonifay, Fla. 32425
CATHERINE NIXON
Mrs. Catherine Nixon of Panama City passed away Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at her residence. She was born in Atlanta, Ga., and had lived in Panama City for 44 years, moving here from Atlanta. Mrs. Nixon was a homemaker and was active with the cheerleaders in the R.L. Turner youth baseball league and the Drummond Park midget football league. She was a member of Gulf Beach Baptist Church, where she had been a Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Nixon is survived by her husband of 59 years, Paul Nixon of Panama City; three sons, Paul Nixon Jr. and his wife, Margaret, of Stockbridge, Ga., Michael Nixon and his wife, Paula, and Tony Nixon and his wife, Jackie, all of Panama City; a sister, Mary Madison of Lynn Haven; grandchildren, Shannon Eagle and her husband, Robert, and Pete Nixon, all of Stockbridge, Ga., Allison Maquel Nixon of Columbus, Ohio, and Michael B. Nixon Jr. of Panama City; and one great-granddaughter, Chelsea Eagle of Stockbridge, Ga. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bruce Raley officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are Greg Buschmeyer, Terry Davis, Roger Jones, Tom Nolan, Mike Sellers, and Paul Thrasher. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, Feb. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. The family will be staying at the home of Michael Nixon at 1401 Vermont Ave., Lynn Haven, Fla.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
