Joy Elizabeth Mixon, 68, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. She was born to the late Thomas Wesley Mixon and Estelle Mixon Carter on Aug. 8, 1948.

Joy attended Fernandina Beach High School and was a lifelong resident of Fernandina Beach. She briefly drove across the country to live in Ketchikan, Alaska, for a year when her sons were little. Her two greatest loves in life were her family and cooking some of the best food in town. From cooking in the Tiny Diner, a well-known restaurant run by her mother, to feeding anyone who came into her house, Joy always welcomed everyone with a smile, laugh and open arms. She was first and foremost a mother to her own children as well as everyone else’s. She enjoyed reading, was a talented artist and the life of any party. She worked at Schooner’s Lounge with her brother Jessie Mixon for many years.

Joy was preceded in death by her brothers, Marvin, Johnnie Edward “Eddie,” Jessie and Josh Lauvell Mixon.

She is survived by brothers, Roy and Virgil Mixon; sister, Emily Christine Lee; and children, Mark Johnson, Matthew Johnson and Meghan Wingate. She had 10 grandchildren, one great-grandson, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 27, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard.

She was laid to rest in the Mixon plot at Bosque Bello Cemetery.

Please share her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Barbara Mizell Davis Morgan, 98, passed from this life on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016. Her husband, Jack Hays Morgan Sr., and son, Davis Carter Morgan, preceded her in death.  She is survived by seven children, 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Born on March 25, 1918, she grew up as one of five children in the family of Ernest and Edna Davis, who lived in the logging and naval stores settlement called Crandall on the St. Marys River in Nassau County. The children were educated in a one-room school with a teacher who resided with her family. Lumber and naval stores were shipped down the river to ports all over the world. When her father and his brothers sold their property to Rayonier, the family moved to Fernandina Beach, where Barbara graduated from high school.

Afterward, she attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga., where she received her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in 1939. She, her mother, two sisters and two cousins made a six-week tour of Europe after her graduation. It remained a highlight of her life, although she made other trips abroad in later years. They returned on the Normandie with blackout curtains at the windows on the last trip the ocean liner made before the outbreak of World War II.

Through friends made in Macon, she was hired to teach first grade at the school for the children of parents who worked at the Bibb Manufacturing Co. in Porterdale, Ga. There she was introduced to Jack, then working at the mill, who became her husband on June 16, 1945. He asked her to marry him two years before she gave him an answer. They were married for 63 years before he died in 2009.

Barbara became the rock on which Jack built an ambitious career, his quiet pillar of strength and unwavering helpmate. They reared eight children on a farm he cleared on the banks of the Alcovy River just east of Covington, Ga. She backed his forays in the early local pulpwood industry, in cattle and dairy farming, in cotton, peaches, wheat and hay, in real estate investment and development, in grading, paving, and politics. The family was active in First United Methodist Church of Covington. Barbara was a Cub Scout and Brownie Girl Scout leader, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Covington Woman’s Club. In 1964, the club named her Mother of the Year. Her children think she earned and deserved the title every year.

Survivors are her children: Barbara Mallette Morgan (Bob Furnad), Jack Hays “Buddy” Morgan Jr. (Melody), Emily Morgan Adams (Lanier), John Ernest Morgan (Robbi), William Howard Morgan (Amy), Edna Morgan Kirkley and Daniel Thomas Morgan. Grandchildren are: Ben Morgan (Connie), Justin Morgan (Melody) and April Ruark (Jason); Dessa Edwards (John), Will Adams and Meg Adams; Abigail Coggin (Derek), Melissa Parker (Brad) and Savannah Hembree (Mike); Adam Morgan (Brittany) and Ashley Morgan; Sam Morgan, Whit Morgan (Nicole), Lydia Morgan and Cooper Morgan (Jessica); Dylan Kirkley (Megan) and Shelby Boehm (Robert). Great-grandchildren are: Macy and Mack Morgan, Jack Thomas and Reid Ruark; Noah, Lukas and Hayes Edwards; Shaw and Kathleen Coggin; Natalie and Leyton Parker; Amelia Hembree; Austin Dotson, Lauren Hicks and Jordyn Morgan; Reagan Morgan and Morgan Kirkley. Survivors also include Kathryn Griffin Morgan, Harold Schmidt and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 5-7 p.m. at J.C. Harwell Funeral Home in Covington. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Covington First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Doug Gilreath and the Rev. Jan McCoy officiating. A graveside service for the family will follow at Starrsville United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Covington First United Methodist Church in memory of Barbara Davis Morgan.

J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home, 2157 East St. SE, Covington, is in charge of the arrangements. A guest book may be signed online at www.harwellfuneralhome.com.

J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home, Covington, Ga.

Elizabeth “Betty” Durkin Mullen, 87, of Amelia Island, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016, at Osprey Village.

Born on July 16, 1929, in Horden County, Durham, England, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Margaret Doyle Durkin. She earned a nursing degree in South Yorkshire, England, where she began nursing in 1948. She later met James “Jim” Patrick Mullen at a hospital dance, and they married a year later. In 1968 they moved to Atlanta, where in 1970 her husband founded Mullen Packaging Co. and Mrs. Mullen continued her career in nursing. The Mullens sold their business in 1996 and moved to Amelia Island.

Mrs. Mullen loved music, especially Irish dance and sing-along songs. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church.

She had many favorite causes, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Nassau County, the Association for the Help of Retarded Children (AHRC) and St. Michael Academy, and always loved to have visits from the children.

Mrs. Mullen was predeceased by her husband, Jim, who passed away in 2004; her sisters, Moya, Margaret and Patricia; and her brothers, Anthony and John.

She is survived by a brother, Michael (Pat) Durkin of South York, England; a sister-in-law, Catherine Gunhouse of Atlanta; and many nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 505 Broome St., Fernandina Beach, with the Rev. Father Richard Perko, celebrant.

Mrs. Mullen will be laid to rest beside her husband in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

Please share her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Hugh Miller Rawls III, 52, of Jacksonville, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016.

Born in Long Beach, Calif., he was the eldest of three children born to Hugh Miller Rawls Jr. and Dorothy Anne McCrimmon Rawls. The Rawls family moved frequently with his father’s various naval assignments. Hugh grew up in the Charleston, S.C. area, where he was a graduate of Hanahan High School, Class of 1983. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in a MASH unit at Fort Meade, Md., before serving as a medevac medic in Seoul, South Korea. Upon being honorably discharged, he settled in Fernandina and enrolled in the nursing program at Florida State Junior College at Jacksonville. Upon graduation, he joined Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville as an emergency room nurse. He worked in the emergency rooms at both Baptist and Methodist hospitals for approximately 14 years before transferring over to the Florida Poison Control Center – Jacksonville as a certified specialist in poison information. He served as national co-chair for the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ Specialist in Poison Information Committee. Hugh also worked part-time as a charge nurse at the hospital in Macclenny.

Hugh was fond of and enjoyed Jeep vehicles, enjoyed four-wheeling, was a member of the Matanzas Jeep Club, and was accomplished at fixing and enhancing the mechanics of his Jeeps. He enjoyed jazz music and playing his saxophone in several local bands.

Hugh leaves behind his son, Charles Thomas “C.T.” Rawls of Sacramento, Calif.; four daughters, Veronica Springett of Jacksonville, Amy Estrella of Bremerton, Wash., and twins, Stacy and Melanie Estrella of Jacksonville; his parents, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Hugh Rawls Jr. and Dottie of San Mateo, Fla.; a brother, Steve Rawls and his wife, Annette, of Fernandina Beach; a sister, Anne Ruggireo of Citra, Fla.; two nephews, Eric and Steven; a niece, Georganna; and three grandchildren, Kairi, Jeremy and Iona.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Jacksonville National Cemetery with the Rev. Chris Capaldo of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church officiating.

His family will receive friends on Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 5-7 p.m. at Oxley-Heard of Fernandina Beach.

Hugh will be laid to rest in Jacksonville National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Fort Benning Wounded Warriors Association, www.facebook.com/Fort-Benning-Wounded-Warriors-Association-174828005930247.

Please share his Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Miss Juanita Bradford, our beloved aunt, at the age of 101, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, on Amelia Island.

She moved with her nephew, Ray Sechler, and his wife, Mary, in November 2013, excited she would be a stone’s throw away from the ocean and enjoy the warm sun on her face. A major move at 99 would be a daunting event for almost anyone, but not Juanita; she was a venturesome woman. Amelia Earhart was her hero; she admired her courage and independence as a woman. At the age of 18, she left for Washington, D.C., furthered her education, gained employment as an accountant with the Civil Service, transferred to the Hawaiian Islands, receiving many awards of recognition from the Department of Army, and pursued her love of travel.

Strikingly beautiful and independently minded, Juanita spent most of her retirement years in Atlanta nurturing her relationships with her siblings and nieces and nephews. She continued to take cruises and travel with friends to exotic places. She had stacks of albums she enjoyed sharing with others and reliving the excitement of each adventure.

Juanita’s independent nature drew her into an affinity with felines. She never hesitated to offer food and shelter to stray cats, connecting with and respecting their own natural sense of independence. She delighted in photos of cats with captions detailing their presumed thoughts and antics. Her nephew, Brad Perdue, kept her entertained with pictures and stories about all his feral cats, which she delightedly read to all who would listen. To her delight, one even made a debut in a popular animal calendar.

Juanita was the fifth and last surviving sibling of nine born to John and Mollie (Barnett) Bradford, Oct. 3, 1915, in Atlanta.

She will be greatly missed by her surviving nieces, Patricia Ann (Curry) Gale, Cheryl Lynn Puckett-Smith, Roberta Eileen (Phil) Hess and Delaine Barbara (Larry) Wood; and nephews, Ray G. (Mary) Sechler Jr., Jack Andrew Wheeler, Bradford Leslie (Tracey) Perdue and John Michael Perdue.

Interment will be at Arlington Cemetery in Sandy Springs, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Duluth First United Methodist Church, 3208 120 Duluth Highway, Duluth, GA 30096.

Please share her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Richard John “Dicky” LaPlante passed away Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach. He was born Sept. 28, 1945, in Dighton, Mass.

Richard was a 1963 graduate of Coyle High School in Taunton, Mass., and attended evening classes at Stonehill College in Stoughton, Mass. He served with the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1966 as an aviation electrician with the Reconnaissance Heavy Attack Squadrons.

He married his high school sweetheart in 1966 upon his discharge from active service.

He was employed by Raytheon prior to becoming a union carpenter. He had his own contracting business until 1980, when he became a firefighter with the Taunton Fire Department, where he served his city with pride and dedication until his retirement in 2004.

Richard enjoyed carpentry, puttering in his yard and just watching the grass grow. He enjoyed being “Mr. Fix-it.” He enjoyed being a dad and loved his sons unconditionally, adored his grandchildren, and looked forward to spending time with them.

He was a member of American Legion Post 54 in Fernandina Beach. He also was involved with Cub Scout Pack 6 in Taunton and Boy Scout Troop 45 in Dighton when his sons were growing up.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra J. (daCosta) LaPlante; his two sons, Jayson LaPlante and his wife, Sondra (Clemmey) LaPlante, and their children, Shawna, Jake and Ryan LaPlante of Taunton, and his son Michael LaPlante of Newton, Mass.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Armand and Lillian (Bilodeau) LaPlante.

He is also survived by a sister, Constance Jenney and her husband, Robert, of Lancaster, Mass.; a brother, George LaPlante and his wife, Abby, of Ocala; two nieces, Donna (LaPlante) Burch and Cheryl (Jenney) McCarthy; and three nephews, Brian Jenney, Stephen LaPlante and David LaPlante. Richard also leaves behind six godchildren, who were all very special to him.

He was predeceased by his lifelong friend, Edward Riendeau, and leaves behind his best friend, Ted Hamlin.

He also leaves behind many who considered him a good friend and a real gentleman.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission, 86000 St. Francis Way, Yulee (off A1A).

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church on Spring Street in North Dighton, Mass., with interment at Cedar Knoll Cemetery in East Taunton, Mass., at a later date in January.

Neptune Society is in charge of his arrangements.

Neptune Society, Jacksonville

The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of his own mind. - By Kahlil Gibran

Rychard S. Cook II, called home by our Lord on July 19, 2016, was the youngest of three siblings. His life was shared by older sisters who preceded him in death: Dr. Nettie Cook- Dove (Joshua Jr.) and Laura Lee Cook. The three were reared by his mother's oldest sister, the late Ms. Annie M. Cook, an elementary school teacher and strict disciplinarian to whom good manners were imperative.

A native Fernandinian, Rychard grew up in the Sunday School of First Missionary Baptist church and received his early secular education at Peck High School, where as a student he entered and won a song writing contest that gave Peck High its Alma Mater. In 1951, along with his classmate Mrs. Vernita Johnson Holmes, he graduated as Co-Valedictorian. He received a four year scholarship from the state of Florida and attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. In 1955, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, and in 1963, he earned a Master of Arts degree in School Librarianship at the University of Denver in Colorado.

Mr. Cook’s stellar career in the educational field was inspired by three outstanding individuals, all now deceased: Mrs. Mamie T. Jordan (music), Mrs. Edythe J. Thurston (communication skills), and Mrs. Dorothy Sanford Love (librarian extraordinaire). For his life’s work, Rychard chose librarianship as a profession and music as his avocation.

Mr. Cook began his teaching career in Nassau County at Peck High School as a substitute teacher. After two weeks, he became a full time teacher at Milner-Rosen Wald Academy in Mt. Dora, Florida. As a Miami-Dade County public school employee, Mr. Cook has taught at West Homestead Elementary-Junior High School, Dunbar Elementary, Miami Northwestern Senior High, Coral Park Senior High, Miami Jackson High, Horace Mann Middle, Holmes and Westview elementary schools. Mr. Cook retired from Westview Elementary as a Media Specialist on June 18, 1999, after spending 42 years of dedicated service in Florida's public schools. An avid reader, Mr. Cook spent hours reading mystery novels and researching African-American history and culture. He was a devoted Toni Morrison fan. He encouraged many African Americans to learn more about their roots, during his serious study of Black History. In 1967, he founded the Afro-Americans, a readers’ theatre group that included his childhood friend Dessie Horne Williams, and which promoted the study of Black History and Culture through its prose, poetry, and song.

Mr. Cook was a life member of the Zora Neale Hurston Society, and was affiliated with the Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida, The Theodore R. Gibson Oratorical and Declamation Contest, The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community Inc., William J. Faulkner's Friends of Folklore, The American Library Association, and Dade County Media Specialist Association. Those organizations provided Mr. Cook with many excellent opportunities for the rendering of community service, an activity to which he brought serious and steadfast commitment.

Mr. Cook's extensive travels took him to such places as West Africa, England, Germany, Scotland, Wales, the Netherlands, Iceland, Canada, The Caribbean, France, and Italy. From his travels, he gained a variety of diverse cultural experiences, which he generously shared with family, friends, students, churches, colleges, and universities.

In addition to being an enthusiastic collector of Black Art, first edition books, and collector plates, Mr. Cook was the recipient of a variety of awards including: 1995 Teacher of the Year Award, from Holmes Elementary School; Eighth Annual Sistrunk Historical Festival Award, Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 1995; Florida International University Service Awards for 5, 10, 15, and 25 years of service; and Eighth Annual Theodore R. Gibson Project Award, 1986

Mr. Cook completed 26 years of service as a librarian at Florida National University. His life ambition was to complete his writings on the life and works of Zora Neal Hurston.

Until his demise, Mr. Cook received loving and around- the- clock care in the Orlando home of his son Dave Thompson and wife Elizabeth .Their sons Kristian and David loved their Grandfather dearly and spent many happy hours listening to his wonderful stories and receiving the benefit of his wise counsel.

Mr. Cook leaves to mourn his passing: His Son Dave (Elizabeth) Thompson of Orlando Florida. Grandchildren: Kristian Thompson of Miami Florida and David Thompson of Orlando Florida. Special friend who shared the same passion of wanting to help youth reach their fullest potential: Dessie Horne Williams of Miami Florida. Nephews: Joshua Kenneth Dove III.  & Richard Holland. Nieces: Beverly Dove (Leo) Ross, of Richmond, VA and .Ingrid Bernadette Dove of Atlanta Georgia. Grand Niece: Joy Nicole Ross. Grand Nephew: Raymond Williams and Joshua Kenneth (Angelique) Dove VI. Cousin: Yvonne Fisher. Goddaughters: Rosemarie Crocker, Almeta Birch & L. Ann Cumbie-Patterson (Lester). Godsons: Robert Battle of New York, Evan MacArthur of Japan and Petty officer Aston Cumbie Farquharson of Honolulu, Hawaii. Extended Family members: Joe &Eula Johnson, Earl Robinson, Ron Henry, Roy Moultry, Veronica Wellington, Charles (Bridgette) MacArthur, Bernice Horne Edgecombe-Tel-Saint (Amelius). And many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

He will be sorely missed.  

Memorial services will be held at, The First Missionary Baptist Church on Friday August 5 2016 at 6:00pm.22 South 9th Street, Fernandina Beach FL 32034.

In lieu of flowers donation can be made to Nassau County Community Development Corporation, Inc. for the Rychard-Lottie-Annie Cook Scholarship. Address: P.O. Box 16382, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.

Linda Dingman, 70, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Barbara Holt Fagan, 72, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2016.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Mr. Warren Edward Figard Jr., 69, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Henry Thomas Lindsey, 79, of Yulee, passed away Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Mr. Ronald “Ron” Paul Antolik Sr., 69, of Yulee, passed away Friday morning, Dec. 30, 2016, at his home.

Born in Erie, Pa., he was one of seven children born to the late John Jacob Antolik and Marie Helen Balas. He and his brothers and sisters grew up on the family farm in Fairview, Pa., before moving to Jacksonville. Mr. Antolik was a graduate of Terry Parker High School, after which time he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 82^nd and 101^st Airborne Divisions at Fort Bragg, N.C., and in Vietnam. Upon being honorably discharged he returned home to Jacksonville, where he remained until moving to Yulee in the early 1970s. Upon settling in Nassau County, he began working at Terminal Bag in Yulee as a machine operator until retiring.

He was accomplished at the sport of bowling and bowled the first perfect game at the lanes in Yulee. In addition to his love of bowling, he enjoyed his time riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Mr. Antolik had attended St. Patrick Catholic Church in Jacksonville and St. Michael Catholic Church in Fernandina Beach.

He leaves behind his daughter, Rhonda Antolik of Yulee; his son, Ronnie Antolik of Gary, Ind.; his last living sibling, his brother, George Antolik and his wife, Brenda, of Jacksonville; five grandchildren, Ruben, Kolby, Dalton and Savannah Bryan, as well as Nevaeh Ames; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, from the graveside in Evergreen Cemetery, Jacksonville. The procession to the cemetery will assemble at his residence.

His family received friends Tuesday evening, Jan. 3, at Oxley-Heard.

Please share his Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Joseph Gregory Brown Sr., affectionately known as “Joe,” “Greg” and “Little Daddy,” 63, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville.

Born in Fernandina on Aug. 1, 1953, he was one of four children and the only son born in his family. Mr. Brown was a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School and later attended auto body repair and welding schools.

Mr. Brown worked at Container Corporation of America for more than 40 years before retiring as a foreman in the shipping department in 2015.

He enjoyed surf fishing on our local beaches, watching both college and NFL football, and bowling in Yulee.

He had attended New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach.

Mr. Brown was preceded in death by a sister, Rosalee Hayes.

He leaves behind his wife, Sheila A. Brown of Fernandina Beach; children, Joseph Brown Jr. of Jacksonville, Timothy Brown and his wife, Carol, of Corpus Christi, Texas, Keith Brown and his wife, Marcia, of El Paso, Texas, Brian Foote of Jacksonville, Eric Foote and his wife, Monette, of Fernandina Beach, and Courtney Foote of Yulee; sisters, Angel Butler of Bradenton and Vanessa Dawson of Fernandina Beach; 17 grandchildren; one great-grandson; a special mom, Rosalee Davis; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at First Assembly of God of Fernandina Beach with Pastor Bernard Thompson officiating.

Mr. Brown will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday, Jan. 6, from 5-7 p.m. at Oxley-Heard.

Please share his Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Our mother, Barbara Lee Ditzel, 89, of Ponte Vedra Beach, was welcomed gently into eternity by our Lord and by her loving husband, our Dad, John Edward (Jack) Ditzel, on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016.

Barbara was born in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 10, 1927. She lived on Rosemary Street in Chevy Chase, Md., during her early years. Later, her family moved to Miami Beach, where she graduated from high school. 

Dad was on leave from the Marines after World War II when they had a chance meeting on Miami Beach. They married six months later, on June 5, 1948. They had three children,  Jacqueline Lee “Jackie” Tyson (Ned, deceased), John Edward Jr. (Rita) and Alan Edward (Carol); five grandchildren, Brian, John, Ryan, Allison and Matt; and six great-grandchildren, Emily, Lauren, Grayson, Nathan, Ella and Joshua. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack, of 64 years.

Mom was a wife and mother first. She traveled many parts of the world with our Dad. She and Dad retired to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1983 from Dayton, Ohio. They were very active with friends, sports, bridge and their family.

Mom went out of this world knowing she was loved and that she made a difference in this world. She appreciated her life and the blessings that were bestowed upon her. Words cannot express the impact she had on our lives. We will miss her forever. Rest in peace, sweet Mom.

The family of Barbara Lee Ditzel would like to thank the kind doctors and the loving care provided by the nurses and technicians at Mayo Hospital, Community Hospice and the staff of Vicars Health Center.

Her memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, in the chapel of Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home, 3600 Third St. S., Jacksonville Beach.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Services by Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach.

Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach

Mrs. Kelly Dixon Forehand, 82, of Yulee, passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center.

Born in Hazlehurst, Ga., she was the youngest and last living of two children born to the late Tom and Irma Gillis Dixon. She grew up in Hazlehurst and as a teenager came to Jacksonville, where she attended and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School, Class of 1952. In 1955 she married Ray Forehand, and they settled in Nassau County. She worked for L.L. Bohannon for many years before purchasing the Wooten Insurance Agency, which she ran until selling in the mid-1970s. Mrs. Forehand then worked for the Amelia Island Water Works until the mid-1980s before running the Quik Market on Blackrock Road until finally retiring in the late 1980s.

Mrs. Forehand had attended Blackrock Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her brother, William P. Dixon.

She leaves behind her children, Lynn Forehand West and her husband, Chuck, of Yulee, and Ben Forehand and his wife, Mary Lee, of Fernandina Beach; two grandchildren, Dr. Raymond Lee Forehand (Carina) of Greenville, S.C., and Christopher Ryan Forehand of Clearwater.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard with the Rev. John Kasper officiating.

Mrs. Forehand will be laid to rest in the Forehand family section of Bosque Bello Cemetery.

Her family will receive friends Thursday, Jan. 5, from 5-7 p.m. at Oxley-Heard.

Please share her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Richard John “Dicky” LaPlante passed away Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach. He was born Sept. 28, 1945, in Dighton, Mass.

Richard was a 1963 graduate of Coyle High School in Taunton, Mass., and attended evening classes at Stonehill College in Stoughton, Mass. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1966 as an aviation electrician with the Reconnaissance Heavy Attack Squadrons.

He married his high school sweetheart in 1966 upon his discharge from active service.

He was employed by Raytheon prior to becoming a union carpenter. He had his own contracting business until 1980, when he became a firefighter with the Taunton Fire Department, where he served his city with pride and dedication until his retirement in 2004.

Richard enjoyed carpentry, puttering in his yard and just watching the grass grow. He enjoyed being “Mr. Fix-it.” He enjoyed being a dad and loved his sons unconditionally, adored his grandchildren and looked forward to spending time with them.

He was a member of American Legion Post 54 in Fernandina Beach. He also was involved with Cub Scout Pack 6 in Taunton and Boy Scout Troop 45 in Dighton when his sons were growing up.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra J. (daCosta) LaPlante; his two sons, Jayson LaPlante and his wife, Sondra (Clemmey) LaPlante, and their children, Shawna, Jake and Ryan LaPlante of Taunton, and his son Michael LaPlante of Newton, Mass.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Armand and Lillian (Bilodeau) LaPlante.

He is also survived by a sister, Constance Jenney and her husband, Robert, of Lancaster, Mass.; and a brother, George LaPlante and his wife, Abby, of Ocala; two nieces, Donna (LaPlante) Burch and Cheryl (Jenney) McCarthy; and three nephews, Brian Jenney, Stephen LaPlante and David LaPlante. Richard also leaves behind six godchildren, who were all very special to him. He was predeceased by his lifelong friend, Edward Riendeau, and leaves behind his best friend, Ted Hamlin.

He also leaves behind many who considered him a good friend and a real gentleman.

A memorial Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission Church, 86000 St. Francis Way, Yulee, (off A1A) at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church on Spring Street in North Dighton, Mass., with interment at Cedar Knoll Cemetery in East Taunton, Mass., at a later date in January.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the First Coast Cancer Foundation, 10881 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223.

Neptune Society is in charge of his arrangements.

Neptune Society, Jacksonville

Nicole Lorraine Logue, 35, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, at her home.

Born in Jacksonville, she was the daughter of Deborah Lynn Leidy Logue and the late James Patrick Logue. She grew up in Fernandina Beach and St. Marys with her father’s work at Kings Bay Naval Base. She attended Fernandina Beach High School and earned her associate degree from Jacksonville University. Nicole had worked as a manager over safety and training with Express Scripts in St. Marys; COACH apparel in Kingsland, St. Marys and Jacksonville; and most recently at TOTE Inc. in Jacksonville.

Nicole enjoyed time on the beach, reading and spending time with family.

She leaves behind her mother, Deborah L. Logue of Kingsland; her son, Corbin Wood Parker of Charleston, W.Va.; her brother, James Logue and his wife, Allison, of Hilliard; and her fiancé, Johnny Bass of Fernandina Beach.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard.

Her family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2 p.m. until the hour of service at Oxley-Heard.

Please share her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Dora Ruth Patterson Nabors, 80, formerly of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Clearwater.

Born in North Wilkesboro, N.C., she was the only daughter and one of three children born to the late Alva Patterson and Erie Brewer. She and her brothers grew up in Greensboro, N.C., where she stayed until marrying another Greensboro native, Ralph Hobart Nabors, in 1955. In 1959, the Nabors family left Greensboro and moved to Fernandina Beach, where they made their home. While Mrs. Nabors stayed at home and raised the children, her husband worked as a supervisor with the city of Fernandina Beach.

Her family recalls her sweet Christian spirit and love for her family.

Her husband passed away in 1994.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Dean Patterson, and a son, Dennis Nabors.

Mrs. Nabors leaves behind two sons, Donald “Donnie” H. Nabors and his wife, Jan, of Fernandina Beach and Marty R. Nabors and his wife, Taina, of Yulee; a brother, Troy Patterson of Greensboro; and three grandchildren, Drew, Kyle and Lindsey Nabors; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at noon Friday, Jan. 6, from the graveside in Bosque Bello Cemetery with the Rev. Larry Beman officiating.

Please view her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Anne Elizabeth Sutton, 94, of Yulee, passed away Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at her home.

Born in Jacksonville, she was the last living of 10 children born to the late Jessie William and Manie Matilda Colson Jones. Her family remained in Jacksonville until moving to Nassau County when she was 2 years old. She was a graduate of Fernandina High School and later earned an associate degree from Florida State Community College. The lifelong homemaker is remembered for her love of gardening and selling the bounty of her harvest at her roadside vegetable stand. Her vegetable stand was located in front of her home and was operated on the “honor system,” where the buyer picked out what they wanted and left the money to be collected by Mrs. Sutton later. In addition to her family’s recollection of her life in a simpler time, they also recall the years of her love for them and the ritual of Sunday dinners at her house.

Mrs. Sutton was a member of Springhill Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George R. Sutton; two brothers, Ed and Bill Jones; and sisters, Marilyn, Vivian, Evelyn, Martha, Mary, Judy and Dorothy.

Mrs. Sutton leaves behind two daughters, Sheila Booth of Yulee and Barbara Jean Schell of Yulee; a son, George R. “Bobby” Dutton Jr. and his wife, Marian, of Callahan; 11 grandchildren; many great- and great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at a later date at Springhill Baptist Church.

Please share her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Barbara Claire Holt Fagan, 72, passed from this life Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, at Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville.

Barbara was born June 27, 1944, to A.H. “Slim” and Hazel Lewis Holt in Jacksonville. She graduated from Landon High School, after which she married Joseph “Rolly” Fagan and began a family.

She is survived by three loving children, Darby Fagan Beard of Yulee, Joseph “Jeb” Fagan (Cheryl) of Fruitvale, Texas, and Nikole “Niki” Fagan Maloy (Foy) of Yulee; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Pat Holt Williams of St. Augustine; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. 

After traveling most of the world and all of the United States, Barbara retired to Fernandina Beach, where she was an active member of Amelia Island Church of Christ.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Amelia Island Church of Christ, 95762 Amelia Concourse, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

All family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Barbara’s life from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Brett’s Waterway Café in Fernandina Beach. A private burial will take place at a later date.

Jack E. Galliher, 81, of Fernandina Beach, entered heaven on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at Memorial United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach. Visitation will be held following the service.

Jack was born in Statesville, N.C., on March 19, 1935. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he was a sergeant, and retired from NASA in Cape Canaveral after 30 years. He had a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Florida Technological University (now known as University of Central Florida).

Jack was married to Willis Timmons of Salters, S.C., on Dec. 25, 1958, enjoying 58 years of marriage.

Jack worked as a computer programmer and systems analyst with NASA for 30 years. He enjoyed basketball, puzzles, traveling and family time.

He was also actively involved in the United Methodist Church his entire life.

Jack is survived by his wife, Willis T. Galliher; his son, Jeffrey Jack Galliher and his wife, LeAnne Banker Galliher, of DeLand; his grandson, Jack Robert Galliher; granddaughter, Emily Laine Galliher; nephew, Harry “Chuck” Osborne Jr. of Orange Park; nephew, Christopher Osborne and his wife, Rosie, of Salters; niece, Judy Collins; and niece, Debbie Collins Haneline.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach.

The family of Jack E. Galliher respectfully wishes to thank all who have been of comfort to the Galliher family in the past several years.

Lankford Funeral Home of DeLand is in charge of arrangements.

Lankford Funeral Home, DeLand

Frank Heatwole Sr., 60, beloved husband, dad, papa, brother and friend, passed away Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, after a courageous five-year battle with ALS.

He was born in Jacksonville to Harry and Doris Heatwole. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed cooking and watching Gator football. He loved spending time with family and friends, and never met a stranger.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Teri; his sons, Lee (Bethany) and Tyler; grandsons, Grayson and Trevor; brothers, Ricky (Ann) and Charles (Carolyn); sisters, Shirley (Dave) and Linda (Jerry); mother-in-law, Joyce; sister-in-law, Cindy (Timmy); brother-in-law, John (Jenny); nieces and nephews; and friends he considered family.

At Frank’s request, a memorial celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, from 1-5 p.m. at his home. For additional information, contact Lee at 328-4286.