Rhonda Lynn Denmark, 54, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 2, 2019 from Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. after a lengthy illness.

Born in Jacksonville, she was the daughter of Ernest and Janice Barnhill Denmark. She and her family moved to Callahan while she was young and she grew up there.

She was a member of the Class of 1982 from West Nassau County High School, where she was a standout in softball. She played second base, and during her time on the team, the Warriors went to the state playoffs. She went on to play softball at Florida State College at Jacksonville as she worked on her associate’s degree. After college, she continued playing co-ed softball for many years.

She began a 32-year career working for the U.S. Post Office at the Kings Road Branch in Jacksonville, Fla. Rhonda eventually moved to the Callahan Post Office, where she spent 12 years before transferring to the Sadler Road Post Office in Fernandina Beach. She worked there for several years before her retirement.

In addition to her career and softball, Rhonda loved anything to do with the beach and the water. Whether it was in her boat, tubing, or just spending the day at the beach, she loved being on or near the water. It was her love of the beach and the ocean that brought her to Fernandina Beach.

In addition to the enjoyment she had on the water, she always enjoyed having a good time with family and friends. She loved nothing more than an evening together with family and friends singing Karaoke at home. She also loved playing ping-pong and enjoyed her camera and the simple pleasure of taking pictures of the world around her. Rhonda’s ability to capture the perfect pictures was uncanny.

She will be remembered for her easy-going and laid-back style as well as her loving and compassionate personality. Even at work, people commented on how infectious her smile was. She was strong and courageous and never wanted to burden anyone, even through her illness.

Her loving personality was most evident with her daughter, Courtney, and her wife, Lisa. The both of them were her whole heart.

She leaves behind her wife of 10 years, Lisa Seager of Fernandina  Beach; her daughter, Courtney Gose of Jacksonville; and her parents, Ernie and Janice Denmark of Callahan, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family and a large circle of friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, February 8, 2019 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors with Chaplain Jim Tippins officiating. The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Thursday, February 7, 2019. She will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

Those desiring may make donations in Rhonda’s memory to the Nassau Humane Society, 639 Airport Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, or any of the multiple organizations that assist in the fight against breast cancer.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com .

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Edith (Edie) Doerr Moore, a resident of Osprey Village at Amelia Island Plantation, tossed aside her walker, cancelled all pending doctors’ appointments, and danced her way to the performing arts paradise in the sky with her Heavenly Father at the age of 91.

She was born February 22, 1927 to Edith and William Doerr in Buffalo, N.Y. and passed from her earthly existence January 25, 2019 while in the care of the compassionate doctors and nurses at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. with husband Roger, daughter Deb and son Dave surrounding her. 

Edie started her performing career as a child along with her family on a radio program in Buffalo. She continued to enjoy and share the arts as host of various radio programs in Buffalo and in stage performances at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where she shared a role with actress Eva Marie Saint, and at Daemon College in Amherst, N.Y., where she turned in a riveting leading performance derived from her life experiences in The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. 

Edie loved all the arts and cherished the many summers she was able to enjoy at the world-renowned Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, N.Y. with Roger as they split their time, spending half the year on Laurel Oak Road on Amelia Island.

Edie had four children with her first husband of 30 years, Francis (Bud) Greune. After they divorced, she reunited with her old high school sweetheart, Roger Moore, known to many on the island as a talented photographer. She graduated from Kenmore High School in Kenmore, N.Y. and attended Bowling Green before eventually earning her degree at Daemon.

She was a woman perhaps a little ahead of her time, progressive and socially conscious, accepting of all without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality. She maintained a commitment to fitness well into her 80s and never missed her weekly appointment at the hairdresser.

Edie is survived by her husband, Roger Moore of Osprey Village; daughter, Deb Dewey (Brian Hoffere) of Rochester, N.Y.; son, Dave Greune (Mary) of Raleigh, N.C.; son, Paul Greune of Buffalo, N.Y.; and brother, Bill Doerr of Michigan, as well as seven grandchildren, Jennifer, Angela, Julia, Erica, Amber, Jeff, and Josh, and five great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her beloved sister-in-law, Sherry Doerr of Buffalo, and eight nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her first-born son, Stephen Greune (1977); her first husband, Bud (2012); and her youngest brother, Bob Doerr.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. February 16, 2019 at the Amelia Plantation Chapel, 36 Bowman Road, Amelia Island, Fla. with a reception in the Chapel hall immediately following. Her ashes will be interred at the columbarium at Amelia Plantation Chapel.

Anyone wishing to make a donation, please send it to Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla., 1348 South 18th St. Building B, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Clarence L. King Jr., 73, passed away Sunday, February 3, 2019.

He was born January 16, 1946 in Elamville, Ala. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he moved to Sunnyvale, Calif., where he began working for Delta Airlines. He was then able to transfer to Jacksonville International Airport, and he moved his family to Yulee, Fla. The last 16 years he resided in Jacksonville, Fla.

Mr. King coached Little League Baseball in Yulee and Pop Warner Football in Callahan, Fla. He was an umpire for Little League Baseball and SHSAA Baseball. He and other umpires in the Yulee area attended an umpire clinic in St. Petersburg, Fla. in support of serving their leagues better. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 2352. He loved gardening, fishing, cooking, baseball, and University of Alabama football.

He was predeceased by his son, Kip D. King; his parents, Clarence L. and Annie King; two brothers, Johnny King and Wayne King; and his stepfather, Dewitt Freeman.

Survivors include his daughter, Terri L. Lee (Cody); three brothers, James Earl King, Samuel King (Pat), and Wendell King (Suzanne); four sisters, Sallie Clackley (Buddy), Faye Greathouse (Larry), Patricia Berry (Steve), and Diane Battles; two grandchildren, Anna E. Lee and Sarah N. Lee; many nieces and nephews; and former spouse and friend, Jane King.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 8, 2019 at Blackrock Baptist Church in Yulee with Pastor John Kasper officiating. Interment will follow in Green Pine Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Community Hospice and Palliative Care.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Judith T. Lane, 72, of Jacksonville, Fla. and formerly of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the McGraw Center in Jacksonville.

She was born in 1947 in Great Barrington, Mass. to the late Alex P. and Jeannette Nadelberg. Judith grew up in Copake, N.Y., and Pittsfield, Mass. She graduated from Pittsfield High School and was in the Vassar College Class of 1969, later earning an MBA from the University of New Mexico in the late 1970s.

Judith worked in a number of fields, including social work for the state of New Mexico before finding her calling in information technology. After teaching herself programming, she quickly rose through the ranks to design and implement a welfare case management system for New Mexico. She lived for several years on the Azore Islands, Portugal, working in IT for the U.S. Air Force as a civilian employee. She moved to Scott Air Force Base, near St. Louis, Mo., to continue her IT work for the Air Force. There, she met her husband, Sam, an Air Force officer. They were married in 1991 and immediately moved to Seoul, South Korea, where Judith worked as an IT systems project manager for a U.S.-South Korean joint venture. Two years later, they moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where they lived for the next 16 years. There, she was employed by several high technology companies, eventually becoming an executive for a federally funded research and \development corporation. In her last assignment, she worked as a senior advisor for strategic planning to executives at the newly created Department of Homeland Security. After retiring in 2010, she and Sam landed on Amelia Island. Not content to be retired, she dove headlong into volunteering with the city government, helping in the Planning and IT departments and later serving on the city’s Planning Advisory Board.

Judith treasured all things about nature: bird watching, animals, and trees – even going so far as to name the old live oak trees in her yard on Amelia Island. An avid Anglophile, she loved everything about English history and culture, especially enjoying the prose of English authors. The highlight of her career was a year spent on assignment in London.

She leaves behind her husband of 28 years, Sam Lane of Jacksonville.

She will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Frances Stewart Scarboro, 92, died January 29, 2019, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.

A Jacksonville native born October 6, 1926, Frances attended local schools, graduating from Landon High School, Class of 1945. Frances married William (Billy) Carswell, and this union produced three children: William Craig Carswell (deceased), John Malcolm Carswell (Margaret), and Rebecca Carswell Zonis (Michael). Following her divorce, Frances married John P. Scarboro Jr., a Fernandina resident, and had a wonderful life with John for 42 years. Frances remained active playing golf and working in her garden until she became afflicted with the onset of dementia. Even then, Frances and John continued to entertain at the home they built on the creek off Blackrock Road in Yulee. The home was filled with family, relatives, and friends.

In addition to her husband, John Scarboro, and her children, Frances is survived by her three granddaughters, Kitty Carswell, Mary Elizabeth Clark (Justin), and Christy Rutland (Rob), and seven great-grandchildren, Jonah, Jack, Morgan and Aubrey Clark, Rylee, Chase and Addison Rutland, Trish Harrell (Paul), and Wade Scarboro (Jeanette).

Family and friends will gather at a later date to celebrate a wonderful life well lived.

For those who may wish, a memorial may be given in her name to a charity of your choice.

Naugle Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Dena Gray Short, born November 5, 1915 in New York, N.Y., passed away February 5, 2019 on Amelia Island, Fla. at the age of 103.

She was a child of immigrants to the United States and went through the Great Depression, which had a great impact on her life. We know this instilled in her at a young age a tenacious zest for life.

During her life, she lived in New Jersey, Manhasset, N.Y., Atlanta, Ga., and Amelia Island.

Born to Dena were three children, Jack Gray, who preceded her in death, and a daughter, Nina Johnson, and another son, Richard Short. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always gave her enormous love, joy, and laughter.

In the 1950s, Dena became a member of the Unitarian Universalist congregations of Flushing and Manhasset, Long Island, N.Y. and later in Atlanta’s Unitarian Universalist congregations including Ponce de Leon Avenue, Cliff Valley Way, and Northwest Congregation. She was instrumental in the beginnings of art show displays at the churches in New York and Atlanta. This was her great passion and the halls of the various churches are, to this day, filled with art, conversation, and camaraderie.

Dena was a devotee of Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre and High Museum for many years. She was also active in supporting the Amelia Community Theatre and Civitan clubs in Atlanta and Amelia Island.

She had a successful career in real estate in Atlanta with Harry Norman Realtors.

Living at Osprey Village in on Amelia Island was a great pleasure of her later life. A large part of her life was the daily drive to the ocean to literally breathe the beauty and magnetism of the sea.

Among all of her accomplishments, her family was most proud of her steadfast quest for knowledge. She was an amazing self-taught human being. Her infectious spirit and thirst for life was admired by all who met her.

A hospice nurse came in the room in her last days, looked at Dena, and said “I know this lady! She always sat right here in a wheelchair, busy at her bedside table. She always had on pearl cluster earrings, a necklace and scarf, and looked so pretty.” A friend wrote and said, “Dena was a lovely lady. I loved her. We shared a passion for high heels!”

She was always treated with great honor and compassion by the staff of The Retreat at Osprey Village, especially in her declining days. Their unyielding love and comfort to Dena has sent her off to eternity with a blessed soul.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to The Retreat at Osprey Village staff for their warmth and her loving caregiver, Charlene Fulgram, as well as the staff of Community Hospice.

Her family mourns her death and celebrates her life. She was a beautiful lady, Mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma. – Dena’s Family

She will be laid to rest at 2 p.m. Friday, February 8, 2019 at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Nassau County Council On Aging, at 1901 Island Walkway, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, and at (904) 261-0701.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Kenneth Aldrich, 86, passed away peacefully January 26, 2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Lillian Caldwell, 89, passed away peacefully January 26, 2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Deborah Crane, 65, passed away peacefully January 29, 2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Earl Davis, 66, passed away peacefully February 2, 2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Edith Moore, 91, passed away peacefully January 25, 2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

William Newton, 51, Passed away peacefully on February 5, 2019.  Arrangements by Eternity Funeral Home in Yulee.

Philip Johantgen, 75, passed away peacefully January 5,2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Nancy Lynn Peltz, 58, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Valerie Perdue, 62, passed away peacefully January 27, 2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

John Toothman, 78, passed away peacefully January 24, 2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Donald Wegner, 85, passed away peacefully January 20,2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Michael Williams, 60, passed away peacefully January 19,2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Donald (Don) Ellis Vaughn Jr. died peacefully February 9, 2019 at his home in Fernandina Beach, Fla. at the age of 72. He valiantly battled gastrointestinal illnesses over many years and ultimately succumbed to the toil.

Don was born on January 29, 1947 in Akron, Ohio. The family moved to Tennessee in 1962, the state he called home. He graduated from Tullahoma High School in 1965 and attended UT Martin in Pulaski, Tenn. His daughter Nicole was born in Nashville, Tenn. in 1976 and was the apple of his eye. 

Don built a career at RockTenn Company, starting in a maintenance role and eventually moving to Dallas, Texas as the general manager of the box manufacturing plant at Waxahachie, Texas. After leaving Texas and moving to Amelia Island, Fla., Don retired in 2012. In retirement he enjoyed “porch-sitting” with his wife, grilling on his Big Green Egg, frequent chats with his daughter, following his grandchildren on Facebook, helping his stepchildren with their businesses, making jewelry, woodworking, and entertaining his dog and constant companion, Delila. In the final years of her life, Don called his mother once, sometimes twice daily. He was a devoted family man until his final days.

Don was a faithful man of God and contributed to many charitable causes. He lived a full and generous life, always offering patience and kind words of encouragement to his family, friends, and neighbors. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roberta and Donald E. Vaughn Sr. of Estill Springs, Tenn.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia M. Vaughn of Fernandina Beach; his daughter, Nicole Vaughn, and granddaughters, Jessica Bond and Alexis Bond, all of Decatur, Ala.; stepchildren, Dawn Landau of Atlanta, Ga., Kevin Burt of Nashville, Tenn., and Johnnie Christian of Decatur, Ala.; step-grandsons, Robert Landau of Atlanta and Michael Christian of Florence, Ala.; and siblings, James Vaughn of Savannah, Ga., Greg Vaughn of Decherd, Tenn., and Deborah Vaughn of Nashville, as well as multiple nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A Celebration of Life is planned in his beloved state of Tennessee in April.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Joan Alverson Stover, 93, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, February 11, 2019 at her daughter’s residence.

Born in Oneida, Tenn., she and her husband, Hayes B. Alverson, moved to Fernandina Beach in 1947. She was a homemaker and a longtime member of Memorial United Methodist Church.

At Memorial Methodist, she was active in church life and was a member of the Ladies Circle. She was also a member of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Fernandina Beach and the Garden Club. One of her favorite pastimes was working in her yard and gardening. She also enjoyed shopping and was an avid reader.

Mrs. Stover always enjoyed being around people, and was kept company at home by her cats, Snowball and Millie.

Mrs. Stover was predeceased by her husband, Hayes B. Alverson, in 1976; her daughter, Ginni Alverson, in 1985; and her second husband, Robert Stover, in 1994.

She leaves behind her daughters, Barbara Patton and her husband, Tommy, and Patti Thornton and her husband, Darrell, all of Fernandina Beach; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2019 at Bosque Bello Cemetery with Rev. Allison Pope officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her first husband. The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Thursday, February 14, 2019 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors.

The family asks donations be made, in her memory, to the Nassau Humane Society, 639 Airport Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

James Byron (Jim B.) Higginbotham was peacefully called to his heavenly home Friday, February 8, 2019.

Jim was born April 14, 1944 in Fernandina Beach, Fla. He grew up in Hilliard, Fla. and, as a young man, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Jim was baptized at Hilliard Baptist Church. At the time of his passing, he was a Fernandina Beach resident and active member of First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach, where he sang in the choir while also singing bass in the men’s ensemble A Few Good Men. He loved the Lord and his church family. He wanted to attend services even after he was unable to do so because of his declining health.

Jim graduated from Hilliard High School and was proud to play on the basketball team that brought home the State AA Basketball Championship in 1963. After graduating from Lake City Community College, where he continued to play basketball on an athletic scholarship, he enrolled in Middle Georgia State University in Warner Robbins, Ga.

In 1966, he joined the United States Air Force and was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War, during which he was stationed in the Philippines as an aeronautical mechanic. After returning home from Vietnam, he went to work with Houdaille-Duval-Wright construction company and was the superintendent on the downtown Fernandina Beach Centre Street redesign and building project. After completion, the city of Fernandina Beach offered him the position of director of Public Works. He retired from that position after more than 25 years of service.

He was a die-hard Georgia Bulldog Fan, loved to play golf, enjoyed riding his bike around the island, having late-afternoon coffee with his buddies, indulging in chocolate, and of course his favorite – politics!

Like his father before him, he served three terms as a Nassau County commissioner and was also elected as chairman by his fellow commissioners. He was a highly ethical, honest, kind, intelligent, generous, handsome, loving, outgoing (never met a stranger!), competitive, talented, loyal, adventurous, and funny man's man. He loved his family immensely and his favorite thing to do was to spend time with them. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John B. and Wynelle Davis Higginbotham; his brother, Johnny; stepfather, Carl Wright; and son-in-law, Neil Phelps.

He leaves behind his wife, Carol L. Decker-Higginbotham of Amelia Island, Fla.; his three beloved children, son Barry (Stacey) Higginbotham of  Yulee, Fla., daughter Laran Phelps of Yulee, and daughter Erin (C. J.) Eiras of Jacksonville, Fla.; and his sister, Vivian Armstrong, and brother, Richard (Cathy) Higginbotham, both of Hilliard. Jim also leaves behind his seven beloved grandchildren, Baleigh and Brennan Higginbotham, Ella and Amelia Phelps, and Severiano, Bianca, and Maximus Eiras; and two stepsons, Steve and Mark Decker, along with their families. In addition, he leaves behind many nieces, nephews, close cousins, and lifelong friends, as well as the mother of his three children, Jan R. Spottswood of Jacksonville.

A memorial service to celebrate Jim’s life and legacy will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 16, 2019 at First Baptist Church at 1600 S. Eighth St. in Fernandina Beach.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

If so desired, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Barry Dee Farris, 57, of Yulee, Fla., passed away February 6, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Born in Jacksonville, Fla. to Bill Harvey and the late Vivian Irene Farris, he was a 48-year resident of Fernandina Beach and graduated from Fernandina Beach High School before serving in the U.S. Army (three years active and three years inactive). After the Army, he worked as a painter. He loved sports and fishing as well as the Florida Gators and Miami Dolphins. He was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jay Kember Farris.

He is survived by his daughter, Jamie (Kyle) Rehberg, and son, Sean Farris; grandchildren, Xavier Waller and Harrison Behberg; his father, Bill Harvey Farris, and stepmother, Lucy Farris; brother, Edwin Farris; sister, Donna Farris; nephews, Joshua (Lea Mitchel) Morgan of Middleburg, Fla., and Austin Morgan of Yulee; great-niece, Ava Morgan; great-nephew, Braden Morgan; two of his closest friends, Joe Mayley and Kenny Castle; and very loving friend and caregiver, Sharon Crews Ranson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at noon February 23, 2019 at the Amelia Woods Clubhouse, located at 2700 Mizell St. in Fernandina Beach.

Mr. Leroy Davis, 77, of Folkston, Ga., passed away Sunday, February, 10, 2019 at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla.

He was born March 5, 1941 in Sparks, Ga. to the late Arlie and Beatrice (Lamb) Davis.

He grew up in Georgia and was employed by Gilman Paper Company, starting out in 1960 as a floor sweeper and moving up in the ranks to printing in the Kraft Bag Division in 1963. In the mid-1970s, his job with Gilman Paper sent him to St. Louis, Mo. to run the print department as the manager. In the early 1980s, he relocated to Fernandina Beach, Fla. when the company sent him back to their St. Marys, Ga. location. After Gilman closed down, he worked for Simplex Paper in Jacksonville, Fla. as their print manager until they closed in 1998. Mr. Davis became a truck driver for US Express Truck Lines until his retirement in 2003.

Mr. Davis loved his family and worked hard to provide for them. He enjoyed going fishing, and he would give his last dollar to anyone in need.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Warren Lee Davis Sr. and David Leland Davis; and brother, Arlie Ben Davis Jr.

He leaves behind his daughter, Joan (Marcel) Pierrain of Folkston, Ga.; son, Aaron Ben Davis of Kingsland, Ga.; siblings, Betty Jo Colson of Yulee, Fla., Helen Thrift of Yulee, and Niearl Schultheiss of Stuart, Fla.; grandsons, Warren Lee Davis Jr., Jeremy Hendricks, and Nathan Hendricks; great-grandchildren, Isaiah Davis, Payton Hendricks, and Taquan Pierrain; and former wife, Sharon Davis of Kingsland.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 14, 2019 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home in Fernandina Beach with Mr. Marcel Pierrain officiating.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service at the funeral home.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Fawn Pharris Coleman, 87, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, February 8, 2019 at her residence.

She was born September 19, 1931 in Pulaski, Tenn. to the late Dr. Crit Pharris, M.D., and Eunice (Grace) Pharris.

While Fawn was a young girl, her father, a medical doctor and one of the nation’s pioneers in industrial hygiene, relocated the family to Connecticut, where both her Father and Mother worked at the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company. Fawn graduated from Glastonbury High School as a member of the National Honor Society and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in English in 1954 from the University of Connecticut, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. At UCONN, she met her future husband of 64 years, U.S. Army Lt. Col. (ret.) Richard D. Coleman Sr. Together, they lived in a dozen locations such as Germany, New Orleans, La., Glastonbury, Conn., Sacramento, Calif., Baltimore, Md., and Jacksonville, Fla. due to his career in the U.S. Army and Aetna Life and Casualty, where he served as an assistant vice president. Together, they successfully raised three very grateful children.

Fawn was a gifted woman of many talents who distinguished herself as an elementary school teacher, librarian, newspaper editor, and realtor. She loved horses and nurtured her two daughters’ passion for riding throughout a decade of competition in Connecticut. Fawn’s greatest passion, however, was genealogy. An avid genealogist for more than 25 years, Fawn traced her family roots in America to the early 1640s and discovered how at least one ancestor served in the American militia in every armed conflict since the Revolutionary War. In her spare time, Fawn thoroughly enjoyed reading books; she particularly enjoyed studying history and politics.

Fawn left an indelible impression upon many lives and will be deeply missed by her husband, U.S. Army Lt. Col. (ret.) Richard Daly Coleman Sr. of Fernandina Beach; her children, U.S. Marine Corps Col. (ret.) Richard D. Coleman Jr. of Carlsbad, Calif., Christine Coleman Kilgus and her husband, Richard, of Barrington, R.I., and Kathleen Coleman Kriete and her husband, U.S. Navy Vice Admiral David Kriete, of Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska; her beloved grandchildren, Brittani Coleman, Trey Coleman, Kyle Coleman, Coleman Richard Kilgus, David Matthew Kriete Jr., and Michael Kriete; and great-grandchildren, Zachary Coleman-Job and Rueben Coleman Angulo.

Services will be at 11 a.m. February 15, 2019 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Fernandina Beach. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Coalition of the Homeless, P.O. Box 16123, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Thomas Earl Blackwelder, 73, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Saturday, February 9, 2019.

He was born January 1, 1946 in Gainesville, Fla. to James Martin Blackwelder and Helen Irene Willis.

After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, in which he served as medical support personnel in Okinawa, Japan. Upon completion of his service commitment with the Army, Tom moved to Fernandina Beach, where he worked as a master carpenter.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Terry Bryan.

He is survived by his children, Traci Blackwelder, Stacy Wright (Damon), Joshua Blackwelder, and Travis Blackwelder. Tom has 14 grandchilden, Ashton, Alexis, Alyssa, Dante, Devin, Jade, Joshua, Sarah, Lydia, Bobby, Avery, Kiersten, Kammeryn, and Kayleigh. He has two great-grandchildren, Peyton and Brayden. Tom is also survived by his brother, Kenneth Blackwelder; his sister, Laura Thompson (Richard); and many other family members and dear friends.

Tom was an original founding member of the Eastern Surfing Association in Fernandina Beach. He also enjoyed fishing and was a diehard Florida Gator fan.

Thomas Earl Blackwelder will be laid to rest in Jacksonville National Cemetery and services will be announced at a later date.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Barry Dee Farris, 57, of Yulee, Fla., passed away February 6, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Born in Jacksonville, Fla. to Bill Harvey and the late Vivian Irene Farris, he was a 48-year resident of Fernandina Beach and attended Fernandina Beach High School before serving in the U.S. Army (three years active and three years inactive). After the Army, he worked as a painter. He loved sports and fishing as well as the Florida Gators and Miami Dolphins. He was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jay Kemper Farris.

He is survived by his daughter, Jamie (Kyle) Rehberg, and son, Sean Farris; grandchildren, Xavier Waller and Harrison Rehberg; his father, Bill Harvey Farris, and stepmother, Lucy Farris; brother, Edwin Farris; sister, Donna Farris; nephews, Joshua (Lea Mitchel) Morgan of Middleburg, Fla., and Austin Morgan of Yulee; great-niece, Ava Morgan; great-nephew, Braden Morgan; two of his closest friends, Joe Mayley and Kenny Castle; and very loving friend and caregiver, Sharon Crews Ransom.

A Celebration of Life will be held at noon February 23, 2019 at the Amelia Woods Clubhouse, located at 2700 Mizell St. in Fernandina Beach.

Mrs. Jill Marie Smith, 63, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019 in her home in Tega Cay, S.C. surrounded by loved ones.

Mrs. Smith was born in 1955 in Detroit, Mich. to Joyce Shipp and the late William Shipp. She married James R. Smith in 1979. Jill and Jim raised their three children in Royal Oak, Mich. In 2006, she moved to Amelia Island, Fla., where she was an avid biker and enjoyed walking and yoga as well as working at Great Harvest Bread Co. She moved to Tega Cay, S.C. in 2016 to enjoy her children and grandchildren.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a kind-hearted person who was there for anyone who needed her and always had an open home to others. She will be remembered for her love of cooking, her listening ear, and her enjoyment of life. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and each person who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, James Smith; three children, Matthew Smith (Erika), Stephen Smith (Katelyn), and Jacqueline Wall (Casey); mother, Joyce Shipp; siblings, Todd Shipp (Trina), Laurie Kanar, Connie Spring (Art), and Mike Shipp (Dawn); and five adoring grandsons, August Smith, Edwin Smith, Caleb Wall, Everett Smith, and Luca Wall.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Carolinas ALS Center in Charlotte, N.C. and the staff of Agape Hospice in Rock Hill, S.C. for their wonderful care and support of Mrs. Smith.

Memorial donations may be made to Agape Hospice in Rock Hill, S.C. and Amelia Island Trail on Amelia Island.

Online condolences may be directed to www.palmettofh.com.

Palmetto Funeral Home

Wendell W. Shorter, 85, passed away February 11, 2019.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Michael R. Sullivan, 39, passed away February 9, 2019. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 15, 2019 at the Church at Argyle. Interment at Jacksonville National Cemetery will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, February 18, 2019.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

David Chester Turner passed away January 15, 2019.

Neptune Society – Jacksonville

Alvin Theodore Williams Jr., of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away January 30, 2019. Services will be held at 1 p.m. February 16, 2019 at Harvest Outreach Ministries with Gerard Green officiating.

Sarah L. Carter’s Funeral Home

Ginger Gail Johns Arocho Crespo passed away January 22, 2019 at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Ginger was born October 26, 1964 in Jacksonville, Fla. She moved as a young child to Fernandina Beach, Fla. and always considered herself a native. Upon completion of her high school degree by home schooling, Ginger moved for a few years to Los Angeles, Calif. There, she met her first husband, Rick Arocho. When she returned to Florida, Ginger began studies at Parisian Spa Institute in the Riverside area of Jacksonville. There, she began to master the skills that would make her one of the most talented stylists and colorists of this area. Upon graduation, Ginger would spend her career mostly in Fernandina Beach, but she also spent significant time in Jacksonville and Las Vegas, Nev. Recently, she had moved to Murphy, N.C.

She is survived by her husband, Eliseo Crespo of Murphy; her mother, Dorothy Jones Johns Harrison; her uncle, R. L. Jones (Eyvonne); her aunts, Kathy Sheldon, Rebecca Mertz (Mark), and Susie Lawhorne (Scott); and numerous cousins, as well as her former husband, Rick Arocho of Las Vegas.

A service of memory will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, 2019 at the Living Waters World Outreach Center to celebrate Ginger’s life. For any who wish to participate, friends will gather at Changes Salon At Gateway to Amelia Town Center following the service to share personal memories.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Thomas Allen Lyons, 76, of Yulee, Fla., passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at his home after a lengthy illness.

Born in the Old Town area of Fernandina Beach, Fla., he was a son of the late Daniel R. and Bea Gallagher Lyons. He lived in Fernandina Beach until he joined the U.S. Navy. He served 21 years until his retirement. During his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received in combat.

After retiring, he came home to Nassau County and settled in Yulee. He worked at Kings Bay Trident Refit Facility as a crane operator until his second retirement.

When not working, he enjoyed fishing and always liked being able to go scalloping whenever he could. He loved his family and always enjoyed spending time with them.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Benjie and Ronnie Gaskill.

He leaves behind his wife, Ruby Gayle Lyons of Yulee; three daughters, Kim (Tim) Willis of Waynesville, Ga., Angie Fisher of Kingsland, Ga., and Teresa Miller of Yulee; three sons, Thomas Allen (Reyna) Lyons Jr., Eugene Davis of Kingsland, Ga., and Norman (Heather) Albertson of Fernandina Beach; and three grandchildren, Charleigh Lyons, Nyla Lyons, and Zak Willis, as well as several step-grandchildren and other extended family members.

Services for Mr. Lyons will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 23, 2019 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors with Pastor Frank Camarotti officiating. He will be laid to rest in a private family service at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Douglas Richards, 77, of South Gate, Calif., passed away February 2, 2019.

Born February 2, 1942 in Fernandina Beach, Fla. to the late Thomas William and Josephine Richards, he attended Fernandina High School and was a shrimper and then a box manufacturer, first in Tampa and later in California. He enjoyed reloading ammunition and target shooting. He attended First Baptist Church in South Gate.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Joe, William, Edward, Robert, Manuel and Frank, and sisters, Esther Ann and Frances.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda, whom he married in Las Vegas, Nev.; daughters, Amanda and Jennifer (Moe); two granddaughters; and a brother, Thomas Albert Richards.

A memorial service was held February 18, 2019 in South Gate.