Mrs. Dorothy “Dottie” Deese, 77, passed away Thursday night, July 11, 2019, at her residence in Fernandina Beach, Fla. following an extended illness.

She was born in Bacon County, Ga. but had resided in Nassau County, Fla. most of her life. She was employed for 16 years by Shoney’s restaurant in Fernandina Beach as a waitress and attended Lighthouse Tabernacle of Jesus Christ.

Mrs. Deese was a daughter of the late Mitchell Fullard and Inez Taylor Fullard.

She was preceded in death by a son, Allen Harris.

She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Dock Deese of Fernandina Beach; four daughters, Bonita “Bonnie” Carter (Richard) of Kingsland, Ga., Tina Miller of Kingsland, Tonya Diaz of Kingsland, and Stacy Dilliard (Jimmy) of Danbury, N.C.; two sons, Ernest Paul Miller Jr. of Kingsland and Damon Deese of Atlanta, Ga.; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Hazel Combs (Roy) of Millwood, Ga.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 2019 at the Music Funeral Home Chapel. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. the same day at Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, Ga.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com.

Music Funeral Home & Satilla Crematory

Carol Jean Reublinger Coombe, 70, passed away July 10, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Carol was born in Scituate, Mass., the much-loved baby sister to her siblings, Richard Lee Reublinger, Arthur H. Reublinger, and Vera R. Reublinger. She worked as a budget analyst for the United States Army in Virginia, where she met and married Richard R. Coombe in 1999. She and Richard retired to Fernandina Beach, Fla. in 2004. Carol had a generous spirit and a servant’s heart and always had a positive, enthusiastic attitude. She volunteered at Hope House. She was instrumental in developing adult and children’s bell choirs at Memorial United Methodist Church and enjoyed sharing her love of music with others. She played trombone in the Nassau County Community Band, sang in the MUMC Ensemble, and participated with the Memorial UMC Chancel Choir for various seasonal offerings.

She is survived by her loving husband, Richard; daughter, Amanda McKinney; son, Charles McKinney; and stepchildren, Jacqueline Davis, Candice Short, and Richard J. Coombe II, as well as grandchildren, Courtney McKinney, Alex Bailey, Robert Addams, and Elizabeth Short. Carol also welcomed into her heart a large extended “family” including Mark and Stephanie Parker and their children, Ben, Emily, and Lucas.

She was often seen riding her bike around Fernandina with her hair flowing in the breeze and a big smile on her face. Carol’s smile, her fun-loving nature, and her infectious laugh will be missed by all who were blessed to know and love her.

Donations in Carol’s member may be made to the Nassau County Community Band or the Memorial UMC Red Bird Mission, in lieu of flowers.

Ruth Dean Ford Pierce, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

She was born July 12, 1929 at home in Worth County, Ga. and was the eldest daughter of the late Clement Anslem Evans Ford and Mary Agnes Rouse. She missed celebrating her 90th birthday by only three days.

The majority of her life was spent as a wonderful homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother. The epitome of a Southern Lady, she was known for her grace, her gardens, and her ability to entertain family and friends as her husband, the late James L Pierce, built his CPA practice in Albany, Ga. An amazing cook and passionate advocate for healthy eating and exercise, she was truly an inspirational trailblazer. She was a member of First Methodist Church and active in Thronateeska NSDAR and The Charity League. In 1981, the Pierces moved from Albany to Fort Worth, Texas to welcome the birth of their first grandchild, Melissa, and another two years later, James. In 1987, they retired to Bribie Island, approximately an hour north of Brisbane in Australia, where, as she said, they enjoyed a 10-year vacation! After returning to the United States in the late-1990s, they briefly lived in St. Augustine, Fla. but relocated in 2002 to Boulder, Colo. to be near daughter Tina and family. After her husband died, she lived with Tina in the San Francisco Bay area and finally in Fernandina Beach. She first visited Fernandina in 1952 to meet the family as a new bride and fondly recalled that Sadler Road was paved with oyster shells!

She was preceded in death by her husband, James L Pierce; her mother-in-law, Ethyl Herring Pierce, a longtime Fernandina resident; her twin sisters, Dorothy Bowen and Doris Page; and her brothers-in-law, Malcolm Pierce and Gene Page.

She is survived by her daughter, Tina (Gary Patterson); granddaughter, Melissa Wilson (Mike Shull); grandson, James Wilson; sister-in-law, Barbara Pierce; brother-in-law, Wendell Bowen; and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Graveside services will be held in Georgia in the future.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in her name to to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida at communityhospice.com.

She was an extraordinary mother and grandmother whose smiles and laughter will be missed by the many who loved her.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Barbara Louise Nilson Reeve completed her life’s journey Tuesday, July 16, 2019 on Amelia Island, Fla.

Born in 1928 in Larchmont, N.Y., she raised a family with her husband, Arthur Reeve, in Demarest, N.J. and spent her later years at Amelia Island Plantation. After 44 years, she will finally reunite in heaven with her daughter, Susan Vecina Reeve, who died tragically in 1975.

Barbara leaves behind her husband of 68 years, Arthur Reeve; and her three remaining children, Virginia Reeve Guilfoile of Chapel Hill, N.C., Andrew Reeve of Shelter Island, N.Y., and James Reeve of Atlantic Beach, Fla. She also has four grandchildren and was recently introduced to her first great-grandchild.

Barbara attended Elmira College and then New York School of Interior Design in New York City. She carried her design talent with her, enjoying decorating her homes, her children’s homes and those of many friends. 

Known to her friends as St. Barbara, she was a stoic person and a calming influence and cared greatly about her friends, family and community. She excelled at motherhood, as evidenced by her close-knit family. In her earlier years, she enjoyed gardening and she was a wonderful cook. She also loved sewing, painting and playing the piano. Along with Art, she put together the greatest of parties.

She will remain in our hearts as a cherished wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Fred Mitchell Fender Jr., 71, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 17, 2019.

Fred was born July 22, 1947 in Daytona Beach, Fla. to Fred Mitchell Fender Sr. and Jenny Altieri Fender. A graduate of Marietta High School in Marietta, Ga., Fred went on to study at Stetson University. On March 23, 1985, he married the love of his life, Donna Sims Fender. Married for 34 years, they were blessed with two children, Mitchell and Kristen. Fred often proclaimed they were his world.

Fred worked as a golf professional in Atlanta for several years before spending the majority of his career as a brokerage manager in the life insurance industry. Later in life, he obtained his real estate license and served numerous clients that became some of his best friends in Fernandina Beach. He enjoyed camping, golf, fishing, shooting and, most of all, attending concerts of all different types of music.

Preceded in death by his father and sister, Carol Ann Fender, Fred is survived by his wife, Donna; children, F. Mitchell Fender III (Kristi) and Kristen Fender Bridges (Chase); grandson, Rhett Fender; mother, Jenny Fender; and dear family and friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Platt’s Funeral Home Belair Road Chapel in Evans, Ga. from 12:30 p.m. until the beginning of the service at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Westover Memorial Park. 

Please sign the guestbook and send condolences at www.plattsfuneralhome.com.

Platt’s Funeral Home

Linda Dailey, 70, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away July 16, 2019.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Warren S. Feagle, 77, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away July 22, 2019.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Erie J. Sanders, 83, of Yulee, Fla., passed away July 21, 2019.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Vivian Venus Carson Yawn, 87, of Yulee, Fla., passed away July 16, 2019.

She was born November 24, 1931 in Jacksonville, Fla. and moved to Yulee in 1995 from St. Augustine. Fla.

She was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed fishing and the rivers. She loved being a mother to her children and taking care of a special needs daughter all her life. Mrs. Yawn was dedicated to her family and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Mather R. Yawn, and a daughter, Sandra Yawn.

Survivors include her son, Bobby Yawn (Linda) of St. Augustine, Fla.; three daughters, Ellen G. Douglas (Donald) of Jacksonville, Gail Smith (Ronald) of Yulee and Alisa Yawn, also of Yulee. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

To sign Mrs. Yawn's online register book and leave condolences, please visit the Green Pine website at www.greenpinefuneral.com.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Edwin “Ed” William Steffen, P.E., 80, of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away peacefully Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. surrounded by his loving family. Ed fought a courageous battle against cancer. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center for their loving care Ed received for almost four years.

Ed was born December 31, 1938 to the late Edna Simpkins Steffen and Edgar P. Steffen in Alton, Ill. and a graduate of Alton Hills High School, Class of 1957. His dream was to get a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. After being accepted there, his hometown buddies convinced him to attend Missouri School of Mines and Metalurgy in Ralla, Mo. with them.

Ed graduated from Missouri School of Mines in January 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California in 1966.

Immediately after graduating from MSMM, Ed launched his career at McDonnell Douglas missiles and space company in Santa Monica, Calif. This was a period in time when a “space race” was in full flight during the Cold War. Ed became involved in many projects as a team leader in designing, engineering, and innovating state of the art commercial aircraft, lunar landings, space craft, and space vehicles. Ed’s professional contributions to the aircraft missiles, missiles and space industry during this period cannot be understated. Yes, he was a “rocket scientist.”

Ed embraced the Southern California lifestyle. Ed met the love, of his life, Susanne Casillas, whose family was a pioneer family of Santa Monica. They were married Jun 27, 1965.

In 1967, Ed left the aerospace industry and he and Susanne moved to El Dorado Hills, Calif. where he was a chief engineer for PMI – Mechanical. During this time, Ed studied hard and earned his professional engineer license.

In 1972, the family moved to Tualatin, Ore. Ed worked for Hoffman Construction Company in Portland, Ore. Until summer 1984. While working for Hoffman, one of his many engineering projects was the Alaskan Pipeline.

In the summer of 1984, Ed accepted a job with Milton J. Wood Company in Jacksonville, where he would head up their vice president of mechanical engineering. The family has resided on Amelia Island since 1954. Ed loved living on the golf courses playing golf, fishing, boating, and, for the last 15 years, taking cruises to the Europe and the Caribbean, and loved all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. One of his joys was being a caddy for his daughter, Christina, when she played in national golf events. Ed and son Scott loved going on hunting trips in the Pacific Northwest and Georgia. Great joy was watching his grandsons play baseball, football, and basketball.

Ed and Sue Ann celebrated 54 years of marriage in June.

Survivors include his wife, Susanne Casillas Steffen; a son, Scott (Amy); and grandons, Brett and Brady; and daughter, Christina.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club, located at 2800 Bill Milton Road.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ed’s name can be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. at 1348 S. 18th St. in Fernandina Beach.

Regina L. Nostro, 93, passed away peacefully Monday, July 22, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Regina was born February 3, 1926, in the Byram section of Greenwich, Conn., the youngest daughter of Anna Dudas Liptak and Joseph Liptak.

She graduated from Greenwich High School and during her high school years she was president of The Children of Mary and was honored to be chosen to crown the Virgin Mary and also be part of The Living Rosary. After high school, she worked for the Homelite Corporation in the printing department for three years. In 1946, she married Patrick Nostro, a captain in the United States Army. They moved to Detroit, Mich., where they opened the Virginia Dare Coffee Shop on the ground floor of Hudson’s Department Store together and welcomed their son, Wayne, in 1947. After returning to Connecticut, their daughter, Lorraine was born in 1951. Soon thereafter they purchased their home in Byram.

Regina was a homemaker, PTA Room Mother and a Brownie Troop leader.  In later years, she became a Media Services School volunteer for 14 years at New Lebanon School and Hamilton Avenue School. She was also president of the First Catholic Ladies Slovak Society. 

After moving to Amelia Island, she became a Florida resident in 2012 and was very active in the Fernandina Beach Council on Aging “Forever Friends” Group. She spent many happy hours doing jigsaw puzzles. She loved social activities, playing bingo, and especially visits with family and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Patrick; brothers, Robert Liptak and Joseph Liptak; and one niece and one nephew.

She is survived by her children, Lorraine Gaito (Michael) of Fernandina Beach and Wayne Nostro (Mimi) of Laurel, Md, ; her sister, Ethel Jacobelli of Stuart, Florida; her grandsons, Paul Nostro (Chelsey) of Pittsburgh, Pa., Mark Nostro (Gabriela) of California, amd David Nostro (Emily) of Jacksonville; three great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters; several nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, July 29, 2019 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Fr. Jose Kallukalam as celebrant. 

Mrs. Nostro will be returned to Greenwich, where his wife will be laid to rest beside her husband in St. Marys Cemetery at a later date.

Her family requests that donations be made in her name to Fernandina Beach Council on Aging – Life Center, 1901 Island Walk Way, Fernandina Beach.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Edward F. Hall, 63, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, July 15, 2019 at Magnolia Hospice in Riverdale, Ga.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, July 27, 2019 at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, located at 10 S. 10th St. in Fernandina Beach. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2019 at the church. Interment will be in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

Sunset Funeral Home

Clifford C. Kell, 88, of Fernandina Beach, Fla. since 1990, passed away July 15, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Born in Walters, Okla., he was adopted from the Catholic orphanage during the Great Depression. He was the son of the late Bethel McDaniel Kell (Clifford) and Pepper (Ralph).

He was also preceded in death by three wives, the last being Bessie K. Kell; his parents, Oscar (Floss) Briscoe; three brothers, Grady Briscoe, Leon Briscoe, and Onie Briscoe; and three sisters, Nigel (Briscoe) Callaway, Joy Dell (Briscoe) Callaway, and Peggy Balwin.

Cliff loved the sea as a U.S. Coast Guard, Korean War veteran to helping weld the Seattle Space Needle, Boilermakers Union Local 104, to merchant seaman for Mobil Oil.

He leaves behind a brother, Floyd Alan Baldwin (Donna); three sons, C. Craig Kell of Anacoco, La., Michael W. Kell (Sherif) of Lakeland, Fla., and Josh (Vicki) Cannon of Fernandina Beach; two daughters, Gina-Jo (Randy) Burns of Gladstone, Mo. and Athena Eusey of Fernandina Beach; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.

A private Celebration of Life will be held next year with family and friends to spread his ashes out to sea where he loved to be.

Regina L. Nostro, 93, passed away peacefully Monday, July 22, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Regina was born February 3, 1926, in the Byram section of Greenwich, Conn., the youngest daughter of Anna Dudas Liptak and Joseph Liptak.

She graduated from Greenwich High School and during her high school years she was president of The Children of Mary and was honored to be chosen to crown the Virgin Mary and also be part of The Living Rosary. After high school, she worked for the Homelite Corporation in the printing department for three years. In 1946, she married Patrick Nostro, a captain in the United States Army. They moved to Detroit, Mich., where they opened the Virginia Dare Coffee Shop on the ground floor of Hudson’s Department Store together and welcomed their son, Wayne, in 1947. After returning to Connecticut, their daughter, Lorraine was born in 1951. Soon thereafter they purchased their home in Byram.

Regina was a homemaker, PTA Room Mother and a Brownie Troop leader.  In later years, she became a Media Services School volunteer for 14 years at New Lebanon School and Hamilton Avenue School. She was also president of the First Catholic Ladies Slovak Society. 

After moving to Amelia Island, she became a Florida resident in 2012 and was very active in the Fernandina Beach Council on Aging “Forever Friends” Group. She spent many happy hours doing jigsaw puzzles. She loved social activities, playing bingo, and especially visits with family and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Patrick; brothers, Robert Liptak and Joseph Liptak; and one niece and one nephew.

She is survived by her children, Lorraine Gaito (Michael) of Fernandina Beach and Wayne Nostro (Mimi) of Laurel, Md, ; her sister, Ethel Jacobelli of Stuart, Florida; her grandsons, Paul Nostro (Chelsey) of Pittsburgh, Pa., Mark Nostro (Gabriela) of California, amd David Nostro (Emily) of Jacksonville; three great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters; several nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2019 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Fr. Jose Kallukalam as celebrant. 

Mrs. Nostro will be returned to Greenwich, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband in St. Mary’s Cemetery at a later date.

Her family requests that donations be made in her name to Fernandina Beach Council on Aging – Life Center, 1901 Island Walk Way, Fernandina Beach.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

George Barry Hayes, 59, of Yulee, Fla., passed away peacefully Thursday, July 18, 2019 in the care of Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Martin Edward Key Jr., 71, of Yulee, Fla., passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in the care of Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Eleanor Best, 98, passed away Thursday morning, July 25, 2019 in Wildwood, Fla. A graveside funeral will be held at Green Pine Cemetery at a time and date yet to be determined.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Judith C. Dillon, 79, of Yulee, Fla., passed away Sunday, July 28, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Jay Gordon, 65, of Callahan, Fla., passed away July 27, 2019. Arrangements were incomplete at time of publication.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Sharon W. Kasper, 72, passed away Friday morning, July 26, 2019 at her Yulee, Fla. residence. A memorial service celebrating her life was held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Blackrock Baptist Church.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Robert J. Nozza, 73, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Sunday, July 28, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Willard J. Rierson, 81, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Thursday, July 25, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Betty Jane Eshelman Miller, 89, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

She was born July 25, 1930 in Hyde Park, Pa. to the late Delmar T. and Gladys I. (née Cooper) Eshelman and was a 1948 graduate of Leechburg High School in Leechburg, Pa. She retired from the Charleston Naval Supply Center in Charleston, S.C. in 1990.

Betty married her husband, Lewis M. Miller, on January 3, 1952 in Washington Township, Pa.

She loved collecting cookbooks and cooking for her family and friends. She also enjoyed crocheting, crossword puzzles, and traveling.

Betty was preceded in death by her sisters, Karen Carney, Kathryn Craig, Edna G. Trettel, Paulette I. Eshelman, and Ruth L. Mercurio, and a grandson, Brian D. Miller.

In addition to her husband, Lewis, she is survived by her children, Todd Miller of Kingsland, Ga., Lew Miller and his wife, Cindy, of Tacoma, Wa., Susan Miller of Fernandina Beach, and Doug Miller and his wife, Dena, of Fernandina Beach; her sister, Pat (Don) Hepler of Natrona Heights, Pa.; six married grandsons; and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial will be held later this year in the fall at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fernandina Beach.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Betty’s name to Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. or the American Diabetes Association.

Mr. Christopher M. Mahoney, 53, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, July 12, 2019 at UF Health North in Jacksonville.

Born in Canton, Ohio, he was the son of Linda Student Mahoney and the late Maurice Edward Mahoney.

Chris was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and studied additionally at Case Western Reserve University. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He moved 17 years ago to Fernandina Beach from Canton and soon after began the Medical Weight Management Clinic in Fernandina Beach, where he served as the owner and a bariatric specialist. He was a member of the American Bariatric Society, Nassau County Medical Society, and Fernandina Beach Chamber of Commerce.

He loved all things athletic, especially football and playing tennis. In addition, he loved movies, his family, and his many friends. He was a parishioner at St. Michael Catholic Church.

Chris was predeceased by his father, Maurice Edward Mahoney, in 2011.

He leaves behind his mother, Linda Mahoney of Yulee, Fla.; his sister, Theresa Mahoney of Fernandina Beach; an aunt, Margaret Crabtree of Baltimore, Md.; and two cousins, John and Richard Crabtree, also of Baltimore, as well as nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 3, 2019 at St. Michael Catholic Church. Fr. Jose Kallukalam will officiate. The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. that same morning at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. He will be laid to rest with his father at Bosque Bello Cemetery.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

In the early afternoon hours this 23rd day of July, Earl Russell Guss Jr. joined the heavenly choir of the Church Triumphant. For 40 years, he served as Elder, Clerk of Session, Presbytery Commissioner and spiritual leader to Presbyterian congregations throughout the South, including the First Presbyterian Church in Burlington, N.C., where he was ordained as an Elder; Cold Spring Presbyterian Church in Cape May, N.J.; and the First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, Ill. Most recently, he was an active Elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Earl wrote in recent weeks, “I remember from the past, ‘The church is not a sanctuary for saints but rather a hospital for sinners.’ We do not retreat to church to get out of this bad world and enjoy a ‘feel good’ moment, but rather we are sinners. We seek forgiveness, refreshment, a charge to go forth and do better. Our Christian presence and impact is in the other 6 days and 23 hours.”

Earl was born to Earl Russell and Agnes Hazel (Mountain) Guss Sr. on 14 February 1939 in Brooksville, Fla. His ancestry provided him the opportunity to join the Sons of the American Revolution of Alamance Battleground Chapter, Burlington, N.C. by way of his fifth great-grandfather Lt. Jacob Blasdel of Amesbury, Mass. and later Dearborn County, Ind. The last 18 years of his life were spent enjoying the many family relationships and love of hundreds of Blasdel cousins and the thrill of knowing that his ancestor, Ralf Blaisdell, came to America from England in 1635 aboard the ship “Angel Gabriel,” landing at Pemaquid Point, Maine. Earl was an active member of the Blaisdell Family National Association, where his wife, Margaret, serves as a national officer and genealogist of BFNA.

Life’s journey took Earl to Asheville, N.C., where he graduated from Lee Edwards High School as a National Merit Scholar. He studied at Virginia Polytechnique Institute, Western Carolina University, and the University of Georgia and finally graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law. He met the love of his life one Christmas holiday while visiting Blackshear, Ga. – Margaret Anne Walker, whom he married 24 June 1962 in the Blackshear Presbyterian Church in Blackshear and shared 57 years of marriage.

Earl joined Burlington Industries upon graduation from UGA Law School and enjoyed a successful career of 22 years traveling throughout the USA as an advocate for fair labor for employees. Other tours of employment took him to Gadsden, Ala. as vice president of Gulf States Steel, and with Bordan Pasta, Cape May, N.J., and finally St. Louis, Mo., where he and Margaret retired and enjoyed the history and culture of St. Louis through their “Ten Toes” walking group.

After retirement, Earl traveled throughout the United States with the Belleville, Ill. Presbyterian Church Mission team to repair churches in great need from Louisiana to New York to Montana. The comradery of the Christian team and many challenges of each trip were always a new adventure that he embraced with great joy. Earl served as a Stephen Minister for the past 20 years and was a member of his church choirs for 65 years. In more recent years, he developed a “bucket list” since he enjoyed the thrill of travel with each of his children. A hiking trip to the Grand Tetons with David and grandson Liam, a tour of numerous Civil War battlefields, which included a trip to Gettysburg, Pa. walking across Pickett’s Field and climbing Little Round Top with John, and making trips with Margaret to Ireland to visit Elizabeth, Noel, Madison, and Liam were among so many wonderful experiences he shared with his beloved children.

On the 50th anniversary celebration of their marriage, Earl and Margaret took a lifelong dream trip of traveling westward for seven weeks to see such grand sites as Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and other national parks and landmarks. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad. Earl was fascinated with history and more recently his family heritage. His true passion was working in the soil and gardening. His final trip took him to Fernandina, where the family has enjoyed so many wonderful times on the beaches and the historic waterfront. He was truly a loving and caring father, grandfather and friend. Earl’s peaceful, gentle and generous spirit are his legacy.

Earl was predeceased by his son-in-law, Noel Eugene Kiernan.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; children, David Michael Guss and daughter-in-law Sheri Lynn (Vernon) Guss of Seattle, Wa., John Walker Guss of Hillsborough, N.C., and Mary Elizabeth Guss Kiernan of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Madison Walker Kiernan and Liam Russell Kiernan, both of Fernandina Beach; sisters-in-law, Mary Lott Walker of Blackshear and Judith Elizabeth (Walker) Duke (Rev. James E. Duke Jr.) of Macon, Ga.; nieces, Mary Margaret Duke of Macon and the Rev. Rebecca Elizabeth Duke-Barton (Rev. Garth); and many Mountain first cousins and numerous Blasdel cousins.

The family wishes to thank the amazing and caring doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic Hospital and Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. for their love and compassion and the members of the Fernandina Beach First Presbyterian Church who gave unconditional love, acts of kindness, and prayers.

A memorial service and reception were held Sunday, July 28, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, 9 N. Sixth St. in Fernandina Beach. Rev. Julie A. Jenson, Elder Jerie Lukefahr and Elder Linda Johns officiated the service. A formal interment will be held privately at a later date under the shady oaks of historic Bosque Bello Cemetery, established in 1798 in Fernandina Beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mayo Clinic, Myasthenia Gravis Research, 4500 San Pablo Road S., Jacksonville, FL 32224.

Michael Luther Fuqua, 74, of Callahan, Fla., passed away Thursday, July 25, 2019 at his residence.

Born and raised in Lafayette, Ga., he was a son of the late Luther W. Fuqua and Ida Lockie Dover.

Immediately after graduating high school, Michael enlisted in the U.S. Army and served honorably in the Vietnam War. Upon returning to Georgia following his service in the military, Michael went to work for Hershey’s Chocolate and then worked as a brick mason for many years until earlier this year. He also worked at Batt Family Fun Center doing repairs and renovations.

Michael was known as a hard worker and a loving family man, and he never met a stranger. He loved Christmas and made the holidays special with his generosity and giving nature. His smile lit up every room he entered. In his spare time, Michael enjoyed fishing, bowling, drinking Dr. Pepper, and trying his luck at the dog track. Above all, he loved his wife of 30 years, Patricia, and his family.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Stephen Fuqua; and nephew, Duane Waugh.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Patricia Fuqua of Callahan; sons, Earl F. “Eric” VelDink and his wife, Christine, of Gainesville, Fla. and Phillip VelDink and his wife, Donna, of Jacksonville, Fla.; sister, Elaine Dodgen and her husband, Jack, of Rockmart, Ga.; his aunt, Myra Beck; cousins, Rhonda (Billy) Weathington, Vicki  Daughtry, Donna Grogan Higdon, and Romy (Sharon) Dover; and nieces, Angie (Rex) Lester and Cindy (Timmy) Fason. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Services were at 2 p.m. Monday, July 29, 2019 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors.  The family received friends from 1 p.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Claire Salmond, 93, of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Melba Sayler, 96, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2019.

Jackie M. Young completed her life’s journey Tuesday, July 30, 2019 with her family by her side at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Jackie was born in 1929 to the late Henry and Grace Moorhead. She grew up on a dairy farm in Fitzgerald, Ga. during the depression but went on to graduate from Georgia College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. After graduation, she moved to Atlanta and pursued a career in fashion merchandising with Davidson Department Store. Jackie had always dreamed of marrying a “Georgia Tech Man.” Not long after moving to Atlanta, she was introduced to Nyram L. Young Jr., who was about to graduate from Georgia Tech. The two fell in love, married, and settled in Savannah, Ga., after moving several times. Jackie’s passions were her family, reading, and gardening. She volunteered for the March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy and worked for the Colony Book Store for many years.

She is predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Nyram L. Young Jr , and her grandson, Jeremy M. Young.

Jackie leaves behind her sons, Richard M. Young (Pam) and Alan L. Young Sr. (Robin); seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

She will remain in our hearts as a cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Thanks to the staff at Quality Health Care as well as Community Hospice’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach for her care.

The family received friends 5-7 p.m. Thursday, August 1, 2019 at Fox & Weeks Islands Chapel in Savannah, Ga. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2019 in the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery.