Ray Dickens of Wewahitchka, Florida passed away at home on Friday, September 9, 2011 with his loving companion of forty-one years by his side, Sue Dickens. He courageously battled cancer for the past 5 ½ years.
He was born, October 9, 1934 in Sumrall, Mississippi to Jack & Burnice (Barnett) Dickens.
He graduated from Sumrall High School in 1955 and was offered a basketball scholarship to Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Mississippi which he declined to proudly enlist in the United States Army. During his six years in the Army he traveled to Tipa, China where he worked in the receiving and transmitter station and repaired radio antennas. He also played on the Army Football team, where he played against players such as Rosey Grier.
He returned to Sumrall to work with his older brother, Charles Dickens for Hercules, Inc. in Louisiana and Alabama. He later moved to DeFuniak Springs, Florida and started Dickens Land Clearing. He moved to Wewahitchka in 1968, where he fell in love with the area and the people. He decided to stay and call Wewahitchka home. It was here he met and married Sue Gaskin.
He was an active member of Dalkeith Baptist Church in Wewahitchka where he led and directed music for many years. Music was an influential part of his life. He spent many hours enjoying playing his guitar and singing.
For the past twenty-two years, he has proudly served as Mayor of Wewahitchka, for the citizens whom he greatly loved and called friends. This was a task he never took lightly, from handing out candy to the children, attending the many sporting events, and coordinating the fish fry for the Senior Citizens. He always rose to every occasion and opportunity to serve and come alongside the citizens of Wewahitchka. The dedication of the Wewahitchka City Annex in 2010 was a great honor for him. In return, the citizens of Wewahitchka have poured out their love and support upon Ray and Sue during his illness.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack & Burnice Dickens and his nephew, Craig Lott, all of Sumrall; Charley & Rosselle Gaskin and Charles Arthur Gaskin, all of Wewahitchka.
Survivors include: his wife, Sue Dickens of Wewahitchka; a brother, Charles Dickens of Gulfport, Mississippi and his wife, Amanda of Blountstown, Florida; a son, Bobby Dickens and wife, Cindy of Freeport, Florida; two daughters: Becky Minardo of Mobile, Alabama and Tracy Nowe of Houston, Texas; two step-daughters, Sherry Hall and husband, Steve of Niceville, Florida and Suzanne Aull of Wewahitchka; two grand-daughters; three grandsons; five step-grand-daughters; one great grand-daughter; three nieces and one nephew.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 11 from the Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in Wewahitchka with Reverend Joey Smith and Reverend John Clenney officiating. The family will receive friends 5:00-8:00 p.m., Saturday, September 10 also at the Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church.
Pallbearers are Phillip Gaskin, Gage Gaskin, Harold Lester, Lee Mims, Chipper Wade, and nephew, Leslie Dickens. Honorary pallbearers are the Wewahitchka City Council Members, the City of Wewahitchka Workers, and the Adult Sunday School class of Dalkeith Baptist Church.
Services are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home in Blountstown. Phone 674-5449. On-line condolences may be made at adamsfh.com
Obituaries - Topics from September, 2011
OBITUARY NOTICE - Williams
Mrs. Ethel Arlene Williams, 82, of Bristol, FL, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2011, in Tallahassee, FL.
Arlene was born on February 12, 1929, in Liberty County, FL, and had lived in Liberty and Bay Counties for most of her life. She was a retired beautician and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bristol.
She was preceded in death by her son, Gary Williams.
Survivors include one son, Glenn Williams, of Goldsboro, NC; two daughters, Sandra Lee Schmuhl of Pleasant Grove, UT and Susan Marie Musgrove and her husband, Roy, of Augusta, GA; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 10, at 3 pm CT/4 pm ET from the graveside at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bristol with Bishop Aaron Holloway officiating. Interment will follow. The family will receive friends from 2 pm CT/3 pm ET until service time at 3 pm CT/4 pm ET from the graveside at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bristol.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).
Arlene was born on February 12, 1929, in Liberty County, FL, and had lived in Liberty and Bay Counties for most of her life. She was a retired beautician and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bristol.
She was preceded in death by her son, Gary Williams.
Survivors include one son, Glenn Williams, of Goldsboro, NC; two daughters, Sandra Lee Schmuhl of Pleasant Grove, UT and Susan Marie Musgrove and her husband, Roy, of Augusta, GA; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 10, at 3 pm CT/4 pm ET from the graveside at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bristol with Bishop Aaron Holloway officiating. Interment will follow. The family will receive friends from 2 pm CT/3 pm ET until service time at 3 pm CT/4 pm ET from the graveside at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bristol.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).
OBITUARY NOTICE - Strickland
Mrs. Sherry Lynn Strickland, 47, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2011, in Monticello, FL.
Sherry was born on January, 27, 1964, in Blountstown and had lived in Tallahassee since 2008, coming from Bristol, FL. Sherry was a retired brick mason and was of the Episcopal faith.
Survivors include her mother and father, Sandra and Gene Strickland of Tallahassee; her foster son, Christopher Ridley, of Georgia; her Goddaughter, Heather Herndon, of Bristol; one sister, Lisa Strickland Galloway, and her husband, Thomas, of Bristol; and two nieces, Kristina Todd and her husband, Tyler, and Leanne Willhite, both of Bristol.
Funeral Services will be held Sunday, September 11, at 3 pm (CDT) at Peavy Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Pine Memorial Cemetery in Blountstown. The family will receive friends Saturday, September, 10, from 5 until 7 pm (CDT) at Peavy Funeral Home.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).
Sherry was born on January, 27, 1964, in Blountstown and had lived in Tallahassee since 2008, coming from Bristol, FL. Sherry was a retired brick mason and was of the Episcopal faith.
Survivors include her mother and father, Sandra and Gene Strickland of Tallahassee; her foster son, Christopher Ridley, of Georgia; her Goddaughter, Heather Herndon, of Bristol; one sister, Lisa Strickland Galloway, and her husband, Thomas, of Bristol; and two nieces, Kristina Todd and her husband, Tyler, and Leanne Willhite, both of Bristol.
Funeral Services will be held Sunday, September 11, at 3 pm (CDT) at Peavy Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Pine Memorial Cemetery in Blountstown. The family will receive friends Saturday, September, 10, from 5 until 7 pm (CDT) at Peavy Funeral Home.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).
OBITUARY - Watts
Mrs. Helen Pope Watts, 70, of Blountstown, FL, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2011, in Blountstown.
Helen was born on October 2, 1940, in Calhoun County and had lived here all of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of the Abe Springs Baptist Church in the Abe Springs Community.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, E.T. Watts, and two sons, Joe Watts and Walter Watts.
Survivors include one son, Tom Watts, and his wife, Fran, of Blountstown; one daughter, Jennifer Stewart, and her husband, Jim, of Blountstown; one brother, James Pope, and his wife, Ann, of Dublin, GA; two sisters, Clarice Hall and her husband, Bill, of Florence, SC, and Rita Pope of Blountstown; four grandchildren, Kimberly Silcox and her husband, Cory, Josh Watts, T.J. Watts and Gina Stewart; and one great-granddaughter, Addyson Silcox.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 10, at 11 am (CDT) at the Abe Springs Baptist Church with Reverend Allen Pitts officiating. Interment will follow in the Abe Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, September 10, from 10 am (CDT) until service time at 11 am at the Abe Springs Baptist Church.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).
Helen was born on October 2, 1940, in Calhoun County and had lived here all of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of the Abe Springs Baptist Church in the Abe Springs Community.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, E.T. Watts, and two sons, Joe Watts and Walter Watts.
Survivors include one son, Tom Watts, and his wife, Fran, of Blountstown; one daughter, Jennifer Stewart, and her husband, Jim, of Blountstown; one brother, James Pope, and his wife, Ann, of Dublin, GA; two sisters, Clarice Hall and her husband, Bill, of Florence, SC, and Rita Pope of Blountstown; four grandchildren, Kimberly Silcox and her husband, Cory, Josh Watts, T.J. Watts and Gina Stewart; and one great-granddaughter, Addyson Silcox.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 10, at 11 am (CDT) at the Abe Springs Baptist Church with Reverend Allen Pitts officiating. Interment will follow in the Abe Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, September 10, from 10 am (CDT) until service time at 11 am at the Abe Springs Baptist Church.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).
OBITUARY NOTICE - Goodman
Edwin Earl Goodman, Jr., 58, of Bristol, FL, passed away suddenly at his home Saturday, September 3, 2011.
He was a native of Marianna and a lifelong resident of the Bristol and Blountstown area. He worked for many years with Rheichold Chemical Company (Timber Energy) and also with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. After his retirement, he worked part time in security with Georgia Pacific. He loved this area, to hunt, fish and to ride with his grandchildren on the tractor.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Tina Rae Goodman, of Bristol, his mother, Vivian Goodman, of Blountstown; two daughters, Laurie Brandon (Greg) of Bristol, and Winter McLemore (Tranum) of Bristol; a sister, Ann Dunn, of Navarre Beach, FL; and six grandchildren, Samantha, Levi, Cole, Autumn, AubriAna, and Aubrynn.
Funeral services were held at graveside at Lake Mystic Cemetery, Tuesday, September 6, at 4:00 PM.
Bevis Funeral Home in Bristol (ph. 643-3636) was in charge of the arrangements.
He was a native of Marianna and a lifelong resident of the Bristol and Blountstown area. He worked for many years with Rheichold Chemical Company (Timber Energy) and also with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. After his retirement, he worked part time in security with Georgia Pacific. He loved this area, to hunt, fish and to ride with his grandchildren on the tractor.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Tina Rae Goodman, of Bristol, his mother, Vivian Goodman, of Blountstown; two daughters, Laurie Brandon (Greg) of Bristol, and Winter McLemore (Tranum) of Bristol; a sister, Ann Dunn, of Navarre Beach, FL; and six grandchildren, Samantha, Levi, Cole, Autumn, AubriAna, and Aubrynn.
Funeral services were held at graveside at Lake Mystic Cemetery, Tuesday, September 6, at 4:00 PM.
Bevis Funeral Home in Bristol (ph. 643-3636) was in charge of the arrangements.
OBITUARY - Freeman
David R Freeman of Wewahitchka, Florida, passed away Monday, September 5, 2011, at his home at the age of 77.
He was born June 28, 1934, to the late Arthur and Thelma (Armstrong) Freeman. He was a longtime member of Wewahitchka First Baptist Church where he served as deacon, taught Sunday school, and served on various committees. He was a member of the Mason Order, Tupelo Lodge for 50 plus years.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Geraldine Freeman; children, Stephanie Zolin of Pensacola, Stephen and Ann Freeman of Havana, and Stan Freeman of Tallahassee; grandchildren, Danielle and Micah Heller, Ashlyn and Billy Grooms, and James Freeman; and four great- grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 7, at Wewahitchka First Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Stroud and Associate Pastor Jason Bennett officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, September 6, at the church.
Adams Funeral Home in Blountstown is in charge of the arrangements (phone 674-5449). On-line condolences may be made at adamsfh.com
He was born June 28, 1934, to the late Arthur and Thelma (Armstrong) Freeman. He was a longtime member of Wewahitchka First Baptist Church where he served as deacon, taught Sunday school, and served on various committees. He was a member of the Mason Order, Tupelo Lodge for 50 plus years.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Geraldine Freeman; children, Stephanie Zolin of Pensacola, Stephen and Ann Freeman of Havana, and Stan Freeman of Tallahassee; grandchildren, Danielle and Micah Heller, Ashlyn and Billy Grooms, and James Freeman; and four great- grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 7, at Wewahitchka First Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Stroud and Associate Pastor Jason Bennett officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, September 6, at the church.
Adams Funeral Home in Blountstown is in charge of the arrangements (phone 674-5449). On-line condolences may be made at adamsfh.com
OBITUARY - Watts
Mr. Cleon Walter Watts, 47, of Blountstown, FL, passed away Friday, September 2, 2011, at his home.
Walter was born on December 24, 1963, in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, and had lived in Blountstown most of his life. He was carpenter and was of the Baptist Faith.
Walter was preceded in death his father, E.T. Watts, and a brother, Joe Watts.
Survivors include his mother, Helen Watts, of Blountstown; one son, Joshua Watts, and Nikki Corellett of Bristol; one daughter, Kimberly Silcox, and husband, Corey, of Quincy; one brother, Tom Watts, and wife, Fran, of Blountstown; granddaughter, Addyson Silcox, of Quincy; two nephews, T.J. Watts and Brent McCardle; and two nieces, Gina Stewart and Britney McCardle.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, September 6, at 6:00 pm (CDT) at Peavy Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Allen Pitts officiating. Memorialization will be by cremation.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).
Walter was born on December 24, 1963, in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, and had lived in Blountstown most of his life. He was carpenter and was of the Baptist Faith.
Walter was preceded in death his father, E.T. Watts, and a brother, Joe Watts.
Survivors include his mother, Helen Watts, of Blountstown; one son, Joshua Watts, and Nikki Corellett of Bristol; one daughter, Kimberly Silcox, and husband, Corey, of Quincy; one brother, Tom Watts, and wife, Fran, of Blountstown; granddaughter, Addyson Silcox, of Quincy; two nephews, T.J. Watts and Brent McCardle; and two nieces, Gina Stewart and Britney McCardle.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, September 6, at 6:00 pm (CDT) at Peavy Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Allen Pitts officiating. Memorialization will be by cremation.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).
OBITUARY - Plair
Mae Plair, 77, of Blountstown, left this world on Saturday, September 3, 2011, at Bay Medical Center, from an accidental injury she received the day before.
Mae was born in South Carolina, but had spent most of her adult life in Port St. Joe and Blountstown.
She was preceded in death by a loving and devoted husband, Ralph E. Plair; her parents, Walter and Gladys Hyatt; a daughter, Diane Sheldon; and an adopted daughter, Cindi Judkins.
Survivors include her daughters, Peggy Plair Whitfield Atkinson and husband, Colby, with their children, Zachary and Wesley Whitfield, Brittany and Chris Ferrell, and Dustyn Atkinson, all of Blountstown, Ruthie Rhodes and her late husband, Dewayne Rhodes, with their child, Kayla Rhodes, all of Port St. Joe; one son, Michael Sheldon and wife, Sandy, with their child, Heidi, Spencer, Amanda, Chad and Tyler, all of Owasso, Michigan.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. CT/Noon ET on Thursday, Sept. 8, at Abe Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church in Blountstown. Rev. Michael Morris and Rev. David Nichols will be conducting the services. There will be no graveside services.
Family will receive friends at the home of her daughter in Port St. Joe at 125 Gulf Coast Circle on Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. CT/5 to 7 p.m. ET and before the service on Thursday, Sept. 8, in Blountstown at Abe Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church.
The family would like to give a very special thanks to Dr. Skipper, Calhoun EMS Medic Aaron Carter, EMT Andy Waldroff, CLH Nurse Crystal Arnold and all the staff involved with the care of our mother/grandmother for these two days at Calhoun-Liberty Hospital and EMS Director Phillip Hill and his staff, Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, Nettle Ridge Fire Department, and Bay Medical Center ER.
Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe is in charge of all services (ph. 850-227-1818).
Mae was born in South Carolina, but had spent most of her adult life in Port St. Joe and Blountstown.
She was preceded in death by a loving and devoted husband, Ralph E. Plair; her parents, Walter and Gladys Hyatt; a daughter, Diane Sheldon; and an adopted daughter, Cindi Judkins.
Survivors include her daughters, Peggy Plair Whitfield Atkinson and husband, Colby, with their children, Zachary and Wesley Whitfield, Brittany and Chris Ferrell, and Dustyn Atkinson, all of Blountstown, Ruthie Rhodes and her late husband, Dewayne Rhodes, with their child, Kayla Rhodes, all of Port St. Joe; one son, Michael Sheldon and wife, Sandy, with their child, Heidi, Spencer, Amanda, Chad and Tyler, all of Owasso, Michigan.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. CT/Noon ET on Thursday, Sept. 8, at Abe Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church in Blountstown. Rev. Michael Morris and Rev. David Nichols will be conducting the services. There will be no graveside services.
Family will receive friends at the home of her daughter in Port St. Joe at 125 Gulf Coast Circle on Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. CT/5 to 7 p.m. ET and before the service on Thursday, Sept. 8, in Blountstown at Abe Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church.
The family would like to give a very special thanks to Dr. Skipper, Calhoun EMS Medic Aaron Carter, EMT Andy Waldroff, CLH Nurse Crystal Arnold and all the staff involved with the care of our mother/grandmother for these two days at Calhoun-Liberty Hospital and EMS Director Phillip Hill and his staff, Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, Nettle Ridge Fire Department, and Bay Medical Center ER.
Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe is in charge of all services (ph. 850-227-1818).
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