The County Record

For the second year in a row, despite another multibillion budget shortfall, a surprisingly large number of member projects and other projects historically referred to as “turkeys” found their way into the FY 2012-13 state budget, including two from Calhoun and Liberty counties. [Full Story »] 

Mr. Louis Edwin Strong, 96, of Blountstown, FL, went home to be with the Lord, Monday morning, April 16, 2012, in Blountstown.

Louis was born on April 12, 1916, in Hamden, Ohio, and had lived in Blountstown since 1976. He was a retired carpenter and a Veteran of WWII, serving in the United States Army.

Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Lee L. Strong and Florence B. Strong; his wives, Blanche L. (Turner) Strong and E. Darlene (Sharp) Strong; two sons, Karl W. Strong and David Strong, Sr.; one daughter, Judith L. Irish; his stepfather, Forrest B. Morgan; and two brothers, George C. Strong and Lee S. Strong.

His love of singing started in the 5th grade when he was picked to sing in the high school operetta called “Old King Cole” as one of the “Fiddlers Three.” He continued singing lead parts in operettas all thru high school. He played the French horn in the high school marching band and in the orchestra. He was very active in his church and loved singing. The first 32 years of his life, he was a member of the Church of Christ. For the next 30 years, he was a member and song director in the church of the Nazarene in Hillsdale, Michigan, Eustis, Florida, and Blountstown, Florida. He was a member of the Gulf Coast Community College-Community Chorus in 1987, 1988, and 1989.

Survivors include three sons, Louis E. Strong, Jr., Thomas W. Strong and John L. Strong, Sr.; three daughters, Delores L. Faircloth, Denise L. Horne and Patricia L. Davis; a stepdaughter, Carol L. Drews; and a stepson, Benjamin Dillon.

Memorial services will be held Friday, April 20, at 10 am (CDT) from the graveside at Pine Memorial Cemetery in Blountstown with Reverend Don Henderson officiating.

All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).

Kenneth Speights, the incumbent on the Calhoun County School Board representing district 4, has filed his letter of intent to seek re-election. He is currently unopposed.

Ruby K. Clark has announced plans to run for Calhoun County Tax Collector. She will face incumbent Becky Trickey Smith in the democratic primary set for August 14.

Susie Hatcher Morris, 65, of Blountstown, passed away Thursday, April 12, 2012.

Susie was born in Gadsden, Alabama, but lived most of her life in Bristol. She was a graduate of Blountstown High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. She was a substitute teacher for Calhoun, Gulf, and Liberty County schools and also worked for several years for the Liberty County Public Library. She was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bristol and especially enjoyed working in the Genealogy Department of the library.


She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Hatcher; a son, Alan Hatcher; and her father, Haywood Henderson, and her mother, Tressie Naomi Henderson Clark.

She is survived by her husband, Julian Morris, of Grand Ridge; four sons, Mark Hatcher of White City, Larry Hatcher, Jr. and his wife, Deborah, of Wewahitchka, Timothy Hatcher of Kampala, Uganda, and Steven Hatcher of Panama City; a daughter, Melissa Amaya and her husband, Mario, of Bristol; ten grandchildren; brothers, Bill Henderson and his wife, Margaret, of Jacksonville and Lentz Henderson of and his wife, Geri, of Beverly Hills, Florida; and a sister, Rebecca Henderson, of Bristol.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. EDT, Friday, April 20, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Bishop Aaron Holloway officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bristol. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. CDT, Thursday, April 19, at Adams Funeral Home in Blountstown.

Adams Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements (phone 674-5449). Online condolences may be made at adamsfh.com.

Infant baby girl, Mikayla Elizabeth Stevens, of Blountstown, FL, passed away Thursday, April 12, 2012, in Tallahassee, FL.

Survivors include her mother, Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Stevens of Blountstown; maternal grandmother and grandfather, Glenda and Mike Stevens of Blountstown; maternal great-grandmother and great-grandfather, Elizabeth and Billy Roberson of Bristol, FL; aunt and uncle, Michelle and Alan Thrasher, of Blountstown; cousins, Emily Corey, Dixon, Dylan and Memphis; numerous other relatives and friends.

Makayla was preceded in death by a special great uncle, Andy Roberson

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 14, at 4:30 pm (CDT) at Peavy Funeral Home Chapel with Kevin Yoder officiating. Interment will follow in Nettle Ridge Cemetery in Blountstown. The family will receive friends, Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 3:30 pm (CDT) until service time at 4:30 pm (CDT) at Peavy Funeral Home.

All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).

Raylene D. Anderson, 51, of Chipley, Florida, passed away Thursday, April 12, 2012, in Chipley.

Raylene was born in Blountstown, Florida, to the late Ray and Eilleen (Kolvex) Smith. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Lynn Anderson, of Chipley; two sons, Kevin Anderson and his wife, Terra, of Villa Rica, Georgia, and Kenneth Anderson, Jr. of Chipley; three grandchildren; her sister, Kelley Michelle Middleton of Panama City, Florida; and brother-in-law, Lavoy Anderson of Panama City.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 17, in the Chapel at Adams Funeral Home with Reverend Rudy Olivo officiating.

Adams Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Phone 674-5449. Online condolences may be made at adamsfh.com.

Poney B. Adams has filed his letter of intent to run for Calhoun County Sheriff. He is running as a Republican. Adams will go up against the winner of the democratic primary between Roman Wood and Glenn Kimbrel, as well as three candidates running with no party affiliation - James "Jimmy" Baggett, Kenneth Futch and Earl Hunt. The general election is set for Nov. 6.

Do you want to be in a TV commercial? The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement in Blountstown will be filming a TV commercial on Tuesday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Settlement is looking for locals to portray "regular folks having a good time at the Settlement." Please arrive no later than 10:30 a.m. central time. Dress in normal clothing. Bring your kids or grandkids and a sack lunch.

The family of Tranum McLemore is requesting an independent investigation of his death case.

According to Klenton McLemore, the brother of the BMS coach who died at his Bristol home April 4 from multiple gunshot wounds, he feels there are too many inconsistencies in the case. Klenton says he is not convinced his brother's death is a suicide.

McLemore is requesting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi appoint a state attorney outside the Liberty County area to investigate the matter.

In addition, McLemore is asking the public for their assistance. He asks anyone with information on this case to please contact him at 334-701-3645. You may remain anonymous.