Obituaries

Robert Houston “Bobby” Sangster, age 60, of Altha, Florida passed away Tuesday, June 26, 2012. Bobby was a lifelong resident of Altha and was an avid outdoorsman. He especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping and he was a fun loving practical joker. Bobby was a truck driver and a member of Chipola Holiness Church. He served in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sherry Kay Sangster; son, Chris Sangster; father, J. D. Sangster; and brother, Jim Sangster.

Survivors include sons, Robert H. Sangster, Jr. of Altha and Jason Lee Sangster of Texas; daughter, Melissa K. Maloy of Hosford, Florida; grandchildren, Robert H., III “Three”, Amanda, Travis, Britney, Carla, Kaylee, Marissa, Tyler, and Cayson; great-grandson, Jayden; his mother, Martha Baggett of Blountstown, Florida; brother, John Derek Sangster of Altha; sisters, Janice Atwell of Blountstown, Sherry Grover of Blountstown, and Deborah Barfield of Altha; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 30, 2012 in the Chapel at Adams Funeral Home with Reverend Larry Broome and Benjamin Barfield officiating. Interment will follow in Sunny Hill Cemetery in Altha with military honors. The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, June 29 at Adams Funeral Home.

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

Johnny Irwin Blackburn of Altha, Florida passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012 at the age of 54. Johnny lived in Calhoun County all of his life and was a member of First Baptist Church of Blountstown. He was a self-employed welder and in his leisure time he loved to grow plants and trees and loved to fish. He also served in the U.S. Air Force.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Albert Schepis.

Survivors include his wife, Amy Blackburn, of Altha; sons, SSgt. Greg Blackburn of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and Albert Blackburn of Altha; daughters, Erin Blackburn and her fiancé, Michael Eric Pierce, Leslie Miller and her husband, David, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and Lauren Blackburn, of Altha; grandchildren, Jenasis Richardson, Laney Richardson, Savana Clay, Audrey Miller, and Edan Pierce; his parents, Lloyd and Karen (Fant) Blackburn, of Clarksville, Florida; his mother-in-law, Jill Schepis, of Ohio; brother, Mike Blackburn and his wife, Sheila, of Blountstown, Florida; sisters, Lisa Davis and her husband, Tony, of Clarksville and Cheli Seddon and her husband, Joe, of Tampa, Florida.

The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 23 at Adams Funeral Home in Blountstown. A memorial service will be held 4:00 p.m., Sunday, June 24, 2012 at Altha Church of God with Reverend Alan Nichols officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that a donation in Johnny’s memory be made to Adams Funeral Home, P. O. Box 336, Blountstown, Florida 32424.

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

Mrs. Josephine McLendon Carr, 80, of Altha, Florida, died Wednesday, June 13, 2012, in Blountstown, Florida. [Full Story »] 

Michael Edwards of Altha, Florida, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2012, in Panama City, Florida, at the age of 61.

He was retired from the U. S. Air Force and was a veteran of the Viet Nam War. He was also retired from the State Department of Transportation Law Enforcement and was a firearms adjunct instructor at Chipola College. He was of the Assembly of God faith. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kay, of Altha; a sister-in-law, Sara Young, and her husband, Bobby, of Blountstown, Florida; his loving pet, Olivia; a sister, Glenda Simmons, and her husband, Joe, of DeFuniak Springs, Florida; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 20, in the Chapel at Adams Funeral Home in Blountstown with Reverend Charlie Fowler officiating. Interment will follow in Old Shiloh Cemetery near Altha with full military honors. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 19, at Adams Funeral Home.

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

Dr. John J. LaRosa, 78, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away Monday, June 4, 2012, in Tallahassee.
[Full Story »] 

Mrs. Liddie L. (Chason) Hall, 95, of Altha, FL, passed away Friday morning, June 8, 2012, at her home in Altha.

Liddie was born on November 25, 1916, in Jackson County and had lived in Altha for most of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of Hasty Pond Baptist Church in Marianna, FL, where she was the oldest member. Liddie was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Marvin Hall, grandson, Alexander Middleton, infant granddaughter, Anita Marie Hall.

Survivors include one son, Willard Hall, and Thersa of Altha; six daughters, Josephine Kelley of Lakeland, FL, Lula Nix of Altha, Hilda Trickey and husband, Kenneth, of Pace, FL, Wilma Middleton and husband, Ernest, of Altha, Blondell Melton of Altha, Joan Baker and husband, Jimmy, of Huntsville, AL; a special niece and caregiver, Mable Weeks, of Orlando, FL; 19 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and 31 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 12, at 3 pm (CDT) at Hasty Pond Baptist Church in Jackson County with Reverend Steven Dudley and Reverend A.L. Clark officiating. Interment will follow in the Hall Family Cemetery in Altha. The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 12, from 2 pm (CDT) until service time at 3 pm (CDT) at Hasty Pond Baptist Church. Serving as pallbearers are Preston Kelley, Jr., Marvin Kelley, Roger Middleton, Tim Alday, Ken Trickey and Ray Hall.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Chin, Gentiva Home Health Care, Emerald Coast Hospice and Calhoun County Senior Citizens for all their love, care and support.

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

Mother Beulah Barnwell Lockwood of Blountstown, Florida went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 in the Calhoun-Liberty Hospital in Blountstown, Florida.

Mother Lockwood was a member of the Bibleway Church of God in Christ in Blountstown, Florida where she served as the Church Mother and sang in the choir.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church located at 16076 SE River Street, Blountstown, Florida 32424 where the Reverend Calvin Griffin, Sr. is the pastor with Minister Warren Mosley, Pastor Dr. C.L. Wilson, Elder Dr. Edward Brigham, Superintendent Richard Ash, and Elder R.L. Dancy officiating. Interment was in the Magnolia Cemetery in Blountstown, Florida. Vann Funeral Home was in charge.

Mother Lockwood leaves to cherish a lifetime of precious memories, a loving and devoted family:
Two Daughters: Sandra L. Boyd and husband Gene of Cambria Heights, New York; and Patricia L. Boone of Tampa, Florida

Two Sons: Jerry N. Lockwood, Sr. and wife Deborah of Jacksonville, Florida; and Elder William C. Lockwood, Sr. and wife Pastor Justine of Cleveland Heights, Ohio

One Sister-in-Law: Johnnie L. Barnwell of Cleveland, Ohio

16 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren

And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends

James Odell (J. O.) Stone, Jr. of Blountstown, Florida passed away Friday, June 1, 2012 at his home at the age of 78. He was born in Chattahoochee, Florida and moved to Blountstown in the late ‘60’s. He was Owner/Operator of J. O. Stone Septic Tank Installation Service until he retired in 2010. He was past worship master of Mason’s Dixie Lodge No.109 and past worthy patron of Order of Eastern Star Chapter No. 179. J.O. and his wife, Clyde loved touring the U. S. on their Gold Wing Motorcycle. He was a member of the Gold Wing Road Runners Association and was state president in 1980. He served in the U. S. Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean conflict.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Odell, Sr. and Daisy Cleo Stone; two sisters, Vela Holloman, and Betty Suggs.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty years, Clyde Marie (Kent) Stone of Blountstown; two sons, Ronnie Stone and his wife, Terrie, of Blountstown and Rickey Stone of Tallahassee, Florida; a daughter, Joann Bridges and her husband, Ronny, of Blountstown; six grandchildren, Sabrina Stone, Shade Stone, Jamie Stone, Michelle Baird, Veronica Barton and Joanna Pitts; twelve great-grandchildren; and a brother, Johnny Byrd Stone and his wife, Paula, of Sneads, Florida.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 4, 2012 in the Chapel at Adams Funeral Home with Reverend Jimmy Sansom and Reverend Dan Yoder officiating. Interment will follow in Nettle Ridge Cemetery in Blountstown.

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

Albert Moroni Shuler, Jr., 75, of Bristol and Eastpoint, FL, passed away May 29, 2012 in the loving arms of his family.
He was born July 27, 1936, to Albert Moroni Shuler,Sr. and Lillie Louise Durham in Calhoun County Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Troy Wayne Shuler.
He is survived by his wife, Patti Summers Shuler, and children Dawn Dumas of Canton, GA, Craig Shuler of Bristol, FL, Kim Maddox of Headland, AL, Bubby Shuler of Bristol, FL, Sandy Shuler of Newberry, SC, Sue Seymour of Perry, GA, Summerann Miller of Cruger, MS, and Ronie Shuler III of Tallahassee, FL; 20 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his two brothers James E. “Pot” Shuler, of Bristol and Gary H. Shuler of Blountstown.
Named after his father, from an early age, his friends called him “Little Ronie.” Like his father, he was an avid hunter and fisherman who had a true love for the outdoors. Above all, he loved his dogs. He spent his lifetime buying, breeding, and training the perfect pack of dogs for whichever animal he sought. His dogs had to look the best, sound the best, and hunt the best. He hunted deer and fox, but he had a special love for bear hunting. Ronie Shuler hunted in style.
In his later years, he developed a passion for unique chickens. He enjoyed all parts of raising his chickens. From finding that special breed to his green egg laying Americaunas.
He had two constant companions, his wife Patti and his special little dog “Puddin.” They both remained by his side until he took his last breath.
Ronie had a spirit of adventure. In his lifetime, he was able to travel the world. A passionate historian, he would learn everything that he could about each destination before he traveled there. Not only did he have a great knowledge of the history of the world, but he was blessed to have been able to see much of it.
He attended Baylor Military Academy in Chattanooga, TN. His time at Baylor, greatly influenced the duration of his life. He left there prepared to earn a degree in Marketing at Florida State University, and go on to help build several businesses. Most notably Shuler Brothers.
He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The family is indebted to family and friends and Covenant Hospice for the love shown during this critical time.
Visitation will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bristol at 5:00 pm EST. Services will follow at the church. Burial will follow at Pine Memorial Cemetery in Blountstown, on Thursday, May 31. Family will greet friends following the service at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your local Covenant Hospice or The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital where he was treated for his pancreatic cancer.