Obituaries

Sarah Catherine Kearce Young, age 65, of Panama City, passed away on June 25, 2013, at Bay Medical Center Sacred Heart.

She was born May 1, 1948, in Blountstown, Florida, to E.Z. and Kitty Kearce. She was a graduate of Florida State University. She had been a resident of Bay County since 1968. She was a member of Emerald Coast Fellowship Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dr. Robert L. Young; and brother, Gary Kearce.

She is survived by her daughter, Shonna Young Gay, and husband, Keith, of Panama City, and their two daughters, Sterling Nichole Gay and Sydney Lynn Gay; step-daughter, Karen Young Garrison, and husband, Bobby, of South Carolina and their daughter, Sy Garrison; step-son, David “Skip” Young, and wife, Jane, of Minnesota and their son, Drew; step-son, Roger Young, and wife, Cindy, of Sarasota, Florida, and their children, Nathan, Adam and Dylan Young; sister, Betty Ann Montford, and husband, Charlie, of Pensacola, Florida, and their children, Bryan, Darren, Sandra and Andrea; and brother, E.Z. Kearce, Jr., and wife, Charla, of Bristol, Florida, and their daughter, Kara.

A celebration of life service will be conducted on Friday, June 28, at 2 p.m. at Emerald Coast Fellowship Church with Dr. Steve Taylor officiating. Pallbearers will be Kevin Gay, Bryan Montford, Darren Montford, Allen Roberts, Will Therrien, and Mike Thomas. Interment will follow in the Nettle Ridge Cemetery in Blountstown. The family will receive friends at Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday, June 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. Flowers are accepted or those desiring may make a contribution to the American Cancer Society, 4001 W 23rd Street, Suite C, Panama City, FL 32405 in memory of Sarah Catherine Young.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home, 214 Airport Road, Panama City, ph. 850-785-5272.
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John Gordon Lewis, Jr. passed away on June 23 in Tampa, FL, at the age of 60.
He was a current resident of Apollo Beach, FL, and a long time resident of Bristol, FL. He graduated from high school in Brandon, FL, and attended Lively Vocational Technical College. He was an electrical superintendent at International Shipyard in Tampa and worked for the Department of Corrections as a vocational instructor for 15 years.
John was the son of the late John Gordon and Lavoris Lewis and grandson of the late Troy Lee and Vinnie McMillan.
He is survived by his sister, Debbie Foster, of Dothan, AL; four children, Shanna Corum of Tarpon Springs, Mike Lewis of Houston TX, Scott Lewis of Independance MO, and Kellie Banks of Tarpon Springs; and eight grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Church of God in Bristol on Thursday, June 27, at 6 pm EST. [Full Story »] 

Mr. Dennis Carpenter, 47, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2013, in Tallahassee, FL.
Dennis was born on August 18, 1965, in Tallahassee and had lived in Tallahassee for the past 30 years. He was owner and operator of several businesses including DND Fireworks and two Tropical Smoothie Cafes.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Darryl F. Carpenter; a baby sister; and grandparents, Tommy and Louise Carpenter and R.H. and Jessie Bateman.
Dennis served as President of The Florida Sheriff's Boys Ranch Alumni Association for 12 years. He was very active serving the needs of the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches for over 25 years. Dennis also served as a member of the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspections Board from November 1, 2009, until his death. His service to this board was as a consumer and came through an appointment from the Secretary of State. Dennis was a caring and giving person. Those who knew him will cherish their memories for a lifetime.
Survivors include his mother, Gwynn Carpenter, of Tallahassee; father and stepmother, Jerry Carpenter and Laura of Blountstown; four brothers, Gerald Carpenter of Tallahassee, Michael Carpenter of Blountstown, twin brother, Danny Carpenter, of Tallahassee, Jerry Carpenter, Jr. and fiancée, Jennifer Payne, of Blountstown; nieces and nephews, Daniel, Nicole, Ashley, Danny Jr., Dwayne and Hunter.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 24, at 10:00 am (CDT)/11:00 am (EDT) at Evangel Assembly of God Church in Tallahassee with Reverend Teryl Todd officiating. Interment will follow in Lake Mystic Cemetery in Bristol, FL at 2:00 pm (CDT)/3:00 pm (EDT). The family received friends Sunday, June 23, at Peavy Funeral Home and will again on Monday, June 24, from 9:00 am (CDT)/10:00 am (EDT) until 9:45 (CDT)/10:45 (EDT) at Evangel Assembly of God.
Dennis requested, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Dennis J. Carpenter Memorial Endowment Fund, C/O Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches P.O. Box 2000, Live Oak, Florida 32064.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266). [Full Story »] 

Mr. Frank D. Gates, 76, of Blountstown, FL, passed away early Tuesday morning, June 18, 2013, at his home.
Mr. Gates was born in Boomer, West Virginia, on February 2, 1937, and had been a resident of Calhoun County for the past 47 years. Frank was a retired truck driver and had also worked for the Calhoun County Road Department in Blountstown for 15 years. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Frank was a member of the Abe Springs Baptist Church, in the Abe Springs Community.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Barbara Gates, of Blountstown; one son, David Gates, of Blountstown; two daughters, Frances Black and Jerome, of Bristol; Sharon Gates of Tallahassee; one brother, Ray Gates, of Fountain; one sister-in-law, Phyllis Gates, of South Charleston, West Virginia; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 21, at 2:00 PM (CDT), from the Peavy Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Allen Pitts and Chaplain Ronnie Wright officiating. Interment will follow in the Abe Springs Cemetery in the Abe Springs Community. The family received friends on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at Peavy Funeral Home from 6:00 until 8:00 PM (CDT).
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home (674-2266).
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Mrs. Maggie Carter, 84, of Altha, FL, passed away early Tuesday morning, June 18, 2013 at her home.
Maggie was born on September 1, 1928, in Calhoun County and had lived here all of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of the Pentecostal Holiness Faith.
Maggie was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Carter, and her son, Sammy Carter.
Survivors include one daughter, Sharon Conyers, and her husband, Marty,of Altha; one sister, Ann McDaniel and her husband, Elton, of Blountstown; three grandchildren, Sherina Conyers, Tinnea VanHiden and Brandon Conyers; eight great-grandchildren, Kristopher, Kristian, Jesse, Cyerra, Destine, Crayton, Cody and Landon.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 22, at 11:00 am (CDT) at Peavy Funeral Home Chapel with Dan Yoder officiating. Interment will follow in the Carter Family Cemetery in Altha.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).

Mr. Terry S. Mercer, age 50, of Hosford, FL passed away early Sunday morning, June 16, 2013 in Blountstown, FL. Terry was born on January 21, 1963 in Quincy, FL and had lived in Liberty County for most of his life. He was an electrician by trade. Terry was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Thomas Mercer and a grandson, Ethan John-Colt O’Bryan. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Survivors include,

Wife, Linda Mercer of Hosford, FL

Mother, Betty Jean Mercer of Hosford, FL

Two sons, Sterling Mercer and his wife, Savannah of Blountstown, FL
Thomas Mercer and his wife, Lindsey of Gainesville, FL

One daughter, Della Mercer and Johathan Dunlap of Hosford

One brother, James Douglas Mercer of England

Two sisters, Nancy Jean Mercer of Hosford, FL
Linda Doreen Mercer of Kentucky

Three grandchildren

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 11:00 am (CDT) at Peavy Funeral Home Chapel with Stevie O’Neal officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Creek Cemetery in Liberty County. The family will received friends Wednesday, June 19, 2013 from 6:00 pm (CDT) until 8:00 pm (CDT) at Peavy Funeral Home. All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown, FL.

Eva Delores Sewell Weston, 85, of White City, FL, was called Home by her Heavenly Father on Friday, May 31, 2013.
Eva was born on June 15, 1927, in Altha, FL, to John Henry and Mary Baggett Sewell. She was a long-time and faithful member of the First Baptist Church of White City. Eva was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and a pillar of strength in her church and the White City community. First and foremost, a wife, mother and homemaker, she was also a retired Gulf County school bus driver.
Eva was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Randy Weston; and siblings, Blondell, Paul, J.C., Green, Harmon, Jewell, Mizie, Euni, Gracie, Ruby, and Clevie.
Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Claude R. “Gundy” Weston; three sons, Mike Weston and Cynthia Ellen of Panama City, Greg Weston and Becky of Wewahitchka, Kenny Weston and Barbara of Bristol; a daughter-in-law, Karla Weston, of Port St. Joe; two brothers, William Earl “Buddy” Sewell and Angie of Blountstown, Fate Sewell and Alice of Altha; a sister, Johnnie Maddox of Altha; three sisters-in-law, Marlene Sewell of White City, Robbi Sewell of Greensboro, Barbara Tyre of Altha; and one brother-in-law, Gene Ryals, of Altha. She leaves behind nine beloved grandchildren, Randall, Robert, Mark, Ryan, Alicia, Wendy, Shelly, K.W., and Nicole. Eva was blessed with 17 great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, as well as many wonderful life-long friends.
Visitation was held on Sunday, June 2, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM EDT at the First Baptist Church of White City. Funeral services were on Monday, June 3, at 11:00 AM EDT, also in the First Baptist Church of White City, and were conducted by her pastor, Reverend Nick Davis. Interment followed at the Holly Hill Cemetery, Port St Joe, FL.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of White City or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements were under the direction of Southerland Family Funeral Homes, Panama City, 32405, ph. (850) 785-8532.

Elizabeth G. “Lizzie” Barber, age 57, of Bristol, Florida passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2013 in Blountstown, Florida. Lizzie lived in Bristol all of her life and was a 1973 graduate of Liberty County High School. She worked in Administration for the U. S. Forestry Service for many years and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bristol. Lizzie was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Monroe and Dorothy (Smith) Barber and a brother, Joe Barber.
Survivors include two brothers, Charles Barber of Bristol and Gerald Barber and his wife Debra also of Bristol; three sisters, Ann Brinkley and her husband Joe of Bristol, Linda Barber also of Bristol, and Wanda Harpley and her husband Cary of Tallahassee, Florida; several nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Adams Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Phone 674-5449. Online condolences may be made at adamsfh.com.

Ronnie Pitts, age 69, of Altha, Florida passed away Thursday, May 30, 2013. Ronnie was born in Clarksville, Florida, was a graduate of Frink High School, and worked as a millwright superintendent for BE&K.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; father O. E. Pitts; and a sister, Pam Kepke.
Survivors include daughters, Lisa Hobby and her husband Collis, Jr. of Clarksville and Renee Odom and her husband Steve of Bristol, Florida; grandchildren, Brandon Pitts, Kayla Hobby, Misty Ramsey, and Rhyanna Creamer; great-grandchildren, Swayde and Carter Ramsey and Jeremiah Mayo, as well as several others who called him Papa; his mother, Lucille Pitts of Clarksville; two sisters, Peggy Karshner and Wanda Carter of Louisiana; his companion of seven years, Betty Davis and her daughters, Jessie Bentley, Rebecca Phillips and her husband Chris, Casey Bird, Tiffany Nobles and husband Ben; and many grandchildren that loved him very much.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, June 3, in the Chapel at Adams Funeral Home. Visitation was held on Sunday.
Adams Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Phone 674-5449. Online condolences may be made at adamsfh.com.