Henry D Ennis

Mr. Henry D Ennis Sr., age 90, entered into eternal life on Sunday, March 17, 2024, in DeFuniak Springs Florida.  He was born March 22, 1933, in Elba, Alabama and was the sixth of seven children born to Calvin Arthur and Ada Prudence Ennis.

Mr. Ennis was a resident of DeFuniak Springs.  He was Baptist by faith and a member of the First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs.  He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict from 1950-1954 as a staff sergeant. He met the love of his life Frances Nadean Harrell, whom he married on April 18, 1952, and then he became a telegraph operator for the Missouri Pacific Railroad.  During the Berlin Wall war scare of 1961-1962, he was called back to military service and served as a tank commander for the Alabama National Guard for 6 years.  After his time in the service, he became part owner of Moore Furniture in DeFuniak Springs until he sold his interest in the firm in 1983.  He then worked as an insurance salesman for Liberty National Insurance until he retired.  Following his retirement from Liberty National, he became the chief bailiff and court security officer for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office where he worked as the bailiff for 12 years and retired with the honor of being the oldest serving deputy in the state of Florida.

Mr. Ennis was always active in community affairs.  He was elected to serve as Seat 4 DeFuniak Springs Council member for 17 years, where he was still actively serving until his death.  He was an active board member for the Walton County Council on Aging and was also an active member of the West Florida Regional Planning Council and the Gideons.  A member of the DeFuniak Springs Kiwanis Club for 50 years, he was a past secretary and past president.  He was one of the organizers of the first Sheriff’s Reserve, and he attained the rank of captain where he served the Sheriff’s office for 32 years.  He was past vice-chairman of the DeFuniak Springs Downtown Merchants Association and the Northwest Florida Transportation Planning Organization.  He was a founding member of the Council of 36 (Walton County Economic Development Council), a past director for the Walton County Chamber of Commerce and the Walton County Fair Association, and he was also on the DeFuniak Springs Planning board for over 19 years.

Mr. Ennis was an avid bird hunter, and he loved to hunt and fish with his family and friends.  He was very proud of his family and loved them with all his heart as an incredibly devoted husband, father, grand-father, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, neighbor, and friend. 

Mr. Ennis is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Frances Nadean Harrell Ennis. His son Henry D “Sonny” Ennis, Jr. and wife Delores of DeFuniak Springs, Florida.  His daughter Linda Ennis Williams and husband Lee of Baker, Florida.  Five grandchildren: Kelly White, Heather Marshall and husband Scott, Josh White and wife Heidi, Logan Clark all of DeFuniak Springs; and Jared Ennis and wife Natalya of Charles Town, West Virginia.  Thirteen great-grandchildren: Collins Sconiers, Cainlee Harvell, Harper Harrison, Lynxx Abbott, Gaines Marshall, Steele Marshall, Finn Marshall, Hadley Marshall, Tucker White, Ryleigh White, Alan Ennis, Katherine Ennis, and Ava Ennis. One great-great-grandchild Amarys Sconiers and one special friend Tim Kirby.

He is preceded in death by his parents and six siblings.

A time of visitation will be held from 9:30am to 11:00am with funeral services immediately following at 11:00am on Monday, March 25, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs at 216 East Love Oak Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435. 

Pallbearers will be Josh White, Tucker White, Jared Ennis, Alan Ennis, Scott Marshall, Gaines Marshall, Steele Marshall, and Cainlee Harvell.

Flower arrangements or donations to First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs will be accepted. 

Burial will follow in the Magnolia Cemetery with military and Sherriff’s Department honors.