Obituaries

Sep 30, 2023

Jerrie Leonia Neely passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Born in Geneva County Alabama on January 27, 1942, to parents Edgar B. Whitehead, and Eva Mae Marlow, Jerrie grew up in the South with sisters Naomi, Wyonia, and Wanda. She graduated from Central High School in Phenix City and went on to college at Troy State. She married...

Sep 28, 2023

Robert “Rob” Earl Hight, Jr, age 58, of Webb City, Missouri, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 28, 2023, in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.

He was born in Joplin, Missouri on April 16, 1965, to parents Robert Earl Hight, Sr, and Freda Dodson (Eli).

Having moved to Florida for work, Rob truly embraced...

Sep 24, 2023

Guy Spence, 84, of Wake Forest, passed away on Sunday evening, September 24th, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida to the late Chess Spence and Bessie Beauchamp Spence.

Guy grew up on a farm in a rural part of northwest Florida.  Upon graduation from high school, he joined...

Sep 24, 2023

Elizabeth Patrick Leopold (Betty Ann) died on Sunday, September 24, 2023.  Born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 6, 1937, to Nicholas Patrick and Elizabeth Dugas, Betty spent her early years enjoying life on a small farm in Solon, Ohio.  Retiring from the Rochester Community Schools in Rochester Michigan and working for the Detroit Public Schools in Michigan, Betty was...

Sep 20, 2023

John P. McLaughlin, “Jack”,  passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.  Born in Kearny, New Jersey on September 25, 1960, to parents John McLaughlin and Patricia Huhn, Jack graduated from Kearny High School in 1978 and went on to New Jersey Vocational School to become a machinist.   He worked as a machinist for Sheffield Tool, and as a computer...

Sep 18, 2023

Mary Inez Gainey passed away at her home on Monday, September 18, 2023.   Inez was a lifelong resident of DeFuniak Springs, born on September 29, 1933, to parents Noah and Rosie Rushing.  She attended Valley View school in the late 1930s and then began work in a sewing factory in Florala.  She continued being involved in the area through...

Sep 15, 2023

Maxwell L. McKee, Sr passed away peacefully at his home in DeFuniak Springs on Friday, September 15, 2023.  He was 95 years old.  Maxwell was born in Mississippi on February 21, 1928, to parents James Mallard McKee and Edith Glidewell.  He graduated with a degree in drafting and began a career in civil engineering.  Maxwell spent time stationed at...

Sep 12, 2023

Jacqueline Caswell Rutherford, age 92, passed away September 12, 2023, surrounded by family who loved her dearly. Jackie was born to Bowers and Nell Caswell in Crenshaw County, Alabama on September 29, 1930. The family moved to DeFuniak Springs, her father’s hometown, when she was a young child. Although Jackie had no siblings, she had many first cousins who...

Sep 4, 2023

Jack Earl Huggins passed away peacefully on Monday, September 4, 2023.  Jack was born in Laurel Hill on September 22, 1936, to William Oscar and Madelia Davidson Huggins.  He was a lifelong resident of the area – living in Baker, Pensacola, and DeFuniak Springs.  Jack was part of the 1954 graduating class of Baker High School.

Jack...

Aug 30, 2023

Sam Josh McBroom, “Sammy”, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2023.  After a gift of remission, cancer returned a short while ago and, as Sammy referred to it, “that damn cancer” ultimately took his life.  Sammy was born in DeFuniak Springs on August 5, 1941, to parents Hildra and Artie Mitchem McBroom.  He attended Walton High School then enlisted...

Aug 8, 2023

John Paul Irvine, Sr (Johnny) passed away peacefully on August 8, 2023.  Johnny was born in Cartersville, Georgia on April 17, 1941, to parents Kenneth B. and Martha F. Keith Irvine.  He lived in Hapeville, Georgia into his high school years before moving to DeFuniak Springs in 1957 and graduating from Walton High School.

Johnny married Vicki...

Aug 6, 2023

Cheryl A. Williams, “Sherry”, age 63, has gone to be with our Lord Jesus Christ as our Holy Father called her home Sunday, August 6, 2023. She was born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on November 30, 1959, to parents, Gene E. Williams and Carolyn N. Williams. The family left Camp Lejeune, North Carolina when Sherry was 3 years...

Aug 6, 2023

Ruth Ann Martin passed away Sunday, August 6, 2023 in Miramar Beach, Florida.  Ruth was born in Genoa, Nebraska on December 10, 1947, to parents Roy R. Raymer and Lila Nansel Raymer.  She married Henry Martin in 1965 and they were blessed with almost 58 years as husband and wife.  Henry’s service in the Air Force allowed them to...

Aug 5, 2023

Father to three wonderful sons, live music maven, accomplished guitarist, nick-namer extraordinaire, and lover of the moment, Charles (“Chip”) James King IV went to the other side on August 5 th , 2023, far too soon.

Chip was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 9, 1968, where he spent his first 2 years before moving to DeFuniak...

Jul 31, 2023

Timothy Jonathan Brooks (TJ), 53, of Santa Rosa Beach, passed away on July 31, 2023. TJ was born on June 13th, 1970, to Richard and Gail Campbell Brooks.

TJ served in the United States Coast Guard and then went on to receive his Bachelors of Criminology from The Florida State University. He proudly worked for the Florida...

Jul 26, 2023

Mary Catherine Davis passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2023.  Born in Biloxi, Mississippi on December 8, 1964, to parents Victor and Shirley Silvestri, Mary spent her days living in DeFuniak Springs, Valparaiso, and Andalusia.

She married William Terry Davis in 1984.   Her children and grandchildren were most definitely her prized possessions.  She treasured the time she...

Jul 23, 2023

(a special tribute from her family)

Rose "YaYa" Yeakos

Sunday, July 23, 2023 Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ embraced YaYa releasing her from her earthly bonds and welcomed her home to her Glory.

A Daughter, Sister, Cousin, Niece, Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother and Best Friend all in one bigger than...

Jul 21, 2023

Marie Patricia Gibson passed from this earthly life on Friday, July 21, 2023.  She was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 6, 1941, to parents Michael and Catherine Desmond.  She spent her childhood in the New York area before moving to Florida.  During her high school years, she was part of the Latin and Italian American club.  After...

Jun 12, 2023

Tana Renee Frazier passed away at Shoal Creek Rehabilitation Center on June 12, 2023.  She was born in Valparaiso, Florida, on June 5, 1956, to Richard Talmadge Frazier and Viona White Frazier. After graduating high school in Niceville, Florida, Tana joined the Army where she spent the remainder of her working years serving.   Throughout her career, she got to...

Jun 2, 2023

Arthur A McDougal passed away peacefully at his home on June 2, 2023.  Though he was a longtime resident of Santa Rosa Beach, his life began in Boaz, Alabama on July 28, 1929, where he was born to parents John McDougal and Ella Ladicey McDougal.  After graduating from Sardis High School, Art obtained a BS from Athens State College...