Donald Hugh Piper was born Sept. 14, 1930, and rode the Happy Trail on Aug. 28, 2016. He had been married to his high school sweetheart, Patricia Garner Piper, for more than 66 years.

After graduation from Lee High School in Jacksonville, he began work with Southern Bell in 1949. His first job in Fernandina Beach was to roll a wheelbarrow that was stocked with telephones that had dials down Centre Street and change out the telephones that didn’t have dials. He went on to become a lineman and installer before transferring to Jacksonville to work in PBX repair. He rose to PBX repair foreman, then ended his career in 1985 as PBX repair instructor.

Although he struggled to pass English in order to graduate high school, his last task with BellSouth was to write technical manuals on PBX installation and repair. Shortly after retiring from BellSouth, he founded Coastal Telephone Systems and continued to install and service telecom equipment. He finally retired in 1990, ending a 41-year career in the telecom industry. Coastal Telephone Systems/Coastal-tel.com continued to service the Nassau County community for 20 more years.

As a young man, Don enjoyed racing boats in the Amelia River, seining for fish in the ocean with his Southern Bell and Florida Public Utilities friends, hunting, camping and fishing the creeks off-island for panfish. He loved to ride his registered Cracker horse in Fort White, where his property abutted River Rise State Park, and won prizes for the endurance rides and being the oldest rider. He was also a volunteer at the area state parks.

He was a member of the Fernandina Beach Optimist Club, a Mason for more than 50 years with Amelia Lodge 47, Fernandina Beach Baptist Church, Yulee Baptist Church and First Baptist Church High Springs.

Predeceasing him were his parents, Lawrence Milton and Rozelle Douglas Piper.

He is survived by his daughters, Kathy Piper of Fernandina Beach and Cynthia Piper Evers of Fort White; a son, Lawrence (Carol) Piper of Jacksonville; a sister, Carol Baldwin of Auburndale; five grandkids; eight great-grandkids; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and many, many friends.

A memorial service is scheduled at Evans Carter Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Haven Hospice, Chiefland Branch, or Ayers Health & Rehabilitation Center, Trenton, Fla.

Arrangements are under the care of Evans Carter Funeral Home, 18724 N. Main St., High Springs, FL 32643, (386) 454-2444.

Evans Carter Funeral Home

Jeremiah Wesley Wortham, 39, of Yulee, passed away at his home on Saturday morning, Aug. 27, 2016.

Born in Fernandina Beach, he was the son of Jack Louis Wortham and Kathy Gaye Mabe. He grew up in Fernandina and attended Fernandina Beach High School, where he was a member of the Class of 1995. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served until being honorably discharged. Upon being discharged, he returned to Nassau County and began a long career as a land surveyor. Mr. Wortham initially worked with Manzie and Drake before joining Coastal Land Surveyors. He worked for a time in Live Oak, Atlanta and Kentucky before returning to Fernandina Beach. Most recently, he worked with On Point Land Surveying in Jacksonville.

Affectionately referred to as “Miah,” he was a nature lover and enjoyed time with his kids and trips to the Jacksonville Zoo and Fort Clinch.

He leaves behind his wife, Megan Laurel Shurley Wortham of Yulee; his father, Jack L. Wortham and his wife, Cheryl, of Fernandina Beach; his mother, Kathy Mabe Wortham of Fernandina Beach; children, Kye Gean Wortham, Maja Alys Wortham, Nathan Wright, Elly Wortham, Aden Wortham and Conner Wright; two brothers, Louis Wortham of Fernandina Beach, and C.J. Wortham of Yulee; two sisters, Michelle Carter of Hilliard and Alice Kauffman of Yulee; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard.

His family will receive friends on Saturday, at the funeral home, from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.

Please share his Life Legacy and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. John Kevin Isbell, 65, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Sunday, Aug., 28, 2016. Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Ms. Sylvia Jean Brown Luke, 72, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Saturday morning, Sept. 3, 2016, at Community Hospice’s Warner Center for Caring at Baptist Medical Center-Nassau. 

Born in Blackshear, Ga., on Sept. 17, 1943, she had lived in Fernandina Beach since 1974. Ms. Luke was a 1961 graduate of Blackshear High School and retired from Southern Bell, where she worked in accounting. She enjoyed golfing as well as working in her yard and tending to her flowers. Ms. Luke loved to bird watch and thoroughly enjoyed watching cooking shows and the Travel Channel. She was a loving mother and grandmother.

She was a daughter of the late Obed Kermit and Emma Minola Strickland Brown. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Sue Ann Kassner; and a brother, Daylon Brown.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Rick Spencer of Fernandina Beach; two sons, Jeff Cason of Yulee and Jason Luke of Fernandina Beach; two sisters, Glenda (Hubert) Woodruff of Jacksonville and Betty Pierce of St. Augustine; two brothers, Darwin (Ann) Brown and Dewayne Brown, all of Jacksonville; three grandchildren, Trey Spencer, Jillian (Matt) Wheeler and Zach Spencer; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services for Ms. Luke will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel.

Interment will be in the Blackshear Cemetery.

Visitation for Ms. Luke will be held at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Community Hospice, 1348 S. 18^th St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Inc. of Blackshear is in charge of the arrangements.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Inc.

Margaret C. Miller, 71, passed away Friday, Sept. 2, 2016.

She is survived by her children, Sandra Cook-Moore, Brinda Cook-Linck and Arthur (Bubba) Wayne Cook Jr.; plus many grandchildren.

Arrangements by Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home.

Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home

Mr. Joe Mack Sharpe, 80, of Uvalda, Ga., died Sept. 1, 2016, at the Community Hospice House in Vidalia, Ga., after a brief illness. He was a native of Uvalda and lived most of his life in Yulee before returning in 2010. While living in Yulee, he worked at Terminal Bag and retired after 38 years of service. He served our country in the United States Army and was Baptist by faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Make and Elizabeth Sharpe; and three brothers, Odel Sharpe, Buddy Sharpe and George Sharpe. 

Mr. Sharpe is survived by his wife of 50 years, Frances Sharpe of Uvalda; one son, Raymond Sharpe and wife Kelly of Yulee; four daughters, Joyce Sommers and husband Chris of Sylvania, Ga., Betty Butler and husband Tim of Yulee, Faye Brown and husband Mack of Hazlehurst, Ga., and Lynn Terrell and husband David of Yulee; one sister, Mary Miller of Vidalia; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

The family will have a private memorial service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Community Hospice House Foundation, P.O. Box 2277, Vidalia, GA, 30475.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home

Mrs. Margaret “Peggy” S. Smith, 95, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 4, 2016, at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.

Born in New Orleans, she was the daughter of the late Jon Alfonse Stewart and Margaret Baldwin Stewart. At the age of 7, she and her family moved to Richmond, Va., to be near family. After high school she attended Emory and Henry College in Emory, Va., where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts.

In 1942 she married Charles Dennis “Denny” Smith, a fellow Emory and Henry alumnus.

Mrs. Smith worked for a short time while her husband was serving during the war. After his return home, she continued her role as a mother and homemaker. 

In 1987, she and her husband moved to Fernandina Beach from New Orleans.

After settling on Amelia Island, they became members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Smith was a Master Gardener and member of the Rose Garden Club. She loved to cook, was a voracious reader and a wonderful bridge player, and helped spearhead the revitalization of the Newcomers Club of Fernandina Beach.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Dr. Charles D. “Denny” Smith, who passed away on March 24, 2007; and a brother, Hunter Baldwin Stewart.

Mrs. Smith leaves behind a daughter, Margaret Tassey of Fernandina Beach; two sons, Charles D. Smith Jr. of Lexington, Ky., and Michael D. Smith of Rockville, Md.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at a later date at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Fernandina Beach.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Indian Educational Fund (AIEF), P.O. Box 27491, Albuquerque, NM 87125.

Please share her Life Legacy and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Jerry “Big Show” Timmons Jr., a resident of the Lessie community, passed away peacefully at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville on Sept. 2, 2016, at the age of 46.

He was born March 28, 1970, in Folkston, Ga., and received his early education in the local schools of Nassau County, graduating in 1989 from Hilliard High School. His last previous employment included Rick Keffer Dodge Chrysler Jeep and the Nassau County School Board.

Jerry Jr.’s hobbies included playing and watching football and basketball, detailing cars, talking and texting on the telephone. He was a lovable son, brother, father, uncle and friend, and he will be missed tremendously by many.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lester and Maybell Mason, and George Timmons Sr.; aunt, Elease Small; and uncles, Henry Clyde Mason and John Timmons Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted family, son, Xavier Timmons; daughters, Nia Miah Timmons and Amari Kirtsey; mother, Celestine Mason; father, Jerry (Anita) Timmons Sr.; brothers, Kavin (Teresa) White Sr., Breck (Penny) Irving and Dwight (Monique) Wilcox; sisters, Anita Nanette (Avis) Williamson, Angel Timmons and Patrice (Adriane) Stokes; grandmother, Cora Timmons; uncles, Lester (Joyce) Mason, Ricky Mason, George (Mercedes) Timmons Jr. and Issac Small Sr.; aunts, Lee Catherine (Walter) Ingram, Ester Tyler and Anna Bell Timmons; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and sorrowful friends, including special friends, Granzie Whigham, Chad Alderman, Kenneth Tyler and Ryan Cramer.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Mount Horeb Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, and 9:30 a.m. to the hour of service at Mount Horeb Baptist Church, 58552 Cooper Neck Road, Hilliard (Lessie). Interment will immediately follow the service in the Brickyard Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Huff Funeral Home, 1337 N. Davis St., Jacksonville, FL 32209, Laprinzo M. Banks, LFDIC, and Roderick Feacher, LFD.

Huff Funeral Home

Linda S. Weiss, 68, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center-Nassau.

Mrs. Weiss was born in McComb, Miss., on Jan. 10, 1948, to the late Richard William and Mary Louise (Murrell) Smith. She grew up and attended school in McComb and graduated high school in 1966. After attending college she went to work as an insurance underwriter for the health-care industry, where she worked her whole lifetime, rising to the top of her profession.

In 2002, she met her husband, Stefan Weiss, in Savannah, Ga. They were married a year later and split their time between Savannah and Fernandina Beach, finally retiring here in 2003.

Mrs. Weiss attended St. Michael Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jeanette, in October 2011, and her parents.

She leaves behind her husband, Stefan Weiss; sons Thomas (Melony) Stockton and Carl (Elizabeth) Weiss; a daughter, Tanya Weiss; sisters, Diana Holmes, Betty Brumfield, and Peggy (Loyd) Allen; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services were held Saturday, Sept. 3, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard with Deacon Art Treadwell officiating.

Flowers are accepted and appreciated, or donations can be made in Linda’s memory to the International Multiple Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607-3421.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Elizabeth Ann Brewsaugh, 76, passed away Aug. 31, 2016. Honoring her request, there will be no public services.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Phillip E. "Winkie the Crabman" Fain, 63, of Nassauville, passed away Sept. 7, 2016.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Barbara Alice Schoell, 78, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Rankin Morris Jr., 79, of Fountain, Fla., passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, at Bay Medical/Sacred Heart Covenant Hospice in Panama City. He was born Aug. 17, 1937, in Slocomb, Ala., the son of the late Rankin Morris and Myrtle Merritt Morris.

His father’s work resulted in his family moving different places during his early years but, eventually, his parents settled in Bay County. He attended Bay High School and starred on the basketball team. He graduated in the Class of 1953. He attended the University of Florida and throughout his life was an avid Florida Gator fan and supporter of the basketball and football programs. He joined the U.S. Army Reserve, where he served for six years.

In 1975, he joined the Florida Marine Patrol. Mr. Morris was assigned to duty at Fernandina Beach, patrolling the waterways of Duval and Nassau counties. In 1983, he married the former Adeline Willis of Fernandina Beach. They made their home in Fernandina Beach. He was promoted to captain in the Florida Marine Patrol and was offered a position in Panama City. They relocated to Bay County, where he served the area until retiring in 2006 after 30 years of service.

He and his wife bought a small farm in Fountain, where they raised horses and miniature show ponies. They traveled to shows in the Southeast and received many awards. In his retirement, he worked with the Florida Park Service and taught firearm safety classes at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, was an avid bottle and arrowhead collector, and shared this passion with his family and his best friend, Joe Everett. He was a nature lover and spent many hours each day walking his dogs in the woods on the farm. He was a member of Amelia Lodge No. 47 F&AM in Fernandina Beach.

He leaves behind his wife of 33 years, Adeline Morris; his daughter and son-in-law, Shawn and Barry Patterson of Evans, Ga.; his son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Debbie Ritter of Canton, Ga.; his granddaughters, Macy Mae Patterson, Rebecca Patterson and McKenna Patterson; and his grandson, Jack Ritter. He also leaves a loving family and many, many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard with Deacon Art Treadwell officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the hour of the service. Floral tributes are accepted. Capt. Morris will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery. 

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mark LeRoy Perdue, 61, of Fernandina Beach, passed away peacefully on Monday Sept. 5, 2016.

Mark was born in Franklin, Ky.; he was the son and youngest child of Oscar and Frances Deweese Perdue. He grew up in Franklin, where he loved life on the farm. He attended Franklin-Simpson High School, where he played the cornet as a member of the Wildcat Marching Band. After graduating in 1973, he attended Western Kentucky University before joining the U.S. Army in 1975, where he served honorably for 20 years, including deployment during Operation Desert Storm. After his retirement in 1995, he and his family moved to Dallas, Ga., where he earned his college degree from DeVry University while working with the Atlanta Committee of Olympic Games for the 1996 Olympics, and then moved on to a few other jobs in the IT industry before starting his own computer repair company.

Mark, sometimes called “Frank” by his army buddies, was a loving father who enjoyed spending time with his three children and volunteering with the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his father, Oscar Perdue, and leaves behind his daughter, Shannon Marsh, and her, husband, Peter, of Fernandina Beach; his two sons, Christopher and Matthew Perdue of Dallas; granddaughter, Amelia Rose; his mother, Frances Perdue of Franklin; his sister and best friend, Charlotte Farmer and her husband, Ronnie, of Paducah, Ky.; their two sons, Drew and Ross Farmer and their families of Huntsville, Ala.; and several cousins, aunts and uncles.

His family received friends Thursday, Sept. 8, at Oxley-Heard.

Memorial services to celebrate his life will be held at a later date in Dallas.

Please share his Life Legacy and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Ronella Richo passed away Sept. 1, 2016. She was born on Nov. 29, 1944, to the late Eddie Lee Richo Sr. and the late Catherine Simpson. She was the oldest of seven children.

Ronella was a lifelong resident of Fernandina Beach and graduated in 1963 from the historic William Henderson Peck High School. Her pride and joy were her son, Earl Jones, who preceded her in death; daughter, Marie Jenkins; and their children. Her family and friends remember her as a loving caregiver. She was a part of the “village” that raised many of the children who were blessed to grow up knowing her.  

Ronella accepted Christ at an early age, and was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church.  She was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and enjoyed a friendly game of cards from time to time.

She was also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Cheketria Ellis.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Marie Jenkins; grandson, DeAngelo Ellis Sr.; daughter-in-law, Lillie Jones; granddaughters, Nikia Lester and Jessica Way; eight loving great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at First Missionary Baptist Church. Holmes-Glover-Solomon Funeral Directors Inc., 4334 Brentwood Ave., Jacksonville, is in charge of arrangements.

Holmes-Glover-Solomon Funeral Directors Inc.

The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of his own mind. - By Kahlil Gibran

Rychard S. Cook II, called home by our Lord on July 19, 2016, was the youngest of three siblings. His life was shared by older sisters who preceded him in death: Dr. Nettie Cook- Dove (Joshua Jr.) and Laura Lee Cook. The three were reared by his mother's oldest sister, the late Ms. Annie M. Cook, an elementary school teacher and strict disciplinarian to whom good manners were imperative.

A native Fernandinian, Rychard grew up in the Sunday School of First Missionary Baptist church and received his early secular education at Peck High School, where as a student he entered and won a song writing contest that gave Peck High its Alma Mater. In 1951, along with his classmate Mrs. Vernita Johnson Holmes, he graduated as Co-Valedictorian. He received a four year scholarship from the state of Florida and attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. In 1955, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, and in 1963, he earned a Master of Arts degree in School Librarianship at the University of Denver in Colorado.

Mr. Cook’s stellar career in the educational field was inspired by three outstanding individuals, all now deceased: Mrs. Mamie T. Jordan (music), Mrs. Edythe J. Thurston (communication skills), and Mrs. Dorothy Sanford Love (librarian extraordinaire). For his life’s work, Rychard chose librarianship as a profession and music as his avocation.

Mr. Cook began his teaching career in Nassau County at Peck High School as a substitute teacher. After two weeks, he became a full time teacher at Milner-Rosen Wald Academy in Mt. Dora, Florida. As a Miami-Dade County public school employee, Mr. Cook has taught at West Homestead Elementary-Junior High School, Dunbar Elementary, Miami Northwestern Senior High, Coral Park Senior High, Miami Jackson High, Horace Mann Middle, Holmes and Westview elementary schools. Mr. Cook retired from Westview Elementary as a Media Specialist on June 18, 1999, after spending 42 years of dedicated service in Florida's public schools. An avid reader, Mr. Cook spent hours reading mystery novels and researching African-American history and culture. He was a devoted Toni Morrison fan. He encouraged many African Americans to learn more about their roots, during his serious study of Black History. In 1967, he founded the Afro-Americans, a readers’ theatre group that included his childhood friend Dessie Horne Williams, and which promoted the study of Black History and Culture through its prose, poetry, and song.

Mr. Cook was a life member of the Zora Neale Hurston Society, and was affiliated with the Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida, The Theodore R. Gibson Oratorical and Declamation Contest, The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community Inc., William J. Faulkner's Friends of Folklore, The American Library Association, and Dade County Media Specialist Association. Those organizations provided Mr. Cook with many excellent opportunities for the rendering of community service, an activity to which he brought serious and steadfast commitment.

Mr. Cook's extensive travels took him to such places as West Africa, England, Germany, Scotland, Wales, the Netherlands, Iceland, Canada, The Caribbean, France, and Italy. From his travels, he gained a variety of diverse cultural experiences, which he generously shared with family, friends, students, churches, colleges, and universities.

In addition to being an enthusiastic collector of Black Art, first edition books, and collector plates, Mr. Cook was the recipient of a variety of awards including: 1995 Teacher of the Year Award, from Holmes Elementary School; Eighth Annual Sistrunk Historical Festival Award, Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 1995; Florida International University Service Awards for 5, 10, 15, and 25 years of service; and Eighth Annual Theodore R. Gibson Project Award, 1986

Mr. Cook completed 26 years of service as a librarian at Florida National University. His life ambition was to complete his writings on the life and works of Zora Neal Hurston.

Until his demise, Mr. Cook received loving and around- the- clock care in the Orlando home of his son Dave Thompson and wife Elizabeth .Their sons Kristian and David loved their Grandfather dearly and spent many happy hours listening to his wonderful stories and receiving the benefit of his wise counsel.

Mr. Cook leaves to mourn his passing: His Son Dave (Elizabeth) Thompson of Orlando Florida. Grandchildren: Kristian Thompson of Miami Florida and David Thompson of Orlando Florida. Special friend who shared the same passion of wanting to help youth reach their fullest potential: Dessie Horne Williams of Miami Florida. Nephews: Joshua Kenneth Dove III.  & Richard Holland. Nieces: Beverly Dove (Leo) Ross, of Richmond, VA and .Ingrid Bernadette Dove of Atlanta Georgia. Grand Niece: Joy Nicole Ross. Grand Nephew: Raymond Williams and Joshua Kenneth (Angelique) Dove VI. Cousin: Yvonne Fisher. Goddaughters: Rosemarie Crocker, Almeta Birch & L. Ann Cumbie-Patterson (Lester). Godsons: Robert Battle of New York, Evan MacArthur of Japan and Petty officer Aston Cumbie Farquharson of Honolulu, Hawaii. Extended Family members: Joe &Eula Johnson, Earl Robinson, Ron Henry, Roy Moultry, Veronica Wellington, Charles (Bridgette) MacArthur, Bernice Horne Edgecombe-Tel-Saint (Amelius). And many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

He will be sorely missed.  

Memorial services will be held at, The First Missionary Baptist Church on Friday August 5 2016 at 6:00pm.22 South 9th Street, Fernandina Beach FL 32034.

In lieu of flowers donation can be made to Nassau County Community Development Corporation, Inc. for the Rychard-Lottie-Annie Cook Scholarship. Address: P.O. Box 16382, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.

John A. Butler, 81, passed away Friday, Sept. 9, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Martha L. Gilliland passed away on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. James Montague, 60, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Benjamin Paul Simonds, 95, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Thomas “Tom” Luther Cole, 78, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center – Nassau.

Born in McCleary, Wash., he was one of four children born to the late Elmer Luther and Vesta Ann Graves Cole. Tom grew up in Washington and was a graduate of Elma High School, home of the Fighting Eagles.

After high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served until being honorably discharged in 1961. Upon being discharged, Mr. Cole returned home and worked with the Port Blakely Companies.

On July 5, 1968, he married Zuba Ann Hodges. In 1966 he joined ITT Rayonier in Hoquiam, Wash., which spurred the moved to Montesano, Wash., where he and his family remained until he accepted a transfer to Fernandina Beach in 1981. He remained employed at the Fernandina Beach mill as a foreman until retiring in 2000. After retiring from Rayonier, he worked with the Port of Fernandina until 2010.

Mr. Cole was a member of Wynooche Masonic Lodge No. 43 in Elma, Wash., where he was a past worshipful master. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of the State of Washington. After settling in Fernandina Beach, he attended Amelia Lodge No. 47 on Amelia Island.

He was a lifetime and founding member of the Marine Corps League of Fernandina Beach.

Tom and his wife were longtime members of Yulee United Methodist Church, where he served on the Building Committee and Board of Trustees, and sang in the choir. Tom and his wife enjoyed camping with his family and supporting his girls by coaching and umpiring their softball games. He loved gardening and sharing its bounty.

His wife of 47 years passed away in August 2015.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two siblings.

Tom leaves behind three daughters, Kelly K. Stipp  (Chris) of Harrison, Alaska, Donna Ennis of Fernandina Beach and Tonya Cole (Corey) of Fernandina Beach; a sister, Mary Sue Samples (Doug) of Olympia, Wash.; a brother-in-law, James Hodges (Rose) of Olympia; grandchildren, Roger Dickey, Colton Stipp, Kelsey Stipp, Amanda Priester (Antonio), Thomas Ennis, Rebecca Knowles, Stan Knowles and Ira Holton; and nieces and nephews, Lisa Pim, Linda Tobin, Bruce Williams and Melody Mueller.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Yulee United Methodist Church with Pastor Charlie Sward officiating.

Tom’s family will receive guests on Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.

Please share his Life Legacy and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Ann Marie Conant, 90, passed away Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, at the Community Hospice Center in Amelia Island. She was born Nov. 30, 1925, in Evanston, Ill., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund J. Smith.

Ann Marie was a generous and loving wife and mother, with a constant smile on her face. Her selflessness, calm exterior and inner strength are an inspiration to us all.

Ann Marie was happily married to Roger Conant for 25 years. They retired in Savannah, Ga., before moving to Osprey Village on Amelia Island. She continued to visit her lake home in Wild Rose, Wis., which held a special place in her heart.

Ann Marie worked as an interior designer and raised seven children in Glencoe, Ill., before her retirement. She was an active member of garden clubs throughout her life and, more recently, the Petal Pushers of Amelia Plantation Chapel. We will remember her for her creativity, expressed in the beauty she added to the gardens and places she touched.

Survivors include her husband, Roger Conant; her seven children, Charles Ernst of Milwaukee, Barbara (Robert) Kolich of East Aurora, N.Y., Susan (Patrick) Corser of Denver, Sally (Mike) Williams of Phippsburg, Colo., Thomas (Julie) Ernst of Denver, George (Jill) Ernst of Northbrook, Ill., and Elizabeth (Peter) Nugent of Rockport, Mass.; 15 grandchildren, Anna, Samuel, Benjamin, Sarah, Margret, Anissa, Nora, Patrick, Kirsten, Kelly, Cody, Jackson, George, Eliza and Gus; and one great-grandchild, Finn.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at Amelia Plantation Chapel, 36 Bowman Road, Amelia Island, with the Rev. Ted Schroder officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Molissa Weatherly Simmons, 78, of Fernandina Beach, died Sept. 7, 2016, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

She was born Oct. 27, 1937, in Baxley, Ga., to Maurice and Myrtice (Johnston) Weatherly.

Molissa married Eddie Clinton Simmons on Dec. 20, 1959, in Baxley.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband; children, Molissa Dale Marshall (John) of London, England, Michael Simmons (Carol) of Berkeley Lake, Ga., and Maurice Simmons of Atlanta; grandchildren, Weatherly Grace Marshall, John Logan Marshall IV (Emily), Hannah Britt Marshall, Maggie Nicole Simmons and Shawn Edward Simmons; and her brother, Guyton Maurice Weatherly (Lynda) of Apollo Beach, Fla.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at Amelia Plantation Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Amelia Plantation Chapel, 36 Bowman Road, Amelia Island, FL 32034, would be appreciated.

Kenneth Andrew “Andy” Snyder Jr., 44, of Folkston, Ga., passed away Sept. 8, 2016, at his residence. He was born March 27, 1972, to Kenneth Andrew Sr. and Julie Byrd Snyder in Fernandina Beach.

He was a member of the Camden County High School band and a graduate of Camden County High School in 1990. He graduated with his applied science degree from Dallas Institute of Funeral Services. He then worked with Dekle-Wainwright Funeral Home of Kingsland as an apprentice, and has been employed for 25 years as a mechanical insulator.

Andy had a great smile that was extremely contagious, beautiful long hair and a friendly spirit that no one could resist. He was a diehard Gator, history buff and an avid reader. He was passionate about music and loved sharing that passion with his friends and family. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Folkston.

Andy is survived by his mother, Julie Byrd Snyder of Folkston; father, Kenneth Andrew Snyder Sr. of Yulee; a son, Kenneth Andrew (Trey) Snyder III and his mother, Christine Moore; grandmother, Florence Byrd Crews of Folkston; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his stepgrandfather, Buster Crews of Folkston; and grandparents, Frank D. Snyder Sr. and Helen Snyder of Fernandina Beach.

The family received friends Tuesday evening, Sept. 13, at Shepard Roberson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, at First Baptist Church of Folkston, with Dr. Randy Jacoby and the Rev. Gene McCullough officiating. Burial will follow in Pineview Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed by signing the guest registry at www.shepardrobersonfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shepard Roberson Funeral Home, Folkston.

Shepard Roberson Funeral Home