Paul Companion, 58, of Yulee lost his battle to liver cancer Monday, Sept. 19, 2016.

He leaves behind his fiancée, Jacqueline Darawich; sons, Robert T. (Erin) and Russell G. Companion; grandchildren, Kayla, Caleb, Carrionna and Caden Companion; his brothers, Robert A. (Ana) and James M. (Teresa) Companion; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert T. and Anna C. Companion, and a nephew, Robert A. Companion Jr.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 1, at 3 p.m. at Victory Celebration Church, 3220 New Berlin Road, Jacksonville, with Pastor Jim Matthews officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions for the purpose of transplant and liver cancer research be sent to: Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32246. Donations just need a note that the gift is in memory of Paul Companion. (Checks should be made out to “Mayo Clinic.”)

Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, Jacksonville

Leon Herbert Shealy Sr., a resident of Cleveland, Tenn., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, at the family residence. He was born Jan. 4, 1925, in Batesburg, S.C., and was the eldest son of W. Kline and Nanny Shealy. He was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church in Cleveland and served as an elder of the church.

He formed and played football and rode his horse as transportation through high school. He attended Clemson University until World War II broke out, and he enlisted in the Navy and served in the South Pacific. After the war, he continued his education and graduated from Clemson with a degree in engineering.

He met his wife of 62 years, Louise Bennett, while working on Amelia Island. He moved to Tennessee in 1953 with his wife during construction of Bowater and fell in love with the area.  He was employed with Bowater until his retirement of 35 years.

He raised three children, Herb, Cynthia and Mike Shealy, and was blessed with nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Bennett Shealy; his parents, Wilbur Kline Shealy and Nanny Lorick Shealy; brother, Haskell Lorick Shealy; and son, John Michael Shealy.

He is survived by his two children, Herb Shealy Jr., and Cynthia Shealy Clarke and husband David; nine grandchildren, Ann Shealy Schatzman and husband Scott, Leslie Ann Shealy Reed and husband Lynn, James Corey Shealy and wife Melanie, Mallory Louise Shealy, Hannah Louise Clarke, Rachel Elizabeth Clarke, Sally Michelle Shealy, Hailey Victoria Shealy, and Natalie Eliza Shealy; seven great-grandchildren, Jacob Alan Schatzman, Samuel Asher Schatzman, Cole Shealy, Emma Shealy, Kaelyn Reed, Mycah Reed and Autumn Reed; one sister, Kathleen Shealy Are and husband William; and one brother, Ellis Brandt Shealy and wife Elaine.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 1, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Seaton officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorials be made to First Lutheran Church, 195 McIntire Ave. NE, Cleveland, TN 37311.

We invite you to view and sign the Shealy family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.

Ralph Buckner Funeral Home, Cleveland, Tenn.

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.

Judith A. Drew, 79, passed away on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. David Joseph Elliott, 63, of South Glastonbury, Conn., passed away on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Richard E. "Rick" Jones, 65, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Monday evening, Oct. 3, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach. Memorial service plans will be announced soon.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

The Rev. Goldie M. Thompson, 94, passed away Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at her residence. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct.8, at Hughes Cemetery in Yulee.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Mrs. Michelle Crews, affectionately referred to as “Meme,” age 55, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 at University of Florida Health Jacksonville.

Born in West Palm Beach, she was one of five children born to James Fulton Raulerson and Geneva Oliver Raulerson. At the age of 3, her father’s work in the concrete industry brought the family to the O’Neil area of eastern Nassau County. Michelle grew up in O’Neil and was a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School, Class of 1979. During that same year, while on a water skiing trip, she met Lamar Crews of Blackrock, whom she married in 1980. In 1982, Michelle began working as a teller for local Fernandina Beach banks. Over the next 20 years, she worked with Barnett Bank, First Union and Southeast Bank of Yulee before joining First Coast Community Bank of Fernandina Beach, where she achieved the position of head teller. Upon leaving banking, she immediately started working for the Nassau County Permitting and Code Enforcement Department, where she was presently employed. She was the type of person who exuded genuine concern for doing things right.

Michelle had attended Nassau Baptist Temple and Buford Grove Baptist in Hilliard, where she sang in the choir and in church ensembles. She and her husband were presently attending First Baptist Church in Kingsland.

She was happiest when she was with her family engaged in a family activity, whether it be boating, on a cruise, walking the beach or preparing a meal for them. Michelle was a voracious reader and could always be counted on to have a stack of finished books ready for swapping. She will be remembered by anyone who knew her by her laugh!

She leaves behind her husband of 37 years, Lamar Crews of Fernandina Beach; their daughter, Heather Massey and her husband, Brian, of Kingsland; her parents, James F. and Geneva “Genny” Raulerson of Hoboken, Ga.; a sister, Susan Conner and her husband, Jimmy, of Yulee; three brothers, James F. “Jimmy” Raulerson Jr. and his wife, Linda, of Killeen, Texas, Thomas “Tom” Raulerson of Chester and Charles “Theo” Raulerson of Hoboken; two grandchildren, Zachary and Meghan; a special sister-in-law, Vicky Crews of Indianapolis; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at First Baptist Church of Kingsland with Pastor Brian Parker officiating.

Michelle will be laid to rest in Hughes Cemetery.

Her family will receive friends on Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 5-7 p.m. at Oxley-Heard.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Joyce E. (Kasner) Karsko, 78, of Fernandina Beach and formerly of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, at Hancock Regional Hospital Hospice in Greenfield, Ind.

She was born Oct. 24, 1937, in Bay City, Mich., to the late Samuel A. and Lucy M. (Beneteau) Kasner.

Joyce received her undergraduate degree at Western Michigan University and earned her doctorate in psychology from Ohio State University. She married John S. Karsko on Sept. 10, 1960. Prior to her retirement in 1990, Joyce was a professor of psychology at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, for more than 25 years and counseled patients in private practice.

An accomplished artist, Joyce’s work hung in the Gallery of the Island Art Association and the Plantation Artists’ Guild and Gallery, where she acted as president. Always serving others, she gave yoga lessons for more than 30 years, volunteered with the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival and the Pink Ribbon Ladies of Jacksonville, and served on the J.F. Nicholson Foundation Board of Directors.

She is survived by her daughter, Lizan (Greg) Karsko Brand of Greenfield; grandchildren, Taylor, Lauren, Nathan and Lucy Brand, all of Greenfield; nieces and nephews, Patty Chavarria, Pam Smith-Wojcik, David Smith, Danny McGinnis, Kathy Reifies, Craig McGinnis, Sean McGinnis and Chris Medors.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, John Stephen Karsko; son, J. Stephen Karsko; brother, Robert Kasner; and sister, Dorthea Smith.

A funeral Mass was held Saturday morning, Oct. 1, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Greenfield with Father Aaron Jenkins officiating. A reception for family and friends was held immediately after the ceremony.

For her Florida family and friends, a memorial service and Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Amelia Plantation Chapel, 36 Bowman Road, Amelia Island, with the Rev. Ted Schroder officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Joyce would encourage those who can to donate blood. Those interested in making a monetary donation may do so to the Indiana Blood Center, Attn: Lucy Smith, 3450 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208. Please make a note that the donation is in honor of Joyce Karsko. The donations will go toward a college scholarship fund benefitting a high school student who has been active in participating in blood drives.

Stillinger Family Funeral Home, Greenfield, Ind.

Marion Delaney Kirkland, 63 of Jacksonville, passed away Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, at University of Florida Health in Jacksonville.

She was born March 23, 1953, in Fernandina Beach, the daughter of the late James and Mamie Delaney. Mrs. Kirkland grew up in Fernandina and attended Fernandina Beach High School, graduating in the Class of 1971. She moved to Jacksonville, where she enrolled in Edward Waters College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. She met and married her husband, Parrish Kirkland, and she worked with the International Longshoremen’s Union Local 1408 in Jacksonville as insurance coordinator. She was a member of the Baptist faith.

She leaves behind her husband, Parrish Kirkland; son, Parrish Delaney Kirkland; and daughter, Tameka (Paul) Simmons, all of Jacksonville; siblings Garry (Diana) Delaney, Kenneth (Loice) Shephard and Ronald Shephard, all of Fernandina Beach, Jacqueline (Rev. James) Arthur of Yulee, and Sara Knight of Jacksonville; mother-in-law, Bertha Kirkland; grandchildren, Sade Kirkland, Zayvon Muff and DaMiona Brooks, all of Jacksonville; special friends, Leila Akins, Evon Landers, Lorraine Mathis and Thomas Jackson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family received friends Tuesday evening, Oct. 4, at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at First Assembly of God, 302 S. 14^th St., Fernandina Beach, with the Rev. Edwin Shick officiating.

Mrs. Kirkland will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

S. Richard Rand, a retired Foreign Service officer who served as consul general to Bermuda and Bangkok, passed peacefully on Sept. 30, 2016, in Fernandina Beach.

Mr. Rand retired in 1988 after 27 years in the Foreign Service. He was born in Hartford, Conn., on May 24, 1929, attended Syracuse University and graduated from the University of Miami School of Law. He was a Sloan Fellow graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Mr. Rand joined the Department of State as an attorney adviser in 1962 and was awarded the department's Distinguished Service Award in 1964. Mr. Rand’s Foreign Service career included postings in Marseille and Paris, France; Vientiane, Laos; Bern, Switzerland; Bermuda; and Bangkok. While in Laos, during the height of the Vietnam War, he served as the U.S. government's principal coordinator for POW/MIA affairs for Southeast Asia. In Switzerland and Thailand, he served as principal negotiator of two bilateral treaties related to judicial assistance.

In retirement, Mr. Rand maintained a principal residence in Washington, D.C., and a summer home in Ophelia, Va., where he was an avid recreational fisherman. He was an excellent cook and loved preparing gourmet meals for family and friends. He provided joyous delight to his granddaughters by hand-creating elaborate holiday and birthday cards over the years. 

He and his surviving wife of 65 years, June Sagan Rand, first met in seventh grade in Wethersfield, Conn.

He is also survived by his brother, Joseph Randazzo of Fernandina Beach; three children, Steven Mark Randazzo (Yeshica Weerasekera) of San Francisco, Lisa Marie Peat (David Peat) of Fernandina Beach and S. Richard Rand Jr. (Kelly Pask) of Los Angeles; four granddaughters, Devin Peat Martin, Taylor Peat Sapp, Samudra Randazzo and Charlotte Rand; and six great-grandchildren; Madison Martin, Brady Martin, Sarah Sapp, Chris Sapp Jr., Samantha Sapp and Sydney Sapp.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Frank H. Arnold, 89, of Baker, La., passed away on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.

Born in Baton Rouge, La., he was the second oldest of seven children born to the late John Leo and Bessie Mae Partin Arnold. Mr. Arnold was a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge and had worked as a mechanic for the East Baton Rouge Parish Parks and Recreation Commission for 25 years before opening his own small-engine repair business at his home in Central, La.

He was a former member at 68^th Avenue Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and volunteered with the prison ministry. For the past 40 years, he has been a member of Zoar Baptist Church. Mr. Arnold’s faith took him regularly to Oshner’s Medical Center in New Orleans as a prayer warrior to offer prayer and comfort to critically ill patients awaiting heart transplant.

His family recalls his love of engine mechanics, vegetable gardening, fishing and their annual camping trips as a family in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Margaret Hagan Arnold, Bobbie Butler Arnold and Etta Mae Arnold. Also preceding him in death were his two beloved brothers, Gurvis Ray “Buddy” Arnold and Leo Arnold, and two beloved sisters, Bernice Love and Vera Mae Dupree.

Mr. Arnold leaves behind his daughters, Carolyn Gleason and her husband, Mike, of Fernandina Beach, and Diane LeSage and her husband, Lucian, of Pride, La. He also leaves behind his devoted five grandchildren, Shasta Anderson and her husband, Brendon, of Zachary, La., Lance LeSage and his wife, Christina, of French Settlement, La., Meagan Leign Gleason of Fernandina Beach, Jessica Tompkins and her husband, Brendan, of Raleigh, N.C., and Mary Michael Gleason of Jacksonville; eight great-grandchildren, Breland Anderson, Sage Anderson, Tristan Anderson, Alexa LeSage, Ava Edwards, Layton LeSage, Emma Leign deBrauwere and Linden Tompkins; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He has two surviving siblings, Dorothy Zumo and Shirley Welch.

Funeral services were Saturday afternoon, Oct. 8, at Zoar Baptist Church with Dr. Kevin Hand officiating. His family received friends on Saturday at the church before the service.

Mr. Arnold was laid to rest beside his wife in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Flood Relief Fund, c/o Zoar Baptist Church, 11848 Hooper Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70818.

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

Oxley–Heard Funeral Directors

Imogene L. Anthony Carhart, 89, of Fernandina Beach, died Friday, Oct. 7, 2016, at Memorial Hospital in Hixson, Tenn., while visiting her daughter in Athens, Tenn.

She was a native of Rahway, N.J., and was a daughter of the late Emile and Leola Hall Anthony. She was also preceded in death by her husband, George Carhart.

She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Fernandina Beach and was associated with Franklin State Bank in Clark, N.J., as an assistant manager until her retirement.

She is survived by three daughters, Marianne Carhart of Athens, Georgiann Linnemeier of Carmel, Ind., and Suzanne (Seldon) Carhart Bird of Daphne, Ala.; two sons, Mark Carhart of Harrison, Tenn., and Luke Carhart of Wheeling, Ill.; seven granddaughters; three grandsons; and four great-grandchildren.

The family will have a memorial service at St. Michael Catholic Church in Fernandina Beach during the Thanksgiving holiday.

You may sign the guest register at jerrysmithfuneralhome.com.

Smith Funeral & Cremation Services of Athens is honored to serve the family of Imogene L. Anthony Carhart.

Smith Funeral & Cremation Services, Athens, Tenn.

Wesley Henry Davis, 83, passed away Friday, Oct. 7, 2016, at his Yulee residence.

Mr. Davis was born Feb. 24, 1933, in Jacksonville, and moved to Yulee five years ago from Cape Coral. He was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy in St. Marys and, along with his wife, Minnie Davis, planted a church in 1975 in Monticello, Miss., that is still thriving today. He loved to camp and travel, and dearly loved being with his family.

Mr. Davis retired from St. Regis Paper Co. in 1983 after 30 years of employment and retired again from Georgia-Pacific after being employed there for 12 years. He also retired from the Lee County Board of County Commissioners in 2010.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara Davis, and by a grandson, Eli Robbins.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Minnie B. Davis of Yulee; two sons and daughters-in-law, John Wesley and Lynn Davis of Zion, Ill., and Stephen and Vicky Simmons of Smithville, Miss.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Andy Harthcock of Merrimack, N.H., and Johanna and Todd Robbins of Yulee; a brother and sister-in-law, George William and Nancy Davis of Callahan; a sister, Grace Gorman of Jacksonville; eight grandchildren, Wesley Davis, Erin Schoenman, Tony Simmons, Drew Harthcock, Precia Harthcock, Torin Harthcock, Evan Robbins and Ella Robbins; and four great-grandchildren, Ethan, Sophia and Lucas Davis, and Audrey Schoenman.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home with Pastor Randall Dockery officiating. Interment will follow in Green Pine Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

To sign Mr. Davis' online obituary, please visit the Green Pine website at www.greenpinefuneral.com.

Arrangements by Green Pine Funeral Home.

Green Pine Funeral Home

Jerry R. Hatton, 63, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Saturday morning, Oct. 8, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville.

Mr. Hatton was born April 30, 1953, in Fernandina Beach and was a lifelong resident of the area. He retired from Jefferson-Smurfit after 43 years of employment. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church. Over the years, Mr. Hatton served in many capacities of church leadership and service, including deacon, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent and junior church teacher, and he drove the church bus.

He enjoyed raising farm animals, riding around on his golf cart with his grandchildren, teaching the boys to drive a tractor and family vacations. He loved being involved in everything with his family. Above all, he put God and family first.

Mr. Hatton was predeceased by his parents, Lewis Irby Hatton and Essie Parker Hatton; three brothers, Wayne Hatton, David Hatton and Dennis Hatton; and a sister, Jeanne Hatton Capadilupo.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Margie Hickox Hatton; a son, Greg Hatton (Amanda); two daughters, Jan Hatton and Karen Tate (Jonathan); four brothers, Lewis Hatton, James Hatton (Debbie), Tommy Hatton (Jamie) and Victor Hatton (Sarah); two sisters, Treska Crisp (Johnny) and Elizabeth Garza (Michael); five grandchildren, Cole Tate, Ethan Hatton, Elijah Hatton, Peyton Tate and Madison Tate; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home with the Rev. Adam Pierce officiating. Interment will follow in the family burial estate at Green Pine Cemetery. The family received friends Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

To sign Mr. Hatton's online register book, please visit the Green Pine website at www.greenpinefuneral.com.

Arrangements by Green Pine Funeral Home.

Green Pine Funeral Home

Barbara Schoell, beloved wife of Richard Schoell, passed away suddenly Sept. 6, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach.

She was born Nov. 10, 1937, in Buffalo, N.Y., the daughter of William and Edna Gipple.

Barbara graduated from D’Youville College and received her Master of Education postgraduate degree from the University of Buffalo, Class of 1963. Following graduate school, she married Richard Schoell on Aug. 17, 1963.

For several years, she taught deaf students at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo, and over the next 20 years she periodically worked with disabled children part-time in New Jersey and Massachusetts school systems.

Barbara touched so many lives. She was a warm, compassionate and gentle person with an ever-present sense of humor. She was always ready to help anyone in need and this continued throughout her life, as she volunteered in many community service organizations.

Barbara and Richard had three sons and had lived in New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Barbara was always "dressed for success," putting her best foot forward in all she did. In Sparta, N.J., they developed, and Barbara managed, Great Bodies by Design, a ladies’ exercise and clothing salon company. They also licensed and provided equipment and consulting services to seven other locations in northern New Jersey. Both husband and wife have been licensed Realtors since 1993, initially in the Boston area and for the last 11 years on Amelia Island, working with SeaHorse Properties.

Barbara was preceded in death by her son, Matthew, in 2011.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Richard; two sons, Eric, 51, of Kingston, Mass., and Jon, 47, and wife Jill of Marshfield Hills, Mass. She also leaves three grandchildren, Jocelyn and Carter Schoell of Marshfield Hills and Katrina Schoell of Wethersfield, Conn., and a brother, William Gipple of Hamburg, N.Y.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, at St. Michael Catholic Church, at the corner of North Fourth and Broome streets. It will be followed by a reception at the church social hall at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jocelyn & Carter Schoell Educational Trust, c/o Jon Schoell, 31 Deer Hill Lane, Marshfield, MA 02050.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Dorothy Oatley Bell, 84, passed away surrounded by family in the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 9. Born on Dec. 18, 1931, in Atlanta, she was affectionately known to people as “Dot” – a nickname given to her by her parents John and Martha Oatley as the youngest and last child, period, the end.

Dot was married to the late Dr. Wade Hampton Bell Jr., a Presbyterian minister. Together, they served many communities and attended to the needs of countless people. Jackson Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Ga., Midway Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Ga., and First Presbyterian Church in Valdosta, Ga., as well as two in Panama City, Wallace Memorial Presbyterian and Grace Presbyterian Church, benefited from Dot and Wade's service and felt blessed to have them as part of their community, where Wade was pastor. In addition, many children benefited from Dot's preschool teaching, which instilled a love of reading and learning. Dot and Wade enjoyed retirement together in the mountains of north Georgia until Wade's death in 2002.

Dot relocated to Fernandina Beach in 2004. She became an active member of First Presbyterian Church and became involved in numerous local organizations. Dot was an avid bridge player, a great cook, a world traveler and enjoyed the company of her many friends. Dot loved life and met everyone with a ready smile.

However, her greatest pleasure came from being with family. This was especially true during holidays, when Dot decorated her home to embrace the full feeling of every season.

She is survived by her sister, Jane Hynds and husband Jody; son, Wade H. Bell III and wife Pam of Fernandina Beach; daughter, Dr. Martie Bell and husband Harry Warren of Thomasville, N.C.; grandchildren, Kirsten Campbell and husband Rob, Jensen Bell and wife Emily, Stevn Bell and wife Jenni, Katrin Bell, Dianna Bell and Gavin Bell; great-grandchildren Maddy Campbell, Sady Campbell and Emma Kate Bell; as well as a niece and nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Wade H. Bell Jr.; her son, John S. Bell; and sisters, Martha Oatley, Mary Hill Stanford and her husband, James Stanford.

A graveside service and visitation will be held at Yonah Memorial Gardens, Demorest, Ga., at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Fernandina Beach, at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in remembrance of Dot Bell to First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach.

Mr. Tracy L. Locker, 83, of Fernandina Beach, passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville.

He was born Oct. 31, 1932, in Bridgman, Mich., the son of the late Frank and Crystal Locker. He honorably served our country for a combined 38 years: United States Air Force (four years), Florida Air National Guard (32 years) and Drug Enforcement Administration Customs (two years).

He was preceded in death by his sister, Vivian Rudnick, and brother, Richard Locker.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 43 years, Jan Locker; brother, Robert (Dot) Locker; daughter, Deborah Locker (Russell) Wade; son, David (Vickie) Clark; three granddaughters, Melissa Clark (Carleton) Wilkins, Ashley Clark and Blair Wade; and great-granddaughter, Madeleine Wilkins.

Tracy was a member of the Freemasons – Scottish Rite and Morocco Temple Funsters. His deep affinity for horses, flying and motorcycles took him on many great adventures in life. He will be remembered most, perhaps, for the joy he brought to others. His generous spirit, endearing personality and unbridled sense of humor will live on; his many stories and jokes shared throughout the years are the canon of a life well-lived.

The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville and Community Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion displayed to Tracy during his illness. Gratitude is sincerely offered to the many friends who have provided their love and support during this trying time.

The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until the time of service. A celebration of Tracy’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard, 1305 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach. Place of interment is Jacksonville National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations:

• K9s for Warriors, 686-1956, 114 Camp K9 Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081.

• Shriner’s Hospital for Children, (855) 401-4897; email Donor Relations Department at donorrelations@shrinenet.org.

Arrangements made by Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Janine Johnson Madison passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016, at Arden Courts Memory Care Community in Oviedo after a prolonged and courageous battle with a complex neurodegenerative brain disorder.

Janine was born June 6, 1932, in Jacksonville, the daughter of Lily Weigand Johnson and Pierce Johnson. She was a loving and loved wife, mother, stepmother and grandmother.

Janine was raised on Amelia Island and Savannah, Ga., and considered both cities an integral part of her heritage and roots. She attended Fernandina Beach High School and, later, Savannah High School, from which she graduated. Following high school, she attended Armstrong College, also in Savannah. Beginning in her school career and continuing throughout her adult life, Janine was an avid and capable athlete – excelling in a variety of sports, including basketball and tennis. Tennis was a passion she carried throughout her life and continued to play until her Tretorns had to be retired. She was an active social member and tennis enthusiast at both the Winter Park Racquet Club and Interlachen Country Club. She also held the distinct honor of being the first woman to serve on the Winter Park Racquet Club Board of Directors.

Janine moved to Winter Park in 1962, where she raised four children and established herself in the community she was so fond of. While maintaining her residence in Winter Park, she returned in the early 1980s to her home on Amelia Island to rebuild her family’s seafood restaurant, The Sandbar. She worked tirelessly for 18 years to honor the business her mother and father had started the year she was born. The Sandbar was known for its extraordinary food and rustic local environment, and developed a devoted customer following from points near and far.

Service and generosity to others were hallmarks of Janine’s legacy. Throughout her years, her involvement in the Junior Service League, First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, the National Federation of Republican Women, Rotary International and a variety of environmental and mission-based outreach initiatives provided outlets for her generosity, leadership and commitment to serving others both locally and globally.

Prior to her illness, Janine and her husband, Jim Madison, were able to spend time pursuing their shared passions, including sailing on their sloop, Don Quijote, traveling, attending and supporting local art and music programs. Janine had a passion and talent for entertaining and creating a beautiful home environment she enjoyed sharing with others – especially her family.

Janine is survived by her husband, Jim Madison of Winter Park; her children, Read Hayes, Dale Hayes (and Kathy) and Anne Carley Blay of Gainesville, and Neal Hayes (and Sandy) of Winter Park; her stepchildren, Elyse Anderson and James B. Madison IV of Maitland, Stacy McNamara of Chuluota, Fla., and Kristi Meyers of Tampa; and 20 grandchildren to whom she was known as “Gammy.”

The family invites Janine’s Amelia Island friends and colleagues to join them in celebrating Janine’s life and legacy at Sliders Seaside Grille on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 1-3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you kindly consider contributions to the American Brain Foundation (www.americanbrainfoundation.org) or the First United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise, Fla.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

June Sagan Rand, recent widow of diplomat S. Richard Rand, passed peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, in Fernandina Beach.

She was born in Hartford, Conn., on March 10, 1930. She and her husband of 65 years first met in grade school in Wethersfield, Conn.

For 25 years, Mrs. Rand traveled and resided abroad, accompanying her husband on diplomatic assignments to Marseille and Paris, France; Vientiane, Laos; Bern, Switzerland; Bermuda; and Bangkok, Thailand. An avid bridge player, she developed deep relationships wherever she lived, remaining in contact with many new friends for decades. She hosted local and international dignitaries alike, and was active in charitable and community service functions related to the well-being of local communities and Americans living and traveling abroad.

Following her husband’s retirement in 1988, they maintained a principal residence in Washington, D.C., and a summer home in Ophelia, Va.

She is survived by her brother, Richard Sagan (Elizabeth Ferris Sagan) of Old Lyme, Conn.; three children, Steven Mark Randazzo (Yeshica Weerasekera) of San Francisco; Lisa Rand Peat (David Peat) of Fernandina Beach and Richard Rand (Kelly Pask) of Los Angeles; four granddaughters, Devin Peat Martin, Taylor Peat Sapp, Samudra Randazzo, and Charlotte Rand; and six great-grandchildren.

A local memorial service was held Monday evening, Oct. 10, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home, 1305 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach, with Chaplain Jim Tippins officiating.

For online condolences or to share a memory, please visit www.never-gone.com/memorials/randsindc.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

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.

DEATH NOTICES

Toni Causey, 42, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. Arrangements were incomplete at time of publication.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Leslie Hecker, 55, of Jacksonville, passed away Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, at her home in Jacksonville.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Jack Kruse, 81, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. John W. McClurg, 92, of Amelia Island, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Carmen E. Nales, 81, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Robert W. Shannon, 82, passed away Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, at St. Vincent’s Riverside Community Hospice.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Oscar Wayne Smart, 70, formerly of Yulee, passed away Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. No local services are planned at this time.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery