Mr. James Luther Anderson, affectionately known as “Jimmy,” “Andy,” “Duck” and “Uncle Jimmy James,” 75, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Monday morning, Dec. 19, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach.

Born in Fernandina, he was one of four children born to a local shrimper, the late Alvin Luther Anderson, and Mary Louise Branch. Mr. Anderson graduated from Fernandina Beach High School and in 1959, at the age of 18, began a 42-year career in the pulp industry. In 1966, he met and married Gwendolyn Jane Brewer. In 1968, the Andersons made their new home in the Five Points area of Fernandina.Mr. Anderson worked in the Power House for Container Corporation of America, which was acquired by the Jefferson Smurfit Corp. before his retirement in 2001. After retiring, he became a full-time grandpa. Each morning, he took his grandchildren to breakfast at Ms. Carolyn’s, Doo Wop Diner or some other local restaurant, picked them up after school and, oftentimes, he and their grandma had their evening meal awaiting them at their house. His wife passed away in 2013.

In his early years of living in Fernandina, he was fond of racing on the beach and doing what teenage boys do. In later years, he enjoyed monitoring the stock market, watching world news and tracing his family’s genealogy.

In addition to his wife of 47 years, he was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Anderson, who passed away in 2015.

Mr. Anderson leaves behind two sons, Kenneth Dale Anderson of Yulee and Phillip N. Anderson and his wife, Angie, of Ringgold, Ga.; a daughter, Jodi Anderson Collins and her husband, Mark, of Yulee; his mother-in-law, Elois Harper of Fernandina Beach; two sisters, Eva Key (Gerald) and Jackie Hughes (Wyman), both of St. Augustine; six grandchildren, Tiffany N. West, J. Caleb Anderson, Jacob W. Anderson, Brady Morris, Jamie Morris and Ryleigh Jo Morris; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard with his son, the Rev. Phillip Anderson, officiating.

Mr. Anderson will be laid to rest beside his wife in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

His family will receive friends on Wednesday at the funeral home from noon until the hour of service.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Ms. Margaret Cook Kidd entered peacefully into rest on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Jacksonville. Marge, as she was affectionately known, was born March 12, 1927, in Montgomery, Ala., to William Edward “Teet” Cook and Sara Haskell Cook of Prattville, Ala.

Marge was a resident in the Prattville/Montgomery area for most of her life and spent the last five years in the Villas of Osprey Village. She accepted Christ and was baptized in the Baptist church. She faithfully served her country as a civil servant at Maxwell Air Force Base for more than 30 years before retiring to Amelia Island. She will be remembered for the generosity and love she had for her family, and especially her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by husband, Earl Eugene Gray; son, Douglas Earl Gray; and husband, Elbert Lewis Kidd.

She is survived by her children, Sue and Gary Ragan of Amelia Island, Ben and Sherry Gray of Frederick, Md., Ron and Loretta Kidd of Columbus, Ohio, Fran and Bruce Weaver of Bend, Ore., and Elberta Kidd. She is also survived by more than a hundred extended family members.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at Prattville Memorial Chapel and Memory Gardens, followed by funeral services at noon. Pallbearers will be Gary Ragan, Ron Kidd, Davy Fisher, William Gray, Jessie Cook, Brian Weaver, Bruce Weaver and Billy Cook.

Bernice Elizabeth Henderson Walker, the daughter of the late Oliver and Eloise Henderson, was born on Feb. 25, 1930, in Crandall, Fla. She transitioned from this life on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, at Northeast Florida Community Hospice just three months after her sister Gladys Henry.

Bernice was an active and faithful member of Friendship Baptist Church in Yulee under the leadership of Bishop Rufus Walker.

Bernice leaves to cherish her memories her devoted son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Phoebe Walker; her five grandsons, Terrance, Travon, Demetris, Terry Jr. (TJ) and Terrell (TY); two brothers and two sisters, James, Rudolph, Pearlie and Mary (Salathiel); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.

Celebration of life service will be Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m. at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 85834 Miner Road, Yulee. The late Mrs. Walker rested at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for visitation of friends Tuesday evening, Dec. 20, and will be in the church again on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service.  Interment will be in O’Neal Cemetery by Marion Graham Mortuaries, 1504 Gandy St., Jacksonville, 765-0310.

Marion Graham Mortuaries, Jacksonville

Richard Masters, 80, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Joy Mixon, 68, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Elizabeth "Betty" Durkin Mullen, 87, of Osprey Village, passed away on Wednesday morning, Dec. 21, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Hugh Miller Rawls III, 52, of Jacksonville, passed away on Wednesday morning, Dec. 21, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Robert “Bob” Stam, son of Jesse and Vivian Stam, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, at the age of 74.

Born in Boston, Bob stood as a man of duty, respect and honor, but never more than bathing the world in his wit, charm and generosity. A gregarious man in nature, he tirelessly offered his time and efforts to those around him — no cause was too minute, no soul was too small. Vocationally, Bob worked for Proctor and Gamble, Diamond Shamrock, and as a certified public accountant for Courson and Stam LLC in Fernandina Beach.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sandy; his sons, Geoffrey and his wife, Monica, Bryan and his wife, Kelley, and Steven and his wife, Adriana; his grandchildren, Brandon, Kristopher, Ethan and Sofie; and his brother, Jim.

Memorial services were held Thursday, Dec. 22, in the chapel at the Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home, 4750 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082. Please sign the online guestbook at www.pontevedravalley.com.

Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home

Barney Strickland Jr. was born Dec. 15, 1944, in Mobile, Ala. He passed away Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.

Mr. Strickland was the son of Barney Warren Strickland and Ava Strickland. He was a trucking company dispatcher for Ohio Freight. After retiring in 1992, he moved to Yulee.

He was predeceased by his parents; brother, James Strickland, who died Aug. 23, 2008; and niece, Jamie Strickland, who died April 6, 2001.

Mr. Strickland leaves behind his sisters, Sherry Merola of Texas and Faye Litchfield of Yulee; brother-in-law, Harvey Litchfield of Yulee; sister-in-law, Theresa Cook of Jacksonville; and nieces and nephews, Jeffrey Merola (Susie) of Texas, Brian Parrish (Jennifer) of Yulee, Jason Parrish (Mindy) of Yulee, Heather Strickland of Jacksonville and Matt Strickland of Jacksonville.

Services will be private. He will be laid to rest at Hughes Cemetery in Yulee, and burial will be private.

Eternity Funeral Homes and Crematory – Nassau

Juanita Bradford, 101, of Amelia Island, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Warren E. Figard, 69, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Betty Lee Johnson, 79, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Robert D. "Bob" Nutter, 69, passed away Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, at his Yulee residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at Jacksonville National Cemetery. Those attending should assemble in Lane 3 upon arriving at the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Green Pine Funeral Home. Arrangements by Green Pine Funeral Home.

Green Pine Funeral Home

Mary Gertrude Quigley, 62, of Jacksonville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, surrounded by her family in the care of Community Hospice-Warner Center-Nassau.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Minnie Scott, 84, of Jacksonville, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2016.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Florence Mae Funkhouser, 98, formerly of Dearborn, Mich., passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 25, 2016, at Brookdale Atrium in Jacksonville.

Born in Highland Park, Mich., she was the eldest of four children born to the late Clarence Melvin Spencer and Ruby Augusta Scheurer Spencer. Her family moved to Dearborn when she was a young child because her father worked with Henry and Bill Ford. She was a lifelong resident of Dearborn before moving to Fernandina Beach in 2008.

While living in Dearborn, she worked tirelessly as a wife and mother as well as at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church. Her devotion to her church led her to become the first woman deacon in the Michigan Presbytery as well as the Sunday school director of a children’s program exceeding 2,000 children.

Mrs. Funkhouser leaves behind her daughter, Carole Funkhouser Baker and her husband, David, of Fernandina Beach; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Funkhouser will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Leon Eugene, at a later date in Dearborn.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Stacey Maxwell Galphin, 57, of Clarksville, Tenn., passed away Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, at Tennova Healthcare.

Stacey was born March 8, 1959, in Simpsonville, S.C., to the late Smith Lewis Maxwell and Margie Bell Brazell Maxwell. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Ivy Faye Cook.

Mrs. Galphin was a member of First United Methodist Church in Clarksville. She was the chaplain for the Gideons Auxiliary and the Clarksville South Gideon Group.

Stacey is survived by her husband, Rick Galphin; daughter, Angela Ashley; two brothers, Danny Maxwell and Randy Maxwell; and one grandchild, Owen Ashley.

Funeral services will be at noon Thursday, Dec. 29, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard with her cousin, Lillian W. Galphin, officiating.

Her family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 11:30 a.m. Thursday and at a reception that will immediately follow at Oxley-Heard.

Mrs. Galphin will be laid to rest in the Galphin lot of Bosque Bello Cemetery following the reception.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, 50 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214; First United Methodist Church, 909 Madison St., Clarksville, TN 37040; or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4825 Trousdale Drive, Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37220.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Shirley Ann Lombard, 71, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Friday morning, Dec. 23, 2016, at Quality Health of Fernandina Beach.

Born in Nashua, N.H., she was the eldest of five children born to the late Roger Albert Morin and Rita May Hill. She grew up in Nashua and, in 1970, married Raymond Richard Lombard. The Lombards came to Fernandina Beach in 1993.

Mrs. Lombard enjoyed arts and crafts, gardening, and interior decorating. She was an accomplished acrylic paint artist. Above all, she was accomplished at being a wife and mother.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Morin.

Mrs. Lombard leaves behind her husband of 46 years, Raymond R. Lombard of Fernandina Beach; their son, Mark A. Lombard of Fernandina Beach; their two daughters, Lori Lee Lombard and Leah Marie Lombard, both of Jacksonville; three sisters, Kathy Wolford of North Augusta, S.C., Carol Cauture of Hudson, N.H., and Marilyn Faye of Greenville, N.H.; three grandchildren, Justin Buxton, Jason Lombard and Daren Lombard; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at a later date.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Richard S. Masters passed away Thursday morning, Dec. 22, 2016. Richard was born Jan. 12, 1936, in Jacksonville. He was a graduate of Bishop Kenny High School and the University of Florida. After serving his country in the U.S. Army, he was employed as a chemical engineer in Fernandina Beach. He married Suzanne Hall at St. Michael Catholic Church in Fernandina on Oct. 27, 1962. He was reminded at his 80th birthday party that it was the best decision he ever made, and he wholeheartedly agreed. In 1967 they moved to Paris, Tenn., with their two daughters, Stephanie and Shannon, and lived there nine years before moving to Chicago in 1976. While in Chicago, he owned and operated Chicago Manifold, a rubber roller manufacturing business. In addition to working hard, Richard was a man who loved spending time with family on the beach in Fernandina. He enjoyed hiking, biking and snow skiing adventures with family and friends. He also enjoyed planning trips and traveling with his wife, Suzanne. Richard liked to enjoy the beach with his family and was most happy when he could boogie board, play bocce ball, walk or bike on the beach.

Richard was a generous man who wanted to make his own impact on the world. He traveled to Haiti, where he worked to improve drinking water. Additionally, in Ethiopia, he helped build schools. He was an active parish member at St. Michael Catholic Church.

He is survived by his brother, George; his wife, Suzanne; cousin, Bill Krechowski; two daughters, Stephanie Corbett and Shannon Straughn; and four grandchildren, Ian and Owen Corbett, and Sarah and Megan Straughn. He will be dearly missed by family and friends who knew and loved him.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday morning, Dec. 27, at St. Michael Catholic Church with the Rev. Father Richard Perko, celebrant. His family received family and friends at Oxley-Heard Tuesday morning before the service.

Richard Masters was laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Joy Elizabeth Mixon, 68, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. She was born to the late Thomas Wesley Mixon and Estelle Mixon Carter on Aug. 8, 1948.

Joy attended Fernandina Beach High School and was a lifelong resident of Fernandina Beach. She briefly drove across the country to live in Ketchikan, Alaska, for a year when her sons were little. Her two greatest loves in life were her family and cooking some of the best food in town. From cooking in the Tiny Diner, a well-known restaurant run by her mother, to feeding anyone who came into her house, Joy always welcomed everyone with a smile, laugh and open arms. She was first and foremost a mother to her own children as well as everyone else’s. She enjoyed reading, was a talented artist and the life of any party. She worked at Schooner’s Lounge with her brother Jessie Mixon for many years.

Joy was preceded in death by her brothers, Marvin, Johnnie Edward “Eddie,” Jessie and Josh Lauvell Mixon.

She is survived by brothers, Roy and Virgil Mixon; sister, Emily Christine Lee; and children, Mark Johnson, Matthew Johnson and Meghan Wingate. She had 10 grandchildren, one great-grandson, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 27, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard.

She was laid to rest in the Mixon plot at Bosque Bello Cemetery.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Barbara Mizell Davis Morgan, 98, passed from this life on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016. Her husband, Jack Hays Morgan Sr., and son, Davis Carter Morgan, preceded her in death.  She is survived by seven children, 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Born on March 25, 1918, she grew up as one of five children in the family of Ernest and Edna Davis, who lived in the logging and naval stores settlement called Crandall on the St. Marys River in Nassau County. The children were educated in a one-room school with a teacher who resided with her family. Lumber and naval stores were shipped down the river to ports all over the world. When her father and his brothers sold their property to Rayonier, the family moved to Fernandina Beach, where Barbara graduated from high school.

Afterward, she attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga., where she received her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in 1939. She, her mother, two sisters and two cousins made a six-week tour of Europe after her graduation. It remained a highlight of her life, although she made other trips abroad in later years. They returned on the Normandie with blackout curtains at the windows on the last trip the ocean liner made before the outbreak of World War II.

Through friends made in Macon, she was hired to teach first grade at the school for the children of parents who worked at the Bibb Manufacturing Co. in Porterdale, Ga. There she was introduced to Jack, then working at the mill, who became her husband on June 16, 1945. He asked her to marry him two years before she gave him an answer. They were married for 63 years before he died in 2009.

Barbara became the rock on which Jack built an ambitious career, his quiet pillar of strength and unwavering helpmate. They reared eight children on a farm he cleared on the banks of the Alcovy River just east of Covington, Ga. She backed his forays in the early local pulpwood industry, in cattle and dairy farming, in cotton, peaches, wheat and hay, in real estate investment and development, in grading, paving, and politics. The family was active in First United Methodist Church of Covington. Barbara was a Cub Scout and Brownie Girl Scout leader, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Covington Woman’s Club. In 1964, the club named her Mother of the Year. Her children think she earned and deserved the title every year.

Survivors are her children: Barbara Mallette Morgan (Bob Furnad), Jack Hays “Buddy” Morgan Jr. (Melody), Emily Morgan Adams (Lanier), John Ernest Morgan (Robbi), William Howard Morgan (Amy), Edna Morgan Kirkley and Daniel Thomas Morgan. Grandchildren are: Ben Morgan (Connie), Justin Morgan (Melody) and April Ruark (Jason); Dessa Edwards (John), Will Adams and Meg Adams; Abigail Coggin (Derek), Melissa Parker (Brad) and Savannah Hembree (Mike); Adam Morgan (Brittany) and Ashley Morgan; Sam Morgan, Whit Morgan (Nicole), Lydia Morgan and Cooper Morgan (Jessica); Dylan Kirkley (Megan) and Shelby Boehm (Robert). Great-grandchildren are: Macy and Mack Morgan, Jack Thomas and Reid Ruark; Noah, Lukas and Hayes Edwards; Shaw and Kathleen Coggin; Natalie and Leyton Parker; Amelia Hembree; Austin Dotson, Lauren Hicks and Jordyn Morgan; Reagan Morgan and Morgan Kirkley. Survivors also include Kathryn Griffin Morgan, Harold Schmidt and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 5-7 p.m. at J.C. Harwell Funeral Home in Covington. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Covington First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Doug Gilreath and the Rev. Jan McCoy officiating. A graveside service for the family will follow at Starrsville United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Covington First United Methodist Church in memory of Barbara Davis Morgan.

J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home, 2157 East St. SE, Covington, is in charge of the arrangements. A guest book may be signed online at www.harwellfuneralhome.com.

J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home, Covington, Ga.

Elizabeth “Betty” Durkin Mullen, 87, of Amelia Island, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016, at Osprey Village.

Born on July 16, 1929, in Horden County, Durham, England, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Margaret Doyle Durkin. She earned a nursing degree in South Yorkshire, England, where she began nursing in 1948. She later met James “Jim” Patrick Mullen at a hospital dance, and they married a year later. In 1968 they moved to Atlanta, where in 1970 her husband founded Mullen Packaging Co. and Mrs. Mullen continued her career in nursing. The Mullens sold their business in 1996 and moved to Amelia Island.

Mrs. Mullen loved music, especially Irish dance and sing-along songs. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church.

She had many favorite causes, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Nassau County, the Association for the Help of Retarded Children (AHRC) and St. Michael Academy, and always loved to have visits from the children.

Mrs. Mullen was predeceased by her husband, Jim, who passed away in 2004; her sisters, Moya, Margaret and Patricia; and her brothers, Anthony and John.

She is survived by a brother, Michael (Pat) Durkin of South York, England; a sister-in-law, Catherine Gunhouse of Atlanta; and many nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 505 Broome St., Fernandina Beach, with the Rev. Father Richard Perko, celebrant.

Mrs. Mullen will be laid to rest beside her husband in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Hugh Miller Rawls III, 52, of Jacksonville, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016.

Born in Long Beach, Calif., he was the eldest of three children born to Hugh Miller Rawls Jr. and Dorothy Anne McCrimmon Rawls. The Rawls family moved frequently with his father’s various naval assignments. Hugh grew up in the Charleston, S.C. area, where he was a graduate of Hanahan High School, Class of 1983. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in a MASH unit at Fort Meade, Md., before serving as a medevac medic in Seoul, South Korea. Upon being honorably discharged, he settled in Fernandina and enrolled in the nursing program at Florida State Junior College at Jacksonville. Upon graduation, he joined Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville as an emergency room nurse. He worked in the emergency rooms at both Baptist and Methodist hospitals for approximately 14 years before transferring over to the Florida Poison Control Center – Jacksonville as a certified specialist in poison information. He served as national co-chair for the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ Specialist in Poison Information Committee. Hugh also worked part-time as a charge nurse at the hospital in Macclenny.

Hugh was fond of and enjoyed Jeep vehicles, enjoyed four-wheeling, was a member of the Matanzas Jeep Club, and was accomplished at fixing and enhancing the mechanics of his Jeeps. He enjoyed jazz music and playing his saxophone in several local bands.

Hugh leaves behind his son, Charles Thomas “C.T.” Rawls of Sacramento, Calif.; four daughters, Veronica Springett of Jacksonville, Amy Estrella of Bremerton, Wash., and twins, Stacy and Melanie Estrella of Jacksonville; his parents, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Hugh Rawls Jr. and Dottie of San Mateo, Fla.; a brother, Steve Rawls and his wife, Annette, of Fernandina Beach; a sister, Anne Ruggireo of Citra, Fla.; two nephews, Eric and Steven; a niece, Georganna; and three grandchildren, Kairi, Jeremy and Iona.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Jacksonville National Cemetery with the Rev. Chris Capaldo of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church officiating.

His family will receive friends on Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 5-7 p.m. at Oxley-Heard of Fernandina Beach.

Hugh will be laid to rest in Jacksonville National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Fort Benning Wounded Warriors Association, www.facebook.com/Fort-Benning-Wounded-Warriors-Association-174828005930247.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Miss Juanita Bradford, our beloved aunt, at the age of 101, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, on Amelia Island.

She moved with her nephew, Ray Sechler, and his wife, Mary, in November 2013, excited she would be a stone’s throw away from the ocean and enjoy the warm sun on her face. A major move at 99 would be a daunting event for almost anyone, but not Juanita; she was a venturesome woman. Amelia Earhart was her hero; she admired her courage and independence as a woman. At the age of 18, she left for Washington, D.C., furthered her education, gained employment as an accountant with the Civil Service, transferred to the Hawaiian Islands, receiving many awards of recognition from the Department of Army, and pursued her love of travel.

Strikingly beautiful and independently minded, Juanita spent most of her retirement years in Atlanta nurturing her relationships with her siblings and nieces and nephews. She continued to take cruises and travel with friends to exotic places. She had stacks of albums she enjoyed sharing with others and reliving the excitement of each adventure.

Juanita’s independent nature drew her into an affinity with felines. She never hesitated to offer food and shelter to stray cats, connecting with and respecting their own natural sense of independence. She delighted in photos of cats with captions detailing their presumed thoughts and antics. Her nephew, Brad Perdue, kept her entertained with pictures and stories about all his feral cats, which she delightedly read to all who would listen. To her delight, one even made a debut in a popular animal calendar.

Juanita was the fifth and last surviving sibling of nine born to John and Mollie (Barnett) Bradford, Oct. 3, 1915, in Atlanta.

She will be greatly missed by her surviving nieces, Patricia Ann (Curry) Gale, Cheryl Lynn Puckett-Smith, Roberta Eileen (Phil) Hess and Delaine Barbara (Larry) Wood; and nephews, Ray G. (Mary) Sechler Jr., Jack Andrew Wheeler, Bradford Leslie (Tracey) Perdue and John Michael Perdue.

Interment will be at Arlington Cemetery in Sandy Springs, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Duluth First United Methodist Church, 3208 120 Duluth Highway, Duluth, GA 30096.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Richard John “Dicky” LaPlante passed away Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach. He was born Sept. 28, 1945, in Dighton, Mass.

Richard was a 1963 graduate of Coyle High School in Taunton, Mass., and attended evening classes at Stonehill College in Stoughton, Mass. He served with the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1966 as an aviation electrician with the Reconnaissance Heavy Attack Squadrons.

He married his high school sweetheart in 1966 upon his discharge from active service.

He was employed by Raytheon prior to becoming a union carpenter. He had his own contracting business until 1980, when he became a firefighter with the Taunton Fire Department, where he served his city with pride and dedication until his retirement in 2004.

Richard enjoyed carpentry, puttering in his yard and just watching the grass grow. He enjoyed being “Mr. Fix-it.” He enjoyed being a dad and loved his sons unconditionally, adored his grandchildren, and looked forward to spending time with them.

He was a member of American Legion Post 54 in Fernandina Beach. He also was involved with Cub Scout Pack 6 in Taunton and Boy Scout Troop 45 in Dighton when his sons were growing up.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra J. (daCosta) LaPlante; his two sons, Jayson LaPlante and his wife, Sondra (Clemmey) LaPlante, and their children, Shawna, Jake and Ryan LaPlante of Taunton, and his son Michael LaPlante of Newton, Mass.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Armand and Lillian (Bilodeau) LaPlante.

He is also survived by a sister, Constance Jenney and her husband, Robert, of Lancaster, Mass.; a brother, George LaPlante and his wife, Abby, of Ocala; two nieces, Donna (LaPlante) Burch and Cheryl (Jenney) McCarthy; and three nephews, Brian Jenney, Stephen LaPlante and David LaPlante. Richard also leaves behind six godchildren, who were all very special to him.

He was predeceased by his lifelong friend, Edward Riendeau, and leaves behind his best friend, Ted Hamlin.

He also leaves behind many who considered him a good friend and a real gentleman.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission, 86000 St. Francis Way, Yulee (off A1A).

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church on Spring Street in North Dighton, Mass., with interment at Cedar Knoll Cemetery in East Taunton, Mass., at a later date in January.

Neptune Society is in charge of his arrangements.

Neptune Society, Jacksonville

Linda Dingman, 70, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Barbara Holt Fagan, 72, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2016.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Mr. Warren Edward Figard Jr., 69, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Henry Thomas Lindsey, 79, of Yulee, passed away Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Mr. Ronald “Ron” Paul Antolik Sr., 69, of Yulee, passed away Friday morning, Dec. 30, 2016, at his home.

Born in Erie, Pa., he was one of seven children born to the late John Jacob Antolik and Marie Helen Balas. He and his brothers and sisters grew up on the family farm in Fairview, Pa., before moving to Jacksonville. Mr. Antolik was a graduate of Terry Parker High School, after which time he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 82^nd and 101^st Airborne Divisions at Fort Bragg, N.C., and in Vietnam. Upon being honorably discharged he returned home to Jacksonville, where he remained until moving to Yulee in the early 1970s. Upon settling in Nassau County, he began working at Terminal Bag in Yulee as a machine operator until retiring.

He was accomplished at the sport of bowling and bowled the first perfect game at the lanes in Yulee. In addition to his love of bowling, he enjoyed his time riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Mr. Antolik had attended St. Patrick Catholic Church in Jacksonville and St. Michael Catholic Church in Fernandina Beach.

He leaves behind his daughter, Rhonda Antolik of Yulee; his son, Ronnie Antolik of Gary, Ind.; his last living sibling, his brother, George Antolik and his wife, Brenda, of Jacksonville; five grandchildren, Ruben, Kolby, Dalton and Savannah Bryan, as well as Nevaeh Ames; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, from the graveside in Evergreen Cemetery, Jacksonville. The procession to the cemetery will assemble at his residence.

His family received friends Tuesday evening, Jan. 3, at Oxley-Heard.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors