Mrs. Shirley P. Hutchinson, 93, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Thursday morning, March 9, 2017, at Quality Healthcare of Fernandina.

Born in Fergus, Ontario, she was one of two daughters born to the late Peter Emerson Holmes and Beatrice Anne McCauley Holmes. She grew up in Fergus and Niagara Falls, N.Y., and as a young woman, served in the Royal Canadian Women’s Army Corps. In June 1949, she met her future husband, Navy sailor Louis “Louie” P. Hutchinson. They dated for three weeks when he asked her to marry him. They married Sept. 10, 1950, and made their home in Niagara Falls, where her husband worked for E.I. DuPont.

While living in New York, the Hutchinsons raised two daughters. Mrs. Hutchinson loved to sew and made many a bride happy by making the dresses for the brides as well as all of their attendants. She also loved to cook, knit and crochet, and enjoyed being an avid gardener. She and Mr. Hutchinson were active members at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and Epiphany Episcopal Church.

In 1985, they moved to Anderson, S.C., where they became founding members of St. George’s Episcopal Church. At St. George’s, Mrs. Hutchinson served on the Altar Guild, worked in the church office and assisted with church oyster roasts, chili dinners, bake sales and many other church functions.

Mrs. Hutchinson was an accomplished seamstress and made altar linens, hanging altar banners, priests’ robes and vestments for her churches.

In 2002, they left Anderson and moved to Fernandina Beach. After settling on Amelia Island, they became members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

Her husband passed away Oct. 6, 2012.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Jean Brug.

Mrs. Hutchinson leaves behind two daughters, Ellen Louise Williams Griffiths and her husband, Paul, of Yulee, and Patricia Anne Hartman of Fort Collins, Colo.; grandchildren, Sarah Williams, Jennifer Williams and Sinden Merino; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard, with Deacon Carolyn Murdoch of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church officiating.

Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the hour of service.

Mrs. Hutchinson will be laid to rest in Acacia Park Cemetery, North Tonawanda, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, National Headquarters, 375 Kings Highway N., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034, would be appreciated.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Jeffery Stephen Lee, 29, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Thursday evening, March 9, 2017, in St. Augustine.

Born in Mountain View, Calif., he was one of two sons born to James Samuel Lee Jr. and Pamela Ann Maitland Lee. Stephen’s family moved to Fernandina Beach in 1988, where Stephen grew up and graduated from Fernandina Beach High School. As a young man growing up, Stephen was a member of Boy Scout Troop 89, Fernandina Beach, and worked for Nassau County Fire and Rescue as a lifeguard at the Scott Road beach access. Stephen had been a longtime tattoo enthusiast and artist. He had worked at Beyond Taboo and TJ’s in Fernandina Beach as well as other parlors in Jacksonville, Orlando and Macon, Ga. He enjoyed rollerblading, rock climbing, surfing, the out of doors and living an unconfined lifestyle.

He had been baptized at First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach.

Stephen leaves behind his parents, Jim and Pam Lee of Fernandina Beach; his brother, Travis and his wife, Mara, of Palm Desert, Calif.; a nephew, Joshua; a niece, Abigail; and his pet pit bull terrier, JB.

Funeral services were Monday evening, March 13, at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Fernandina Beach.

His family received friends following the service at a reception in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Boy Scout Troop 89, c/o First Presbyterian Church, Attn. Dr. Wain Wesberry, 9 N. Sixth St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Marie Antoinette McCarthy, 85, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Wednesday evening, March 8, 2017, at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville.

Born in Flushing, N.Y., she was one of twin daughters born to the late Alexander and Florence Linke Brachocki. At an early age, she and her family moved to Poland. In 1939, her family returned to the Brooklyn, N.Y. She attended the Academy of St. Joseph High School in Brentwood, N.Y. Upon completing high school, she attended St. John’s University, where she met her future husband, Joseph Vincent McCarthy. During the early years of their marriage, her husband worked with the New York Police Department before being admitted to the bar and practicing as an attorney. Mrs. McCarthy remained at home and cared for their children as the family grew, and the McCarthys lived in various New York suburbs, including Queens Village, Locust Valley and Glen Cove. Over the years, the McCarthy family vacationed on Amelia Island, where Mrs. McCarthy and her husband would build their retirement home in 1998.

Mrs. McCarthy was fond of Irish dancing, shopping, ballet, mah-jongg, and the sports of golf and tennis.

She had been active at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Glen Cove and St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church in Bayville, N.Y., and a congregant of St. Michael Catholic Church while living in Fernandina Beach.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Joseph V. McCarthy, who passed away in 2010; and two sons, Matthew Eugene McCarthy, who passed away in 2001, and Eugene Thomas McCarthy, who passed away in 2011.

She leaves behind children, Joseph McCarthy of Chatham, N.Y., Kevin McCarthy (Barbara) of Kings Park, N.Y., Stephen McCarthy of East Meredith, N.Y., Antoinette McCarthy of Amherst, N.Y., Joanne McCarthy of Amelia Island, James McCarthy of Jacksonville and Deidre McCarthy (Mitchell Friedman) of Bayville; a sister, Marie Louise Signorino of Venice, Fla.; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Her family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at Oxley-Heard.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Betty Crews Renshaw, 79, of Homeland, Ga., passed away at her residence Sunday, March 12, 2017. She was born on Cowhouse Island in Ware County, Ga., on June 30, 1937, to the late Andrew Bryant Crews and Katherine Simmons Crews Lloyd. She was a member of Homeland Church of God of Prophecy.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Walter Crews and Ronald Lloyd; a sister, Ethel Nettles; and a granddaughter, Heather Davis.

She is survived by her children, Edna (David) Pate of White Oak, Ga., Trixie (Ricky) Knox of Manor, Ga., and Samuel Renshaw, Ricky Renshaw and Janet (Jerry) Brown, all of Homeland; her sisters, Katherine (L.W.) Lloyd, Sue Geiger, Connie (Larry) Tyo, Barbara Nettles and Diane Arrow; her grandchildren, Tara (Kevin) Gregory, Heidi (Steven) Lloyd, Shelvy (Duane) Hatzke, Anna Knox, Trevor (Tiffany) Renshaw, Jared Renshaw, Dylan Renshaw, Bevan (Michelle) Renshaw, Rodney Renshaw, Tresca Rowell, John (Shallynn) Brown and Danielle (Bill) Musgrove; 19 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

The family received friends Monday evening, March 13, at Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, March 14, in the chapel of the funeral home, with the Rev. Ricky Knox officiating. Burial was in Homeland Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed by signing the guest registry at www.shepardfh.com. Arrangements were under the direction of Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home in Folkston, Ga.

Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home, Folkston, Ga.

Robert L. Sovilla, 76, of Yulee, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. He was born March 6, 1940, in Charleston, W.Va., and moved to Yulee six years ago from Kingsland.

Mr. Sovilla was a third-degree Master Mason and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Kingsland. After graduating from military school, he served two years in the U.S. Coast Guard as a gunner's mate. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Charleston and was employed by the federal government as a mechanical engineer, retiring from Kings Bay in 2006.

Bob enjoyed traveling, and collecting, buying and selling antiques. He was the owner of B&B Antique Collectibles.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Adena Turner of Charleston, S.C., in 2016.

In 2009, he met Bobbie Jean Conner. They married in 2011.

Also surviving are his sons, Robbie and Craig Sovilla; his stepson, Charlie Conner; a stepdaughter Diane Conner; and several grandchildren.

A graveside ceremony was held Friday, Feb. 17, at Green Pine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

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

Arrangements by Green Pine Funeral Home.

Green Pine Funeral Home

Edward George Schmitt, the only child of Roy and Lurena Schmitt, was born Jan. 5, 1924, in Hamilton, Ohio. Ed passed away Friday, March 3, 2017.

He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1942. Following high school, he attended Purdue University and graduated in 1945 as a distinguished student with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was president of his Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

Following college graduation in 1945, Ed served in the Army Engineer Corps and was assigned to Oak Ridge, Tenn., to work on the manufacturing of America’s first atomic bomb in World War II.

He was married June 28, 1946, to Sara Steiger Schmitt, a high school sweetheart and fellow graduate of Purdue.

Ed worked for Proctor & Gamble in the Engineering Division his entire career, working in Macon, Ga., and Cincinnati for P&G. Ed and Sara lived in suburban Wyoming, Ohio, from 1960 through 1982. Ed was an avid golfer and won the Wyoming Golf Club Senior Championship three times, and was a member of the board. He maintained an average of a 4 handicap for most of his time playing golf.

Ed and Sara traveled extensively, visiting all of America’s national parks with their sons, most of Europe, Alaska, Bermuda, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Greece and Turkey.

After 36 years with Proctor & Gamble, Ed retired in 1982. Ed and Sara moved to their new home at 91 Oyster Catcher, Amelia Island Plantation, in 1983 and lived there for 19 years.

Ed was a member of the Amelia Island Community Association, Men’s Golf Association (serving as treasurer). He also served as project manager for the design and construction of the property owners’ clubhouse on the golf course at Amelia Island Plantation.

Ed enjoyed playing golf on most of the great courses in the USA and was able to play the courses of England and Scotland, where the game of golf began.

Ed and Sara moved to Osprey Village in October 2001.

He is survived by son, Doug, and his wife, Laurie (Montana); son, Ken and his wife, Julie; and two grandsons (Minnesota).

Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Sara, to whom he was married for more than 65 years.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Osprey Villa Dining Room, with the Rev. Ted Schroder officiating. He will be laid to rest in the columbarium at Amelia Island Plantation Chapel.

For those wishing to make a donation in Ed and Sara’s memory, the family asks for support of Community Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257; or Amelia Island Plantation Chapel, 36 Bowman Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Danny T. Britt, 72, of Yulee, passed away Thursday, March 9, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Ernest Knowles, 72, of Yulee, passed away Friday, March 10, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Funeral services for Virginia Kronbach will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, at The Journey Church.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Funeral services for Mildred V. Mills will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Joyce D. Mixon, 80, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Monday, March 13, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Danny Truitt ‘DT’ Britt

Danny Truitt “DT” Britt, 69, of Jacksonville, passed away Thursday, March 9, 2017.

Born in Wilmington, N.C., on Aug. 19, 1947, he was the son of the late Rautie Bascom Britt and Kathleen Fairchild.

DT is survived by his children, Shelly, Shane and Colt; brother, Louie; sister, Judy; niece, Ashley; nephew, Blu; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.

A Time of Remembrance and Reflection will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at Walter Jones Historical Park, 11964 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Charles E. ‘Buckshot’ Wilder

Mr. Charles E. “Buckshot” Wilder, 59, of Fernandina Beach, passed away at his home Tuesday afternoon, March 14, 2017.

He was born in Fernandina Beach, the son of Frank Earl Wilder and Mary Bennett.

Buckshot was a lifelong fisherman and shrimper.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Mary Bennett, and a sister, Maryann Wilder.

Buckshot leaves behind his son, Charles E. “Little Buck” Wilder II of Mayport; his father, Frank E. Wilder of Fernandina Beach; a sister, Theresa Diane Wilder; a brother, Francis Earl Wilder; and his former wife, Melissa Logan of Mayport.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Friday, March 17, from the graveside in Wilder Cemetery, with the Rev. Jackie Hayes officiating.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

DEATH NOTICES

Funeral services for Shirley P. Hutchinson will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the hour of service.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Jeanette Sherwood, 78, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2017. 

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Wilbert Keith Lee, 69, of Glen St. Mary, Fla., passed away Sunday evening, March 19, 2017, at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.

Born in Jacksonville, he was the only son and one of two children born to the late Wilbert Therrell Lee and Hazel Proctor Lee. He grew up in the Grand Parke section of North Jacksonville and attended Paxon High School. After high school, Mr. Lee began a long career in the industrial construction industry. He worked as a crane operator for many years on projects to include the Dames Point Bridge as well as at  the Jacksonville Shipyards until retiring in the mid-2000s. He had been a resident of Glen St. Mary since the 1990s.

Mr. Lee had a passion for motorcycles and was an avid ham radio operator.

He leaves behind his former wife, Helen L. Hemingway, the mother of their three children: two daughters, Angela Loftis and her husband, Matthew, of Clover, S.C., and Dawn Bush and her husband, Tony, of Yulee, and one son, Kevin Lee and his wife, Brenda, of Fernandina Beach; a sister, Gilda Starr Brower of Kissimmee; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a nephew.

Funeral services were Tuesday afternoon, March 21, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard.

His family received friends on Tuesday at the funeral home 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. Nicole Pinkney, 43, of Yulee, passed away Tuesday morning, March 14, 2017, at University of Florida Health in Jacksonville.

Born in New York City, she was the middle child of five born to Alvin Donald and Ludine B. Green Pinkney. The Pinkney family moved to the Charleston, S.C. area in 1989, where she graduated from Hanahan High School, Class of 1991. In 1993, she and her family came to Nassau County. She married Alexia Wilson in 1999, with whom she had two daughters. Nicole had graduated from the pharmacy technician program at Florida State College at Jacksonville and was a licensed Cosmetologist. She had work in food service at the Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island; Sandy Bottoms; and Ms. Carolyn’s.

In addition to time spent with her family, she enjoyed traveling, cooking and decorating. Her passion for music and life was shown in everything she did. She was the life of any party and a definite people person, loved by everyone she met.

Nicole leaves behind her daughters, Alexis and Trinity Wilson of Fernandina Beach; her two grandchildren, Jamal and Jordan Bartley of Fernandina Beach; her parents, Alvin and Ludine Pinkney of Yulee; her maternal grandmother, Ruthie Mae Wright of Augusta, Ga.; her siblings, Jesse Sherrod of New York, Prince Sherrod of Jacksonville, Tracy Pinkney of Columbia, S.C., Willie Jones of Jacksonville, Grace Pinkney of Fernandina Beach, D’Wonda Pinkney of Yulee, and Joshua Pinkney of Yulee; nieces and nephews, Prince Sherrod, Jelani Sherrod, Laiya Sherrod, Abigail Sherrod, Carmen Pinkney, Dontae’ Pinkney, J. Elijah Pinkney, Destini Wilson, Tyberias Wilson and Egypt Wilson; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at First Assembly of God of Fernandina Beach, with Pastor Dr. Shezetta Morris presiding.

Nicole will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

The repast will follow at First Assembly of God Fellowship Hall.

Her family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 24, at First Assembly of God.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Roy Lee Shepperd, 70, went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 20, 2017. He was born March 3, 1947, in Jacksonville to the late Roy and Florence Shepperd.

Roy had lived in Nassau County for the past 28 years, was a graduate of Andrew Jackson High School, Class of 1966 and was of the Assemblies of God faith. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and worked as a diesel mechanic at Allied Automotive Group Inc. Roy loved fishing and watching wrestling shows and Western movies, and will be dearly missed by all.

He was predeceased by his son, Chris Shepperd.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Joyce; son, Scott Shepperd (Jamie); brothers, Ralph Shepperd (Charlotte), Robert Shepperd (Dana); sister, Janice Colson; grandchildren, Christopher, Sierra, Tyler and Cameron; great-grandchild, Ragan; and numerous other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 23, in the chapel of Cedar Bay Funeral Home, 405 New Berlin Road, Jacksonville, with the Rev. Ken Barney officiating. Interment will follow in Jacksonville National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the funeral home. Call 714-1110 for information.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.

Cedar Bay Funeral Home, Jacksonville

Mary Virginia “Deenie” Wildes, 64, of Callahan, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 18, 2017, at her residence.

She was born the youngest of three children in Homerville, Ga., to the late Charlie Milton Wildes and Mary Strain Wildes. Ms. Wildes had lived the majority of her life in Georgia before moving to Florida about 10 years ago. She was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist faith. Known as “Deenie” and “Little Charlie,” she loved the outdoors, especially fishing. More than anything, she loved her family and any time she was able to spend with them. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Floyd Milton Wildes Sr., and her sister, Ruth Harrell.

Ms. Wildes is survived by two daughters, MaryAnn Huffman and her husband, Cornel, of Yulee, and Valerie L. Lovell of Hoboken, Ga.; a son, General “Will” Blaylock Jr., of Nahunta, Ga.; six grandchildren, Leanna Lee, Jessie Guest, Bryston Blaylock, Austin Blaylock, John Huffman and Ella Huffman; four great-grandchildren, Jordan Lee, Alayah Hill, Tristian Hill and Dominic Clark; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 24, in the Miles-Odum Funeral Home Chapel in Waycross, Ga. Burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery in Hickox, Ga. The family will receive friends beginning at noon Friday at the funeral home.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com.

Miles-Odum Funeral Home Chapel, Waycross, Ga.

Mr. Phillip Reddish, 59, of Yulee, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Josephine V. Rosaschi, 88, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Franklin R. Youmans Sr., 80, passed away Thursday, March 23, 2017.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Robin Zwartjes, 54, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Arrangements are incomplete.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Ruth Virginia Gamber, 91, a longtime resident of Ocean Village on Amelia Island, died Monday, March 20, 2017, in Benton House, an assisted-living facility in Woodstock, Ga., where she had been living for the past two years. She had been in declining health for some time.

Mrs. Gamber was preceded in death in 2011 by her husband of 63 years, Edward Frederick Gamber.

She is survived by her son, Glenn of Alexandria, Va.; her daughter, Christine of Marietta, Ga.; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Mrs. Gamber grew up in the metropolitan New York City area, first in northern New Jersey and later in Woodhaven, a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. After graduating from high school, Mrs. Gamber attended Adelphi College (now a university), where she majored in math and graduated magna cum laude. At Adelphi, Mrs. Gamber served in officer positions of the Student Association, including as president her senior year; as president of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta; and participated in a number of other activities, including the Glee Club and Math Club.

She and her husband married following her Adelphi graduation. His work as an FBI agent took the couple first to Des Moines, Iowa, and then to Winston-Salem, N.C. The couple eventually returned to Long Island, N.Y., where they raised their two children. On Long Island, Mrs. Gamber was active in the local garden club, winning several prizes at local and larger shows for her flower arrangements. She also sang in the church choir and worked for a time as a secretary to a psychiatrist and as a substitute teacher.

Following Mr. Gamber’s retirement from the FBI, the couple moved to Marietta, where Mr. Gamber served as vice president of Wells Fargo Armored Car Service. In Marietta, Mrs. Gamber played tennis in Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association leagues and was active in Song of Atlanta, a member chorus of Sweet Adelines International.

Following Mr. Gamber’s retirement from Wells Fargo, the couple moved to Amelia Island. Mrs. Gamber lived on the island for about 20 years, including four years following her husband’s death. The couple worshiped at Amelia Plantation Chapel.

Mrs. Gamber’s ashes will be interred next to her husband’s in the Amelia Plantation Chapel columbarium later this spring or in early summer.

Memorial contributions may be made to Amelia Plantation Chapel or Hope House in Fernandina Beach.

Kathryn (Katy) Tompkins LeClair passed away peacefully Sunday, March 19, 2017, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach.

Katy, daughter of Robert (Bob), deceased, and Mary Lou Tompkins, was born in Jacksonville on Dec. 20, 1985. After graduating high school, she attended Florida Community College at Jacksonville and completed career training as a licensed esthetician, employed as a skin-care specialist at Magna's Salon and Macy's department store.

An island girl, she enjoyed days blessed by the gifts of Amelia: beach time, kayaking and Piney Island celebrations. Her beautiful smile, laughter, spirited wit, and devotion to family and friends are heirlooms, cherished memories among her friends and family. Katy's affinity for "Ducky" never waivered – he was by her side through all the years.

She is survived by son, Connor LeClair and his father, Greg LeClair, of Fernandina Beach; mother, Mary Lou Tompkins of Fernandina Beach; brother, Ryan Tompkins (Rachel); nephew, Jax of Fernandina Beach; grandmother, Ella Mae Hardenstine of Stroudsburg, Pa.; cousin, David Wyllie of Catasauqua, Pa.; godparents, Steve and Betty Benton of Yulee; and devoted partner, Macy Van Alstyne.

Katy was preceded in death by her father, Robert (Bob) Tompkins; maternal grandfather, Ed Hardenstine; paternal grandparents, Howard and Marian Tompkins of Jacksonville; and Aunt Gerry and Uncle Dave Wyllie of Catasauqua.

Katy gave the gift of life through cornea and tissue donation. Memorials may be made to the Katie Caples Foundation, 914 Atlantic Ave., No. 1A, Amelia Island, FL 32034. Katy's family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to the ER and ICU staff at Baptist Medical Center Nassau; the compassionate care extended to Katy and family is deeply appreciated.

"When I Step Into The Light My Arms Are Open Wide" are lyrics inspired by Dave Matthews, whose music is "My Fav!" per Katy. Dear Katy, you have stepped into the light and the man that "hung the moon," your dad, has his arms open wide. Be well, "… and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hands."

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at First Presbyterian Church, Fernandina Beach. Visitation to follow in Jim Thomas Hall.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Regina Ann Friese Pierce, 94, of Amelia Island, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, March 19, 2017.

Born in Baltimore on Aug. 6, 1922, Regina was the daughter of Anna and Charles  Friese. Mr. Friese had a successful meat business in the style of open-air large covered markets in the 1920s going forward. As an accomplished pianist, Regina graduated from Eastern High School in Baltimore and worked briefly at Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., where she met her husband, Lawrence, who was a young lawyer working there. It was 1941, and they were married within six months, on Nov. 30, 1941, precisely one week before Pearl Harbor. Lawrence served his country as a captain in the U.S. Army stationed in the Philippines with the JAG Corps for one year just as the war ended. Upon his return, they moved to Arlington, Va., where Lawrence began work with the Veterans Administration and, after years of service, became chairman of the Board of Veterans Appeals, appointed by three presidents. During the Arlington years, Regina was extremely active as a Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher and church-based day-care director, and was known as a very capable hostess among friends and colleagues in the area of Washington, D.C., and Virginia, enjoying every minute of it.

Upon retirement, the couple moved to Fort Myers, where they enjoyed a perfect Florida lifestyle with hosts of friends and activities. They traveled the U.S. and abroad. Always active in the church, Regina also began a garden club and women’s club, played golf, and all of the other activities included in communities of that type. They lived happily in Fort Myers for more than 30 years.

They moved to Amelia Island in 2005, when Lawrence’s health began to take a turn, and immediately joined Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, where they would know and admire three pastors — Ed O’Shea, Ray Ramsburg and, now, Ida Iverson. After joining, Regina was astonished that there was no women’s group in the church at the time. Pastor Ramsburg suggested to her that she start one. She did just that, and the group is known as the “Sunshine Ladies.”

After Lawrence passed in 2007, Regina moved to the independent living area of Osprey Village, keeping up with activities when she was able at the time. So many wonderful people live there, and the staff is helpful and caring. She lived for 94 of the most beautiful years anyone could possibly have lived, and she always knew that she was truly blessed.

She is survived by daughter, Anne Entriken (Sam); daughter, Elaine Rens (Brad); grandchildren, Karen Entriken Peters, Matt Entriken (Megan), Alison Lane (Rob) and Ashley Montgomery (Will); great-grandchildren, Lindsay Peters, Lauren Peters, Elle Entriken, Lucy Entriken, Matthew Lane, Andrew Lane, Samantha Montgomery and another Montgomery great-grandson on the way.

There will be a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 20, in the Villas Dining Room at Osprey Village. 

Contributions may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2600 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Jean Maria Corbett Price, 86, formerly of Fernandina Beach, passed away Monday, March 20, 2017, in Newnan, Ga. She was born in a historical home in Fernandina Beach on April 17, 1930, to Tracy James Corbett and Jennie Frasier Corbett. She grew up on the island and graduated a year early from high school and enrolled at Valdosta State University. She studied for two years and returned home when her father passed away. Soon, she would meet Frank Price, a Navy pilot stationed in Jacksonville. They would move to Atlanta to pursue his career and raise their family.

Jean was a loving wife, mother and friend. She delighted in going to church, entertaining her family and friends, baking a cake/casserole for someone in need, sewing, gardening and reading. Her walk with the Lord is what defined her character. Jean was a longtime member of Alliance Church in Atlanta. We all loved her, as she was quick to laugh and had an infectious personality despite the many hardships she endured. She was a survivor of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and breast cancer. Her toughest hurdle would be the death of her youngest child.

Jean was preceded in death by her son, Bob Price.

She is survived by two children, Ann Luttrell and Jim Price; her sister, Ann Snell; two grandchildren, Alex and Sarah Price; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, in the Burgess Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until the hour of service at Oxley-Heard.

She will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Robert Everett Story, 64, of Amelia Island, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2017, at the Warner Center for Caring.

Born Nov. 14, 1952, in Dover, N.H., he was the youngest of two children born to the late Donald Norvin and Doris Koutrelakos Story. He grew up in Exeter, N.H., and graduated from Exeter High School. After graduation, he attended the University of New Hampshire, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science before attending and graduating from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. Mr. Story worked as a pharmacist for 25 years in the Palm Beach County area. He worked for a short time at several private pharmacies before joining Walgreens, where he worked for many years. After retiring, he worked as chief financial officer for Coast to Coast Title Co. in West Palm Beach.

The Storys had visited and vacationed on Amelia Island for more than 30 years before making the shores of Fernandina Beach their home in November 2016.

He was a voracious reader and an avid golfer, and enjoyed gardening.

Mr. Story leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Mary Elizabeth Story; their daughter, Ashton Leigh Story of Gainesville; their son, Brett Donald Story of Auburn, Ala.; a sister, Judith Story; nephews, Nick and Keith Story; niece, Alexis Hatch; brothers-in-law, Hank and John Hammer; sister-in-law, Laurie Hammer; and a nephew, Chris Zydel.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25, in the Burgess Chapel at Oxley-Heard, with his brother-in law Hank Hammer officiating.

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

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors