On Monday, April 24, 2017, Brandon Tyler Adams passed unexpectedly in Norman, Okla.; he was only 23 years old. He will be 23 forever and forever in our hearts.

Tyler was born Oct. 8, 1993, in Panama. He was a 2012 graduate of William Blount High School in Maryville, Tenn. Following his graduation, he completed basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., in October 2012 and began combat training for the 434th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Sill, Okla. He served in the U.S. Army until 2014.

Tyler is survived by his father, Daniel Scott Adams and wife Patty of Yulee; his stepbrothers, Nicholas Ponder and wife Beth and their two children Finnley and Miles, Zachary Ponder and wife Katerina, and Cameron Ponder and fiancée Chandler; sister, Cassandra Kelley of Middleburg; grandparents, Lee and Joann Adams, also of Yulee, and Julio and Estrella Galang of Saucier, Miss.; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Tyler was preceded in death by his mother, Everly Pabilona Galang of Maryville.

Cremation services are being arranged by Tribute Memorial Care in Norman. A memorial service will be held at Celebration Baptist Church, 85520 Miner Road, Yulee, at 6 p.m. Friday, May 12. Pastor Mike Kwiatkowski will officiate the ceremony. Tyler's aunt Eileen Galang will deliver the eulogy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in support of Tyler’s Troops for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walk to be held in Chattanooga, Tenn., on what would have been Tyler’s 24th birthday on Oct. 8, 2017. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Tyler’s life.

Tribute Memorial Care, Norman, Okla.

Andrew Balee, 59, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 7, 2017, in Fernandina Beach from lung cancer.

He was born June 19, 1957, in Fort Lauderdale to William Lockert Balee and Lorraine Monahan Balee. He grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Sandalwood High School in 1975.

Some years later, he almost graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville, but he never bothered to retake a failed Spanish course. Instead, he spent his life working in restaurants as a waiter, bartender and manager.

Everyone remembers him for his incredibly quick wit and deep intelligence. He was well-informed, particularly on politics, and his satirical blog, ticusfiles.wordpress.com, which he began in November 2016 and continued writing until the last days of his illness, delightfully skewers the current POTUS. He loved books, crossword puzzles, writing and golf. When his mother could no longer live alone, Andrew resigned his job to take care of her (she died March 27, 2017). His kindness and generosity are legendary among his friends and family.

His survivors include his sister, Susan Balee and her husband, Jonathan Arac, of Pittsburgh; his brother, William Balee of New Orleans; his half-sister, Denise Balee Zorzi of Miami; his beloved nieces and nephews, Nicholas Bezerra Balee, Alexandra Balee Lundy, Isabel Bezerra Balee and Mark Balee Lundy; and three close friends of decades’ standing, Armando De Loera of Port Orange, and Jennifer and Michael Whiting of Bell, Fla. He will be deeply missed by the many people who loved him.

His burial is private, and a memorial is planned for a later date.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Mack Corbitt, 79, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.

Born April 23, 1938, in rural Atkinson County, Ga., he was one of nine children born to the late Mack C. and Sarah Summerlin Corbitt. Growing up in Pearson, Ga., he attended the Atkinson County Public School System. In 1953, his father passed away, prompting his mother and siblings move to Eatonton, Ga., to be near her family. Mr. Corbitt didn’t return to school but began working in the cotton mills of Eatonton in order to help his family financially. As a young man growing up in south Georgia, he had never seen the ocean. His brother Charlie brought him to the shores of North Florida, which would plant the dream in Mr. Corbitt’s mind to one day live near that ocean. In 1961, he moved from Eatonton to Jacksonville, where he landed a job with Sealand Shipping Services and found the love of his life and future wife, Virginia Lee. Mr. Corbitt and Miss Lee would marry in 1962. The Corbitts lived in North Jacksonville until moving to Nassauville in 1969. Mr. Corbitt continued to work at the Tallyrand docks, where he became a longshoreman for the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1408. He worked at Sealand, Navieras and PRMMI until retiring in 1998.

He and his wife have been longtime members of Springhill Baptist Church, where Mr. Corbitt enjoyed driving the bus for the children’s ministry as well as the senior adults.

His family recalls his love of old Western movies, growing watermelons and his antique Tafe Tractor.

Mack’s greatest joys were his family, serving his church and hosting the Boyett-Lee Labor Day Family Reunion. He could easily be recognized sporting his signature hat.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers and a sister.

He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Virginia “Jenny” Lee Corbitt of Fernandina; six children, Janice Pickett (Joe) of Fernandina Beach, Timothy Corbitt (Liz) of Bryceville, Sarah Lynn Corbitt of Jacksonville, Perry Corbitt (Tammy) of Fernandina Beach, James Forbes Corbitt (Shauna) of Yulee, and Samuel Forbes Corbitt of Fernandina Beach; his sister, Gladys Harrell of Macclenny; 10 grandchildren, Joseph and Joshua Pickett, Andrew and Aaron Corbitt, Lexi and Savannah Corbitt, Taylor and Trent Anderson, and Ally and (soon-to-be-born) Paisley Forbes; a great-grandchild, Kolton Pickett; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at noon Saturday, May 13, at Springhill Baptist Church, with Pastor Daryl Bellar officiating.

Mr. Corbitt will be laid to rest in Springhill Baptist Church Cemetery.

His family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 12, at Oxley-Heard.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Michael Edward Crews, 69, of Yulee, passed away Friday, May 5, 2017, in Jacksonville.

He was born Dec. 24, 1947, in Danville, Va., the son of Ralph and Nellie Hodges Crews.

He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 2352 in Yulee and a former member of the Masonic Order. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, Michael went on to fulfill a lifelong career as a truck driver.

Michael loved riding motorcycles and fishing.

He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Alice Crews Cobb of Danville.

Survivors include five daughters, Tracy Sue Wilder and husband Zachary L. Wilder of Arlington, Texas, Wendy Michelle Dickerson and husband Charles S. Dickerson of Mansfield, Texas, Patricia Nell Crews of Arlington, Chelsea Crews of Kingsland, and Kayla Crews of Yulee; sister, Brenda Mattox of Sanderson, Fla.; brother, Ralph Crews Jr. of Arkansas; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home at a time and date yet to be determined.

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

Green Pine Funeral Home

Hazel Jean Portulas, 95, of Fernandina Beach, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 4, 2017, at her residence.

Born April 25, 1922 in Drumheller, Alberta, she was the daughter of the late Guy E. and Dell G. Haymond. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Salvador “Bubba” Portulas, and daughter, Sandy Portulas Steedley.

Mrs. Portulas had been a resident of Brunswick, Ga., since 1943 and then moved to Fernandina Beach, where she had resided since 1981. She was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, staying ever faithful until her death. She was a homemaker, enjoyed gardening, growing beautiful flowers and always setting a fine example for her family.

Survivors include her son, Guy Portulas, and daughter, Barbara Portulas Pope (Stan), all of Fernandina Beach. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home, St. Marys

Timothy E. Swearingen, “The Battery Man,” 66, of Hilliard, passed away Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at his home in Hilliard.

Mr. Swearingen was born Feb. 26, 1951, in Jacksonville, and spent his early years in Jacksonville and the rest of his life in Hilliard. Tim was the middle son of Stephen and Mary Swearingen, who are both deceased.

He leaves behind a sister, Delores L. Doyle and her son Hugh Simmons, his beloved nephew; two brothers, Toby Swearingen and the Rev. Bert Swearingen; and several nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as stepchildren, Andy Moser, Jonathan Taylor and Samantha Johnson; and two grandchildren, Brianna Taylor and Allison Moser.

Tim sold batteries for many years and was known in Callahan and Hilliard as “The Battery Man.” He loved to hunt, fish and garden. Tim took great delight in telling his fish stories and always had a good sense of humor. He loved his cats and beloved dog, Brownie.

Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at Bosque Bello Cemetery, Fernandina Beach, with the Rev. Bert Swearingen officiating.

Larry Richard Wilkinson, 72, of Crossville, Tenn., passed away Thursday, May 4, 2017, in his home following a recent illness. He was born in Newark, Ohio, on Jan. 4, 1945, to the late Richard and Isabelle Wilkinson. He was member of the graduating Class of 1964 from Utica, Ohio, and in 1972 moved to Yulee.

Larry was a man of few words but always made a lasting impression on the people who knew him. In his younger years, he participated in many hobbies, including, archery competitions, boating, fishing, golfing and scuba diving; he also created many wonderful paintings that are treasured by his family. He was best-known for his “mechanically inclined” abilities and his willingness to share his skills with anyone in need. He was especially proud of his restoration of his 1973 Corvette Stingray.

His mechanical skills along with a hard-work ethic helped him to rise through various positions during his 35-year career with Smurfit-Stone Container, a paper mill in Fernandina Beach. After retiring in 2007, he relocated to Crossville, where he enjoyed gardening and preparing wonderful family meals; however, prior to his illness, he would be found “tinkering” out in his workshop.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Debbie Wilkinson; sons, Kendell (Lori) Wilkinson, Keven (Patches) Wilkinson and Troy Wells; siblings: sisters, Iciphene Hardy, Jerry Brown and Dora Harris, and one brother, Don (Marvel) Wilkinson; grandchildren, Blake, Courtney, Katie and Weston Wilkinson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Honoring his request, he was cremated, and his immediate family will hold private services at a later date.

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.

Funeral services for Mr. Mack Corbitt, 79, beloved husband of Virginia Lee Corbitt, will be at noon Saturday, May 13, at Springhill Baptist Church, with Pastor Daryl Bellar officiating. Mr. Corbitt will be laid to rest in Springhill Baptist Cemetery. His family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 12, at Oxley-Heard.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Craig Randall Kitler, 56, of Yulee, passed away peacefully Monday, May 8, 2017, at his home, surrounded by his family and in the care of Community Hospice & Palliative Care.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Sydney Nelson, 83, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Milford Boyett, 93, of Fernandina Beach, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 7, 2017, in the loving care of the Warner Center For Caring in Fernandina Beach.

A native of Blackshear, Ga., he was the son of James Lester and Alma Carrie Boyett. Following his youthful days in school and on the family farm, Milford enlisted in the Navy and served in both the European and Pacific theaters during World War II. He was awarded a Commemorative Medal from the Russian Federation for his services in the Navy Armed Guard for ferrying relief supplies to Murmansk, Russia, for the beleaguered Russian front. He made several other North Atlantic crossings with the Armed Guard on similar missions and participated in D-Day, landing infantry troops on Utah Beach.

During the war, he married his wartime sweetheart, the former Nella Faye Kirkland of Waycross, Ga., at The First Church of the Nazarene of Waycross. After a short duration in Jacksonville, the Boyetts moved to Fernandina in the early 1950s, where Mr. Boyett began his career with the Container Corporation of America.

A talented individual, Milford and his brother Winston were members of the Amelia Island Playboys, a country-western band that performed at local events, as well as live on Fernandina's WFBF radio. He was also a member of the Fernandina Beach Boat Club. A boat racer of considerable skill, he won several boating events in Fernandina Beach; St. Simons Island, Ga.; and Jekyll Island, Ga.

Mr. Boyett was a master carpenter, building the two homes in which he and Nella raised their children. He also built boats and traveling campers, with which he introduced his children to many exciting experiences. The summers were spent fishing and water skiing, as well as traveling far and wide, from Fernandina to Niagara Falls, to Newfoundland, Canada, and through the western deserts to California. Following his retirement, he and Nella continued their adventures, living on the road for weeks at a time.

Mr. Boyett was predeceased by his eldest daughter, Shirley Lynn Boyett; four brothers, Earl, Winston, Willis (Pap) and T.J. Boyett; and sisters, Juanita Lee and Moreta Lee.

He leaves behind his wife of 72 years, Nella Faye of Fernandina Beach; his eldest daughter's son, Seth Adam Boyett (Michelle) of Atlanta; daughter, Dee B. Stoudemire (Richard) of Jacksonville; son, Repperd Milford Boyett (Kathy) of Yulee; son, Herbert F. Boyett of Jacksonville; his daughter-in-law of 35 years, Mary Gwen Boyett of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; and granddaughter Jane Stoudemire of Charleston, S.C. His remaining siblings are Genoa Lee of Nicholls, Ga., Geneva Bacon of Jesup, Ga., Samuel Boyett of Blackshear, and James Lester Boyett of Boulogne.

Throughout his life, Mr. Boyett maintained his faith in his Lord, Jesus Christ, and professed and shared that faith with others.

The family wishes to thank those extended family members and friends who so lovingly made themselves available to help their "Uncle Milford" and "Aunt Nella" over the past several years.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 12, at Oxley-Heard. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard, with the Rev. Rick Lee and Dr. Larry Boyette officiating. Mr. Boyett will be laid to rest next to his daughter at Bosque Bello Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Warner Center For Caring at Community Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257, or online at support.communityhospice.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

William “Billy” David Jones, 63, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017. He was born June 2, 1953, in Brunswick, Ga., to the late J.D. Jr. and Hazel Jones.

Billy had been a lifelong resident of Nassau County, was a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School and was of the Baptist faith. He was a veteran and served in the U.S. Army, a salesman in the retail industry, loved fishing and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his brothers, James Harold Jones (Barbara), John Daniel Jones and Robert Christopher Jones (Christie); sisters, Sandra Clarke (Bill), Joan Murphy (David) and Nora Fugitt; and a host of other family, friends and co-workers.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at Hughes Cemetery, 86001 Florida Ave., Yulee, with Pastor Donnie Miles officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the graveside.

Cedar Bay Funeral Home, Jacksonville

Nina Kay Batchelor Mudd, 60, of St. George, Ga., passed away Saturday, May 6, 2017, at her residence. She was born Jan. 9, 1957, to the late James Walter Batchelor and Nina Margie Tindol Batchelor in Fernandina Beach.

She was preceded in death by her brother, James E. Batchelor.

She is survived by her son, Joshua J. Moore; two sisters, Mary Lightsey and Katie Ennis; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Memorialization will be by cremation.

Condolences may be expressed by signing the guest registry at www.shepardfh.com.

Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home, Folkston, Ga.

Mr. Ronald B. Alvarez, 74, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Sunday, May 14, 2017, at his residence.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Dorothy S. Perry, 96, of Amelia Island, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017, at the Warner Center for Caring at Baptist Medical Center Nassau. Arrangements will be announced.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Nancy P. Thornton, 87, of Yulee, passed away Monday, May 15, 2017.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Hugh Tollison, 92, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Monday, May 15, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Linda Faye Alexander went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 13, 2017, in Jacksonville, surrounded by her family. She was born in Fernandina Beach on Sept. 30, 1947, to Charles and Lera Faye Clements.

She was a lifelong resident of Nassau County. After a lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis, she has now gained her dancing shoes and will be dancing with her Lord and Savior.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherryl (Kenny) Sims; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and siblings, Frank (Brenda) Kirkland, Bill (Bonnie) Kirkland and Charlene Fulghum.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Ronald Anthony Smith.

A small family service will be held Thursday, May 18.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nassau County Council on Aging.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Kenneth Gilson “Gil” Bailey Jr., 77, passed away peacefully Monday, May 8, 2017, at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Bailey Family Center for Caring in St. Augustine.

Gil was born in St. Augustine to parents Kenneth G. and Agnes R. Bailey. He started his career in banking and retired as a restaurateur. A true Floridian and a Gator fan at heart, Gil was an avid golfer, loved spending time at the beach and, most of all, loved spending time with his loving family. 

Gil is survived by his longtime love, Carole Mays; two children, Kenneth G. Bailey III (Marie) and Denise Bailey Akers (Mike); his sister, Sylvia Mickler Stone; five grandchildren, Bryan Akers (Audrey), Brett Bailey, Bradley Akers, Brittany Wolske and Brooke Wolske; and his great-granddaughter, Bailey Akers; as well as many nieces and nephews.

As he starts his next chapter, he is reunited with his daughter, Julie Bailey Wolske; his parents, Kenneth G. and Agnes R. Bailey; and his brother, John R. Bailey.

A memorial will be held Friday, May 19, at Craig Funeral Home, St. Augustine. Family will receive friends at 6 p.m., with a rosary to follow at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Bailey Center in St. Augustine.

His love, personality and humor will be missed.

Craig Funeral Home, St. Augustine

David Louis Miner, 62, of Yulee, passed away Friday, May 12, 2017, at his residence.

Mr. Miner was born Sept. 5, 1954, in Fernandina. He was the son of Louis Frederick and the late Yvonne Jean Johnson Miner. He grew up in Nassau County and attended Yulee Elementary and Fernandina Beach High School.

He worked various jobs at ITT Rayonier but mainly worked in the wood yard. At an early age, he learned to play the drums and went on the road with many bands, playing country and Southern rock music.

Mr. Miner leaves behind his son, Steven Miner of Yulee; daughter, Katie Miner of Yulee; his father, Louis F. Miner of Yulee; a brother, Mark Miner (Karen) of Woodbine, Ga.; and a sister, Faye Driver (Earl) of Jacksonville.

There will be a private family funeral service.

David will be laid to rest at the family farm.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Virginia M. (Gaitten) Fowler, 95, of Fernandina Beach, formerly of Columbus, Ohio, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017.

She had been a resident of Amelia Island Quality Health for several years. A member of America's Greatest Generation, Virginia was one of the original Rosie the Riveters, assembling aircraft at North American Aviation (now Boeing) during World War II. She then continued on with the company until her retirement. She was born in the mining town of San Toy, Ohio, on Sept. 1, 1921, to William and Rosetta (O’Connor) Gaitten. Her father was the mine electrician in San Toy.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Sarah Thompson, Kathleen Bell and Ruth Puckett; and two brothers, Andrew and Donald.

She is survived by her son, Roger Fowler and his wife, Susan, of Fernandina Beach; two granddaughters, Teresa Fowler and husband David Workman of Dublin, Ohio, and Lisa and husband Stacy Reisinger of Spring Hill, Fla.; eight great-grandchildren, Lindsey and husband JP Thompson, Christopher Stentz, Jessica Lee, Tracy Lee, Lucas Dawson, Arabella Workman, Kasey Reisinger and Makenzie Reisinger; and great-great-granddaughter, Evelyn Thompson. Numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews also survive.

The family would like to thank the staff at Amelia Island Quality Health for providing such wonderful care to their mother and grandmother and especially to Sue Watkins, the special caregiver and friend whom Virginia depended upon so very much.

Donations to Community Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation can be made to 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

Arrangements are pending for a memorial service with the immediate family.

Melinda Lee Bartoszewicz, of Quincy, Fla., passed away Friday, May 5, 2017.

Melinda was a registered nurse, an avid naturalist and bird lover, dog lover, gardener, photographer, and the most wonderful cook. Melinda was born Nov. 19, 1965, in Fernandina Beach to Franklin and Annette Lee. She graduated from Florida State University and was a passionate Seminoles fan. She had a lifelong love of nature and enjoyed photographing the birds that came to her many feeders and to the wildlife refuges near her home.

Melinda will be forever missed by her husband of 21 years, Michael; father, Franklin D.R. Lee; sister, Gail Lee-Carter (Richard); brother, Ron F. Lee (Tarah); in-laws, John and Carol Bartoszewicz; John R. and Sandy Bartoszewicz; Karen and Roger Elmore; and her beloved pets, Jasper, Rue and Ollie.

A memorial service is planned for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, Melinda would have appreciated a tribute donation to her favorite associations: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (www.birds.cornell.edu) or the Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org).

Lifesong Funerals & Cremations, Quincy, Fla.

Dr. Alberto Lopes Daconceicao, 81, passed away peacefully Friday, May 12, 2017, at University of Florida Health Jacksonville.

He was born in Castelo Branco, Portugal, on Feb. 8, 1936, the son of the late Januario and Maria Lopes Daconceicao. He attended schools in Angola, Africa and Lisbon, Portugal. In 1958, he graduated from the Universidad de Coimbra with his medical degree.

He came to the United States to become a board-certified surgeon and then radiation oncologist. Dr. Lopes, as he was best-known, practiced medicine for 52 years in an exact and caring manner. Dr. Lopes was chief of radiation oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee from 1973 until 1982. He then practiced medicine at Batavia Radiation Oncology in Batavia, N.Y., and Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, N.Y. In 2007, Dr. Lopes retired to Amelia Island and enjoyed his hobbies, which included travel, reading and exercising.

Dr. Lopes leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Mimi Bordow Daconceicao; and his cherished children, Jeffery (Jenny) Lopes and Melanie M. Lopes. His other European and American families include two loving sisters, Cecelia Daconceicao, Natalina D. Simoes and her children Ana Maria, Jose Alberto and son Jose Eduardo Simoes; and his loving brother-in-law, David Bordow and his son Elie Ben Bordow.

Special thanks to his oncology nurses and teams at Rochester General Hospital (Cheryl Erdle and Gretchen Robjohns) and Batavia Radiation Oncology (Kathy Klippel and Sue Hartrick).

Many friends, associates and patients will remember him dearly. He was a dynamic and productive person and wonderful provider to all those whose lives he touched.

Funeral services will be private.

Memorials may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, (800) 227-2345.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Donna A. Holbrook, 69, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Thursday afternoon, May 11, 2017, at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.

Born in Knoxville, Tenn., she was the only child born to John David Allen and the late Alma Harper Allen. She grew up in Knoxville and attended Whittle Springs Elementary and Gresham Junior High School before graduating from Fulton High School, Class of 1965. After high school, she attended East Tennessee State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. While in college, she met a history major, Garry Wayne Holbrook, who would become her husband in June 1969. Both pursued a career in education, she within the Clinton City School System in Tennessee. Mrs. Holbrook taught elementary education until retiring in 2003.

Having visited and vacationed on the shores of Fernandina Beach for a number of years; at the time of their retirement, the Holbrooks settled on Amelia Island.

Mrs. Holbrook enjoyed spending time at the Fernandina beaches, loved visiting with her children and grandchildren, and decorating her home. She also enjoyed spending quality time with her friends from Bible study. She not only enjoyed the company of others, but also a good book and bowl of chocolate ice cream.

She and her family are members of First Baptist Church of Clinton, Tenn.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Beth Holbrook, and her mother.

Mrs. Holbrook leaves behind her husband of 48 years, Garry W. Holbrook of Fernandina Beach; their children, Leanna Holbrook Neubert and her husband, Christopher, of Woodstock, Ga., and Jordan Holbrook and his wife, Bree, of Orlando; her four grandchildren, Lukas and Penelope Neubert, Kord and Eastin Holbrook and another Holbrook grandson on the way; and her father, John David “J.D.” Allen of Fernandina Beach.

A Celebration of Life service 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