Leo Charles Freeman, 92, Fernandina Beach, passed away on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Quality Health of Fernandina Beach.

He was born in Fernandina on July 16, 1925 to the late Emmitt and Nettie Freeman and was a lifelong resident. After graduating from Fernandina High School in 1943, he enlisted in the Navy and served during World War II. He was honorably discharged in1946 and returned to Fernandina to work at Container Corporation for 40 years. He was the oldest living retiree of Container Corporation.

Leo loved hunting, fishing and working in his garden. He was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmitt and Nettie Freeman; sisters, Hazel Edwards and Ruby Weeks; brothers, Lonnie Freeman and Powell Freeman; and his previous wife, Verna Freeman.

He leaves behind his wife of 14 years, Faye Cason Freeman, Fernandina Beach; a daughter, Charlotte Anne (Wayne) Gaskin, N.C.; step-children, Mark Joyce and Brent Jones, both of Fernandina Beach, Karen Brown, Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Phyllis Rice, Cocoa, Fla.; sisters, Nora Thomas and Sarah (Wesley) Arnold, both of Fernandina Beach; step-grandchildren, Brandon Joyce, Jacksonville, Megan Brown, Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Will Joyce, Mark Clifton and Rob Clifton; grandchildren, David (Jenna) Gaskin and Shellie (Trevor) Edwards; great-grandchildren, Claire Gaskin, David Gaskin, Jr., Edith Gaskin, Jaidyn Gaskin and Hampton Edwards.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 10, 2017 at First Baptist Church with Reverend Zach Terry officiating.

The family will receive friends from between 5 and 7 p.m. Wednesday at Oxley-Heard.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Emory Eugene Courson, 81, Donalsonville, Ga., passed away Thursday, July 27, 2017 at Southeast Alabama Medical Center.

Mr. Courson was born in Miami, Fla. on June 7, 1936 to Eugene Courson and Jennie Vee Wilson Courson.  He retired from Georgia Pacific as a maintenance mechanic. Mr. Courson attended New Hope Worship Assembly.

Mr. Courson was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Courson and Jennie Vee Wilson Courson; two brothers,  Dale Courson and Riley Courson; 3 infant sisters; and his grandson, Jared Courson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Carleen Courson, Donalsonville, Ga.; his daughter, Cindy Bryant and her husband Larry, Donalsonville; and his son, Karl Courson, Donalsonville. Mr. Courson is also survived by a brother, Charles Courson, Fernandina Beach; and his grandchildren, Mandy Moulton and Jessica Davis and her husband Antonio; as well as his great-grandchildren, Baylor, Paxton, and Ava. He is also survived by a nephew, Derek Courson.

Funeral services for Mr. Courson were held Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Evans-Skipper Funeral Home with Brad Bonner officiating. Interment followed in Friendship Memorial Gardens with Dougal Gillis, Jimmy Hornsby, Charles Musgrove, Phillip Owen, Bruce Phillips and Andy Collins serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Wade Hornsby, Brett Johnson, Lee McLendon, Tim McMillan, and Bruce Guest. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to The Gathering Place, c/o Brad Bonner, 311 S. Wiley Ave. Donalsonville, GA 39845.

Evans-Skipper Funeral Home

William A. McAllister Jr., 88, formerly of Amelia Island, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 5, 2017 at the Mountain Valley Hospice Home in Dobson, N.C. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa. on October 30, 1928.

Mr. McAllister was retired CEO and president of DAR Industrial Products, Inc. in Philadelphia, and founder and retired CEO of Darco Southern, Inc. in Independence, Va.

Mr. McAllister proudly completed his bachelor of science degree in business at Ohio University in his mid-60s, 40 years after he had left his studies to serve in the military, support his father in running the family business and raising his family.

Throughout his life, he supported the growth of organizations and people in his local communities. He served for many years as chairman of the board of Twin County Regional Healthcare, and as board director for Wytheville Community College in Wytheville, Va. He was past president and board director of Fluid Sealing Association. In the last 12 years of his life, Mr. McAllister delighted in serving as a docent and volunteer for the Ribault Club, a historic site on Ft George Island, Fla.

He and his wife, Carol, were part-time residents of Amelia Island beginning in 1980. After his retirement in 1996, Mr. McAllister was a full-time resident until October 2016. While on Amelia Island, he and his wife, Carol, resided at Amelia Island Plantation and later moved to Osprey Village.

Mr. McAllister was the beloved husband of Carol D. McAllister, who preceded him in death in February 2016. He was the father of Jill Burcham, Peggy McAllister and Alec McAllister, grandfather of eight, and great-grandfather of four.

You will be missed beloved father, grandfather and friend.

Funeral services for Mr. McAlister will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 12, 2017 at St George Episcopal Church, 10560 Ft. George Road, Jacksonville, with the Reverend Ray Henderson and the Reverend Jill Burcham officiating. Committal services will follow at Bosque Bello Cemetery. 

Flowers are welcome, as are memorials to the Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, N.C. 

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Gregory Scott Peters, 44, Fernandina Beach, passed away on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at UF Health Shands Hospital in Jacksonville.

Greg was born in Jacksonville on August 2, 1973, the son of Shirley and the late Jimmy Peters. He graduated from Fernandina Beach High School, where he played baseball. He continued his love of baseball through coaching Little League and Crusader Travel Ball and watching his son play at Yulee High School.

He worked for over 23 years at WestRock, where he made lasting friendships. He loved his family and Kendall and Jensen were his pride and joy.

He leaves behind his wife of 10 years, Amy Bryan Peters; his daughter, Kendall Rae Peters; his son, Jensen Gregory Peters; his mother, Shirley Peters; and his grandmother, Grace Bennett Peters, all of Fernandina Beach; as well as many family and friends.

His family received friends between 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Oxley-Heard.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach with the Reverend Zack Terry officiating.

If so desired, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Yulee High School Baseball Dug Out Club, Inc., 85375 Miner Road, Yulee, FL 32097.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Arthur “Artie” B. Reinsch, 77, Yulee, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2017 at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach.

Born November 11, 1939 in Middletown, Conn., he had worked as a printer with the Middletown Press for over 30 years before retiring. He had been a lifelong resident of Connecticut until moving to Yulee in 2003.

Mr. Reinsch was a veteran of the United States Air Force.

He leaves behind his wife, Kathleen “Kathy” Chandler-Reinsch, Yulee; a son, Kevin Hagarty; a sister, Jeanne Gawlak and her husband Bob Gawlak and their children, Amy Fredricks (Tim) and Bobby Gawlak, Jr.; Mr. Artie’s children, Christopher, Timmy, Ryan, Beth, Rita, Terri; several grandchildren; and a niece and nephew.

Mr. Reinsch will be laid to rest in Indian Hill Cemetery in Middletown, Conn.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Edna D. "April" Blackman, 59, St. Marys, Ga., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, surrounded by her family in the care of UF Health Shands Hospital in Jacksonville.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Mark Alan Mulrain, 69, a longtime resident of Fernandina Beach, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at Signature Health Care in Jacksonville. Born in Port Jefferson, N.Y., Mr. Mulrain was one of two sons born to Samuel Mulrain and the late Mina Larson Mulrain. Before moving to Fernandina Beach, he was resident of Jacksonville. 

In his younger life, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He received his bachelor of science degree from Berry College in Rome, Ga. and later received his master of science degree from Tennessee Technical University in Cookeville, Tenn. Mr. Mulrain was a veteran of the U. S. Army who served in Vietnam.

Mr. Mulrain was an agent for Northwestern Mutual Insurance for 43 years. He was known and respected in his profession. As a result of his hard work and diligence, he was recognized as a Lifetime Member of the Millionaires’ Roundtable and was the recipient of numerous National Sales Achievement Awards from Northwestern Mutual.

Mr. Mulrain was an active member of Journey Church in Fernandina Beach. His family and friends will remember him for his flashy and colorful dress, always wondering what he might wear next. His family will always lovingly think about his passion for gardening, including tending to his flowers and bonsai, his love of hunting and fishing, as well as the simple enjoyment he had in chopping wood.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mina Mulrain, and his brother, Jeffry A. Mulrain. He leaves behind his wife, Donna Kinard Rice, Fernandina Beach; his father, Samuel Mulrain, Hilton Head, S.C.; his children, Spencer L. Mulrain and Mary Ann Blalock, both of Savannah, Ga.; his step-children, Melissa R. Rice, Gainesville, Fla., and Michael Rice and his wife, Ragen, Baton Rouge, La.; five grandchildren, Camille Graham, Savannah, Ga., Nathan Slater, High Springs, Fla., Bella Rice, Lola Rice and Campton Rice, all of Baton Rouge, La.; and two nephews, Jeffry A. and John W. Mulrain, both of Jacksonville. 

Services to remember Mr. Mulrain’s life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, August 12, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors with Elder Jim Roberts officiating. The family will receive friends beginning between 10 a.m. and the hour of the service. Mr. Mulrain will be laid to rest at the Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, S.C. at a later date.

The family asks that you remember Mr. Mulrain by making memorials to the Journey Church to benefit the Next Gen Ministry, 95707 Amelia Concourse, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. 

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Donna M. Sullivan, 69, Fernandina Beach, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at Quality Health. This was the fourth and last battle Donna had with cancer.

She was born on November 6, 1947 in Lynn, Mass. to the late Donald A. and Rita Cote Beliveau. She was employed as a registered nurse for much of her working life, starting at Union Hospital in Lynn. It was at Union Hospital where she and her husband, William O. “Sully” Sullivan, met 45 years ago. She was a RN and he worked in shipping and receiving. It would be 10 years later when they married.

Her husband, William, was enlisted in the U. S. Navy, and they lived in Fernandina Beach, when he was stationed at Kings Bay, Ga. from 1989 to 1996. William was stationed at Groton, Conn. for about nine years, and they returned to the area in 2004, when she worked as a registered nurse at Quality Health and also worked at Rosa’s Flower Shop in Fernandina Beach.

Donna loved to travel and her excursions included Europe, Mexico, the Bahamas, Alaska and Hawaii. She always stayed active and enjoyed going to “lunch with the girls” and playing Mahjong and Bridge.

She leaves behind her beloved husband of 35 years, William O. “Sully” Sullivan, Fernandina Beach; a son, Shaun Sullivan, Kenosha, Wis.; three brothers, Kenneth Beliveau, Hampton, N.H., Lawrence and his wife, Nancy, Lafayette, Calif., and Donald Beliveau and his wife, Eva, Newburyport, Mass.

The family requests memorial donations may be made in her name to Community Hospice Foundation, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

There will be a private family service at a later date.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Harold T. Hynes, 75, formerly of Yulee, passed away August 10, 2017 in Lake City, Fla.  No local services are planned at this time.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Sandra R. Yawn, 63, Yulee, passed away August 6, 2017.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Mrs. Melba Lee Crummey Blankenship, 76, formerly of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Saturday morning, August 12, 2017 at the North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Born in Baxley, Ga., she was the eldest and last living child born to the late Linton Lee and Ora Lee Reeves Simmons. She grew up in Baxley and at the age of 16 met James H. Crummey, whom she would marry in 1957. The newlyweds made their first home in the Dinsmore section of North Jacksonville, where her husband entered the ministry as a minister in the Church of God. She and her husband envisioned and led the ministry of the Dinsmore Church of God for many years before serving at the Dunedin Church of God.  They later were asked to lead the Bailey Road Church of God in Fernandina Beach before serving in Merritt Island until retiring in October 1996. A year later, her husband, Reverend James H. Crummey passed away. In 2001, Mrs. Crummey married Reverend Benford Blankenship. The Blankenships made their home in Melrose, Fla. Rev. Blankenship passed away on June 27 of this year.

As a minister’s wife, Mrs. Crummey Blankenship always supported the efforts of her husbands as they led their congregations. She was the adult Sunday school class teacher.

She enjoyed crossword puzzles, preparation for Sunday school lessons, singing in the choir and, in the most recent years, fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing the piano.

In addition to her husbands, she is preceded in death by her brother, Dennie Roy Simmons.

Mrs. Crummey Blankenship leaves behind her children, Randy Crummey and his wife, Lynne, Mike Crummey and his wife, Carletta, Janice Crawford and her husband, Jack, all of Baxley, Dwaine Crummey and his wife, Lynn, Chatsworth, Ga, Wayne Crummey and his wife, Rebecca, Baxley, Becky Kneeland and her husband, Eric, Kearneysville, W.V.; a sister-in-law, Nancy Simmons, Baxley; 16 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and a niece.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 17, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard with Reverends Larry Osburn and Sara Perry Teams officiating.

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

Her family will receive friends on Wednesday between 4 and 6 p.m. at Oxley Heard.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Richard Wilbur Corby, 82, Yulee, formerly of Hempstead, N.Y., passed away on Tuesday afternoon, August 15, 2017 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Born in Hempstead, he was one of four children born to the late William Vincent and Julia Seaman Corby. Mr. Corby had worked in the automotive painting industry in the Long Island, N.Y. area for many years until retiring. Since 2012, he and his wife have been residents of Northeast Florida.

Mr. Corby was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

He is preceded in death by a daughter, Cindy, who passed away in 1964, and a son, Michael Patrick Corby, who passed away in 2012.

Mr. Corby leaves behind his wife, Mary Margaret Murray Corby; three daughters, Linda Corby-Leonard and her husband, George, Fernandina Beach, Kathleen Petersen and her husband, Richie, Bethpage, N.Y., and Patricia Herr and her husband, Kevin, Miller Place, N.Y.; a brother, William Corby Jr. (Judy Leister), Sayville, N.Y.; two sisters, Barbara McSherry, Redding, Conn., and Mary Ellen Campbell, McKinney, Texas; a daughter-in-law, Joanne Corby, Melbourne, Fla.; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Catholic Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 18, 2017 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Yulee with the Reverend Father Raphal Mazurowski, Celebrant.

Mr. Corby will be laid to rest with military honors beside his daughter in Long Island National Cemetery at Pinelawn in Farningdale, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Maryknoll Catholic Missionary Order, P.O. Box 302, Maryknoll, N.Y. 10545-0302 or to Community Hospice of NE Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Delmas Anthony “Tony” Green, age 63, beloved son of the late Richard and Wanda Guest Green of Yulee, passed away on Tuesday morning, August 15, 2017 at UF Health in Jacksonville.

Born in Fernandina, he was the eldest child born to the late Richard Dallas Green Jr. and Wanda Juanita Guest. He grew up in Nassau County and was a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School, Class of 1971.  After high school, he served in the United States Navy, where he was a boiler maker aboard the USS Saratoga. After being honorably discharged, Tony worked as a boiler maker for JEA and other area mill shutdowns.

Tony was an avid Florida Gator fan and could always be found with his dog, Rox.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard Dallas Green Jr. and Wanda Juanita Guest Green.

Tony leaves behind his children, Dale Green, Heather Flowers, Donny Green, all of Yulee; three brothers, Richard Dallas Green III, Lafayette, La., Woody Dale Green (Delcy), Lake Charles, La., and Michael Edward “Eddie” Green, Atlanta, Ga.; his sister, Lou Cinda Ferguson (Bill), Fernandina Beach; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and friends.

His family will receive friends between 5 and 8 p.m. Friday at Oxley-Heard.

Tony will be laid to rest with his parents in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Lucille M. Nelson passed away peacefully at home August 14, 2017, just 73 days shy of her 100th birthday.

Lou was born October 27, 1917 in Lancaster, N.Y. At the age of 14, her family moved to Titusville, Pa., where she met and fell in love with the love of her life and best friend, Dick Nelson. Lou was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a consummate homemaker who was determined to live life to the fullest. An example of her fortitude was shown when in her 30s Lou contracted polio and was told she would never walk again. Through sheer will and determination, she proved the doctors wrong and went on to be a competitive tennis player and enjoyed cycling well into her 90s. She was an inspiration to her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Lou was predeceased by her husband of 74 years, Richard A. Nelson, M.D.; her twin sister, Irene Steinbuhler; and her brother, Phillip Fehrenbach. She is survived by her daughter, Shirley Owens and her husband, Ken, Fernandina Beach; her son, David A. Nelson, M.D. and his wife, Mickie, Santa Rosa, Calif.; two grandchildren, Scott Owens and his wife, Mary, Austin, Texas, and Kelly Owens Berg and her husband, Scot, Weston, Conn.; and five great-grandchildren, Thomas, Bobby, and Freddy Berg and Lucy and Joan Owens.

A family memorial will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Arthur Toivonen, 83, Fernandina Beach, passed away in the early morning of August 15, 2017 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

He was born in January 1934 in Kimbal Township, Wis. to the late Elmer John and Doris (Huotari) Toivonen. He married his wife, Doris Huotari, in Hurley, Wis. in 1957. He served in the U.S. Army and retired from General Electric.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, and 14 siblings.

He is survived by his children, Kim Toivonen, Wade Toivonen, Scott Toivonen, Carol Murphy (Sean), Debra Yarborough (Jerry); longtime companion, Marilyn Anderson; a brother, Kenneth Toivonen (Phyllis), Eagle, Wis.; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Hurley, Wis.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to Northeast Florida Community Hospice or Friends of Jacksonville Animals (FOJA).

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Patrick J. Land, 63, Fernandina Beach, passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2017.

Gordon Erving Jonsrud, 93, of Yulee, went home August 10, 2017 to be with the Lord. He was born July 30, 1924 at the family home in Kelso, Ore. to the late Albert and Nellie Jonsrud.

Gordon was a World War II veteran, having joined the Marines in 1942. He participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign and Battle of Peleliu. He was honorably discharged in 1947 with the rank of sergeant.

Throughout his life, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a talented musician, playing the violin, trumpet and in later years the organ. He also enjoyed singing. Through the years, he participated in the Lions Club, Elks Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, RV group and in his local church.

He lived many years in the South Bay area of California, including a five-year stay on Catalina Island. Later, he moved to Ventura, where he lived for 40 years before moving to Florida to be with his daughter and her family. While here in Florida, he enjoyed being in the “club” at the Nassau County Council on Aging and spending time with his extended family.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Lucille Jonsrud, in 1997. He is survived by his four children, Tara (Chuck) Lockwood of North Bend, Wash., Jimmy (Lesley) Jonsrud of Coeburn, Va., Tana (Ronald) Armstrong of Yulee, and Jodi (Kevin) Dunn of Ojai, Calif.; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his younger sister, Melba Stiles of Lake Oswego, Ore. and many nieces and nephews.

Gordon will be laid to rest at 2:30 p.m September 8, 2017 at Jacksonville Memorial Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held following the service.

If so desired, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Nassau County Council on Aging (Adult Day HealthCare), 1367 S. 18th St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Patrick “Pat” J. Land, 63, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, he was the younger of two children born to Jerry Battles Land and the late Eleanor Bounds Land. Pat’s family moved to Fernandina Beach during his high school years. He was a 1973 graduate of Fernandina Beach High School. After high school, Pat began volunteering at Fort Clinch State Park and quickly became a committed reenactor. He was an avid history buff and over the last 40 years built an extensive collection of military patches and collar insignias from World War II, World War I and the Civil War.

Patrick volunteered annually with the Valiant Air Command on the flight line at the Titusville Air Show.  During these venues, he enjoyed meeting astronauts and World War II pilots. He was a dedicated baseball fan of the St. Louis Cardinals team.

In addition to working for the transportation department at the Amelia Island Plantation, he worked in the seafood department at Winn Dixie and in customer service at Wal-Mart.

Pat is preceded in death by his mother, who passed away in 1990.

He leaves behind his father, Jerry B. Land of Fernandina Beach; his sister, Lynda Braxton of Green Cove Springs, Fla.; nephews, Thomas Braxton of Tamp, Fla., and David J. Braxton of Jacksonville; and extended family consisting of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 24, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard.

Mr. Land will be laid to rest beside his mother in Green Pine Cemetery.

Pat’s family will receive friends on between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at the funeral home.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Tammy Lynn Mixson LeBrun departed this world on August 17, 2017 at the age of 49 and now finds new horizons over the beaches of the hereafter.

Born March 1, 1969, she graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 1986, coached little league, taught children at Yulee Primary School, graduated from Florida State College at Jacksonville and practiced as a registered nurse specializing in cardiology, pediatrics and behavior health.

She loved her granddaughter Lilly Paiden. She was a beach bum from childhood throughout her life. She will be remembered and celebrated for having a bright, laughing, crazy, dance-to-the-beat-of-her-own-drum personality. Now, she is pain free and enjoying sunshine on her face and sand between her toes. She loved to the moon and back.

She was preceded in passing by maternal grandparents, Louise and Elmer Turner; paternal grandparents, Ruby and Wagoner Mixson; father, Marvin “Bobe” Mixson; and brother, Randy Harpe.

She is survived by her mother and dad, Connie and Dallas Harpe; son, Denny “Trey” Taylor III (Ashley) and graddaughter Lilly Paiden Taylor; daughter, Amber Taylor (Ashley); sister, Kelly (Doug) Duarte; nephews, Dawson and Dallas; sister, Kimberly Storey; nephew, Riley; nieces, Darien, Kara (Mark) Conner and baby Leah; multiple extended cousins, aunts, uncles, beloved friends and cherished co-workers.

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” – Marilyn Monroe

“I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens. Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, DANCE!” – Lee Ann Womack

Beatrice “Bea” Witt, 86, entered into rest at her home on Thursday, August 17, 2017. She was one of 10 children born to David and Frances Waddell and grew up in Greene County, Tenn. 

After completing studies at St. James High School and Greeneville Business College, Bea moved to Kingsport, Tenn., where she worked as an executive secretary for Mason Dixon Lines and then Eastman Chemical Company. She was an avid reader and loved to spend time with her family and friends.

For over 50 years, Bea was a member of Colonial Heights United Methodist Church, where she served in various positions. She sang in the choir for many years and was a member of the Upper Room Sunday School class. She loved spending time at her second home in Amelia Island. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike B. Witt; parents, David and Francis Waddell; five brothers, Herbert, Oscar, Claude, Luke, and Clinton Waddell; and four sisters, Elsie Renner, Lyda Seaton, Ioda Solomon, and Kathleen Collins.

Bea is survived by her sons, Timothy (Sarah) and Steven; four grandchildren, Kristen Witt Sharp (Rick), Landon Witt, Kayla Witt Smith (Grant), and Stephanie Witt; and three great-grandchildren, Jonah and Mila Sharp, and Eli Witt.

The family would like to thank Bea’s caregivers for their steadfast love and support over the last several years. 

A memorial service was held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, August 20, 2017 at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church in Kingsport with Rev. Robert Burlingham officiating. The family received friends at the church following the service.

A family graveside service was in East Lawn Memorial Park.

Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes

Major Bruce Adams, 68, of Callahan, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, August 10, 2017 in the care of Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Jacob A. Bukovskey, 80, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2017.

Andrew G. Gerry, 90, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Monday, August 21, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Geraldine F. Johnson, 92, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Kathryn M. Nardi, 61, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on August 21, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Vincent J. Sipple, 82, of Jacksonville, passed away Saturday August 19, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors