Enid Ashurst Meltzer, 85, died peacefully the morning of August 29, 2017 on Amelia Island after an extended illness at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville and Nassau County. She is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, Dr. Charles Curtis Meltzer; two children, Elizabeth Boulenger and John Meltzer; and her two grandchildren, Morgan and Drew Latta.

She was born in Kirkham in the county of Lancashire, England on August 7, 1932 to Ethel Parker Ashurst and Norman Ashurst. She was educated at Bristol University after being awarded a full scholarship at 14 years of age. She left college before graduation due to family problems.

At 19, she was manager of Hunters Inn in Devon which became a popular destination for the staff of the British Broadcasting Company. She worked as an administrator of the Davis School for English Language. She came to the United States in 1958 after serving as a captain in the British Army in the Women’s Volunteer Division, British Sector in Germany (1956-1957).

In the United States, she followed varied career paths including working in advertising for the aviation industry. In that position, she was credited with developing several creative campaigns, including one for Sun Air Electronics that was featured on the back cover of Flying Magazine.

She took over the business management of her future husband’s successful radiology practice at Parkway General Hospital in North Miami in 1967.  She and Dr. Meltzer were married on December 30, 1968.

Dr. and Mrs. Meltzer retired and moved to Highlands, N.C. in 1988. They bought a winter home in Amelia Island in 1997 and moved there full-time in 2003.

In deference to Mrs. Meltzer’s wishes, the family will not hold any public memorial service for their beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Instead, they ask that friends wishing to honor her memory donate to Western Carolina University Scholarships in Culowhee, N.C., your local hospice or to Planned Parenthood.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

James "JC" Parker, 83, of Fernandina Beach and Newcastle, Maine, passed away on the morning of October 11, 2017 at his home in Newcastle.

He was born on October 19, 1933 in St. Barnabas Hospital in Newark, N.J. to Rosamond and Horton Parker, of Nutley, N.J.

In 1945, his parents moved to Glen Rock, N.J., where Jim graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1951. He attended the University of Virginia until 1953, and then was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954. He served with the Army Security Agency as a radio operator in Korea, where he monitored North Korean and Chinese radio activity until being discharged in 1956.

He married Patricia Boyle, of Ridgewood, N.J. in 1961. He returned to the University of Virginia and graduated in 1963 with a bachelor of civil engineering degree. Upon graduation, he joined The Lummus Company, a major international engineering, procurement and construction firm, as a field engineer and retired from ABB Lummus Global in 1998 after 35 years of service.

His working career included numerous field and office assignments in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Venezuela, and Iraq – including the $1.4 billion Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant in North Dakota in 1983, the largest turnkey petrochemical project ever built in the U.S. at the time, on schedule and under budget, which led to a position as vice president of construction for the eastern hemisphere. Due to a reduction in force in 1986, he held a position as vice president of project controls for Leher/McGovern, a construction firm in NYC, for six months. He returned to Lummus Global as a construction director and project director on a number of multi-million dollar projects in the U.S., Iraq, Siberia, and Saudi Arabia until his retirement in 1998.

He spent his retirement years split between his homes in Maine and Florida, with a short sojourn in Costa Rica, peddling hot dogs from a Sabrett hot dog cart. He enjoyed his golf and tinkering and driving his many antique cars, especially his MG-TC, Jag XK-120 and Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and his Harley Low Rider.

James was predeceased by his wife, Patricia, in 1990 and by his brother, David, in 2008.

He is survived by his five children, Timothy and wife, Nicola, Cynthia, Jonathan and wife, Cynthia, Jesse, and Michael, as well as seven grandchildren, Lukas, Nicholas, Ian, Abigail, James, Dale and Patricia.

A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 14, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Newcastle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, No. 300, Topsham, ME 04086.

Strong-Hancock Funeral Home

Mr. Charles F. Rish, 83, of Fernandina Beach passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 14, 2017.

Born in Coffee County, Ga., he lived in Denton, Ga. until he graduated from high school and joined the U.S. Air Force.

He was a son of the late Asel and Lula Dockery Rish. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his brother, Leonard, in 1997.

Sometime in high school, he was noticed by a certain young lady, and after returning home from the Air Force, he would marry that certain young lady, Eloise Harrell. For over 59 years he and Eloise would together make a life, a home and raise a family.

He and Eloise lived in Garden City, Ga. for 12 years and then moved to Fernandina Beach, where they would still be some 43 years later. While in Fernandina Beach, he would begin his career with Container Corporation as an electrician and continued there until his retirement. That skill as an electrician also led him into his pastime of tinkering and repairing whatever needed to be fixed. As many people of the same age, Charles could not stand to throw something away when it broke and would always try to repair it. 

When not working, Charles always kept himself busy. His family knew him as a hard working man who, when not tinkering with something, was either working in the yard as he loved to do or just “piddling.” He never seemed to stand still. His family believes that constant activity was why he was the leanest fellow they knew and could out eat any of his growing boys while never seeming to put on any weight. He would even chide those around him to go back and get more to eat.

All who knew him would say he was the most considerate, kind and generous person they had ever met. He would do anything for anyone and never expect a single thing in return. His family knew him as a “Good Man”, the best any of them had ever known. Above all of that, they all knew they had the best father in the world.

His surviving family includes his wife, Eloise H. Rish; two sons, Kevin Rish of Savannah, Ga. and Jason Rish and his wife, Laura, of Kingston, Tenn.; a daughter, Donna Rish Caquelin and her husband, Dale, of Kingston, Tenn.; five sisters, Shirley Bolden and her husband, Rueben, of Fernandina Beach, Barbara Jean Shuman and her husband, W.A., of Hazlehurst, Ga. , Lucille Lambert and her husband, Ed, of Arkansas, Emily Merritt and her husband, John, of Atlanta, Ga., and Shelia Vickers and her husband, Mike, of White Oak, Ga.; three brothers, Asel Rish Jr., Murphy Rish and Anthony Rish, all of Broxton, Ga.; nine grandchildren and numerous other extended family members.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 17, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors with Pastor Carey Hendricks officiating. The family received friends for the hour prior to the service. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at Hillcrest Abbey West Cemetery, 1336 Dean Forest Road, Savannah, Ga.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Nancy Lee Rosenberg, 68, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Thursday October 5, 2017 at her residence.

Nancy and her siblings were born in Atlanta, Ga., as were her parents, all true “Atlantians.” She lived in Fernandina Beach for 10 years after moving from Atlanta.

Nancy was the daughter of Barbara Yarn and Leman Rosenberg Sr. She is survived by her sister, Susan Fischer; brother, Leman “Buz” Rosenberg Jr.; five nieces and nephews; and seven great nieces and nephews. She was loved and appreciated by many of her relatives and friends.

Nancy was her own person and spoke little of her own accomplishments. She excelled in real estate and “picking” beautiful, unique treasures to surround herself with at home – her favorite place!

This last interest led to the opening of the Picker’s Market on Alachua Street in Fernandina Beach in 2011. Picker’s was a favorite destination laced with interesting items, people, and of course, its owner – Nancy.

A vibrant person, Nancy followed her instincts, being profoundly sensitive and deeply human, endeared her to family and friends. Spunky outspokenness could make her a challenge but easily forgiven because of an absence of malice in the directness.

Emotional, expansive and caring, Nancy was a larger-than-life woman insistent on a positive attitude. Nancy’s courage and persistence were an example to all of us.

A Celebration of Nancy’s Life was held at 4 p.m. Sunday, October 8, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard in Fernandina Beach.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Nancy’s name to the Nassau Humane Society, 639 Airport Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Margaret Brown, 70, passed away October 14, 2017 at her Fernandina Beach residence.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Carson Clyde Cummings, infant, passed away October 10, 2017 at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Rudolph Anthony Maano, 82, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Friday October 13, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Dorothy Vivian Brown, 92, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Tuesday, October 18. 2017 surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on August 13, 1925 in Jacksonville to the late Thomas Milton and Ola Forsyth. Her father’s great-great-grandfather, who was a Scottish botanist and horticulturist, was said to have introduced the shrub “Forsythia,” which was named after him, into Britain from China.

She grew up in Summerfield, Fla. and graduated from Summerfield High School. During World War II, Mrs. Brown worked as a teletypist for Western Union, where she met and married Alvie Britt, who was the father of her five children. Mr. Britt passed away in the early 1980s.

She retired from Maxwell House Coffee in Jacksonville in 1987 as a traffic logistics executive. She then met and married her second husband, Curtis Brown, in 1984 and moved to Locust Grove, Ga. She later lived in St. Mary’s, Ga. She kept busy, being an active member of the Methodist Church as a secretary and participated in the church’s Meals on Wheels program. She was also very active with Amaranth Eastern Star, where she held various offices, the highest of which was the Worthy Matron of her Court, and was a member of the Grand Court and appointed member of the Supreme Court.

When she was younger, Mrs. Brown was also a competitive square dancer. Upon retirement, she kept busy volunteering as a “Pink Lady” at St. Marys Hospital. After moving to Fernandina Beach with her husband, she volunteered at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.

She leaves behind her five children, Ed (Joanie) Britt of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Tom (Elaine) Britt of Eloy, Ariz., Rena (Terry) B. Murphy of Fernandina Beach, Ken (Chris) Britt of Jacksonville, Mike Britt of Jacksonville; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, October 21, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel at Oxley-Heard.

The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until the hour of service on Saturday at Oxley-Heard.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Lelia Jeanette Tracy Pickren Gibson, 96, of Folkston, Ga. left this earthly life on Tuesday, October 17, 2017. She was born on October 8, 1921, to Minnie Haddock and Porte Crayon Tracy, in Boulogne, Fla., in the Tracy ancestral home called “Brooklyn." The home was built by her great-grandfather, Erasmus D. Tracy, and located on the banks of the St. Mary’s River, across from Traders Hill, Ga. Her childhood was spent playing along the riverbank with her three sisters, doing chores at home, such as making soap and learning the art of cooking and sewing. Her father taught the girls a new word every day at the dinner table.

Lelia came of age in the 1930s during the Great Depression, learning well the lessons of frugality and conservation. During a recent conversation, she reminisced about the old days and longingly remarked, “Life was so simple back then. We always had something coming up. It didn't take much to make people happy.”

Lelia married Verne Johnson Pickren in 1941, and by 1952 completed her family of four children and designed a new home that was built on Kingsland Drive. A longtime member of Folkston United Methodist Church, Lelia was accomplished in many areas, and she was known in the Folkston community for her delicious cakes, her hand-tailored clothing, and her paintings. Her one regret in life was that she wasn’t able to go to art school, but she wouldn’t have traded her marriage and family for anything. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. 

Lelia was preceded in death by her parents, Porte and Minnie Tracy; her husbands, Verne Johnson Pickren Sr. and Benjamin Simon Gibson; her sisters, Agnes Tracy Davis and Ada Tracy Norris; and stepchildren, Marian Pickren Bell and S.L. Pickren.

She is survived by her sister, Meta Tracy Cushing, 100, of Jacksonville; sons, Verne J. Pickren Jr. and wife, Cathy, of Folkston and Fernandina Beach and Porter Tracy Pickren and wife, Pamela, of Lee, Fla.; daughters, Marcia Pickren Fraser and husband, John, of Franklin, Tenn. and Lisa Pickren Larson and husband, David Larson, of Atlanta, Ga.; stepdaughters, Jean Pickren Harrison of St. Mary’s, Ga, Cathy Gibson McKenzie of Swainsboro, Ga. and Sue Gibson Moncrief of Auburn, Ala.; grandchildren, Verne J. Pickren III (Tracy) of Sylvania, Ga., Mark D. Pickren and wife, Audrey, of Folkston, Susannah D. Fraser and husband, Scott Stecklein, of Denver, Colo., John Rory Fraser and wife, Carolyn, of Ithaca, N.Y., Ross Lovat Fraser of Franklin, Tenn.; Katherine Tracy (Kate) Larson of Austin, Texas and James David (Jim) Larson of Denver, Colo.; great-grandchildren, Gage Pickren, Jamie Pickren, Colton Pickren, Jolie Kate Pickren, Ben Pickren, Oscar Stecklein, and Leo Stecklein; and numerous step-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. 

The family extends special gratitude to her wonderful team of caregivers, Sharon Mitchell, Tosha Carter, Eleanor Jones, Linda Johns, Penny Sikes, and Kara Prescott, who cared for, blessed and loved Lelia, and grateful thanks to Glenda Gowen for her weekly visits and personal hair care. The family extends heartfelt appreciation to Mark Pickren for his selfless, devoted and loving care to his grandmother during these past years. 

Memorial donations may be made to Folkston UMC Kitchen Ministry, P.O. Box 396, Folkston, GA 31537. 

The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 19, 2017 at Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home. 

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 20, 2017 in Pineview Cemetery. 

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

Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home

Mrs. Jeanette Pipkin Jones, 80, of Warwick died Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at her residence.

Mrs. Jones was born on July 26, 1937 in Hazlehurst, Ga. to the late John Drew and Ruby Googe Pipkin. She had lived in Worth County since 2003. Mrs. Jones was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking and helping others. She was a former Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Jones was a faithful member of Rocky Mount Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin H. Jones, on May 18, 2016 and a sister, Judy Clements.

Survivors include her children, David C. Jones (Genevieve) of Plant City, Fla., Marcia Jones, John C. Jones (Sheila) and Terri J. Johnson (Wayne), all of Yulee; grandchildren, Rebekah J. McLeod (Joe), Jeremy D. Jones, Kellie J. McLeod (Nick), Kyle Edwards (Brandy), Marcy J. Frederick (Jameson), Kristin J. VanBever (Stephen), Jana Jones, Lindsey J. Doudna (Tanner), Jacob Jones, Roger Calvin Johnson (Tammy) and Jennie L. Johnson; brother, Dan Pipkin (Delores); sister, June Nash; and 17 great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 21, 2017 at Rocky Mount Baptist Church with interment to follow in the Rocky Mount Church Cemetery. The Rev. Carlton Webb will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service Saturday at Rocky Mount Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her honor to Rocky Mount Baptist Church, 1050 Rocky Mount Church Road, Ashburn, GA 31714, or Reflections Hospice of Crisp Regional, 202 E. Fourth Ave., Cordele, GA 31015.

You can sign her online guest registry at www.banksfh.com.

Banks Funeral Home

Mrs. Dorothy Brown, 92, of Fernandina Beach passed away Wednesday, October 18, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Elaine Grosso Nelson, 71, passed away on Sunday evening, May 28, 2017. A Time of Remembrance of her life will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, October 22, 2017 at Walkers Landing in the Amelia Island Plantation. A reception will follow at Walkers Landing.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Richard “Drew” Dowling, 80, a native of Miami, Fla. and a resident of Fairhope, Ala., passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2017.

Drew was a United States Marine Corps fighter pilot and served during the Vietnam War. He was proud to be an American and passionately loved his country.

He worked at Raytheon Company for 30 years, enjoying a career that enabled him to travel the world. He was an avid fan of Auburn University Football.

He enjoyed quail hunting and deepsea fishing on his boat – "Grey Ghost"– with his son, Michael. Drew especially loved the game of golf and many of his closest friendships evolved from time spent on the course (Drew's Crew).

He is survived by his sons, Michael Dowling of Fairhope, Ala. and James Dowling (Elektra) of St. Petersburg, Fla.; a daughter, Cynthia Frasier (Eric) of Waxhaw, N.C.; grandchildren, Jack, Blake and Brock Frasier; a sister, Johanna Eversole (Gary) of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; favorite older cousin, Jackie Dews; as well as his nephews, Britt and Christopher, and many other friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 27, 2017 at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Fairhope, Ala. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Alabama State Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, Ala.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation in Alexandria, Va., which can be found online at http://mcsf.org.

Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory

Deborah Gayle Harrington, 64, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla.

Born October 19, 1952 in Stamford, Conn., she was the daughter of Fredric S. Lanyon and Margaret (Nolen) Lanyon, both of Stamford.

Deborah graduated from Brian McMahon High School in Norwalk, Conn. and then graduated from Western New England College in Springfield, Mass. with a B.A. in English literature in 1973. She met her husband, Steve, in college. She was in the Ski Club and he was so smitten with her that he went out and bought ski equipment just to meet her. He had never skied before.

As an undergraduate, she interned as a reporter for two summers with the Stamford Advocate in Stamford. After she married Steve, he took her back to Korea, where he was stationed. She worked for the U.S. Forces Korea (UNC/USFK/EUSA) in Seoul. They lived there for another two years before returning to civilian life.

She also worked public relations with the Financial Accounting Standards Board for many years. Later, she worked public relations and crisis communications (both national and international) for Deloitte & Touche. Deb retired from Deloitte over two years ago. Deb and Steve wanted to leave their home in Stamford for a more benign climate. They searched far and wide. Because of their connections to both sailing and automobiles, Amelia Island was a logical choice. They were struck by the beauty of the place and – more importantly – the character of the locals, which made the decision easy.

She was an avid bluewater sailor, having sailed the Atlantic Coast, the Bahamas, the Exumas and the Eastern Caribbean with her husband. In addition, she was a fan of all things automobile. She was a regular attendee at the Pebble Beach Concours in Carmel, Calif., the Amelia Island Concours and many others. She has lived in Asia, North America and Europe.

She was a member of Women in Communications in Stamford and a volunteer at the Barnabas Food Bank here in Fernandina Beach.

She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Stephen T. Harrington of Fernandina Beach; one son, Christopher Michael Harrington of Greenwich, Conn.; two sisters, Nancy Reitzler of San Diego, Calif. and Sharon Giannini of Bridgeport, Conn.; and several nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, October 30, 2017 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Kenneth Wayne Dewitt, 69, of Fernandina Beach passed away October 20, 2017. There will be a private family gathering in lieu of a service.

Christopher Bek Gardner, 43, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Monday, October 23, 2017.

Harry Ellis Saxton III, 76, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Monday, October 23, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Diane E. Shook, 64, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Jackie Marie Farris Jones was born January 2, 1929 in Uvalde, Texas to Robert C. Farris and Dr. Reba Carder Farris. She was raised in Del Rio, Texas and married the late James Frederick Jones on January 27, 1951.

In 1952, Jackie earned a Bachelor of Science in Education with honors from the University of Texas in Austin, where she was chosen 1950 Sweetheart of Alpha Phi and Sweetheart of the University of Texas and 1951 Cotton Bowl Queen.

Mrs. Jones was active in Wieuca Road Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga., where the family moved in 1957. She spent the last six years in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

She is survived by children, Jim F. Jones Jr., Charisse Jones Moore and Rev. Keith K. Jones, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 

Darby Funeral Home

Harry Ellis Saxton III, 76, of Amelia Island, Fla. was welcomed into Heaven on Monday, October 23, 2017. 

Harry was born May 1, 1941 in Berwyn, Ill. to Gertrude Isabel Anderson and Harry Ellis Saxton Jr. He grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wis., and earned a degree in business from North Central College in Naperville, Ill. He went on to a career in commercial real estate and retired from his successful business in Ganesville, Fla. after more than 30 years in 2014.

 Harry was, above all, a follower of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed studying God’s word and was a member of Community Bible Study, a men’s small group Bible study, and the Plantation Chapel, where he lead a Sunday school class. Family was Harry’s top priority, after God, and in retirement he very much enjoyed partnering in real estate ventures in Costa Rica with his son, Andrew, which also gave opportunity for some fun travel later in his life.

Harry is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Trudy Johansen.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Denise; brother, John Saxton and his wife Cheryl and family of Melbourne, Fla.; sister, Barbara Parker and her husband Robert and family of Boca Raton, Fla.; son, Andrew and his wife Nathalie of Nosara, Costa Rica; and son Harry Ellis Saxton IV of Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2017 at The Amelia Island Plantation Chapel with the Reverend Ted Schroder officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Casa Vida Nosara Church of Nosara, Costa Rica (Pastor Daniel ValVerde) via check made out to AIM, P.O. Box 2030, Robertsdale, AL 36567. Write “Casa Vida Nosara” in the memo line of the check please. Also, donations may be made online  at  www.aimconnects.org/central-america (scroll down to Pastor Dani Valverde, Casa Vida Nosara).

Tara Durden Hoxie Deitsch, 48, left us to be with the angels, dancing on streets of gold October 30, 2017. Her husband held her hand as she left.

She was born February 12, 1969 to Linda and Leeroy Durden Jr. and grew up in Fernandina Beach. She graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 1987, and then earned an associate of arts degree from Andrew College in 1989. She later earned her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Phoenix in 2012.

Affectionately known as TJ by friends, she was an avid Jacksonville Jaguars fan and also fond of Disney characters Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas and Olaf from Frozen.

TJ married Marc Deitsch March 7, 1994 at the Historic Courthouse in Fernandina Beach. The couple later celebrated with a ceremony at Memorial United Methodist Church.

She loved animals and was very proud of her children. Her brother, Charles Durden, preceded her in death.

TJ is survived by her husband of 23 years, Marc Deitsch of Yulee; her children, Charlotte (Allen) Weld of Texas and Michael Deitsch of Yulee; her parents, Linda and Leeroy Durden of Fernandina Beach; her brother, Leeroy Durden III of Fernandina Beach; her mother-in-law, Manette Deitsch of Long Island, N.Y.; her father-in-law, Alan Deitsch of Depot Bay, Ore.; and numerous other relatives.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, November 2, 2017 at Memorial United Methodist Church, 601 Centre St., Fernandina Beach.

Send the family condolence messages at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Eddie Jacklien Kelly passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on October 29, 2017. He was born November 17, 1926 to John Gordon Kelly and Maggie Carter Kelly, both of Blackshear, Ga. He met and married his wife of 70 years, Bertha Johnson Kelly, also of Blackshear.  

He was a sergeant in the United States Army and served in World War II, stationed in Germany and France during 1946. During his years of service, he received the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on February 3, 1947 and returned to Waycross to marry the love of his life that same year. He worked for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad until 1949. They then moved to Fernandina Beach and started a family. He worked for Jefferson Smurfit for 39 years before retiring as a millwright supervisor.

Ed was a lifelong Christian and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach. He served as an active Deacon for over 30 years. He also held many other positions on various committees and was at one time Superintendent of Sunday Schools. He was a master mason and a Shriner for 50 years and participated in many activities to raise funds for the Shriners Hospital for Children.

Many wonderful years were spent at their second home on the Satilla River, where countless fish fries and family gatherings were enjoyed. Fishing was a great love of his as well as the outdoors. Ed loved spending his evenings on the porch with his loving wife. Ed and Bertha enjoyed vacationing in the mountains with family and friends. Ed was a giving man, a wonderful provider, and a hard worker. He had a strong Godly presence and an honorable reputation that preceded him. He instilled family values by example, and was sure to pass his work ethic along to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Family was Ed’s greatest pride.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, John and Maggie Kelly; his sisters, Janette Davis and Louise Nelson; and his brother, Earnest Kelly. He leaves his wife of 70 years, Bertha (Johnson) Kelly; his daughters, Kay Kelly Stockstill (Joel) and Sue Kelly Powell (Tim); five grandchildren, Shawn Haddock, Kevin Haddock (Kelly), Elisha Powell Mock (Jonathan), Eric Powell (Barbara Ann), and Kristin Powell Boyette (Mark); six great-grandchildren, Jackson and Tanner Mock, and Payton and Taylor Boyette, Cody and Mallory Hinkle; nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 2, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach with Rev. Jimmy Dees and Rev. Zach Terry officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Board of Deacons and the William Davis Sunday School Class. Mr. Kelly will be laid to rest at Bosque Bello Cemetery.

The family asks memorials be made, in his memory, to the First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach Building Fund.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Willa Mary Oyer, 73, a resident of Fernandina Beach, passed away October 20, 2017, at Specialty Hospital Jacksonville after an extended hospitalization.

Willa was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Linwood Pedrick, and her brother, Linwood Pedrick. She is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, John; daughters, Linda Dabrowski (Brian) of Ann Arbor, Mich. and Sarah Lubischer (Kevin) of Roeland Park, Kan.; grandchildren, Allison Dabrowski, James Dabrowski, Abigail Lubischer, and John Patrick Lubischer; and a sister, Linda Pedrick.

Willa and John relocated to Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, Fla. in 2005, having spent the majority of their married life working and raising their family in Ann Arbor, Mich. While in Ann Arbor, Willa was an active member of the Ann Arbor Thrift Shop, Ann Arbor Farm and Garden and the Ann Arbor Women’s City Club. She was also a member of the Plantation Ladies Association at Amelia Island Plantation. An avid reader who enjoyed spending time with friends and family, Willa embarked on a career as a Carlisle Collection fashion consultant and retired in 1997.

Willa was also very fond of cats, and the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Willa’s honor to Cats Angels of Fernandina Beach. Cremation has taken place. The family invites friends to share memories and celebrate Willa at an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. November 18, 2017 at the Ibis Room, Racquet Park, Omni Amelia Island Plantation.

Shirley Antoinette Reed Rucker, 91, passed away Friday, October 27, 2017 at Quality Health of Fernandina Beach.

Born in Frederick, Md., Mrs. Rucker was a daughter of the late Earl Kirby and Fern Kaetzel Reed. She moved to Fernandina Beach in 1949 with her husband, the late Claude Lee Rucker Jr. While he made his career at Container Corporation, she was the homemaker caring for their seven children. 

Born during the Great Depression, Mrs. Rucker grew up with values and lessons learned during this extraordinary time. As part of the Greatest Generation, her life was changed and deeply influenced by the events of World War II. Throughout the rest of her life, she came to appreciate and cherish any group or organization that helped veterans or active duty service members.

A longtime member of Memorial United Methodist Church, she was active there with her family until her declining health prevented her attendance. In addition to her various activities at the Methodist church, she cared deeply for orphaned children and made regular gifts to Methodist Children’s Home and programs that benefited Native American children.

After her family was grown, Mrs. Rucker continued caring for and guiding young children by working as a guardian ad litem for the State of Florida.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by a daughter, Sharon R. Hudson.

She leaves behind six children, Reed and his wife Patricia Rucker of Fernandina Beach, Melanie Rucker of Tallahassee, Claude Lee Rucker III and his wife Jeanne of Atlanta, Ga., Dawn S. Rucker and her husband Paul Mango of Pittsburgh, Pa., Lorena Rucker and her husband Robert Dancho of Fernandina Beach, Suellen Rucker Smith and her husband Chromer of Yulee; a sister, Sandra Shirey of Hagerstown, Md.; 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Rucker were held at 3 p.m. Monday, October 30, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. The family received friends during the hour prior to the service.

She was laid to rest beside her husband at Bosque Bello Cemetery.

The family requests memorial gifts be made to the USO, P.O. Box 96860, Washington, D.C. 20077-7677 or TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), 3033 Wilson Blvd., Suite 630, Arlington, VA 22201.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Tara H. Deitsch, 48, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Monday, October 30, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. David Lynn Ferguson, 61, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2017, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Sandra C. Proctor, 54, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Monday, October 30, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Robert V. Wentworth, 87, of Callahan passed away Sunday, October 29, 2017, at Life Care of Hilliard.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors