William R. Brock, 83, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away December 22, 2017.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Roger Godwin, 58, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away at his home on Monday December 25, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Carolyn R. Hall, 76, of Callahan, Fla., passed away on Friday, December 22, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Eugene Randall Michaels, 71, of Yulee, Fla., passed away December 22, 2017.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Ralph James Natrillo Jr., 80, of Yulee, Fla., passed away December 24, 2017.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Jeanne Smith Robbins, 91, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away December 23, 2017.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Larry Donnell Mason, 61, of Evergreen (Sandhill), Fla., peacefully entered his eternal rest at Baptist Hospital on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.

He leaves to cherish his memories daughters, Norma Farrell, Janessa, Johnethia and Jocia Casey; brothers, Freddie, John, George, Otis, Ozell, and Darryl Mason; sisters, Yvonne Mason-Green, Gloria Mason, and Linda Noble.

Homegoing celebrations for the deceased will be held at River of Praise Worshop Center at 83410 St. Mark Drive North in Yulee at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2018 with Minister Larry Osburn and Pastor Johnnie Green officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 16, 2018 and from 9 a.m. to the hour of the service Saturday, March 17, 2018 at St. James Baptist Church at 153037 County Road 108 in Yulee. Interment will be in the Brickyard Cemetery.

Sarah L. Carter’s Funeral Home Northside

Maurice Lamar Noble passed away March 9, 2018 at St. Barnabas Hospital in Bronx, N.Y. after an extended illness.

Maurice was born on June 10, 1940 in Fernandina Beach, Fla. He was the youngest of six children born to Reche and Elizabeth Noble. As a young man, he was a member of Macedonia A.M.E. Church. After graduating from Peck High School, he moved to Jamaica, N.Y. to live with his Uncle Ray and family. He enjoyed the companionship of his cousins, Ray, Alan, Sarah and Bonnie. He later met “the love of his life,” Amelia, and moved to Hempstead, N.Y. He and Amelia also lived in Los Angeles as well as Fernandina for short periods of time. At the time of his death, he and Amelia resided in Manhattan, N.Y.

Maurice was an accomplished musician playing in his high school band. He later in New York joined a professional band and had the opportunity to play at the historic Apollo Theater. He did a short tour of Europe with the band. Although Maurice could play more than one instrument, he mastered the trumpet. He will be sadly missed by his African Macaw, “Lucky,” who danced while Maurice played the keyboard or perched quietly and listened.

Maurice also enjoyed fishing and had a love for the ocean and the outdoors. He also enjoyed art and was skilled with creating pencil drawings. His easygoing spirit will be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Reche Noble Jr.; and a sister, Joyce Noble Bailey.

Maurice leaves to mourn his passing his devoted wife, Amelia Noble; daughter, Karen Church (Brian); grandchildren, Kayla and Phillip, both of Orange Park, Fla.; siblings, Cassius Noble of Jamaica, Mercedes Noble Johnson (Warren) of Pleasanton, Calif. , and Eunice Noble Scott of Murrieta, Calif.; sister-in-law, Joyce Powell Noble of Titusville, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2018, at Henry Brooks Community Hall in Manhattan.

Barbara L. Noden, 80, beloved wife and mother, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2018 at Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville.

Barbara was born in Binghamton, N.Y. and moved with her family to Miami, Fla. when she was a teenager.

She was an alumna of the University of Florida, and later a graduate of the baccalaureate physical therapy program at the Medical School of Columbia University in New York. While in New York, she met her husband, Malcolm, and they were married in Miami in 1958.

During her 40-year career as a physical therapist, she was active in the American Physical Therapy Association and filled several physical therapy director positions in various hospitals, including the original Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville and Beth Abraham Hospital in Bronx, N.Y., where she worked with the famous British neurologist and author Oliver Sacks in the development of the new uses of the drug dopamine. In the late 1960s while there, she and Sacks worked with a group of survivors of the 1920s sleeping sickness, encephalitis lethargica, who had been unable to move on their own for decades.

After moving to the Finger Lakes region of New York, she became the director of the PT Department at Auburn Memorial Hospital in Auburn, N.Y. In her later years, she started her own PT practice and was a consultant to many nursing homes and assisted living communities.

She and Malcolm retired to Amelia Island in 2003, and in retirement she took up oil painting and became a member of the Island Art Association, where she displayed her works in several shows at the local gallery.

She also became very involved with various activities in the First Presbyterian Church in Fernandina Beach, including serving a term as an Elder. She served as the historian of the Presbyterian Women’s Association and on the Mission Committee. In the latter committee she became an unflagging supporter of America’s Youth Inc., the local agency serving the educational support and off-street recreational needs of low-income, under-served, and minority children in our community.

She is survived by her husband; daughter, Alexandra (Martin) of Boulder, Colo.; sons, Stephen and Gregory (Evie), both of Poplar Ridge, N.Y.; granddaughters, Leah and Mariah; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Her memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach with Senior Pastor Wain Wesberry officiating and assisted by Associate Pastor Julie Jensen.

Because of her passionate advocacy for America’s Youth Inc., the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her name to that agency at 907 S. 11th St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15

Charles White, 70, of Yulee, Fla., passed away on Wednesday March 14, 2018. Arrangements to be announced.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Judy A. Bounds, 70, of Yulee, Fla., passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018 at UF Health North in Jacksonville, Fla.

She was born on October 5, 1947 in Fernandina to the late Leo H. and Marie M. (Nix) Franks. She grew up in Fernandina Beach, attending elementary school and then graduating from Fernandina Beach High School in 1968.

She married Perlue A. Bounds in 1997 in Woodbine, Ga.

Judy was employed at Winn-Dixie in Yulee. Her hobbies included fishing and bingo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Perlue; and her son, Tyson Gordon Todd.

She leaves behind her son, Eric Todd of Fernandina Beach; his father, Gordon Todd; and many friends and relatives.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home with Chaplain Jackie Hayes officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2018, at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

John Walter Castle, 76, left his earthly home on March 20, 2018 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. He was born on November 18, 1941 in Johnson County, Ky. and graduated from Boyd County High School. After graduating, John married his high school sweetheart and joined the United States Marines. John moved in 1973 to Jacksonville, Fla., where he organized and started Terminal Bag Credit Union in 1979. After retiring from Terminal Bag, he worked for the Nassau Bowling Center and Lil’ Champ Food Stores.

John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia Branson Castle; and his children, Teresa Gail Williamson, John Walter Castle II and Torre William Castle. He is also survived by his sisters, Martha McCoy and Ann Stambaugh, both of Ashland, Ky.; his brother, Donald Castle (Doris) of Yulee, Fla.; five grandchildren; and 22 nieces and nephews. John enjoyed fishing and a love for Kentucky basketball. He will be dearly missed by all.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2018 at Green Pine Cemetery in. The service is open to everyone.

The family asks for a donation to be made to the Blackrock Baptist Church building fund in lieu of flowers.

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

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

A funeral service for Mrs. Louvenia Green of Yulee, Fla., who passed on March 15, 2018, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018, at Solid Rock Church of God by Faith, located at 86138 Palm Tree Drive in Yulee, with Pastor Dr. Elder Harry Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends at her viewing at the church on Friday, March 23, 2018, from 5-7 p.m. and on Saturday from noon until the hour of service.

Those who remain to cherish her memories are her children, Louis Tyler, James Bernard Gadson (Sharon), and Kimberly Williams (Kelvin); sisters, Charlie Mae Ferguson, Arline Ferguson, Carol Manning, and David Ferguson; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Charles Louis White was born on December 19, 1947 to the late Deacon Allen and Sister Gladys Davis-White in Yulee, Fla. He was baptized at First Baptist Church of Yulee by the late Rev. D. V. Singletary. His early childhood schooling experience was at Bryant Academy in Yulee. He received his high school diploma in 1965 from Peck High School in Fernandina Beach, Fla. While attending high school, he played basketball, becoming one of the school’s star athletes and excelling in the game.

Charles was employed as a supervisor with the United States Postal Service in Chicago, Ill. before coming home due to his father’s illness. He later became employed with Baptist Medical Center Nassau in the Environmental Control Department and remained an employee for over 18 years, eventually retiring on September 1, 2012.

Charles reunited with his high school sweetheart, Jeannette, and they were married on January 31, 1992. Their blended family resulted in three children.

God prepared him to transition to his heavenly home on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 in the wee hours of the morning.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Alvin White Sr.; and his sister, Virginia White-Johnson.

Left to celebrate his life is his loving wife, Jeannette Bacon-White; daughter, Charlette White-Hill; sons, Carlos White Sr. and Bryan (Angela) Stewart Sr.; grandchildren, Eboni, Shondra, Carlos Jr., Jason, Cori, Robert, Kenneth, Kiara, Lynette, Bryan, Brandon, and Ladarius; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Rachel Fussel of Jacksonville, Fla., and Janet Herring of Milwaukee, Wisc.; brother, Roger (Jewel) White of Jacksonville; and aunts, Victoria Davis of St. Augustine, Fla., and Gracie White of Sandhill, Fla.

Charles deeply loved his nephews, Raymond (MD) (Ronnie) Johnson of Yulee and Freddie (Yvonne) Johnson III of Stockton, Calif., who held his hand during the loss of his sister, Virginia. Also, a very loving cousin, Nicki Davis, and tremendous friends through it all, Nate Roberts, Betty Williams-Davis, all of Yulee; sister-in-law, Estella Bacon-Green; niece, Barbara (Jimmy) Jenkins; nephew, Ulyses (Joe Black) Green Jr., all of Fernandina Beach; adopted mom, Mrs. Edna Moffett, affectionately called “Mom” of Chicago; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and grief-stricken friends.

A public viewing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Yulee.

The homegoing celebration will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018 with a viewing starting at 9 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Yulee, located at 86584 Pinewood Drive in Yulee.

In lieu of flowers and food, please make monetary donations to Solid Rock COGBF and mail to 86073 Alliance Place, Yulee, FL 32097.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Judy A. Bounds, 70, of Yulee, Fla., passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Wynelle F. Jones, 86, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away on Monday, March 19, 2018.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mary Elizabeth Stroud, 74 of Yulee, Fla., passed away Sunday, March 18, 2018.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Marvin Glen Conner passed away peacefully with his family by his side on March 19, 2018. Marvin had health setbacks in 1993 and again in 2003 with a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer. After beating cancer twice, Marvin ultimately succumbed to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

He was born in 1936 and was raised in Fernandina Beach, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth Newsome and Fred R. Conner; his brothers, James Conner and David Newsome Conner; and his best friend and hunting buddy, Dave Gelfer.

Marvin is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Mellena Hardee Conner; his daughter, Elizabeth (Pat, Jr.) Pace; his sons, William Marvin (Sheri) Conner and Michael Dean (Andrea) Conner; his grandchildren, Allison Love Pace, Courtney Lee Conner, Cole Michael Conner, Patrick Conner Pace, Austin Lang Conner and Camryn Leah Conner; his nephew, Mike (Carolyn) Conner; and many nieces and nephews. He also considered his Sea Garden Sales/SGS Industrial Team as his second family. Marvin had the honor of working with his colleagues for over 55 years.

During his youth Marvin was an avid athlete excelling in football and track and field at Fernandina Beach High School and Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. Marvin then served as a lieutenant in the United States Air Force. After his military service, he joined his father in-law, William Love Hardee, in the marine and industrial supply business. During these professional years, he oversaw Sea Garden Sales Company (SGS Industrial), Bayside Net and Twine, Southern Shipbuilding, and was a partner in Valley Ice and Fuel Company. He was later joined by his two sons in the family business.

Marvin, known for his time, energy and resources, was active in the community. He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as both Elder and Deacon. Marvin served on the board of directors for Wells Fargo Bank (First National Bank) for 25 years. He served on the boards of the National Fisheries Association, Texas Shrimp Association, and National Netting Association and had numerous other professional affiliations. He participated in many civic organizations including the Saint Joseph Academy Advisory Board, St. Joseph Academy Athletic Boosters, the Episcopal Day School Board, the Brownsville Jaycees, Brownsville Economic Development Council, Valley Baptist Hospital Board and the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation.

He was always known for his positive attitude and determination to get up and make every day a good one. He loved attending his grandchildren’s games, meets, recitals and performances. He was especially a great fan of St. Joseph Academy football. Marvin was an avid outdoorsman enjoying golf, hunting, fishing and backyard birding. He loved the beaches of Amelia Island, South Padre Island, the ranchlands of South Texas, the Texas Hill Country and the mountains of Colorado. More importantly, he was deeply blessed with many wonderful friends of all ages. He looked forward to his lunch bunches, breakfast clubs and the comradery of many wonderful friends.

The Conner Family wishes to express their deepest thanks to the care given to him throughout the years, including the doctors, nurses and staff of the Valley Baptist Health Care System, South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital, Solara Hospital and the MD Anderson Cancer Center. The family is eternally grateful for the years of care from Dr. Juan Martinez, Dr. Jorge Romaguera, Dr. Fadi Alfayoumi and the Benchmark Pulmonary Team. The family also wishes to thank Maria Mendoza and Hermangildo Mendez for their years of devotion. 

A celebration of life will take place at the First Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Brownsville or Saint Joseph Academy.

Darling Mouser Funeral Home

Wynelle F. Jones, 86, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, March 19, 2018, at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

She was born on April 2, 1931 in Lakeland, Ga. to the late Fulton and Ruby (Browning) Fender.

She met her future husband, John Paul Jones Jr., on St. Simons Island in 1949. She moved to Maryland and they began dating while he was in the Naval Academy. During this time she worked for the FBI in Washington, D.C. They married the day of his graduation from Annapolis in 1954. His naval career moved the family to many cities in the U.S. and abroad including San Diego, Calif., Troy, N.Y., Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Newport and Davisville, R.I., Port Isabel and Corpus Christi, Texas, the Presidential Retreat of Camp David in Maryland, Gulfport, Miss., Charleston, S.C., Alexandria and Norfolk, Va., and San Bruno, Calif. Through all the moves, she was the one who organized the family and made sure the transition was a smooth one.

While her husband served as commanding officer at Camp David, she and her family became personal friends of President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird. During her husband’s career, “Winkie,” as she was affectionately known, was the consummate Navy wife and hostess. Her husband often said she was the backbone of his career.

When her husband retired from active duty, they moved to Fernandina Beach in 1988 and then to Amelia Island in 2005. After settling in the area, she and her husband became active members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

“Winkie” loved to fish and tend to her garden and she salted her life with a wicked sense of humor.

She is preceded in death by her husband, retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral John Paul Jones Jr.

She leaves behind her children, Karen Alison (Timothy John) MacNair of Fernandina Beach, Julie (Edward) Penton-McGurn of Margate, Fla., John Paul (Sallie Ann Marston) Jones III of Tucson, Ariz.; sister, Thelma Champion of Jacksonville, Fla.; daughter-in-law, Eren Lynn McGinnis, Spain; grandchildren, Sofia Anaïs McGinnis (Adam Abdelatif) Jones, Desmond Maxwell McGinnis Jones, Robert Paul Penton, Christine Alison(Craig Vincent Curro) Penton, Timothy John MacNair Jr., Alison Nicole MacNair, and Michael Lachlan MacNair; great-grandchildren, Roberto Ivan (Pam Amy McGrath) Penton, Vincent Robert Curro, and Emma Amelia Penton; and several nieces, nephews and good friends.

The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to Community Hospice and the caregivers who played such a special part in her life, Rita Voll, Jacquelyn Krajewski, Akosua Odei, Lucy Polk, and Melissa Henry.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with the Reverend Stephen Mazingo, rector, officiating. The family will receive friends between 5 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Those desiring may make contributions in her memory should contact St. Peter’s Episcopal Church or Community Hospice and Palliative Care.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Nettie Eliza Spence Wood, 88, treasured mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away Saturday, March 10, 2018.

Nettie was born in Waresboro, Ga. on March 1, 1930, the daughter and eldest child of Steve Ashley and Irene Tomlin Spence. She enjoyed growing up in Waresboro with her parents and siblings and vacationing in Fernandina Beach with her family and friends. She graduated from Waresboro High School and attended Georgia State College for Women. She transferred to, and graduated from, Warren A. Candler School of Nursing in Savannah, Ga., where she studied and achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a registered nurse. After graduation from Candler, she practiced nursing in Georgia and Florida. She soon moved to Brunswick, Ga., to work in the new Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital.

While in Brunswick, she met Arthur Jarvis Wood Jr. through her best friend and roommate, Sara, who thought they would “be a good match.” She and Jarvis married in 1959 and bought a home in Windsor Park, a beautiful Brunswick neighborhood perfect for a young couple and growing family. They had two sons, Arthur and Barclay. In 1967, Nettie and Jarvis bought their very own beach cottage in Fernandina Beach and there they enjoyed many family beach vacations with their young sons. After the boys went to college, Nettie and Jarvis moved to Fernandina Beach permanently. They continued to enjoy many visiting friends and family members at “The Beach.”

Nettie was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Jarvis Wood Jr., and a brother, Steve Ashley Spence Jr.

She is survived by her two sons, Robert Barclay Wood (Glynis) and grandchildren, Emily and Robert, of Fernandina Beach, and Arthur Jarvis Wood III (Tracy), grandchildren, Ian, May and Katy, and great-granddaughter, Elizabeth, of Tampa, Fla; a sister and brother-in-law, Wanda Dee and Daniel W. Peeples of Yulee, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Nettie made many friends throughout her life. She was a superb hostess and conversationalist, always full of energy and ideas. She was a thoughtful, stylish, intelligent, fun, and lively lady. She will be missed by many.

Plans are private, as she requested.

Janet Hahn Anderson, 94, of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away February 17, 2018. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at Walker's Landing at Amelia Island Plantation. The Reverend Doctor Terry Schoener, pastor emeritus of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park, Md., will officiate.

Steve Baker Jr. passed away Sunday, March 18, 2018. The funeral service for Steve Baker Jr. will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 31, 2018 at the Solid Rock Church of God by Faith, located at 86138 Palm Tree Drive in Yulee, Fla. The visitation will be between 5 and 7 p.m. Friday, March 30, 2018 at the Solid Rock Church of God by Faith. Interment will be in Chester Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute at tswarden.com.

Tyrone S. Warden

The funeral service for Mrs. Jean Permilla Davis will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 31, 2018 at the New Zion Baptist Church, located at 10 S. 10th St. in Fernandina Beach, Fla. with Rev. Jeremiah Robinson Jr. officiating. A public viewing will be held at the Huff & Battise Funeral Home between 5 and 7 p.m. Friday, March 30, 2018 and between 9:30 a.m. and the hour of the service Saturday, March 31, 2018 at the church. Interment will be held in the Bosque Bello Cemetery. The cortege will assemble at 10 a.m. at 512 S. 13th Terrace.

Huff & Battise Funeral Home

Sherman Donald "Don" Delk Jr., 64, passed away March 22, 2018 at his home of natural causes.

Don resided mostly in Florida after his discharge from the Navy in 1979. His skills as an aircraft mechanic and love for the ocean developed during his service in the Navy. He worked for numerous airlines, including US Airways, DayJet, and most recently as a lead aviation mechanic in Afghanistan and Africa.

His love for life was contagious, and he enjoyed nothing more than to spend time with family and friends. His grandchildren brought him great joy and never-ending laughter and smiles. He also loved adventure, flying single engine airplanes, sailing his boat Knot So Fast, and traveling. 

The hearts of those blessed to know him are filled with both sorrow and gratitude. His brilliant, universal mind never belonged in such a small vessel, and his heart, though never on his sleeve, was kind and giving. We will forever love our Old Man in the Sea.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sherman Donald Sr. (2011) and Jeanette (Suchomski) Delk (1995), and a sister, Lilly Ann Delk (2015).

He is survived by his sister, Karen Allen of Charlottesville, Va.; his children, Dawn M. and Joseph Freeman of Hamsptead, N.C., Amanda K. and Joe Furce of Summerfield, Fla., and Robert P. and Megan Bales of Yulee, Fla., as well as nine grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 31, 2018 at the Ocean Club of Amelia, located at 2080 S. Fletcher Ave. in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Joyce Sowell Dickens, 63, of Yulee, Fla., passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Born in Alma, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Tot Sowell and Myrtle Courson Sowell. She moved to Yulee at a young age and grew up there.

She married Henry Bailey Dickens III in 1985 and they made their home in Orlando for many years. In Orlando, they raised their children, Henry Bailey Dickens IV and Kailey Joyce Dickens. Joyce was an educational paraprofessional working with special needs and preschool children.

After her husband’s passing, Joyce moved back to Yulee in 2014.

Joyce will always be remembered as a loving and giving person. She was family-oriented and her warm-hearted nature was evident in how she cared for all her family. In addition to her family she loved animals but was especially fond of her cats.

In addition to her father and her husband, she was also predeceased by two brothers, Donnie and Jerry Sowell.

She is survived by her children, Henry Bailey Dickens IV of Altamonte Springs, Fla., and Kailey Joyce  (Chris Check) Dickens of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; her mother, Myrtle Sowell of Yulee; three brothers, Jack Tot Sowell of Yulee, Travis (Mary) Sowell of Springfield, Mo., and Tracy (Lavina) Sowell of Eastman, Ga., as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, March 28, 2018 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard with Rev. Calvin Courson officiating. Graveside services will be later today at 3:30 p.m. at Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery near Alma, Ga. with Pastor Edmund Thrift officiating.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Larry W. Harris, 82, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away on Friday, March 23, 2018 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

He was born on December 19, 1935 in Plymouth, N.C. to the late Willard E. and Gladys (Garcia) Harris.

He was raised in Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, Va. When he was 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served honorably for four years as a schematics specialist.

Larry first met Barbara “Bobbie” Crouch when she was 22 years old while they worked at the same company. They were married in 1975 after dating for five years. They lived in Virginia Beach, and because of their love of golf, they were members of the Broad Bay Country Club. They enjoyed travelling to Europe and many points in the U.S. playing the various golf courses. But Broad Bay was their favorite. Larry and Bobbie could often be found in Ft. Myers, Fla. playing golf with their dearest friends, Larry and Carolyn Sutton and the late Tommy and Linda Fraizer. Larry retired from J. Henry Holland Corporation after 33 years of employment.

Larry and Bobbie fell in love with Amelia Island after coming here for 28 years. They moved to the area permanently three years ago.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law, Julie Crouch Gabor; and his sister and brother-in-law, Lela and Roland West.

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Barbara “Bobbie” Harris of Fernandina Beach; children, Sheila and her husband David Marshall of Chesapeake, Va., Bryan C. Hammond of Killean, Texas, and Julie and her husband Arlen Proctor of Longview, Wa.; sister, Lynda and her husband Ron Lortie of Hooksett, N.H.; brother, Fred and his wife Janet Harris of Rosewell, Calif.; sister-in-law, Wanda South, and brother-in-law, David Crouch, both of Maple Shade, N.J.; nieces, Tanya and her husband  Brian Auger of Haddon Height, N.J., and Tiffany McAvoy of Rosewell, Calif.; nephew, Chuck and his wife Sandy West of Chesapeake, Va.; cousin, Thede Parks of South Carolina; godchild, Whitney Johnson and her parents, Dan and Margie Johnson, of Philadelphia, Pa.; grandchildren, Sarah and Brian Marshall of Chesapeake, Va., Victoria and Christine Hammond of Texas, and Reese Belson of Fernandina Beach; great-grandchild, Benton Lena; best friend, Sallie Cora; and numerous family and friends.

The family received friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home. A celebration of his life for family and friends followed at 1:30 p.m. at the Sandbar & Kitchen in Fernandina Beach.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Jason Matthew Raffaeli, 25, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away March 21, 2018. He was born on July 2, 1992 in Stamford, Conn., the son of C. Cathleen Raffaeli of Scottsdale, Ariz. and John J. Raffaeli Jr. of Fernandina Beach.

Jason was employed by Horizon Electric, LLC in Fernandina Beach. He was a graduate of King & Low-Heywood Thomas School in Stamford, where he played on the varsity baseball team. Later, he attended Jacksonville University and Florida State College of Jacksonville. More recently, he became a certified nursing assistant, which he earned from Brookline College.

Jason was a member of the Golf Club of Amelia Island and was an avid sports fan. He was an accomplished golfer and music lover, learning both the piano and guitar “by ear.” He especially enjoyed his family’s gatherings on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and spending time with his dog.

In addition to his parents, Jason is survived by two brothers, John III (Kelsie) of Stamford and Justin of New York City. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Carolyn Hamilton. He was a proud uncle and dedicated godfather and had numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. In addition to his family, he had many friends who also loved him dearly.

Jason’s kindness and commitment to helping others was demonstrated in his passion for the work of buildOn, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations. In addition to participating in the construction of a buildOn schoolhouse in Mali, Africa, Jason volunteered at its community outreach efforts in the United States. In a tribute to Jason, buildOn is dedicating a school in Haiti to his memory.

Funeral arrangements are private.

Jason’s legacy can be honored by making a financial contribution in his name to buildOn at buildon.org.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors