William “Bill” Bartholomae departed this earth April 24, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. With him were his wife, Suzanne, and daughter, Carol. 

William was born on June 4, 1928 to Faye and William Rudolph Bartholomae.

Bill lived a long and vibrant life! He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York City, N.Y. He then went on to earn his master’s degree from NYU and served in the Navy for two years as a pharmacist mate.

Bill worked for 24 years in New York City for Associated Merchandising Corporation as a vice president of furniture development. In this capacity he traveled the world, developing furniture designs from across Europe, Asia and even behind the "Iron Curtain." He made numerous lifelong friends throughout his travels.

He retired from AMC in 1986 and went to North Carolina to work for Henry Link Furniture as an executive vice president. Bill retired from Henry Link in 1989, after which he and Sue moved to their beloved home on Amelia Island, Fla.

Bill was a man who enjoyed life. He enjoyed boating, clamming, fishing, and spending time near the ocean. He loved to read, play his favorite music such as Beethoven, Beatles, show tunes, and more, working on his computer, and investing, and he especially enjoyed telling unique and wonderful stories about his family. Most of all, he loved riding his bike which he did until he was 89 years old.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Valleri Moscarelli.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne, and his three children, William Richard Bartholomae, Carol Shina and Barbara Bartholomae, all of whom got to spend quality time with him before he passed. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jarrod, Mariam, and Nicole Shina, Sarah Hall, Erin Matthew and Kerry Bartholomae as well as two great-grandchildren, Andrew and Emily Hall.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 28, 2018 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors with Mr. Jim Mayo officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at noon. He will be laid to rest at Bosque Bello Cemetery. 

He will be missed by many, especially his loving and devoted wife, Sue, and his children. We will miss you William Bill "Pop" Bartholomae, husband, father, and friend. Be with the angels and watch over us, and as he would say, many times each day, "Sue!!!!"

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Ronnie Ray Hall, 65, passed away Sunday April 22, 2018.

He was born in Jacksonville to the late George and Irma Patterson Hall. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be dearly missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Billy and Gary Hall.

Survivors include his wife, Susan; son, Ronnie Ray Hall II (Barbara Kaleel); brother, Wayne Hall; sister, Joani Wilson; stepfather, Henry Thomas; grandchildren, Ronnie Ray (Trey) Hall III and Devin Hall; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the graveside on Saturday April 28, 2018 at Green Pine Cemetery in Yulee, Fla. with Pastor Philip “Phee” Shorb officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2018 at Cedar Bay Funeral Home, located at 405 New Berlin Road in Jacksonville.

Cedar Bay Funeral Home

Carol Hensley Hastey, 68, of Amelia Island, Fla. and formerly of Atlanta, Ga. and Denver, Colo., peacefully passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

The eldest of twin sisters born in Atlanta in October 1949 to Marble John Hensley Sr. and Ruth Collins Hensley, Carol grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn. After attending Girls Preparatory School and graduating from Brainerd High School in Chattanooga, Carol went to Auburn University to pursue her passion for design, earning a degree in interior design from the School of Architecture. There at Auburn University she met the man who would become her husband of 46 years, Joe. After they were married in September 1971, Carol and Joe lived and worked in a few different cities in the South before they initially settled on Signal Mountain, Tenn. They would go on to raise their three sons in Atlanta (1984-1996) and then Denver, where they lived until 2014. Their loving partnership lasted the rest of her lifetime.

Throughout all the places life led her, Carol made lasting, lifelong friendships. She was a true friend, endlessly giving of her energies when others needed help – always reliable to share her gentle heart or be a source of comfort when times were difficult. Carol had a creative mind and great eye for home design, often lending her unique talents to friends and family – forever leaving her touch on the places that families cherish most.

And although a truly talented interior designer, once she started her own family, Carol devoted herself to being a mother. She was selfless in her love for her children, always possessing the greatest of patience and a playful sense of humor. She adored her grandchildren and was eager to dote on a new baby boy this summer. She lived her life knowing that “we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Carol’s life was rich and complete.

She simply had the sweetest disposition. As a friend, she was lighthearted and genuine; as a mother, she was patient, selfless and loving; as a wife, she was faithful and caring; and as a grandmother, she was simply our sweet “CeCe.” To all of us, she is deeply missed.

Carol is survived by her husband, Joe Hastey; son, Todd Hastey of Knoxville, Tenn.; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Janet Hastey of Alpharetta, Ga.; son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Allison Hastey of Denver, Colo.; brother, Marble John (Michelle) Hensley Jr. of Smyrna, Ga.; sister, Kathlyn Hensley (Terrance) MacFarlane of Marietta, Ga.; and grandchildren, Sarah Kate, Will, Ellie and Ben Hastey.

A memorial for Carol will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 30, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church, located at 9 N. Sixth St. in Fernandina Beach, Fla. Immediately following this worship service, family and friends are also invited to attend a reception in Jim Thomas Hall at First Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, all who wish to remember Carol are invited to make gifts to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or to the children’s ministry of First Presbyterian Church at Fernandina Beach.

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

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Suzanne Masters, 77, passed away April 24, 2018 in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

She was the widow of Richard S. Masters. They shared 54 loving years of adventure and travel. Suzanne, Richard and their girls moved to Park Ridge, Ill. in 1976. From 1976 to 1986, Suzanne was a fifth grade teacher at St. Ferdinand School in Chicago, Ill. Suzanne enjoyed travel, reading, bridge and crossword puzzles. She was quick-witted and a good listener and loved a good joke.

She is survived by her daughters, Stephanie (Sean) Corbett and Shannon (Michael) Straughn; grandchildren, Ian and Owen Corbett and Sarah and Megan Straughn.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Fernandina Beach with family and friends attending.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Doris Yvonne Lightbody Young, 78, of Yulee, Fla., passed away Wednesday, March, 14, 2018.

She was born November 5, 1939, the daughter of Arthur Fredrick Lightbody and Norma Rae Lee Smith.

Her love for life was infectious and she enjoyed nothing more than to spend time with family and friends. Always ready to go and experience all that she could, she gave of herself and to others in need on many occasions. She knew no stranger. It made no difference who you were, what color you were or the life you lived. Those things did not matter to her. She saw it as an opportunity to share God’s love for them and whatever gift of generosity she could give them. All her accomplishments in life were based on the foundation she and our dad had in their relationship with God. John 3:16

She will be remembered as a loving, kind and giving person, always ready to share her irresistible smile and humor. Our memories of you are never forgotten but lived through them. We love you, mama (meme). God blessed us with a beautiful and loving mother.

Her husband , Bobby (Bob L.) Luther Young preceded her in death. She leaves behind her sisters, Norma Jean (Lightbody) Landon (Lawton) and Darlene (Lightbody) Donald (Larry), and her children, Robin Young de Boer (Douwe) and Robby Randall Young (Julie). Her grandchildren include Auriel Weinberg (David), Christopher Young (Natasha), Marcus Young, Savannah Young, and Quest Belcher, together with all her great-grandchildren, Madison, Janna, Jadon, Alisa, Noah, Chloe, Caleb, and Jacob, and all her extended family whom mom (meme) loved as her own, and especially her new additions, Lincoln, Stiner and Baxley.

A private memorial was held at Good Samaritan, Dowling Park, Fla., with graveside services held at Concord Primitive Baptist Church in Sparks, Ga. in accord with Boone Funeral Home of Adel, Ga.

Mr. Dwight Eldon Wiles, 87, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday April 25, 2018 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

He was born on October 9, 1930 in Zanesville, Ohio to the late Dwight Andrew and Helen Grace (Edgar) Wiles. He grew up in Zanesville and graduated from Zanesville High School. He attended Ohio University for 3 years before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1949. He married Marlene Robe in 1952 and together they lived on Navy bases all over the world. Mr. Wiles served honorably until his retirement as chief warrant officer in 1981 and they made Fernandina Beach their home. Together they enjoyed travelling and enjoying all that the island had to offer.

He leaves behind his sons, Robert B. Wiles of Brunswick, Ga., Barton D. (Ramona) Wiles of Fernandina Beach, and Brady A. (Regina) Wiles of Satsuma, Fla.; his only granddaughter, Nikcole Wiles of Satsuma; siblings, Helen Cooper of Zanesville, Jo Ann Baker of Chandlersville, Ohio and David A. Wiles of Springfield, Ohio.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Charles N. Bennett, 86, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away April 18, 2018.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

William D. Hanzich, 79, of Yulee, Fla., passed away April 22, 2018. No local services are planned at this time.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Dwight Kamback, 73, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Robert E. Powell, 79, of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away Thursday, April 26, 2018.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Edward E. Schneider, 88, of St. Marys, Ga., passed away April 24, 2018. A memorial service will be held at Jacksonville National Cemetery at a time yet to be determined.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

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

Ronald Reagan Johnson Sr.

Ronald Reagan Johnson Sr. passed away Wednesday April 18, 2018.

He was born in Jacksonville, Fla. to the late Charles and Ethel Mae Shewsbury Johnson. He was a lifetime resident of Jacksonville and graduated from Englewood High School, Class of 1969.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Ethel Mae Bryant.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Lou Johnson; son, Ronald “Pete” Johnson Jr. (Carmen); daughter, Rhonda Jeffers (Chris); brothers, Eugene Johnson, Paul Johnson (Carol) and Thomas Johnson; grandchildren, Brianna Johnson and Reagan Jeffers; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 20, 2018 in the chapel of Cedar Bay Funeral Home, located at 405 New Berlin Road in Jacksonville, with Rev. Ken Barney officiating. The family will received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2018.

Cedar Bay Funeral Home

Nella Faye Kirkland Boyett, 91, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully Saturday, May 5, 2018, in the loving care of Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

A native of Waycross, Ga., she was the daughter of Repperd and Mamie Kirkland. Following the loss of her father at age 10, Nella helped her mother raise herself as well as her two sisters and two younger brothers. Though life was difficult, the family of five endured, and in so doing, such experience bonded them together as lifelong friends.

Following her graduation from high school, and upon his return from World War II, Nella married her wartime sweetheart, Milford, at The First Church of the Nazarene in Waycross. After three children and having lived several years in Jacksonville, Fla., Milford and Nella in the early 1950s relocated to Fernandina, a sleepy little fishing village and mill town, which they so came to love. There they begin to build a life.

Mom and Dad were followed to Fernandina by Milford’s brothers and sisters-in-law, Winston and Iris and Willis (Pap) and Betty. For many years the three families lived next door to one another. The men all began careers with the Container Corporation of America, while the moms performed the myriad of familial duties necessary to nurture and care for the 13 cousins to follow, all of whom grew up with enduring memories of the love and many kindnesses shown them by their aunts and uncles who comprised their one large extended family.

Though her responsibilities were many, and her time and resources limited, Nella was always ready to help others in need. More than once, she took the children of others into her home and cared for them for extended periods, bittersweetly returning them when the time of crisis for the family in need had passed.

Nella shared Milford’s love of travel and exploration. Together they treated their children to numerous escapades of discovery over most of the lower 48 states, as well as many of the provinces of Canada. In so doing, they instilled within their children a passion for travel and adventure. Mother and father continued their passion for travel well into their 80s, continuing in their motor home their adventures across America.

Nella was predeceased by her eldest daughter, Shirley Lynn Boyett; sisters, Lataine Smith and Norma Jean Minchew; brother, Howard Kirkland; and husband of 72 years, Milford. 

Mother leaves behind her eldest daughter’s son, Seth Adam Boyett (Michelle) of Atlanta, Ga.; daughter Dee B. Stoudemire (Richard) of Jacksonville; son, Repperd Milford Boyett (Kathy) of Yulee, Fla.; son, Herbert F. Boyett of Jacksonville; her daughter-in-law of 35 years, Mary Gwen Boyett of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; granddaughter, Jane M. Stoudemire of Charleston, S.C.; and great-grandsons Kyle and Sean Boyett of Atlanta. Nella also leaves behind her remaining sibling, Dalton Kirkland of West Virginia, and her lifelong friend and sister-in-law, Betty Boyett of Fernandina.

The family wishes to thank those extended family members and friends who lovingly made themselves available to help “Aunt Nella” and “Uncle Milford” over the past several years. We especially appreciate all your love and support over the past year, as Mom departed just two days shy of Dad’s passing last year.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018, within the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard, with services following immediately at 11:30 a.m., with the Rev. Rick Lee officiating. Nella will be laid to rest next to Shirley and Milford at Bosque Bello Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla., 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257, or online at support.communityhospice.com.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Maryjosephine McGuire Griffin peacefully “crossed the bar” early Thursday morning, April 26, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla., after living a dynamic and full life of 94 years, including 54 years of marriage to her late husband, Ransom Griffin Jr., whom she knows awaits her on the “other side.”

Daughter to William Carmichael McGuire and Florence Aileen Mahan, Mary Jo was born September 1, 1923 and grew up in Indianapolis, Ind., where she and Ransom lived and worked until his retirement in 1984 when they moved to Amelia Island, Fla.

In 1941, during her first year at National Park College in Washington, D.C., Mary Jo was first introduced to a long life of volunteerism that she followed nearly to the end of her life. During World War II, she worked for the British Embassy “Knitting for Britain” to help clothe the victims of war. When NPC closed its doors, she resumed and completed her education at Indiana University, where she continued her humanitarian work through the sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma as a veterans’ hospital aide and USO volunteer.  She was active in the Indianapolis chapter of the Junior League, which had her working with unwed mothers while she worked as a travel agent for Neibergall Travel. Mary Jo took most pride in her work in Fernandina Beach and environs for Guardian ad Litem, advocating for abused and neglected children in the local court system well into her eighties. Throughout her adult life, her beloved knitting group, Darn Yarners, created sweaters and blankets for the underserved in the same spirit she embraced in college.

Mary Jo and Ransom spent their leisure time watching their boys play sports at Park Tudor High School and nearby Meridian Hills Country Club. They attended church at Second Presbyterian Church (designed by Mary Jo’s father of McGuire Shook in 1959).

Mary Jo is survived by three sons, Ransom Griffin III, William Carmichael McGuire Griffin (Lynn), and Lee Theodore Griffin (Gisela). “Grandma Mo” also had eight grandchildren, Ransom IV (Alexandra), Winward (Stephanie), Nora (Alan), McGuire (Katherine), Lindsay, Elizabeth, Patrick, and Emily, and five great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Theodore, Abigail, Ava Griffin and Livingston.

The family will have a small memorial service to celebrate her life at Amelia Island in early June.

In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes is invited to contribute to Guardian ad Litem or Community Hospice.

Mary Miles Libby, 94, passed away May 4, 2018 at Savannah Grand in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Born June 21, 1923 in Appling County, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Warren and Claudie Sapp Miles.

She attended Appling County schools and graduated from Appling County High School in 1940. She graduated from Middle Georgia College in 1942 and began her teaching career in Appling County the same year. She graduated from Georgia Teacher’s College in 1946 (now known as Georgia Southern University) with a bachelor’s degree in teaching. Upon graduation from Georgia Teacher’s College, she moved to Hilliard, Fla. for a teaching position.

While teaching with the Nassau County school system and raising her two children, she obtained two master’s degrees from the University of Florida: Master in Education in 1952 and Master in Education Administration in 1962.

Her career in education continued until her retirement in December 1980. As an educator, she worked as a teacher (1946-1962), principal (1962-1972) and school senior administrator (1972-1980). Mrs. Libby was the first principal at Southside Elementary in Fernandina Beach. At the time of her retirement, she was director of elementary education for Nassau County schools.

While in Hilliard, she met Ross E. Libby and they were married December 1948. They moved to Fernandina Beach soon thereafter and remained there until 1990, when they moved to the Libby family homestead in the Kings Ferry area of Nassau County. Ross predeceased her on November 9, 1993.

Mrs. Libby was an active member of the Baptist churches in the communities where she lived and worked. Those churches included First Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach, Ephesus Baptist in Kings Ferry, and First Baptist Church in Hilliard. For a period, she was also on the boards of the Nassau County Council on Aging and the Nassau County Association of Retired Educators. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa and was a past president of the local chapter.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by two brothers and a sister.

Her surviving family includes a son, Ross Edward Libby Jr. of Kings Ferry; a daughter, Lucy L. Snyder and her husband, Mark, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; four grandchildren, Alicia Abercrombie Joyner and her husband, Jeff, Justin Libby, Kelley Libby, and Keri Libby Leggett and her husband, Christian; and two great-grandchildren, Annika and Paige Joyner.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. The family received friends between 10 a.m. and the hour of the service. She will be laid to rest in Haddock Cemetery near Kings Ferry.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Peter F. Malloy, a resident of Amelia Island, Fla. and formerly of Ridgewood, N.J., passed away peacefully May 3, 2018 after a brief illness.

He was born in 1936 the son of Peter F. Malloy and Mary (nee Holian) Malloy. He was an all-state basketball player at Cranford High School in New Jersey. After serving in the U.S. Army, he graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He had a highly successful career in the reinsurance industry, ultimately retiring as executive vice president of the SwissRe Corporation.

Peter is survived by his wife, Gertude (nee Ramsey) of nearly 58 years, whom he met in the eighth grade 69 years ago. He is also survived by his three sons, Tony (Marie), John (Courtney) and Matt (Lacey), and his eight grandchildren, James, Megan, Julia, Millie, Paige, Hope, Pierce and Virginia. He often said he considered his greatest accomplishment to be his family.

Peter was a loyal friend to many, including Bill W. for over 30 years. An avid golfer, he loved playing with his sons and friends at the Golf Club of Amelia Island and Arcola Country Club in New Jersey. He especially enjoyed the Old Course at Ballybunion Golf Club in Ireland, where he was an overseas member.

Burial services will be private. A memorial celebration of Peter's life will be held at a future date. His family would welcome donations to The Salvation Army in his memory.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

James “Jim” Luther Tingle, 82, of Fernandina Beach, Fla. and formerly of Macon, Ga., passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 5, 2018 surrounded by loving family and friends.

Born January 3, 1936 to the late Luther Benjamin and Sadie Irene Martin Tingle in Vance, Ala., Jim was a lifelong fan of the University of Alabama. Roll Tide!

Upon graduation from Brookwood High School, Jim served his country in the United States Army for two years. After the service, Jim went to work for Norfolk Southern Railroad, where he worked as a project engineer until his retirement. On March 23, 1963, Jim married the love of his life, Peggy Samples. Together they embarked on a great journey that lasted 55 years. Their son, Marc, was born in 1969. Jim loved to travel with family and friends and enjoyed meeting people and experiencing different cultures. Macon was their home until 2004.

When he and Peggy moved to Amelia Island, Fla., he lived life to the fullest and will be remembered for his quick wit, mischievous pranks and epic snacking. He was an avid golfer, fisherman and grandfather.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Wayne Tingle.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Samples Tingle of Fernandina Beach; a son, Marc and his wife, Tammy, of Springfield; and grandsons, Chandler and Addison of Wilmington, N.C.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at noon Wednesday, May 9, 2018 in the Burgess Chapel at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home, located at 1305 Atlantic Ave. in Fernandina Beach. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the hour of the service. He will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The MDS Foundation at www.mds-foundation.org or 4573 S. Broad St., Suite 150, Yardville, NJ 08620.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Nancy Duncan, 76, passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2018.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Frederic K. Easter Jr., 84, of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away Monday, May 7, 2018.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Shirley Quinn, 86, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, May 4, 2018.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Adam Vorraso, 94, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Nancy K. Duncan, 76, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2017 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Theodore and Ledra Berry Rausch. She and her husband, Ervin, had lived in Fernandina Beach for 30 years.

She worked at Walmart for many years and retired from there. She made many friends and acquaintances while there. Her jovial nature will be remembered as a big part of who she was. After retirement she enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

In addition to her husband, Ervin, her surviving family includes two daughters, Heidi Brown and Holly Edenfield; a son, Mit Duncan; a sister, Judy Breckenridge; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

There will be no local services. Her family will gather later in May to celebrate and remember her life in the mountains of north Georgia.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Nella Faye Kirkland Boyett, 91, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully Saturday, May 5, 2018, in the loving care of Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

A native of Waycross, Ga., she was the daughter of Repperd and Mamie Kirkland. Following the loss of her father at age 10, Nella helped her mother raise herself as well as her two sisters and two younger brothers. Though life was difficult, the family of five endured, and in so doing, such experience bonded them together as lifelong friends.

Following her graduation from high school, and upon his return from World War II, Nella married her wartime sweetheart, Milford, at The First Church of the Nazarene in Waycross. After three children and having lived several years in Jacksonville, Fla., Milford and Nella in the early 1950s relocated to Fernandina, a sleepy little fishing village and mill town, which they so came to love. There they begin to build a life.

Mom and Dad were followed to Fernandina by Milford’s brothers and sisters-in-law, Winston and Iris and Willis (Pap) and Betty. For many years the three families lived next door to one another. The men all began careers with the Container Corporation of America, while the moms performed the myriad of familial duties necessary to nurture and care for the 13 cousins to follow, all of whom grew up with enduring memories of the love and many kindnesses shown them by their aunts and uncles who comprised their one large extended family.

Though her responsibilities were many, and her time and resources limited, Nella was always ready to help others in need. More than once, she took the children of others into her home and cared for them for extended periods, bittersweetly returning them when the time of crisis for the family in need had passed.

Nella shared Milford’s love of travel and exploration. Together they treated their children to numerous escapades of discovery over most of the lower 48 states, as well as many of the provinces of Canada. In so doing, they instilled within their children a passion for travel and adventure. Mother and father continued their passion for travel well into their 80s, continuing in their motor home their adventures across America.

Nella was predeceased by her eldest daughter, Shirley Lynn Boyett; sisters, Lataine Smith and Norma Jean Minchew; brother, Howard Kirkland; and husband of 72 years, Milford. 

Mother leaves behind her eldest daughter’s son, Seth Adam Boyett (Michelle) of Atlanta, Ga.; daughter Dee B. Stoudemire (Richard) of Jacksonville; son, Repperd Milford Boyett (Kathy) of Yulee, Fla.; son, Herbert F. Boyett of Jacksonville; her daughter-in-law of 35 years, Mary Gwen Boyett of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; granddaughter, Jane M. Stoudemire of Charleston, S.C.; and great-grandsons Kyle and Sean Boyett of Atlanta. Nella also leaves behind her remaining sibling, Dalton Kirkland of West Virginia, and her lifelong friend and sister-in-law, Betty Boyett of Fernandina.

The family wishes to thank those extended family members and friends who lovingly made themselves available to help “Aunt Nella” and “Uncle Milford” over the past several years. We especially appreciate all your love and support over the past year, as Mom departed just two days shy of Dad’s passing last year.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018, within the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard, with services following immediately at 11:30 a.m., with the Rev. Rick Lee officiating. Nella will be laid to rest next to Shirley and Milford at Bosque Bello Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla., 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257, or online at support.communityhospice.com.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Alberta Faye Tinsley Estes Leslie passed away peacefully at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. on Tuesday, May 8, 2018.

Faye basically grew up and lived her whole life in Nassau County. She learned responsibility early in life as her mother died when she was only 14, and she became a mother to her younger sister, Joyce.

Faye was a police dispatcher with the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department and the city of Fernandina Beach Police Department for over 20 years. She was a dedicated dispatcher who will always be remembered not only as a great friend but a mama to the officers who wouldn’t hesitate to scold them when she felt they needed it. She was known for her honesty, feistiness and willingness to listen and give advice. She told it like it was – and was respected for that.

Faye loved the outdoors and was an avid birdwatcher. She never met a stranger and loved to talk and laugh with anyone. She dearly loved her family and no matter what was going on, they knew she would always be there for them. And her family included her beloved little dog, Checkers.

Faye’s mother and father preceded her in death, as well as her grandson, Christopher McKendree, who was 35 when he passed away.

Faye is survived by her husband, Homer Leslie, of 15 years. She is also survived by her daughter, Linda (Lynn) Strickland (John Dale); her sister, Brenda Joyce Maryea; her twin brother, Albert Ray Tinsley (Jo); her stepdaughter, Pat Leslie (BJ); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial celebration of Faye's life will be held Friday, May 18, 2018 at 4 p.m. at Community Baptist Church, located at 85326 Winona Bayview Road in Yulee, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Make A Wish Foundation or to your favorite charity in Faye’s memory would be appreciated.

Mr. Adam Vorraso, 94, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors