Thelma J. Baker, 88, December 15, 1927-June 22, 2016.

Mrs. Florence E. Huntsman, age 83, of Yulee FL, passed away on June 25, 2016 at he residence. Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors.

Frederick W. O'Neal, 77, of Fernandina Beach passed away June 23, 2016. Funeral Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home. Interment was in Green Pine Cemetery. Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery.

Mrs. Rosemarie B. Render, 90, of Amelia Island, passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at the Warner Center for Caring at Baptist Medical Center-Nassau. Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors.

Priscilla Joan Taylor, 71, of Yulee, Florida passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 surrounded by her family in the care of Community Hospice-Warner Center-Nassau. Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations-Nassau.

Jacqueline Maryanne Tremblay, 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 in the care of the Community Hospice-Warner Center-Nassau.Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations-Nassau.

Mr. Robert Eston Wilcox, age 76, of Fernandina Beach, FL passed away on June 26, 2016. Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors.

Mr. Benjamin Allen “Buddy” Cook, age 51, of Yulee, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2016. Buddy was a native and lifelong resident of Fernandina Beach and Yulee. After high school, he became a Manager at Hamilton Printing; but that wasn’t enough. Buddy started his dream job as a Mechanic for Tony and Ginger Hair at Bill’s Towing which lasted for the next 15 years.  Working on trucks was his passion in life and he shared this love through his friends and family.  Buddy only left Nassau County for a short time to render aid and support to hurricane victims and assist with the clean up and rebuilding of South Florida and the Carolinas while working with James Griffin and BIOMASS TECH. He most recently joined Sand Hill Recycling, working with David Edwards. Those that knew Buddy knew of his love of Ford 4 x 4 trucks and the camaraderie that the mixture of mud and trucks created. In this environment; with his Mud Family, is where he was most at home, thrived and became a loyal friend to many. Whether it was at the Iron Horse Mud Ranch in Perry, FL or any other weekend mud hole gathering, Buddy was a welcomed participant and friend to all who were there. Preceding him in death are his former wives, Brenda Sites Cook and Valerie Stevenson Cook. He leaves behind his mother, Juanita Davis Turner, Fernandina Beach, FL, his aunt, Nancy Davis Jones, Fernandina Beach, FL, his uncle, J.C. Davis, Douglas, GA, his sister, Denise Gainey, St. Marys, GA, his stepsons, Nick Nicholls and Chris Nicholls, his son, Wyatt Cook, Yulee, FL, and more family and friends than can be counted. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at the River of Praise Worship Center in Yulee. Buddy will be laid to rest beside his first wife, Brenda, in Buford Grove Cemetery, Hilliard, FL. His family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home. Please share his Life Legacy and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors 

Mrs. Kathleen Watson Drake, age 83, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away early Monday morning, June 27, 2016, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC.
Born in Jesup, Georgia March 12, 1933, Mrs. Drake was one of nine children born to the late James Cleveland Watson and Dora Hall Watson. Mrs. Drake graduated from Wayne County High School before working for a short time with Southern Bell Telephone Company. In 1952 she met the love of her life, Vernon Neil “Bub” Drake, whom she would marry on May 16, 1953. The newlyweds moved to Fernandina Beach in 1955 as Mr. Drake sought employment by joining the land surveying firm of Angus and Associates. The Drakes made Fernandina their home, raising their two sons on Amelia Island. After her sons started school, Mrs. Drake went back to work for Fernandina Federal Savings and Loan which eventually became Anchor Savings Bank, from which she retired in 1997. After retiring from the bank, Mrs. Drake went to work with her husband in the survey office. They both retired permanently in 2000.
Mrs. Drake was a long-time member of Five Points Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach, joining in 1959 where she served faithfully until declining health prevented her attendance the past several years.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Drake is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Vernon Neil “Bub” Drake, who died September 16, 2015. Mrs. Drake is also preceded in death by four sisters, Elizabeth O’Neal, Estelle Crosby, Lilla Bell Westberry and Tilly Copeland, and two brothers, Roscoe Watson and Robert Watson.
Mrs. Drake leaves behind her two sons, Kenneth N. Drake and his wife, Louise, Yulee, Fla., Kevin Drake and his wife, Sissy, Goldsboro, NC., five grandchildren, Karla Delaine Johnston (Charles), Krista René Crews (Mark), Brenton Kirk Drake (Celcris), Aaron Bryant Drake, Kari Laree Drake, six great grandchildren, Logan Andrew Adkins (Danielle), Hunter Lewis Banknell, Bryanna Elizabeth Banknell, Laurie Brooke Johnston, Callie Savannah Johnston, Brenton Kirk Drake II, and a great-great grandson, Tate Andrew Adkins. Mrs. Drake also leaves behind two sisters, Thelma Stephens and Claudia Mae Nesmith along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held in the Chapel of Sammons Funeral Home, Soperton, at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in the family section of Poplar Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery, Adrian, GA.
A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, Goldsboro, NC, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, NC, 27534 or Hephzibah Baptist Church Fellowship Building fund, 4633 US Highway 70 E, Princeton, NC, 27569.
An online register book may be signed at www.sammonsfuneralhome.com.

Loreatha Gail Hart, 75, of Yulee passed away Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Baptist Medical Center in Fernandina Beach. Mrs. Hart was born October 29, 1940 in Jacksonville, FL and moved to Yulee in 1965. She was a member of Yulee Baptist Church. She was a great cook and enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting and crafting.
Mrs. Hart was predeceased by her husband, Ollie Kenneth Hart, Sr., who passed away in 1997; a son, Ollie Kenneth Hart, Jr., who passed away in 1999; and by her parents, Troy and Marie Morris.
Survivors include a son, Michael Allen Hart of Yulee, FL; three daughters, Gail Dwinnell, Anita Fowler (David) and Denora Graves (Ken), all of Yulee; a brother, Robert Morris, also of Yulee; one sister, Harriett Scheider of Jacksonville, FL; six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 30, in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Sides officiating. Interment will follow in Green Pine Cemetery. The family will receive guests one hour before the funeral at the funeral home.
To sign Mrs. Hart's online register book please visit the Green Pine website at www.greenpinefuneral.com.  
Arrangements by Green Pine Funeral Home.

R. LaMance Joyce, 63, passed away at his home in Kilmarnock, VA , on June 20, 2016. He was preceded in death by his sister, Wanda Joyce McKinnis of Roanoke, Virginia and by his parents Shirley Hodges of Fieldale, Virginia and Dewel Joyce, of Lively, Virginia. Dr. Joyce is survived by his daughters Allison Leigh Joyce and Erin Elizabeth Joyce, both of Fernandina Beach, Florida.  
 Dr. Joyce received his BS from Virginia Tech and his DVM from the University of Georgia. He owned and operated Bayside Animal Hospital and Pet Emporium in White Stone, Virginia.
 A memorial service will be held at a later date. 
Charitable contributions in remembrance of Dr. Joyce may be made to The Church of the Nazarene, P. O. Box 1270, White Stone, VA 22578, or the Northern Neck Animal Welfare League, P.O. Box 975, White Stone, VA  22578.

Lillian Wills Hutcheson Shores, 75, of Fernandina Beach, Florida, died, June 26, 2016 at home with her family. She was born April 6, 1941, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the daughter of the late Jack Robert and Lillian Dunlap Hutcheson. Mrs. Shores graduated from the University Of South Carolina in 1964, and married Carl David Shores on December 22, 1964 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Mrs.  Shores is survived by her husband, COL David Shores, her daughter Carla Shores of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, and her son and daughter-in-law, Skott and Tiffany Shores of Charlotte, North Carolina; grandchildren, Dr. Meghan Richardson and Dr. Victoria Richardson, Mr. Jack Rowe, Ms. Allacyn Rowe, Mr. Kyle Rowe, Ms. Lillian Rowe, and Mason Shores, and Cameron Shores, and two great grandchildren, Rowen Richardson and K. J. Rowe. She is also survived by her sister, Dora Bowman of Rock Hill, SC and her brother, Dr. Robert Hutcheson of Atlanta, GA. 
Mrs. Shores was a long time teacher, first in the public school systems of St. Petersburg, FL and later in Anderson, SC. In 1972, she and a partner in teaching, Mrs. Karen Holt, established the Montessori School of Anderson in the basement of the Lutheran Church. Later they moved the school to its own facility. The school continued to expand, and today has classes through grade 12. After leaving the Montessori School and moving to Falls Church, VA, Mrs. Shores’ desire to teach continued and resulted in her establishing a very successful Day Care Center where she cared for and taught children in preschool learning.
In 2002 Mrs. Shores moved to El Paso, TX, where she became interested in beading and jewelry making. There she, once again used her teaching skills to instruct others in that art. Then she carried her talent for teaching beading to Fernandina Beach, FL in 2005.
Also, soon after moving to Fernandina Beach, Mrs. Shores became involved with caring for and rescuing homeless cats and began volunteering first at the Nassau County Animal Shelter and then at Cats Angels, Inc. where she worked tirelessly caring for the cats at their facility in Fernandina Beach since 2007. At Cats Angels Mrs. Shores fed and cleaned cats, participated in the Trap/Neuter/Release Program, and assisted in running the Cats Angels’ Thrift Store.
A memorial service will be held for Mrs. Shores at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, July 2, at 11:00 a.m. 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Cats Angels, Inc., 709 S. 8th Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.
To sign Mrs. Shores' online obituary please visit the Green Pine website at www.greenpinefuneral.com.
Arrangements by Green Pine Funeral Home.

Priscilla Joan Taylor, 71, of Yulee, Fla., and Pownal, Vt., passed away June 22, 2016, at Community Hospice Warner Center, Fernandina Beach, Fla., surrounded by family. She was the daughter of the late Robert Knapp and Lillian Chatterton. 
A native of Pownal, Vt. she loved to go camping, especially at Kelly Stand. She also enjoyed fishing, bonfires, crafts and watching Nascar racing. She was a big Dale Earnhardt fan. 
Priscilla loved to do stuff with her family. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, the late Richard Taylor, her father Robert Knapp, her mother Lillian Chatterton and her grandson Eric Taylor. 
She is survived by her daughter Barb Martin and her husband John, of Noble, Ill., her son Mark Cook and his wife Jane of Benson, N.C., daughter Joann Taylor and the late Steven Taylor of Argyle, N.Y., daughter Tina Miller of Yulee, Fla., daughter Sarah Taylor of Yulee, Fla., stepchildren Ruth Mallory and husband Richard of Whitehall, N.Y., Robert Taylor and wife Laura of Granville, N.Y., Danny Taylor and wife Carol of Argyle, N.Y., Pam Adams of Hudson Falls, N.Y., Wendy Taylor of Glens Falls, N.Y., Cathy Taylor, Lillian Taylor of Whitehall, N.Y., sister Cornelia (Connie) Crawford and husband Richard (Skip) of Bennington, Vt., brother James Chatterton of Tennessee, 39 grandkids, 65 great-grandkids and her most cherished, spoiled child (dog), Anna.
A celebration of life was held on Saturday, June 25.

Virginia Jane Thuemling (Smith), Gini, wife and best friend of Tom and survived by her sister Judi Smith of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Passed on Wednesday the 22nd of June 2016 sitting by the pool with a magazine and a glass of wine. The papers say cardiac arrest, but there were more issues than that. She was preceded in death by her parents Ella and Clint Smith of West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Born on September 2nd, 1951 and raised in the West Vancouver area, Gini enjoyed the wonderful things that life had to offer. Friends, family, traveling and being proudly Canadian, she was of course a hockey fan.
After college there was an extended trip to Europe on about a $5.00 a day budget, returning home she took several jobs, ending up with the Vancouver Canucks Hockey Club in public relations. Wanderlust kicked in at some point and she journeyed to Mexico and Central America, eventually making her way to the British Virgin Islands where she was active in charter sail boating. On one such charter, upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale, the captain decided just to keep the wages and left Gini and another beached without resources. By chance she met another Canadian who was planning a voyage to the US Virgin Islands and this is how she and Tom met. Both figuring on a ten day voyage, which only ended after 26 years of love and marriage.
They arrived in Fernandina Beach in 1991 due to Tom's employment, and shortly thereafter purchased a home where they remained through the years. Her employment locally included, Dollar General, Famous Amos, O'Kane’s, the Greyfield Inn and finally with the Nassau County Health Department Dental Clinic in Yulee. These are all places that she met and made friends.
The past few years her health was an issue, but, she kept right on trying through all the setbacks and hardships.Many local doctors and healthcare providers managed her conditions enabling her  to remain with us as long as she did. Even to the end, she thought that life had given her many blessings and would not admit to any regrets.
On Sunday the 17th of July, 2016, a simple celebration will be held at the American Legion Post 54 in Fernandina Beach where she was a member of the Auxiliary. Any friend, medical provider, or acquaintance interested in attending  may stop by from 1 to 3 PM. A buffet of pot luck will be available.

Mr. Robert Eston Wilcox Sr., age 76 of Fernandina Beach passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Quality Healthcare of Fernandina Beach.
Born in Jacksonville, FL he was the son of the late Jim and Louestha Corbitt Wilcox. Mr. Wilcox grew up in Fernandina Beach and was a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School, Class of 1957. After high school, he worked on pogy boats in Louisiana before joining the U.S. Army. He completed one tour in Vietnam before returning to Fort Benning, GA, where he was stationed and later discharged. He later attended and graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute in Daytona before accepting employment with the Air National Guard at Craig Field in Jacksonville. He later joined Container Corporation of America as a Pipe Fitter and Welder from where he retired. 
Mr. Wilcox enjoyed any time spent with his grandchildren, feeding the fish in his pond at home, visits to the beach and his trips to town to have lunch and stops to share tales with the other locals. His family recalls his love of travel to Florida football games, and other  locales including Barbados and Hawaii. He enjoyed any task that required the work of his mind and his hands.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister in law, Elizabeth Wilcox.
Mr. Wilcox leaves behind, his son, Robert (Robbie) E. Wilcox Jr. and his wife, Stephanie, three grandchildren, Coral, Ciera and Michael; dear friend, Frances; brothers, Jim (Beverly) Wilcox, Edward M. (Betty) Wilcox, Charles H. Wilcox and Richard T. Wilcox, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 2, 2016 from the graveside in Bosque Bello Cemetery.
His family will receive friends following the service at the home of his son.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Please share his Life Legacy and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Kathlyn Haffey. Our Mom died a few days ago, on Monday, June 27th. It was the end of a life only her kids can really pay homage to. Because her kids were her life. 

 A eulogy will begin at 10:15 AM prior to Mass. A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Saint Peter’s Catholic.

Kay Haffey was born in Brooklyn NY on Oct 24 1924 to Harry and Helen Williams. She attended Notre Dame College in Staten Island, earned a Masters Degree in Design from Columbia University, and finished a certificate program in fashion design from the New York Fashion Academy (then known as Traphagen School of Fashion). Well on her way to an exciting career, but then … 

Vacationing with her parents at the Monomonock Inn in the late 40s she met her heart – a dashing young Marine officer just back from the war. His name was Gene Haffey and away they went on a 40-year adventure that took them back and forth across the U.S. twice, up and down the east coast numerous times, and finally to Beaufort, SC. And there they stayed, even after Gene’s retirement at Parris Island, and death in March of 1990.

The measure of our Mom’s life won’t be found in the form of books published, songs written, fortunes built, awards earned. Or positions held. Except for one. Mom. A Mom who devoted all of her life to shepherding 5 children through the maelstrom of military life. Through countless moves – sometimes every year. New neighborhoods, new schools, new friends. She was the constant, the warm shoulder, the familiar dinner, Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color on Sunday night. But only if we’d brushed our teeth. When we’d walk through the door of yet another new set of quarters after the first day of school on yet another new base she’d be there. “Hi Doll,” she would say, and each of us would feel we were her only child. She would hug, hold, listen, understand, dry tears, encourage. But the second days were easier. And with this foundation so, too, were the rest of our lives. 

Even now, involved in the busy business of our own lives, we 5 always make time to be together, brothers and sisters, and best of friends. We raise our kids, who raise their own kids and through all of them and generations to come Mom’s hugs and “Hi Dolls” on first days of school reach down – as surely as if she were there. And this is the measure of our Mom’s life. 

Kay is survived by her 5 children: William Haffey (LtCol, USMC, Ret) (Marianne), George Haffey (Cdr, USN, Ret) (Sharon), Terry Nix (Gary), Helen Cooke (Dawes), and Kathy Kilgore (Glen), 11 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. And counting.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Saint Jude’s Children Research Hospital, Post Office Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38105.

Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.

Rosemarie B. Render (nee Bridges) of Amelia Island, Florida and formerly of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina went to live with the Lord on Tuesday, June 28th in Amelia Island, Florida. Mrs. Render was born on November 24, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland to John Ralph and Marie Rose Bridges.  

Mrs. Render was a beloved wife, a loving mother and a true role model for all who knew her. Rosemarie, or Petie as she was affectionately known, was a 1947 graduate of the University of Maryland and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. Mrs. Render was a talented artist: painting with watercolors and doing needlepoint and cross stitch. She was also an avid bridge player.   

Mrs. Render is survived by her husband of 68 years, James William, three children: Lizbeth Schuler (Elroy), Marta (Greg Stephens) and James William, Jr. (Kathy). She is also survived by three grandchildren, Joseph Scott Stephens, Anne Render Stephens and James William Render, III.

The services will be officiated by Pastor Ida Iverson and held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2600 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, Florida. Mrs. Render will be laid to rest at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors of Fernandina Beach, Florida is in charge of arrangements.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or the Nassau County Council on Aging.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Linda Sadler Ritter, 65, of Yulee passed away on Saturday afternoon, July 2, 2016 at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.

Born in Jacksonville, she was one of nine children born to the late James Edward and Mildred Marie Cook Morgan Jr.  Linda and her brothers and sisters grew up in Jacksonville, attending Sherwood Elementary School, Terry Parker, Wolfson and Andrew Jackson High School. After high school, she married her highschool sweetheart, Cansas Timothy Sadler. Linda and Cansas made their home in Yulee, where they had three sons. Their firstborn son passed away as infant. Throughout their other two sons’ lives, they supported and participated in their kart racing hobbies at the Pecan Park Road complex and other race tracks. As a family, they enjoyed camping trips, fishing together and anything that involved family. Her husband passed away accidently in 1988. Linda continued to be a role model to her sons and other family members as the “Mother Hen” figure that made certain that everyone was taken care of and had everything that they needed. She was generous with her time and resources, always giving to those less fortunate. As her sons grew up and gave her grandchildren, her eyes took on a new sparkle and her world took on new meaning. Linda was an ever-present, loving and proud grandmother.

She worked with Walmart for 20 years and had recently retired as the department manager of the pharmacy department at the Yulee Super Walmart. 

In addition to her parents, first husband and a son, she is preceded in death by two brothers, Bruce Morgan and Brooks Green, and a sister, Susan Morgan.

Linda leaves behind, her husband, Lester Ritter, Yulee, Fla., sons, Richard Lee Sadler and his wife, Jennifer, Jacksonville, Fla., Cansas Timothy Sadler and his wife, Boots, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Jason Ritter and his wife, Robyn, Folkston, Ga., Boe Patterson and his wife, Amy, Callahan, Fla., her brothers and sisters, Cathleen Morgan, McAlpin, Fla., Jimmy Morgan, Jacksonville, Fla., David Morgan, Spokane, Wash., Angela Morgan, Jacksonville, Fla., Heather Morgan, Dowling Park, Fla., four grandchildren, Ryan Cansas Sadler, Kendall Marie “Little Bit” Sadler, Mia Morgan Sadler, Emily Marie Sadler, countless nieces and nephews as well as numerous special friends that were as close as and considered to be members of her family.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard with Mr. William Patterson officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Boe Patterson, Eric Platt, Cory Lovitt, Greg Haspel, Charlie DeBerry, Britt Uzzolino and Stephen Dover.

Her Walmart family and coworkers will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Linda will be laid to rest, beside her first husband, in Hughes Cemetery.

Her family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Oxley-Heard.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN  38105 or to Baptist Cancer Center for Children, c/o Baptist Health, 800 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL  32207

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

OXLEY – HEARD FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Peter Fritz Ullrich, 74, of Amelia Island, passed away on Wednesday evening, June 29, 2016, at his home.

OXLEY - HEARD FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Phillip M. Mercer, 63, passed away July 2, 2016 at his Yulee residence surrounded by his family.

Mr. Mercer was born Nov. 21, 1952 in Washington, D.C. and moved to Fernandina Beach as a young child. He was a member of the 1971 graduating class of Fernandina Beach High School. He served in the U. S. Navy during the Vietnam era aboard the Guided Missile Cruiser, USS Albany.

Mr. Mercer retired from Winn Dixie Supermarkets after 25 years where he was a meat department manager. He also worked at the Omni Plantation for 16 years, where he retired as a warehouse supervisor.

He coached Little League Girls Softball for a number of years. His family was very important to him. He dearly loved his family and always enjoyed vacations spent with them. He was of the Catholic faith.

He was predeceased by his father, Edward W. Mercer, in 2000.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Mary Lee Mercer of Yulee; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kimberly and Fino Murallo of Fernandina Beach and Kayla and Brian Blackwell of Yulee; his mother, Concetta Mercer of Fernandina Beach; two brothers, Ed Mercer of Coral Springs, Fla. and Tom Mercer who lives in Texas; a sister Kim Mercer residing in Arizona; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Gloria Hyers; sister-in-law, Barbara Johns; one grandchild, Rylee; the son he always wanted and Gator Buddy,  Jason Brown; and several nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of Phil's life will be announced at a later date.

Phillip’s passion was making sure children were taken care of at Christmas. Therefore, in lieu of flowers,  the family suggests that memorial donations be made to NCSO Charities, Inc., (“Shop with a Cop Program”), 76001 Bobby Moore Circle, Yulee, FL 32097. 

To sign Mr. Mercer's online register book, please visit the Green Pine website at  ww.greenpinefuneral.com.  

Arrangements by Green Pine Funeral Home 

Francis G. "Barney" Barnes, 73, of Callahan passed away July 4, 2016 at the Community Hospice Warner Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 6, at Gray Gables Baptist Church in Callahan. Viewing will be one hour before the service at the church. Entombment will follow in Green Pine Cemetery.  

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Mary Frances Horne, 75, passed away July 4, 2016 at the Community Hospice Warner Center. Mary's life will be celebrated Saturday at a private gathering of her family and friends at Lovejoy Community Church in Lakeland, Ga.  

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery 

Mary Jo McCollum Reeves, 71, after a valiant fight with cancer, has gone home to be with her lord and savior on Thursday, June 23, 2016.

She was born in Greensboro, N.C., on Sept. 9, 1944 to Joseph Henry Smothers and Mary Myrtle Rollins, both of whom preceded her in death. 

She grew up as an only child, with close cousins and many pets – including her beloved pony, Danni.

While in high school and out with her cousin Shirley on Halloween, she met Charles Edward McCollum Sr. She married him on Aug. 21, 1963.

She graduated from Ragsdale High School in 1964 and, on Halloween, had her first son, Charles Edward McCollum Jr. 

She moved with her family to Charleston, S.C., where she then had her second son, Joseph Alex McCollum, and her only daughter, Larri Jeannette Reilly. 

She loved being a mom and being involved in her childrens’ lives. She would volunteer at school and was a Girl Scout troop leader as well. She enjoyed trying new things such as camping, quilting, ceramics, yoga, canning and so much more. She was always willing to try new experiences like kayaking and road trips.

Her adventures in life led her to meet John M. Reeves and marry him on Oct. 16, 1998. They moved to Greenville, S.C. After a brief adventure, they returned to Charleston, S.C., where she was soon widowed. 

Mary Jo then moved to Fernandina Beach, Fla., in May of 2001.

Mary Jo leaves behind her children, Charles E. McCollum Jr., Joseph A. McCollum and Larri Jeannette Reilly, along with her grandchildren Charles M. Reilly, Marri Loraine Reilly, Chelsae Rosalee Peters, all of Fernandina Beach, Fla., and Gene Aaron Peters, Rock Creek, Minn., along with many friends.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 4 p.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach, Fla. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in “Grandma’s” honor to Memorial United Methodist Church Youth Fund.