Judith “Judy” Riley Walters, 67, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away July 8, 2019 surrounded by her family.

Judy was born September 1, 1951 to Dr. and Mrs. William F. Riley in New Britain, Conn. As a child, she excelled in school and enjoyed playing field hockey. Judy attended Penn State University, graduating with honors in health and physical education.

Judy moved to Fernandina Beach and created a life she loved. In addition to being a dedicated and loving wife, mother, and special education teacher, Judy also loved travel, skiing, summer vacations to Cape Cod, her many friendships, and serving others through her volunteer efforts in various local organizations, including a cause very close to her heart, the Katie Caples Foundation. Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her, both in word and action.

Judy joins her parents, Bill and Marion, in Heaven. She is survived by her husband, Kenny; her sister, Pat (Michael); her children, Matthew (Melissa), Elizabeth (Arnold), Rachel (Paul), and Michael; and her grandchildren, Riley, Caroline, Max, Paul, and Mabel, as well as beloved extended family.

Judy will be greatly missed by her family and her friends. She left a lasting legacy in her family as well as her local community.

Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019 at Oxley Heard Funeral Directors with a prayer vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Saturday, with Fr. Briggs Hurley as celebrant. The Mass will be followed by a reception in Jim Thomas Hall at the First Presbyterian Church.

Donations on her behalf may be made to the Katie Caples Foundation or Community Hospice.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Stewart Malone, 71, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Sunday, July 7, 2019. He was president of his family-owned lumber company and a professor at the University of Virginia as well as a commercial and recreational pilot.

Stewart served as a volunteer in several local organizations but was most proud of his work in the Guardian Ad Litem program.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Louise; sister, Nancy; and numerous extended family and friends.

Please consider making memorial contributions in Stewart’s name to The Sierra Club, Guardian Ad Litem Society of Nassau County, or the charity of your choice.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Sue Laurie, a longtime resident of Fernandina Beach, Fla., peacefully passed away July 9, 2019 at the beautiful age of 85. Family and friends are asked to bid farewell and celebrate her life Saturday, July 13, 2019 in the Burgess Chapel at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. and be followed by a memorial service at 4 p.m.

Sue was born February 8, 1934 in Bryson City, N.C. At 17, she married Jay Pipkin and moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where they had a son, Randy. They later moved to Monterey Park, Calif., where they had a daughter, Robin. After Jay’s death in 1967, Sue and the children made Fernandina home. She married Chuck Laurie in 1983, and they enjoyed 25 loving years together before his death in 2007.

Sue was smart, hardworking, and caring. Her career as a bookkeeper spanned many years at Land & Williams and Property Management Systems, where she was admired for her integrity. Sue loved being a winner, whether in sports or games of chance. She excelled in basketball, softball, and an occasional round of poker or pull of the slot machine. She was an avid fan of baseball and football, especially if Randy was playing or Robin was cheering. Sue was a humble woman except when it came to her family. Her pride and joy overflowed as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and daughter.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Dehart and Merle Cox (Austin); brothers, Charles Dehart and Roy Cox; and her sisters, Carolyn Williams and Juanita Howell.

She leaves behind her son, Randy Pipkin; daughter, Robin Weaver (beloved son-in-law, Ronnie); and sister, Mary Powell (dear brother-in-law, Terry). Her treasured family includes grandson, Jared Weaver; granddaughter, Kristin Hansen; and great-granddaughter, Hailey Hansen; former daughter-in-law, Becky Davis (Roger); grandchildren, Joshua, Annie and Emily Pipkin; and great-granddaughter, Amelia Pipkin; former daughter-in-law, Robin Young de Boer; granddaughter, Auriel Weinberg (David); great-grandchildren, Janna and Jadon Weaver; and Alisa Weinberg. She also leaves behind many precious nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sue’s soul is alive and rejoicing in heaven. She will be laid to rest in Hughes Cemetery in Yulee, Fla. next to Chuck. In addition to her grandsons and great-grandson, pallbearers will be James Powell (Brandi), Russell Hawkins (Jennifer), and Ron Weaver Jr (Jenny).

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

The funeral service for Russell Edward Brown Jr. will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, located at 10 S. 10th St. in Fernandina Beach. The visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019 at the Church. Interment will be private.

Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute tswarden.com.

Funerals by T. S. Warden

Gary R. Anderson, 67, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, July 8, 2019 at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.

Born in St. Paul, Minn., he was a son of the late Clifford and Blanche Anderson.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in business and spent much of his working career in supply chain and procurement. In conjunction with his career, he travelled extensively around the world. In 2012, he and his wife, Barbara, relocated to Amelia Island, where Gary began a new chapter working as a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway. Life on Amelia Island also afforded him more opportunity to enjoy two of his favorite past times – golf and running. In addition to golf and running, he also enjoyed fishing the lakes of Minnesota.

Above all else, his passion for his family was evident throughout his life. His love for his wife of 39 years, Barbara, as well as his children and grandchildren permeated his life. Whether it was a simple family gathering where he would, through his love of cooking, prepare them a wonderful dish of paella or gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas, he loved having his family with him.

From those loving and intimate family gatherings to events with large crowds, Gary loved life. He could spend days on end enjoying the Minnesota State Fair and always loved parades, especially the Shrimp Festival.

In addition to his parents, Gary was predeceased by his brother, Greg Anderson.

He leaves behind his wife, Barbara Anderson; two sons, Matthew Anderson and his wife, Amanda, of Apple Valley, Minn. and Thomas Anderson of Minneapolis; his two grandchildren, Claire and Connor Anderson; his mother-in-law, Betty Kackman of Eden Valley, Minn; a sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Scott Reff of Hugo, Minn; and his sister-in-law and her companion, Lynn Anderson and John Biesecker of St. Paul, Minn., as well as several other dear family and friends. A special thank you to George and Chris Alznauer, who have become family.

Family and friends of Gary will gather to remember and celebrate his life at 11 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2019 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. Chaplain Jim Tippins will officiate. Gary will be laid to rest with his parents at a time later this year.

Those desiring may remember Gary by making a donation to the Nassau Humane Society at 639 Airport Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

William K. Cook, 89, of Callahan, Fla., passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

He was born October 26, 1929 in Tallahassee, Fla. to loving parents Eva Patterson Cook and Dessie Roland Cook.

He graduated from Leon High in 1946. After graduation, he moved to Callahan, Fla. to join his uncle’s turpentine and pulp wood business. In 1950, he joined the United States Air Force during the Korean War. In 1954, he returned to his career in Callahan, where he began building his forestry legacy. In February 1955, he married Betty Pickett Cook, a nurse and later a philanthropist who not only became the director of nursing for the Nassau County Health Department but would serve as Nassau County’s first woman county administrator. Together, they had two sons, William Kindree Cook Jr. and Robert Patterson Cook.

The Cook’s loved being parents and grandparents, traveling, playing golf, and family. Betty P. Cook was his lifelong partner and wife until her death in 2013. They were married for 58 years.

During Mr. Cook’s life, he had many accomplishments including president of the Florida Forestry Association, chairman of the board of Nassau County State Banks, creation of the Florida Forestry Foundation, Florida Forestry Tree PAC, as well as being honored to the prestigious Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2017. Mr. Cook was a true leader, entrepreneur, and family man.

He is survived by his sons, William Kindree Cook Jr. and Robert Patterson Cook (Michele); grandchildren, Dr. William Burgess Cook, Robert Patterson Cook Jr. (Elizabeth), and Caroline Michele Cook, sisters, Kathryn Cook Cox, Betty Cook Miller, and Kate Cook Raulerson (Ray); and many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 15, 2019 at the First Baptist Church of Callahan with Pastor Lynn Hyatt officiating. Mr. Cook will be laid to rest with his wife at Live Oak Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to advance cancer research at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. They should be directed to the Mayo Clinic Development Office, 4500 San Pablo Road South, Jacksonville, FL 32224.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

George I. Venieris, 79, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, July 6, 2019 at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

He was born May 5, 1940 to Ion and Florentia Venieris in Athens, Greece, as their only child. He completed primary school in Belgium and studied engineering in England. He served as an officer in the Greek Navy before he moved to Germany.

George’s working career was in the automotive industry, beginning at Ford Europe in Cologne, Germany,  and continued in the automotive aftermarket. In 1976, he moved from Germany to the United States to establish the Recaro Automotive Seats offices in California.

He loved the ocean and owned sailing, fishing, and speed boots over the years. He was a talented craftsman who designed a record-making Triton (Trimaran) speedboat that went into manufacturing.

On April 1, 1985, George became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He lived in Manhattan Beach, Calif., Long Beach, Calif., and Tampa, Fla., and finally made Amelia Island his home.

George spoke Greek, German, English, and French fluently and understood Italian and Spanish.

Retirement life on Amelia Island allowed him to build a house on Tarpon Avenue and afforded him more opportunity to enjoy his favorite past times – cars, boats, fishing, and fine dining. He was a member of the Billfish Foundation.

George is survived by his sons, Ion M. Venieris of San Jose, Calif. and G. Patrick Venieris of Scottsdale, Ariz.

A special thank you to his neighbors, Steve and Lori Parker, Doug and Peggy Roselle, and Wayne and Reba Goodin, all of whom became his friends.

Gladys Vanzant Strucko, 99, passed away Friday, July 12, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Gladys enjoyed nearly one year residing at Savannah Grand in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

She was born in Kings Ferry, Fla. to the late Henry Harrison Vanzant and Ella Braddock. After graduating from Hilliard High School, she obtained civilian World War II training during the war and then went to work as a secretary for the U.S. government at the Pentagon and various military offices, including the FAA.

Mrs. Strucko was a longtime member of Riverview Baptist and Gardenview Baptist churches in Jacksonville and was also a member of the Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile. In addition, she was a member of Destination Travel Club, Woodmen of the World, and Church Sunshine Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Steve James Strucko; nieces, Grace Vanzant Anderson and Betty Vanzan Cook; and nephew, Troy Vanzant.

She leaves behind nieces, Norma McKinney Brown, Joella Vanzant Jones, Janice Vanzant Corbin, and Catherine Vanzant; and nephews, Larry Dean Vanzant and Charles Henry Vanzant.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2019 at Gardenview Baptist Church in Jacksonville. The family will receive friends from noon until the hour of service at the church on Friday. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday evening, July 18, 2019 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors in Fernandina Beach. She will be laid to rest in Brickyard Cemetery in Hilliard.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Gardenview Baptist Church at 3139 Armsdale Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Brenda Faye Stombock, 66, died peacefully Sunday, July 14, 2019.

A native and lifelong resident, Brenda was a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School. Brenda truly worshipped the sun and was often found sitting on a porch soaking up all that life had to offer with the Times-Union crossword puzzle and obituaries in one hand and a vodka and 7-Up in the other. Never to be outdone because of her small size, Brenda delighted in fishing circles around grown men and skiing so well it looked like she walked on water. 

While her presence and light will no longer be felt, Brenda has rejoined her loving husband of 30 years, Larry Stombock, in Heaven. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Charles E. and Maude Little, and her stepmother, Patsy Little.

She will be missed by her living siblings, Kris Baxter-Botta (Jack) of Palm Springs, Calif. and Kathy Wortham of Fernandina Beach. Brenda has finally managed to outrun her daughter, Sharon Keele (Craig) of Orange Park, Fla., and her sons, Frank Snyder (Carolyn) of Yulee and Brad Stombock (Courtney) of Atlanta, Ga. She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In-laws, outlaws and loved ones are invited to visit with the family and friends 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. Brenda’s services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 2019 also at Oxley-Heard. She will be laid to rest in Hughes Cemetery in Yulee, Fla. immediately afterward.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Sharon E. Parchinski was welcomed to the Lord’s House on Saturday, July 13, 2019. She was 76 years old.

She was born in Delmar, N.Y. to Alberta C. Yanz and George E. Quinlan. She graduated from Pittsfield High School in Massachusetts in 1961. She matriculated at the University of Houston. She was married to Anthony J. Parchinski Jr. for 52 years.

Mrs. Parchinski was a Mensa talent in many diverse fields. She managed Mary Stuarts, an upscale boutique in Lenox, Mass. for several years. Her proclivity for knitting was acknowledged by Tanglewool of Lenox, which led to requests from celebrities as well as Barney’s New York. She was chairman of the Pittsfield Parent Teacher Association for a number of years. She excelled in cake decorating, cycling, and golf. She was a member of Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield. Mrs. Parchinski loved teaching Sunday school at the First United Methodist Church. She was a creative cook and took pride in her creations.

Mr. and Mrs. Parchinski relocated to Amelia Island, Fla. in 2002 after his retirement. She will be remembered locally as the “barefoot bike rider.” She logged more than 32,000 miles riding around the island. She was compassionate and generous to those she knew. No occasion was necessary for her to share homemade baked goods, notes or special gifts with her friends and family.

Besides her parents she was predeceased by her son, Derek, and sister, Nancy Bannon.

Besides her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Haven; sister, Patricia Bertocci; brother, Scott Quinlan; daughter-in-law, Melissa Parchinski; and two exceptional grandchildren, Kaley and Sarah.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 21, 2019 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fernandina Beach Fire Department at 225 S. 14th St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Kathleen Ann O’Day, 75, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt, passed away June 30, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Fla.

She was born July 27, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisc. And graduated from Divine Savior High School in Milwaukee. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, her Master of Science in Education from California State University, Sacramento, and her Doctorate in Education from Northern Illinois University. She worked as a speech therapist in the 1960s and 1970s and as an elementary school principal in the 1980s. She transitioned to corporate human resources as a director in training, benefits, and compensation with GTE Directories in 1985. GTE merged with Verizon Communications in 1999, and Kathy retired from Verizon in 2005 to transition to HR consulting until retiring completely in 2018. Her interests and efforts focused on family, church, and volunteering. She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Mission Church in Yulee, Fla., where she was actively involved in multiple ministries.

Her son, Peter Kneedler (Julie Collins), survives her, as do her stepchildren, Kristi Kneedler, Timothy Kneedler (Liz Cotton), and Joel Kneedler (Shawna). She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Madison, Dakota, Riley, Ava, Hunter, Brooks, Hope, and Lukasz; sisters, Bonnie Scholko, Mary Hinkle, Nancy O’Day (Steve Lanyi), Patty O’Day, and Julie O’Day (Mike Machowski); and brothers, Kevin O’Day (Debbie) and Thomas O’Day (Patti), in addition to nieces and nephews.

Her husband of 44 years, Guy Kneedler; mother, Bonnie; father, Thomas; and brother, Daniel, all predeceased Kathy.

There will be a short burial service for Kathy and Guy at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2019 at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. A Celebration of Life reception will be held following the burial service at Paddy Mac’s in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Catherine Louise Jackson, 59, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully July 13, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. after a long battle with cancer.

Catherine resided in Fernandina Beach at the time of her passing after having relocated in 2006 from Greensboro, N.C., where she was born and raised. Catherine is survived by her mother, Ruth Ann (Sutherland) Jackson, who also resides in Fernandina Beach but is originally from Greensboro.

Catherine graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro with a major in criminal justice and had an entrepreneurial spirit. She went on to successfully run her own title search business – Triad Title – for 36 years. Dancing was one of her passions: Salsa and West Coast Swing, to name a few. She received many dance awards over the years. In 1999, she opened a popular Latin dance club named Rumba Latina in Greensboro. It was a favorite dance spot for many years.

Extremely athletic and health conscious, Catherine participated in numerous triathlons. She also earned her black belt in Karate and worked as an instructor.

Travel was her passion. Over the past 20 years, she visited more than 12 countries and 13 other exotic destinations where she climbed the highest mountains, jumped out of airplanes, and always “Took the Road Less Traveled.”

Treasured by all who knew her, Catherine was passionate, kind, and generous. Her many friends and family would describe her as one of the most brave and courageous people they have ever had the honor to know and love.

Catherine was predeceased by her father, James Ronald Jackson, who died May 17, 2019.

Loved and treasured by her surviving sister, Jane (Jackson) Hawthorne and spouse Michael H. (FL); sister, Julianne (Jackson) Kiser and spouse Gary (AL); niece, Sarah Hawthorne Nachbauer and spouse Matthew (FL); nephews, Stephen Greeson and spouse Elizabeth (FL) and Michael Hawthorne II and spouse Chelsea (FL) ; and additional nieces and nephews residing in (AL) include Matthew Kiser, Jake Kiser, Kristi Dennis, and their families. She has four great-nieces and nephews (and one more on the way), Lacey, Nicholas, Emily, and Matthew James (M.J.) and one great-great-niece, Lauren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice of Nassau by calling (904) 407-5800.

Sandra Lee Feldman, 69, of Yulee, Fla., passed away March 2, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. after a battle with metastatic melanoma.

Born in Dumont, N.J., she graduated from Altus High School and Aladdin Beauty College and worked as a cosmetologist, tattoo artist, and aesthetician. She also earned numerous certificates in her field. She loved working in the beauty field and later went on to enjoy sales. She was a Christian and mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to many. She called Nassau County home for a total of approximately 30 years.

She is survived by her son, Christopher Prescott (Angel); a grandchild, Kenlyn Prescott; brothers, John Hans Jr. (Peggy), Richard Hans (Donna), and James Hans; and sister, Susan King (Clyde).

A service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church in Fernandina Beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in her name to Community Hospice.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Retired U.S. Army Special Forces Master Sgt. Hal Forrest Faulk, MACV-SOG, passed away quietly in hospice July 13, 2019.

He was born January 18, 1933 in Louisville, Ky. to Edgar and Jeanette Faulk.

Hal served two tours in Korea and three in Vietnam and was part of the 18th Airborne Division when he retired in February of 1973.

A resident of Fernandina Beach since 1990, he loved going to Main Beach and looking at the ocean.

He is survived by his wife, Sigrid Faulk; his son, Dale Faulk; and his daughter, Diane Anderson. He is also survived by his five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family will hold a small memorial service at their home from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you donate in his name to the Nassau County Humane Society.

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

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Mrs. Dorothy “Dottie” Deese, 77, passed away Thursday night, July 11, 2019, at her residence in Fernandina Beach, Fla. following an extended illness.

She was born in Bacon County, Ga. but had resided in Nassau County, Fla. most of her life. She was employed for 16 years by Shoney’s restaurant in Fernandina Beach as a waitress and attended Lighthouse Tabernacle of Jesus Christ.

Mrs. Deese was a daughter of the late Mitchell Fullard and Inez Taylor Fullard.

She was preceded in death by a son, Allen Harris.

She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Dock Deese of Fernandina Beach; four daughters, Bonita “Bonnie” Carter (Richard) of Kingsland, Ga., Tina Miller of Kingsland, Tonya Diaz of Kingsland, and Stacy Dilliard (Jimmy) of Danbury, N.C.; two sons, Ernest Paul Miller Jr. of Kingsland and Damon Deese of Atlanta, Ga.; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Hazel Combs (Roy) of Millwood, Ga.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 2019 at the Music Funeral Home Chapel. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. the same day at Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, Ga.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com.

Music Funeral Home & Satilla Crematory

Carol Jean Reublinger Coombe, 70, passed away July 10, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Carol was born in Scituate, Mass., the much-loved baby sister to her siblings, Richard Lee Reublinger, Arthur H. Reublinger, and Vera R. Reublinger. She worked as a budget analyst for the United States Army in Virginia, where she met and married Richard R. Coombe in 1999. She and Richard retired to Fernandina Beach, Fla. in 2004. Carol had a generous spirit and a servant’s heart and always had a positive, enthusiastic attitude. She volunteered at Hope House. She was instrumental in developing adult and children’s bell choirs at Memorial United Methodist Church and enjoyed sharing her love of music with others. She played trombone in the Nassau County Community Band, sang in the MUMC Ensemble, and participated with the Memorial UMC Chancel Choir for various seasonal offerings.

She is survived by her loving husband, Richard; daughter, Amanda McKinney; son, Charles McKinney; and stepchildren, Jacqueline Davis, Candice Short, and Richard J. Coombe II, as well as grandchildren, Courtney McKinney, Alex Bailey, Robert Addams, and Elizabeth Short. Carol also welcomed into her heart a large extended “family” including Mark and Stephanie Parker and their children, Ben, Emily, and Lucas.

She was often seen riding her bike around Fernandina with her hair flowing in the breeze and a big smile on her face. Carol’s smile, her fun-loving nature, and her infectious laugh will be missed by all who were blessed to know and love her.

Donations in Carol’s member may be made to the Nassau County Community Band or the Memorial UMC Red Bird Mission, in lieu of flowers.

Ruth Dean Ford Pierce, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

She was born July 12, 1929 at home in Worth County, Ga. and was the eldest daughter of the late Clement Anslem Evans Ford and Mary Agnes Rouse. She missed celebrating her 90th birthday by only three days.

The majority of her life was spent as a wonderful homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother. The epitome of a Southern Lady, she was known for her grace, her gardens, and her ability to entertain family and friends as her husband, the late James L Pierce, built his CPA practice in Albany, Ga. An amazing cook and passionate advocate for healthy eating and exercise, she was truly an inspirational trailblazer. She was a member of First Methodist Church and active in Thronateeska NSDAR and The Charity League. In 1981, the Pierces moved from Albany to Fort Worth, Texas to welcome the birth of their first grandchild, Melissa, and another two years later, James. In 1987, they retired to Bribie Island, approximately an hour north of Brisbane in Australia, where, as she said, they enjoyed a 10-year vacation! After returning to the United States in the late-1990s, they briefly lived in St. Augustine, Fla. but relocated in 2002 to Boulder, Colo. to be near daughter Tina and family. After her husband died, she lived with Tina in the San Francisco Bay area and finally in Fernandina Beach. She first visited Fernandina in 1952 to meet the family as a new bride and fondly recalled that Sadler Road was paved with oyster shells!

She was preceded in death by her husband, James L Pierce; her mother-in-law, Ethyl Herring Pierce, a longtime Fernandina resident; her twin sisters, Dorothy Bowen and Doris Page; and her brothers-in-law, Malcolm Pierce and Gene Page.

She is survived by her daughter, Tina (Gary Patterson); granddaughter, Melissa Wilson (Mike Shull); grandson, James Wilson; sister-in-law, Barbara Pierce; brother-in-law, Wendell Bowen; and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Graveside services will be held in Georgia in the future.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in her name to to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida at communityhospice.com.

She was an extraordinary mother and grandmother whose smiles and laughter will be missed by the many who loved her.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Barbara Louise Nilson Reeve completed her life’s journey Tuesday, July 16, 2019 on Amelia Island, Fla.

Born in 1928 in Larchmont, N.Y., she raised a family with her husband, Arthur Reeve, in Demarest, N.J. and spent her later years at Amelia Island Plantation. After 44 years, she will finally reunite in heaven with her daughter, Susan Vecina Reeve, who died tragically in 1975.

Barbara leaves behind her husband of 68 years, Arthur Reeve; and her three remaining children, Virginia Reeve Guilfoile of Chapel Hill, N.C., Andrew Reeve of Shelter Island, N.Y., and James Reeve of Atlantic Beach, Fla. She also has four grandchildren and was recently introduced to her first great-grandchild.

Barbara attended Elmira College and then New York School of Interior Design in New York City. She carried her design talent with her, enjoying decorating her homes, her children’s homes and those of many friends. 

Known to her friends as St. Barbara, she was a stoic person and a calming influence and cared greatly about her friends, family and community. She excelled at motherhood, as evidenced by her close-knit family. In her earlier years, she enjoyed gardening and she was a wonderful cook. She also loved sewing, painting and playing the piano. Along with Art, she put together the greatest of parties.

She will remain in our hearts as a cherished wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Fred Mitchell Fender Jr., 71, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 17, 2019.

Fred was born July 22, 1947 in Daytona Beach, Fla. to Fred Mitchell Fender Sr. and Jenny Altieri Fender. A graduate of Marietta High School in Marietta, Ga., Fred went on to study at Stetson University. On March 23, 1985, he married the love of his life, Donna Sims Fender. Married for 34 years, they were blessed with two children, Mitchell and Kristen. Fred often proclaimed they were his world.

Fred worked as a golf professional in Atlanta for several years before spending the majority of his career as a brokerage manager in the life insurance industry. Later in life, he obtained his real estate license and served numerous clients that became some of his best friends in Fernandina Beach. He enjoyed camping, golf, fishing, shooting and, most of all, attending concerts of all different types of music.

Preceded in death by his father and sister, Carol Ann Fender, Fred is survived by his wife, Donna; children, F. Mitchell Fender III (Kristi) and Kristen Fender Bridges (Chase); grandson, Rhett Fender; mother, Jenny Fender; and dear family and friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Platt’s Funeral Home Belair Road Chapel in Evans, Ga. from 12:30 p.m. until the beginning of the service at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Westover Memorial Park. 

Please sign the guestbook and send condolences at www.plattsfuneralhome.com.

Platt’s Funeral Home

Linda Dailey, 70, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away July 16, 2019.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Warren S. Feagle, 77, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away July 22, 2019.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Erie J. Sanders, 83, of Yulee, Fla., passed away July 21, 2019.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery