Mr. Robert Joseph Lowrey, 86, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.

He was born in Meyersdale, Pa. to the late Marshall and Trellis Heinbaugh Lowrey. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 16, serving honorably during the Korean Conflict.

Mr. Lowrey married the former Diana DeSalvio, and they lived on Long Island, N.Y., where he was employed as a New York City firefighter for many years. In 2006, they moved to Fernandina Beach, where he enjoyed creating beautiful stained glass windows and working in his yard.

Mr. Lowrey was known as a kind and gentle soul and his children remember him as the best dad in the world.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 64 years, Diana Lowrey of Fernandina Beach; his children, Robert J. Lowrey Jr. of Deerfield Beach, Fla., Linda M. Duffy and her husband, Paul, of Fernandina Beach, and Nancy T. Schwarzer and her husband, Jeff, of Oriental, N.C.; grandsons, Paul W. Duffy Jr. and his companion, Falon Lambert, of Yulee, Fla., Nicholas E. Schwarzer of Raleigh, N.C., and Scott N. Schwarzer of Oriental; great-grandson, Paul W. Duffy III of Yulee; and his sister, Margaret Pethtel of Akron, Ohio.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission in Yulee.

He will be laid to rest in Jacksonville National Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Lowrey’s name to the Coalition for the Homeless of Nassau County, P.O. Box 16123, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Miss Lillian Lucille Gilyard was born the second of five children to George D. Gilyard and Hilda Davis Gilyard on August 14, 1933. She received her early education in the public schools of Nassau County, Fla. and was a 1951 graduate of Peck High School in Fernandina Beach, Fla. She went on to attend business school at Walker Business College in Jacksonville, graduating after two years.

After completing her education, she worked at various jobs around the area before moving to Boston, Mass. to work at the Gillette factory. She returned home to help care for her parents and became employed by Morton Thiokol. After the tragedy that happened there, she was employed by Terminal Paper Bag Company, where she retired in 1987.

Known by most as “Lucille,” she was baptized at an early age at First Baptist Church of Yulee under Rev. D. V. Singletary. She was in Bible school, BTU and attended Sunday services regularly. Lucille was on the church’s renovation committee. She served as the secretary for District 2 and treasurer for Pastor’s Aid and was a member of the culinary staff and a diligent participant of Sunday school.

Lucille’s hobbies included reading and collecting coins and key chains. She also enjoyed watching westerns, detective shows and game shows. She was often on the phone “catching up” with friends and family.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Doris Gilyard Henderson; brother, Prince Woodbury II; and niece, Sabrina Gilyard.

Lucille entered into her eternal rest Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Baptist Medical Center in downtown Jacksonville.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: son, Kris Anderson; grandson, Bleu Anderson; brother, George Gilyard (Amanda); sisters, Annette Fennell (Chester) and Fannie M. Gilyard; nieces and nephews, Steve White, Yvette Assem, James Henderson Jr. (Karen), Prince Woodbury III, Tami Autry (Antonio), An’Gell Hilda Hicks; Chaka Fennell; great-nieces and nephews, Antonio Autry Jr, Jamael Autry, Da’Zhaun Hicks, Winston Fennell, Quianna Woodbury, Prince Woodbury IV, Katrina Woodbury, Kendra Woodbury, and Quintin Woodbury; great-great-nieces and nephews, Rayna, Jamael II (Schon), and Jameson Autry; one aunt, Victoria Davis; goddaughter, Ava Green; and a host of loving cousins and friends.

The funeral service for Lillian Lucille Gilyard will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the First Baptist Church, located at 86584 Pinewood Drive in Yulee. The visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, September 20, 2019 at the church. Interment will be in O'Neil Cemetery.

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

T.S. Warden Funerals

Samuel (Sam) Granville Harkins Jr., 81, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away to be with his Lord and Savior on September 23, 2019 after a long illness with cancer.

Sam was born on Chandler Drive in Charleston, W.Va. He graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School and received his degree in chemistry from West Virginia Institute of Technology. He retired from Union Carbide after 35 years of service and never looked back. He enjoyed golfing, a great boogie-woogie song, a good pizza, and spending time with his family.

He was a devoted husband of 34 years to his wife and partner in life, Margie Davis Harkins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Louise Harkins; sister and brother-in-law, Charlotte and Glenn Parsons; brother and sister-in-law, David and Betty Harkins; brother-in-law, Gerald Rodgers; and his son, Barry Grant Harkins Sr.

He is survived by his sister, Loretta Rodgers; daughter, Beverly (Jeff) Brubaker; son, Chuck (Karla) Petty; and grandsons, Barry (Sarah) Harkins, Chris (Angie) Harkins, Nick Harkins, Chris Petty, and Alex Petty, as well as many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.

A memorial celebration of Sam’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2019 at Amelia Baptist Church, located at 961167 Buccaneer Trail in Fernandina Beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to Amelia Baptist Church.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Dr. James Royal Malm passed away peacefully at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. on September 21, 2019 at the age of 94.

Dr. Malm was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Evanston, Ill., where he met his wife of 69 years, Constance Brooks, in second grade. He enlisted in the Navy at 17 years of age and entered the pre-med V12 program. He was a graduate of Princeton University and Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. He remained at New York’s Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, where, as the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, he transformed the program of both adult and pediatric cardiac surgery into one of the foremost treatment and training programs in the world. His legacy of the thousands of children’s lives he touched through his illustrious career lives on in the Babies Heart Fund at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

In 1991, Jim and his wife, Connie, retired to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., where they had honeymooned in 1950 and returned for many happy summers with their family. In retirement, he pursued his hobbies of trap and skeet shooting, decoy carving, tennis, and saltwater fly fishing from his boat, The Tetrad, with the same energy and enthusiasm he brought to his professional career and family life.

In 2003, the Malms made Amelia Island their home, where they continued to enjoy life by the Atlantic Ocean. Here, he took up golf at the age of 80. He continued to enjoy playing twice weekly and finally made the goal of shooting his age.

His wit, wisdom and great love of life will be missed by many, but so deeply by his family.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Constance (Connie) Brooks Malm; his four daughters, Betsy M. Holdsworth (Sam Holdsworth), Melissa Malm (Greg Smith), Karen Malm, and Sarah Malm; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

We will celebrate his life at a memorial service at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Amelia Plantation Chapel, followed by a reception at the Long Point Golf Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to The Babies Heart Fund, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, c/o Sarah Hansen, 516 W. 168th St., Third Floor, New York, NY 10032.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

John Sedjal “Ted” Sapp, 88, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019, at Curahealth in Jacksonville, Fla.

Mr. Sapp was born November 2, 1930 in Hawthorne, Fla. He moved to Fernandina Beach in 1944 from White Oak, Fla.

He graduated valedictorian from Fernandina Beach High School, Class of 1947, where he was a thespian and played football, basketball, and baseball. Later in life, he also enjoyed bowling and golfing.

After graduation, he went to work as an accountant and bookkeeper for Quinn Menhaden Fisheries, where he met his first wife, Connie. He was admired and respected by the employees of the company, so much so that they named a fishing boat after him – The Mr. Ted. He spent 22 years helping to expand the company across the Gulf Coast, from Fernandina to Port Arthur, Texas. After returning to Fernandina in 1969, he began working for Stan Murphy in Jacksonville. He later became an agent enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service and served as an accountant and bookkeeper in Fernandina until his retirement.

Most recently a member of Memorial United Methodist Church, Ted especially loved attending his Sunday school class. Ted was also a longtime member of First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, trustee, and treasurer. He was also a member of the choir and taught Sunday school. He was a loving and devoted husband and father. He was a master joker and teaser. You could never get a straight answer out of him.

Ted was predeceased by his wife, Concettina Tringali Sapp, who passed away in 1980; a granddaughter, Diana Miller Sallee; and two brothers, Houston Sapp and George Elwood Sapp.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Ava McCook Swails Sapp of Fernandina Beach; his children, Cheryl Benson (Randy) of Atlantic Beach, Fla., Philip Sapp (Susan Woolfe) of Hernando, Fla., David Sapp (Cynthia) of Fernandina Beach, Len Swails (Diana) of  Fernandina Beach, Patricia Saunders (Orville) of  Fernandina Beach, Sandra Jubito (Tim) of Yulee, Fla., Paula Thompson (Darrell) of Prattville, Ala., and Glenda Luckie (Michael) of Fort Mill, S.C.; two sisters, Ophelia Leibtag of Gainesville, Ga. and Lottie Heiermann of Traverse City, Mich.; 19 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2019 at Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 601 Centre St. in Fernandina Beach.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church.

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

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Zefferene Scruggs, 81, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2019.

Born in Ogden, Ark., she was a daughter of the late Napoleon and Vernice Brown Greene. She was educated in the schools of Madera, Calif. Though her working career was a full-time one, she also raised her four sons and made a life for her family. She was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Second Baptist Church in Madera for 30 years.

She retired from the Civil Service, where she was a housing coordinator making both on-base and off-base housing arrangements for members of the U.S. Air Force. She had lived in Fernandina Beach for the last year, moving here to be near her son.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her son, Kevin, earlier this year, and her son, Stephen, 25 years ago.

She leaves behind two sons, Emitte Scruggs and his wife, Yvonne, of Fernandina Beach and Donnie Scruggs and his wife, Sharon, of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Xavier of Tampa, Fla., Dion of Chicago, Ill., Stephen of Las Vegas, Nev., Tenesha and Anna, both of Stockton, Calif., Sasha of Richmond, Va., Casey of Anderson, S.C., and Charles, Daniella, and Chelsea, all of Atlanta; and three great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Ezekiel, and Xander, as well as several other extended family members.

There will be a service to remember and celebrate her life at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. She will be laid to rest at a later date in California.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Miriam Shafer, 88, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully in her sleep Friday, September 13, 2019 at her residence.

She was born December 15, 1930 in Williamsport, Pa. to the late Theodore and Florence Ulmer.

Miriam graduated in 1948 from Hepburnville High School. She was working at L.L. Stearns in Williamsport when she met and married Donald L. Shafer (deceased). They lived in Montoursville, where Miriam was a cost accountant at Carey McFalls. She also volunteered for Children and Youth Services working with troubled youth. Both Miriam and her husband were active in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and developed many long-lasting friendships with the Dorothy Long class. They moved to Fernandina Beach in 1998 and joined the fellowship of the Memorial United Methodist Church. Miriam attended weekly prayer meetings and book club, and was involved in many activities in Fernandina, such as the Book Festival.

Miriam was a loving wife and mother. She is survived by two sons, Mark Shafer and his wife, Amelia, of Fernandina Beach and Ken Shafer and his wife, Brenda, of Williamsport; and her daughter, Debbie McCafferty, also of Fernandina Beach. Her youngest daughter, Laura Shafer, passed away in May of 2009.

She has three grandchildren, Ryan and Shannon McCafferty and Amy (Shafer) Fehl and her husband, Corey Fehl, as well as two great-grandaughters, Piper and Sloane Fehl.

Miriam is survived by one brother, Dale Ulmer and wife, Dixie, of North Carolina, and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, as well as nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2019 at St. Paul’s Calvary United Methodist Church in Williamsport.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Taunce Vernitha Ida Smith, 84, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, September 23, 2019 at Terrace of Jacksonville.

Born in Douglas, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Pauline Underwood Gillis. She grew up in Georgia and lived there until she moved to Fernandina Beach with her husband, John A. Smith Jr., in 1952 for his job at Container Corporation of America.

A homemaker, she loved working in her yard and was a former member of Springhill Baptist Church. Over the years, she also enjoyed playing the guitar and singing bluegrass music. She performed locally and at festivals, including at Twin Oaks in Hoboken, Ga.

She was predeceased by her husband in 2001 and as well as her three brothers, Pert Gillis, James Gillis, and Harvey Gillis.

She leaves behind her sons, James R. and Ernest L. Smith, both of Fernandina Beach; her daughter, Linda Heberlie of Farmington, Mo.; her brothers, Ray Gillis of Decatur, Ga. and E. L. Meeks of Douglas; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 26, 2019 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors with Chaplain Jackie Hayes officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Hughes Cemetery at a later date.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Phyllis Bak-Dietrich passed away August 27, 2019. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 28, 2019 at St. Michael Catholic Church.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Glenn Scheiderer, 78, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, September 16, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Leona Marie Coleman passed away Monday, September 16, 2019.

Funerals by T.S. Warden

Gerald "Tad" Williamson, 58, passed away September 25, 2019 at his Fernandina Beach, Fla. residence. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2019 in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Margaret J. Cecchini, 94, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, September 23, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

She was born in Scranton, Pa. to Anna McDonald Nuttall and Fred L. Nuttall and was raised by Fred and Catharine Spitzer Nuttall.

Margaret graduated from Marywood Seminary and Lackawanna Business College in Scranton. In 1948, she married John J. Cecchini, a Navy career veteran who died in 1996.

Margaret and John moved to Concord, Calif., where Margaret enjoyed an 18-year career as an executive secretary with the Johns Mansville Corporation in Pittsburg, Calif. Margaret and John retired in 1972 and moved to Jacksonville, Fla. In 1973, they moved to Fernandina Beach, where Margaret collected sea shells and started a new phase in her life doing volunteer work.

She was instrumental in founding the Nassau Humane Society, the League of Women Voters and the Barefoot Alliance, where she also volunteered her time and organizational skills as secretary/treasurer. She also was a volunteer with the Quality Health Care Nursing Home for 16 years. In 1997, she was honored to receive the Elsie Harper Volunteer of the Year Award.

Margaret enjoyed taking care of her home while humming her favorite hymns, gardening, knitting, shell artistry and game nights with friends and family. She was a “whiz” at Rummi-Cube.

In addition to her husband, Margaret was predeceased by her brother, Edward Nuttall, and her sister, Barbara Nuttall.

Margaret leaves behind her sister, Mary Nuttall of Fernandina Beach, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Church beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2019 with Fr. Briggs Hurley as celebrant. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Bosque Bello Cemetery. A reception will follow at St. Michael Parrish Hall.

The family asks Margaret be remembered with donations in her name to the Nassau Humane Society at 641 Airport Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Muffie Carol Austin, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away September 12, 2019 in hospice care in Merrimac, Mass. She was born July 7, 1947 in Baltimore, Md. the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. James A. E. Halkett. She was predeceased by her husband, John Hutcheson.

Muffie is survived by her only child, Christopher James Austin (Alicia); her granddaughters, Guinevere and Penelope; and her siblings, Scott (Cathy) Halkett, Jan (Don) Truitt, and Kim (Tom) Gillett.

She began her career in textile conservation after graduating from Massachusetts College of Art. Over the years as a conservator, she had been a staff member of the Textile Conservation Center in the Museum of American Textile History, the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum in Boston, and the Textile Conservation Workshop in New York. As a renowned conservator, she has worked on tiny fragments to 18-foot tapestries in a variety of fibers, both flat and three-dimensional. She worked on a dress worn by Princess Diana, Teddy Roosevelt’s bear, and a ballet costume worn by Rudolf Nureyev. She did surveys, treated textiles, and assisted in mounting exhibits for such prestigious institutions as the Ellis Island Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, the Gardner Museum in Boston, the NSDAR Museum, the Lincoln Library, the Appleton Museum and many others. She worked in both Europe and in Asia while living in Singapore.

Muffie enjoyed cooking and entertaining with her favorite event being a dinner party with women of diverse personalities which created exciting and thought-provoking conversations. These get-togethers will be missed by those who had the opportunity of participating. The world of textile conservation has lost an exceptional, talented lady. Her friends will cherish her memory and let her live on.

Services will be held at a later date in Newburyport, Mass.

Muffie Carol Austin, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away September 12, 2019 in hospice care in Merrimac, Mass. She was born July 7, 1947 in Baltimore, Md. the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. James A. E. Halkett. She was predeceased by her husband, John Hutcheson.

Muffie is survived by her only child, Christopher James Austin (Alicia); her granddaughters, Guinevere and Penelope; and her siblings, Scott (Cathy) Halkett, Jan (Don) Truitt, and Kim (Tom) Gillett.

She began her career in textile conservation after graduating from Massachusetts College of Art. Over the years as a conservator, she had been a staff member of the Textile Conservation Center in the Museum of American Textile History, the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum in Boston, and the Textile Conservation Workshop in New York. As a renowned conservator, she worked on tiny fragments to 18-foot tapestries in a variety of fibers, both flat and three-dimensional. She worked on a dress worn by Princess Diana, Teddy Roosevelt’s bear, and a ballet costume worn by Rudolf Nureyev. She did surveys, treated textiles, and assisted in mounting exhibits for such prestigious institutions as the Ellis Island Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, the Gardner Museum in Boston, the NSDAR Museum, the Lincoln Library, the Appleton Museum and many others. She worked in both Europe and in Asia while living in Singapore.

Muffie enjoyed cooking and entertaining with her favorite event being a dinner party with women of diverse personalities which created exciting and thought-provoking conversations. These get-togethers will be missed by those who had the opportunity of participating. The world of textile conservation has lost an exceptional, talented lady. Her friends will cherish her memory and let her live on.

Services will be held at a later date in Newburyport, Mass.

Kealie Martha Barker, 56, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Sunday, September 29, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

George S. McIsaac, 89, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Saturday, September 28, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Naomi Loretta Rauls, 66, of Yulee, Fla., passed away Saturday, September 28, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Clifford B. Thrift, 62, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Saturday, September 28, 2019

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Doris Helen Treubig, 90, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, September 27, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Perrie Salmon Whitten, 63, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Sunday, September 29, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Nancy Lee Wentz, 70, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, September 27, 2019 at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.

Born in Tampa, Fla., she was a daughter of the late Cyril and Minnie (Rachel) Hartley Clare. Nancy’s family moved to Jacksonville, Fla. when she was young, and she resided there until 1970. She was a member of Ribault High School's class of 1966, and attended Massey Business College.

It was as a young lady in Jacksonville that she went out on a blind date with Larry Wentz, a Marine stationed at NAS Jacksonville. Their subsequent marriage would last 49 years.

She and Larry made their home in St. Joseph, Mo. for 30 years before moving to Fernandina Beach in 2005. She worked for several years as an in-home personal caretaker and loved cooking, drinking coffee on the porch, and growing flowers, especially caladiums.

She leaves behind her husband, Larry J. Wentz; her sons, Brian M. Wentz of Des Moines, Iowa and Sarasota, Fla. and Justin L. Wentz of Fernandina Beach; and her sisters, Judith (David) Powell of Fernandina Beach and Marsha (Virgil Stumbo) Clare of Yulee, Fla., as well as several other extended family members.

Nancy had an infectious spirit that always made those around her feel loved and appreciated. Her love for caring for the elderly and bringing them comfort and company in their times of need spanned many decades. Her spirit will be deeply missed by family and friends alike.

The family is planning to gather and celebrate Nancy’s life in January 2020.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy’s honor to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida at communityhospice.com.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Sylvia P. Holoka, 62, of Yulee, Fla., passed away Sunday, September 29, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Michael F. Lyons, 67, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, October 30, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Helen DeLay Strickland, 89, of Yulee passed away Monday morning, September 30, 2019.  Services and interment will be at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.

Clifford “Cliff” Beach Thrift passed into the Lord’s hands September 28, 2019 with his family at his side.

He was born October 13, 1956 in Coronado, Calif. the son of Janice Beach Thrift. He graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 1975 and received an associate’s degree in underwater technology from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Cliff was an outdoorsman through and through. Always loving the sea, Cliff took a shrimping position with friends, where many laughs were shared and memories made. After shrimping, Cliff continued his maritime career with Weeks Dredging Company, finally leaving for Hornbeck Offshore Services as a captain. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and was passionate about both flying and music. More than anything, Cliff adored spending time with friends, family, and his wife, the true love of his life.

Cliff was preceded in death by his mother, Janice Beach Thrift.

He is survived by his wife, Marnie Thrift; his two brothers, Phil (Georgene) and Donald; nephew, Dalton; four stepchildren, Morgan McNeil (Ken Mulstay), Shannon Wooten (Bryan), Shane McNeil (April Ross), and Katie McNeil; two grandsons, Lukas and Arthur Mulstay; and his most beloved friend, Allen Mills.

Please join us 3-6 p.m. October 6, 2019 for a celebration of Cliff’s life at the Ocean Club of Amelia, located at 2080 S. Fletcher Ave. on Amelia Island, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Cliff Thrift to Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Cancer Research, 841 Prudential Drive, Suite 1300, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

Rest in peace, our dear Captain, you were greatly loved and will be dearly missed.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Beverly K. Hansen, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday, October 2, 2019.

She loved making art, reading books, spirituality, animals, meditating, the beach, music, and, most of all, her husband and wonderful loving friends.

Services will be private.

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

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Cleo Flake, 73, of Callahan, Fla., passed away Sunday, October 6, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Robert Lee Hogan, 68, of Hilliard, Fla., passed away Monday, October 7, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Elizabeth Lue Manning, 84, passed away October 2, 2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Sara Jean Young, 42, of Yulee, Fla., passed away Sunday, October 6, 2019 at UF Health North in Jacksonville, Fla.

She was born in Jacksonville and was the daughter of Carey E. Gill and Cynthia Featherston Lane. She lived most of her life in Nassau County and was a 1995 graduate of Fernandina Beach High School. Sara was a longtime employee of VyStar Credit Union, where she was a member relationship specialist.

Over 12 years ago, she invited Danny Young over for pizza and a movie with her and her roommate. Her first clue that Danny might be “the one” was when her Boston terrier, Chloe, immediately liked Danny. He was the first guy that Chloe liked and didn’t growl at. Sara and Danny were married for more than 10 years. She and Danny have been active members of Journey Church for the last six years.

Sara will always be remembered for her kindness and her big heart. It was said of her that she never did anything less than to “love big” and love without reservation.

She leaves behind her husband, Danny Young, of Yulee; her son, Blake Camron Young, and daughter, Bailey Grace Young, both of Yulee; her mother, Cynthia (Keith) Lane of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; her father, Carey (Susan) Gill of Fernandina Beach; her brother, Jonathon Gill, and her sister, Karla (Ander) Smith, both of Atlanta, Ga.; and her beloved niece and nephews, Kallisti, Lane, Barrett, and Rucker, as well as many other extended family members.

Sara’s family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 11, 2019 at Journey Church with Pastor Darryl Bellar officiating. She will be laid to rest at Bosque Bello Cemetery.

Those desiring may make contributions in Sara’s memory to Nassau County Animal Services, 86078 License Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors