Gary Arthur Whiting
January 29, 2013
Mr. Gary Arthur Whiting, 58, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2013, in Pensacola.
Mr. Whiting was a native of Rochester, NY and a resident of Walnut Hill for the past 23 years. Mr. Whiting was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His mother, Vivian Whiting, precedes him in death.
Survivors include his father, Newell Whiting of Rochester, NY; wife, Dana Whiting of Walnut Hill; three sons, Anthony Sones of Williamsport, PA, Nicholas Whiting of Walnut Hill and Justin Whiting of Walnut Hill; two daughters, Angela Steadham and Leslie Whiting both of Atmore; three brothers, Larry Whiting and Terry Whiting both of Rochester, NY and Jerry Whiting of Daytona, FL and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 2, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Ted Bridges officiating.
Burial will follow at the Walnut Hill Baptist Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, February 1, 2013, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be James Steadham, Nicholas Whiting, Justin Whiting, Rico Padilla, Anthony Sones, Tim Lambert and Jacob Bradley.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC, is in charge of arrangements.
Susan Deloras Merritt
January 28, 2013
Our Angel, Susan Merritt, 62, passed away peacefully surrounded by all those who loved her on January 25, 2013. Susan Deloras Merritt was born to the late William and Ruby Johnson in Pensacola on April 27, 1950. Susan was a lifetime resident of Pensacola and Molino where she raised her six children. She was a loving, devoted, selfless, strong, and sacrificial wife and mother. Susan taught her children that family is our most valuable treasure. She was a fierce protector and defender of her children whom she covered in prayer.
Susan is preceded in death by William Johnson (father), Ruby Johnson (mother), Patsy Stacey (sister), and William “Willie” Patrick Merritt (son). She is survived by her husband, Raymond Merritt Sr. (Buck) of 47 years who she loves dearly; her daughters, Teresa Allen (Clay), Kim Vaughn, Maggie Lafferty (David). Her son’s Raymond Merritt Jr. (Dee Dee), James Merritt (Susan). Best friend and sister’s Catrine Pippin and Gertrude Merritt. Her siblings, Cindy Leonard, Willie Johnson, Pat Johnson and Rusty Johnson. Numerous spoiled grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Susan retired from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Tuesday January 29, 2013. Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Wednesday January 30, 2013, at St. Jude’s Thaddeus Catholic Church in Cantonment.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Covenant Hospice who took such wonderful care of our mother.
Pall bearers will be her six grandsons Christopher Echele, A.J. Echele, Jonathan Echele, Lil Robert Vaughn, Shane Merritt and Hunter Allen.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
William Samuel Stapleton, Sr.
January 28, 2013
Mr. William Samuel Stapleton, Sr., age 68 of Brewton passed away on Friday, January 25, 2013, at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Stapleton was born in Florida and had been a resident of Brewton since 2005 coming from Jay. He worked as a roofer in the construction industry.
He is survived by his sons, Rusty (Jamie) Stapleton of Brewton and William S. Stapleton, Jr. of Berrydale; sisters, Mae Stapleton of South Florida and Aline Stapleton of PA; step-grandchildren, Christopher Captenter, Caitlyn Carpenter and Joseph Carpenter.
A memorial service will be announced at a later time, Craver’s Funeral Home directing.
Martha Verge Edwards
January 28, 2013
Martha Verge Edwards, age 64, a resident of Pensacola, formerly of Douglass, Kansas, passed away on January 25, 2013, at the Specialty Center of Pensacola. She was born on November 6, 1948, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the daughter of William and Helen Verge. The family moved to Independence, Kansas, when she was a toddler. She attended school in that town, graduating from Independence High School in 1966.
For several years she was a home health care provider for Mercy Hospital of Independence, Kansas. In January of 2000, Martha was united in marriage to Dennis Brent (Butch) Edwards of Douglass, Kansas, where she resided until she moved to Pensacola after her husband’s death.
Martha was a member of and served as office clerk at Beulah Baptist Church in Pensacola.
Martha is survived by her mother, Helen Verge of Independence, Kansas; her brother Richard Verge and wife Carolyn, also of Independence; a brother Willis Verge and wife Georganna of Rogers, Arkansas; brother Thomas Verge and wife Vera of Pensacola; sister-in-law Martha Jo Verge of Bethany, Oklahoma, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father William Verge of Independence, her husband, Butch, and one brother Alfred Verge of Bethany, Oklahoma.
A memorial service will be held at Beulah Baptist Church, Pensacola at a later date. Graveside services will be held at the Harrisonville Cemetery, Wayside, Kansas, on Wednesday, January 30, 2013.
Mildred Louise (Davis) Ward
January 25, 2013
Mildred Louise (Davis) Ward, 88, passed peacefully into God’s keeping on Sunday, January 20, 2013, with her son and daughter-in-law at her side.
Mildred was born on October 22, 1924 in Atmore, to the union of Nathaniel Edward Davis and Vera Hall. She graduated from Atmore High School in 1943 and upon his return from WWII she married her devoted husband, Cary Carlson Ward, Sr. on November 24, 1944, in Pensacola. She followed her husband’s military career until his retirement in 1976 after 35 years. She was a dedicated and loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother her entire life.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Aubrey and son, SSGT Cary C. Ward, Jr., US Special Forces.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 68 years; her son, Daniel Marcus Ward (Debbie); sister, Virginia Comer; grandson, Zachary Carlson Ward (Melissa); granddaughter, Angela Kathryn Ward Bell (Glynn) and four beautiful great-granddaughters.
She was the center of our family and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, 2013, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.
Graveside service for family and close friends will be held 11:45 a.m. Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Eddie Joe Caro
January 25, 2013
Eddie Joe Caro passed away peacefully on January 24, 2013, at the age of 67.
He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Joseph Caro and sister, Brenda Caro Cooper.
Eddie was a native of Pensacola and resided in Luling, LA. He graduated from Tate High School and received his business degree from the University of West Florida. He worked with Shell Oil for many years. He loved cooking and football, and spending quality time with his family. Eddie was a loving father, grandfather and son and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by three daughters, Kimberly Bienvenu, Monica Hall and Jordana Le Blanc; his mother, Helen Perry Caro; eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, January 28, 2013, at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home.
Interment will follow in Highland Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service on Monday.
Naida Chrystine Kinard
January 25, 2013
Naida Chrystine Kinard, 82 of Cantonment, died January 18, 2012. She was born on December 26, 1930, to George Newton Kinard and Gassie Polk McLemore Kinard in Bastrop, LA. She graduated from Bastrop High School and moved to Cantonment where she worked for St. Regis Paper Co. in the payroll division. At this time, she met and married Warren Alonzo Land and shortly thereafter, moved to Gainesville where they attended the University of Florida. She also attended Indian River Junior College in Ft. Pierce, Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, N.C. and received her bachelors and master’s degrees from the University of West Florida. She taught for 23 years in the Santa Rosa County School System before her retirement.
Survivors include her son, Warren Todd Land of Seattle, WA; sisters, Eleanor Mulholland of Cantonment, and Gloria Ligeti (Irving) of Lebanon, NH; nieces, Pamela Kirchharr (John) of Pensacola, Ann McLemore Howell (Don) of Jefferson, TX, and Andrea Ligeti Volinsky (Jim) of Newport, NH; nephews, Jerry Pierce (Regina) of Natchitoches, LA, James Pierce (Jan) of Reno, NV, Robert Ligeti (Wendy) of Worcester, MA and Charles A. Mulholland, Sr. (Patsy) of Ferrida, LA; brother-in-law, Henry Culver Land (Bobbie Ann); and a very special friend, Jeffrey Thomas of Seattle, WA.
During her lifetime, she was interested in family genealogy, travel and numerous hobbies. She volunteered as a guardian ad litem for the courts and served on the Pensacola Museum of Art Guild board for many years.
Cremation will be immediate and a private family scattering of her ashes will be observed later.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Council on Aging of West Florida.
Shirley H. Perry
January 25, 2013
Shirley H. Perry, age 76, of Cantonment, went to be with her Lord Tuesday, January 22, 2013. She was born January 30, 1936, in Robertsdale to the late Charles T. and Myrtle L. Hedden, Sr.
Shirley retired from Southern Bell after over 30 years of service. She was very independent, she worked hard and was a caring, loving mother and grandmother.
Survivors include her daughter, Shelia Langford; two sons, Michael (Diana) Perry, all of Cantonment; and Dennis Perry of Gulf Breeze; two grandsons, Ronnie Langford and Dylan Ross; and five brothers.
Funeral services will be Monday, January 28, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor Pam Avery officiating. Interment will follow in Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the service hour.
Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Dorothy Jo Lowell
January 25, 2013
Dorothy Jo Lowell, 86, a resident of Pensacola and Jay passed away on Wednesday, January 23, 2013. She was born in Daviston, AL on May 10, 1926. Dorothy Jo received an associate degree from Pensacola Junior College, and was retired from US Civil Service after 22 years, eight months and 10 days in the secretarial departments. She enjoyed working in her flower garden and was a personal worker in the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Edith Fincher and five siblings, Arnold, Herbert, Myrtle, Willie J. and Macon.
Dorothy Jo is survived by her husband, Robert “Bob” A. Lowell of Pensacola; a son, Michael Scott and wife Patsy; three granddaughters, Kara Ritchie and her husband Alan of Pace, Micah Scott of Jay and Ashley Buckley and her husband Shane of Jay; five great grandchildren, Truitt and Allyson Ritchie, Michael Wayne Owens, Aiden and Easton Buckley and a step-daughter, Trista Brooks and her husband Ernie.
Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 25, 2013, until funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd, Pensacola with Bro. L. E. Wishum officiating. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Jay City Cemetery in Jay.
Active pallbearers will be Chris High, Shane Buckley, Tony High, Tommy Jernigan, Alan Ritchie and Ernie Brooks.
Honorary pallbearers will include Charles High, Jason Jernigan, John Yates and Hollie Fincher.
The family wishes to give special thanks to the staff at The Terrace Assisted Living in Jay; Dr. David Smith and family and friends who gave their much needed support.
Leila Junette Smith Coleman
January 19, 2013
Mrs. Leila Junette Smith Coleman “June,” 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, January16, 2013.
Born in Gonzalez in 1924 to parents, Jesse and Bernice Smith, she grew up in the Pensacola area as a child of the Depression and the Second World War. After graduation from Tate High School, she worked in Pensacola at Armor and Company providing secretarial service before heading to Washington, DC to work at the Pentagon. There she spent time with her brother, Harris Smith, SGT, USMC who was recently returned from the war in the Pacific. In 1947, now back in Pensacola, she met and married the love of her life, Malcolm V. Coleman, a Chief Petty Officer stationed at Pensacola Naval Air Station. For the next few years she lived the military lifestyle, raising a family of three sons at a succession of postings. In 1961, “Mac” retired from the Navy and the young family moved back to Gonzalez to enjoy being close to family. June found employment at Chemstrand in the yarn plant but soon was able to transition back to secretarial services at what was now known as Monsanto in the engineering department. She worked there until her retirement in 1989. Following the untimely death of her husband in 1979, she devoted herself to her family, volunteer work, golf and travel. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church of Pensacola. After suffering a stroke in 2005, which left her without the power of speech, she could no longer live independently and spent her remaining years with the caring staff of Homestead Village on Pine Forest Road.
She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Sandra Coleman of Atlanta, Curtis Coleman of Edgewater, FL, and Kevin and Joan Coleman of Pensacola; grandsons, Austin and Beth Coleman of Annapolis, MD, Blake Coleman of Atlanta, GA, and Bryce Coleman of Pensacola; three great grandchildren, Jackson, Grant and Jane Coleman of Annapolis, MD; and brother, Joseph Q. Smith of Lihue, Kauai, HI.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 22, 2013 from 10 AM till the service time of 11 AM at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Pastor Jim Locke will officiate.
Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery on board NAS Pensacola,.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society; the Alzheimer’s Association or Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.