JANE ALLEN MAPLES
Jane Allen Maples was born in Lumberton, N.C., on Aug. 30, l939. She formerly lived in Miami, Fla., before becoming a resident of Panama City. Jane graduated from Florida State University with a B.A. in education and went on to the University of Georgia for her master's degree in counseling. While at FSU, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She taught school in Miami for l7 years, teaching at Hialeah High School and Miami Springs Senior High, before retiring to Panama City to be near her family. After retiring from teaching, she worked full time as a craftsman in her own business. She was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn R. Maples; and niece, Melissa Smith Bennett. She is survived by her friend and brother-in-law, Dr. Tim M. Smith; a sister, Mary Ann Smith; her father, James A. Maples; her nephews, Tim M. Smith II and Karen, and Stephen Smith; great niece, Evelyn Michele Bennett; and great nephews, Daniel Bennett, Gabriel Bennett, Kendall Bennett, Timmer Smith III, Tanner Smith; and her dear friend, companion and business associate, Betsy Stoinoff. Jane was a treasure to all she taught and mentored. We will always love and treasure her memory and we know she is in a better place, at peace. Funeral services will be held today at l p.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with her friend, Dr. Richard White, officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Tim M. Smith II, Stephen Smith, Daniel Bennett, Porter Thrower, Marshall Anderson, and Richard Youd. Honorary pallbearers are Willard Dean, Rowlett Bryant, Michael Simmons, Bobby Woods, and Dr. Matthew Sweetser.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
MARJORIE L. 'MARGE' BEKO
Mrs. Marjorie L. "Marge" Beko, 73, of Lynn Haven, Fla., passed away Monday, Nov. 5, 2001, at a local hospital. She was a native of West Virginia and had lived in the Panama City area for 32 years. Mrs. Beko was a homemaker, attended the Lynn Haven First United Methodist Church, and was a member of the Lynn Haven Chapter of T.O.P.S. She is survived by five daughters, Jean George and her husband, Don, of Elyria, Ohio, Sandra Campbell and her husband, Mickey, of Southport, Fla., Wanda Nelson and her husband, Roger, of Athens, Ala., Pennie Miller and her husband, Rudy, of Southport, Fla., and Theresa Tharp and her husband, Greg, of Lynn Haven; two brothers, Clarence Hall and Glenn Hall, both of Morton Grove, Ill.; four sisters, Zelma Douglas of Gulfport, Miss., Rose Burkholder of Akron, Ohio, June Johnson of Miramar, Fla., and Ninne Marie Albright of Panama City; niece and nephew, Roger and Miah Beko of Panama City; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Beko; two sons, Billy Ray Holmes and Carey Lewis Holmes; two brothers, Hassel Hall and Lewis Hall; and a sister, Lois Hall. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today, Nov. 7, 2001, at the Lynn Haven First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Doug Pennington officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are Lee Ausmus, Troy George, Kenny Honaker, Don George, Donnie George and Rudy Miller. Honorary pallbearers include Greg Tharp and Mickey Campbell. A reception will be held at the Lynn Haven First United Methodist Church following the interment.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
STIRLING GRAY BELZ
Stirling Gray Belz, 16, of 12601 Steeple Chase Road, Panama City, died Sunday, Nov. 4, 2001, as a result of an automobile accident. She was a lifelong resident of Panama City. She was an academic honor roll student at Rutherford High School, where she was a member of the Key Club and DECA. She was a charter member of the Emmaus United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her father, Graham Stirling-Ford Belz. She is survived by her mother, Martha S. Belz, of Panama City; a sister, Laura Anne Belz; aunts and uncles, Lila and Donald Pardue of Booneville, N.C., and Paul and Alicia Martin of Gainesville, Fla.; godparents, Reggie and Candi Breault of Panama City and Lila and Frances Neemberry; cousins, Billy and Linda Simpson, Powell and Sheila Simpson, Paul Martin Jr., Tanya Martin, Caroline Martin, and John Paul Martin; and a host of aunts, uncles, great aunts and great uncles. Funeral services will be held today at 11 a.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jack Hankins officiating. Active pallbearers are Powell Simpson, Billy Simpson, Matt Boling, Clark Shore, Chris Boling, Mark Hankins and Charlie Taylor. Those desiring, may make a contribution to the Emmaus United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1206 County 2297, Panama City, FL 32404 in memory of Stirling Belz.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
DYLAN BLAKE PORTER
Dylan Blake Porter, 3, of Marietta, Ga., passed away Monday, Nov. 5, 2001. Services were 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening in the Chapel of West Cobb Funeral Home in Marietta with the Rev. Steve Brown officiating. Interment will be at noon CST today, Nov. 7, 2001, in Porter Cemetery
in Panama City. Dylan attended Milford Church of God. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, John L. Payne; and is survived by his parents, Michael Ray and Leslie Payne Porter of Marietta, Ga.; brothers, Michael and Curtis Stinchcomb of Thomaston, Ga.; paternal grandparents, Donnie Ray and Carolyn Porter of Millry, Ala., and Sue Rodman of Marietta, Ga.; maternal grandparents, John and Donna Gard of Edgewater, Fla. The family received friends at the funeral home Tuesday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Donations can be made to Scottish Rite Children's Hospital, c/o Brain Tumor Research in the name of Dylan Porter. Arrangements were handled by Phillips Funeral Home, P.O. 218, Gilbertown, Ala., 36908; and West Cobb Funeral Home, 2480 Macland Road, Marietta, Ga. 30064 (770) 419-9234.
LEO JACK 'LEE' ROBERTS SR.
Mr. Leo Jack "Lee" Roberts Sr., 72, of Panama City, Fla., passed away Monday, Nov. 5, 2001 at his residence. He was born in Miami, Fla., and had lived in Bay County most of his life. Mr. Roberts was retired as a master sergeant after serving 22 years in the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean Conflict. After his retirement, he spent 20 years in the construction industry. He was a member of Hiland Park United Methodist Church. Mr. Roberts is survived by his wife, Nolene Roberts, of Panama City; three sons, Leo J. Roberts Jr. and his wife, Carol, George H. Roberts and his wife, Angela, and Austin M. Roberts, all of Panama City; a granddaughter, Kelly M. Kyser and her husband, Anthony, of Panama City; great-granddaughter, Katelyn Kyser of Panama City; two stepsons, Kent Peck and his wife, Lori, of Wichita, Kan., and Kyle Peck of Panama City; a stepdaughter, Kala Mercer of Panama City; three step-grandchildren, Alexandra and Emily Peck of Wichita, Kan., and Chad Mercer of Panama City; his mother, Emma Faircloth of Fargo, Ga.; two sisters, Cleo June Hird of Ringgold, Ga., and Helen Padgett of Fargo, Ga.; and a brother, Lamar Canington and his wife, Diane, of Naples, Fla. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Julia Anne Roberts. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, 2001, at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ray Bass and the Rev. Harry Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will include his church family from Hiland Park United Methodist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be his nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, Nov. 8, 2001, from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the building fund of the Hiland Park United Methodist Church.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
SARA ELIZABETH LEACH TAYLOR
Mrs. Sara Elizabeth Leach Taylor, 73, of Panama City, Fla., passed away Saturday, Nov. 3, 2001, in a local nursing home. Born in Luthersville, Ga., she moved here in 1964 from Greensboro, Ga., and was a member of Central Assembly of God Church. Her husband, Wilmer "Bill" Taylor, precedes her in death. Mrs. Taylor is survived by two brothers, Glover Leach of Lynn Haven, Fla., and James Leach and wife, Marilyn of Macon, Ga.; five nieces, Lauren Leach, Gloria Lee, Saralyn Vann, Maxine Hladky and Elizabeth Marshall; and one nephew, Jim Leach. Funeral services will be conducted today, Nov. 7, 2001, at 2:30 p.m. in the Southerland Family Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Shoots officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Southerland Family Funeral Home
Lynn Haven, FL 32444
VINCENT VELTEN
Mr. Vincent Velten, 81, of Panama City Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, Nov. 5, 2001, at a local hospital. He was a native of Albany, N.Y., and had lived in Bay County for 11 years, moving here from Washington, D.C. Mr. Velten was retired as a mailer for the Washington Star newspaper, and was a member of St. Bernadine's Catholic Church in Suitland, Md. He loved all sports and was an avid hockey fan and enjoyed following the Washington Capitals. Mr. Velten is survived by his children, Larry Velten of Kensington, Md., and Brenda Knowlton and Marianne Velten, both of Panama City Beach; his grandchildren, Roy Knowlton of Panama City Beach and Debby Dziekiewicz of Orlando; and two great-grandchildren, Chelsey Dziekiewicz and Chase Hamilton; his six dogs, Hershey, Tiki, Spunky, Snickers, Jake, and Shucky Bear; and his parrot, Howie. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, 2001, at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Gregory George officiating. Interment will be held at the Florida National Cemetery
in Bushnell at a later date. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today, Nov. 7, 2001, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
MANDY McCLENDON ANDERSON
Mandy McClendon Anderson, 89, of Panama City, Fla., and formerly of Graceville, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 31, in The Bay Medical Center in Panama City. She was a member of Salem A.M.E. Church. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. at Salem A.M.E. Church in Graceville, with the Rev. Mary Myrick officiating. Interment will follow in the Hinson Cemetery
in Graceville with Christian Memorial Chapel of Graceville directing. Survivors include her husband, George Anderson of Panama City, Fla.; one brother, Alonzo McClendon of Sarasota, Fla., two sisters, Mildred Jones and Alean Wilson, both of Sarasota, Fla.
MARY M. CAUSBY
Mary M. Causby, 75, of 910 Bradley Circle, Lynn Haven, Fla., died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2001, at a local nursing home. She had been a resident of Bay County since 1969, moving here from Florala, Ala. She was a retired nurse's aid at Wagner Nursing Home. She is survived by four sons, Glen Causby, Lee Causby, Keith Causby and Michael Mehaffey; five daughters, Lisa Smith, Carolyn Gatewood, Barbara Sanders, Marlene King and Regina Porter; 22 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother, Glen Fuqua; and a sister, Margaret Coon. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Lynn Haven Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
ELGIN L. 'POPEYE' FIELDS JR.
Mr. Elgin L. "Popeye" Fields Jr., 60, of Panama City Beach, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2001. He moved to Panama City Beach in 1968 to operate the family business, Seller's Service Station on Back Beach Road, coming here from Hueytown, Ala. Mr. Fields then worked 14 years as pier supervisor for the Dan Russell City Pier. He was a member and former deacon of the First Baptist Church of Panama City Beach. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason, Pythagoras Lodge 358 in Panama City Beach, and a member of the Scottish Rite Temple. Popeye Fields was well-known as an avid fisherman who loved the outdoors. His fishing advice and expertise was often sought by professionals and amateurs alike. Mr. Fields is survived by his wife, Nelda Fields, of Panama City Beach; two sons, Randy Fields and his wife, Susan, of Birmingham, Ala., and Sean Fields of Panama City Beach; five brothers, Jimmy Fields and his wife, Mary, Joy Fields and his wife, Nelda, Danny Fields and his wife, Alberta, Neil Fields and his wife, Ella, and Roger Fields and his wife, Betty, all of Birmingham; two sisters, Myra Salter and Gloria Fields, both of Birmingham; two granddaughters, Peyton Fields and Morgan Fields, both of Birmingham; his mother-in-law: Maxine Byram of Panama City Beach; a sister-in-law, Debbie Pickle of Panama City Beach; two aunts, Lucille Foster of Bessemer, Ala., and Lera Graham of Hueytown, Ala.; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elgin L. and Clara Mae Fields. Funeral services will be held 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, 2001, at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ned Webb officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery
with Masonic Rites at the graveside. The lodge will be open an hour prior to service time. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are Jimmy Fields, Joy Fields, Danny Fields, Neil Fields, Roger Fields, and Bobby Smith. Honorary pallbearers will include Dennis Pickle, Paul Casto, Graham Segrest, Murray McCrackin, Kerry Stroud, Don Tindle, and Jim Phelps. The family will receive friends at the fuenral home today, Nov. 8, 2001, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
