Adams, Curtis Dale
Curtis Dale Adams, 53, a seven-year resident of Fernandina Beach and formerly of Detroit, Mich., passed away at home on Sunday, July 27, 2003, following an extended illness. He was an Air Force veteran and marine electrician for 17 years at a major local shipyard.
He was a dedicated husband and father and is survived by his wife, Karen McCants-Adams; daughter, Hollie Adams of Arlington, Texas; brothers Scott Adams of Fernandina, Kevin Adams of Denver, Colo., and Gerald Adams of Australia; stepsons Tracy Brooks and Tim Brooks of Georgia; four grandchildren and a multitude of loving friends.
A memorial service will be held at his home for loved ones and friends on Saturday, Aug. 2.
Hatcher Cremations
Ferrell, Nina Jurls Lucio
Nina Jurls Lucio Ferrell, 32, of Fernandina Beach passed away Friday, July 25, 2003, as a result of injuries received in a traffic accident on Blackrock Road. A native of Montgomery, Ala., she was the daughter of Mrs. Jean Barnes of Fernandina Beach and Mr. J.B. Jurls of Montgomery, and had resided in Nassau County since 2001.
She worked briefly at the Blue Seas Restaurant when it opened in the summer of 2002.
Survivors include her parents; her husband, Cecil Ferrell; her children, Brandy Lucio, Hope Ferrell, and Joey Ferrell, all of Montgomery; two brothers, Charles Barnes and Shawn Barnes of Fernandina Beach; and three sisters, Jeanette Dishmon of Montgomery and Christine Lucio and Angela Safar of Fernandina Beach.
The family received friends Monday evening at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Burgess Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Jackie Hayes, pastor of Springhill Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be later this week in Alabama.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
Higginbotham, Charlie J. "Jack"
Charlie J. "Jack" Higginbotham, a native of Nassau County, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2003, at his home in Fernandina Beach after a courageous battle with cancer.
Services were conducted Tuesday, July 29, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home beginning with visitation at 3 p.m. and followed at 3:30 p.m. by the services. Interment will be later at Calverton National Cemetery, Long Island, N.Y., and arranged by Robertaccio Funeral Home in Patchogue, N.Y.
Mr. Higginbotham was born in the Evergreen community of Nassau County on June 24, 1921, and resided near Callahan until entering the U.S. Navy in 1940. His family was one of the five founding families of Nassau County, and he was the eldest son of Napoleon Broward Higginbotham and Hattie Ella Jones Higginbotham. He performed heroically on numerous ships during World War II and served for 20 years before retiring as a chief in 1960. He then served his country again as a clerk in the U.S. Postal Service from 1963-1976.
Mr. Higginbotham resided in Patchogue for most of his adult life, before returning to Fernandina Beach in 1992. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed teaching the children in his neighborhood how to fish. He was also a lover of wildlife and gardening. But most of all, he was very proud of his military service and of his family heritage as being among the earliest settlers of North Florida.
Mr. Higginbotham was a member of the VFW Post 54 in Fernandina Beach. He is survived by his loving family: wife, Helen S. (Gwinn) Higginbotham; a son, Charlie J. (Esther) Higginbotham Jr., Ronkonkoma, N.Y.; a daughter, Barbara Joan Burger, Tuscon, Ariz.; a brother, Thomas (Peggy) Higginbotham, Callahan; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a stepson, Ches (Debora) Gwinn Jr., Charlotte, N.C. He was predeceased by his daughters, Kathy Felise-Tantonie and Margie Carnes, and by his former wife, Gloria Higginbotham.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257, or to the American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Road, N.E., Atlanta, Ga. 30329.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
Huff, Elnora L.
Elnora L. Huff, 59, of Hilliard passed away Sunday, July 27, 2003, in Jacksonville. A native of Fernandina Beach, she was the daughter of the late Alton and Louella Abbott and resided in North Florida and South Georgia for most of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include her children, Robert William (Millie) Meeker and William Lee Meeker of Jacksonville; a brother and sister-in-law, Hershel (Mary) Abbott, Los Angeles, Calif., and five grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home. Graveside funeral services will be at noon today at Hughes Cemetery
with Pastor Len Showalter officiating.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
Lusk, James L. "J.L."
James L. "J.L." Lusk, 52, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2003, in a Jacksonville hospital. He was a native of Bell, W.Va., and lived in Jacksonville before moving to Callahan in 2001. He was the former owner of First Coast Termite and Pest Control. He was a Vietnam Veteran and served three tours with the U.S. Army. he was a member of VFW Post 7909. He was a "BIG" Jaguar fan and loved the outdoors, especially camping and fishing. He will be fondly remembered as a devoted, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Survivors include his wife, Edna Lusk of Callahan; three daughters, Jodie Lusk of Monroe, N.C., Robin (Dan) Lusk-Stancil of Virginia Beach, Va., and Jenny (Daniel) Godbold of Yulee; his father, Harold Lusk of Grants Path, Ore.; five brothers, Patrick Lusk, Randy Griner, Gary Lusk, Ronald Lusk and Michael Lusk; three grandchildren and many friends.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church in Callahan. A rosary was said at 7 p.m.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. today at the church, with Father Ralph Besendorfer, celebrant. Interment follows at Green Pine Cemetery
in Yulee.
Green Pine Funeral Home & Cemetery
Magavero, Mary R.
Mary R. Magavero, 92, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2003. She was a native of Buffalo, N.Y., and resided in Fernandina Beach since 1999 after moving from McKenny County, Ill. She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and William Crawford of Fernandina Beach; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Interment will be at Cold Spring Cemetery
in Lockport, N.Y.
Green Pine Funeral Home & Cemetery
Mayhew, Helen
Helen Mayhew, 85, of Fernandina Beach passed away Friday, July 18, 2003, at LifeCare Center of Hilliard.
A native of Iradell County, N.C., Mrs. Mayhew had resided in Fernandina Beach since the early 1970s. During the years of World War II she was employed as a newspaper columnist in Washington, D.C. Later, following her marriage, she and her husband owned and operated a dry cleaning company for 25 years in the San Francisco area. She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul T. Mayhew, in June of 1975, and by her second husband, Charles F. Smith, in 1978.
Survivors include two sisters, Elizabeth Cline Lumsden of Statesville, N.C., and Jane Brasheur of Paducah, Ky., and a step-daughter-in-law and longtime caregiver, Ginny (Mrs. Topsy) Smith of Fernandina Beach.
A private memorial service and interment will take place at a later date in Willow Valley Cemetery
in Mooresville, N.C., with Rev. Tom Corbell, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Statesville, N.C., officiating.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
Plank, Barbara J.
Barbara J. Plank, 81, of Jacksonville passed away Saturday, July 26, 2003. The Frankfort, Ind., native was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Dr. Chester W. Plank; a daughter, Rena J. Plank, and a sister, Willma D. Favors.
A memorial service will be held today at 4 p.m. at the Yulee United Methodist Church, State Road 200 East in Yulee, with Rev. Brett Templeton officiating.
Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home
Brown, Lois VanWey
Lois VanWey Brown, 65, of Yulee passed away Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at her home surrounded by her loving family. A native of Conway, Texas, she had resided in Yulee since 1973. Mrs. Brown was a dedicated homemaker and a lifelong member of the Baptist faith. She was also a loving wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was very skilled and loved making many various types of handicrafts such as crocheting, knitting and sewing, in addition to being a wonderful cook. Survivors include her seven sons, Robert Lee VanWey, John Henry VanWey, Ronald Alan VanWey, Donald Eugene VanWey, all of Yulee, and Michael Patrick VanWey, Robert Lee VanWey, and Jerry Ray VanWey, all of Fernandina Beach; a daughter, Merri Allyce Marcum of Five Points, Ala.; three brothers, James Henry Boyd of Fernandina Beach, Martin Keith Simms of Beaumont, Texas, and Frank E. Batterson of Lawton, Okla.; three sisters, Doris Holmes and LaReita Brown of Fernandina Beach; and LaRee Stroh of Yulee; 18 grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Graveside funeral services were held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Bosque-Bello Cemetery
with the Rev. Brooks Monk officiating.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
Kruidbos, Nicole LeBrun
Nicole Lebrun Kruidbos, 66, of Fernandina Beach, the widow of the late Bernard A. "Bernie" Kruidbos II, died Thursday, June 19, 2003, at her residence on Dwight Drive.
A native of Montreal, Quebec, she was the daughter of the late Rene and Georgette Proulx LeBrun and had resided in Nassau County since 1993 when she relocated from Fort Lauderdale. She received two years of college in Canada and two years in the United States, and was retired from her position as a computer programmer with Schering Plough Co. in Miami. She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. She loved books, computers, photography and caring for her family.
Survivors include her children, Bernard A. "Ben" (Marcia) Kruidbos and Sylvie N. (Thomas) Jausel, both of Fernandina Beach, Linda (Van) Gayef and Fred Kruidbos, both of Calgary, Alberta, and Rudy (Elaine) Kruidbos of Ottawa, Ontario; two brothers, Jean (Sharleen) LeBrun of Fernandina Beach and Pierre (Helen) LeBrun of Alachua County; and a number of grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday in the Chapel of the Oxley-Heard Funeral Home, with Father Michael Kilkenny officiating. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Kruidbos' family requests that you plant a tree in her honor.
Allen, Robert F.
Robert F. Allen, 86, of Amelia Island, husband of the late Lillian Billman Allen, died July 28, 2003, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.
A native and lifelong resident of Rochester, N.Y., until relocating to Florida in 1988, he was the son of the late Clarence and Ruth King Allen.
Mr. Allen was a manufacturer's sales representative, and owned and operated the R.F. Allen Machinery Company in Rochester. He attended the University of Rochester, and served his country in the 8th Airborne Division of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, flying many missions over Europe and the Atlantic Ocean. He was a Master Mason and 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner, attended the Episcopal church and was an ardent and quite accomplished golfer.
Survivors include a brother, John (June) Allen, Avon Lake, Ohio; two special nieces, Lillian Thompson, Naugatuck, Conn., and Elsie Hall, Centre Hall, Pa.; and several other nieces and nephews. A memorial service is scheduled for Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Amelia Island Plantation Chapel.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
Douglas, W. Fulton
W. Fulton Douglas, 85, of Brunswick, Ga., died July 27, 2003, at the Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick. He was a native of Coffee County and a resident of Brunswick since 1983 and a former resident of Savannah, Ga for 33 years. He was retired from Atlantic Coast Railroad (now CSX) and a member of the Gylndale Baptist Church in Brunswick and a member of the Fisher of Men Sunday school at the church. He was a member of the Ancient Landmark Masonic Lodge in Savannah.
Survivors include his wife, Winnie O'Neal Douglas of Brunswick, and several nieces and nephews from Fernandina Beach.
Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday. Funeral Services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Gylndale Baptist Church with Rev. Ken Creekmore officiating. Interment followed at Greenlawn Cemetery
in Waycross. The family requests those wishing to may make contributions to the Glyndale Baptist Church of Brunswick.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home
Melton, Robert
Robert Melton died July 22, 2003.
Survivors include his wife, Angela Melton; parents Pecolia and Calvin Williams; four sisters; three brothers; grandmother, Ruth Woods; and other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. today at Coleman Mortuary, 5660 Moncrief Road in Jacksonville. The cortege will assemble at 1613 Marvin St. in Callahan at 10 a.m Saturday. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. at Second Baptist Church in Callahan with Elder Charles McGriff, Pastor of Church of God by Faith in Riverside, officiating. Interment will be in Callahan Cemetery.
A. B. Coleman Mortuary
Mitchell, Mae Frances "Mary"
Mae Frances "Mary" Mitchell, 91, died July 28, 2003. She was a member of the Church of God by Faith of Sandhill, Elder Alvin Armstrong, pastor. She served as mother of the church and actively served in many other offices and capacities.
Survivors include two granddaughter, Loice (Kenneth) Shephard and Gloria (Herbert) Jackson; 10 grandsons: Gerald (Sylvia), Cannon (Betty), Herbert (Alvida), Lavarnia (friend, Eva), Steven (Velma), Allen (Diane), Jeffrey (Donna), Kelly, Spencer (Beverly) and Curtis Mitchell; 23 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; adopted daughter, Amy Thomas; god-daughter, Mildred (Tommy Lee) Oliver; brother-in-law, Major (Sadie) Mitchell; sisters-in-law, Beatrice Mitchell and Elular Mitchell; dear cousin, Amos (Gracie) White; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cannon F. Mitchell; son Elder Kelly L. Mitchell; daughter-in-law Lena Mae Mitchell; and great-grandson Sgt. Keman L. Mitchell.
Home Going services will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Church of God by Faith in Yulee, Elder Harry Johnson, pastor. Viewing was held Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the Huff & Battise Funeral Home and will be held at the church today from 9 a.m. until the hour of service. Interment will follow at Brickyard Cemetery
in Lessie.
Huff & Battise Funeral Home
