JAMES HOWARD SHELLEY
The Rev. James Shelley went to be with his Lord and Savior on Nov. 22, 1999, at age 77. His loving wife, Joyce Barr Shelley; four daughters, Claudia Shelley Walker, Beverly Shelley-Scribner, Kimberly Shelley Bush, and Deborah Shelley survive him. He also leaves behind two beloved son-in-laws, the Rev. Randall Walker and the Rev. Paul Bush. He had six grandchildren: Stephanie Walker Bailey, Randy Walker, David Walker, Jason Scribner, Joshua Scribner and Micah Scribner. He was the youngest of eleven children, and leaves behind five siblings: Joe Shelley and wife, Betty, John Shelley, and wife, Mary Ethel, Bedie McNiel, Lois Hines, and Luverne Shelley. Bro. Shelley lived his life in service to God and his fellow man. He graduated from Southwestern Bible Institute in Waxahachie, Texas in 1953, and was ordained as a minister of the Gospel with the Assemblies of God that same year. Bro. Shelley pastored many churches throughout Alabama and Florida during the past 50 years. His greatest loves were winning souls to Jesus, and supporting foreign missions. Prior to his death, he stated that the greatest memorial and tribute that could be paid to him was to support his special love of missions. A favorite project of his was the rescue of adolescent slave girls in Nepal who are forced into prostitution. Donations to "Project Rescue" can be made in Bro. Shelley's memory through the Excel Assembly of God, P.O. Box 515, Excel, AL 36439. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. at Excel Assembly of God, Excel, AL. Burial will follow in Excel Cemetery.
BETTY McELHENEY SIEGER
Betty McElheney Sieger, 69, of Panama City, died Monday, Nov. 22, 1999 in a local hospital. She had been a resident of Bay County for 10 years moving here from Key West, Fla. She was an Administrative Assistant for Cooper's Drugs. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she worked in the nursery and preschool. She is survived by two daughters, Margaret Cameron of Forsyth, Ga., and Tasha Bush of Nellie Ford, Va.; a son, George McCowen of Tallahassee, Fla.; five grandchildren: Ashley Cameron, Wendy Bush, Jeremy Bush, Trevor McCowen and Kaylin McCowen; one great-granddaughter, Kayle Weedom; three sisters: Sara Penn of Macon, Ga., Peggy Count of Oregon and Mary Junkins of Panama City, Fla.; and one brother, Lorie McElheney of Panama City, Fla. Funeral services will be held Friday at 9 a.m. in Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bruce Raley officiating. Interment will be at 4 p.m. in Evergreen Cemetery, Perry, Ga. with the Rev. Marvin Lee officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 6 to 8 p.m. Those desiring to may make a contribution to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund or their favorite charity in memory of Betty Sieger.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
MILDRED PIPPIN WHITE
Funeral services for Mrs. Mildred Pippin White, 73, of Panama City, will be held today at 11 a.m. in Southerland Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. W. Steve Southerland officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service today.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
BIRTHA MAE DAVIS
Mrs. Birtha Mae Davis was born on June 17, 1942 in Panama City, Fla., to the late Mr. Petro Oates and Mrs. Ruth Campbell. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 1999 at Second Moriah Church in Springfield. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery. Viewing of the body will be Friday, Nov. 26 at Battle Funeral Home from 1 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to funeral services.
ANNA LOUISE WATSON SAPP
Mrs. Anna Louise Watson Sapp, 90, died on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at Bay Crest Nursing Center. She was born in Butler County, Ala., and moved to Panama City as the wife of Herbert Patton Sapp Sr., in the early 1930s. Much of her life was spent in the study, teaching and production of beautiful music. As a young girl she studied piano with professors at Huntington College after exceeding the skills of her local teacher. To meet with her instructors she made the round trip by train from her home town of Georgiana to Montgomery. She went on to graduate from Huntington with a degree in music and pursued graduate study at the Juliard School of Music in New York City. She performed as the featured artist in concerts and provided accompaniment for other artists in many other presentations. As the president of the Friday Music Club of Panama City she was instrumental in the organization of the Panama City Music Association. She continued to aid in the development of the Music Association by serving as its first president in 1941, and served as a board member in later years. She taught piano and organ in the Bay County area for over 50 years. Many of her students have become accomplished musicians through her tutelage. She was active in the Panama City Women's Club, frequently serving as Chairman of the Arts Department or Music Chair. She was also an active member of the First United Methodist Church where, among other areas of service, she was the organist for over 20 years. She touched many lives through her music and her caring personality. She was preceded in death by a son, James Mercer Sapp Sr. She is survived by a son, Herbert Patton Sapp Jr.; a daughter, Dr. Miriam S. (Mimi) Bozarth and her husband, John; two sisters, Mrs. H. Mack (Eleanor) Lewis and Mrs. Albert (Jean) Lewis, all of Panama City; grandchildren: Teresa Sapp Kennedy and her husband Jerry of Katy, Texas ; James M. Sapp Jr. and his wife Minnie of Wewahitchka, Fla.; Kimberly Sapp Smith and her husband Michael of St. Louis, Mo.; Troy A. Sapp and Allison L. Sapp of Panama City Beach; and J.P. Bozarth of Panama City; great-grandchildren: Jonathan and Joshua Sapp of Wewahitchka; Miranda, James, Lauren and Claire Kennedy of Katy, Texas ; and Eleka Smith of St. Louis, Mo.; nieces, Nancy Moore and her husband Joe of Panama City and Carol Jean Wheeler and her husband Bob of Atlanta, Ga.; nephews, Albert M. Lewis III and his wife Marilyn of Panama City Beach and James C. Lewis and his wife Wendy of Atlanta, Ga.; and numerous great nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, Nov. 26 at 2:00 p.m. in First United Methodist Church of Panama City with the Rev. Si Mathison and the Rev. Al Rowell officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Wilson Funeral Home today, Nov. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. Those desiring to may make a contribution to First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund in memory of Anna Louise Watson Sapp.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
BETTY MCELHENEY SEIGER
Funeral services for Betty McElheney Seiger, 69, of Panama City, who died Monday, Nov. 22, 1999 in a local hospital, will be held Friday at 9 a.m. in Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bruce Raley officiating. Interment will be at 4 p.m. in Woodlawn Cemetery, Perry, Ga., with the Rev. Marvin Lee officiating. Those desiring to may make a donation to First Baptist Memorial Fund or their favorite charity in memory of Betty Seiger.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
LAURA JANE SHIELDS
Laura Jane Shields, 83, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1999 at her home. She was a registered nurse serving in World War II. She was a resident of Bay County for 15 years moving here from Buffalo, N.Y., before she moved to the Westwood Retirement Center, Fort Walton Beach five years ago. She is survived by a sister, Marie Hawk of Indianapolis, Ind. Memorialization will be by cremation.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
MARY R. STEDHAM
Mrs. Mary R. Stedham, age 77, of 1904 Clay Ave., Panama City, Fla., died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999 at a local nursing home. She had been a resident of the area since 1959, coming here from Anniston, Ala. Mrs. Stedham was a member of the Jenks Avenue Church of Christ. She is survived by her husband, Matt Stedham of Panama City, Fla.; daughters, Wanda Dick and her husband Danny and Mary Nelson and her husband Randy, all of Panama City, Fla.; a grandson, Keith Michael Nelson of Pensacola, Fla.; sisters, Virginia Hilbird and Faye McMurrary , both of Anniston, Ala.; and brothers: Roscoe Rainwater of New York, Douglas Rainwater and Robert Charles Rainwater, both of Anniston, Ala. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 26 at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Jack Reese. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, today, Nov. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. The family will be staying at the home of Mary and Randy Nelson, 1700 Rhode Island Ave., Lynn Haven, FL.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
GLENN WESLEY BLACK SR.
Mr. Glenn Wesley Black Sr., age 68, of 802 Michigan Ave., Lynn Haven, Fla., died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999, at his residence. He had been a resident of Lynn Haven since 1945, coming here from Converse, S.C. He was a member of the Converse Baptist Church. Locally Mr. Black owned and operated Glenn Amusement Company and was known as the "Jukebox Man" to everyone. He was a 32nd-degree mason and member and past master of the Harry Jackson Masonic Lodge No. 314. He was a Shriner, and a member of the York and Scottish Rites and a member of the Shaddai Clowns. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge. Mr. Black is survived by his wife of 35 years: Mary Black of Lynn Haven, Fla.; a daughter: Sheila Black Penny of Lynn Haven, Fla.; a son: Robert Johnson of Fountain, Fla.; a daughter: Ann Clark of Southport, Fla.; a daughter: Patricia Black Kent of Lynn Haven, Fla.; a son: Glenn Black Jr. of Lynn Haven, Fla.; a son: Donald Black of Fountain, Fla.; a daughter: Mary Welch of Sebring, Fla.; a son: Jimmy Black of Youngstown, Fla.; and a brother: Bill Petty of Youngstown, Fla. He was preceded in death by his father: Ervin Eugene Black; his mother: Luna Petty and James Hoyt Petty; a brother: Don Black; and a sister: Margaret Brown. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with Capt. M. Newton Brown, and the Rev. Omar Dean officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens with Masonic Rites to be conducted by the Harry Jackson Lodge No. 314. Members of the Harry Jackson Lodge No. 314 will serve as active pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today, Nov. 26, from 6 until 8 p.m.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32405
RUTH SHELTON NANCE
Mrs. Ruth Shelton Nance began her earthly journey Nov. 20, 1916, in Chattanooga, Tenn., and spent her early years in Cowan, Tenn. During her Grundy County High School years she played tennis, lettered in basketball and was an outstanding scholar as well. After receiving her education at Middle Tennessee State Teaching College, she used her education, gentle touch and kindness to teach the poverty-stricken children in a one-room schoolhouse in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and later had a kindergarten in Port St. Joe. Ruth was a member of the Wewahitchka Church of Christ, a charter member of the Sea Oats and Dunes Garden Club, Florida State Garden Club, National Council of State Garden Clubs and a Master Flower Show Judge Emeritus. She exhibited her artistic ability through flower arrangements, shared her knowledge of wildflowers, inspired others to become involved with plants and loved digging in God's earth. Preceding her in death were her parents, Christopher Ellis and Sallie Lou Shelton; and three brothers Billy, Ray and Shep. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Ralph Nance; her son, David Nance and his wife Rita of Fortson, Ga.; her daughter, Carol Smith of Lynn Haven, Fla.; and three grandsons: Chad Nance of Lexington, Ky., Chris Smith and Wes Smith, both of Lynn Haven, Fla. She also had a step granddaughter, Melissa Thomas and her husband, Tim; and two step great-grandchildren, Hunter and Caitlyn Thomas, all of Columbus, Ga. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 to 6 p.m. today, Nov. 26. Ruth's family and friends will gather at Holly Hill cemetery at 4 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 27, to carry out her wishes for a simple graveside service.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32405
JAMES O. PATE SR.
Mr. James O. Pate Sr., 70, of West Bay, Fla., died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1999, in a local hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Bay County and retired from civil service after 36 years of service at Coastal Systems Station. Mr. Pate was Baptist by faith, was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was a member of Pythagoras Masonic Lodge No. 358. Mr. Pate is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ruby J. Pate; two sons, James O. "Buster" Pate and Bo Pate; and one daughter, Sherry Ann Morris and husband Bruce, all of West Bay, Fla.; one sister, Betty Brannon and husband Gerald of Pensacola, Fla.; six grandchildren: Shauna, Carrie and Derek Pate, Steven Meyers, Brett and Nick Morris. Funeral services will be conducted today, Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. in the Southerland Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Hutchins and the Rev. David Halstead officiating. Interment will follow in West Bay Cemetery. Masonic grave rites will be conducted by Pythagoras Lodge No. 358. The lodge will open at 1 p.m. today. The following gentlemen will serve as active pallbearers: Jeff Walker, Bob Callahan, Donald Pate, Jamie Vinson, Paul Hutchins, Robert Brannon, Junior Barefoot, Derek Pate and Steven Myers. Honorary pallbearers will be: Mitch Freeman, Lance LaBrash, Reco Mack, Buster Hill, Bill Head, Horace Creamer, Johnny Pate, Doc Owens, John Edward Joyner, Dock Holley, James Allen Buchanan, Louis Markham, Victor Sowell and J.V. Shivers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Mr. Pate.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
BETTY MCELHENEY SEIGER
Funeral service for Betty McElheney Seiger, 69, of Panama City, Fla., who died Monday, Nov. 22, 1999, in a Panama City hospital, will be held today at 9 a.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bruce Raley officiating. Interment will be at 4 p.m. in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Perry, Ga., with the Rev. Marvin Lee officiating. Those desiring to may make a donation to the First Baptist Memorial Fund or their favorite charity in memory of Betty Seiger.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
