Obituaries

Ruth R. Sexton

Ruth Richardson Sexton, 95, of Marianna died Sept. 2 in Marianna. She was born in Dale County, Ala., in 1912, and spent most of her life in Jackson County where she was a homemaker.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Marianna for more than 50 years. She

was in the WMU and adult Sunday school. She also was a member of Rose Circle Garden Club for 30 years. She loved fishing and playing Canasta.

She was preceded in death in 1984 by her husband, Harvey Sexton.

Survivors include two daughters and a son-in-law, Pat Howard of Altamonte Springs and Sue Ann and Don Schafer of Lynn Haven; one brother, Harold Richardson of Panama City; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Sept. 5, at Maddox Chapel with the Rev. Roland Rabon officiating.

Burial was in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with James & Sikes Funeral Home, Maddox Chapel, directing. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Dallas Finch

Dallas (Ferrell) Finch, 65, died Sept. 2 at his home, after a long illness. He was born Aug. 10, 1942, in Chipley. He was a life-long resident of Bay and Washington counties. He was retired from Florida Asphalt Paving Company of 33 years with the company.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Broward and Martha Finch; two brothers Pat and Junior Finch, and father in-law Joseph Barnes all of Chipley.

Survivors include his wife of almost 30 years, Belinda Finch; one daughter and son-in-law, Katrina and Kevin Tanton of the Sand Hills, two sons, Keith and Kevin Finch of Panama City; five granddaughters; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ross and Betty Finch, Ronnie and Elizabeth Finch, all of Cottondale; two sisters Willie May Morris of Marianna, Betty and husband Winston Spencer of Chipley; two sisters-in-law, Ida Mae Finch Sexton, of Sneads and Emma Finch of Chipley; three brothers-in-law, Don and wife, Martha Barnes, of Chipley, Charles and wife, Marion, Barnes of Colorado Springs, Colo., Dennis Barnes of Columbus, Ga.; and mother in-law, Yvonne Barnes of Chipley, numerous neices and nephews.

Funeral services were held Sept. 5, in the funeral home's Brickyard Road chapel, with the Rev. Tim Hall officiating.

Burial was in Gap Pond Cemetery with Brown Funeral Home of Chipley directing.

Memorials may be made to Covenant Hospice, 107 West 19th Street, Panama City, FL 32405.

Charlotte Mitchell

Charlotte Ann Mitchell, 47, of Marianna died Sept. 1, at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Ala. She was born and raised in Jackson County.

She devoted her life to helping others by working with Juvenile Delinquents and Persons with Disabilities. She was an active member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church which she had attended all her life. Her favorite hobby was collecting owl whatnots.

Survivors include her father, Zack (Jack) Mitchell, her mother, Mervyne Mitchell; a sister, Belinda Mitchell and husband, Johnnie Miles; niece Myra Miles; nephew, Beau Miles all of Grand Ridge. A host of aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Dallas Ellis officiating.

Burial will follow in Shady Grove Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home, Maddox Chapel, directing.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Building Fund.

Leon Boswell

Rev. Leon J. Boswell, 81, died due to cancer Aug. 24 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. He was an ordained minister with the Assembly of God and had pastored churches throughout Florida and Georgia for more than 50 years.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of the Assembly of God Ministerial Association.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Thelma V. Boswell; sons, John A. Boswell and Stephen Leon Boswell of Winter Haven; daughters, JoAnn Dameron of Atlanta, Ga., Sylvia Slay of Bonifay, Rebecca “Becky” Boswell of Auburndale and Stephanie Boswell of Inverness; sisters, Beatrice Rich of Pensacola and Mary Engler of Memphis, Tenn.; 11 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Services were held Aug. 28 at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home with Glen Abbey Funeral Services at New Life Assembly of God in Wahneta

Memorial donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 22823.

Edward

Youngblood

Edward Robert Youngblood, 80, of Hartford, Ala., died Aug. 25 in a Bonifay hospital. He was born Nov. 21, 1926, in Bay County.

Youngblood was a security guard at St. Joe Paper Company in Port St. Joe for more than 15 years. He was a house painter and carpenter by trade, and worked throughout the Florida Panhandle.

He was a World War II veteran, having served in the Seabees in Okinawa, Japan, where he earned multiple accolades and awards. He later served with the U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force.

In the 1950s, he was a founding member of a well-known gospel singing group, the Happy Rhythm Boys, based in Port St. Joe which toured the southeast. He also founded his own groups, The Youngbloods and, later, Ed Youngblood and Amazing Grace.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Wesley and Cora Lee Miller Youngblood, and a sister, Maxine Carter, all of Southport.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Youngblood of Hartford, Ala.; two daughters, Elizabeth McCormick and husband, Mack, of Southport, Virginia Feagans and husband, Jason, of Springfield; three sons, Gary Youngblood of Atlanta, Ga., Eddie Youngblood of Panama City, Steven Youngblood and wife, Stephanie, of Panama City; sister, Kathleen Mercer of Southport; two brothers, Hayward Youngblood and wife, Frances, of Jackson, Miss., and Bobby Youngblood and wife, Lucille, of Southport; two stepdaughters, Renee Summerlin and husband, Greg, and Wanda Edwards, all of Geneva, Ala.; two stepsons, Ricky Clark and wife, Joyce, and Eddie Clark, all of Geneva; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services were held Aug. 28 at Southport First Assembly of God Church with the Revs. Bobby Tidwell and Joe Sellers officiating.

Burial was in Old Southport Cemetery with Heritage Funeral Home of Panama City directing.

Those wishing to offer words of encouragement may contact www.heritagefhllc.com.

Agnes M. Waller

Agnes Marie Waller, 83, died Tuesday, Aug. 28, at her daughter’s home in Titusville. She was born in Armrod, Pa., and was a resident of Marianna for many years.

She was co-owner of Waller Service Company and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Marianna.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Guy Waller.

Survivors include two daughters, Donna M. Larson and husband Sam P., of Titusville, Terry A. Joseph and husband, Millard (Joe), of Pensacola; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Sept. 1 at Maddox Chapel of Marianna with Dr. Bob McKibben officiating.

Burial was in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with James & Sikes Funeral Home directing.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Francis, 1250 B. Grumman Place, Titusville, Fl.

Marrianna

Lawson

Marrianna Comacho Lawson, 50, of Westville died Aug. 28. She was born May 3, 1957, in Miami.

She had a compassion for the elderly, as well as young people. During her lifetime, she opened her heart, along with her home, to many children. Marrianna worked in the medical field as an x-ray technician for several years. She was a member of Hurricane Creek Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Johnny Lawson, with whom she celebrated 28 years of marriage on Aug. 25; one daughter, Falena Deshaunleigh Lawson; a son, Shaun Edward Lawson; and a granddaughter.

Funeral was held Aug. 31 at Hurricane Creek Baptist Chuch in Holmes County with the Revs. Billy Locke and Jeff Cain officiating.

Burial was in the Lawson Family Cemetery at the family residence in Darlington with Sorrells Funeral Home of Geneva directing.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Wanda Kay Kelly

Wanda Kay Kelly, 44, of St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana died there recently. She was a native of Mathiston, Miss., and daughter of the late Sue Smith Kelly, and Billy Kelly.

She had worked as a Merchant Marine during the past three years. She loved the outdoors, nature and animals.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Dale Kelly and sister-in-law Laura Kelly.

Survivors include her daughter, Tara Ann Kelly; a sister, Barbara Kelly Boone; brothers, Billy E. “Jack” Kelly, Roy C. Kelly and Danny Lamar Kelly; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Funeral was held Aug. 17 at Celebration Church in Metarie, La.,

Burial was private.

William D.

Mahan

William Dave Mahan, 54, of Sunny Hills died Aug. 24 at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Ala. He was the son of William Mahan and Betty (Parrish) Mahan, who survive.

He served in the Army during the Vietnam War.

Survivors also include his wife, Linda Marie (Leavins) Mahan; a daughter, Angela Marie Pettis of Bonifay; one son, William D. Mahan Jr. of Ponce de Leon; a sister, Lori Ann Spradling of Bonifay; two brothers, Steven Mahan of Bonifay and Wade Mahan of Durham, N.C., and four grandchildren.

Services were held Aug. 28 in the funeral home chapel with the Revs. Phillip Meeks and Clifton Elmore officiating.

Burial, with full military rites,was provided by an honors team from Florida Army National Guard was in Bonifay Cemetery in Bonifay.

Sims Funeral Home, Inc. of Bonifay handled arrangements.

Vinita R.

McGlaun

Vinita Rae (Rust) McGlaun, 71, of Westville, died Sunday, Aug. 26, at her home. She was the daughter of the late Walter Rust and the late Frankie (Bible) Rust.

Survivors also include one daughter, Cheryl McGlaun of Westville; one son, John McGlaun of Westville, and three grandchildren.

Memorialization was by cremation with memorial services to be announced later. Arrangements were handled by Sims Funeral Home, Inc. of Bonifay.

Edna A. Brown

Edna Arlene Brown, 86, of Vernon died Aug. 22 at Washington Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Chipley. She was a native and life-long resident of Vernon and a member of McQueens Temple church in Ebro.

Survivors include her children, Jimmy Brown, Willie Brown and wife, Christine, Ida M. Hogans and husband, A.D., Mary Bland and husband, David, all of Vernon; two sisters, Queen Anderson of Panama City, Elease Brown and husband, J.C., of Vernon; 21 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and one great-great-great-grandchild, other relatives and friends

Funeral service was Aug. 25 at McQueens Temple with Elder John O. Brown, pastor, and Elder Willie E. Brown officiating.

Burial was in St. Luke Memorial Garden Cemetery in Vernon with Cooper Funeral Home of Chipley directing.

Tony Peterson

Tony Peterson, 46, of Vernon died Aug. 21 in the Northwest Florida Community Hospital in Chipley.

Survivors include his wife Annie Peterson of Vernon; a son Tony Peterson Jr. of Caryville; mother Rosa Peterson of Vernon; three step-children, Carmelita Blane and Daniel Sharp, both of Chipley, Felisha Leverett and husband, Tony, of Vernon; two brothers: Young Peterson Jr. and wife, Emma, of Vernon, James Peterson and wife, Johnny Mae, of Ebro; four sisters, Ann Davis and husband, Alfred, Grace Davis, Pam Davis, Cassandra Brown and husband, Reginald, all of Vernon; two grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Funeral was held Aug. 26 at New Bethel A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Freddie Tellis officiating.

Burial was in St. Luke Memorial Garden Cemetery in Vernon with Cooper Funeral Home of Chipley directing.

Bradford R. Borck

Bradford R. “Brad” Borck, 61, of Malone died Wednesday, Aug. 29 at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Alabama.

A native of Laraedo, Texas, he had lived in Malone for the past 25 years. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and a carpenter by trade.

He is survived by two brothers, John D. Revels and fiancee, Jennifer Logue, and James Revels, all of Malone; special friend, Teresa Pelham, of Bascom.

Services were conducted Saturday, Sept. 1, at Maddox Chapel with the Rev. Jack Howell officiating.

Burial was in Rocky Grove Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home, Maddox Chapel of Marianna, directing.

Ethel T.

Browning

Ethel Thomas Browning, 91, a long time resident of Lake City died Saturday, September 1 as a consequence of a stroke suffered August 4. She was born July 15, 1916 on a farm near Bell in North Gilchrist.

She graduated from High Springs High School and received the Bachelor of Music degree from Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University), July 31, 1936 and received the Mater of Education degree from the University of Florida in 1949. After beginning her teaching career in Leonia, Holmes County she and her husband, Philip A. Browning, Sr., relocated to Lake City in 1942 where she taught music and English at Columbia High School and Lake City Junior High School for more than 35 years until her retirement in 1976.

She was a member and past president of the Nu chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma national education sorority, Board of Directors of the Columbia County Public Schools Foundation, Lake City Garden Club, and the First Baptist Church where she was a stellar member of the church choir right up to the week before her debilitation, a period of more than 65 years

She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Lavonia Townsend Thomas, and Father, Martin Z. Thomas of High Springs; two sisters, Jewell Thomas Kraemer of Lake City and Marguerite Thomas Coats of Atlanta; three brothers, J. W. Thomas of High Springs, Lee Acquila Thomas of Williston, and Rufus I. Thomas of New Smyrna Beach; and her husband of 59 years, Philip A. Browning, Sr., who passed away October 14, 1994.

Mrs. Browning is survived by her son and his wife, Philip A. Browning, Jr. and Patricia Melton Browning, Atlanta; son, Thomas Perry Browning, four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; Lake City; sisters, Mary Lucinda Thomas Howington and Barbara Kate Thomas Addison; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many other loving family and friends.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening, September 6 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (EST) at Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, September 7 at 10:30 a.m.. (EST) in the First Baptist Church of Lake City with Reverend Robert K. Davis and Reverend Carson Brittain officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Fidelis Sunday School Class and the church choir. Pallbearers will be nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the First Baptist Church of Lake City, 182 NE Justice Street, Lake City, FL 32025. Arrangements are undr the direction of the Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3596 South Hwy. 441, Lake City, 386-752-1954.