Obituaries 12-18

By Staff

Bessie Bell

Bessie Bell, 83, of Tallahassee died Dec. 8.

The funeral service was held Saturday, Dec. 13 at Friendship Primitive Baptist Church in Tallahassee with burial at Southside Cemetery.

She was a child care provider.

Survivors include three sons and three daughters, Ernest Tucker, Clarence Tucker, Sr., Gloria Tucker Woody and James, Joseph Tucker, Bobbie Jean Tucker Waldon and Charles and Jenita Tucker Dukes and Fred, all of Tallahassee; a daughter-in-law, Vivian Young Tucker and Detroit; god-daughters, Lula Mae Tucker Taylor and Sam of Tallahassee and Frances Tucker Smith and Leo of Crawfordville; 13 grandchildren, Kimberly Tucker Hall and Clarence Tucker, Jr. of Charlotte, N.C., Jeannette Tucker of Mobile, Ala., Darryl Tucker, David Ash, Courtney Dukes, Tameka DuPont, Joseph Tucker, Ashley Walker-Tucker, Kadesha Walker-Tucker, Charles Waldon, Jr., Wesley Waldon, and Brandon Waldon, all of Tallahassee; 10 great-grandchildren; five sisters: Cornelia Bailey and Inez Moore of Tallahassee; Minnie Hill of Palatka; Ruthie Mae Manning and Alice Williams and Thomas, all of Crawfordville; a brother, Bryant Bell, Sr. and Mary of Tallahassee; and a host of relatives and friends.

Verlie M. Cacciatore

Verlie McCranie Cacciatore, 70, of Tallahassee died Thursday, Nov. 27.

Graveside services were held Dec. 1 at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Tampa.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and the best aunt a child could ever be blessed to have. Verlie will be missed by many friends and family who had the pleasure to gather around her table for a meal because she was not only the most talented cook but also the best friend you could ever want.

She was born to John A. and Kate McCranie on Feb. 12, 1938, in Tallahassee.

Survivors include her loving, devoted husband of 53 years, Joseph Anthony Cacciatore of Tallahassee; two children, Sharon Sealy and John Cacciatore; two granddaughters, Amanda Sealy and Alyssa Cacciatore; four sisters, Dee Gerrell and Dale, Iola Ponder and Robert, Kathy Shiver and Rita Grimsley and Chet; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Flora E. A. Cooksey

Flora Erin Ashburn Cooksey, 87, of Tallahassee died Dec. 10.

The funeral service was held Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Ivan Assembly of God in Crawfordville. Interment was at Oakland Cemetery in Tallahassee. Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 3230

A native of Okaloosa County, on Nov. 4, 1921, the daughter of Garland Levi and Willie Mable Ashburn. Of the 15 children to whom she gave birth, 13 survive along with 28 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren to mourn her passing and at the same time celebrate knowing she will be reunited with her loving husband of 65 years the Reverend Henry Cooksey.

Surviving children are, Clay Cooksey and wife Betty, Mable Stafford and husband Bobby, Mary Mathers and husband Jasper, Rosa Letchworth and husband Larry, Esther Buzzard and husband Frank, Libby Costello, Sharon Carter and husband Dan, Martha Ricehouse and husband Robert, Sam Cooksey, Daniel Cooksey and wife Gloria, Lemuel Cooksey and wife Ginger, Phillip Cooksey and wife Paula, and Priscilla Vause; five sisters and three brothers, Ethel Lambrecht, Syble Daniels, Lois Spiva, Lyndall Ashburn, Pansy Shoemaker, Billy Ashburn, David Ashburn, and Bobby Ashburn.

Abbey-Riposta Funeral Home in Talahassee was in charge of the arrangements.

George C. Kilgore

George Clyde Kilgore, 62, of Spring Creek, died Monday, Dec. 8, in Spring Creek.

The funeral service was held Friday, Dec. 12 at Shady Sea Missionary Baptist Church, Spring Creek with Rev. Billy Spence, Pastor, and Rev. B.B. Barwick officiating. Interment followed at Debra Nell Cemetery, Spring Creek.

A native of Wakulla County, he was a member of the Shady Sea Missionary Baptist Church. He retired from Big 10 Tire Company after 35 years and worked for GCR for four years. He enjoyed fishing and fireworks with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Gladys Kilgore of Spring Creek, a son; Jody Kilgore and Susan of Crawfordville; three daughters, Paula Agerton and Hank, Cyndi Tice, all of Spring Creek, and Robin Stevens of Tallahassee, two brothers, Horace Kilgore of Tavares and Johnny H. Kilgore of Waycross, Ga., a sister; Hellen Posey and Louie of Medart; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

ICS Cremation and Funeral Home in Lake City was in charge of the arrangements.

Shirley C. Leonard

Shirley Cross Leonard, 72, of Sopchoppy died Thursday, Dec. 11 in Sopchoppy.

The funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 15 at Sopchoppy United Methodist Church with burial at West Sopchoppy Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, 51 Main Street, Enterprise, FL 32725.

A native of Bristol, Va., she had lived in the Sopchoppy area for 20 years. She was a member of Sopchoppy United Methodist Church. Her gentle and nurturing spirit will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, John C. Leonard III of Sopchoppy; five children, Jay Leonard of Sopchoppy, Suzie Fisher and husband David of Bristol, Tenn., Mary Spina and husband Jim of Bluff City, Tenn., Paula Harford and husband Kevin of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and Jim Leonard of Urbana, Ohio; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Glenna Cross Nidiffer and husband Edwin of Bluff City, Tenn.; and two brothers-in-law, Fred Leonard and wife Brenda of Bristol, Tenn. and David Leonard and wife Barbara of Dandridge, Tenn.

Harvey-Young Funeral Home in Crawfordville was in charge of the arrangements.

Alex Metcalf

Alex Metcalf, 77, of St. Augustine died Tuesday, Dec. 9 in St. Augustine.

A graveside service was held Saturday, Dec. 13 at Panacea Cemetery.

A self-employed crab processing plant worker, he was a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the Holiness Church faith. He moved to St. Augustine 42 years ago, coming from Panacea.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Lillie Tucker Metcalf of St. Augustine; two sons, David Metcalf of Crawfordville and Nolan Metcalf of Havana; four daughters, Faye Rodgers of Hastings, Vonne Lalone and husband Barney, Lois Mishoe and husband Arthur and Irene Thornton and husband Ronnie, all of St. Augustine; two brothers, Hardy Metcalf and wife Judy of Panacea and Charles Metcalf and wife Eunice of Sopchoppy; a sister, Sally Guerra of Mississippi; 15 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends.

Harvey-Young Funeral Home in Crawfordville was in charge of the arrangements.

Jess C. Palmer, Jr.

Jess Clower Palmer, Jr., 69, of Crawfordville died Wednesday, Dec. 10 in Tallahassee.

Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery at a later date.

A native of Tallahassee, he moved to Crawfordville in 1979. He graduated from Leon High School and was a member of Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Tallahassee. He was a self-employed computer programmer who graduated from Florida State University. He was a member of the NRA, a musician and a traveler at heart. He served in the United States Marine Corps.

Survivors include his soul mate, Boots Hodges; two sons, O’brian Palmer and wife Blithe of Palatka and Jess Palmer III and wife Stephanie of Citra; two brothers, George Palmer and wife Sybil of Tallahassee and William Palmer and wife Jackie of Knoxville, Tenn.; a sister, Patricia Palmer Bothwell and husband John of Ocala; three grandchildren, Dakota, Logan and Mackenzie; and four nephews.

Harvey-Young Funeral Home in Tallahassee was in charge of the arrangements.

Patricia P. S. Parks

Patricia Peyton Smallwood Parks, 72, of Crawfordville, died Monday, Dec. 8, in Crawfordville. The funeral service was held Friday, Dec. 12, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tallahassee. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Pat Parks Memorial fund (for individuals who are victims of trauma but cannot afford counseling) in care of Big Bend Victims Assistance Coalition. Please make checks payable to BBVAC “for Pat Parks fund,” P.O. Box 1486, Tallahassee, FL 32302.

A resident of the Tallahassee area since 1973, she was a licensed marriage and family therapist. She was a kind and loving woman; and a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, whose love touched many in the community. She was loved and will be missed.

Survivors include her husband, Paul Parks; two daughters, Susan and Rebecca, and their husbands Ted and Joe; her grandchild, Zola; two sisters, Madeleine and Innes; and brother, Hugh.

Fairchild Funeral Home in Tallahassee was in charge of arrangements.

Alice S. Ragsdale

Alice Smith Ragsdale, 86, of Tallahassee died Dec. 9.

A memorial service was held Saturday, December 13, at First Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 110 North Adams St., Tallahassee, Florida, 32301.

The Smith family were pioneers to Gadsden County, where she was born. She moved to Tallahassee from Quincy in 1940. She was Coordinator of the Office of Executive Clemency and served seven governors and their cabinets. She was past president of the Tallahassee Junior Woman’s Club, a charter member of both the Tallahassee Junior League and the Baby’s Breath Garden Circle. She was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church for 68 years.

Survivors include her son, Burr Augustus Ragsdale III and Dee of Crawfordville; two daughters, Nancy Ragsdale Murphy and Michael of Tallahassee and Sara Beth Stribling and Jim of Thomasville, Ga.; seven grandchildren, West Edwards and Renee, Jackson Murphy and Kami, Allison Stribling, Clayton Ragsdale, Julie Anna Ragsdale, Nicholas Allen and Natalie Foles; and three great-grandsons, Dylan Edwards, Mason Edwards and Bryce Murphy.

Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee was in charge of the arrangements.

Diane A. Wade

Diane Aman Wade, 59, of Monticello died Thursday, Dec. 11 in Monticello.

The funeral service was held Saturday, Dec. 13 at Calvary Baptist Church in Monticello with interment at Ebenezer Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Hospice, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 102, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

A native of Monticello, she was a bookkeeper at Jefferson Ace Hardware Store and a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Her greatest rewards were her grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters, Tisa Young and Davy of Tallahassee and Nicki “Stephanie” Neel and Cliff of Crawfordville; a brother, Kevin Aman and Leah of Monticello; two sisters, Mary Alice Barclay of Crystal River and HenryEtta Boatwright and Jerry of Monticello; and five grandchildren, Paige Reid, Riley Young, T.J. Wright, Troy Neel and Clay Neel.

Beggs Funeral Home in Monticello was in charge of the arrangements.

Edwin T. Westcott

Major Edwin T. Westcott, U.S. Army (Ret.), 84, of Havana died Thursday, Dec. 11 in Havana.

The funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 15 at New Hope Christian Center in Havana, with burial and full military honors at Concord Cemetery.

He was born January 9, 1924, in Warren Co., Miss. Major Westcott served in the U.S. Army for 22 years, where he received the Purple Heart for being wounded during combat as well as the Bronze Star and Oak Leaf Cluster for valor during combat. He moved his family to Tallahassee in 1968 and began working for the Federal Correctional Institution, where he worked for 20 years until he retired in 1988.

Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Frances Jeanette Westcott of Havana; four daughters, Ann Cotroneo and Janice Westcott, both of Crawfordville, Tina Losciolo and George of Shreveport, La., and Teresa Reep and David of Glen Alpine, N.C.; seven sons, Mike Westcott and Jenny of Toltec, Ariz., Eddie Westcott and Marsha of Tallahassee, David Westcott and Cindy of Lagrange, Ga., Johnny Westcott and Charlotte of Panama City, Donnie Westcott and Shelli of Tallahassee, Patrick Westcott of Brandon and Carroll Owen and Kelly of Citrus Springs; 20 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.