Obituaries - May 22, 2010

Attaway, Nellie Mae Holley

1922 - 2010

Nellie was born March 7, 1922 in Freeport, Florida. Nellie was the third child of George Riley Holley and Mary Jane Qualls Holley.  Nellie and her family moved several times during her younger years living in North Florida and Southern Georgia and Alabama.  Nellie’s father, George Holley, worked in the timber pine resin business and later with the railroad.  Nellie’s mother, Mary Holley, was a homemaker/housewife. Nellie’s school days were interrupted by the constant family moves so her education was limited to a partial third grade level. After becoming an adult, Nellie taught herself how to read, write, spell and manage a checkbook. Nellie was knowledgeable about life and how to survive. Nellie taught herself about building by adding to her home, putting in the plumbing and electrical wiring. Nellie loved all types of plants and had a green thumb. She could take a cutting, get it to take root and grow. A walk in the woods with Nellie was informative.  She recognized plants, trees, bushes and knew their names and purpose.

As a young woman Nellie met Ed Neal Attaway who lived in Jay, FL.  After a time of courtship Nellie and Neal married and three years later began their family with the birth of their first child. Over the span of sixteen years Nellie and Neal became the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters. Neal was a construction worker, building roads and highways.  He specialized in the operation of heavy equipment. Neal also worked in the pulp wood business; cut, load, drive, deliver. Nellie was a wife, homemaker and mom. Nellie and Neal with their children began attending and later became members of East Milton Assembly of God Church on Ward Basin Rd. in Milton, FL. Nellie was a Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member and member of a special singing group. She worked, cleaned and helped in the church whenever there was a need.  At the age of 42, Nellie became a widow when Neal, her husband, did not survive a heart attack.  Nellie was left with the care of their children with six of the seven under the age of 18. When Nellie was about 43 she passed the drivers test and received her Florida Driver’s License. About age 47, Nellie worked approximately one year at Vanity Fair, which was located off of Vanity Fair Rd. in Milton, FL. Nellie cared for and helped her parents as they aged, and was a friend to her neighbors.

Nellie was preceded in death by her husband—Ed Neal Attaway, her father—George Riley Holley; her mother—Mary Jane Qualls Holley; brothers—Doss Holley and his wife Hilda, Ira Holley and his wife Mary; and her youngest son, Shelby Ronald Attaway.

Nellie is survived by her children in order of birth—Bobby and his wife Melva, Jerry and his wife Valeria, Lena, Thomas and his wife Gwen, Veda, Joseph and his wife Roxie. Nellie is also survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, along with additions to her family through marriage and birth.

Visitation was held at the National Cremation & Burial Society Chapel, 5641 Hwy. 90 on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 from 6 - 8 p.m. A Memorial Celebration was held at the East Milton Assembly of God Church, 5174 Ward Basin Rd. on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Lavon Caraway officiating. Interment will be at Serenity Gardens Cemetery, 6208 Stewart Street immediately following the service.

Pallbearers were Nellie’s grandsons: Arnold Attaway, Jessie Attaway, Michael Attaway, Robert Kelley, Archie Attaway, Eric Attaway and Daniel Hall. Honorary Pallbearers were Nellie’s granddaughters: Charlene Duke, Kerry Posey, Brenda Groat, Frances Cotreau, Sharon Benware, Bobbi Attaway and Michelle Attaway.

Lynn, Michelle Theresa 

1962-2010

Michelle Theresa Lynn, age 48, of Milton, FL, passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at her residence. She was born February 8, 1962 to Theresa Delores Yankovoy and the late Thomas John Yankovoy.

Michelle had worked in her early years at Sambo’s Restaurants in Ft. Lauderdale, FL as a manager until her health failed her. She loved watching her favorite actor, Sylvester Stalone, in his famous movies, enjoyed singing, she was a member of the Milton High School Chorus in High School and loved collecting antique furniture. Michelle was a kind and very sweet spirited woman.  She cared very deeply about her family and friends.

Survivors include her son—Gary Lynn and his fiancé, Amy Brown of Bagdad, FL; her mother—Theresa Delores Yankovoy; her sister—Theresa Marie Yankovoy, both of Bagdad, FL; two brothers—Jeff Yankovoy of Bagdad, FL and Thomas Mark Yankovoy & his wife Suki Yankovoy of Wimberley, Texas. 

A funeral mass will be Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Milton. Those desiring may make contributions to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

National Cremation & Burial Society of Milton has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Shoto, Kevin Jamerson

1979 – 2010

Kevin Jamerson Shoto was born in Milton, Florida, April 18, 1979 to Arthur Shoto, Sr. and Annie Shoto.

Kevin, who had been a life-long resident of Milton, passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2010

He graduated from Milton High School in 1998. 

Kevin loved spending time with his two children. He was crazy about his kids. His funny sense of humor and ability to make you smile will truly be missed.

Mr. Shoto served four years in the US Navy. He distinguished himself by meritorious service as a Third Class Petty Officer, Gas System Turbine Mechanic. During his tenure, he dedicated his unselfish service and participated in Iraqi Operation Freedom on Cape Saint George Naval Ship. Kevin was awarded Armed Service Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Battle E Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Accommodation Ribbon, and C Service Deployment Iraqi Operation Freedom Ribbon.

Kevin was an excellent cook. He started cooking when he was nine years old.  His favorite specialty was sugar cookies.  When he was 14 years old, he hunted squirrel and cooked squirrel stew. As an adult he mastered his cooking skills.  He learned to barbeque anything. Kevin was the kind of person that would appoint himself for barbequing duties without asking anyone. His delicious finger-licking ribs will be missed.

Mr. Shoto leaves to mourn his passing and to cherish his memory to his two children—Amya Shoto and Khanajay Shoto of Milton, Florida; parents—Arthur Shoto, Sr., and  Annie Shoto both  of Milton, Florida; four brothers—Jacob Hill, Jr., (Terri) of Madison, Alabama, Norman Hill of Atlanta, Georgia, Michael Shoto (Nicole) of Jacksonville, Florida, and Arthur Shoto, Jr. of  Honolulu, Hawaii; two sisters—Veronica Crute (Tony) of Harvest, Alabama and Angel Shoto of Milton, Florida; eight nephews: Antwoin Davis, Jacob Darnell Hill, III, Darold Kennedy, Jr., Devonte Shoto, Anthony Crute, Jr., Michael Shoto, Jr., Jordan Shoto, and Jahmarcus Daniel; five nieces—Kayla Hill, Sonia Shoto, Danielle Shoto, Kierra Shoto, and Alana Jackson; as well as numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

There will be a Candlelight Service held Friday, May 21, from 8 to 9 p.m. beside the Taco Bell parking lot, Highway 90, Milton.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May 22 at Lewis Funeral Home in Milton at 2:30 p.m., with interment to follow at Milton Cemetery with Military Honors and Taps.

Friends may send condolences and share fond memories with the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.net.

Strickland, Ruby Virginia Wombles

1924 - 2010

Ruby Virginia Wombles Strickland, age 85, of Conover, NC, formerly of Pace, FL, died Saturday May 15, 2010 at Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley. Mrs. Strickland was born September 12, 1924 in Pike County, AL to the late Eddie Bee Wombles and Hattie Hickman Wombles.

Mrs. Strickland attended Covenant Baptist Church in Conover and she was member of Berry Hill Rd Baptist Church in Pace, FL.  She worked as a seamstress for Vanity Fair.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Strickland was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Collis D. Strickland; daughter, Linda Lou Strickland; son, Jackie Strickland; sister—Sara Ruth Orr; and brothers—Eugene Wombles, Calvin Wombles, Howard Earl Wombles and Harold Wombles.

She is survived by her daughter—Vickie Lail and husband Mike of Milton, FL; sons—Marcus Strickland and wife Betty of Conover, NC, Roger Strickland and wife Sara of Pace, FL and Jimmy Strickland of Milton, FL; sisters—Edna Harris of Birmingham, AL, Sue Barbee of Smith, AL and Beatrice Beasley of Meridian, MS; daughter-in-law—Connie Strickland of Seale, AL; grandchildren, Annette and husband Andrew, Mark, Paul and wife April, Dawn and fiancé Tim, Jimmy Ray, Christopher, Jamie, Jennifer, and Timothy; 14 great-grandchildren; and her dearest friend—Esther Martin.

A memorial service was held 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2010 in the chapel of Willis Reynolds Funeral Home with Rev. Edwin Elmore officiating. 

The family received friends from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Covenant Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1133, Conover, NC 28613.

Condolences may be sent to the Strickland family at www.drumfuneralhome.com.

The Strickland family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC.

Taylor, Teddy Gaskins

1941 -2010

Teddy Gaskins Taylor, age 68, of Milton, FL, passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at the Covenant Hospice Care Center at West Florida Hospital after a short four-month battle with lung and brain cancer.

He was born in Wichita, Kansas on July 10, 1941 to the late Arthur A. and Grace B. Taylor. The family moved from Kansas to Montana and later to Wyoming, where upon graduating high school, Teddy worked in the oil fields until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 1, 1962. Teddy served 3 tours in Vietnam and retired after 20 years of service. He continued using his computer expertise working another 5 years in civil service. He was an avid hunter; breeding, hunting and selling Bluetick Coon hounds, his favorite buddy, being Ole Man Hammer. His later passion and great enjoyment was restoring antique autos. He was especially proud of his restored 1969 Mustang convertible.

Teddy was a lifetime member of the VFW and Disabled Veterans.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and a stepbrother, Carl.

Survivors include his loving wife of 30 years—Rosemary Taylor; sons—Teddy A. Taylor and Terry G. (Lori) Taylor of Virginia; sons from his previous union; 1 stepdaughter, Melissa (Tracy) Bontrager of Florida; 4 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; a brother—Arthur “Babe” and sister-in-law, Connie Taylor of Nevada.

Teddy enjoyed a full and happy life and retirement with many loving friends and family. He will be sorely missed by all.

A graveside service will be held May 26, 2010 at Barrancas National Cemetery.

In lieu flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society.

Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Winslow, John Edward

1945-2010

 John Edward Winslow, age 64, a lifetime resident of Milton, Florida passed away at his home on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.  He was born October 16, 1945 in Milton to the late Hazel Winslow and Cassie Hubbard.

 John served in the United States Navy for 20 years. After retiring from the Navy he became an “over the road” truck driver until his health failed him in 2009. 

 John was an extraordinary man; he went from a family of 3 to a family of 9 when he met the love of his life in 1983.  He married Elsie May Stephenson on March 9, 1988.  He loved and respected all his children equally and enjoyed each and every moment of life with them until the very end. 

 John was an outdoorsman and loved camping, fishing, hunting and motorcycles.

 Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-mother, Claire Winslow; two brothers, Carlton Hubbard and Robert Winslow; and three granddaughters. 

 Survivors include his loving wife—Elsie May Winslow; his daughters—Marylin (Mark) Jay, Tammie (Jayson Wright) Cameron, all of Milton; his sons, Jay (Dawn) Cameron, Ronnie Cameron, all of Milton, Donald (Margaret) Jernigan of North Carolina, Shawn “Shaggy” Jernigan, and Brandon (Cheri) Jernigan, all of Milton; a brother, Louis Winslow of Milton; sisters, Addie Pearl (Charles) Richards of Sarasota, FL, Josephine (Ray) James of Aaron, Tennessee, and Pat Temple of Oregon; 27 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and last but not least is canine companion, a small adorable little Chihuahua, Taco.

 A Celebration of Life will be conducted Sunday, May 23, 2010 at the First Assembly of God in Milton at 3:30 p.m. with inurnment to follow at Bagdad Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the service hour.

 National Cremation & Burial Society of Milton has been entrusted with the arrangements.