DeWayne Edward Boddie, 61, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away Friday, April 29, 2022.
![]() Robert "Hot Lips" Gladney 9/9/1946 - 4/29/2022 Rob was born in Memphis, TN to Robert and Lera Gladney. He attended Southside High School and graduated from the University of Memphis. His career started in banking at the then First National Bank, but he quickly decided to become a general contractor and project manager. In his contracting career he built many residential, multi-family and commercial properties throughout the Mid-South. In addition to being a creative, thrill-seeking and adventurous person, Rob had many great passions, most notably, music. Rob began his musical career at an early age and was an accomplished saxophone player, earning him the name Hot Lips. Rob played with many artist and was fortunate to be the saxophone player with the award-winning Bill Blacks Combo. With them, he opened, played and recorded with many famous artists, some that went on to play with Jimmy Buffett and Eric Clapton. He was fortunate to have played, backed, or opened for several artists including but not limited to: Crystal Gayle, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Keith Sykes and BB King. One of Rob's favorite stories from his music career was when he played at a New Year's Eve party for Elvis and a member of the band bet Rob that he would not ask Priscilla Presley to dance. Rob, who did not back away from a challenge, asked Priscilla to dance (with permission from Elvis) and she obliged. After a few dances, Rob walked her back to the table to see Elvis had grown jealous and shut down the venue. Rob was never quite sure if Elvis found out it was a bet or not, but the party was over. Rob's heart was huge, his smile contagious and he was always the life of the party. He lived life to the fullest; there was not a mountain too high, a slope too steep or difficult enough for him. He found his lifelong passion for sailing after a trip to his much-loved BVI in the Caribbean, he was planning his next adventure to the island the week he passed away. Rob and Lynn moved to Florida and lived on his favorite golf course, The Links in Sandestin. A diehard Saints fan always, GEAUX Saints! Rob is survived by his wife, Lynn; daughters, Allison Gladney and Season Manuel; grandchildren, Keirsten Ayoung, Cassidy Cockrell, Judge Manuel and Lennon Shaw, and one great grandchild, Liam Ayoung; sisters, Brenda Erp and Dixie (Bennie) Buice. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Lee Manuel. Please join us for a Celebration of a life well lived at the home of Jeb and Lisa Fields, 4571 Barfield Rd, Memphis, TN 38117, Sunday, June 12 from 2-5 for food, drinks, and cherished memories. Yuvelin Alvarado Hernandez, 40, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida passed away, Thursday, April 28, 2022.
Jenae Lynn Sadler, 37, of Crestview, Florida passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
![]() A Memorial for Dianne Johnson will take place at Shalimar UMC Family Life Center on 11 June 2022 at 11 AM. Dianne died unexpectedly at 3:18 p.m. Tuesday April 26, 2022. Her final words to Ralph, her husband of 56 years, were said with a smile: "I am going to be with Jesus!", then she closed her eyes. Also with Dianne during her final hours were Pastor Matt Langford and Worship Leader Ben Savage of Shalimar United Methodist church (SUMC). Dianne is survived by Ralph; daughter Paula Stetson and her husband Dr. Robert (Bob) of Cleveland, TN, and their sons Benjamin and Zachary; and son Eric and his wife Dr. Kersten of North Palm Beach, FL, and their son Connor. Dianne was a gracious lady, sharing her smile and words of encouragement with everyone. Her favorite word was "JOY"! and she established a JOY wall at her front door. She firmly believed her salvation in Christ Jesus and the promise of eternity with Him. Dianne was born in Freeport, New York on August 31, 1945. She grew up at 887 Surrey Drive in East Meadow, NY, graduating from East Meadow High School in 1963, having played field hockey and volleyball. She went on to graduate from Claremont Secretarial School and was employed as Executive Secretary for the E-2 Program Director at the Grumman Aircraft Company in Bethpage, NY. It was there that she met Ralph, whom she married in 1966. They lived at 64 Liberty Avenue in Lindenhurst, NY until October 1975, when they moved to Shalimar, FL. Dianne became a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Lindenhurst in 1967. Dianne was paralyzed in 1972 but still led an active, dynamic life. She served with the United Methodist Women (UMW) in multiple activities including the installation of a ramp and wheelchair lift in 1973. Upon moving to Florida, Dianne co-founded the Association for Better Conditions for the Disabled (ABCD) in 1976, meeting with FL representatives and senator as well as local leaders to lobby for legislation and regulations related to the disabled. As a result, Dianne was often asked to guest speak about life in a wheelchair. With gentle humor, she shared that disabled people are just people who need access to engage in their communities. She was an invited participant at a major conference in Tampa pertaining to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the needs of the disabled. She felt very honored to receive invitations from The White House in 1979 and 1981, to attend meetings of the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. Several years ago, Dianne consulted with Fort Walton Beach Hospital regarding wheelchair accessibility, a key aspect during development and execution of their Chapel renovation efforts. In 2002, she received a national nomination for the Spirit of Women Award from Sacred Heart Women's Hospital. Dianne actively supported her children's interest in sports, serving as Sponsorship Chair for the Playground Area Sports Association (PASA). She obtained sponsors for over 100 soccer teams and shirts for more than 1,000 youth players per year from 1976 to 1982. She was Team Mom for both her daughter's and son's PASA teams. As her son's Cub Scout Den Leader from 1979 to 1983, she fostered disability awareness through activities such as each scout talking with someone in, and actually using, a wheelchair. Dianne was a Brownie Leader, Girl Scout Leader, and member of the Gulf Coast Florida Council during the 1990's. She mentored dozens of scouts in multiple rank and merit badge achievement awards. Dianne pursued her Christian belief in earnest in 1996, reading the entire Bible that year. In 1997 she invited Ralph to join her in the year-long Desciple 1 Bible study at SUMC. She co-led that study in 1998 and the Disciple 2-4 studies in the following years, co-led the Jars of Clay adult Sunday school class for five years, and began and co-led the SUMC Monday night Bible study class for 18 years. She served on the SUMC Trustees then the Staff-Parish Relations Committees. During those same years, Dianne was active in Glue Lake Emmaus, starting with Walk 106 She led the Book Table Team on dozens of Walks, served on the Prayer Chapel and Refreshments Committees, and in March 2008, Dianne was Lay Director of Walk 191. Her theme verse for that Walk was 2 Corinthians 3:2-8,"Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it -not with ink, but with God's living spirit..." Dianne lived that. Dianne joined the SUMC Splash of Joy Women's Bible study group and was a Table Leader for years pre-pandemic. Dianne loved to paint and blessed many people with her painting and artistic gifts. She had a successful crafts booth at the annual SUMC Holly Fair in the early 2000's. An avid reader throughout her life, after the birth of her grandsons, Dianne spent hours reading with each one. She also played games with them, did crafts and art projects, and involved them in baking and cooking: mini cakes and meringue cookies were particular favorites! She was a sweet friend and an inspiration to Ralph, who credits her for leading to Christ. Dianne reflected God's joy on a daily basis as she interacted with others. She will be missed. Grace Anita Dicesare, 98, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida passed away on Monday, April 25, 2022.
Phillip DeWayne Sellers, 62, of Pensacola, Florida passed away Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Colleen E. Duncan, 41, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2022.
Athena Ansley Crawford, 23, of Fort Walton Beach passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2022.
![]() Craig J. Custer, 68 of Freeport, Florida went to Heaven on April 19, 2022. He was born in Somerset, PA on October 12, 1953 to Robert and Lois Custer. He graduated from Somerset High School in 1971. He attended the United States Naval Academy and served 4 years. Later obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in 1994 from the University of Pittsburgh. Craig followed in his father's footsteps by joining the family real estate business. After his father's death, he became partner in Smith-Custer Realty of Somerset, PA. Later he founded his own business in commercial real estate appraisal and has worked with many firms over the years up to the day he went to be with the Lord. Craig J. Custer is survived by his wife, Rhonda Hill Custer and his children, Chad Custer and wife Sabrina, Courtney (Custer) Swierczek and husband Mike and Carson Custer and wife, Emily; six grandchildren; step-children, Joel Paulk and wife Wendy, Crystal Paulk Popp and husband Dave, Frankie Paulk and wife Tina; six step grandchildren; 7 step great-grandchildren; sister, Denise Custer Myers and husband Warren; brother, David Custer and wife Candy; along with many nieces, nephews. He is preceded in death by grandparents, George and Freda Custer, Harry Casper and Ruth Mabel Jacobs. In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to Samaritan's Purse and Homes for Heroes. Craig was a member of Destiny Worship Center in Freeport, Florida and Memorial arrangements are scheduled for April 30, 2022 at 10:00 AM, Destiny Worship Center, 16019 Madison Street, Freeport, FL 32439. Arrangements entrusted to Family-Funeral & Cremation of Mary Esther, FL (850)226-4240. |
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January 2023
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