VIRGINIA STEPHENS BAKER
Virginia Stephens Baker PhD, age 66, of Blountstown, FL unexpectedly left us to join her Heavenly Father on Monday, January 16, 2023.
The second of five girls, she learned a strong work ethic as their father died while they were young. Upon maturity, she attended Wake Forest for undergrad, where she met her future husband, Murray. As an avid humanitarian, she joined the Peace Corps after graduating from Wake Forest. She spent 2 years in Thailand serving to contain a Malaria epidemic and perform Malaria research. Upon return to the US, she continued Malaria research at the University of Hawaii. Murray and Virginia had maintained connections, and he asked her to marry her, so she returned to the US mainland, and they married. They had four children, during which time, she obtained her Masters in Immunology at University of South Florida and tirelessly homeschooled the children. Afterwards, she pursued her PhD at Florida State University in Molecular Biology. She served as a professor and researcher at FSU as well as Chipola College. Ever eager to return to Malaria research, she pioneered a partnership with Chipola College and FSU to collaborate in ongoing Malaria studies. After her teaching and research career, she started community outreach programs to help the Florida Panhandle establish easy access to education and management of patients with Diabetes, Obesity and Hypertension.
Virginia was best known by friends and family as enthusiastic, optimistic, and always ready for the next challenge. A beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, she saw the potential in everyone and everything–inspiring those around her to pursue their endeavors.
A beloved daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, she is survived by her husband, Murray Lester Baker MD, her sons, Murray Baker MD (Heidi Baker, daughters Charleston and Savannah Baker), John Francis Stephens Baker (Nekole Baker and soon to be son John Marcus) and daughters, Kristen Baker Nava MD (Jonathan Nava MD and their children, Jonathan and Emma Nava) and Virginia Noel Baker RN of Blountstown, FL; her sisters, Marilyn Edwards (Marshall Edwards and children Blake, Elisabeth and Michael Edwards) and Louise Cain (Bob Cain and children Christopher and Katherine Cain).
The family will receive friends Friday evening, January 20, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the McFarland Funeral Chapel.
A funeral service will be held in her honor at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon, North Carolina with Reverend Robert Ard officiating.
Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens, Columbus, North Carolina.
A Memorial service celebrating the life of Virginia (Ginny) Baker will be held on Friday, March 10th at the W.T Neal Civic Center in Blountstown at 6 p.m.
TERRY WILSON
Terry Wilson aka “Water Bug #69” passed away Friday, February 24, 2023, in Tallahassee. Terry was born in Fairhope, Alabama November 17th, 1955, to the late Woodrow and Doris Wilson. Terry was the owner and operator of Lower Altha Xpress inc. , serving Calhoun and surrounding counties with dump truck service for many years. Terry had logged over two million miles on his truck he fondly referred to as “Nellie Bell”. He loved his family and took great care of them.
Other than his parents Terry is preceded in death by his sister Carolyn Dugger.
Survivors include his wife Patricia Wilson of Altha; a daughter, Sheri Peterson and Vernon of Altha; his sisters, Ann Howard and her husband Clarence of 8 mile, Alabama, Rita Phillips and her husband Wyatt of Stapleton, Alabama and Sara Morris and her husband Tony of Spanish Fort, Alabama; his grandchildren, Josh Edenfield and his fiancé Brittany and Brittany Peterson; his great grandchildren, Waylon and Layla Willis and of course his eight fur children he loved dearly and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.
A memorial for Terry will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Adams Funeral Home Chapel. All are invited to attend.
Adams Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at adamsfh.com 850-674-5449
TAMARA MONLYN
Ms. Tamara Monlyn, of Bristol, Florida transitioned from life temporal to life eternal on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at her residence.
Homegoing Celebration of Life services were held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 11:00 AM from the sanctuary of St. Paul AME Church located at 16076 SE River Street in Blountstown, Florida 32424 where the Reverend Angus Jackson, Jr. is the pastor and Elder James Hogan, officiating.
Interment followed in the Magnolia Cemetery located at 326 13th Street in Blountstown, Florida.
A public viewing was held on Monday, February 6, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Vann Funeral Home.
She leaves to cherish a lifetime of fond, yet precious memories, a loving and devoted family; eight sisters: Wanda Byrd of Lawton, Oklahoma, Barbara (Frank) Orr of Augusta, Georgia, Antoinette Monlyn of Bristol, Florida, Gina Monlyn of Gainesville, Florida, Lillie Jackson and Altamese Blue, both of Blountstown, Florida, Nellie Long of Fairburn, Georgia, and Elise Fitzpatrick of Springfield, Massachusetts; seven brothers: LaCoya (Velma) Monlyn of Fairfax, Virginia, Roderic (Pattie) Monlyn, Jerry (Linda) Monlyn, Scott (Melissa) Monlyn and Clifford Jackson, all of Blountstown, Florida, Terry Monlyn of Gainesville, Florida and Steve Jackson of Tallahassee, Florida and a host of nices, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Vann Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
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