Diane Roney Bozeman

To: Diane Roney Bozeman

Death is always a surprise and is not expected anytime soon. Not even terminal patients think they are going to die in the next few days. The end might come to us in a week, but always next week. We are never ready. It is never the right time to die. But death comes on its on time, not ours.

She never told me she was going to die, even when she was lying on a hospital bed with tubes all over her. The last time we left the doctor’s office and he told her to go prop her feet up on the porch, Diane and I made plans to go to Houston and see our grandchildren, take a cruise, and just walk on the beach barefooted.

As I listen to the doctor talk with her and I tried my best to read between the lines, I was guessing and hoping for another 30 to 60 days with her. That we had the time to walk on the beach barefooted, attend one last Auburn football game, and have her grandchildren come visit us at the beach, where she would sit and night fish with them while enjoying their laughter. She and I shared the same dreams and hopes every day.

And suddenly, the 30 days of hope is over within a week. It was over before we had even started to live the dreams.

She was born Mary Diane Roney on Sept. 17, 1953, to the late Harold Roney and Evelyn Lois Helms Roney. She is survived by her husband, Craig Bozeman; her two daughters and son-in-law, Brooke Bozeman of Birmingham and Lexi and Doug Giannetto of Katy, Texas; and her three grandchildren, Kennedy, Grayson, and Claudio Gianetto.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 20, 2016, from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1307 East Three Notch St., Andalusia. The family wishes to thank all of you who cared for her.

Donations may be made to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation or St. Mary’s Episcopal Rice and Beans Ministry.

 

Jeff Fuqua

Mr. Jeff Fuqua, 78, of Andalusia, passed away Tues., Aug. 16, 2016, at the North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 19, at Cedar Grove Church of Christ with Minister Eddie Bogus officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be an hour prior to services at the church.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Chris and Bonnie Fuqua of Las Cruces, N.M., Dave and Cathy Hardy of Andalusia, Jimmy and Sharon Fuqua of Andalusia, and Jerry Fuqua of Columbus, Ga.; step-daughter, Debbie Thomas of Sea Grove Beach, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Katherine Loftin of Montgomery.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Madelyn Fuqua.

Pallbearers will include Jason Hardy, Jeremy Hardy, Mac Bracewell, Wes Thomasson, Greg Bryant, and Thagard Colvin.

Those unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.

 

William Nathaniel Ward

William Nathaniel Ward (Buster, Bill), 89, changed his address to Heaven on Sat., August 13, 2016. Son of William Amos Ward and Nora Inez Knowles Ward, he called Pea Ridge in Covington County, Ala., home since 1926.

Buster was a graduate of Pleasant Home High School and served in the U.S. Army. His tour of duty during World War II took him to Japan as a peacekeeper where he served as a rifleman and investigator.

Buster became a born-again Christian as a teenager and spent his entire life as a faithful member of the church (Mobley Creek Baptist Church in Covington County, Ala.; Sweetwater Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla.; and Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola). His work ethic and generous spirit blessed many in the communities he called home. Buster was the founder of the Mobley Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund. He also served for many years on the Building and Finance Committees of Sweetwater Baptist Church.

Buster was a faithful husband, a loving father, and a committed friend. He was an avid turkey hunter and woodsman, carrying on a legacy of stewardship for the land “up home” instilled in him by his beloved uncles and parents. In recognition of this commitment, he was honored with the “Alabama Treasure Forest” achievement award from the Alabama Forestry Commission in 2007.

Bill, as his business associates knew him, began his working life as a milkman. He was hired at entry level at Bishop Office Furniture in Orlando and worked diligently for 40 years. He retired as president after growing the company into a thriving business that served much of Central Florida.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, June Wright Ward; daughters, Cheryl Lynn Ward of Pensacola and Nina Ward Smith of Andalusia; three grandchildren, Rachel Charisse Ball Shamp (Tony), Aaron Ward Ball, and Justin Kyle Smith; two great-grandchildren, Elijah Nathaniel and Corben Isaiah Shamp; his sister, Doris Ward Haslam; and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father; sister Vera Ward Stokes; and daughter, Joy Charisse Ward Ball.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wed., Aug. 17, at 11:30 a.m. at Mobley Creek Baptist Church, Covington County, with brother Terry Powell officiating. Public visitation will precede the service at 10:30 a.m. at Mobley Creek Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mobley Creek Baptist Church or Cemetery Fund.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home, Cantonment, Fla., has charge of arrangements. You may express condolences to the family at www.fcfhs.com.