Obituaries

Thomasene “Tommie” Webster

Thomasene “Tommie” Levolua Blankenship Webster, 80, passed away peacefully at her home in Destin, Fla., Nov. 9, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. Her five children were at her side. Throughout her illness, she never lost her sense of humor or her smile. She now walks hand in hand with her beloved husband, Harrell R. Webster, who predeceased her in 2006 after 59 years of marriage.
Tommie was born on Sept. 23, 1928, in Bessemer, Ala., to Thomas and Lillie Mae Blankenship and was the last remaining survivor of three children.
She is survived by her five children, Hal Webster (Carol) of Birmingham, Ala., Jennifer Parks (Al), Tina Pelley (Duc), and Wendy Webster of Destin, and Sheldon Webster of Boulder, Colo.; three grandchildren, Tiffany VanDyke (Zack) of Niceville, Taylor Parks of Destin, and Sahra Motalebi of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and two great-grandchildren, Andrew and Madeline VanDyke of Niceville.
Tommie was a loving mother and wife for the Webster family in Jefferson County, Ala., and Okaloosa County, Fla., where she lived for the past 25 years.
Family and friends will gather for a celebration of Tommie’s life in January on her and Harrell’s wedding anniversary. A formal announcement will occur later.
The Webster family would like to give special thanks to Suzi and Jane of Covenant Hospice of Niceville, along with all the other staff members who gave special care to Tommie.
Condolences may be sent to 603 Legion Drive, Destin, FL 32541.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Tommie’s memory be made to either Covenant Hospice of Niceville, 101 Hart St., Niceville, FL 32578; or Feline Friends of Destin, P.O. Box 822, Destin, FL 32540.

Betty Joan Kitson

Our much beloved mother, grand-mother and great-grandmother passed away on Nov. 10, 2008. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends for her beauty, sweet spirit and unique ability to always see the bright side of life.
Betty lived a long and happy life with many wonderful experiences. As a young woman she was the most popular and sought after model in South Florida, with photos featured in McCall’s and Life Magazine amongst others. She retired as a successful real estate agent in Ft. Lauderdale. She and her husband Scott were married for 56 years. They spent wonderful times while traveling to over 60 countries before his death in 1999.
Survivors include her daughter, Joan Marler and husband Ben of Destin; grand-daughter, Athena Crowley and great-granddaughters, Christina and Caroline Crowley; grand-daughter, Beth Fife and husband Russell and great-granddaughters, Amber McLean, husband Sean, and great-great-grandsons, Matthew and Isaac McLean; great-granddaughter Rachel Nicholson and husband Steven and great-grandson Nathan Fife.
Also surviving are son, Gary Kitson and wife Jan, granddaughter Mary Laura Kitson and husband Matt Groff, granddaughter Paige Kitson and grandsons Greg and Mike Kitson, all of Virginia. Betty’s close and dear friends in the Destin area include Jeremy McLean, Seth Cole and Keith Creamer plus many others.
A memorial service will be held at Calvary Chapel of the Emerald Coast, 407 Racetrack Road N/E in Fort Walton Beach at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 with the Rev. James Flanders officiating.