Jasper — Wyonas Pennington Miller

Feb. 14, 1935 - Jan. 3, 2012



Wyonas Pennington Miller, age 76, of Phoenix, Arizona, died peacefully Jan. 3, 2012. Wyonas was born on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 1935 in the county of Sarasota, Florida to Lena and Foy Pennington. In 1953 she graduated as the valedictorian of Jasper High School in Jasper, Florida. After wedding James Robert Miller (“Bobby”) the couple had two children, Roberta Neil (“Neil”) and James Foy (“Jim”). In 1960 the young family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Wyonas was a dedicated, caring mother and wife, but she found her true calling as an elementary school teacher. She graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1974 and, while teaching, obtained her Master of Arts in Education in 1977. Over a period of 23 years she taught at the William C. Jack and Horizon schools in the Glendale Elementary School District where she worked as a special education and 2nd grade teacher. After retiring from the public school system, Wyonas went back to work as the Special Education Director for the Challenge Charter School from 1997 to 2011. Wyonas was an inspired and talented teacher who made a difference in the lives of countless children. She had an innate ability to assess and identify the particular needs of each child and implement an individualized curriculum to allow the child to succeed in school. Because of this special gift, she gave numerous children an opportunity to succeed that they would not otherwise have had.

Wyonas loved to travel; she was always ready to get up and go. When her children were young she and her family camped, hiked and fished throughout Arizona and the southwest. Later, she and her husband Bobby traveled the world, going to England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Russia, Greece and Egypt. After the death of her husband in 2008, she continued to travel with her sisters, Patricia and Caroline, and her children, Jim and Neil. They went to China, Czechoslovakia, France, Italy, Spain, England, and Germany and traveled throughout the United States together. As recently as October of 2010 she hiked Chaco Canyon with her children, and in May of 2011 she visited England with her daughter. Wyonas loved the outdoors, theater, art, literature, animals, children and her family and friends. She took up quilting as a hobby later on in life and was a member of the Horizon Quilt Group. Her love of quilting is reflected in the many beautiful quilted masterpieces she left behind. She had a zest for life, a kindness and gentleness that touched everyone who knew her. Her passing leaves a void in the lives of her family and friends. Words cannot express how greatly she will be missed.

Wyonas is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, James Robert Miller. She is survived by her daughter, Roberta Neil Miller (Thomas Zaworski), her son, James Foy Miller (Denise Valverde), her granddaughter, Jamie Gardner, her cherished sisters, Caroline Wall and Patricia Kahl, and many nieces and nephews. A private memorial service will be held at a later date for immediate family members only. If you wish to honor the legacy of Wyonas with a donation, please give to your local public school.





Odis Walter Wetherington

Jan. 22, 2012



Odis Walter Wetherington, age 77, of Jasper, Fla. passed away at his home on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 following a brief illness. Odis was the son of the late P.O. and Lorena Wetherington and was a lifetime resident of Hamilton County. He served in the United States Army and Army Reserves. Following his retirement from the Hamilton County Road Department Odis worked as a hunting guide for Tiger Creek Hunting Club and Bienville Plantation. As long as his health permitted, he was an active member of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Posse.  He enjoyed farming, riding and training quarter horses in his spare time. Odis was a member of Sunrise Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Linda Lee Wetherington; daughters, Sandy Beal (Damon), Lake Park, Ga., Barbara Linder (Leroy), Lake City, Fla., Melissa Simpson (Rodger), Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., Ashley Turnage (Johnny), Live Oak, Fla., Margaret “Lulu”  Hobby, Lake Park, Ga.; one son, Adam Wetherington (Alivia), Jasper, Fla.; three brothers, Lloyd Wetherington (Sharon), White Springs, Fla., Michael Wetherington, Jennings, Fla., and Curtis Wetherington (Linda), Jennings, Fla.; four sisters, Phyllis Clark, Jasper, Fla., Lawana Ritzmann, Lake City, Fla., Laverne Lee (Donald), Lake City, Fla. and Linda Erixton (Bobby), White Springs, Fla.; sister-in-law, Carol Wetherington, White Springs, Fla.; 10 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 in the chapel of Harry T. Reid Funeral Home with Rev. Gene Speights officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Jasper, FL.

The family received friends between the hours of 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice 857 SW Main Blvd Suite 125, Lake City, FL. 32025.

Harry T. Reid Funeral Home, Jasper, FL. is in charge of arrangements.