Sara Grace Joyner Chesnutt, 90, formerly Vero Beach
Sara Grace Joyner Chesnutt, 90, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, surrounded by her children. She was born July 22, 1927, in Okemah, Okla., to Fleetwood Boyd Joyner and Cecilia Margaret Bonifield and she was raised in Blytheville, Ark.
Following graduation from Blytheville High School in 1945, she attended the University of Arkansas where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. In 1946, she met the love of her life, Jack Chesnutt, at a USO dance. After a long distance courtship, they were married June 9, 1948. They eventually settled in Jack’s home town of Vero Beach where Jack became well-known as a Realtor and the manager of the Florida Theatre and Vero Drive-In Theatre.
Sara was a long-time employee of the Indian River County School District, serving as a substitute teacher, audio-visual assistant, library assistant and administrative assistant in the county office.
Sara and Jack were active members of First Baptist Church. Sara loved singing with the Sanctuary Choir and enjoyed participating in the annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah. She was also active with the church women’s groups as well as Nifty Fifties.
In the community, she was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and the Garden Club of Indian River County.
She is survived by two sons, Jack Chesnutt, Jr. (Judy) and William Fleetwood Chesnutt (Jan), and her daughter, Sara Joy Kennedy (Kenneth); her brother William Joyner (Joan) of Melbourne, Fla., sisters Mary Lou Jernigan of Jackson, Miss., Cecilia Baker (Johnny) of Batesville, Ark., and her sister-in-law Tanya Chesnutt.
Surviving grandchildren are: Derek Scott Wingate (Jonette), Alyson Brooke Wingate, Jack McPhail (Jay) Chesnutt, Sara Beth Kennedy Roberts (Dillon), Thomas Purnell Kennedy (Regina), Ashley Suzanne Kennedy, Air Force Master Sergeant William Fleetwood Chesnutt, Jr. (Coral) and David James Chesnutt (Alex).
Sara was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 68 years, Jack Chesnutt, Sr.
Visitation will be at First Baptist Church Sunday, Aug. 20, from 2 – 3 p.m., followed by a celebration of Sara’s life at 3 p.m. Interment will immediately follow the service at Crestlawn Cemetery, with a reception following the interment in the church’s Family Life Center.
In honor of Sara and Jack’s unconditional love for their family, their children request memorial donations be made for the treatment of their granddaughter-in-law Regina Kennedy. Please make donations to Regina’s Fight for Life on Gofundme.com or at any Seacoast National Bank.
Dennis Burrill Mason, 84, Vero Beach
Dennis Burrill Mason, 84, passed away Aug. 15, 2017, at his home in Vero Beach. He was born Oct. 19, 1932, in Danforth, Maine, to Burrill Mason and Hazel (Chamberlin) Mason.
He was a US Navy veteran of the Korean War. He served as Commander for VFW Post 3918.
He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, American Legion, and Sebastian Masonic Lodge 232. Dennis retired as Superintendent of Hobart Brothers where he worked for 32 years.
He is survived by his children, Denise Knights, Dennada (Mason) Voorhees, Robert Mason, Robin (Mason) Fulcher, Svea Mason; and brothers, Joseph Rosolino and James Rosolino.
Herbert ‘Herbie’ E. Merritt, 88, Vero Beach
Herbert E. “Herbie” or “Herb” Merritt was born March 5, 1929, in Baltimore, Md. He passed away on Aug. 16, 2017, in Vero Beach at the age of 88.
He was one of 16 children of the late Henry Clay Merritt and Anna Marie Merritt of Baltimore
Herbie served his country for two years in the United States Army and received training from the United States Air Force Corps of Engineers. Upon completion of his duty, he worked for Bethlehem Steel for a year and settled in for a 34-year career with Local Union #11 Insulators, retiring in 1987.
Ultimately, he relocated to Vero Beach where he resided until his death. Herbie was an avid golfer and he accomplished the golfer’s dream (a hole in one) on the 14th green at Winters Run Golf Course in Baltimore with a 3 Iron.
He was also quite accomplished at bowling. He started setting pins at the age of 14 and he played the game for more than 60 years. Herbie was passionate about golf and bowling, and he played the game like he played his life out- from the heart and with his heart.
He is survived by four brothers, Vernon George Merritt and Robert Lewis of Baltimore, Christian Michael Merritt of Sykesville, Md., and George Elmer Merritt of Essex; four sisters, Dorothy Neukam of Dundalk, Md., Beverly Roane of Essex, Patricia Anuszewski and Jean Barth of Baltimore.
He is also survived by long-time family friend, Patricia (Pat) Hargest, who along with her husband always included Herbie in special occasions and holiday celebrations, a tradition Pat continued even after she moved to Vero Beach.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, John Norman Merritt, Melvin James Merritt, Henry Clay Merritt, Jr. of Baltimore, and LeRoy Andrew Merritt of Essex, Md.; three sisters, Bernice Myers of Prince George County, Md., Thelma Grimes of Baltimore, and Florence Gill of Hebron, Md.; and a very special friend, Ann Jenkins, who was born in Kaiser, W. Va., and spent most of her adult life in Baltimore, Md.
Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory will prepare him for his final trip, home to be with his loved ones.