From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Anna Mabel Howard, 97, Vero Beach
April 22, 1926 – October 19, 2023
Anna Mabel Howard, age 97, passed away peacefully on October 19th, 2023, at VNA Treasure Coast Hospice House.
She was born in Long Island, New York to Matthew and Mabel Sahina. Anna moved to Vero Beach, Florida from New York at the age of 15.
Anna graduated from Vero Beach High School.
Anna retired from the Petite Shop located on Ocean Drive in Vero Beach, FL.
She was an active member in the Saint Helens Catholic Church.
Survivors include her sister Peggy Sahina; her children Deborah Dobeck, Karen Mansfield, James Howard (Kimberly), Thomas Howard; daughter in laws Pamela and Adele Howard; twenty grandchildren; forty-one great grandchildren; and two loving great-great grandchildren.
Anna is predeceased by her sons David Howard, Hoyt M. Howard Jr., loving husband Hoyt M. Howard Sr., brother Matthew Sahina and both parents Matthew and Mabel Sahina.
The internment will take place on November 18th, 2023 at 11:00 am at Crestlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to VNA Treasure Coast Hospice House, 901 37th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Lawrence James Davis, 80, Vero Beach
August 06, 1943 – October 26, 2023
Lawrence James Davis, 80, passed away October 26, 2023 at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital surrounded by his family and love.
Larry was born on August 6, 1943, in New Orleans LA and grew up in Panama City FL.
He was a die-hard Gator, having graduated with three degrees from the University of Florida, where he also met his wife Margie. He received his BA in education in 1965, his MEd in special education in 1966, and his JD in 1973.
Larry taught special education for 5 years before returning to the University of Florida to attend law school. He spent his entire legal career in service to the people of Florida. He was a felony prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office for many years, served as an Osceola County judge for 4 ½ years, and finished his career serving as a senior attorney with the FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and later as an attorney with the Florida Bar dealing with lawyer regulation.
After retiring to Vero Beach, Larry became a dedicated volunteer at the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County. He loved working with dogs and became a mentor for new volunteers. Larry and his wife Margie were avid gardeners and loved nature and wildlife. They touched gray whales in Baja California, saw polar bears in Churchill Canada, saw wolves and bison in Yellowstone National Park, stepped over marine iguanas in the Galapagos, counted too many birds to mention in Costa Rica, and most recently completed a “bucket list” trip for Larry – a hiking tour of Yosemite National Park.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Margaret Ellen Davis, his son, John Lawrence Davis (Jamie) of Satellite Beach FL, his son, Chad Russell Davis of Sarasota FL, his sister, Cecilia Davis Cunningham of South Bend IN, his granddaughter, Maisy Lee Davis, and his grandson, Morgan John Davis.
He was predeceased by his mother, Cecilia Sabatier Davis, his father, James Louis Davis, and his sister, Shirlann Baisley.
A graveside service will be held at Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, Gainesville, FL, on November 2, 2023 at 1:00 PM.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, 6230 77th St, Vero Beach FL 32967.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Virginia Lou Gilbert, 79, Florida
January 15, 1944 – October 26, 2023
Virginia Lou Gilbert, age 79, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on October 26, 2023.
She was a fourth generation Floridian born in Orlando, Florida January 15, 1944, to Oscar John and Gwendolyn Elizabeth (Bass) Scoggins and sister Dorothy Janet.
She grew up in Downtown Orlando on Raleigh Street, in a little house her father built. Attended Grand Avenue Elementary School and spent most days after school at her family’s market, Scoggins Fish and Poultry Market. She was a favorite student around the holidays as she would always gift her teacher with a big fat hen. She was blessed to have her aunts and cousins living close by.
In the 9th grade, the market was sold, and the family moved to East Orlando where she attended Cherokee Junior High School. They soon became members at Temple Baptist Church, and Virginia accepted Christ that year. One Sunday night at church, hearing a Missionary speak, she felt the call to the mission field.
After graduating from Colonial High School in 1962, she boarded a train bound for Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. It was the first time away from her family and she was nervous, but she trusted in the Lord and his plan for her life. She enjoyed college and had many friends. In her junior year she came down with pneumonia and had to return home to recover. Needing to pay medical expenses, she took a job at the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) where she worked for several years.
She met her husband Terry Gilbert in 1966 and they were married in February 1967 in Vienna, GA. After his discharge from the service, they made their home in Orlando, Florida and their first daughter Barbara was born in 1968. Soon after Kelly arrived in 1969.
She returned to work in 1970, taking a job at Disney during their construction as the recordkeeper to the stone masons working under Robert “Bud” Washo. She kept records on the rebar and other materials being used on projects like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Haunted Mansion and Cinderella’s Castle.
In September 1971, Angela was born, and the family moved to Gainesville, Florida where her husband attended and graduated from the University of Florida and later Auburn University. Upon returning to Gainesville, she worked as a secretary for the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine. In 1975 the family relocated to Vero Beach, Florida.
It was in 1977 she began attending King’s Baptist Church after an invite from Stella Young. Viriginia and Stella became Best Friends and Prayer Warriors for years to follow. Stella and Viriginia loved teaching Children’s Church together and working on many local mission projects together.
Looking for work in 1978, Virginia applied at two places, the Indian River County Utilities Department and a little place called the Town of Indian River Shores. She was offered both positions and decided to step out on Faith, accepting the job as Deputy Town Clerk in October.
Soon after, she was appointed Town Clerk and Treasurer, a position she held for 16 years. She was a dedicated employee and enjoyed her 24 years of service to the town, retiring as Town Manager in 2002.
Virginia loved the Town and its residents, who were very good to her and her family throughout the years. The residents knew of her love of missions and were always eager to get behind and support with funds and encouragement on many projects from dental supplies for the Mobile Dental Clinic and Hurricane Andrew Relief efforts, where she and several members from the Safety Department purchased, delivered, and passed out supplies to the Hurricane destroyed areas. They supported her again when she went with teams to India and South Africa. It was after those trips she worked to plan and promote trips with her church family at King’s Baptist.
For many years she led groups to work in Juarez, Mexico and at the Crow Agency, Montana, holding Vacation Bible School for the children, Bible Study groups for the adults, building maintenance and medical mission teams. Whatever the need, Viriginia was there to help and to help others spread the love of our Lord and Savior.
She was mission minded in every way, always working hard to promote missions and doing her part to get others involved. She was truly blessed to have her church family at King’s Baptist where she worshiped alongside lifelong friends whom we know she will be reunited with one day.
All the while she was helping others, she was a completely devoted Mother to her daughters, her “three beautiful girls” as she would say.
She was an exceptional Grandmother to Adam and loved him very much and adored her adopted daughter Chris, whom she loved as her own.
She also loved her Florida Gators and never missed a game. It didn’t matter to her who they were playing, if it was televised or if she had to listen to it on an AM station, she was going to cheer on her Florida Gators! She was known for her beautiful prayers at family functions and would always end them with a loud Amen and GO Gators!!
She is preceded in death by her parents Oscar John and Gwendolyn Elizabeth Scoggins, her sister Dorothy Scoggins (Outlaw), Brother-in-Law, Tommy Outlaw and Nephew Russell Outlaw.
Her memory will live on through her surviving family members, Barbara Gilbert, Kelly Gilbert, Angela Gilbert, Adam Gilbert, Chris Groover, Teresa Outlaw (John Olters), David Outlaw (Patricia), Ryan Outlaw (Anthony), Michael Clanton, Leslie Mintrone (Chase), Amanda Clanton, Maxwell Mintrone, Emory Mintrone, Ransome Falotico.
The funeral service will be held at King’s Baptist Church on Saturday, November 4th, 2023. The visitation will be from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, with the memorial service immediately following at 2:00 pm. A private interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando, Florida.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Shirley Frances Collinge, 89, Vero Beach
June 25, 1934 – October 23, 2023
Shirley Frances Collinge, age 89, passed away October 23, 2023 at Hidden Lakes Senior Living Community.
She was born June 25, 1934 in West Warwick, Rhode Island to the late George and Una (Clark) Peckham.
Shirley was a cafeteria worker for many years, with Holyoke High School, and a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Vero Beach.
Survivors include daughter, Dorothy Zalegowski; son, David Collinge; daughter, Lynn Theroux; daughter-in-law, Darlene Collinge; 7 grandchildren, Chris, Matt, Carl, Brandon, Dan, Katie and Sam; four great-grandchildren, Emily, Nate, Cole and Amelia; sister, Brenda; and brother, Donald.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Sam Collinge and son, Scott Collinge.
There will be a private celebration of life held to celebrate Shirley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Hospice, 920 37th Place, #101, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Alfred Willis Scott, 78, Vero Beach
November 24, 1944 – October 30, 2023
Alfred Willis Scott, 78, of Vero Beach Florida, died at home on October 30, 2023. Alfred was born in Forsyth, Georgia to his parents Peggy and Dan Scott. Alfred was born and raised as a hard-working cowboy and was a cutting horse champion. Alfred served as a Navy Seawolf during the Vietnam War. Alfred was preceded in death by his daughters Debbie, Jaime, and family. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Donna, daughters, siblings, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and much-loved extended family.
Alfred was the epitome of a gentleman cowboy. He was a friend to anyone and willing to lend a hand even if he had nothing. Alfred spent most of his life working cattle, growing citrus, and making our community a better place. Alfred was known in the church community as a man of God and loved his family and friends. It was Alfred’s wish that there would be a new organ for the church.
A Gathering will be Friday, November 3, 2023, at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Alfred’s service will be Saturday, November 4th, 2023, 10:00 AM at St. John of the Cross, 7590 26th St, Vero Beach, FL 32966.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. John of the Cross Building Fund in Al’s name 7590 26th St, Vero Beach, FL 32966.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
