Sybil Allison Nitti

Oct. 10, 1966 – Nov. 13, 2015

Allison Nitti, our beautiful wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and friend found peace from the five-year battle she bravely waged against brain cancer.

Allison grew up in Mayo, Florida, and graduated from Lafayette High School. After graduation, she entered the United States Army, where she met and married her soul mate, COL (Ret) Donald R. Nitti. Allison studied nursing and worked as an emergency room nurse and as a nurse in an office for an OBGYN. Helping others soon became her calling. As the wife of an officer in the Army, Allison served as a mentor to other military wives, assisted in family transitions, and became friends to countless wives and their families.  

Allison was the mother of two beautiful children, Michael Drew, 17, and Kaitlin Elaine, 14. The family lived in Germany; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Riley, Kansas; Prattville, Alabama; and Sterling, Virginia, before finally settling in Huntsville, Alabama, where Don was serving when he retired from the Army.  

Allison was an avid supporter of her children’s activities, lacrosse, wrestling, football, soccer, dance and cheerleading. Her love for her husband and children was reflected in her beautiful home, daily activities, the handmade crafts she made, and the kind and generous example she lived.

When Allison was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, her personal strength and determination inspired her medical team, nurses, and family. She remained strong in her Christian faith, and fought hard to remain vital and active for her husband and children.  

Allison leaves behind her devoted husband, COL (Ret) Don Nitti, two children, Michael and Katie Nitti; her parents, Linda Foye and Wayne Barrington of Mayo, Florida; father-in-law Donald A. Nitti, of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister Robin Mills Pfender of Clermont, Florida, brother-in-law Scott Pfender and nieces Virginia, Emily and nephew Bobby; sister Lesli Mills Silva of Clermont, Florida, and brother-in-law Nelson Silva, niece Isabel, and nephew Nelson; and brother-in-law, Robert Nitti of Appomattox, Virginia, sister-in-law Julie and nephews Gabe and Max Nitti.  Allison’s extended family includes her maternal aunts, uncle, cousins, and countless close friends.

Services for Allison Nitti were held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Visitation was Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral Mass was Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m.  (www.laughlinservice.com)

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Allison’s name to go toward cancer research at the hospital that provided such excellent care to her: The University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center at http://www.uab.edu/give/now.  

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

John Thomas

Nov. 12, 2015

John Thomas, a resident of Live Oak, Fla. passed away Nov. 12, 2015. Mr. John Thomas is survived by his brother, Mr. Tommy Thomas; one sister: Ms. Inez Taylor of Flint, MI; one sister-in-law Mrs. Earlene Flemming of Live Oak, Fla.; a host of nieces, great nieces and great, great nieces; nephews, great nephews and great, great nephews as well as many other relatives and friends. Funeral services for Mr. John Thomas will be Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at the Pure Church of Righteousness in Live Oak, Fla. at 11 a.m. Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, Nov. 20, 2015 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at D.M. Udell Funeral home Chapel. Burial will be in the South Live Oak Cemetery.

Udell and Sons of Udell Funeral home is in charge of all funeral arrangements. Call Udell and Sons of Udell Funeral Home 386-362-4189, 386-209-0223.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Claude Raiford Wood

Feb. 2, 1935 – Nov. 16, 2015

Claude Raiford Wood, age 80, of Mayo, Fla., passed away Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 at Oakridge Assisted Living in Mayo, Fla. Mr. Wood was the first resident at Oakridge when they opened their doors for assisted living in Lafayette County.

Claude was born in Suwannee County, Fla. on Feb. 2, 1935 to the late Bert and Sudie Fennell Wood. He served his country in the United States Army and worked in Live Oak for many years at Musgrove Construction. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, William “Dub” Wood, Lonnie Wood and Arvin Wood.

Survivors include two sons, Troy Wood, Lake Butler, Fla. and David Wood; one daughter, Darla Wood; three brothers, Curtis Wood, Margate, Fla., Johnnie Wood, Pell City, Alabama and Rupert Wood, Franklin, N.C.; two sisters, Margaret Drawdy Wallace, Live Oak, Fla. and Louise Horne, Snellville, Ga.; one grandson, Josh Wood.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at Crawford Lake Baptist Church Cemetery in Suwannee County, Fla.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Crawford Lake Baptist Church Cemetery, C/O Tony Hillhouse, 7734 86th Street, Live Oak, FL. 32060.

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