Author: Duane Fickeisen

Peggy Frances Owens-Mansfield

Peggy Owens-Mansfield

Peggy Frances Owens-Mansfield, 69, the spouse of the Reverend Dr. Doak Mansfield, died 24 February 2020, at her home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. A native of Mississippi, she was born 14 June 1950 to Norris and Clara Owens. After completing high school, Peggy graduated from Jones College and from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Her public life largely revolved around her work for the American Red Cross. Beginning with her decade of service as youth director for the Pensacola Chapter of the ARC (1975-85,) she took a special interest in the Red Cross Youth Program. She led the highly successful annual Leadership Training Conference (LTC) for 35 years. More than 1,200 youth participated over the years. She expanded Red Cross services for the elderly through annual holiday boxes of food.

Peggy served for 26 years (1985-2011) as executive director of the Pine Belt Red Cross in Laurel, MS. She was involved in many community efforts and organizations. The Pine Belt Chapter recruited and trained more than 1,000 volunteers under her leadership. During her tenure, the chapter responded to hundreds of small disasters such as house fires and several huge ones, topped off by Hurricane Katrina. Pine Belt volunteer responded to New York City after the attack on the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001.

“Lonesome Pines Bluegrass Park” in the Calhoun Community was the effort of her family. She worked with her father, mother and sister, along with dozens of family and friends to make the semi-annual event a significant celebration that featured such bluegrass greats as Jim and Jessie, Allison Kraus, Osbornes, and Ralph Stanley. Operated for 20 years, the last eight years it was a Pine Belt Chapter ARC fundraiser.

She was a member of Our Home Universalist Unitarian Church Ellisville, MS. Retiring in 2011 she traveled with her husband serving Unitarian Universalist Churches in Clinton, N.C., Tampa, Fla., Pasco, Wash., and Valparaiso, Fla.

Peggy is survived by her husband, and by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Gifts in her memory can be directed to St. Jude Hospital (Memphis), Glory House Food Project (Laurel), Jones College Community Service Scholarship Fund (Ellisville) and Animal Rescue League (Laurel).

The Rev. Glenda C. Walker

The Rev. Glenda C. Walker died on February 12, 2020, at the age of 86.

She is survived by her daughter Holly Jewell (Rudi Wehmschulte) of Palm Bay, FL; niece Kathleen (Robert) Brown of Murray, UT; and nephew Gregory (Gina) Limon of Randolph. NJ.

A memorial service was held on March 7, 2020.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Unitarian Universalist Church, 504 Grant Street, Wausau, WI, in Glenda’s name.

A more complete obituary will follow.

The Rev. Richard W. Kelley

The Rev. Richard W. Kelley died on Feb 8, 2020, at the age of 93.

Richard is survived by his wife Mary Ann Kelley; his children Susan, Tara and Tina; his ten grandchildren; and his seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Association or to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

A memorial service is being planned.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Mary Ann Kelley at 201 Dennis Ct, Oakley, CA 94561.

A more complete obituary will follow.

The Rev. Dr. Andrew “Andy” C. Backus

The Rev. Dr. Andrew “Andy” C. Backus died on January 22, 2020, at the age of 75.

Andy is survived by his wife of 53 years, Christine L. Backus; his sister Leslie Claire Backus, and his brother-in-law Greg Cassidy; his nieces Alisha and Hema Sarang-Sieminski and their children, Thendral, Kavyn and Suriyan Devi.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship.

UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, February 15, at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham, WA 98225.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Chris Backus at 2746 Broadway St,
Bellingham, WA 98225.

A more complete obituary will follow.

The Rev. James “Jim” Wickman

The Rev. James “Jim” Wickman died on November 29, 2019, at the age of 88.

Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janet L. Tyler; his children Shelley Weisberg, Jeff Wickman, and Cristy Wickman; his stepchildren Richard Ingham and Lori Bartosh; as well as his seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged for the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church (14724 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155).  UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

In remembrance of Jim, his family will be presenting and participating in “My Love Affair with the Mountains” a program of Jim’s photography, music and poetry (originally created by Jim for the initial ‘Earth Day’ celebrations in Seattle, WA).  The memorial program will likely be presented in the Seattle area.

Notes of condolence may be sent to Janet Tyler at 4009 Vista Place, Pasco, WA 99301.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

The Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson

The Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson died on November 24, 2019, at the age of 81.

Heather is survived by her sons Trevor and Shane; her brothers, Kirk Campbell and wife Janet, and Doug Campbell and wife Ellen.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the UU Fellowship of Corvallis, 2945 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis, OR 97330.  UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

A memorial service will take place at 11 am on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at the UU Fellowship of Corvallis, 2945 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis, OR 97330.

Notes of condolence may be sent to Trevor Hanson at 1232 Crescent Dr, Albany, OR 97321.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.