Mary Frances Jones Hutt

Bay County lost one of its true Angels this past Sunday.

Mary Frances was born in Jacksonville, Fla., on Sept. 27, 1943. She was predeceased by her parents, John Paul and Virginia Jones, and her loving sister, Ginny Lee Jones. She is survived by her devoted husband of 50 years, John Hutt, Jr., her wonderful son Trey Hutt, her loving granddaughter Katie Marie Hutt (Kat), her gracious sister-in-law, Beth Hutt Lawrence and her family, her terrific brother-in-law Charles Hutt, and so many wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins. She has several adopted sisters – Jean Owens, Mary Ellen, Anita, Mary Nell, Peggy, Frankie, Salie, and Carol. She dearly loved them all so much.

She loved women's softball and basketball as a young girl and played in Jacksonville city programs. She traveled in support of her husband before coming back to Panama City in 1970. From then on she was deeply involved in our community. She read to and taught the children at the Boys Club in the old armory building on 6th Street and served as an officer in the Jayceettes during their heyday and was honored as both a Congresswoman and JCI Senator. She loved children and took many less fortunate on Christmas shopping tours. She served as President of the local Business Women's Association, the Women's Golf Association at Panama Country Club, and the Red Hats.

She and her husband had the opportunity to travel all over the world. Always adventurous, she bungee jumped off the Kiawara Gorge bridge in New Zealand to celebrate her 50th birthday, went diving off the Great Barrier Reef, and went hang gliding off a mountaintop. She was always so gracious and grateful for all her blessings. One recent highlight was the night she was crowned Queen of Mardi Gras and she was so thankful to the Krewe of Dominque Youx for the honor and she served with distinction and grace. Her theme was Guardian Angels that had watched over her for so many years.

There will be a celebration of her life and interment of her ashes at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 at 11 a.m. A reception for her friends and family will follow the service.

Please, no flowers. In lieu of flowers, a donation in her name can be made to the Backpack Buddy Program to feed needy children in Bay County. Checks may be made out to Holy Nativity Church (with ""backpack buddies"" in the memo line), or feel free to donate to the children's charity of your choice.

Her family would like to thank all of her caregivers through the years, who gave us fourteen years that we never would have enjoyed without their efforts. May our good Lord continue to hold all of them in the palm of his hand so that others may enjoy their loving care.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed of submitted at www.southerlandfamily.com.

Southerland Family
Funeral Homes
100 E. 19th St.
Panama City, Fla. 32405
850-785-8532