Vicki Fuqua

Vicki Fuqua, a woman of boundless heart, humor, and a passionate advocate for both people and animals, passed away peacefully in the early morning of October 11, 2025 at the Margaret Z Dozier Hospice House in Tallahassee, Florida.
Vicki suffered from Corticobasal Degeneration, a rare neurologic disease. She was 83.
Victoria Louise Brown was born in Albany, Georgia to Victor and Blanche Brown in 1942. She was the second of five children. Joe Mac, a notorious maverick, was the first born. Vicki made a point on the playground to be addressed as "Vicki – and NOT Joe Mac's sister". With her younger siblings, Johnny, Bobby and Jeannie, she shared a rambunctious and loving upbringing on 100 acres of land on Fred George Road in Tallahassee. It was here that each of the Brown children acquired their uniquely independent spirit, and an undeniable zest for life.
From a young age, Vicki tended to others, helping her mother manage a growing family. She taught horseback riding to children in the community and loved and cared for the many animals on the property.
Vicki inherited her love of storytelling from her mother, Blanche, who everyone remembers holding court in her easy chair and entertaining both young and old. She inherited her compassion for people from her father, Victor, a bus driver who often brought home riders who could not afford their fare or a hot meal.
In 1959, Vicki married her high school sweetheart, Jack Hannon, with whom she had her two children, Brian and Denise. During the late 1960s, while she was in her 20s, Vicki was a working, single mother raising her children and instilling in them an inherent curiosity and an ongoing interest in all aspects of life.
She married her second husband, Lamar Gatlin, in 1972. Together, they enjoyed many years of entrepreneurship, as well as boating, deep-sea fishing, and all things nautical. With Lamar, she inherited a blended family with stepchildren: Debbie, Buddy, and Randy. Always an ambitious and tireless worker, (and dreamer) she and Lamar leased a restaurant, motel and marina in Shell Point, Florida.
In 1984, Vicki married Harry Fuqua and relocated to Marianna, Florida where she lived for nearly forty years. Another blended family was acquired with stepsons: Matt and Jonathan. It is notable that at the time of her third marriage, her sister, Jeannie, said she was going to have a bumper sticker made that read "Honk If You Married Vicki!"
Vicki's devotion to Harry was deep and unwavering – their bond was rooted in love, laughter, travel and storytelling. According to her stepson, Matt, Vicki held the coveted title of second-best joke teller in the world, coming in just behind Harry.
A passionate environmentalist and a true steward of nature, Vicki found joy and peace in her flower garden and was a vocal advocate for the Mill Pond in Marianna. Her love of animals ran just as deep. She not only supported Jackson County's no-kill animal shelter, Partners for Pets, but also built and poured her heart into the Great Oak Pet Resort which remains the preeminent "puppy palace" in Northwest Florida.
Vicki had a gift for giving. She cared for the less fortunate with extraordinary generosity; offering food, shelter, and kindness without hesitation. To her family, especially stepson Jonathan – this was lovingly known as "taking in strays"-- but to those she helped, it was a lifeline.
Vicki loved to read the Democrat, rooted passionately for the Seminoles, and hosted Bobby and Ann Bowden during their visit to Marianna.
With Harry, Vicki toured the world, danced, snow skied, and enjoyed the friendship of many people they met along the way. After Harry's passing in 2012, Vicki continued to travel to Machu Picchu, Mexico, and Africa with her close friends from Marianna and Tallahassee.
Vicki had a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue when it came to speaking her truth. She made no secret of her opinions – including her deep dislike for Donald Trump – and stood firm in her beliefs.
Vicki will be missed, remembered and eternally loved by her immediate surviving family members: sister, Jeannie (Tommy) Barrett, their children, Rosalyn, Tiffany, and Dylan; son, Brian Hannon (Sharon Krieger); daughter, Denise Hannon and her son, Cameron; stepsons, Matt (Pam) Fuqua and children, Harrison and Emily; Jonathan (Julie) Fuqua and daughter, Ellory; and her Gatlin step-children, Debbie Kelly, Buddy, and Randy.
Vicki was immensely proud of all her grandchildren and loved them with all her being. This extended to the newest members of the clan, Leia Robbins, her great-granddaughter, and Brooks Fuqua, her great-step-grandson. Remembrance also includes the many nieces, nephews, and friends whose lives she touched.
During the last months of her illness, Vicki received the unwavering care and devotion of her nieces, Brooks Rumenik and Rosalyn Deckerhoff and her husband, Dennis; sister, Jeannie Barrett, and grandson, Cameron Robbins. She was also fortunate enough to have devoted and expert caregivers from Velvet Home Care and Nursing Solutions.
Vicki was an extraordinary woman, who shortly before her death, wrote to her friends and family. "I have chosen to not have a funeral service. I see no reason for everyone to get all gussied up and waste their time listening to people drone on for 30 minutes (ok 15 minutes tops) about me. You all know me, you shared my wonderful life".
Celebration of Life for Vicki Fuqua
The Great Oak Mansion - 4133 Bryan Street, Greenwood, FL 32443
Saturday, November 8, 2025
12:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. (but we are not really keeping track here)
Please join us in celebrating the life, laughter and love Vicki shared with everyone she met.
Casual attire.
Light refreshments and beverages provided.
Stories and laughter welcome.
"Life's too short not to wear comfortable clothes and have one more drink under the oak tree."
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Partners for Pets www.partnersforpetsmarianna.com and/or Big Bend Hospice www.bigbendhospice.org
Arrangements are entrusted to the Lambe Family at Marianna Chapel Funeral Home.
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