Mary Felicia Whidby

WHIDBY, FELICIA G., age 89, of Gulf Breeze, FL, was born on January 17, 1925 in Siluria, Alabama and departed this life on March 3, 2014, just 44 days after her beloved husband, Cleydon Whidby had passed. Her parents were Alfred Vann Garrett and Dora Felicia Abbott Garrett, both deceased. She is survived by her sister, Sara Nell Weaver Jones (Bob) of Roswell, GA; sons, Dwayne Alan Whidby (Becky) and Gary Abbott Whidby (Connie); grandchildren, Ensley and Emily of Ponte Verda Beach, FL and Angela, Austin and Alex of Gulf Breeze, FL. Felicia comes from a long lineage of settlers. Some signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and her grandfather Abbott was also one of the first graduates of the University of Kentucky, just to name two. Felicia and Clay were married on March 8, 1946 and would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on the date of her burial. They had 68 wonderful years. Much of her life was spent moving from city to city and state to state as Clay pursued his career with the L&N then CSX Railroad. They lived in Birmingham, AL, Tuscaloosa, AL, Columbia, TN, Hazard, KY, Louisville, KY, Lafayette, IN, Jacksonville, FL and finally Gulf Breeze, FL. She always loved going home to Birmingham and anywhere her family and many, many friends. Felicia was an invaluable teacher of life, a calming force, a peacemaker, and an organizer of her family. She was known by many as a true “Southern Lady” as she always displayed true Southern warmth and charm. She will be missed by all. As she and Clay now travel together to share their life beyond, we know their rewards will be many and their eternity will be blessed. God bless you all. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Jefferson Memorial Gardens beginning at 11 AM.