Nathaniel Blue Sr., 68, of Lake Wales, Fla., formerly of Troy, died THursday, Dec. 14, 2000 at Florida Hospital South in Orlando.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000 at New Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Linwood with the Rev. James H. Felton officiating, George F. Grubbs Funeral Home directing.

Friends of the family will serve as pallbearers.

Mr. Blue was born Oct. 20, 1932 in Pike County. He was a heavy equipment operator for many years and was a member of Mt. Zion Progressive Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Rosa Blue of Lake Wales; daughters: Debra Blue of Lake Wales and Janet Nelson of Dundee, Fla.; son, Nathaniel Blue Jr. of Lake Wales; sisters, Audrey Woods, Denise Blue, Sharon Nelson, all of Chicago, Ill.; brothers, Ernest Blue of Miami, Fla., Alvin Blue and Samuel Blue, both of Chicago; nine grandchildren.

Ester "Etchie" Gibson

Ester "Etchie" Gibson, 100, of Troy died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000 at Pike Manor Health Care Center.

Services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000 at Dillard Funeral Home Chapel in Troy with the Rev. Frank Lowery officiating. Burial will be at White Rock Cemetery with Dillard Funeral Home of Troy directing.

Pallbearers will be Charles Dunn, James Grissette, Phil Howard, Arnold Sheppard, Steve WIlkes and Gene Childs. Honorary pallbearers will be Ovie Dee Grimes, Melvin Wilkes, Carnell Wilkes, Byron Wilkes, Jerry Wilkes, M.J. Davis and Callie Turner.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Gibson and son, Buster Gibson.

Survivors include two sisters, Callie Lee Barnes of Phenix City and Gerald bundy of Troy; sister-in-law, Julia (M.J.) Davis of Goshen; three grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 23 at Dillard Funeral Home in Troy.

Memorial contributions may be made to White Rock Cemetery Fund, C/O Julia Davis, Route 1, Goshen, Alabama 36035.