Posted on 10/25/2017
Dorothy Pinkie Sheftall Flannery passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at her home in Jacksonville, FL. She was 93 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Jackson Flannery, and is survived by her son, William Jackson Flannery Jr. and daughter, Dorothy Flannery Papich; three grandchildren, William Sheftall Flannery (Melita), Michael Kevin Flannery, and George Samuel Papich (Jennifer); and six great-grandchildren, William and Madeline Flannery, and Zachary (Darby), Hannah, Jaden and Jackson Papich. Her family was the joy of her life. Pinkie was born on October 3, 1924 in Miami, FL to the late Clarence and Dorothy Kitchen Sheftall. In June of 1943, she met a recent graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Ensign William Jackson Flannery, while at a dance at the Mayport Naval Station. They were married a few months later on September 3, 1943. Navy life during World War II was full of heart breaks, excitement, and many duty stations - her favorite being in Barcelona, Spain where she had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe with her two children. After the war, she lived in Maryland and New York City for a time before returning to Jacksonville in 1973. Pinkie was interested in both history and genealogy, and joined a variety of organizations that reflected those interests. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the War of 1812, Daughters of the American Colonists, Jacksonville Chapter Freedoms Foundation, and the Jacksonville Historical Society. She's also a past president of both the Florida Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Florida Society, Southern Dames of America. She loved gardening as well and was a member of the Wildling Garden Club, Dogwood Garden Circle, and a life member of the Jacksonville Garden Club. Her faith in God was strong and she was a devoted member of the All Saints Episcopal Church of Jacksonville. She served on the Alter Guild, in Meals-on-Wheels, and as a Shepard. Pinkie was an adventurer and travelled the world, from ballooning in Arizona, to exploring China, to tubing the underground river in Mexico, to touring around Florida with her grandchildren, she lived everyday to the fullest. She loved her country and was a true patriot in every sense of the word. One of her greatest honors was laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 28 at 11:00 AM at the All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Avenue in Jacksonville, FL. She will be interred with her husband, Cmdr. William Jackson Flannery at the United States Naval Academy Columbarium in Annapolis, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Published in the Florida Times-Union on Oct. 25, 2017