Mr. Richard Arlan Hand

Richard Arlan Hand passed away on Wednesday, July 16,2014 in Marianna, Florida. He was born in Marianna on May 28, 1937 to Arlan Hand and Audrey McLeod Hand. Richard and his wife, Betty Joyce Bevis Hand returned to their home in Marianna after living in Tuscaloosa, Al., Atlanta, Ga and Tallahassee. Richard attended Marion Military Institute, Virginia Military Institute, is a graduate of University of Alabama, and served 2 years in the US Army. Richard was a lifelong Presbyterian and a long time participant as a Deacon, 10 years as Treasurer and a Ruling Elder. He was also involved in civic affairs in his hometown serving on the Marianna City Commission, Council of 25, and Republican Executive Committee. He was a former Board Member of Citizens Bank, a member of Marianna Masonic Lodge, Shriner, and the Marianna Elks Club. He was a 45 year member of the Marianna Rotary Club, where he served as President in l978 and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Richard began his accounting career in Atlanta,Ga, with Ernst and Ernst. He moved to Tallahassee to work with Allen, Williams, Sheffield and Waterson, eventually moving his family to Marianna to operate Hand Furniture Company which closed in 1987 after being in operation for 50 years. Richard returned to the CPA profession and continued to work with Williams Cox Weidner and Cox, now Carr Riggs and Ingram. He mentored and guided many young accountants who have now become Certified Public Accountants. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty Joyce Hand; A son, David Hand and wife, Alisa of Lakeland; daughters, Kyle Hand Fletcher and husband, Robert of Thomaston, Ga, Allison Hand Travis and husband, Mike of Wilmington, NC. Grandchildren: Elisabeth and Andrew Fletcher of Thomaston, Ga, Audrey and Amelia Hand of Lakeland and Hannah and Jackson Travis of Wilmington, NC, A sister, Rosemary Hand Battle, brother in law, David Battle of Greensboro, NC and 3 nephews. Visitation will take place in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church from 5-7 PM, Friday, July,18 2014. A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Marianna, Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 11 AM, CST with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to 1835 Endowment fund of First Presbyterian Church or Jackson Hospital Foundation, PO Box 1608, Marianna, FL 32447. Expressions of sympathy may be made online at www.jamesandsikesfuneralhomes.com