Rogene Hasty

            Rogene Hasty, age 92, of Shalimar passed away on Friday, June 23, 2017, at her home in Bob Hope Village.  She was born in Niceville, FL on July 17, 1924, to Garner Buford Anchors, Sr. and Pearl Irene Burleson Anchors.  Except for seven years in California, she was a lifelong resident of Okaloosa County.  She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Vickus Hasty, son Charles Kenneth Hasty and siblings: Garner Buford Anchors, Jr., Lorraine Anchors Moore, Eldridge Anchors, Cecil LeDon Anchors, Sr., and Joseph Burleson Anchors. 

            Survivors include her daughters: Charlotte Hasty Wright, Phyllis Hasty McGill, Nancy Hasty and Raymond Houseknecht, Cyndie Hasty and Lisa Sevanick, and Patricia Lynn Hasty Eby and Robert.  Also surviving are her grandchildren: Sean Kenneth McGill and Christine, Claire Ashleigh Will and Raymond, Sarah Elizabeth Eby and Caitlyn Olivia Eby.  Rogene  is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great- and great-great nieces and nephews and many cousins. 

Rogene’s maternal great-grandparents settled at Rocky Bayou in the 1860’s and were one of the founding families of “Boggy” (Niceville).  Her father, from North Georgia, fell in love with this area and her mother in the early 1900’s, and was a community leader.  Her “first family” was always very close, remaining so throughout their lives, and as the youngest child and sole survivor of her generation, she felt a duty toward them to keep their memory and history alive. 

Two churches influenced her life and her family.  The First Methodist Church (now Crosspoint Methodist Church of Niceville) where she was christened and married. Later, she became a member of First Presbyterian Church of Crestview where she was a member for 57 years.

Other influences were her education in Niceville schools, especially Niceville High School where she was the proud valedictorian of her class in 1942.  A week before her high school graduation she went to work at then Eglin Air Field Army Air Corps Base.  After a year she attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky.  Returning to Eglin, she met her “fella,” MSgt. Charles V. Hasty, her “Charlie Darlin.’

Among her many awards and activities, Rogene was a Sunday School teacher, deacon and a long-time member of her church’s Circle 3; reigned as Queen of the Old Spanish Trail Festival; was awarded for 25 years of service to the Crestview Women’s Club; was active in the Crestview Garden Club; was recognized for many years of service to the Crestview Chamber of Commerce and was installed in the 2013 Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame, receiving the Pioneer Award.

Rogene was a wonderful, loving stay-at-home mother, but she also worked with her husband in his business, was Crestview’s first Newcomer Greeting Hostess, and retired after almost 14 years as Executive Director of the Crestview Chamber of Commerce.

            A time of visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m.  The celebration of Rogene’s life will be on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at 2:00 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, 492 N. Ferdon Blvd, Crestview, FL 32536, with a one-hour viewing prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m.  Burial will follow at Rocky Memorial Cemetery, 118 Benton Ave, Niceville, FL.

Rogene's family wishes to thank her outstanding medical providers and caregivers, especially Doctors Christopher Reid, Joshua Eaton, Patrick Anastasio and Bjorn Lawson; Emerald Coast Hospice; Home Instead and Visiting Angels, with deepest gratitude to Deanna Hunt.            

The family request that any memorial be made to the building fund of the First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.  Floral tributes will also be greatly appreciated.

            Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview.  Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

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