Our hearts are sad, and our thoughts and prayers are with our good friend InletBchDweller (IBD) and her family. Her mother, Wanda Irby, and sister, Deborah Irby, along with friends Roxanne Costello, her husband Barry DeLong, and pilot John Johnson lost their lives in a small plane crash 20 miles south of Chipley, Florida this morning. No one else was aboard.
All four were residents of Seacrest Beach. They were in route from Destin to the Bahamas to meet Deborah's husband at their home there when bad weather is believed to have caused the tragic accident.
The SoWal community is already coming together and working to do whatever we can for IBD and her family during this sad time.
Replies
171
margarita brocolia
I am just now reading this. I want to send you and your family good thoughts, prayers and hugs. What a wonderful SoWal family you are surrounded by! 
SoWal Insider
Hey everyone,
I have not been on the board in days. Wow, how tiring this all is. I have had loads of family around (they are all gone know) and now it is down to the business part of all of this. :shock: All I can say is that each and everyone of you should take the time and money to have a detailed will and make sure you have plenty of life insurance. It sure makes things easier.
I am sorry I missed the people I missed on New Years Eve, my brother in law wanted everyone at his house for the new year. We had as good of a time that we could and drank wayyyyyyyy too much champagne!:clap_1:
Thanks to all of you who sent flowers, cards, goodies, and other items.;-) It was all very appreciated....
I love you guys!!!!
I have not been on the board in days. Wow, how tiring this all is. I have had loads of family around (they are all gone know) and now it is down to the business part of all of this. :shock: All I can say is that each and everyone of you should take the time and money to have a detailed will and make sure you have plenty of life insurance. It sure makes things easier.
I am sorry I missed the people I missed on New Years Eve, my brother in law wanted everyone at his house for the new year. We had as good of a time that we could and drank wayyyyyyyy too much champagne!:clap_1:
Thanks to all of you who sent flowers, cards, goodies, and other items.;-) It was all very appreciated....
I love you guys!!!!
SoWal Expert
Hey everyone,
I have not been on the board in days. Wow, how tiring this all is. I have had loads of family around (they are all gone know) and now it is down to the business part of all of this. :shock: All I can say is that each and everyone of you should take the time and money to have a detailed will and make sure you have plenty of life insurance. It sure makes things easier.
I am sorry I missed the people I missed on New Years Eve, my brother in law wanted everyone at his house for the new year. We had as good of a time that we could and drank wayyyyyyyy too much champagne!:clap_1:
Thanks to all of you who sent flowers, cards, goodies, and other items.;-) It was all very appreciated....
I love you guys!!!!
Beach Fanatic
Still thinking of you....Glad to see you posting again.
SoWal Insider
Still thinking of you....Glad to see you posting again.Thanks....
Beach Fanatic
Dearest IBD...
You are amazing. You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers...dealing with the "business" part of losing loved ones is a really tough time.
You are amazing. You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers...dealing with the "business" part of losing loved ones is a really tough time.
SoWal Insider
Oh goodness. Words can't express my sympathy for your loss. I can only begin to imagine your pain and sorrow. God is with you IBD along with our thoughts and prayers. Please come here often and let everyone know how your family is. God bless sweet girl.
little sugar
Oh my gosh I just read this for the first time......IBD I am so sorry that your family had to go through such a horrible loss. Please except my heartfelt condolences , I am sending prayers, peace and love your way.
Beach Fanatic
Walton mourns losses in business community
By Deborah Wheeler
Tuesday morning, as Harry Millsaps and other Realtors sat around a table sipping their morning coffee, the talk was somber.
As members of the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, the group was discussing what they could do for two of their own who died suddenly and tragically three days before Christmas in a plane crash.
Millsaps knew both Deborah Irby and Roxanne Costello, who were on the plane that went down in a remote area of Washington County on Dec. 22. The women were established Realtors and brokers who owned their own firms in South Walton. Also on the plane were Deborah’s mother, Wanda Irby, Roxanne’s husband Barry DeLong, and pilot John Johnson of Fort Walton Beach. They were flying to the Bahamas for the holidays. All onboard the twin-engine Cessna were killed in the crash.
Thunderstorms passed through Destin around the time of the scheduled 8:30 a.m. take off from Destin Airport.
Tyndall’s Public Information Office confirms they were in contact with the plane shortly before its disappearance from their radar and advised Bay County Sheriff’s Office of the occurrence.
People in the crash area said the area was experiencing heavy rains and thunderstorms at the time.
The wreckage was found near Highway 77, just north of the Bay County Line.
Johnson reportedly was an experienced pilot and FAA-accredited flight examiner.
Costello owned and operated Seashore Properties of the Emerald Coast, located in Grayton Beach. In the area for approximately six years, she was named Business Woman of the Year for 2003 and 2004.
Pam Holloway had been a neighbor of the DeLongs for the past three years and had known them for six years.
“They were one of the first couples we got to know when we started coming here,” said Holloway. “They were wonderful people. Barry grew vegetables in his back yard and he gave the kids popsicles. Roxanne was a wonderful, spiritual person. She made you feel good just being around her. She always had a happy glow and a way about her that was uplifting. We’re all very sad for the loss of our dear friends. We loved them.”
Neighbors of the DeLongs gathered at Santa Rosa Beach Club Wednesday afternoon to share memories of their neighbors.
Irby owned and operated Irby Realty Group in Santa Rosa Beach. Her sister, Rebecca Grice, said Deborah was flying to the Bahamas to meet her husband of 18 months, Harry Ivy. They had built a home there and were looking forward to spending their first Christmas in it together.
“I have a quadruple loss,” said Grice. “Deborah and Roxanne were very close. After Deborah and Harry married in the Bahamas, Roxanne and Barry went with them on their Mediterranean honeymoon cruise. On the cruise, Roxanne and Barry were married. The couples did a lot together.
By Deborah Wheeler
Tuesday morning, as Harry Millsaps and other Realtors sat around a table sipping their morning coffee, the talk was somber.
As members of the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, the group was discussing what they could do for two of their own who died suddenly and tragically three days before Christmas in a plane crash.
Millsaps knew both Deborah Irby and Roxanne Costello, who were on the plane that went down in a remote area of Washington County on Dec. 22. The women were established Realtors and brokers who owned their own firms in South Walton. Also on the plane were Deborah’s mother, Wanda Irby, Roxanne’s husband Barry DeLong, and pilot John Johnson of Fort Walton Beach. They were flying to the Bahamas for the holidays. All onboard the twin-engine Cessna were killed in the crash.
Thunderstorms passed through Destin around the time of the scheduled 8:30 a.m. take off from Destin Airport.
Tyndall’s Public Information Office confirms they were in contact with the plane shortly before its disappearance from their radar and advised Bay County Sheriff’s Office of the occurrence.
People in the crash area said the area was experiencing heavy rains and thunderstorms at the time.
The wreckage was found near Highway 77, just north of the Bay County Line.
Johnson reportedly was an experienced pilot and FAA-accredited flight examiner.
Costello owned and operated Seashore Properties of the Emerald Coast, located in Grayton Beach. In the area for approximately six years, she was named Business Woman of the Year for 2003 and 2004.
Pam Holloway had been a neighbor of the DeLongs for the past three years and had known them for six years.
“They were one of the first couples we got to know when we started coming here,” said Holloway. “They were wonderful people. Barry grew vegetables in his back yard and he gave the kids popsicles. Roxanne was a wonderful, spiritual person. She made you feel good just being around her. She always had a happy glow and a way about her that was uplifting. We’re all very sad for the loss of our dear friends. We loved them.”
Neighbors of the DeLongs gathered at Santa Rosa Beach Club Wednesday afternoon to share memories of their neighbors.
Irby owned and operated Irby Realty Group in Santa Rosa Beach. Her sister, Rebecca Grice, said Deborah was flying to the Bahamas to meet her husband of 18 months, Harry Ivy. They had built a home there and were looking forward to spending their first Christmas in it together.
“I have a quadruple loss,” said Grice. “Deborah and Roxanne were very close. After Deborah and Harry married in the Bahamas, Roxanne and Barry went with them on their Mediterranean honeymoon cruise. On the cruise, Roxanne and Barry were married. The couples did a lot together.
Beach Fanatic
Hey everyone,
I have not been on the board in days. Wow, how tiring this all is. I have had loads of family around (they are all gone know) and now it is down to the business part of all of this. :shock: All I can say is that each and everyone of you should take the time and money to have a detailed will and make sure you have plenty of life insurance. It sure makes things easier.
I am sorry I missed the people I missed on New Years Eve, my brother in law wanted everyone at his house for the new year. We had as good of a time that we could and drank wayyyyyyyy too much champagne!:clap_1:
Thanks to all of you who sent flowers, cards, goodies, and other items.;-) It was all very appreciated....
I love you guys!!!!
Love you sooo much!
Beach Fanatic
IBD ~ I am so sorry to read of your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I am thankful that you are surrounded by such great friends.
kt loo
Hi Rebecca-
I was so shocked to visit the site and see this post. Sending you warm hugs and my sincerest condolences. I had a nice phone chat with your mom Wanda a few months back, and she was such a lovely woman. Stay strong and know that they stay with us always. See you around sometime soon I hope...Kate
I was so shocked to visit the site and see this post. Sending you warm hugs and my sincerest condolences. I had a nice phone chat with your mom Wanda a few months back, and she was such a lovely woman. Stay strong and know that they stay with us always. See you around sometime soon I hope...Kate
Beach Lover
I am in deep shock still, this evening, after visiting the Seashore Property office today to see Roxanne. I had spoken to her just before she left the week of the accident to confirm our getting together this week to stop in to see her as we discussed on the phone. My prayers and thoughts are with you all! My sincere sympathy and condolences. IBD family as well.
*Some People come into our Lives and quickly go, but some leave footprints in our hearts and we will never be the same again.
*Some People come into our Lives and quickly go, but some leave footprints in our hearts and we will never be the same again.
SoWal Insider
I just wanted to say that I love all you guys.
TOmmorow will be a month and I am not wanting to sleep.....I have saved and have just read all the pm's that people sent me. Wonderful people like you, friends and strangers, just dont know how much you have touched me and my family.
One thing my sister would aways tease me about was SoWal. She thought I was wasting time when I could be working. I am sure she is looking down and is seeing that yall are all wonderful human beings and that she was wrong..;-)
Thanks again.........
TOmmorow will be a month and I am not wanting to sleep.....I have saved and have just read all the pm's that people sent me. Wonderful people like you, friends and strangers, just dont know how much you have touched me and my family.
One thing my sister would aways tease me about was SoWal. She thought I was wasting time when I could be working. I am sure she is looking down and is seeing that yall are all wonderful human beings and that she was wrong..;-)
Thanks again.........
Meow
...thanks for all the lessons you have taught me. I grinned at the thought of your sis smiling down on you sowalling!!! 
...here's one for her!
SoWal Insider
and here's another...
SoWal Insider
It was good to see you this week IBD.
Beach Fanatic
IBD: You've really shown us how beautifully one can handle oneself throughout such a sad loss -- in such an appreciative way toward everyone. Pretty amazing.
Beach Fanatic
I enjoyed spending time with you this week IBD. You are an inspiration.
Skunky
Rapunz and I are still keeping you and your family in our thoughts IBD
SoWal Guide
Oh, IBD! we all love you and your family! I'm so glad you are feeling our need to hear from you and be with you now and for as long as you need us...
Beach Fanatic
Thinking of you today...we you!
you!
SoWal Insider
Sending a big ol' hug, from me to you.
SoWal Expert
FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
I just wanted to say that I love all you guys.
TOmmorow will be a month and I am not wanting to sleep.....I have saved and have just read all the pm's that people sent me. Wonderful people like you, friends and strangers, just dont know how much you have touched me and my family.
One thing my sister would aways tease me about was SoWal. She thought I was wasting time when I could be working. I am sure she is looking down and is seeing that yall are all wonderful human beings and that she was wrong..;-)
Thanks again.........
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