Audrey F. Vickers

Longtime news journalist and public servant, Audrey Vickers died Friday. She was born December 17, 1934 to Helen Sarah Morrison and William Richard Banks in Evergreen Park, Illinois. The Banks family moved to Coral Gables, Florida in 1940 and Audrey never lived anywhere else but the state. She attended schools in South Florida - South Broward Class of 52 (High School) and University of Miami. Her career began with the school newspaper - The Bulldogs Tale - and yearbook - The Browardier. Audrey's first newspaper job was in the Hollywood Bureau of the Fort Lauderdale News and Sun Sentinel, continued at the Hollywood Sun Tattler until she married Marion (Vic) Vickers and moved to Palm Beach County where they became parents of Nancy Adele, Kelly Ellen, John Julius and Marion Edward, II. After sixteen years as a bureau chief of South County for the Palm Beach Post Times, the family moved to Highlands County to the last shore of Lake Istokpoga in Lorida where their weekend vacation home (1960-1970) was joined by a new, permanent residence in 1973. Vickers covered the county, it's cities etc for the Orlando Sentinel Star; after the children, all Sebring High School grads, finished college she wrote a history column and worked vacations for journalists for the News Sun for 15 years; later joining the news daily Highlands Today and authoring a weekly column - History. At the time of death she was an editor of Heartland weekly Sun Times. Audrey Vickers was appointed in 1976 by Governor Reuben Askew and was reappointed by Governor Bob Graham. In 1990, she challenged an incumbent three term Democratic county commission. Her victory gave Highlands County Republicans a majority on that board still held. In 1994 she became the first woman to seek the open 16th US Congressional District and finished as runner-up to Mark Foley in the GOP primary. In 1999 Governor Jeb Bush named her to 2 four year terms as a SFCC Trustee. Bowing to her support of term limits she declined a third term, retiring after 20 years of government service. She is survived by her four children - (all Highlands County residents) two step-sons, six grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, sister-Dr. Kitty Knappenburger and two daughter-in-laws, Kim and Beth Vickers. There will be a memorial mass on Thursday, February 26, 2015, 2:00pm, at St. Catherine Catholic Church with Father Jose Gonzalez officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in Audrey's memory to Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL 33612 (www.moffitt.org) Arrangements entrusted to: Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home (863) 385-0125 Online condolences may be left at: www.stephensonnelsonfh.com