Obituary of Mary DelaNE ACKERMAN

MARY DELANE ACKERMAN June 23, 1933- May 19, 2022 Mary “Delane” Ackerman of Pensacola, Florida passed away on May 19th, 2022, at age 88. She was born in Sneads, Florida, to Audrey Lou Cannon Floyd and James William Floyd, who moved to Pensacola many years ago and raised their family of seven children. Mary attended Pensacola High School (Class of ’51), Pensacola Junior College, University of West Florida (BS in Education), and University of Central Florida where she earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She married Naval Officer Warren Jay Ackerman in1951 and they had five children who survive her: Steven Jay Ackerman, Pensacola, Janet Lynn Ackerman, DVM, Cairo, GA, Ruth Ann Ackerman, Winter Springs, FL, Paul Jeffrey Ackerman (Christina) of Satellite Beach, Florida, and Mary Louise Ackerman, of Pensacola. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michelle and Vivian Ackerman, Jared and Dustin Clark, Alex and Carl Wilkins, Anders Ackerman, Sara Richardson McMahon, and Grace Ackerman as well as great grandsons Tanner Wilkins and Cedric Wilkins, and a wealth of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and siblings Margie Marie Bell, James Thomas Floyd, L.E. Floyd, Donald Harry Floyd, Nellie Mae Bates, and William James Floyd. Mary used her education to serve her country for twenty-two years as a Navy Education Officer in Pensacola, Orlando, Key West, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Her superlative work was recognized with countless awards, including Distinguished Federal Service Award and Federal Woman of the Year. She was involved in youth religious training overseas and at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola for decades and loved her time with the kids. While in Cuba, she facilitated college classes for enlisted military personnel, including the Joint Tasks Force. She was also involved in various community projects including providing aid for refugees from Kosovo and Haiti and she participated in 5K charity running events as well. Mary loved to create beauty in her yard and garden and passed her green thumb on to several of her children. Family was everything to Mary and she was happiest when surrounded by those she loved. She gave heart and soul generously to all and will be dearly missed by those who knew her. Her faith was her foundation and strength and we are certain that she rests in the loving hands of our Lord. A memorial service will be held at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida on Saturday July 16th, 2022 followed by a memorial committal service where a tree will be planted in Mary's honor Family-Funeral and Cremation assisted with preparations.