The Reverend Billy O’Neal Cawthon, 86, of Apalachicola, FL passed in Colquitt, GA on Monday, October 2, 2023. Homegoing services are 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 14, at St. Paul AME Church, with Interment in Magnolia Cemetery, both in Apalachicola. Viewing-visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Friday at St. Paul.

A Milton, FL native, Rev. Cawthon was a graduate of T. R. Jackson High School in Milton. He completed his Seminary Studies at Edward Waters College, now University. He was a longtime organist/pianist for the Florida Conference of AME Churches and for Tallahassee’s Bethel AME Church. He pastored AME churches in Blountstown, Milton and Apalachicola, with St. Paul being the last. He also worked for years as a substitute Teacher in Franklin County.

His wife, Mary Jefferson Booth Cawthon, preceded him in death in 2021. Survivors include his stepchildren: Eugene (Yesmon) Booth, Jr., Ellen (Elton) Booth Fletcher, Tammy Booth (Ron) Hill, Otis (Natalie) and Alton Booth; nieces: Regina Bargneare, Linda Hill, Libby Pinkney and Wanda Foster; nephew, Tony Cawthon; several grandchildren; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.