Mary Lee Arnold Tappan Osborn, 99, died September 23, 2020 in Havana, Florida, at the home of her daughter, surrounded by family. She was born in Westville, Florida, September 22, 1921, to Marshall B. Arnold and Emma Arentha Cooey. She attended Holmes County schools graduating from Holmes County High School in 1939. Her young life was marked by involvement in the Florida Home Demonstration Clubs for which she was awarded a certificate by the Florida State College for Women. She became employed as a bread company representative and department store clerk until her marriage to Gordon Otto Tappan of DeFuniak Springs in 1942. That began her career as a Navy wife, living in faraway places like New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut and Cuba. When her husband was assigned to a prolonged cruise, she would return to Westville with her children, sending them to the same schools that she had grown up in. Her husband chose the United States Navy Mine Defense Laboratory in Panama City for his final duty station and the couple settled there in 1960. Shortly after, Mary Lee's brother tapped her to manage his Escape Motel on Panama City Beach. When her marriage ended in 1968, she was asked to take over management of the Holiday Inn in Fort Walton Beach where she met and married William D. Osborn. Together, they managed motels in Panama City Beach, Ponca City, OK, and St. Augustine. During that period, they enjoyed company sponsored travel to Curacao. Two of her most memorable trips were a tour of China with her siblings and a visit to the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany with her daughters and granddaughters. After her retirement from motel management, she and Bill returned to Panama City.  She was a member of Gulf Beach Presbyterian Church and became active in the Gulf Beach Garden Club. Spending time with family was a highlight of her retirement years, traveling to California for visits with Bill's children, Ron, Vickie, and Rich, whom she embraced as her own, a reflection of her gracious spirit of Southern hospitality. Summers were frequently spent taking grandchildren to Disney World, Busch Gardens and Florida's beautiful beaches. She and Bill carved out a little oasis in the Pine Log National Forest where the family spent many happy hours picking blueberries, fishing, eating too much and laughing a lot.

She is survived by her daughter, Diane Doster (Russell), Havana, FL; her son, Gordon L. Tappan (Barbara), Panama City, FL; her son-in-law, Anthony V. Gaudiano, Panama City, FL; her brother-in-law, William B. Tappan (Barbara), Quincy, FL; 10 grandchildren who gave her many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren to love; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 37 years, William D. Osborn; her daughter, Mary Cheryl Gaudiano; her parents; and 11 siblings.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. prior to the service.  Graveside services will be held on Saturday at 5 p.m. in the Westville Cemetery, Westville, FL.

The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Willie Jackson, Rodia Sharpton, Carla Pararo and the staffs of Big Bend Hospice and Visiting Angels for their faithful service to "Grammie" in her last years.