Nancy Patricia James
January 17, 2023
Nancy Patricia James, nee Hicks, of Pensacola, Fl, passed away on January 8, 2023, just one day short of her 84th birthday.
She was born in Greensboro, AL to Stanley and Grace Hicks, one of nine children. They all predecease her. She was the last “Hicks”.
Over Spring Break in 1956, she was visiting the Gulf Coast and met a handsome NAVY Flight Mechanic, Dale Buddy James, in the surf of Pensacola Beach. They were married a year later. This marriage lasted 65 years with Nancy following Bud from coast-to-coast and to the Orient.
She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1961 and remained faithful to her religion until her death.
Nancy was admired for her beauty, wit, keeping a lovely home, and being devoted to her pets.
She is survived by her husband, Bud James, her daughters, Janice (Steve) Kline and Kaylynne “Dede” McClellan. She has 4 granddaughters, Tiffany (Bill) Whyte, Tehra (Landon) Walker, Kathleen Chambers, and Anjolie Kline, great grandson Brayden Walker, great daughters Emmalyn Whyte, Elizabeth Whyte, and Ella Walker.
A Memorial Service will be held at Faith Chapel North on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 at 11:00am.
The Service will be live-streamed.
James L. M. Berry
January 17, 2023
James L. M. Berry entered into eternal patrol on December 16, 2022, as submariners do when they leave their earthly life, into the life God has promised us. James was a loving father to his 3 daughters Nichelle (Nic), Stephanie, and Barbara (Renee). James was a good friend to all who knew him. He was always willing to help out anyone in need. James was a Volkswagen enthusiast and a longtime member of Rare Air Volkswagen Club. He held weekly engine building classes in his garage which he very much enjoyed. James also collected various 1967 Volkswagens; a bug, single and double cab trucks, and a Karmann Ghia, as well as a “New diesel” VW. James was a man of many talents. He sang and played multiple instruments; drums, piano, violin, and the accordion. James loved Dixieland Jazz and had been a member of multiple bands over the years. James won many trophies in Navy talent shows. He was a proud U. S. Navy Submariner and loved sharing his experiences like how subs worked, as well as, all of the places he had visited during his career. James thoroughly enjoyed using some of the foreign languages he had picked up over the years, especially German, Spanish, Tagalog, and Hawaiian Pidgin. While serving in the Navy in Hawaii, James took up flying, and obtained his private pilot certification. James was a model train collector. He was given his first train at a very young age which started his love for trains. He still runs that train on a track suspended in his home today. As well as collecting and enjoying his own trains over the years, James was involved in the Foley Railroad Museum where he volunteered every week. James enjoyed building models of planes and boats. He was meticulous with details and the authenticity of each project.
James grew up in LaCrosse, Wisconsin with his parents Leo and Edith Berry and his three sisters, Bonnie Hesse (Gary), Sharon Fundum, and Susan McGuire. James joined the Navy after high school and served 26 years; 15 of them being “submerged” on submarines. James retired from the military and landed in Pensacola, Florida as he didn’t want any part of dealing with winter snow. James went to work at The Endoscopy Center of Pensacola and The Imaging Center as a valued employee.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Edith Berry; his daughter, Stephanie Ware; and brothers- in- law, Carl McGuire and Dale Fundum.
James is survived by his daughters, Nichelle “Nic” Smith and Barbara “Renee” Ware; sisters, Bonnie (Gary) Hesse, Sharon Fundum and Susan McGuire; five granddaughters; four grandsons; twin great granddaughter and grandson; and his special Best Buddy, Matthew. James will be missed dearly by his family, close friends and all those that knew him. James was an active member of The Subvets, volunteered at the Drum in Mobile, Alabama at Battleship Park where he enjoyed giving tours and shining brass on the sub. James attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pensacola, Florida for many years.
Donations can be made on James’ behalf to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Northview’s Olivia Doyle Selected For Florida All State Honors Band
January 17, 2023
Olivia Doyle, a freshman member of the Northview High School Tribal Beat Band, was selected to perform with the Florida All State Honors Band at the Florida Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference in Tampa this past weekend.
RELATED: Tate Showband’s Olivia Morehouse Performing With Florida All State Honors Band
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Graduation Rate Falls While State Increases
January 16, 2023
Graduation rates in Escambia County have fallen, while rising across the state, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Education.
Late Friday afternoon, DOE announced that Florida’s 2021-22 high school graduation rate was 87.3%, an increase of 0.4 percentage points over the 2018-19 pre-pandemic school year.
Escambia County’s 2021-22 high school graduation rate was 78.4%, a decrease of 6.4% points compared to the 2018-19 pre-pandemic school year, and down from 87% from 2020-21.
‘”Comparing 2018-2019 to 2021-2022 represents a true ‘apples to apples’ comparison, as the 2018-19 school year was the last year prior to 2021-22 that Florida’s statewide, standardized assessment requirements for graduation were in place without exemption waivers,” DOE noted.
In Escambia County, West Florida High had the highest graduation rate for 2021-22 at 98%, followed by Northview High at 86% and Tate High at 85.9%.
Here are the 2021-22 for high schools in Escambia County:
- West Florida High — 98 %
- Northview High — 86 %
- Tate High — 85.9 %
- Escambia Westgate — 85.7 %
- Washington High — 80.3 %
- Pensacola High — 79.2 %
- Pine Forest High — 76.6 %
- Escambia High — 72.8 %
- Success Academy — 61.5 %
Pictured: Northview High School Class of 2022 Valedictorian Hunter Borelli addresses his fellow graduates. Northview had the second highest graduation rate in Escambia County at 86% in 2022. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Lipscomb Elementary’s Teacher Of The Year Is Holly Griffin
January 16, 2023
Holly Griffin is the Lipscomb Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She is a fifth grade teacher.
NorthEscambia.com spotlighting Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area. The county’s overall teacher of the year will be named in late January.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Dies After Medical Episode, Crashing Into Tree, FHP Says
January 16, 2023
A 65-year old Escambia County woman is dead after crashing into a pole Sunday, and troopers say she may have experienced a medical problem prior to the crash.
It happened about 10:30 a.m. at the Admiral Mobile Home Park on Lillian Highway.
“It is believed the 65-year-old female driver of a Kia Forte, from Pensacola, suffered a medical episode prior to crashing her vehicle into a pole, resulting in minor damage,” the Florida Highway Patrol said. “The driver was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.”
The investigation is continuing.
Small Rain Chance Monday Night, Tuesday
January 16, 2023
Here is your official Martin Luther King, Jr. Day forecast from NorthEscambia.com:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
2023 Farm Day Returns To Atmore On February 8
January 16, 2023
Row crop farmers are invited to the 2023 Farm Day in Atmore on February 8.
Registration for the program presented by UF/IFAS Extension and Alabama Cooperative Extension begins at 8 a.m. at Grace Fellowship.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Scott Graham: Managing Cotton Insects in 2023
- Dr. Steve Brown: Cotton Agronomic Considerations
- Dr. Hardeep Singh: Cotton Fertility
- Dr. Ian Small: Areolate Mildew: Current Status & Management Options
- Dr. Steve Li: Emerging Cotton Weeds
For more information, contact Libbie Johnson or Madelyn Godwin.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Deborah Kay Lee
January 16, 2023
Ms. Deborah Kay Lee, age 67, passed away peacefully, Sunday, January 15, 2023, in Century, FL. with family at her bedside She resided most of her life in Bratt, FL. She was a member of Unity Baptist Church.
Ms. Lee enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved to travel, and enjoyed baking cakes, and sewing. She loved to sit down and watch Hallmark Movies.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Carthell Alderman and Ms. Betty Mullins, one son, Shane Lee, two sisters, Lillian Ard, Susan Alderman, and one brother, Jimmy Alderman.
She is survived by her one son, Robert (Debra) Findlay, of Gulf Breeze, FL; four daughters, Mary Amber (Joel) Broadhead, of Bratt, FL; Sheena (Jacob) Carach, of Bratt, FL; Karissa (Willie) Knight, of Walnut Hill, FL; Heather (Michael) Couillard, of Pace, FL; thirteen grandchildren, Skye Lee (Cody) Parham, Lexi Broadhead (Keyshawn Breedlove), Somer (Christian) Coleman, A.J. Broadhead, Naudia Carach, Zach Carach, Aiden Broadhead, Tyler Carach, Peyton Lee, Landon Lee, Willie Knight IV, Lilliana Couillard, Remington Knight, two great-grandchildren, Cason Coleman, August Parham, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC with Rev. Josh Long officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be A.J. Broadhead, Aiden Broadhead, Zach Carach, Tyler Carach, Joel Broadhead, and Jake Carach.
Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Couillard, and Willie Knight III, and Landon Lee.
No Change To ECUA Schedule Due To MLK Day; Government Offices Closed
January 16, 2023
Here is a look at the government offices that are closed due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, and the ECUA sanitation collection schedule.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Monday, January 16 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (all departments)
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Waste Services Administration
- ECAT buses and trolleys will not operate.
- ECAT administrative offices
- Exception: The Perdido Landfill will be open
ECUA
ECUA business offices will be closed on Monday, January 16, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. However, residential and commercial sanitation collections will be unaffected by the holiday and will be carried out as usual. Customers may contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for more information.
TOWN OF CENTURY
Town of Century offices will closed Monday, January 16 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.