Bobby Allen Dix, Sr
May 7, 2024
Bobby Allen Dix, Sr., 59, of Cantonment, FL received his healing at the feet of Jesus on April 28th, 2024, in the care of Covenant Hospice after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. He was surrounded by Family and friends as he took his last breath on earth and his first in heaven.
Bobby was born in Jacksonville FL to Glenda and Winter Dix on April 10th, 1965.
Bobby was known for having various jobs to provide for his family. He served in the US Air Force, was a volunteer firefighter and spent nearly 29 years working for the department of Corrections. He retired in June of 2023.
He always wanted to make people laugh. Bobby loved his Florida Gators and his Miami Dolphins. He was always about simple things. He enjoyed playing dominoes and quietly helping the homeless. Over the years he chaperoned band trips and youth camps. Bobby also helped with the West Florida Tech football team, J.M. Tate High School AJROTC, Band, and Football, just to name a few. He was supportive of Melanie being a “stay at home Mom” when they married in May of 2003. The college football season FSU/Florida rivalry made for interesting conversation and a “house divided”.
His absolute favorite things were telling people about what God has done for him, serving quietly behind the scenes at Harvest Christian Center and becoming a Pawpaw. He was always smiling when he would talk about any of the three.
Bobby was a Husband, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Pawpaw, and Friend to everyone he met. He will be missed dearly. He trusted the Lord to heal him, and God did.
Bobby is preceded in death by both of his parents, Glenda Gaunt and Winter Dix; as well as his brother, Jeffery Dix.
Bobby is survived by his wife of almost 21 years, Melanie Dix, Cantonment, FL; 5 Children: Bobby Jr., (Patricia) Dix- St Charles, Missouri, David Dix- Milton, FL, Jerah (Ryan) Vise Grand Bay, AL, Spencer Orem-Cantonment, FL, and Matthew Dix- Cantonment, FL; in order of their parents, soon to be 12 grands, Brennan and Ian Dix-St Charles, Missouri, Lily Cooper- N.C. -Xzavior, Gabriel, Wyatt and Sebastian Dix Milton, FL, Hannah, Leah, Railee, Ryker, and Baby Girl Vise- Grand Bay, AL.; brothers, Brent (Cynthia Dee) Dix-Forest Hills, LA, Brian (Amy) Dix-Forest Hills, LA, and Stephen (Tina) Dix- Byron, GA.; sisters, Valerie Barnhart- Erwin, TN, Lucy Eber- Erwin, TN, Virginia (Frank) Keiser- Sweetwater, NJ, Lilian Dix- Harrisburg, VA, Dee(Bob) Klund-Luftkin, TX, and Michelle (Bobby) Cooke- Jackson, MS.
Bobby also greatly loved his multitude of Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces, Great Nephews, and In Laws. Then there were many friends that were more like family and that included many kids that became “adopted”. To him, everyone was family, and he would want you to know it.
Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers: Sons, Brothers, Nephews, and Century CI.
A very special thank you to Ascension Sacred Heart, Covenant Care, and Vitas for making Bobby’s 22 day stay the best it possibly could be. Our family was blessed beyond measure for the care you gave him.
We would also like to thank Trahan Family Funeral Home for showing such compassion to our family during this difficult time.
Service will be held on Friday, May 10th, 2024.
Harvest Christian Center
1095 Muscogee Rd., Cantonment, FL 32533
Visitation: 11:00 a.m.
Service: 12:00 p.m.
Leave in the procession to Barrancas National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.
Interment: Barrancas National Cemetery Graveside 2:00 p.m.
Pastor William Strickland and Pastor John Whitaker will be officiating.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider giving to:
Vision 2025 in memory of Bobby Dix
https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/493784
Special Acknowledgements;
A very special thank you to Harvest Christian Center and pastoral staff, for being with Melanie and the boys every step of the way. We love you all so very much!
Amanda Rhea Johnson
May 7, 2024
Amanda Rhea Johnson, 57, of Pensacola, Florida went to rest on April 27,2024. She was born on October 2, 1966 to the late Rebecca Burns and William Ronald Johnson. She was a PSC college graduate, and a proud member of Heritage Baptist Church. Rhea, as she was known to family and friends, filled the room with tenderness, joy and love. Her presence was always known because she obtained such a contagious laugh, and occasional snort. She was such an energetic ball of light that treasured her family and friends. She was an adored mother, “Gigi,” daughter, sister, and aunt. She had many passions and excelled at them all, especially as a floral designer. Rhea was always looking for adventure and loved to travel. She could often be found in the yard working on her flowers, working on her tan at the beach, and with her family playing a little old school rocking roll in the background. Despite losing her daughter, Samantha Ward, she was able to maintain that light and spent her free time with her grandbabies. She adored her daughters Samantha, Kasi, and her grandchildren, and out of all her accomplishments, she would proudly inform you the best titles she ever received were mom and “Gigi.”
She is survived by her daughter, Kasi Ward (Robert Fuston); her stepson, Christopher Selbo; her grandchildren, Bostyn Fuston, Bentley Fuston, Caleb Price, Bradley Fuston, and Brayden Fuston; her siblings, Christopher Johnson, Kimberly Johnson, and Linda Reynolds; and stepmom, Opal Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Samantha Ward; and parents, Rebecca Burns (Kilpatrick) and William Johnson; and sister, Rebecca Cardona.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 S. Highway 29, Cantonment, Florida 32533.
We will gather at Christopher Johnson’s home, 1579 Bell Creek Road Jay, Fl 32565, after the service for a Celebration of Rhea’s Life. Please come and help us comfort each other and remember the good times we had with this beautiful soul.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking if you can please donate to this fund to help Kasi with the expenses she has to handle in light of her mother’s passing. http://www.givesendgo.com/GCDPN
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Firefighters Battle Farm Fire In Canoe, Alabama
May 6, 2024
Firefighters from the Atmore Fire Department and Escambia County, Florida, were dispatched a reported barn fire in Canoe, Alabama, Monday morning.
They arrived to find a large pile of mostly unused farm equipment burning behind a large barn at a residence in the 1100 block of South Canoe Road, about a mile north of the Florida/Alabama state line.
“My biggest concern was two 500 diesel tanks. One of those was venting,” Atmore Fire Chief Ronald Peebles said. “We worked to keep those tanks cool as we put out the fire.” One of the tanks was empty.
Peebles said the fire did consume numerous farm and machinery chemicals, including pallets of Roundup weed killer.
There were no injuries reported and no word on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former Davisville Store Clerk Charged With Stealing Lottery Tickets, Cash, Merchandise
May 6, 2024
A Walnut Hill woman was arrested recently on an outstanding 2022 warrant for allegedly stealing merchandise, lottery tickets and cash while employed at a Davisville convenience store.
Janie Vonciel Kite, now 24, was charged with felony grand theft. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5.000 bond.
The store manager at the Marathon gas station in the 10,000 block of Highway 97 reported in March 2022 that the thefts occurred during a six-day period in October 2021 when Kite was an employee.
Security footage showed Kite taking lottery tickets and other items, along with Kite giving items from the store to several people including family members without having them pay, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report says.
Kite was accused of taking $1696.07, including:
- $691.07 in merchandise
- $750 in scratch off lottery tickets
- $280 in cash from winning scratch off tickets.
The store declined to press charges against the other individuals allegedly involved.
Northview High And Ernest Ward Middle Bands To Unite For ‘Sounds of the Screen’ Spring Concert
May 6, 2024
It will be an evening of musical magic as the Northview High School band presents their spring concert “Sounds of the Screen” on Monday. The event will also include the musicians of the Ernest Ward Middle School band.
The audience will be treated to a medley of beloved movie tunes, showcasing “Scooby Doo”, “The Incredibles”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”.
The concert will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday in the Northview Theater.
New Schedule: Get Free Reblended Paint From Escambia County
May 6, 2024
Escambia County Waste Services is making changes to the free reblended paint program schedule, to allow the county to provide a better variety of paint colors to the public at no charge.
Waste Services will offer free reblended paint on the first and third Thursday of each month at the Perdido Landfill, 13009 Beulah Road. The next availability will be Thursday, May 16.
Paint is available from 8 a.m. to noon, on a first come, first served basis while supply lasts. The paint is free in exchange for a clean, new five-gallon bucket and lid. Each vehicle is limited to a maximum of two buckets of paint. Customers must drive through the scale house prior to entering the landfill.
Call (850) 937-2160 for additional information and color availability.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Bay Center To Get $10 Million In Upgrades Over Next Four Years
May 6, 2024
The Escambia County Commission has approved about $10 million in funding over the next four years for improvements at the county-owned Pensacola Bay Center.
The $9,991,200 from Fifth Cent Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Funds as allowed by the Tourist Development Council will fund the multi-year improvement plan.
The Pensacola Bay Center is in its 40th year of operation, and the county said it is in need of improvements in order to remain a destination that attracts tourists, vendors, and citizens to Escambia County. TDT funds will be used to extend the useful life of the Bay Center, which supports venues such as the Ice Flyers, Sun Belt Conference, Pensacon, and many others while at the same time improving the venue’s competitiveness in attracting new events that support tourism here in Escambia County.
First year upgrades will include $3 million for the sound system, lighting system, parking lot repaving, exterior fence, and retractable seating. Future year improvements will include ice plant needs to continue hockey operations, mechanical systems and replacement of original equipment and systems.
Pictured: The Pensacola Bay Center hosted the 2024 University of West Florida Commencement on May 4. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Warm Week, Highs In The Upper 80s
May 6, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Breezy, with a south wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Gas Prices Jump To 2024 Highs, But AAA Says Relief May Be In Sight
May 6, 2024
AAA says relief may be in sight, after Florida gas prices rose to 2024 highs. The state average reached $3.64 per gallon on Friday. That tied the 2024 high, which was set in mid-April.
The state average has since declined three cents per gallon. Sunday’s state average was $3.61 per gallon. That’s only three penniless more than what drivers paid this time last year. It’s also well below the 2023 ($3.85) and 2022 highs ($4.89).
The average price per gallon Sunday in Escambia County was $3.37 per gallon. In Pensacola, prices were as low as $3.17 at a warehouse club and a station on Nine Mile Road. A low of North Escambia prices bottomed out at $3.29 per gallon Sunday night at several stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Drivers will likely be happy to hear that they may soon get a break from rising prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, public relations manager for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The price of oil took a step back last week, enabling gasoline futures to drop 20 cents per gallon.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
NAS Pensacola Closed To The Public Through May 9
May 6, 2024
Naval Air Station Pensacola will be closed for public visitation May 7 through 9.
The installation’s areas of public interest – the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum and Fort Barrancas – will be closed to the public on these days.
The air station’s West Gate will only be open for Department of Defense identification card holders May 7 through 9. The installation’s main gate is always open to DoD identification card holders.
NAS Pensacola’s areas of public interest will reopen Friday, May 10, at 9 a.m., at which time visitors to the air station can access the installation through the West Gate located at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway.
The Navy has not said why the closure is planned.