Sue Parker Thomas
December 8, 2025
Sue Parker Thomas, 79, of Cantonment, Florida, joined a host of heavenly angels on December 4, 2025. She was born in Marianna, Florida, on September 19, 1946, to Charles McGowin Parker and Frances Cathey Parker, and grew up in Mexico Beach, Florida, where her father was the primary developer. She married Charles Gordon Thomas, Sr., of Port St. Joe, Florida, on November 1, 1968, after their courtship while students in the inaugural University of West Florida class.
Mrs. Thomas to hundreds, or Sue, was a beloved kindergarten teacher in Escambia County, Pensacola, Florida. Retiring after 35 years in the classroom, her accolades included being the Escambia County Teacher of the Year in 1988 and Outstanding Masters student while receiving her Masters in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Florida. Perhaps she is best known as “favorite teacher” to hundreds of former students. Her annual “Teddy Bear Tea Party”—held at her home and complete with a surprise visit from Santa—is but one example of the type of magic she created for the children in her care.
She was affectionately known as “Sue Baby” to her parents, and her dad was a Methodist Minister. She carried on his legacy of ministry by teaching art to the children of First United Methodist Church weekly for many years. “Miss Sue” worked tirelessly creating art lessons which combined techniques, themes, and inspiration from children’s books, bible stories, and famous artists like Monet and Van Gogh. The children’s creations were then used to create elaborate and exquisite art exhibits in the Henry Roberts Activity Center–some of which are on permanent display. Children of First Church loved getting to be in Miss Sue’s class, some even returning for years as her “helper” because they loved her so much.
Though she was a teacher to hundreds, “Mom” and “Gogi” were her favorite teaching roles. The same magic she created for students was created at home with elaborate Easter egg hunts for the neighborhood, Polar Express themed scavenger hunts for her grandchildren, making annual bunny cakes at Easter, and more. She never stopped teaching and creating special moments for those she loved, and she loved freely.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Charles McGowin Parker, Sr., and Frances Cathey Parker; a baby brother, Charles McGowin Parker, Jr.; and her precious niece, Frances Adkison Horton.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Charles Gordon Thomas, Sr.; daughter, Lalla Thomas Pierce (Walter) and son, Charles Gordon Thomas, Jr. “Chip,” (Kristin); sister Nan Parker Adkison (Vic), six grandchildren: Frances Sharp (Kenneth), Thomas Pierce, Gordon Pierce, Caroline Pierce, Chad Thomas (Katie), Missy Thomas, two great-grandchildren: Pierce Sharp and Theo Sharp, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First United Methodist Church Designated Funds (Memo: Children’s Ministries) or your favorite children’s charitable cause.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025, at First United Methodist Church Pensacola. Entombment will be held in First United Methodist Church columbarium. Pastors Geoffrey Lentz, Emily Kincaid, Henry Roberts, and Rick Branch to officiate the service.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Neighborhood Watch Being Organized In Century; Meeting Monday
December 7, 2025
An organizational meeting will be held next week for a neighborhood watch group in Century.
The meeting is open to any interested person, not just residents in the Century town limits or the surrounding area.
“The group establishes its own size, but generally speaking it’s those living around the area where they meet,” said David Craig, community relations coordinator for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Attendees will learn not only how to keep a watchful eye on their community, but also how to protect themselves, Craig said.
They can learn how to establish a positive relationship with the Sheriff’s Office and get the most out of the agency,” he said. “They can hear information on how not to become a victim of crime, and how to have the mindset and behavior.”
Craig and Deputy Howard Enderson from the ECSO Mounted Posse will be the guest speakers at the meeting.
The Century Neighborhood Watch organizational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, December 8 at 150 East Pond Street.
Chance Of Showers Sunday; Cool Down Early Week
December 7, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between noon and 3pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph after midnight. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Monday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 57. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Good Samaritans Grab Saws, Open Blocked North Escambia Highway
December 7, 2025
North Highway 99 was completely blocked near Oak Grove late Friday, just north of Pine Barren Creek, after a tree fell across the roadway. However, thanks to the swift actions of several good Samaritans, the road was cleared without having to wait for a county crew to arrive.
Citizens, working together, managed to cut up the fallen tree and remove the debris from the highway. The cooperative effort and community spirit quickly restore the normal traffic flow as the hazard was removed from the county road.
An Escambia County Public Works crew removed the debris from the roadside Friday evening
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State To Seek Death Penalty For Man Indicted For Sexual Battery Of Child, Murder, Arson And Animal Cruelty After Trailer Fire
December 7, 2025
Prosecutors have announced that they will seek the death penalty for an Escambia County man indicted for murder, sexual battery of a child, arson and animal cruelty.
A grand jury returned indictments last month against John Henry Walston, Jr., for two counts of first degree murder, one count of sexual battery of a child under 12, one count of arson, and one count of animal cruelty.
State Attorney Ginger Madden said Friday that he office will seek the death penalty if Walston is convicted of the deaths of the children.
A jury trial date was set for January 26, 2026, following a docket court appearance on January 13, 2026. Any motions that may be filed in the case could delay the trial date.
In the early hours of November 7, 2025, emergency responders were called to a house fire on Flaxman Street where two children and a dog were found deceased inside the home. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Walston allegedly sexually battered one of the children before he killed both children by cutting their throats before he set the house on fire.
Highway 29 Small Retail Development Proposed With Drive-Thru Restaurant Near West Roberts Road
December 7, 2025
A new small retail development is in the works for Highway 29 south of West Roberts Road.
According to an Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) application filed by Hughes Development of Mobile, a 1.81-acre lot adjacent to Coast Equipment (north of the Dollar General) would be home to 11,750 square feet of buildings.
A drawing filed with the county shows a 10,000 square foot building with a rear loading area and a small drive-around quick serve restaurant of 1,750 square feet. The development is proposed with 56 parking spaces, according to the drawing, with a single driveway access to Highway 29.
The nature of the businesses, other than one building being used for a quick serve restaurant, is not revealed in the application.
The development is set for a pre-application meeting with the DRC at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Escambia County Central Complex Building at 3363 West Park Place.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
First Red Bulb Placed On Wreath After Residential Fire
December 7, 2025
The first red bulb was placed on “Keep the Wreath Green” wreath in 2025 following a fire last week.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a residential structure fire in the 1200 block of Trammel Boulevard at 9:39 a.m. Thursday. Firefighters arrived to find that flames and smoke were visible from a single-story wood-framed home. Firefighters quickly attacked the fire, bringing the incident under control by 9:47 a.m.
Two dogs died as a result of the fire. ECFR conducted the investigation and determined that an extension cord plugged into a bedroom outlet experienced an electrical failure and caused the fire.
The American Red Cross is providing assistance to the displaced occupants.
During the month-long “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, along with several government building. Each time firefighters respond to a residential or commercial fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential and commercial buildings.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteer Wanted For West Florida Public Library Board of Governance
December 7, 2025
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the West Florida Public Library Board of Governance.
The duties of the board include establishing policy and overseeing the management of Escambia County library services and making recommendations to the BCC regarding the annual budget according to the purposes and authority set forth in resolutions, interlocal agreements and other agreements, as well as state and federal laws. These duties also include establishing an annual plan of service and the long-range strategic planning of library services.
West Florida Public Libraries provides service to all of Escambia County, with the board typically meeting on the fourth Monday of the month from 4-6:30 p.m.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m on Friday, January 9, 2025 . Resumes should be submitted to Christal Bell-Rivera, Interim Director, West Florida Public Libraries, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL, 32502 or by email to cbrivera@mywfpl.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Top Ice Flyers (With Gallery)
December 7, 2025
The Ice Flyers hosted Youth Jersey Giveaway Night at the Hangar, facing off against the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs for the second night in a row. The first period started the same as the previous night, with Roanoke scoring the lone goal of the opening frame. The Ice Flyers didn’t let that slow them down.
The second period was all Ice Flyers. Cam Gaudette evened the score just three minutes in, and Sam Rhodes took the lead later in the period. However, Roanoke capitalized on a hooking call and found the back of the net with a powerplay goal to tie things up heading into the third.
The game went into overtime, where Roanoke took advantage of another powerplay opportunity after Tyler German was called for high-sticking. Despite the overtime loss, the Ice Flyers came away with 3 out of a possible 4 points against the Rail Yard Dawgs in the two-game series and sit atop the standings with a point over the Evansville Thunderbolts.
The team now has a few days to prepare before taking on the Havoc on December 11 for College Night at the Hangar.
Tens of Thousands In Stolen Property Recovered After Search Warrant In Cantonment
December 6, 2025
Ten of thousands of dollar in stolen property was recovered after a search warrant was executed on a private road in Cantonment.
Christopher Odom, 47, was charged with a list of felony offenses, including dealing in stolen property, grand theft $20,000 to $100,000, burglary, using a two-way device to facilitate a felony, criminal mischief property damage $1,000 or more. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond due to a federal probation violation charge.
The investigation led the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to Garman Road off Becks Lake Road, where they initially received a tip regarding an unrelated stolen tractor. While on the private property, investigators, who had the property owner’s permission to look around, located a utility trailer, a Honda outboard engine, and a Ford marine engine. A follow-up with the victim’s family confirmed these items, valued at thousands of dollars, had been stolen in a recent commercial burglary.
Odom was initially linked to the property at the Garman Road address. A witness statement later indicated that Christopher Odom had brought the utility trailer and a 17-foot Key West boat to the property around October 6.
After the initial recovery, investigators sought a search warrant for the Garman Road property, which was executed on October 21. Although the Key West boat was not found during the search—witnesses later indicated Christopher Odom had retrieved it days earlier—the continued investigation led detectives to another residence nearby.
At the second location, officers recovered the 17-foot Key West boat and a 30-foot enclosed Haulmark trailer. Inside the trailer, detectives found thousands of dollars in additional stolen property, including two Harley Davidson motorcycles, a washer and dryer, and a large toolbox with tools. The total value of recovered property from the overall investigation exceeds $34,000.
At another location on Kittrell Road in the Farm Hill community, deputies located items reported stolen from Gulf Beach Highway, including two Harley Davidson motorcycles, a washer and dryer, a window air conditioner, a toolbox and tools, a gas tiller, and assorted motorcycle parts, wheels, tires and engines.
Much of the property was reported stolen from a warehouse on Gulf Beach Highway.