Shannon Marie Lord Brooks
January 1, 2026
Mrs. , 56, passed away sadly in Pensacola, Florida, on Monday, December 29, 2025. A lifelong resident of Atmore, Alabama, she had a passion for arts, crafts, and working with resin. Her heart was filled with love for her grandchildren and puppies, as well as for her cherished flowers and everything she could nurture. Above all, she adored her children and family.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Lord; three brothers—Robert Earl Lord, James Edward Lord, and Thomas Marvin Lord; one sister, Sarah Lord; and her father-in-law, Turner Maurice Brooks.
Her memory survives through her mother, Glenda White Lord, residing in Atmore, Alabama; her husband, Rodney Brooks, also from Atmore; her two sons, Bradley (Holly) Brooks from Century, Florida, and Rodney Kevin Brooks (Victoria) from Atmore; her two brothers, William Kirk (Diane) Lord from Providence, Rhode Island, and Steven Lord (Jennifer) from Bay Minette, Alabama; her two sisters, Yvonne (Richard) Bowen from Excel, Alabama, and Becky (Marlin) Nelson from Atmore; along with two grandchildren, Nahla Brooks and Taliyah Brooks; two great-grandchildren, Addlynn Boles and Aiden Wiggins; and many other relatives and friends.
The funeral service is set to take place on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC, with Sister Helen Stewart officiating.
Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Mothershed Cemetery.
Visitation is planned for Monday, January 5, 2026, from 1 p.m.until the service begins at 2:00 p.m. at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
The pallbearers selected are Bradley Brooks, Thomas Lord, James Brooks, Kevin Brooks, Kirk Lord and Steven Lord.
Arrangements are being managed by Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC in Atmore, Alabama.
Voncile Williams Smith
December 28, 2025
Voncile Williams Smith, age 86, of Pensacola passed away peacefully Sunday morning at her son’s home in Cantonment, Florida. She is now home with our Lord. Voncile was a member of Northside Baptist Church for the most part of her married life, where she raised her children. She was later a member of West Pensacola Baptist Church and currently a member of Charity Baptist Church of Pensacola, Florida.
Voncile was born December 26, 1938, in Savannah Georgia. Her family moved to Pensacola when she was 3 years old to Cantonment in the Cottage Hill area where she lived and met her husband. She was married to Jacob O. Smith, Sr. of Frisco City, Alabama, on the 15th of January 1955 in George County, Mississippi. They resided in Pensacola running a printing business in Brentwood area for over 40 years and raising their three sons and a daughter.
Voncile is preceded in death by her husband, Jacob Otto. Smith Sr., daughter, Vivian Faye Smith, and sons, Chester Harmon Smith and Jon Galen Smith. Also preceded in death by granddaughters, Tiffany Ann Smith, Sarah Elizabeth Smith, Khelsea Paije Barber, and Josalyn Isabella Renee Bush.
Voncile was survived in death by her son, Jacob Otto Smith, Jr. and wife Connie, grandsons, Jacob Smith III and wife Christina of Cantonment, Florida and Jarod Smith and wife, Sabrina in California and granddaughters, Kimberly Windham and husband Brett of Cantonment, Timothy Bush and Lauren, and Miranda McGallagher and husband, Jonathan and Karianne Bush and husband Jeffrey all of Pensacola; and great grandchildren, Nathaniel, McKenna, Khendal, Brett, Reagan, Kayla, Raelynn, Bryce and Adelyn and great, great granddaughter Emberlyn, and one brother, Robert O’Neil Williams and wife Carol of Pace, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews.
We want to express our sincere thanks to the staff of nurses and aids of Emerald Coast Hospice (especially Tracy, and Debra) who cared for her so lovingly. Thank you, we are forever grateful.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
polar express century library
December 21, 2025
MASTER PARADE LIST
November 29, 2025
Molino Molino Christmas Parade — Saturday, December. 6, 11 a.m.
The Molino Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 6, from 4325 Crabtree Church Road, view from on Crabtree Church Road from Molino to Don Sutton Ballpark. Registration and lineup at 10, begins at 11 a.m Vehicles $50, UTVs $30, horses $20. No dirt bikes or ATVs allowed. Family festivities, activities, food trucks pictured with Santa, all at noon, after the parade, at Don Sutton Ballpark. All proceeds go to needy families in North Escambia. To register, click here. For more information, call Kimberly King at (850) 479-8337 ext. 136. Coordinated by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Molino.
Jay Christmas Parade – Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m.
The Jay Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 6 at 10 a.m with the Joy in Jay Festival to Follow
Beulah Christmas Parade — Saturday, December 6, 1 p.m.
The annual Beulah Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 6 at 1 p.m. The parade will begin at Windy Hill Baptist Church on Rebel Road. It will then travel south on Rebel Road, to West Nine Mile Road, to Beulah Road, to Helms Road, to Mobile Highway, continuing through Vintage Creek, Tower Ridge, and Frank Reeder, and then return to Windy Hill Baptist on Rebel Road. For a map provided by organizers, click here. To enter the parade, click here to download the application. Return the completed form to the address or email provided at the top.
Century Christmas Parade & Movie Night — Friday, December 12, 4:30 p.m.
The Century Christmas Parade will be at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 12. A Sheriff’s Movie Night with free hamburgers and hot dogs will follow at 5:30 p.m. at Anthony Pleasant Park.
Poarch Creek Christmas Parade, Friday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m.
The Poarch Creek Indians Cowboy Christmas Parade will be Friday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Flomaton Christmas Parade — Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m.
The Flomaton Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 13 at 10 a.m. Lineup id at 9 a.m. Parade entry forms are available at Flomaton Town Hall.
Atmore Christmas Parade — Saturday, December 13, 5:30 p.m.
The Atmore twilight Christmas parade “A Cowboy Christmas” will be Saturday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m. from downtown Atmore to Lindberg Avenue.
Pensacola Christmas Parade — Saturday, December 13, 5:30 p.m.
The Pensacola Christmas Parade for 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, at 5:30 PM in downtown Pensacola. The event is a 1.2-mile parade with nearly 100 entries, including bands, floats, and the Blue Angels.
Cottage Hill Christmas Parade — Sunday, December 14, 2 p.m.
The Cottage Hill Christmas Parade will be Sunday, December 14 at 2 p.m.. The lineup will be at 1 p.m. at Wishbone Road at Williams Ditch Road. There is a $10 entry fee to benefit a local family in need. Message Kristi for more information.
400 Thanksgiving Meals Gone In 15 Minutes As Over 1,000 Seek Food Help
November 15, 2025
Some people line up as early as 11:30 Friday night for a Saturday morning Thanksgiving food distribution sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman.
By 6:30 a.m., there were over 1,000 vehicles in line at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, with many people picking up for multiple families. Due to the sheriff’s office concerns for safety and traffic, the distribution started 45 minutes early at 6:45 a.m., and by 7:00, all 400 complete Thanksgiving meals had been handed out.
Another 600 boxes of free produce and other items were distributed.
For those who called the number on the flyer before noon (Saturday) to express concern about being near the front and still not getting the thanksgiving meal, we will be delivering a Thanksgiving meal to you,” Salzman said, noting those individuals will receive a call or text in the next few days to coordinate delivery.
“I know what it’s like to go hungry and our team of volunteers are all committed to taking care of you,” Salzman added. “Food insecurity is at an all time high, and this morning we all felt it.”
“It was heartbreaking to see the hundreds of cars coming through that missed out on the meals, and I wish we could have done more.”
She said over two dozen local businesses and organizations donated over $50,000 in food to the event, and over 200 people volunteered with the distribution Saturday morning.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
November 13, 2025
Byrneville Elementary School recently named its October Students of the Month.
They are:
1st Grade — Mason Wagner and Bailee Griffis
2nd Grade — Tatum Boutwell and Aiden Cofield
3rd Grade — Danny Parish and Owen Roberson
4th Grade — Adelina Sims and Camden McPhaul
5th Grade — Jonah Levins and Eastyn Wiggins
Music — Grace McKenna
Art –Blake Mathis
PE – Kolin Rogers
McArthur Elementary School Presents Veterans Day Program
November 11, 2025
McArthur Elementary School fourth graders recently presented a Veterans Day program. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Eagles Close Season With Second Win Over Central
October 15, 2025
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles closed out their season with a win over Central this week on the road.
It was the second win of the season for Ernest Ward over Central. Back on September 30, the Eagles defeated Central 30-14 in Walnut Hill.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Hilbert ‘Hobo’ Flournoy Carlson
October 10, 2025
Born on July 14, 1939, in the 3rd section house of the Molino Brickyard.
Stuff happened.
Passed away on October 8, 2025.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Northview Homecoming Parade Is September 19
August 31, 2025
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade will take place Friday, October 4.
The parade will line up at noon and roll at 12:30 p.m. from Northview High School. It will travel east on Highway 4 before turning on Bratt Road by the Travis Nelson Park, around the park to Ashcraft Road to Highway 99, travel north past Bratt Elementary School, turn back onto Highway 4 and end at Northview. (Note that Ashcraft Road has a very narrow shoulder with no place to park.)
The parade officially begins when it reaches Bratt Elementary School.
Some guidelines for this year’s parade include:
- No cheer stunts while riding on floats.
- We will follow the same route as the immediate prior years.
- Do not throw candy till you get to Highway 4.
- Parking for parents and participants is located behind the NHS baseball field.
- Group leaders and parents make sure to watch all children you bring to pep rally in the gym.
- All floats should be decorated before you get to Northview, only touch ups should happen on campus.
- We will be lining up and parking floats in the field next to Northview Bus loop.
- There is NO parking in the bus loop
- All floats need to depart campus before buses get to the school or will have to wait till after dismissal at 3:20 p.m.
- Chaperones are responsible for students until parents pick them up.
- Parents can pick up their younger participants from behind the baseball field
- Bring water for your group
- Bring your own candy and throws.
Pictured: The 2023 Northview High School homecoming parade. (The 2024 parade was canceled by weather.) NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
