John Lawrence Welk
December 26, 2022
John Lawrence Welk, 86, passed away on December 17, 2022, at HCA West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, after a very short battle with cancer.
He was born August 25, 1936 in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, to Lawrence and Anna Welk. As a young man, his family relocated to the Pensacola area where he graduated from Pensacola High School. He attended Auburn University obtaining a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he spent over 20 years in the Navy, including time in active duty and as a reservist. After active duty, he went to work full-time for St. Regis Paper Company first in Pensacola, then in Kansas City, Missouri, where he kept the presses moving and retired after the age of 70. He returned to Pensacola to enjoy his later years playing golf, enjoying the outdoors, building anything, and spending time with various family and friends.
John is survived by his wife Belle Sanchez Welk, and their two children David (Viko) residing in Jakarta, Indonesia, and his daughter Dana (Chad) residing in Kearney, Missouri. His youngest daughter, Anna (Chris) of Puyallup, Washington, preceded John’s death. Further, he had three grandchildren, Kayla (Brad), Colton (Drew), and Alex residing in the Kansas City area; and one great granddaughter, Kendall; two sisters Lois Karcher(Hendersonville, NC) and Ruth Welk (Pensacola). John was also loved by numerous nieces and nephews, friends, and colleagues.
John will be buried in the Barrancas National Cemetery in a private ceremony. In the summer of 2023, his immediate family will host a celebration of his life on a date not yet determined.
James Arthur Selzer
December 23, 2022
Mr. James Arthur Selzer, age 79, passed away, Wednesday, December 21, 2022, in Atmore AL; with his family by his bedside. He was born July 28, 1943, in Bradley, OK; and has resided in Little River, AL; most of his life. He was a member of Atmore Church of Christ and also served in the United States Navy.
Mr. Selzer enjoyed spending time with his family. He enjoyed nature, especially when searching for rocks and arrowheads. He enjoyed gardening and cooking what he gathered out of his garden. He also enjoyed going fishing, crabbing, and telling good stories about both. He loved to get out with his portable saw mill and cut logs.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Earnest Joseph (Ollie Bell Jones) Selzer, one son, James Arthur “Punkin” Selzer, four brothers, Charles Ray Selzer, Robert Lee Selzer, Earnest Gene Selzer, Roy Ben Selzer, and one sister, Dorothy Faye Neil.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Linda Gayle Walker Selzer, of Little River, AL; two sons, William Joseph “Joey” (Carolyn) Selzer, of Little River, AL; Robert EuGene Selzer and partner Pedro Paz (Pops Mexican) of Mobile, AL; six grandchildren, Keith Selzer, Arica Selzer Gohagin, Kody Selzer, Jessica Clark, Gage Gades, Grant Gades, five great- grandchildren, Brody Selzer, Jase Gohagin, Riley Gohagin, Toby Selzer, Brayleigh Selzer, numerous nieces, nephews, and one sister-in law, Janice Selzer, of Lindsay, OK.
Graveside service will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Whitmire Cemetery 8400 Whitmire Rd, Pensacola, FL; 32514 with Bro. Charles Selzer officiating.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 27, 2022 from 5:30 PM until 7:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Special thanks from the family to Southern Care Hospice and to those who helped take care of him.
Jacob Kevin Byrd
December 22, 2022
Mr. Jacob Kevin Byrd, age 38, passed away, Friday, December 16, 2022, in Atmore, AL. He was a lifelong resident of Atmore, AL
Mr. Byrd enjoyed singing and dancing. He really enjoyed going fishing and crabbing. Jacob always had a vibrant personality, was always the life of any party, and never met stranger.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl (Rosie) Byrd, and Jack (Velma) Amos.
He is survived by his parents, Winston (Cindy) Byrd, of Atmore, AL; one sister, Heather (Gary) Presley, of Flomaton, AL; two nephews, Micah Presley, Jayden Presley, one niece, Kayleigh Presley, one uncle Melvin Byrd, of Atmore, AL; one aunt, Tammy Graham, of Atmore, AL; other relatives, and friends.
Funeral service will be held Friday, December 23, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC with Rev. Ronald Hall officiating.
Burial will follow at Little Rock Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 23, 2022, from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Micah Presley, Taylor Graham, Dustin Graham, Malcom Buckhault, Noah Martin, and Jayden Presley.
Honorary pallbearer will be Gary Presley.
Rickie Lee Parham
December 21, 2022
Mr. Rickie Lee Parham, age 71, passed away, December 20, 2022, in Pensacola, FL; with his family at his bedside. He was a lifelong resident of McDavid, FL. He retired from construction after many years of service. He was a member of Christian Home Freewill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and worship leader.
Mr. Parham enjoyed spending time with his family. He enjoyed wood working, painting, and leather tooling. He loved going fishing, hunting, and singing gospel music.
Mr. Parham is preceded in death by his parents, John D. (Mary Burkett) Parham, three brothers, Marvin Parham, Dallon Parham, and Malcom Parham.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 ½ years, Charlotte Parham, of McDavid, FL; two sons, Jason (Janice) Parham, of Atmore, AL; Ross (Tawana) Parham, of Poarch, AL; one brother, Dillon (Diane) Parham, of Nunnelly, TN; two sisters, Thelma Wiggins, of Moultrie, GA; Shelia Ward, of McDavid, FL; five grandchildren, Chelsea Huggins, Kade Parham, Jude Parham, Jordan Parham, Charleigh Parham, one great-grandchild, Rogan Huggins, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be held Friday, December 23, 2022, at 10:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Randall Jackson officiating.
Burial will follow at Christian Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Josh Long, Cory Hanks, Wayne Holland, Wayne Long, Shaw Evans, and Kainoa Gumapak.
Ray Donald Welch
December 21, 2022
Ray Donald Welch, age 81, of Bratt, FL formerly of Indian Mills, NJ passed away on December 14, 2022.
He was born on March 9, 1941 in Perdido, AL to Gary and Laura Levins Welch. Ray served in the United States Air Force and was employed with the oil refinery industry. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Curtis Welch.
He is survived by his wife, Joann Rackard Welch of Indian Mills, NJ; his sons: Don (Barbara) Welch, Kenny (Darlene) Welch, Larry (Karen) Welch, all of Indian Mills, NJ and Michael (Kelly) Welch of North Carolina; his sister, Shirley Welch Wyatt along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Inurnment will follow at a later date at Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery.
Janet Marie Cherry
December 20, 2022
Janet Marie Cherry, a much loved and special daughter, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2022.
Janet was born November 29, 1964 in Pensacola, Florida to Frank G. Cherry and Nancy M. Cherry. Janet was a member of ARC Gateway all her life. She was a special Olympian, a league bowler, a player on the Miracle League, and the best square dancer with the Pensacola Special Steppers (a square dance group of and for persons with special needs).
Janet Marie is preceded in death by her father, Frank G. Cherry, her sister, Paula Lynn Cherry, and her grandparents, Fred and Barbara Schuldt, and Phillip R. Cherry and Madeline A. Giani.
She is survived by her mother, Nancy M. Cherry, her brothers, David B. Cherry (Tiffany) and Jason P. Cherry, her uncles Barry K. Schuldt (Anna), and Dennis Cherry (Sandra).
Please make memorials in Janet’s honor to Northview Community Center for Vera Manor Group Home: Hillview Drive, Pensacola, Florida 32514.
Mary B. Bartley
December 20, 2022
Mrs. Mary B. Bartley, of McDavid, FL; went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 18, 2022. Mary was born August 17, 1930, in Oklahoma.
Mother’s heart was her family, the only thing she loved more was her Lord and Savior. When she was younger, she loved fishing and hunting. Mary got saved in her 30’s and then her Love was church! Mother was always filled with laughter and had joy for life. The thing I remember most as a young child is my mother and her best friend Lois Whitmire, laughing as they worked in the fields, cooked and anything else they did together. We always went and spent a week on the river camping every year with several other family members. After daddy passed and she was sick, my mother lost her laughter. The last thing I remember her saying before she passed, was Jesus please take me to where daddy is (that is what she always called our daddy).
Mother is preceded in death by her mother and father, George Wesley and Oma Elizabeth Hamilton, of Oklahoma, her beloved husband, Robert L. Bartley in 2014, three brothers, Dutch Hamilton, W.C. Hamilton, Troy Hamilton, and two sisters, Betty Bond, Ole Mae Pruitt, that she loved dearly.
Mother is survived by her four children, Ricky (Kim) Bartley, of McDavid FL; Randy (Mae Ann) Bartley, of McDavid, FL; Robert (Gladys) Bartley, of Atmore, AL; Lorene (Merle) Whitmire, of McDavid, FL; two grandchildren, Darla (Glenn) Wilson, of Spanish Fort, AL; Brian Belle, of McDavid, FL; three great-grandchildren, Amanda (Blake) Brewton, Ashley (Mitchell) Baker, Aaron Boswell, six great-great beautiful grandchildren, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Christian Home Church with Rev. Kenny Johnson officiating.
Burial will follow at Christian Home Cemetery
Our hearts are heavy for our loss, but my mother lived a pure, clean, loved filled life for 92 years. The whole family Loves you Mother and Daddy more than you will ever know, your children.
Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. Atmore, AL. is in charge of all arrangements.
Aubrey “Sugar Boy” Strength
December 20, 2022
Mr. Aubrey “Sugar Boy” Strength, age 83, passed away, Saturday, December 17, 2022 in Pensacola, FL. He was a lifelong resident of Flomaton, AL. he retired from Scott Paper Company with many years of service.
Mr. Strength was an avid Alabama Football Fan. He loved being outdoors fishing, enjoying his walks on the creek, and riding his four-wheeler. He enjoyed working in his yard and always liked to eat.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John Sebastian (Rosie Johnson) Strength, wife, Perry Lee Strength, two brothers, Terry Glenn Strength, Andrew Houston Strength, two sisters, Earnestell Ellis, and Johnnie Mell Pettis.
He is survived by his one daughter, Judy Towery, of Atmore, AL; three brothers, Sylvester Strength, of Flomaton, AL; John Travis Strength, of Brewton, AL; Henry David Strength, of Flomaton, AL; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC with Rev. Waylon Stuckey officiating.
Burial will follow at Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Wright, Dakota Chancery, Sonny Strength, Buddy Strength, Bill Harris, and Donald Jordan.
Honorary pallbearers will be Malcolm Colvin, and William Bell.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC. are in charge of all arrangements.
Timothy Rhett Smith
December 20, 2022
Timothy Rhett Smith, 70, passed away on December 17, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones in Pensacola, Fla. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, and was known to those who loved him as a fierce advocate for animals.
Rhett was born in Pensacola, Fla., on June 27, 1952, and grew up in Warrington and East Hill neighborhoods. He attended Pensacola Christian School, East Hill Christian School, A.V. Clubbs, and graduated from Pensacola High School in 1970.
As a young man, Rhett served in the United States Marine Corps before serving as a deputy sheriff in the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department. He later pursued a career in law, first attending Troy University before obtaining his law degree at the Florida State University School of Law.
Rhett was a vital part of the legal community in Pensacola, first as an attorney at several law firms before starting his own private practice in 1997. In addition to providing legal services to those in need, Rhett was also an active board member of local charitable organizations.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Frances Isabelle Smith; his father, Octavius Hopkins Smith, III; his older brother, William Hopkins Smith; and his canine companions, Jake and Sheba. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Ellen Liles; his son, Timothy Rhett Smith, II, daughter-in-law Ashli Danielle Smith, grandsons William Cash Smith, and Robert Jude Smith; his daughter, Michelle Jenette Davitt, son-in-law Christopher Davitt, and granddaughter Elisabeth Violet Davitt; his daughter, Melissa Katherine Keller, son-in-law Michael David Keller, and grandson Emerson Reese Keller; his sister, Elise Smith-Dawson, brother-in-law Jeffrey A. Dawson, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held for friends and family in the new year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the ASPCA.
Beverly Jean Williams
December 20, 2022
Beverly Jean Williams, born March 2, 1948, was the daughter of the late Victor and Anna Calvesio, later raised by John and Louise Schmuhl.
She was preceded in death by a sister Elizabeth and survived by two brothers, Victor and Raymond.
She was of the Catholic faith. Beverly married Douglas K. Williams on October 1, 1968. She was a loving mother to four surviving children, Sue, Angela, Heather, and Preston, eight grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.
There will be a celebration of her life to be announced at another time.