Kelly Ray Swanson
December 19, 2022
Mr. Kelly Ray Swanson, age 65, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, December 14, 2022, in Atmore AL; with his family by his bedside. He was born August 29, 1957, in Lansing, MI; then resided in Seattle, WA; before moving to Atmore, AL; a year and a half ago.
Mr. Swanson loved his dogs, enjoyed camping, and riding his Harley. He always stayed busy working, especially in his yard and around his pond.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd (Alice) Swanson, and twin sister, Becky Cunningham.
He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (James) Brazwell, of Atmore, AL; three grandchildren, Kelsi Brazwell, Michael Brazwell, Madison Brazwell, and one nephew, Chris Stewart.
Graveside service will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 2:30 PM at Poplar Dell Cemetery with Rev. Bill Stuckey officiating.
Norman Glenn Dean
December 15, 2022
Mr. Norman Glenn Dean, age 68, passed away, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, in Mobile, AL. He was a lifelong resident of Atmore, AL. He was a big truck driver for many years.
Mr. Dean enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid drag racer.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Norman William (Mary Alice Brown) Dean.
He is survived by his one son, Michael Wormy (Amy) Dean, of Atmore, AL; one daughter, LaWanda Dean, of MS; brother-in law, Thomas (Pam) Amos, of Atmore, AL; three grandchildren, Caitlyn Gindl, Whitney (Blake) Adams, Mary Joiner Dean, five great-grandchildren, Vivian Gindl, Isabel Gindl, Little Rudy Gindl, Conner Gindl, Lanceton Adams, other relatives, and friends.
Thomas Mack “Tommy” Nelson
December 15, 2022
Mr. Thomas Mack “Tommy” Nelson, age 80, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2022 in a Century, Florida health care facility.
Mr. Nelson was born in Pensacola, FL and was a lifelong resident of the Brewton area. He worked as a machinist for Container Corp. for 34 years. He was a member of Catawba Springs Baptist Church. Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, Mack & Isabel Nelson; two brothers, Daniel Nelson and Red Nelson; and a sister, Elizabeth Sue Horton.
He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Mrs. Katie Hoomes Nelson of Brewton; three daughters, Tammy (Duane) Riley of Brewton, Jolinda (Jonathan) Southworth of Pell City, and Robin (Ronnie) Rydzowski of Satsuma; a brother, Anthony Dewitt (Yong) Nelson of Huntsville; a sister, Ruby Jean Davis of Cantonment; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Riley, Jackson Riley, Jessica Southworth, Samantha Southworth, Thomas Southworth, Joseph Rydzowski, and Emma Rydzowski.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at Catawba Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Jeff Edwards officiating. Interment will follow in Catawba Springs Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until service time at 10:00 A.M. at Catawba Springs Baptist Church.
Pallbearers: Jonathan Riley, Jackson Riley, Thomas Southworth, Joseph Rydzowski, Mike Wilcox, and Darrell Arrant.
Honorary Pallbearers: Men’s Fellowship of Catawba Springs.
Ronald Wayne Kaatz
December 12, 2022
Ronald Wayne Kaatz or “Ronnie” as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, passed away suddenly December 5, 2022 in Pensacola Florida where he lived.
Ron was born September 10, 1964 in Stuttgart, Germany to Robert R. and Rosalie A. Kaatz, while stationed there in the U.S. Army. The family relocated to Pasadena Texas in August, 1965. Four years later the family moved to LaPorte Texas, where Ron graduated from high school in the top 10% of his class. He attended two years of college at San Jacinto College in Pasadena Texas. Ron was quiet, until you got to know him, and he was a fun and loving guy! He loved to cook and grill outdoors. Ron had many close friends, and loved his wife and family very much. He had a strong passion for offshore fishing, and loved deer hunting every year at his dad’s.
Ron is survived by his wife Amy, his step daughter Sara, his father Robert (Nancilee) Kaatz, and his mother Rosalie (Don) Peck, and all of his loving family and friends. Ron will be terribly missed by all.
Memorial services were held December 9, 2022 at 10:00 am.
Linda Elizabeth Driver
December 12, 2022
Linda Elizabeth Driver, 81, of Cantonment, Florida passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2022. She was born in Denmark, South Carolina on December 11, 1941 to the late James Hightower and Jackie Still Hightower. She was
married to Lloyd Driver for 58 years. Linda loved and adored Jesus Christ and her blessed church family at Smyrna Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Tommy Hightower; sister, Sybil Hightower; great grandson, Bryce Driver; In-laws, Charlie Driver and Lou Agnes Driver; and brother-in-law, Don Driver.
She is survived by her husband, Lloyd Driver; children, Ed (Connie) Driver, Mike (Theresa) Driver, Linda Susan (Daniel) Puckett, Debbie (Barry) Joyner and Stephen Driver; sister, Sherri Ann Bell; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-two great children; and her special friend, Carolyn Findley.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Smyrna Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to services.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons Christopher Driver, Eddie Driver, Charlie Driver, Douglas Driver, Jared Driver, Wesley Joyner and Joey Bragg.
Rosemary Marie Merchant
December 12, 2022
Rosemary Marie Merchant, age 50, of Jay, FL passed away on December 10, 2022 in Pensacola, FL. She was born on May 9, 1972 in Pensacola, FL to Clifford F. and Mary Ann Weekley Williams. She attended Cora Baptist Church and the store manager of the Family Dollar Store in Jay, FL. Rosemary enjoyed traveling to the mountains. She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Ronnie Merchant of Jay, FL; her son, Coty (Kirsten) Merchant of Jay, FL; her daughter, Kayla (Tyler) Cofield of Century, FL; her brother, James Williams of Uriah, AL; her sister, Terri Williams of Uriah, AL; her grandchildren: Lane Merchant, Bralyn Merchant and Aiden Cofield, and her nephews: Bailey Williams and Austin Williams.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at Cora Baptist Church with Bro. Ladon Hall officiating. Interment will follow in Cora Baptist Church Cemetery in Jay, FL.
Active pallbearers will be Coty Merchant, Keaton Maher, Timothy Victor, Brian Moore, Steven Dunsford and Tyler Cofield.
Honorary pallbearers will be Erik Merchant and Michael Merchant.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 15, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. until service time at 11:30 a.m. at Cora Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made toward funeral expenses at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Douglas Chester Byrd
December 12, 2022
Mr. Douglas Chester Byrd, age 53, passed away, Wednesday, December 7, 2022, in Mobile, AL. He was a lifelong resident of Atmore, AL.
Mr. Byrd enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a very hard worker and enjoyed going fishing and hunting. He loved tinkering with his motorcycle and boat. He loved his wife, family, and loved being a pawpaw to his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his father, Chester Byrd.
He is survived by his mother, Earline Byrd, of Atmore, AL; his loving wife of 34 years, Kulua Byrd, of Atmore, AL; one son, Harley Byrd, of Atmore, AL; four daughters, Alysha (Blake) Cunningham, of Atmore, AL; Samantha Byrd, of Atmore, AL; Heather (Nate) Fernandez, of Atmore, AL; Taylor Byrd, of Atmore, AL; one brother, Michael (Tiffany) Byrd, of Atmore, AL; one sister, Angie (Blevin) Davis, of Milton, FL; nine grandchildren, Adrienne, Traegan, Kaydence, Blakelynn, Cole, Ophelia, Aurora, Lehlani, Benson, two nephews, Jaxon Byrd, Dalton Davis, one niece, Beth McMorris, other relatives, and friends.
Memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 14, 2022 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pauline Yuhasz Summerlin Gindl
December 12, 2022
Pauline Yuhasz Summerlin Gindl, resident of Pensacola, Florida passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at the age of 92. She was born on February 20, 1930 to the late Andy Yuhasz and Genella Holloway Yuhasz.
Pauline spent 25 years working as a Dental Assistant for Dr. Frey and Dr. Kemp. She enjoyed gardening, cooking but most of all spending time with her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Alton Summerlin and second husband, Francis Gindl; brothers, Andy Yuhasz and Rudy Yuhasz; grandson, John Summerlin; and son-in-law, Bobby Gindl.
Pauline is survived by her sons and their wives, Bob (Gail) Summerlin and Barry (Gwen) Summerlin; grandchildren, Jennifer, Kerri (Rob), Chandra (Andrew), Joli (Brad), Eric, Daniel, Ellie, Carrie, Beth, and Kelly; great grandchildren, Austin, Dylan, Brandon, Payton, Reese, Madilyn, Brayden, Kensley, and Brooke; great great grandchildren, Barry, Kessler, and Oliver; brothers, Otha Yuhasz and Eugene (LoraJane) Yuhasz; and extended family, Andy (Linda), Tina, and Marc (Amy).
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Fred Stallworth officiating. Burial will follow in Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida.
The family will receive friends at 12 p.m., prior to services.
Allen J. Crapps
December 12, 2022
Mr. Allen J. Crapps, age 73, passed away, Monday, December 12, 2022, in Flomaton, AL; with his family at his bedside. He was born November 10, 1949 in Flomaton, AL; and resided most of his life in Century, FL.
Mr. Crapps enjoyed spending time with his family. He enjoyed going fishing and cutting grass. He was an avid Alabama Football Fan and Nascar Racing Fan. He enjoyed tinkering with cars and small engines.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James Jefferson (Sadie Johnson) Crapps, wife, Dorsey Crapps, and one brother, Johnny Crapps.
He is survived by his one daughter, Jessica (Jarvis) Slate, of Flomaton, AL; one brother, James Crapps, of Century, FL; one grandchild, Alexandria Slate, of Flomaton, AL; best friend, Rhonda Killiam, other relatives, and friends.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 11:00 AM at McCurdy Cemetery.
Charles ‘Randy’ Oliver
December 8, 2022
Former Citrus County (Florida) Administrator, Charles ‘Randy’ Oliver, 72, passed away suddenly November 23, 2022. Randy was born September 20, 1950 in Morgantown, West Virginia to John P. and Betty C. Oliver. The family relocated to Hagerstown, Maryland. Randy played high school football and at the age of 17, gave his heart to the Lord.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction from Clemson University, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Master of Business Administration from Frostburg State College. He was also a Registered Professional Engineer (PE) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Randy spent over 25 years as a public servant. He recently retired from Citrus County (Florida) where he spent 8 years as County Administrator. He also served as County Administrator in several other Florida counties, including Escambia where he also resided. He consolidated the city of Augusta with Richmond County in Georgia, also serving in South Carolina and Peoria, Illinois. Prior to his tenure in public service, he was a manager for the public accounting firm of Peat, Marwick, Cooper providing consulting and management audit services nationally to local governments and utilities.
Randy met his wife, Tina, in January of 2022 when Tina sent Randy a smiley face on an online dating site after seeing Randy’s picture and readying his bio. They agreed to have lunch and learned that they shared many of the same interests for traveling, art, music, and politics. Most importantly, they both had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. It did not take long for them to realize that they were smitten with one another and 6 months later, they wed.
Randy loved his family and was a born leader both at home and professionally. He was highly regarded by his colleagues and staff.
Randy is survived by his wife, Tina, his sons Brett (Julie), Toby (Nikki), and his 5 grandchildren Miah, Mikayla, Trinity, Katie and Alex; his sister Susan and brothers Taylor (Sandra) and Kent (Joann) and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Karen.