Lewis Jackson Rice
July 6, 2016
Lewis Jackson “Red” Rice, went to be with Jesus on July 2, 2016. Jack was born on July 27, 1926, in Pollard, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bess (Jackson) Rice; wife, Edna Rice; sons, Pete, Gary and Scotty; and his brothers and sisters.
Survivors include his son, Michael Shockley and daughter, Jacqueline Rice; grandchildren, Jennifer and her husband, Travis Shue, Pamela and her husband, William Kristoph, Michael and Ricci Lea Shockley and Chris Jackson; great-grandchildren, Tommy and Claire Kristoph; and Griffin and Murphy Shue.
Jack retired from Gulf Power after 33 years. He served in the priesthood at his church Community of Christ Church (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) for many years.
He was well respected and liked by everyone who knew him. He always had a smile and a joke for everyone who came in contact with him. He always offered a shoulder to cry on or advice to those who needed it. He will be missed very much, but he is at peace now and is with the love of his life, Edna.
Services will be held Friday, July 8, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel. There will be no graveside service due to weather conditions.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 7, 2016, at the funeral home.
A reception will follow at Community of Christ Church, 2555 W. Jackson St., Pensacola, FL.
Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.
Vernon Doug McCraney
July 6, 2016
Mr. Vernon “Doug” McCraney, 56, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2016, in Atmore.
Mr. McCraney was a native of Marietta, GA and had resided in Atmore for the past 50 years. Mr. McCraney was a respected sheet metal mechanic in Alaska and he always took care of his wife. He attended the Church of the Living God. He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Genese McCraney and a brother, Jerry McCraney.
He is survived by his wife, Hedy Peterson of Juneau, AK; second mom, Jean England of Mobile; one son, Zane Huff of Uriah; six sisters, Ann (Wayne) Waddell of Philadelphia, MS, Bobbie (Billy) Walker of Semmes, AL, Rita Ikner of Frisco City, AL, Janice Powell of Atmore, Debbie Fullbright of Atmore and Jo (Robert) Bexley of Mobile; one grandchild, Bladen Huff; two nephews, James McCraney and Jerry Wayne McCraney both of Atmore; two nieces, Deborah McCraney and Diane McCraney both of Atmore; a God-brother, Ricky McMillan of Tennessee; a God-daughter, Shania Ward of Atmore; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Friday, July 8, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Earl Harrison officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 7, 2016, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Billy Davis, Billy Powell, Matt McMillan, Jay Nickols, James McCraney and Jerry Wayne McCraney.
Honorary pallbearers will be D.J. Carter, Cody Davis, Keith Fullbright, Randy England and Dennis England.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Frances Maureen David Weiden
July 6, 2016
Frances Maureen Davis Weiden, 60, a lifelong resident of Pensacola, passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2016.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Maxine Graves Davis.
Frances is survived by her daughter, Shea Cravatt; two sons, Shawn Weiden and Sammy (Angie) Weiden; eight grandchildren; and two brothers, Jerald (Gloria) Davis and James Davis.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 8, 2016, at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery with Rev. Manley and Rev. Wolf officiating.
The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until 12:45 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South prior to services.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with arrangements.
Ralph Minton Weaver
July 6, 2016
Mr. Ralph Minton Weaver, 84, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2016, in Brewton.
Mr. Weaver was a native of Alvin, TX, former resident of Magnolia, TX and resided in Brewton for the past four months. Mr. Weaver was a loving husband and dad. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints of Jay. He is preceded in death by his parents and five siblings.
He is survived by his wife, Von Weaver of Brewton; three sons, Nolan H. (Wendi) Sims, Jr. of Montgomery, TX, Anthony M. Weaver of Magnolia, TX and Christopher M. Rouse of Conroe, TX; two daughters, Angela L. (David) Smith of Conroe, TX and Paula J. Fotenot (Jeff Cuellar) of Conroe, TX; 17 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Pres. Jacob Sumrall officiating.
Burial was in the Sardis Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Chuck Reardon, Jerry Creamer, Raymond Creamer, Nolan Sims III, Anthony Weaver, Jr. and Harvey Kelley.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
James Franklin Sexton
July 2, 2016
Mr. James Franklin Sexton, 88, passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2016, in Century.
Mr. Sexton was a native of Rutledge, TN and had resided in Bratt for the past 49 years. Mr. Sexton was retired from the U.S. Air Force, veteran of the Korean War, a truck driver for many years, and worked security at Masland Carpet and other areas. He loved farming, volunteered at the Century Care Center for the past three years and he was of the Baptist faith. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Beulah Sexton; and one brother, Gordon Sexton, Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Allie Mae Sexton of Century; two daughters, Linda Jackson of Atmore and Diane Lambert of Crofton, MD; two sisters, Millie Sexton and Peggy Webber, both of Tennessee; four grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 5, 2016, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Delbert Redditt officiating.
Visitation will be Monday, July 4, 2016, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Charles Waters, John Lambert, Mitchell Jones, Dale Solaas, Greg Wearren and Steve Hanks.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Claude Wayne Hudson
July 2, 2016
Claude Wayne Hudson, 78, of Pensacola, was called home Thursday, June 30, 2016. He was born in Ged, LA to the late Robert and Mae Hudson. He was a member of Olive Baptist Church since 1973. Wayne retired after a career as an engineer with Exxon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Rodney Hudson.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy; his sons Kerry (Linda) of Lawrenceville, GA and Kenneth (Jessie) Hudson; granddaughters, Hayley, Janie, Katelynn, and Ana Hudson; two nieces; one nephew; and friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 5, 2016, from 12 p.m. until the services begin at 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel North with Dr. Jerry Passmore officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Janie Vernon St. Clair
June 29, 2016
Janie Vernon St. Clair, 92, of Pensacola, was called home June 27, 2016. She was born April 15, 1924, to the late Rual and Martha Vernon, in McDowell, WV. Janie was a long time member of Olive Baptist Church and a proud homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Clarence Henry St. Clair, Sr.; a son, Clarence “Buster” St. Clair; her parents; and a brother and sister.
She is survived by her grandson, Jerry Nash (Cristy); great-grandson, Justin Nash; great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Brennan; special family members, Jack and Linda Nash and her nieces, church family and close friends.
Visitation will be Friday, July 1, 2016, from 10 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Dr. Jerry Passmore officiating.
There will be a graveside committal service at Mountain View Cemetery in Roanoke, VA, on Friday, July 8, 2016, at 10 a.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Hellon Belle Pierce
June 27, 2016
Our hearts rest easy knowing they are together again with the Lord.
Hellon Pierce passed away early on the morning of June 24, 2016, to be with the Lord and Seldon, her husband of 65 years. She was a woman of tremendous grace, and leaves behind a void her family will find difficult to fill.
In a letter Seldon wrote to Hellon on their 50th Wedding Anniversary, he quoted the scripture, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” (Proverbs 31). Hellon, indeed, was an exemplary example of a Christian wife, mother, and friend. Seldon ends the letter by writing, “The past five decades have been wonderful having you as my best friend, my lover, and my steadfast companion. Let’s go for another decade and finish the game of life together…come with me. The best is yet to come.”
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 30, 2016, at Walnut Avenue Missionary Baptist Church beginning at 10 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Bill Adams officiating.
Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Gerald Byrd
June 27, 2016
Gerald Byrd, age 55, died unexpectedly on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at his family home with the love of his life beside him.
Gerald is survived by his wife of 35 years, Dollie Byrd of Cantonment; his children, George Sundberg of Oklahoma City, OK, Terry Stacey of Cantonment, Katherine Sundberg of Seminole, AL, and Kevin Byrd of Pensacola; as well as many other family members and a very special grandson, Devin Creamer.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian Ard.
A memorial service is scheduled for friends and family on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at 6 p.m. at The First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill, 230 Williams Ditch Road in Cantonment, with dinner to follow at 7 p.m.
All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gerald’s life. The family would like to thank everyone for the wonderful prayers and support you have provided them in their time of need.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family.
Loula Jane Cooper Hoffman
June 27, 2016
Jane, affectionately known as “Nana”, always had an exuberant smile for all she met and we are certain she was smiling brightly as she greeted her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a host of angels, and her family and friends as she entered Heaven’s Gate on Thursday, June 23, 2016.
Jane was born and raised in Water Valley, Mississippi. She was the second child of Virgil Malcolm “Tide” and Ila Cooper. Her parents, step-mother Susie Cooper, sisters Mary Smith and Jeanie Hinson, grandson Willie McCormick, son-in-law Walter Zittel, and her loving husband, James David Hoffman, preceded her into eternal life.
Jane married the love of her life, James David Hoffman, of Taylor, Mississippi, at the early age of 16. They were a happy couple and spent the first 20 years of their married life in the Navy; he as an enlisted Navy man and she as a Navy wife. Jane and Dave were a great couple and made friends easily wherever they moved. They were always involved with church life and serving God in every way possible. They were members of Ensley United Methodist Church in their early years living in Pensacola, and then as members of Gonzalez Baptist Church.
She is survived by her children, Lyn Hoffman Zittel of Pensacola; Jim (Mary) Hoffman of Virginia Beach, VA; Jeff (Robyn) Hoffman; Janet (Dennis) Foster; and K.C. (Susanne) Fehl, all of the Pensacola area. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bert (Felicia) Wynne, Emily and Savannah Price, Rebecca (Josh) MacDonald, Meagan and Matthew Hoffman, Jared and Trevor Hoffman, Kim Zurbay, Charles McCormick, and Kenny Paul (Melana) Fehl; and her two great-granddaughters, Abigail and Allison Wynne. She also leaves her brother, Rev. Virgil (Amy) Cooper of Birmingham, AL; sister-in-law Marilyn Hoffman of Oxford, MS; her aunts, Iva Brown and Edna Hargrove; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Jane loved to be in her kitchen cooking, baking, and canning. She especially loved to cook fried chicken for her “boys” and chicken salad for her “girls.” Her special lemon pound cake was cherished by all and her “icy-sweet pickles” were a special treat and everyone considered themselves “lucky” if she gave them a jar to take home! As part of Jane’s Christian giving, she prepared meals for many years for the church members at the Chapel on the Hill in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and at Gonzalez Baptist Church. Seeing people enjoy her delicious food gave her great pleasure.
After Nana retired from J.C. Penney, she kept many children in her “at-home” day-care for a number of years. Those children are now grown, many with children of their own, and they have a special place in their hearts for the loving and generous woman who treated them like her own children.
A special thank you is extended to Jane’s long-time friend, Mrs. Laurel Ellis who spent countless hours visiting with and transporting our Nana to dialysis three days a week for the past several years. Our boundless gratitude is expressed to this selfless lady who gave Jane her time, energy, joy and friendship.
Visitation will be Tuesday, June 28, 2016, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Chapel North.
Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.
“Her children arise and call her blessed … many women do noble things but you surpass them all … a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Proverbs 31: 28-31.