Melanie Shaw Branch
May 17, 2016
Melanie Shaw Branch, 38, passed peacefully into glory May 14, 2016, at her home. She was born December 12, 1977 in Pensacola, and was never far from the white sands of Pensacola Beach. She graduated from Tate High School and University of West Florida. She brought Classical Conversations to the Pensacola area and eventually coordinated several home school groups. She helped provide a unique learning experience to many families. Her love of music and sweet voice blended together as she served Dogwood Baptist Church where her husband Rusty served as pastor.
She loved Rusty and her children, Emma Rae, Elizabeth and Allen. Her sweet humble spirit will be missed by those lives she touched including her parents, Beth and Larry Morris; her brother, Mason and sister-in- law Danna; her sister, Merry Beth Low and brother-in- law, Jim; her mother and father-in-law, Debbie and Donnie Branch; brothers-in-law, Justin and Jeremy Branch, uncles, aunts, special cousins, nieces, other family members and many friends.
The family would like to thank those who supported Melanie in her battle with breast cancer. Also thanks to those who influenced and help mold her into a compassionate woman who was able to give and be a blessing to others. This was Melanie—she would not want attention drawn to her but to Jesus who was her sustainer and ultimate deliverer.
A celebration of her life will be Tuesday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at Faith Chapel North. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to The Florida Baptist Children’s Home, 1000 Chemstrand Road Cantonment, Florida 32533.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
William F. (Bill) Fillingim
May 16, 2016
William F. (Bill) Fillingim, Sr., 88, of McDavid, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 14, 2016. He was born on August 26, 1927, in Barrineau Park, to Asa Mountain and Nora Fleming Fillingim.
Bill married Vivian McClammy in 1948 and they made their home in McDavid, where they raised three children: Sharon (Walt) DeWitt; Freddie (JoAnne) Fillingim; and Regina (Richard) Hudson. He retired from St. Regis Paper Company, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Bill was an accomplished musician and played many instruments by ear, including piano, guitar and mandolin. He entertained crowds throughout the years, playing and singing at church and other venues. Bill was a lifelong member of Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church in Barrineau Park where he played on Sundays, holidays and for special services. “Uncle Bill” loved his church family and they loved him.
In addition to his three children, Bill is survived by three granddaughters, Rachel Locklear, Alison (Jesse) Hollingsworth and Kristen (Matthew) McGehee; and three great-grandchildren, Jacob Locklear, Justin Locklear and Vivian McGehee.
Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Fillingim; and siblings, Elsie Fillingim, A.J. Fillingim, Columbus Fillingim, Cliney Miller, Thelma Altman, Margaret Grant, Quentin Fillingim, Aubie Fillingim and Martin Fillingim.
Special thanks to Pastor Pam Avery and Bill’s church family for the love they showed him through the years. Also, thank you to the physicians, nurses and techs of the ICU and ER at West Florida Hospital for the tender care they provided during his final hours.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Pam Avery officiating.
Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ottoway Fillingim, Craig Exner, Marcus Baker, Tristpan Baker, Gil Baron and Daniel Elder.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to LCUMC Memorial Bells Fund, 2690 Jacks Branch Rd, Cantonment
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Bennie Coley Roberson
May 16, 2016
Mr. Bennie Coley Roberson, 68, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2016, in Century.
Mr. Roberson was a native of Flomaton, and a resident of Brewton, for the past 30 years. Mr. Roberson was a friend and loved to help everyone. He worked for Freeze Gravel & Trucking. He is preceded in death by his parents, W.C. and Molly Roberson; wife, Rosie Roberson; sister, Irene Jones; stepson, Ronald Conway and grandson, Kevin Luke Crowder.
He is survived by one stepson, Leonard Conway of Stanley Crossroads; one stepdaughter, Shelia Crowder of Gulfport, MS; two sisters, Etta Marie Lambeth of McDavid and Frances Roberson of McDavid; three grandchildren, Rhonda (Timothy) of Stanley Crossroads, Candi (William) Sheets of Bay Minette and Sabrina Hall of Ponce de Leon, FL; five great grandchildren, Cheris Rogers, Rylee Rogers, Victoria Sheets, Cloe Sheets and John Luke Sheets; and one nephew, Joe D. Roberson of Opelika, AL.
Funeral services were held Sunday, May 15, 2016, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Knowles officiating.
Burial was at the Wildfork Cemetery.
Pallbearers were James Emmons, Don Ward, Mike Brown, George Hendrix, John Hendrix and Logan Hendrix.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Alabama.
Erin Stephanie Lee
May 15, 2016
Ms. Erin Stephanie Lee, age 49 of Flomaton, passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at her home.
Ms. Lee was a lifetime member of the Century and Flomaton areas and she was a homemaker. She was of the Baptist faith.
She is preceded in death by her father, Carl Lee; and brother, Christopher Carl Lee.
She is survived by her mother, Sheila Lee of Century; son, Trey Weekes of Flomaton; daughter, Erin Elizabeth Weekes of Flomaton; sister, Elizabeth Lee of Flomaton; granddaughter, Brailee Hobbs of Flomaton; and lifelong friend, Lisa Nicholls.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel at 10 a.m. with Rev. Nathan Brown officiating.
Interment will follow in Ray’s Chapel Cemetery in Bogia.
Flomaton Funeral Home is directing.
John Kyle Bell
May 15, 2016
Mr. John Kyle Bell, age 30, of Flomaton passed away Thursday, May 12, 2016, after injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was a native and former resident of Orange, Texas before moving to Flomaton in 1990. Mr. Bell had attended the Little Escambia Baptist Church. He was a 2004 graduate of Flomaton High School and was a machinest at Industrial Machines with 10 years of service. He enjoyed playing guitar.
Survivors include his parents, Gary and Jeani Hilderbrand Bell of Flomaton; grandmother, Jean Sprouse of Gulfport, MS; one brother, Curt (Caryn) Bell of Flomaton; half-sister, Patricia Lynn Bell of Hattisburg; and two nephews, Ross Bell and Jeremiah Bell.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Albert and Eunice Bell; grandfather, Philip Hilderbrand; and step-grandfather, Robert Sprouse.
Visitation will be held Monday, May 16, 2016, from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. at the Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 16, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Little Escambia Baptist Church with Rev. Doug Hogg and Rev. Edward Hilderbrand officiating.
Interment will follow in New Bethelhem Cemetery in Flomaton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton is directing.
Lawson Keith Baxley
May 15, 2016
Lawson Keith Baxley, age 61 of Jay, passed away on May 14, 2016, after a short battle with brain cancer. Lawson was born on June 23, 1954, and was raised in Jay. He loved his “VicaLou” who was by his side for the last 42 years. They enjoyed riding motorcycles, camping, and traveling together. He retired from International Paper as a millwright and was known for being able to fix anything. He liked to design and build things and was often referred to as “MacGyver”.
Lawson is preceded in death by his father, Alfred Baxley; and Leon and Flora Shell, who he thought of as parents.
Lawson is survived by his wife, Vickie Baxley; his son, Clint Baxley; his daughter, Leigh Baxley; his mother, Velma Bradley; his brother, Larry (Joyce) Baxley; and close friends, Obie and Reta Nevels, Leroy Shell, Mickey Diamond, and Marcus Godwin.
Pallbearers will be Bill Locher, Mike Nevels, Jeff Prescott, Peanut Thompson, Anthony Weeks, and Wayne Young.
Visitation will be Monday, May 16, 2016, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Jay Funeral Home with Brother Hall officiating.
Graveside services will follow at Concord Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
Bill Bo Rice
May 12, 2016
Bill Bo Rice, 90, of Pensacola joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 9, 2016. He was born in Catlettsburg, Kentucky on July 25, 1925, to Lillie and Thomas Rice. Bill joined the U.S. Navy upon turning 17 in 1942, and retired after 30 years of service. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He specialized in maintaining the Navy’s latest jet fighters as a sailor and an officer aboard aircraft carriers at sea.
In his leisure time, Bill enjoyed flying, golfing, and running. He usually placed very well in the races he ran and he was recognized at the age of 78 for shooting his age in a round of golf. He took all of the recognition in stride as he participated in the sports for sheer enjoyment.
Being the great storyteller that he was, Bill often entertained with his variety of stories in gatherings at home and out with friends. It was not unusual for him to strike up a conversation with a stranger and relay one of his stories. Affectionately known as “Pappy” to his grandchildren, Bill enjoyed spending time with them and sharing his stories. Because many of the stories also carried life lessons, the grandchildren referred to them as “Pappy’s Tips.” One grandson retold a favorite one for a school class project. Bill’s now-grown grandchildren still recount some of his stories that impacted their lives.
Mr. Rice was an active member of the Campus Church in Pensacola and enjoyed living his Christian faith. He had a zeal for sharing God’s Plan for Man’s Salvation. Sincerely concerned, he wanted everyone he loved and cared about to know God in a personal way as their Lord and Savior. Bill wanted all to receive God’s gift of eternal life.
Blessed to be in his life and left to cherish his memory are his children, Stephen Rice (Nancy), Bart Rice, Terri Long, and Kevin Williams (Terri); grandchildren, Trisha Hollings, David Rice, Jessica Long, Jenny Long, Joshua Long, Lauren Williams; an honorary granddaughter, Sarah Hayes; and ten great-grandchildren.
Bill was predeceased by Marilyn, his beloved wife of 42 years; his parents; and seven brothers and sisters.
Services will be held Thursday, May 19, 2016, at the Pensacola Christian College’s Mullenix Chapel, 4504 Rawson Lane. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. with the funeral to follow at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Denis McBride officiating.
Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery on Naval Air Station Pensacola.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to “Rejoice in the Lord TV” telecast at the Campus Church of Pensacola Christian College. Gifts can be sent to: Rejoice in the Lord, P.O. Box 18000, Pensacola, FL 32523 or www.rejoicetv.org.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with arrangements.
Johnny Ray Byrd
May 12, 2016
Mr. Johnny Ray Byrd, 59, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2016, in Mobile.
Mr. Byrd was a native and lifelong resident of Perdido. Mr. Byrd was in the class of 1974 at BCHS, he ran track, and worked overseas for many years. He attended the Perdido First Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by a son, Rodney Keeling.
He is survived in death by his parents, Eubie and Iris Byrd of Perdido; wife, Beverly Byrd of Perdido; one daughter, Kayla Byrd Galloway of Perdido; one brother, Don Byrd of Rose Hill, AL; one sister, Linda Carter of Nokomis, AL; and two grandchildren, Zackary and Kori of Mayfield, KY.
Visitation will be Saturday, May 14, 2016, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Ashley Yvette Allen
May 12, 2016
On May 7, 2016, Ashley Yvette Allen, 14, of Pensacola, took the loving hand of Jesus after she lost her life long battle with congenital heart disease, with her parents by her side at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston hospital in Atlanta, GA.
Ashley was born March 6, 2002, in Pensacola, at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital to her overjoyed parents, Keary and Sheila Allen. Ashley was a seventh grader at Ransom Middle School and was a member of Mended Little Hearts of Pensacola and The American Heart Heroes. She also accompanied her mother as the youngest lead vocalist in the local Southern Revival Band. She loved music and played the guitar, mandolin and piano and touched others with her beautiful voice, songwriting and loving personality. In her short 14 years of life she always maintained a positive attitude, even when her tiny body had to endure lifelong medical care, including seven open heart surgeries.
The love of the Lord shined brightly through Ashley and she was a member of Gonzalez United Methodist Church, but also attended services at Highland Baptist Church, Pinehaven Baptist Church and Plainview Baptist Church. Ashley will be dearly missed by all who came to know her, but her sweet spirit will live on in our hearts forever.
Ashley is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Neil and Louise Murdy; her paternal grandparents, Fred and Patsy Allen; her uncle, Carl Murdy; and her beloved dog, Chica.
She is survived by her parents, Keary and Sheila Allen; her uncle, Fred (Paula) Allen; her aunt, Rachel (Greg) Terry; her uncle, Jerry (Elaine) Murdy; her aunt, Sonja Murdy; all of her loving cousins and great aunts and uncles; and her loving BFF LaToya Hoskins.
Visitation will be on Friday, May 13, 2016, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment. Services will be on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment with interment following at Gonzalez United Methodist Church cemetery.
We would like to give special thanks to Dr. Joseph P. Davenport, Mary Nelson, Cindy Demos, PaToya Henderson, Dr. Kummer, Dr. Burkow, Dr. Dorian, Dr. Sacks and the rest of the caring staff at Nemours Children’s Clinic of Pensacola; her pediatrician, Dr. Malcomb White; Dr. Mickler at West FL Eye Institute; and Dr. Kanter and the staff at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mended Little Hearts of Pensacola and the Ronald McDonald House of Pensacola.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Cecil David Brown
May 10, 2016
Cecil David Brown went to be with his Lord and Savior after a lengthy illness. David was 78 years young and will be sorely missed.
David is survived by his wife, Charlotte; brother, James Brown; children, Terry (Jan), Tonya, Tim (Lori), and Troy; two loving step-daughters, Stephany Heath and Kimberly Heath; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Easter Belle Brown of Pensacola, and wife of 46 years, Marie Adkison Brown.
David was born on June 9, 1937, in Brewton. He moved to Pensacola a few years later and graduated from Pensacola High School in 1955. David worked for years in the family business, Brown Painting Company, eventually running his own company, David Brown Coatings, up until 2015 when he retired. For the last 12 years he has lived in Seminole, AL, on the Styx River.
David was a family man and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid fisherman and quail hunter. He also enjoyed antique automobiles and traveling with his beloved wife Charlotte. David had countless friends and enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest.
The family will receive friends Friday, May 13, 2016, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Brownsville Assembly of God.
Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola.
Graveside services will be at Eastern Gate Cemetery at 3 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.