Ricky Raymond Robbins
December 2, 2015
“The Oysterman”
On November 26, 2015, on Thanksgiving Day, following a series of sudden, multiple illnesses, Ricky left this world, leaving a void in the hearts of those who loved him. A man who loved life, and was known for his genuine love of his family and friends, whom he loved to visit at any time (day or night), who was known as “The Oysterman” as it was his lifelong occupation.
Ricky was born May 20, 1964, to Henry Raymond Robbins and Margaret Louise Nicholas Robbins, at the Abernathy Memorial Hospital in Flomaton.
Ricky often spoke of his Grandpa, Luther Robbins, and his Granny, Stella Robbins, who were his greatest influences. His Granny taught him the meaning of family and he loved her good cooking! Ricky spoke of his Granny reading the Bible to him and when she would watch Oral Roberts on TV, he wanted to be in her lap to watch it with her. Ricky’s Aunt Joyce recalls Margaret christening Ricky in Williams Lake, telling Ricky that he would be spending a lot of time on the water. Ricky was only about one month old when his mother lowered him under the water to baptize him. Those words were true, as Ricky spent his whole life on the water, whether it was oystering, or pleasure fishing. He was an amazing boat mechanic and loved to tinker with old boat motors just to see what made them tick.
Under his Granny’s influence, he received his high school diploma at age 16. Later, he and his older brother Clayton “Boo” Simmons, and best friends throughout life, tried to join the Navy, but found out they wouldn’t get to be together, so decided against it. Thirteen years after Ricky’s birth, he was blessed with a baby brother, Barry (Joe) Nicholas. Ricky always felt protective of Barry, and as adults the three brothers were practically inseparable.
Ricky had three sons, Little Ricky, Johnny, and Jesse, whom he adored and often said they were his heart. He was proud of each one for their own special ways.
Ricky met the love of his life, Susan, later in life. They spent 12 exciting, never dull or boring, years together, They enjoyed watching movies cuddled on the couch together along with their three dogs, Sugar, Susie, and JoJo. Ricky loved his home and took great joy in maintaining it, and how he loved riding his large tractor bush hogging the fields.
Ricky had a deep love for music, especially the old country classics and he loved to hear his love, Susan, sing to him. He wouldn’t even let anyone talk to or distract him and often said he was listening to the love of his life. He was also deeply impressed with his son, Johnny, who learned to play the guitar and drums. He had other close friends, Wayne Powell and Zach Talbot, whom he would sit and listen to for hours and never wanted them to stop playing or singing.
Although Ricky was not particularly demonstrative, later in life he began to show his love for family, tenderness towards animals, his realization of the gifts of nature and further revealed his feelings of spirituality.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Wallace, his sons, (Little) Ricky Robbins, Johnny Robbins, and Jesse Robbins; his father, Henry Raymond Robbins; brothers, Clayton (Boo) Simmons (Tammy), Barry (Joe) Nicholas (Apryl); stepdaughters, Mandy Grubbs, Christie Hartman, and Robin Barlar; niece, Nina Simmons; and nephew, Christopher Simmons; and a host of other family and friends too numerous to name.
Funeral services were held at Petty Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 1, 2015.
Honorary Pall Bearers were Barry Nicholas, David “Baggs” Wiggins, Christopher Simmons, Zach Talbot, Greg Hunter, and B.J. Johnson.
Ricky’s wishes were to be cremated and his ashes spread over the water.
His son Johnny said it best:
“My Dad lived like his life was on fire; it’s fitting for him to go out that way.”
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Donald Wayne Forte
December 2, 2015
Donald Wayne Forte, 60, passed away on November 29, 2015. Don was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved NASCAR racing. He was a very generous, humble man and extremely proud of his grandchildren. He served the Cantonment community as a Fire Chief/Captain in the Volunteer Fire Department.
He is survived by his son, Robert (Cayce) Forte; daughter, Mandy (Rusty) Moye; sister, Francis A. Forte; granddaughter, Madison Forte; grandsons, Russ, Brad and Trenton Moye and Jordan Forte; nephews, Brad (Joli) Butler and Matt (Brandi) Ziglar; niece, Ashley Hardy and Danielle Ziglar.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Jacquelyn “Jackie” Beck
December 2, 2015
Jacquelyn “Jackie” Beck, 81, passed away peacefully in her home on November 27, 2015. At the age of 12, Jackie accepted Jesus into her life. At 13 she began her journey of playing piano for her Lord and Savior. She had a ladies trio that traveled all over southern Georgia while holding a full time job with the Dougherty County School library. She played piano at Brent Baptist, Burgess Road Baptist and Byne Memorial Baptist in Albany, GA. Additionally she played piano for Olive Baptist Church, Florida Town Baptist Church and the city wide revival at the Civic Center in Pensacola.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Voncile Hicks; brother, Ernest Hicks, Jr.; sons, Mike and Randy Beck; and daughter, Teresa Beck.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years of marriage, John; sister, Betty Bilinski; son, Joe Johnson; daughers, Jillian Johnson and Kathy Beck Ellis; grandson, Jason and Dora Ellis; granddaughters, Jana and Dale Roberts and Carrie and Josh Turberville; grandson-in-law, David Gruenberg; great-grandson, Jakob Gruenberg; and great-granddaughters, Jessica Gruenberg and Madisyn Rae Frost.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at Olive Baptist Church. Dr’s Traylor and Passmore will officiate the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Covenant Hospice.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phillipians 4:13
Lillie Louise Watford Day
November 29, 2015
Lillie Louise Watford Day, 89, of Atmore, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2015, in Atmore. She was retired after more than 30 years of service as a clerk for the City of Atmore. She was born on April 5, 1926, in Uriah, to the late Claude W. and Recie Gulsby. She was a member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Joel Day; one brother, Carl Watford; and two sisters, Elizabeth Mills and Genise Franklin.
She is survived by two sons, Sammy (Sandra) Day and Randy (Kitty) Day all of Atmore; one daughter, Sybil Day of Fairhope; one brother, James (Sylvia) Watford of Crossroads, AL; one sister, Kathryn (Leonard) Stanley of Atmore; grandchildren, Marla Driver, Kelly Gurganus, Natalie Sandoval and Jarrod Day; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Canaan, Zane, Ava, Samuel and Sawyer.
Services will be held Sunday, November 29, 2015, at 2 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are Jay Driver, Caleb Driver, Roland Sandoval, Jason Gurganus, Jarrod Day and Billy Watford.
Family will receive friends Sunday, November 29, 2015, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Sonya Faye Howard
November 24, 2015
Mr. Sonya Faye Howard, 49, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2015, in Atmore.
Mrs. Howard was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. Mrs. Howard was of the Baptist faith. She is preceded in death by her mother, Bonnie Faye Rolin; uncle, Julius Raybon; and husband, Thomas Eugene Howard.
Survivors include her father, Hubert Rolin of Atmore; husband, David McGhee of Atmore; two sons, Dustin O’Neal Raybon of Atmore and Thomas “Little Thomas” Howard of Tibbie, AL; two step-sons, David Adam McGhee of Ft. Walton and Cameron Allen McGhee of Texas; two step-daughters, Brooke McGhee of Daphne and Anne-Lisa McGhee of Daphne; four brothers, Hubert Rolin, Jr. of Atmore, Keith Rolin of Bay Minette, Timmy Rolin of Atmore, Michael Rolin of Uriah, Adam Bailey of Daphne and Shane Bailey of Daphne; two sisters, Taffy Rolin of Atmore, Anita McGhee Tuel of South Carolina and Christy Bailey of Goodway, AL; and seven step-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial will follow at the Sardis Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Buzzy Rolin, Clint Lassiter, Bryan Couch, Mark Johnson, Little Randy Fretwell and Walter Lee Rolin.
Honorary pallbearers will be Adam Bailey, Rusty Bailey, Tinker Rolin, Radio Rolin, Hawkeye Godwin and John Calvin McGhee.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
John Arthur McGhee
November 24, 2015
John Arthur McGhee, 76 of Atmore, passed away Monday, November 23, 2015, in Atmore. He was a fabricator with Goodyear Tires and Rubber Factory. He was born in Atmore on June 21, 1939, to the late Doris and Lunia Mae Presley McGhee. He was a member of The Poarch Band of Creek Indians whom he cared deeply for, where he served on the Tribal Council for 22 years. He was known as the “Corn Man”, where he roasted corn for many years at the Pow Wow. He was employed at Best Western for over 20 years, and was an avid Alabama fan.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Cliffton McGhee; sisters, Francis Robbins and Hattie Mae McGhee.
He is survived by his wife, Bernice Tripp McGhee of Atmore; four daughters, Brenda (Michael) Johnson of Douglasville, GA, Sherry (Kenneth) Howell of Helena, GA, Kim (Jimmy) Dean, and Sheila McGhee all of Atmore; three sisters, Marie (Otha) Martin, Juliann Stacey and Maxine Johnson all of Atmore; eight grandchildren, Olviia, Jon, Robert, Miranda, James, Mason, Nicholas, Maggie and Sophia.
Services will be Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at 2 p.m. from the Poarch Community Church with Bro. Lamar Martin officiating.
Interment will follow in Judson Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be James Dean, Jon Robert Dean, Nathan Martin, Nicholas Howell and Mason Dean.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Dorothy B. Meacham
November 24, 2015
Dorothy B. Meacham of Pensacola, went to be with the Lord on November 24, 2015. She was born November 16, 1921, in Denver, Colorado to Jesse and Florence Bowles.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Clyde E. Meacham, (1994); and her sister, Mary Louise Norberg (2002).
She is survived by her three children, Ruth Meacham, Ralph (Vera) Meacham, and Marilyn (Bill) Brady; three granddaughters, Rebecca (Brent) Hale, Cyndi (Wayne) Burkett, and Karen (Carl) Lepard; and five great-grandchildren, Caleb and Kiersten Burkett, William Hale, and Todd and Katelynn Lepard.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Bro. Brian Donovan of Bible Baptist Church officiating the service.
Interment will follow in Cottage Hill Community Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. prior to services.
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of the arrangements.
Elam Gary Powell
November 23, 2015
Mr. Elam Gary “Gator” Powell, 56, passed away on Monday, November 16, 2015, in Perdido.
Mr. Powell was a native and former resident of Atmore, where he spent most of his life. He resided in Perdido for the past year. Mr. Powell attended the Healing Waters Church in Bay Minette.
Survivors include his two sons, Joshua Powell of Atmore and Jeremiah Powell of Perdido; two brothers, Donnie Powell of Mt. City, TN and Wendell “PeeWee” Powell of Atmore; one sister, Katie Presley of Atmore; and four grandchildren, Ethan Powell, Tabitha Powell, Jeremiah “ManMan” Powell and Luna.
Funeral services were held Sunday, November 22, 2015 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Daniels and Rev. Thurl Pearson officiating.
Burial was at the Brook’s Cemetery in Lottie.
Pallbearers were Shawn McKinley, Dewayne McKinley, Gary Heathcock, Kenny Powell, Charlie Powell and Joe Odom.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Margaret Cofield
November 23, 2015
Mrs. Margaret Cofield, 83, passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2015, in Century.
Mrs. Cofield was a native of Brewton and a resident of Century most of her life. Mrs. Cofield was a retired employee of Monsanto with 30 years of service and she was of the Baptist faith. She is preceded in death by her husband, Millard Cofield; three brothers; and one sister.
She is survived by her two sons, Nickey S. Cofield of Atmore and Millard Lee Cofield of Kingsland, GA; one brother, Cecil Hodge of Jefferson, IN; one sister, Betty Flowers of Pensacola; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, November 22, 2015, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Steadman officiating.
Burial was at the Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers were John Murphy, Mike Massey, Paul Dykes, Gary Knowles, Dewey Bondurant and Dan Rudd.
Honorary pallbearer was Jaden Beales.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Winnie Ruth Johnson Rice
November 23, 2015
Mrs. Winnie Ruth Johnson Rice, 82, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2015, in Jay.
Mrs. Rice was a native of Jay, and a resident of Century for most of her life. Mrs. Rice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a member of the Pine Barren Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Ruth Johnson; brother, Winford Allen Johnson; and daughter-in-law, Nelda Rice.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Rev. Charles Rice of Century; one son, Roy Charles Rice of Walnut Hill; four daughters, Melody Rice (Mark) Bondurant of Flomaton, Fay Rice (Butch) Fillingim of McDavid, Kay Rice (Chuck) Yetter of Molino and Ruth Arlene Rice (James) Crawford of Gallion, AL; one brother, Wayne Roy (Sue) Johnson of Century; two sisters, Wilhelmina Johnson Simmons of Jay, and Willodean Johnson Crary of Bluffsprings; 19 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Barrow and Rev. Mike Harper officiating.
Burial will follow at the Pine Barren Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Carlos Koehn, Troy Merchant, Chad Chaudron, Chad Sims, Dale England and Joseph Merchant.
Honorary pallbearer will be Michael Peterson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.