Edith Imogene “Jean” Purvis
July 27, 2015
Jean was born February 6, 1939, in Excel, Alabama to Charles R. and Ida M. Jordan. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 25, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. Jean was the sunshine of our family. She loved working in the yard and grew beautiful flowers. She was a great cook and loved to sew and paint ceramics. She was loved by all who knew her and always greeted you with a smile. She was a member of Highland Baptist Church in Molino.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Gina Renae; two brothers; and two sisters.
Jean is survived by Charles Purvis, her loving husband of fifty seven years; her children, Debbi (Gregory) Jinright, Tracy (James) Patterson, Amy (Jeff) Lathan, and Alan (Michele) Purvis; two brothers, Fred (Bertha) Jordan and Jerald (Judy) Jordan; one sister, Joyce Blanton; 12 grandchildren; Emily Williams, Miranda (Ben) Sevcik, Rachel, Hannah, Nathan and Andrew Patterson, Madelyn, Mallory and Morgan Lathan, Justin, Layne and Logan Purvis; six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at Highland Baptist Church at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2015.
Interment will be at Eastern Gate Cemetery on Nine Mile Road at 11:30 a.m.
Pallbearers will be Justin, Layne and Logan Purvis, Nathan Patterson, Ben Sevcik and Rodney Middleton.
Our family would like to extend a special thanks to Covenant Hospice for their love and care.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Covenant Hospice, 2001 N. Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32501, online at www.choosecovenant.org/hospice or to the Alzheimer’s Association P.O. Box 9601, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or www.alz.org.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Virginia McKelvain
July 27, 2015
All of Heaven is celebrating the arrival of another precious saint of God! Mary Virginia Steadham McKelvain passed away after a brief illness in Escambia County, Florida on July 24, 2015. She was born on July 9, 1935 and turned 80 years old just a few days before her passing. Ms. Virginia was a lifelong resident of Jay and a member of Cornerstone Christian Church of Jay.
Many loved ones are in Heaven to greet her, but most importantly she is face to face with the one she wanted to see the most; her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She is literally in His arms with no more suffering, pain, hardship or disease of any kind.
Ms. Virginia was preceded in death by her father, Henry Clyde (Bub) Steadham; her mother, Lucile Enfinger Steadham; two brothers, Clyde Steadham and Winston Steadham; son-in-law, Raymond Diamond Jr.; and her baby boy, Mark Eugene Griswold, whom she never got to see here on earth.
She leaves behind her children, Mary Opal Branch (T-Don), Cynthia Darlene Marshall (Doyle) and Lucinda Ann Diamond; her grandchildren, Chasity Reid (Randy Sims), Amber Deese (David), Mary Laura Boutwell (Blake), Heath Marshall (Molly) and Andrew Diamond as well as her great-grandchildren, Tori and Blake Reid, Sawyer, Cooper and Carrington Deese and Grant Marshall. Her living brothers and sisters are, Barbara Levins (Hubert) of Cantonment, Charles Steadham (Myra) of Atmore, Carl Steadham (Flo) of Bay Minette, Annie Ruth Kelley (Tink) of Jay, Dorothy Owens (Tommy) of Jay, Lillian Ward (Roy) of Jay, Amelia Steadham of Jay; a sister-in-law, Linda Steadham of Flomaton; and two special nieces, Deanna Rutherford and Leslie Borders; along with many other nieces and nephews.
All who knew Ms. Virginia loved her. She was a package full of sweetness. She tenderly and deeply loved her family and friends and showed much kindness to all of her acquaintances.
She adored her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who affectionately called her Momma, Grandma and Mimi. Besides living for the Lord, they were her reasons for waking up each morning and putting one foot in front of the other. She not only helped to raise them and other family members, she was also a mother figure to many others not related to her. She instilled morals of family love, hard work, stewardship and the love of Jesus in each of them. Ms. Virginia will be an example for years to come for all of her family to pattern their lives after.
Our loss is Heaven’s gain. Ms. Virginia will be greatly missed by all those she left behind. However, God promises us if we turn our lives to Him and serve Him as she did, we will be reunited with her one glorious, triumphant day in Heaven!
Funeral services will be held at Cornerstone Christian Church at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, with burial following at Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery in Chumuckla. Pastors Frederick Barrow and Bobby Carnley will be officiating.
Active pallbearers will be Ms. Virginia’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Jeff Kelley and Terry Kelley.
Honorary pallbearers will be her nieces and nephews.
Eastside Chapel in Atmore is in charge of the arrangements.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Jay Hospital and Dr. Jeff Kelley, Baptist Hospital and Select Specialty Hospital. They also want to send heartfelt thanks for all of the calls, texts and prayers from many of their family and friends.
Fred Harold Allen, Sr.
July 26, 2015
Fred Harold Allen, Sr., age 83, of Cantonment, passed away at home on Thursday, July 23, 2015. He was born October 5, 1931 in Mobile. After graduating from Murphy High School in Mobile in 1949, he worked his way through college, earning a degree in chemical engineering from The Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) in 1955. While still in school, Fred joined the National Guard and was activated to serve in the Korean War.
He married Patsy Templin, also of Mobile, in 1956 and they moved to Pensacola after he accepted a job with the Monsanto Corporation in 1957. Fred and Pat were wonderful parents to their three children, Fred Jr., Keary, and Rachel and their foster child, Ronnie Gattis. Church and family were very important to Fred. While living in Molino, the family was active at Aldersgate United Methodist. In later years, after moving to the Cantonment area, Fred enjoyed many years of involvement at Gonzalez United Methodist Church. He retired in 1996 after working 39 years at Monsanto as a project engineer. He was a wonderful father to his children and he will be sorely missed.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Pat Allen; his parents, Charles Frederick Allen, Sr. and Fannie Jerusa Orso Allen; his older brother, Charles Frederick Allen, Jr.; and his foster son, Ronnie Gattis.
Survivors include his children, Fred Allen, Jr. and his wife Paula, Keary Allen and his wife Sheila, and Rachel Terry and her husband Greg; seven grandchildren, Aaron Allen, Maranda Shelton, Brittany Harris, Stephen Terry, Katy Terry, Ben Terry, and Ashley Allen; great-grandchildren. Bailey Allen, Brooklynn Allen, Blake Allen, Amelia Shelton, Enzel Shelton, Scarlet Harris, and Irelynn Harris; his brothers, Noel Allen and Connie Allen; and his sister, Dorothy Williams.
A memorial service will be held Monday, July 27, 2015, at 10 a.m. at Faith Chapel.
Internment will be at Gonzalez United Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
Della Godwin
July 24, 2015
Mrs. Della Godwin, 103, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2015, in Century.
Mrs. Godwin was a native of Jay and a resident of Century for most of her life. Mrs. Godwin worked (retired) at St. Regis Paper Company in the Bag Plant Department and she worked as a babysitter. She is preceded in death by her parents, W.D. & Annie Griffis; husband, William L. Godwin; son, William S. Godwin; seven brothers and two sisters.
Survivors include her son, Ronnie (Jeanne) Griffis of Mississippi; two sisters, Veda Mae Welch of Pineview and Jean Clark of Bluff Springs ; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren and special nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Sunday, July 26, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. James Peacock officiating.
Burial will follow at the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Jay.
Visitation will be Saturday, July 25, 2015, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
James “Jimbo” Martin
July 22, 2015
James “Jimbo” Martin, age 62, of Jay, passed away on July 15, 2015. He was a people person and never met a stranger. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and a friend to those that knew him. He will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bernice Martin.
Jimbo is survived by his children, Jason (Melissa) Martin, Josh Martin and Jenifer (Eddy) Higginbothem; five grandchildren, Dusten Martin, Kaelyn Martin, Ceanna Martin, Robby Higginbothem and Nichole Martin; and one brother, Mark (Lynda) Martin.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2015 from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Funeral services will begin at 2 pm.
Burial will be at Cobbtown Community Cemetery.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Joyce Bridges
July 22, 2015
Mrs. Betty Joyce Bridges, 68, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2015, in Atmore.
Mrs. Bridges was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. Mrs. Bridges loved gardening. She was a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and was of the Holiness Faith. She is preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, George Bridges; and mother, Reva McGhee.
Survivors include her son, Robin Jay of Atmore; her daughter, Kelly (Jay) Milstid of Stockton, AL; five grandchildren, Carter Overstreet, Ethan Powell, Skylyn Milstid, Chason Jay and Ashley Jay; and special friends, Ann and Lewis Reynolds of Perdido, and Annice and Don Atwell of Dothan.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. William Bubba Rolin officiating.
Burial was at the New Home Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Tyler Milstid, Matthew Luker, Jackie Odom, Larry Jackson and Chason Jay.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Martha W. White
July 22, 2015
Martha W. White, 80, of Atmore, passed away Monday, July 20, 2015, in Pensacola. She was a homemaker. She was born in Flomaton on December 23, 1934, to the late Joseph and Martha Odom White. She was a member of Little Escambia Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Clifford G. White.
Survivors include her two sons, Randy G. (Rosemary) White of Eufula, AL, and Robert Keith (Alice) White of Canoe; one brother, Tom (Lois) White of Cantonment; two grandchildren, David (Heather) White and Mark (Alisia) White; and four great-grandchildren, Anna Claire, Alivia, Isaac, and Hope.
Services will be Thursday, July 23, 2015, at 10 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Doug Hogg officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Mark White, David White, Joe Mize, Jonathan Mize, Samuel Mize and Matthew Mize.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Margaret Ann Beasley
July 20, 2015
Margaret Ann Beasley,75, of Spanish Fort, passed away Friday, July 17, 2015, in Fairhope. She was a retired bookkeeper as of 2002 from Waller, Crook and Jones. She was born in Andalusia, AL on October 13, 1939, to the late King David and Evelyn Lanier Cotton. She attended Atmore First Assembly of God Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William ‘Buster” Beasley; granddaughter, Brittany Donovan; one sister, Mabel Edmiston; and step-daughter, Mary Godwin.
Survivors include her daughters: Leigh Ann (Wesley) Pennington of Spanish Fort, Kristin (Steven) Hurley of Rincon, GA; step-daughters, Beth (John) Arnold of Dothan, AL; Pat Steange and Barbara Lantrip; brothers, Gene (JoAnn) Cotton of Robinsonville, Robert (Katie) Cotton of Huxford, John (Joyce) Cotton of McDavid and Stacey (Suzanne) Cotton of Covington, GA; sisters, Marjorie Troutman and Linda (Don) Helton, all of Atmore; grandchildren, Joe Paul Pennington, Peyton Pennington and Ashton Hurley.
Services were held Monday, July 20, 2015, at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Gene Cotton officiating.
Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Larry Wiggins, Claude Bryan, Michael Pennington, Wesley Pennington, Steven Hurley and Rusty Pennington.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Roy Johnson
July 20, 2015
Roy Johnson, 64, of McDavid, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2015.
Roy grew up in Pensacola near Sanders Beach where he enjoyed his childhood fishing, swimming and being a boy. He went to Pensacola Tech, served in the U.S. Army and loved Mopars. He spent a lot of time in his barn restoring a 1950 Dodge pick-up with the help of many friends. He loved his family and friends dearly. He will be missed greatly by his wife, children and grandchildren. Keep on truckin’ Mopars to you! Thanks for the memories. We love you.
He is preceded in death by his parents, T.V. and Olava Johnson; and brother, Artie Johnson.
Roy is survived by his wife, Brenda Miller Johnson; son, Tom Johnson; daughter, Amber Johnson Parker; grandchildren, Tristan Johnson, Margaret Baker, Montgomery Baker and Sadie “Hawkins” Baker.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Pauline White Byrd
July 18, 2015
Pauline White Byrd, 95, of Atmore, passed away on July 16, 2015, at Atmore Community Hospital. She was a lifelong resident of Atmore and a member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Harold Byrd; her parents, John and Stella White; great-granddaughter Brooke Blackwell; two sisters, Leona (Horace) Jones and Carlie (Buford) Wiggins; and one brother, Cecil White.
Mrs. Byrd is survived by her two daughters, Joe Ann (Douglas) Blackwell of Uriah and Shelia (Norman) Rogers of Atmore; six grandchildren, Randy (Cheryl) Blackwell, Teresa Blackwell, Tonya (Chris) Griffin, Danny Blackwell, Spencer (Jessica) Rogers and Austin Rogers; and five great-grandchildren, Emily Blackwell, Shae Blackwell, Jessie Blackwell, Chase Griffin and Harper Rogers.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 19, 2015, at 3 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Debora Bishop and Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Rodney Bell, Randall Castleberry, John Darcey, Gary Hare, Spencer Rogers and Carl White.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.