Mattie Mae Gray
April 9, 2015
The Lord called our beloved Mattie Mae Gray home on Monday, April 6, 2015. She was born on May 3, 1928, in Atmore, to the late Walter Pierce and Arena Montgomery Pierce. On August 26, 1946, she was joined in holy matrimony to the late Willie James Gray.
At an early age, she move to Cantonment. Mattie was a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church (currently known as Greater First Baptist Church) and later united with First Pentecostal Church of Pensacola where she remained a member until her passing. She was employed by the Escambia County Education system for 34 years as a dedicated school bus driver.
Those she leaves behind to cherish the memories and honor the life she lived include her daughter, Gladys (Joe) Floyd; two sons, Tommy (Lynn) Gray and Christopher (Tonyse) Gray; daughter-in-law Debbie Gray; sisters, Carlee Donald and Arleane Gray; and sisters-in-law, Eunice Pierce and Helen Pierce.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at First Pentecostal Church with Reverend Brian Kinsey officiating.
Burial to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in Pensacola.
Family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Freddie Thomas Hadley
April 9, 2015
Mr. Freddie Thomas Hadley, 78, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, in Monroeville, AL.
Mr. Hadley was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. Mr. Hadley attended the Church of the Living God.
Survivors include his daughter, Corrie Hadley of Atmore; brother, Robert Hadley of Uriah, AL; and three grandchildren, Tyler Vickery, Loren Jordan and Anthony Jordan.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 11, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Riley Ferney officiating.
Visitation will be Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 9 a.m. until service time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC, is in charge of all arrangements.
Wanda Ruth Brown Biggs
April 9, 2015
Wanda Ruth Brown Biggs 90, of Bay Minette, passed away April 9, 2015, at her residence. She was born August 28, 1924, in Beaumont, TX. to the late Gane Hamilton and Libby Louise Byerly Brown. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Bay Minette. She was a nurse for 26 years and worked 25 years with a print shop in Bay Minette and was currently working up until her sickness.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jessie L. Biggs; one son, Jessie Allen Biggs; and her siblings, Floyd Allen Brown, Alfred Brown, Keel Brown, Willard Brown, Dale Brown, Elma Hall and Grace Lanell Brown.
She is survived by her two sons, Joseph L. Biggs and John W. Biggs, both of Bay Minette; daughter, Barbara McElveen of Bay Minette; siblings, Charles (Sandra) Brown of Pensacola, Louise Byerly of Beaumont, TX, Betty Mooney of McDavid, Margaret (Allen) Jones, Patsy Morgan, Gail (Ebb) Ebbesen, all of Pensacola; Shirley Black of McDavid, Charles (Sandra) Brown, June (William) Turner and Joy (Richard) Calhoun, all of Pensacola; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 12, 2015, at 3:30 p.m. from the First Assembly of God Church in Bay Minette with Bro. Brian Calhoun and Bro. William Lutz officiating.
Burial will follow in Bay Minette Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Daniel Biggs, Greg Biggs, Korey Biggs, Russell Black, Donnie Bell, David Bell and Keegan Biggs.
Visitation will be held Sunday, April 12, 2015, from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. from the First Assembly of God Church in Bay Minette.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Ann Harrison Milstead
April 9, 2015
Dorothy Ann Harrison Milstead, 61 of Atmore, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at her residence. She was born in Atmore on November 9, 1953, to the late Elzie Lee and Luverne Rutherford Harrison. She was a sales associate with Kmart. She was a fun loving, creative, with great sense of humor and a people person that truly loved the Lord. She attended Atmore First Assembly of God Church and was a huge Alabama fan.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Scott Milstead; siblings, Harold Harrison, Alice Ruth Harrison, Verna Mae Harris and Sarah Frances O’Leary.
Survivors are one daughter, Brandy Nicole (James Kevin) Dunlap of Atmore; four brothers, Earl Harrison and Robert (Faye) Harrison, both of Atmore, Donald (Barbara) Harrison of Martinville, AL and David (Vialva) Harrison of Brewton; three sisters, Mary Helen (Charlie) Jones of McCullough, Faye (Eddie) Odom of Nokomis and Kaye (Kenny) Robinson of Atmore; two grandsons, Noah Jackson Dunlap and Dylan James Dunlap; numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be Saturday, April 11,2015, at 10 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Earl Harrison, Bro. Robert Harrison and Bro. David Harrison officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Matthew Robinson, Brent Culwell, Derek Smith, Billy Wayne Harrison, Eddie Dunlap and Jim Crawford.
Family will receive friends on Friday, April 10, 2015, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangements.
John Wesley Graham
April 9, 2015
John Wesley Graham passed away on April 7, 2015, after a brief illness. He was born June 11, 1934, to the late Paul Taylor Graham and Gladys Lee Graham.
He was preceded in death by grandchildren, Margery Elizabeth Graham and John Barry Graham.
John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Helen Bowab Graham of Atmore; three sons, John Wesley Graham, Jr. (Jennifer), Anthony Scott Graham (Jose) and Paul Thomas Graham (Evelyn); seven grandchildren, Andrew Julian Graham, Anne Cadman Graham, Carl Thomas Graham, and Samuel Taylor Graham all of Mountain Brook, AL, and George Gonzalez Graham, Jack Martin Graham and Thomas Bowab Graham all of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by a sister, Evelyn Graham Woodson of Magnolia Springs, AL.
An Atmore native, John graduated from Escambia County High School in 1952 and the University of Alabama in 1956 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He served in the United States Army and Army Reserves prior to embarking on a career in the construction business as owner of Graham Contractors, Inc. He retired in 2008.
A memorial service will be held at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel in Atmore on Friday, April 10, 2015, at 3 p.m. with Monsignor Timothy Deasy officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the favorite charity of the donor’s choice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ellouise Nellie Smith
April 8, 2015
Ellouise Nellie Smith, 93, of Pensacola passed away on April 6, 2015. At a young age, Ellouise was saved at Berney Points Baptist Church in Birmingham. She enjoyed learning to know Christ and was later baptized. As an adult, Ellouise enjoyed volunteering at Olive Baptist Church and Manna Food Bank, where she received an award for her long-time service. She was also a member of Steadfast Sunday School class at Olive Baptist Church.
Ellouise said, “Jesus has always been a step ahead of me in my joys and especially of my needs. There was always people to love and to be near when they were needed, and always made sure there was manna for me”.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings; and her husband, Richard E. Smith.
Survivors include her sons, Richard Smith and Matt (Trina) Smith; grandchildren, Andy (Ginger) Smith, Laura Smith, Adam Smith, Emily Smith, and Helen Smith; great grandsons, Braedon and Rowan.
Trahan Family Funeral Home, 419 Yoakum Court, is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m. with a service at 5 p.m., Thursday, April 9, 2015, at the funeral home. A visitation will be held the following day from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, April 10, 2015, at the Central Baptist Church, McNeill, MS, with interment to follow at First Baptist Church Cemetery, in Carriere, MS.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Manna Food Bank.
Susan Clarke Williamson Forehand
April 7, 2015
Susan Clarke Williamson Forehand, lovingly known as “Nana”, was welcomed home to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior, on Friday, April 3, 2015, following a long, courageous battle with cancer. She resided with her family in Cantonment. Sue was born in Asheville, NC, on September 21, 1957. While in her teens, she met her lifelong sweetheart and best friend, Bruce Forehand and they later married, started a family, and raised three children. This past December, she and Bruce celebrated 41 years of marriage.
Sue was such a precious, God-loving lady with a true servant’s heart. Her kindness, compassion, and optimism were contagious, and all who had the privilege of knowing her were blessed. She was selfless and uncomplaining in everything she did, and always found the good in everyone she met. Many that came to visit, wanting to bless her, left having been blessed. She was always more concerned for others than she was for herself – even at the very end. Her famous words throughout her battle were, “God’s got this!” with the upmost confidence and such a glow in her eyes that you realized she had no fears.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents, John Robert “Bob” and Susan Williamson, and her brother, John Robert “Bobby” Williamson III.
Sue is survived by: her loving husband, Bruce Forehand; daughter, Jennifer (Tommy) Williams; sons, Chris (Kim) Forehand and Craig (Jennifer) Forehand; grandchildren, Kelsey, Joshua, Caleb, Jordan, Trey, Colin, Destiny, Landon, Eli, and Ava; sister, Lee (Pat) Hutchinson; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear family friends that are like family.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until her Celebrations of Life Service begins at 3:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 9 Mile Road Campus on Thursday, April 9, 2015, with Pastor Jim Locke officiating.
The family would like to extend their greatest appreciation to Dr. Eldawy for his outstanding care and concern given to Sue and her family for the past 5 years. His compassion really showed through the care he provided as if she were a part of his family. The family further extends their thanks and appreciation to Emerald Coast Hospice for their help and care during her final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sue’s Honor to Hillcrest Baptist Church Missions Fund or the American Cancer Society.
Charles Alfred Marsh
April 7, 2015
Charles Alfred Marsh passed away at his home in Atmore on Monday, April 6, 2015.
Mr. Marsh was born on January 28, 1931, in Fairbury, NE. He is retired from Monsanto.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Rose Marsh; his five sisters Fern, Jeanette, May, Joy and Donna; and two brothers Frank and Freddie.
He is survived by his wife Nanella Lowrey Marsh; his brother Jack; two sisters Mary and Jean; two sons Frankie (Tina) Marsh and Roger Marsh; grandchildren Crystal (Kyle) Marsh Bazzelle, Justin (Brooke) Marsh, Morgan (Eric) Marsh Roberts; and six great grandchildren Oliva, Kyle, Christian, Parker, Peyton and Ella.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, April 9, 2015, at 11 a.m. from the Canoe Methodist Church Cemetery in Robinsonville, AL with Bro. Bobby Willis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Active Ppallbearers will be Justin Marsh, Buddy Lowrey, Eric Roberts, Blake Young, Tommie Young and Mike Johnson.
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 9, 2015, from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. from the Johnson Quimby Funeral Home.
Ruth “Peachie” Holland Hopkins
April 6, 2015
Mrs. Ruth ‘Peachie’ Holland Hopkins, age 82 of McDavid, went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on April 2, 2015, surrounded by her family. Peachie was born on September 14, 1932, in Hosford, FL to Stanley and Mae Holland, and was one of eight children. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and was a 1952 graduate of Ernest Ward High School where she was an active member and captain of the varsity girls basketball team. Peachie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was an avid reader, perfectionist homemaker, and a remarkable seamstress. She enjoyed spending time with her brothers and sisters during their monthly social dinner and their annual June family reunion while observing the horse shoe tournament. As Nanny, she always looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Peachie is preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Mae Holland, two brothers, Buck Holland and Wayne Holland; two sisters, Doris Amerson and Judy Holland.
Peachie is survived by her husband of 62 years, Charles Russell Hopkins of McDavid; son, Dwight (Sue) Hopkins of McDavid; daughters, Rhonda Killam of McDavid and Margo (Matt) Robbins of Bratt; six grandchildren, Harmony Bell of Daws, AL, Aaron (Tanya) Killam of Pensacola, Amanda (Kent) Calloway of Byrneville, Sheldon Robbins of Bratt, Helena Hopkins of McDavid, SSG Tristan Hopkins of Fort Campbell, KY; great-grandchildren, Trace McHenry, Logan Bell, Addison Miller, Mackenzie Bell, Lyla Calloway; brother, Jerry (Mary) Holland of Cantonment; sisters, Jannie (Pete) Singleton of Walnut Hill, Betty (Kenneth) Blanton of Bratt; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were held on Saturday, April 4, 2015, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with her nephews, Rev. Howard Holland and Rev. Tim Holland officiating.
Interment will be in Flomaton Cemetery in Flomaton.
Pallbearers will be Dwight Hopkins, Matt Robbins, Aaron Killam, Kent Calloway, Sheldon Robbins, and SSG Tristan Hopkins.
The family wishes to thank our church family, relatives, and friends for their continued thoughts and prayers.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
Donald Ray Majors, Sr.
April 6, 2015
Donald Ray Majors, Sr., age 74, of Pensacola, passed away on April 1, 2015. He was born in Muskogee, OK, on October 25, 1940. He was preceded in death by his father, Forest Majors and his mother, Grace Majors and brothers, Paul, Everett, and Gene Majors.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley Freeman Majors; son, Donald Majors, Jr. (Donna); daughters, Debra Winfield (Dave) and Sally Edgar (James); brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Marty Freeman; ten grandchildren, Ashley, Jared, Brandon, Samantha, Cayla, Carly, Cody, Courtney, Megan, and Cassidy; seven great-grandchildren, Chase, Cash, Cole, Jayden, Sienna, Lila, and Mason and siblings, Bob (Sam), Oscar (Lori), Shirley, Sidney, Linda (David), Barbara Ann (David) and Terry, all from Oklahoma.
Donnie was raised in Muskogee, OK, but spent the majority of his life in Pensacola. He was a member of the Tahlequah Cherokee Nation. He was a respected and well known car salesman for many years and received multiple awards and recognitions. He loved music, enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves and took great pride in his yard. Everyone that knew Donnie knew how much he loved his wife, children and grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 7 from 6-8 p.m. at Faith Chapel South. Funeral Services will be held at Faith Chapel South on Wednesday, April at 11 a.m. with pastors Ken and Esther Ponder officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Bayview Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Goodale, Jared Majors, Cody Cates, Jerry Freeman, Jr., Robin Freeman, and Jason Boyle.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.