Bryon Ard
December 22, 2014
Mr. Bryon Ard, 44, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2014, in Pensacola.
Mr. Ard was a native of Jay and a resident of McDavid for most of his life. He loved to fish and hunt. His parents, Troy and Linda Ard, precede him in death.
Survivors include his companion, Heather Shanks of Atmore; daughters, Sydney Ard of Pensacola and Adrianne Shanks of McDavid, Troy Ard of McDavid and Kendal Ard of McDavid.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Robert Rand Gafford
December 22, 2014
Robert Rand Gafford, 89, of Cantonment, beloved father, grandfather, and friend went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. Mr. Gafford was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Navy. He was a career salesman and loved meeting and serving people. He was a Bible scholar and taught Sunday school for most of his adult life. After retiring Mr. Gafford settled in the Mobley Creek community and was privileged to lead the music program at Mobley Creek Baptist Church for almost twenty years. He was a devoted husband and father who loved and cared for his family.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Ward Gafford; mother, Bertha Hassell Sheffield; and son-in-law, Jeff Bates. Mr. Gafford is survived by his children, Ramona Gafford Wright, Raleigh Gafford, and Regena Gafford Bates; grandchildren, Jason (Angie) Wright, Amber Wright, Kelsey Bates (Tre) Jablonski, Kaitlyn Bates; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
Funeral services were held Monday, December 22, 2014 with Rev. Terry Powell and Rev. Billy Boles officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Mobley Creek Baptist.
Delorse Elizabeth Darby
December 22, 2014
Mrs. Delorse Elizabeth Darby, 89, passed away Thursday, December 18, 2014, in Jay.
Mrs. Darby was native of Caryville, Florida and a lifelong resident of McDavid. Mrs. Darby was a member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church for 60 years. Her husband of 70 years, J.C. Darby; son, Donald Ray Darby, Sr.; granddaughter, Tracy Lynn Simmons; and daughter-in-law, Nancy Darby, precede her in death.
Survivors include her son, James R. Darby; daughter-in-law, Edna Darby; grandchildren, Dana (Doodle) Langhorne, Jaime (Janine) Darby, Deneen (Mike) Brazel, Darla (Doug) Coburn, Kevin (Pam) Darby and Donald Darby, Jr.; 14 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, December 22, 2014, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Douglas Coburn officiating.
Burial will follow at the Crary Memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Warren Eugene McClanahan
December 22, 2014
Warren Eugene McClanahan, 81, went home to be with the Lord on December 18, 2014. He was born in Pensacola on June 10, 1933.
Upon graduating from Pensacola High School in 1951, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served in the Korean War before his discharge in 1955. After separating from the Navy, he began work at the Naval Aviation Depot, NAS Pensacola, and retired after 38 years of outstanding service.
He attended Transformation Church, a.k.a. Hearts of Love, where he served the Lord for many years. His faith in Jesus Christ, was a hallmark of his character, and was appreciated by his family and friends.
Warren is survived by his wife of 11 wonderful years, Almeada McClanahan. All of their years were filled with Godly devotion and a timeless affection, reminiscent of youthful love.
He is also survived by step-sons, Larry (Diane) Wilbanks, of Milton, and Jimmy Warrick, of Elberton, GA; step-grandson, U.S. Army 1st LT. Bret Wilbanks of Ft. Bragg, NC; step-granddaughter, Kristie (Jesse) Hamilton, of Millbrook, AL; two sisters-in-law, Margaret (Wilbur) Weeks of Jay; and Brenda (Rick) Godwin of Gulf Breeze; many nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors, who loved him deeply.
Warren was predeceased by his father, Howard Eugene McClanahan; his mother, Laura Christine McClanahan; his first wife, Dolly McClanahan; and step-son, Danny Wilbanks.
A celebration of Warren’s life was held at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home and Crematory Monday, December 22, 2014.
Interment was at Whitmire Cemetery in Pensacola.
James L. Forte
December 17, 2014
Mr. James L. Forte, 78, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, in Atmore.
Mr. Forte was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. Mr. Forte was a Veteran of the US Air Force and was a former Commander of the American Legion Post 90 of Atmore. He was a member of the Brooks Memorial Baptist Church for 19 years.
Survivors include his wife, Ernestine Rowell Forte; sons, Roger Forte, Mark (Tina) Digmon and Mike (Beverly) Digmon; grandchildren, Amber (Saul) Duhe, Holly (Cody) Roberson, Kelly Digmon, Ashley Digmon and Morgan Digmon; and three great-granddaughters, Taylor Duhe, Jordan Duhe and Gemma Roberson.
Funeral services will be Thursday, December 18, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Herd, Rev. Nathan Brown and Rev. Diane Everett officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 18, 2014, from 9 a.m. until service time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Davis, Jeremiah Daugett, Cody Roberson, Justin Lisenby, Holden McCaskill, Josh Rodgers and James Carver.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Grady Keith Glover
December 17, 2014
Grady Keith Glover, age 53 of Jay, passed away on December 15, 2014. He was a loving son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to many and will be dearly missed. He was self-employed and enjoyed working on cars, doing paint and body work, spending time with his grandkids and his morning trips for coffee to J&J.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Simmie and Ola Fuller of Jay and Leonard and Ethel Glover of Century.
He is survived by his father and mother, Clark and Marie Glover of Jay; sons, Darrel (Lindsay) Glover and Nicholas (Tammy) Glover of Jay; brother, Larry (Robbi) Glover of Jay; seven grandchildren, Ocean, Bentley, Bailey, Hunter, Kinslee, Grady and Eden; girlfriend, Lisa Flowers and her children Timmy and Jasper; two nieces, numerous family and friends and his faithful companion Shadow.
A visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at the Jay Funeral Home.
Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. with Brother Doug Hogg officiating.
Burial will follow at Jay Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Nicholas Glover, Tony Coffield, Steve Brown, Mike Brown, Jerry Lynn Lacy, and Ricky Nelson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Melvin Johnson, Tony Williamson and James “Doc” Griffin.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ronald Wilbert Ledkins
December 17, 2014
Ronald Wilbert Ledkins, 81 of Perdido, passed away Monday, December 15, 2014, at his residence. He was retired from the State of Alabama as a maintenance tech. He was born in Bratt on May 8, 1933, to the late Edward T. and Ethel Nichols Ledkins.
He is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Britt Ledkins, Alvis Ledkins, Cecil Ledkins,Louie Ledkins and Frankie Ledkins, A.G. Ledkins, Aaron Ledkins, Myrtle Godwin, Mable Jeter and Anna May Roley.
Survivors include four sons, George Edward Ledkins, of Atlanta, Ronald Eugene Ledkins and Michael Keith Ledkins both of Perdido and Bobby Darrell Ledkins of Lottie; two daughters, Cynthia “Cindy” Couch of Atlanta and Cathy Lynn Booker of Mobile; and his grandchildren.
Services will be Friday, December 19, 2014, at 2 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery.
Family will receive friends on Friday, December 19, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 1 p.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc, is in charge of all arrangements.
Odie G. Bell
December 17, 2014
Odie G. Bell went to be with the Lord on December 16, 2014, with his family by his side. He and his twin brother, Omer Clayton Bell, were born on April 18, 1922, in Octavia, Oklahoma.
He was predeceased in death by his father, Edgar Houston Bell, and his mother, Willie Mathus Bell, six brothers and one sister.
He is survived by his daughters, Belinda (Johnny) Whitfield, Deborah (Louie) Kemp, Theresa Baker and Elaine (Jeff) Seay; son, Michael Bell; and step-son, Davon Bell; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson.
Odie was a WWII Navy pilot and after his military service, he and his twin brother, Omer, started their own crop dusting business in Texas. In 1954, Odie later went on to establish the Bell Flying Service at the Pensacola Municipal Airport and was both owner and manager until 1963. In 1963 he moved to Enterprise, Alabama, and became a civilian helicopter flight instructor at Fort Rucker, Alabama, until his retirement after 30 years. He and his twin brother, Omer, were fortunate to have participated in the first Honor Flight from Pensacola to Washington, DC, honoring WWII veterans.
He was a passionate and adventurous individual who loved his family, flying, hunting, college football and lived life to its fullest. He never met a stranger and loved to reminisce about his many past adventures. He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by all those blessed to have known him.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2014, at 10 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11 a.m. with Chaplain Mark Smith officiating.
Graveside services will be held at Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Molino.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Whitfield, Louie Kemp, Bubba Peters, Michael Jones, Darren Williams and Houston Wright.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at The Terrace at Ivy Acres in Jay and Emerald Coast Hospice for all their compassionate and loving care for him and his family during his illness.
In lieu of flowers the family would like to request that donations may be made to The Terrace at Ivey Acres, 3964 Florida Avenue, Jay, Florida 32565.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Paul Gene Louviere
December 17, 2014
Paul Gene Louviere, age 74, passed away December 13, 2014, in the nursing home at Century. He was born March 8, 1940, in Jeanerette, LA. Most of his career was with the oil field, which brought him to Century in 1971. Mr. Louviere was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Methodist Church of Century.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Rita Louviere of Morgan City, LA; and his granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Murphy of Flomaton.
Mr. Louviere is survived by his wife, Maxine Louviere of Century; two brothers; two sisters; and nieces and nephews all of Louisiana; his daughter, Paula (Larry) Murphy of Flomaton; Jon Louviere of Cleveland, Ohio; Kenny (Tammy) Louviere of Century; Tim Louviere of Milton; Chris Louviere of Pensacola; five grandchildren, Chase (Samantha) Murphy of Atmore; Summer and Dalton Louviere of Milton; Xena Louviere of Century; and one great-grandson, Bentley Murphy of Atmore.
A memorial will be held December 18, 2014, at 6 p.m. at the Methodist Church in Century.
Elvis “Tiny” Levoy
December 15, 2014
Elvis “Tiny” Levoy, 67 of Cantonment, passed away on Wednesday, December10, 2014.
Tiny was born on April 10, 1947, in Battles Wharf, Alabama to the late Katie and Ed Levoy, Sr.
He graduated from Century High School class of 65’. He was an eight year veteran of the U.S. Air force and retired from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office after 29 years of service. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Century, 32 degree Mason of Century Lodge 213 F & A Mason (Past Master 1998 and 2009), A & A Scottish Rite, Knights of St. Andrews, and York Rite bodies of Pensacola, U.S. Police Canine Association, PBA, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, Wheel’n Outdoor Adventures and PVA.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, George, Allen, and Ed Levoy, Jr.; and one sister, Montez May.
Tiny is survived by his wife and best friend of 47 years, Pat; daughters, Beth Levoy and Anne (Isaac) Brant; three grandchildren, Wayne “Bug” and Kristian “Sugarfoot” Isakson, Timmy Brant; two great-grandchildren, Colby Leslie and Karlie Isakson; his extended family, Ann Brant, Danny Engle, Cody Engle, and Hydie Engle; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his K-9 friends, Shema and Tara.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Mitch Herring, Rev. Ken Johnson and Pastor Greg Lancaster.
Burial will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery.
Honors provided by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, Patriot Guard, Masonic and Military Honors.
Pallbearers will be Mike Steele, Rhett Smith, Robert Powers, Larry Mainer, John Johnson, Coy Campbell and Tommy Miller.
Honorary pallbearers are Members of the Century Lodge #213, The Ladies of the Sheriff’s Dept. –Dot Steele, Jeanine Williams, Michele Peavy, Dawn Hawthorne, Karen Nobles, Marty Heist Brown and Mary Rebber.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Century Lodge #213, Killam Road, Century, FL 32535.
FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME NORTH, 1000 S. Hwy. 29, Cantonment, FL is in charge of arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com