Doris Wade Gandy
March 4, 2014
Doris Wade Gandy, age 87, a native of Ochlocknee, Georgia, and former resident of Pensacola, passed away peacefully with her niece by her side on Monday, March 3, 2014, just days shy of her 88th birthday. She passed away at the Atmore Community Hospital’s Tender Loving Care program where she has received great care and compassion for the last nine years under the medical skill of the Lord’s servant and her physician, Dr. Jonah McIntyre.
Singing the loudest while leading the Halleluiah chorus when she reached her heavenly reward, was her devoted sister, Merle Matthews along with their beloved sisters, Cleo Hagan, Dora Hackney, Sadie Shuman, Dot Carter, her only brother, Wallace Wade, and parents John Arthur and Nora Wade. She was also predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Robert Cecil Gandy.
Survivors include her loving sister, Lysbeth Brown of Jacksonville, Florida; 21 nieces and nephews, including her Godchild and special namesake, Doris Dale Ash, Hooper W. Matthews, III of Atmore; Cindy Colville of Spanish Fort; extraordinary caregivers, Joyce Portis, Michelle Robbins, Jennifer Haskew, Carolyn Scott, Lucille Ankum and Cora Matthews. Jean Wilson, Jean Johnson, and Lucille Matthews, loving “senior saints” were faithful over the years in their ministry to Doris. Also feeling the loss of Doris’ smile and constant presence in their lives, are her wonderful family at the Atmore Community Hospital including the nursing and administrative staffs, physical and respiratory therapy departments, and the hospital auxiliary.
With an engaging smile, helpful nature, and keen intellect, Doris worked her way up the “ladder” in the Bell Telephone family from the 1940s as switchboard operator to supervisory customer service management upon her retirement in 1989. During her career with the phone company, which spanned five decades, she was awarded the Supervisor of the Year award. Doris was also an active member of the Pioneer Club.
A Bible scholar, Doris was a charter member of Pensacola’s Burgess Road Baptist Church in 1968 where she was an active member of the Ladies Joy Sunday School Class. As untiring supporter of missionaries throughout this country and abroad, she took any available opportunity to personally spread the gospel of Jesus Christ whom she accepted as her Lord and Savior, alongside her sister, Merle on Sunday, June 8, 1941 at the Church of Christ in Arbor Dale, Georgia.
Her 12-year battle with Alzheimer’s has ended with a new body and a new mind in Christ. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” The Book of Timothy, Chapter 2:4-7 defines Doris Wade Gandy’s life.
A celebration of her Christian witness and testimony will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church in Atmore at 11 a.m. with a visitation luncheon in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service, which will be conducted by Reverend Mark Cooley.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jerelda Lynell Wilkinson
March 4, 2014
Jerelda Lynell Wilkinson, 66, of Cantonment, began breathing freely in heaven on March 2, 2014. She was born December 27, 1947, in Waycross, GA to Reverend William Edward Martin and Alice Mae Wildes. Along with them, her sisters Doris Garrett and Betty Thomas (Beryl) welcomed her home. She is survived by her sister Marjorie Weathers (EJ).
She was married to Frank P. Wilkinson on September 1, 1995 in Bay Minette and they resided in Cantonment. She was the daughter of a Church of God of Prophecy minister and like a tree planted by the water, she remained unmoved. In her final days she worshipped at Church in the House. As a business owner of Plaza Beauty Salon, for many years she made Cantonment beautiful.
She is survived by her children, Iwana Burleson Bruns of Cantonment, Angela Burleson Browning of Pensacola and Brandi Neal (Randy) of Cantonment; grandchildren Ben “Benbo” Browning, Rachel Browning, Amber Neal, Caroline Bruns, and Hannah Neal.
She is also preceded in death by her beloved four-legged children, Cheyenne and Rebel.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 6, 2014, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2014, at Faith Chapel North. Pastor Jerry Fleming will officiate.
She will be laid to rest at Cottage Hill Community Center.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Joyce Smith Ayers
March 4, 2014
Joyce Smith Ayers, 72, of Pensacola, went to be with our Lord on Friday, February 28, 2014, at Shands Hospital after a long battle with Myelofibrosis. Joyce was born in Columbus, Gerogia, in 1941. She was a 1962 graduate of the University of Alabama. She married her husband of 50 years in 1963 and settled in Pensacola in 1973 after her husband retired from the Air Force. Joyce worked as a RN for Dr. Nell Potter until her retirement. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Joyce was preceded in death by her father, Louie; her mother, Mildred; and her sister, Paula.
Immediate survivors include her husband, Lowell; her daughter, Kimberly Jeaneen O’Connor (Peter); grandchildren, Abigail and Teddy Harrell; and daughter, Penny Kay Ayers and grandchildren, Sidney and Chase McDonald.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 7, 2014, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 8, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Reverend Michael McBride officiating. Joyce will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Marianna, Florida.
No interment services will be held.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Norma McCurley
March 4, 2014
Norma McCurley passed away quietly and peacefully Saturday, March 1, 2014. Norma was born on October 22,1913, in Jay to Doan and Malle Lee May.
Norma was married to George “Otis” McCurley for 59 years and had two children together, a son, Tex McCurley, and a daughter, Kathy McCurley Russell who all precede her in death. Norma was also preceded in death by her brothers, Ted May of Jay, Cecil May and Gillis May both of Pensacola; and her sisters, Jean Payne of Pensacola and Christine McCranie Dowdy of Texas.
Norma resided in Jay for her entire life, except for the last 9 years where she resided at Unihealth Post Acute Care Santa Rosa Nursing Home in Milton. Norma was a member of Jay First Baptist Church. Norma was a people person and loved being around friends and family.
Norma is survived by her granddaughters, Kim Russell Shell of Pace and Kristian Russell Todd of Arlington, Virginia; her grandsons-in-law, Stephen Shell and Chuck Todd and great-grand children, Kennedy, Kellison, and Bennett Shell and Margaret and Harrison Todd.
A graveside funeral will be held March 5, 2014, in Dixonville, Alabama at the Dixonville Community Cemetery at 2 p.m. Visitation will be prior to the funeral at Jay Funeral Home from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
Winona Phillips Lowery
March 3, 2014
Winona Phillips Lowery, age 81, of Jay passed away on March 1, 2014. She was born on August 17, 1932, to Samuel and Dovie Baxley Phillips in Graceville, Florida. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Franklin Lowery; son, Charles Baxter; two sisters and one brother.
She is survived by her brother, Samuel (Grace) Phillips Jr.; daughter, Phyllis (Ron) Forte; sons, David (Nora) Baxter and Darwin (Tina) Baxter; daughter-in-law, Sharon Baxter, brother-in-law, Doyle Ward; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. with Brother Ron Forte officiating services.
Burial will follow at Jay City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be grandsons, David Baxter II, Joseph Baxter, Cannon Baxter, Shannon Baxter, Darwin Baxter II, and Skylar Blanton.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Gary Clevon “Pops” James, Sr.
March 2, 2014
Gary Clevon James Sr., of McDavid passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2014.
Gary was born in Pensacola and was a lifelong resident of Escambia County. He was a member of Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church and was retired from Armstrong World Industries.
Preceding Gary in death are his parents, Eugene and Edna Lou James; grandson, Timothy Clyston James; three brothers and one sister.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Barbara Jane James; three sons, Gary, Larry (Sherry), and Wade; two daughters, Barbara (Scotty) and Cassie; five sisters; 15 grandchildren, Trey, Christy, Janey, Brianna, Boo (Sarah), Yogi, B-B (Logan), Tiger, Casey (Brandon), Noah, Spud, Brooke, Logan, and Luke; and six great-grandchildren, Jackson, Bryson, Atticus, Levi, Lizzie, and Maddie.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 4, 2014, from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
The family wishes to express their heart felt appreciation to Covenant Hospice for their excellent care of Gary.
B. Vonette “Bonnie” Boutwell Crawley
March 2, 2014
Mrs. B. Vonette “Bonnie” Boutwell Crawley, age 85 of East Brewton passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2014, at her home.
Mrs. Crawley was a native of Flomaton and a member of the Brewton community for the past thirteen years coming from Century. She was a homemaker, a member of the First Baptist Church of East Brewton and a former member of Little Escambia Baptist Church of Flomaton. She is preceded in death by her husband, J.B. Crawley; son, Donald Crawley; two brothers, Robert Boutwell and her twin, Dewitt Boutwell; sisters, Lula Dole, Teenie Johnson, Jean Ross, Agaline Hendrix, Essie Calloway, Dessie Mauldin, and Doris Tarpley.
Mrs. Crawley is survived by her daughter, Mary Jean (Mike) Goolsby of East Brewton; sisters-in-laws, Marilyn Boutwell of VA, Betty (Oria) Stuckey of Byrneville, adn Hazel (Bill) Crawley of Century; grandchildren, Missi (Harrison) Smith of Central, SC and Brad Crawley and Carolyn Antoniono of Simpsonville, SC, Scott (Amber) Goolsby and Ashley (Danny) McInnish, both of Auburn; great-grandchildren, Courtney and Allison Smith, Collin and Mary Carlton McInnish and Gracey Lynn Goolsby; numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Watts officiating.
Interment was in Flomaton Cemetery in Flomaton.
Pallbearers were Michael Goolsby, Brad Crawley, Scott Goolsby, Harrison Smith, Danny McInnish and Collin McInnish.
Honorary pallbearers were Mrs. Crawley’s nephews.
Flomaton Funeral Home directing.
Vivian Genene Baggett
March 2, 2014
Vivian Genene Bailey Baggett, 74 of Canoe passed away Thursday, February 27, 2014, in Atmore. She was a License Practical Nurse, born in Frisco City on October 13, 1939, to the late James Robert and Mazie Jewell Harrison Bailey.
She is preceded in death by two brothers, Det Hanks and Kent Hanks and one sister, Mary Griffis.
Survivors include two sons, Robin (Dianne) Baggett of Huxford and Jimmy (Lyn) Baggett of Atmore; three sisters, Glenda (Arnold) Averett of Citronelle, Elizabeth Johnson of Atmore and Sara (James Earl) Waters of Century; and seven grandchildren, Heather,Maranda, Brittany, Brandon, Noah, Emma and Ava.
Services will be Monday, March 3, 2014, at 11 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kip Barbars officiating.
Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Monday, March 3, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangements.
Ethan David Warden
March 2, 2014
Mr. Ethan David Warden, 21, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2014, in Atmore.
Mr. Warden was a native of Nokomis, Ala., and a resident of Atmore for most of his life. Mr. Warden is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth D. Warden of Atmore; his grandfathers, Harold Warden of McHenry, MS, Clarence Lee Rolin and Melvin J. Sells both of Atmore; great-grandfather, Milton Sells of Atmore; great-grandparents, Woodrow and Estell Rolin of Atmore; step-brother, Lee Rabon of Petterman, AL; and step-grandmother, Gloyce Rabon.
He is survived by his mother, Janet Welch (Tommy Ashcraft) of Atmore; wife, Shea Warden of Atmore; daughter, Halyn Grace Warden of Atmore; step-brother, Wesley Rabon of Petterman, AL; sister, Whitney Warden of Atmore; nieces, Kylin Marshall and Lillie Byrd; nephew, Kaiden Marshall; grandmothers, Hattie (Glenn) Knowles of Poarch, Lucille Sells of Atmore, Janet (Harold) Allen of Atmore, and LaVelle Franklin of Bay Minette; and grandfather, Harry Bryant of Lottie.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at 3 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Sister Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial will follow at the Sullivan Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday, March 3, 2014, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Coty Rolin, Chase Godwin, T.J. Smith, Thunder McGhee, Dillon Rolin and Brad Shwartz.
Honorary pallbearers will be Wesley Rabon and Jacob Sells.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Claude Howard Weaver
February 28, 2014
Claude Howard Weaver, 83 of Atmore,. passed away on Wednesday February 26, 2014, at his residence. He worked for Truckers Association and retired from the City of Atmore, also from the Army National Guard with 25 years of service, and was a member of the McCullough Christian Center. He was born in Escambia County, AL, on April 18, 1930, to the late Stiner and Grace Phillips Weaver.
He is preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Mack Weaver, a brother, Cecil Weaver, and a sister, Louise Wilson.
Survivors are his wife of 62 years, Frances Goodson Weaver of Atmore; three sons, Howard (Jeanette) Weaver, Ricky (Cathy) Weaver all of Atmore, Rodney (Anna) Weaver of Pace; one daughter, Cindy (Allen) Cobb of Atmore; two brothers, Clarence Weaver and Donald Ray (Peggy) Weaver all of Atmore ; two sisters, Earline (James) Burkett of Atmore, Alice (Dick) Walsh of Pensacola; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Services will be Saturday March 1, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev.C.P. Phillips officiating. Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers will be Earl Weaver, Cameron Cobb, Blake Weaver, Don Wooten, Scott Drew and Carl Ward.
Family will receive friends Friday evening February 28, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m.