John Alan Gunn
July 6, 2013
Colonel John Alan Gunn (USMC, ret), 82, of Gulf Breeze, left this earth on June 24, 2013, and into the arms of his heavenly Father.
John was a man of honor, pride, and integrity. He was a dedicated Marine, community advocate, and devoted family man. He faithfully served his country, his church, and his community. He fought his debilitating dementia with laughter, a kind heart, and strength of character, fitting of a Marine. He will forever be in our hearts.
John was born and raised in Chicago, IL and graduated from Morgan Park High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Monmouth College in Illinois. He was a 40-year career newspaperman, with 26 years in news and 14 years in sports with newspapers in Monmouth and Galesburg, IL, Wilmington, NC, Richmond, VA, Costa Mesa, CA, and Pensacola. He retired as an assistant sports editor of The Orange County, CA Register in Santa Ana, CA in 1994.
John was the co-author of the Virginia 1968 Freedom of Information Act and received the George Mason Award from the Richmond Sigma Delta Chi. He was the only editor on duty at The Richmond News Leader the day JFK was assassinated and had the duty of yelling “stop the presses” and helped crank out an updated edition hours later. Through the years, he interviewed politicians, sports legends, celebrities, and military heroes.
A retired Marine Corps Reserve colonel, he served two years on active duty at Quantico, VA, Cherry Point (where he met his wife Joan), and New River, NC. He spent 28 years in the Reserves with units in Illinois, Virginia, and California.
When John retired to Gulf Breeze in 1995, the newsman continued to write stories for the Pensacola News Journal, the Gulf Breeze Sentinel, the Pensacola Beach Islander, and published the monthly newsletter of the Military Officers Association of America. He loved his Gulf Breeze community and served as chairman of the Gulf Breeze Development Review Board. He was a tireless American Red Cross volunteer, working around the clock during numerous hurricanes. He was the local chapter’s Volunteer of the Year in 1998. John was a faithful member of Calvary Chapel of Gulf Breeze, and his smiling face was at the door greeting members on many Sundays.
John combined his love of sports and the Marine Corps by authoring two books on Marine Corps football. Over decades, John collected and saved professional, college, and military sporting news. His collection primarily focused on memorabilia from college and professional football and basketball, and also military football game-day programs from the WWII era. His collection, one of the largest sports collections in the country, was donated to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where it continues today to be a research tool for journalists and sportswriters.
John is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Joan Gunn, and his parents Alan and Clara Gunn.
He is survived by four of God’s finest children, Laura Catterton (Allen) of Cantonment, Victoria Street (Audie) of Cantonment, Becky Gunn of St. Paul, MN; and Bruce Gunn (Luz) of Gulf Breeze. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Brown of Chicago; nephew, Mark Brown and niece, Tracy O’Brien, both of Chicago; and five grandchildren, Alex Dunlop, Casey Street, Luke Street, Lindsay Chiles, and Alan Gunn; and one great-granddaughter, Angelique.
The family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff of Pacifica Senior Living Creekside and the Emerald Coast Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pensacola Waterfront Mission.
A graveside funeral service with military honors will be held at 11:45 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2013, at Barrancas National Cemetery/NAS Pensacola.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Rose Lawn Funeral Home of Gulf Breeze.
Edith Joyce Page
July 6, 2013
Edith Joyce Page, age 73, resident of Cedartown passed away June 30, 2013, at her home in Molino. Edith was born July 29, 1939, to Nathaniel and Ella Straughn. She received Christ at an early age and was baptized at New Hope P.B. Church where she served as church secretary for 45 plus years until her health failed in 2008. Edith retired from Escambia County School Board, Carver High with 43 years in 2003 as school secretary. She loved her family, friends and her church. Edith loved to also bowl and shop.
She was preceded in death by her parents Nathaniel and Ella Mae Straughn and husband George Page.
Survivors include four children, Anthony Clay, Katrina Clay-Malden, Christopher (Jackie) Page, Erika (Everette) Miller; grandkids, Ra’chell, Jeremy, LaBrea, Buddy, D’Asya, Leon, Terrence, Anthony; and great-grandchildren Ka’Maury and Aaliyah.
Services were held Saturday, July 6,2013, at New Hope P.B. Church with Rev. Robert Lovelace and Rev. Michael C. Smith, Sr. officiating.
Burial will be in New Hope P.B. Church Cemetery.
Samuel Melvin Archer
July 5, 2013
Samuel Melvin Archer, 58, of Cantonment, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Sam was the son of the late Judge E.G. Archer and Christine Archer.
Sam is survived by his wife, Karen Holland Archer; daughter, Kari Archer Wiley; son, Jeremy Archer; granddaughters, Kenzi Wiley and Jada Archer; two sisters, Mary Archer (Jerry) Holland and Monte Archer (Ron) Schoenfeld.
Funeral services will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, July 6, 2013, at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church with Pastor Chester Bolton and Pastor Dave Kelso officiating.
Interment will follow at Gonzalez United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North has been entrusted with arrangements.
Joseph Earl Fore
July 3, 2013
Mr. Joseph Earl Fore, 85, passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2013, in Atmore.
Mr. Fore was a native and life long resident of Robinsonville. Mr. Fore was retired from Champion Paper Company after 37 ½ years of service. Mr. Fore was in the U.S. Army, American Legion Post 90 and Carney Masonic Lodge 549. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He attended the Presley Street Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Godwin Fore of Robinsonville; two sons, Richard Earl (Debbie) Fore of Nokomis, AL and Joseph Randall (Freda) Fore of Bay Minette; three brothers, Edwin Fore of Robinsonville, Steve Fore of Robinsonville and Kenneth Fore of Titusville, FL; one sister, Nancy Fore Miles of Atmore; four grandchildren, Sara Chavers, Holly Fore, Whitney Fore and Courtney Fore and seven great-grandchildren, Andrew Guy, Logan Chavers, Landon Chavers, Luke Chavers, Caleb Hughes, Harlind Hamilton and Nolan Hamilton.
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 6, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, July 5, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Benny Watson, Matt Watson, Dennis Stanton, James Johnson, Sammy Peacock and Terry Day.
Honorary pallbearers will be Don Smith, Mickey Parker, J.C. Moye, Curtis Fayard, James Burkett and Robert Philmore.
Benjamin “Conan” Harrison
July 3, 2013
Benjamin “Conan” Harrison, 29, of Perdido passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2013, in Daphne. He was a carpenter by trade, having most recently worked with ISC Contractors as an electrician assistant. He was born in Bay Minette on November 21, 1983, to Ben and Amanda Gonzalez Harrison.
Conan was known for his big smile, caring nature, and always wearing red. He also loved fishing, hunting and carpentry. His favorite bible verse was “I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.” Philippians 4:13.
He is survived by his parents, Ben and Amada Harrison; one son, Braxton Cohen Harrison; one sister, Cecilia Harrison; paternal grandmother, Luverne Dunn, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Services will be Saturday, July 6, 2013, at 11 a.m. from the Fretwell Tabernacle with Pastor Helen Stewart officiating. Interment will follow in Lottie New Home Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Josey Hadley, Joseph Hadley, Dempsey Hadley, J.J. Gregson, Timbo Tuberville and Justin Ramer.
Family will receive friends Friday, July 5, 2013, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m until 8 p.m.
Elizabeth Ann Manning Bowab Brock
July 3, 2013
Elizabeth Ann Manning Bowab Brock, 83, of Montgomery, passed away Monday, July 1, 2013, in Birmingham. She owned and operated The Economy Store in Atmore. She was born on July 1, 1930, in Aliceville, AL to the late Earl Evan and Ernestine Turnipseed Manning.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, George Edward Bowab of Atmore and Benjamin Franklin Brock of Montgomery.
Survivors include two sons, Louise Earl Bowab of Birmingham, and Eddie Manning (Sheri) Bowab of Huntsville; one brother, Earl (Mary Helen) Manning of Roanoke, AL; one sister, Belle Bachelor of Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Sarah Bowab of Huntsville; Joseph Bowab of Afganstan and Mary Bowab of Huntsville; and one great-grandchild, Amber Katherine Bowab of Huntsville.
Graveside services will be Friday, July 5, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore with Father Gordon Milsted officiating.
Family will receive friends Friday, July 5, 2013, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangemants.
Hattie Lou Morris
July 1, 2013
Hattie Lou Morris, 85 of Poarch, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2013, at her residence. She was a homemaker, born in Atmore on July 23, 1927, to the late Dave and Molly Rolin Presley.
She is preceded in death by her husband, M.C. Morris; two sisters, Lunie Mae McGhee and Elba “Coot” McGhee; one brother, J.D. Presley; two grandchildren, Brandy Shane Morris and Phillip Brandon Nall.
Survivors include eight children, Marybell and the late Benny McGhee, three children, ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren; Marilyn and the late Gene Ross, two children, four grandchildren; Mack and Pam Morris, four children, four grandchildren; Annette and Don Nall, three children; Mack, Jr. and Sandra Morris, three children, five grandchildren; Lanette and the late Michael Tuberville, three children, two grandchildren; Gailette and David Moore, four children, five grandchildren; David and Tina Morris, two children; Granny’s legacy totals eight children, 24 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Services will be Tuesday, July 02, 2013, at 11 a.m. from Atmore Memorial Chapel with Rev. Michael Montgomery and Rev. Gene Pickern officiating. Interment will follow in New Home Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers will be Wesley Morris, Coley McGhee, Austin Tuberville, Kipp Moore, Colt Morris and Brian Moore.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Buford Rolin, Stephen Bryan, Brad Nall, Benjamin Tuberville, Steven Ross, Garvis Sells, Odell McGhee, and Charles Gregson.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc, is in charge of all arrangements.
Shirley Faye Raines
July 1, 2013
Shirley Faye Raines, 75, of Wing, AL, passed away Friday, June 28, 2013, in Mobile. She was a secretary, born in McCullough on October 10, 1937, to the late Carlos and Verla Percy Gibson.
She is survived by five children; one step-daughter; one sister, Willie Fay Rosemondy of Pensacola; and a special niece Earline (Ralph) Pearson of Atmore.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc, is in charge of all arrangements.
Helen Marie Brown
June 30, 2013
Helen Marie Brown was born on December 6, 1932, to the late Charlie and Viola Johnson in Buena Vista, AL.
She gracefully departed this life to be with God on June 25, 2013. She had 13 sisters and brothers, six of whom, Lee, Ollie, Minnie, Willie Clyde, Robert and Lucille, preceded her in death. She was a member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Atmore.
She was married to Hoover Brown for 57 years, and to this union, five children were born. Those who mourn her but cherish her memory are: devoted husband, Hoover Brown of Atmore; five children, DeVan Brown of Atlanta, Devon Brown of Atmore, Andre Brown (Katrinka) of Atmore, Renee Rowe (Wayne) of Atlanta and Eric Brown (Gwendolyn) of Birmingham; six brothers, Delloyd Johnson and O’Neill Johnson, both of Atmore, Woodrow (Elizabeth) Johnson of Chicago, Dewey Johnson of Jackson, Ala., Peter Johnson and Jessie Johnson, both of Los Angeles; one sister, Mary Alice (Charles) Reynolds of Atmore; a devoted sister-in-law, Viola Johnson of Atmore; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and loving friends.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 1 at 1 p.m. from Empowerment Tabernacle Christian Center. Burial will follow at Stallworth Cemetery. Family will receive friends Sunday, June 30 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Mayberry Funeral Home.
Mayberry Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Lloyd Parker
June 30, 2013
Lloyd Parker, a native of Atmore, AL, and longtime resident of Pensacola, passed away June 21, 2013. He was a painter by profession. Lloyd was an avid University of Florida baseball fan.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Talmadge and Tennie Mae Parker; son, Ronald Ray Parker; two brothers, Bill Parker and Tommy Parker.
He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Trawick Parker, son, Keith (Laura) Parker, daughter, Karen (Craig) Poche; stepdaughters, Sharon Dillon and Cheryl Pugh; stepson, Bobby Cook; brothers, Quinton (Virginia) Parker, Claude (Dianne) Parker and Danny (Christy) Parker; sisters, Carolyn Davis and Bonnie (Jim) Garrett; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and many friends.
Memorial Service was held at 10 a.m. , Saturday, June 29, 2013, at Beulah Baptist Church, 5805 Beulah Road with Sean Till and Deacon Thomas Frazier officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North was in charge of all arrangements.