Rosemary Pearl Thompson
July 24, 2013
She is survived by her daughter and best friend, Debra Thompson Dawson; her son, Bruce (Sharon) Thompson; granddaughter, Tanya (Sam) Smith; grandsons, Michael Born and Blake Smith; great-granddaughters, Izzabella “Izzy”, Alexandra “Ally” and Gabriella “Ella” of Dallas, TX and Leila and Carlie “CJ” of Pensacola.
Rosary will be prayed on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. at Faith Chapel North followed by visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Cantonment on Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. followed by interment at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 303 Rocky Ave., Cantonment, FL 32533.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
James Stevens Elkins, Jr.
July 24, 2013
James Stevens Elkins, Jr., age 82, passed away Monday, July 22, 2013, after a brief illness. Jim was born in Fairfield, Alabama and was raised in Bessemer, Alabama. He moved to Atmore in 1956 where he lived until his death.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James S. and Marguerite E. Elkins; his beloved wife of 57 years, Mildred D. Elkins; and his brother Robert Eugene Elkins.
He is survived by his two sons, Mark J. Elkins of Atmore and Jerry S. (Natalie) Elkins of Moundville; three daughters, Carol Elkins of Atmore, Kay Elkins of Jacksonville, Fla. and Janis Elkins of Northport; his sister, Joy (Bennie) Elkins Wall of Woodstock, Ga.; and his aunt, Eva Wilson of Hoover. Other survivors include nieces, Tammy (Danny) Wall Cochran and children of Woodstock, Ga.; Terri (Tim) Wall Speer and children of Woodstock, Ga.; Luanne Elkins Wohlschlaeger and children of Pensacola; nephew, Robert E. Elkins, Jr. of Robertsdale; and a special caregiver, Celene B. McGhee.
Jim graduated from Bessemer High School in 1949 and Auburn University in 1954 with a B. S. degree in music education. He received a Master of Education degree from Auburn University in 1962. He received his AA Teacher Certificate in School Administration and Guidance & Counseling in 1975-1976.
Following his marriage, he joined the United States Army in August 1954, where he was based in Fort Jackson, S.C. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1956-1961. He moved to Atmore in 1956 to accept a position with the Escambia County High School as Band and Choral Director. During this time he also taught instrumental music to fifth and sixth graders. After a short break from teaching, he returned to the education field in 1974 to accept the position of guidance counselor. He retired in June, 1997 with 34 ½ years of educational service.
Jim was an active member of Atmore First United Methodist Church. He served as the choir director for 33 years until his retirement in 1991. He also served on several boards and committees, including Administrative Board, Council on Ministries, and Worship Committee.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 26, 2013, at Atmore First United Methodist Church with the Reverends Jim Reece and Debora Bishop officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Oakhill Cemetery with military honors.
Active pallbearers are Stephen Van Pelt, Jim Henley, Tyler Speer, Robert Elkins, Jr., Lou Vickery, and Clifton Mims, Jr.
Honorary pallbearers are Jack Beck, Jim Van Pelt, George Van Pelt, Giles Chapman, Pete McGhee, and Danny Cochran.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Atmore First United Methodist Church Building Fund or to the Library Partners of Atmore.
Funeral arrangements are by Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Danny Amerson, Sr.
July 22, 2013
Mr. Danny Amerson, Sr., 64, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Stapleton.
Mr. Amerson was a native of Bratt and had resided in Stapleton for the past 25 years. His mother, Margie Amerson; two brothers, Jimmy Hibbitts and Eddie Amerson; and one sister, Sandra Lee Wilson precede Mr. Amerson in death.
Survivors include his father, R.J. Amerson of Bratt; two sons, Daniel Frank Amerson, Jr. of Mississippi and Robert Dylan Amerson of Stapleton; one stepson, Joe Amerson of Charlotte, N.C.; one stepdaughter, Jennifer Amerson Parnell of Fairhope; one brother, Bobby Amerson of Bratt; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. C.L. Langford officiating.
Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 24, 2013, from 1 p.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Joe Joe Bankester, David Amerson, Jr., Pete Amerson, Eddie Amerson, Jimmy Boyington, Jimmy Wilson and Andy Amerson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC, is in charge of all arrangements.
Hazel L. Barrow
July 21, 2013
Hazel L. Barrow, age 70 of Jay, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2013 . She was a long time resident of Jay and a loving mother, grandmother and sister who will be dearly missed by many.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Coady and Gladys Hawthorne; husband, James Barrow; son Kevin Wayne Stanton and brother Jessie (Bud) Hawthorne.
She is survived by her son, Keith (Angie) Stanton; brothers, Richard (Debra) Hawthorne and Ronnie Hawthorne; sisters, Ann Malshuk, Vernia (Buddy) White and Chiquita (Jim) Lockhart; grandchildren, Megan Stanton, Kevin Stanton and Ashten Epps; seven nieces and nephews and 12 great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Jay Funeral Home with Reverend Frederick Barrow officiating. Burial will follow at Concorde Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 22, 2013 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Darrin Castleberry, Dwyne Castleberry, Kenneth White, Justin White, Jeff Barrow and Jamie Barrow .
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Cecil Mims Murphy, Jr.
July 21, 2013
Mr. Cecil Mims Murphy, Jr., age 70 of Excel, died Sunday, July 21, 2013, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 6, 1943, in Century. He was the son of the late Cecil Mims Murphy, Sr. and Janie Dawson Murphy.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Susan Lovelace Murphy; two sons, Mark Duane Murphy (Cindy Rowell), Michael Scott Murphy (Jimmie Lynn Courtney); a sister, Charlotte Jane Murphy; brother, Thomas Edward Murphy; brother-in-law, Sam Lovelace (Pat Owen); six grandchildren, Matthew Duane Murphy (Candace Smith), Morgan Dawson Murphy, Mark Logan Murphy, Wesley Ryan Parker, Mallorie Brooks Murphy, Micah LeighAnn Murphy; and great-grand daughter, Matison Nell Murphy; five nieces and one nephew.
He was a school teacher for 34 years, teaching Vocational Agriculture at Tuskegee High School, Monroe County High School, Escambia County High School in Atmore, and principal of Frisco City High School for two years. He also worked for Farm Bureau (now Alfa) as a claims adjustor and in public relations. Cecil was a member of Carney Masonic Lodge #549 in Atmore and was a member of The Cattleman’s Association. He also was a farmer and businessman and a member of the Excel Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be at the Excel Baptist Church on Monday, July 22, 2013 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Q.T. Curtis officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Interment will follow the services at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Bradley, Jeral Jordan, George Melton, Bill Scruggs, Wallace Byrd, Alfred Nall, Jimmie Dale Dawson, and Harry Lowery.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Matthew Murphy, Morgan Murphy, Logan Murphy, Wesley Parker and the Men’s Sunday School Class of Excel Baptist Church.
Johnson Funeral Home in Monroeville is in charge of arrangements.
JoAnn Odom White
July 21, 2013
Mrs. JoAnn Odom White, age 81 of Flomaton, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2013, at her home after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. White was a native of Deer Park, Ala., and had been a member of the Flomaton community since 1956 coming from Washington County. She graduated high school at the age of 16 and went on to Livingston University where she graduated there within three years with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education. She began teaching in Leroy, Ala., and taught at Jay High School and many years at Century High School where she came to love the Century High Black Cats. Mrs. White also loved Auburn football. She was a member of Flomaton First Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her daughter, Teresa Lynn White.
She is survived by her husband, Sammy Lewis White of Flomaton; son, Mitchell Lewis (Pamela) White of Mobile; daughter, Lori White (Mike) Brown of Flomaton; sister, Joyce Avent of Huntsville; grandchildren, Andrew White, Tara Brown Ross, Micah Brown and Cole Brown.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 22, 2013, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Freddie Stallworth officiating.
Interment will be in Rock Cemetery in Flomaton.
Pallbearers will be Andrew White, Dave Brantley, Steve Aydelott and Kenny Cannon.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
Carl Leslie Cooper
July 19, 2013
Carl Leslie Cooper, 55 of Bratt, passed away Thursday, July 18, 2013, in Mobile. He was a marketing associate with Sysco. He was born in Pensacola on July 24, 1957, to Lawrence Madison and Doris Troutman Cooper. He was a 1975 graduate of Ernest Ward.
Survivors include his wife, Shannon Z. Cooper; one son, Leslie Cooper; one daughter, Lindsey Cooper; mother, Doris Cooper; one brother, Marion Cooper, all of Bratt; one sister, Judy (Chip) Gilmore of Pensacola; and two grandchildren, Kendall Cooper and Bentley Hale.
Graveside services will be Saturday, July 20, 2013, at 9 a.m. in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt with Rev. C.L. Langford officiating.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangements.
Morris Reese Crater
July 19, 2013
Semper Fi! Sergeant Major Morris Reese Crater, 77, of Cantonment, left this world grudgingly on July 17, 2013, with his loving wife and life partner, J.J., by his side. He was born to the late Gertrude Gallaher and Morris Lee Crater on August 10, 1935, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Sergeant Major Crater served his country proudly and with distinction as a United States Marine for 28 years before retiring to Florida in 1981 to pursue a career in counseling. He and J.J., also a counselor, married in 1987 and they enjoyed 26 years of marriage prior to his untimely passing.
Sergeant Major Crater lived life his way and on his terms, with integrity, compassion, deep thought, perseverance, and a copious amount of humor. He held a Master’s Degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in History; most importantly, he was a lifelong avid reader, philosopher, intellectual, and student of life. He loved to travel, whether in person or through books, and was very physically active. He loved the outdoors, gardening, landscaping, and his animals, especially the late Blue. Sergeant Major Crater was steadfast and true, unwavering, and deeply responsible. He lived his principles, and by so doing, served as an example to all that knew and loved him; he demonstrated a better and more conscious way to live. Sergeant Major Crater was a beloved husband, father, and son, and he is deeply missed.
In addition to J.J., Sergeant Major Crater is survived by four children, Sheila Keene Crater Koty, of Vancouver, WA, Dawn Lenka Crater of Albany, CA, Morris Reese Crater, Jr. of Torrance, CA, and Philip Steven Portier of Kansas City, MO. He is also survived by several grandchildren, including Matteo Giovanni D’Orio of Albany, CA. Further, Sergeant Major Crater is survived by a blessed multitude of in-laws, including mother-in-law Juanita Howland of Lees Summit, MO; sister-in-law, Jerri Rogers of Overland Park, KS; brother-in-law, John Howland of Overland Park, KS; and a plethora of nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Monday, July 22, 2013. Visitation will be held at Gonzalez United Methodist Church, 2026 Pauline Street in Cantonment at 10:30 a.m. with the funeral service to immediately follow at 11:30 a.m. Afterward, Sergeant Major Crater will be buried with full military honors at Barrancas National Cemetery at 1:15 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, in memory of Sergeant Major Morris Reese Crater, online at toysfortots.org, or by mail at: Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Gift Processing Administration, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA, 22172.
Gregory E. Roley
July 19, 2013
Gregory E. Roley, of Cantonment, died Monday, July 15, 2013. He is the son of Everett L. Roley, M.D. and Joanne (Nelson) Roley.
He graduated from Middleton High School in June 1977, then attended Steven Point University in Madison, WI. He transferred to St. Mary’s University earning a B.S. in Biology in 1982 in Winona, MN. He joined the US Navy of Science Hospital Corp. School in Great Lakes, IL in July 1985 and graduated in the top ten. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA where he met his wife. In 1989, they got married and went to Yokosuka, Japan. In August 1993, he came back for School of Health and Science Bethesda Detachment of Lythotechnology School in San Antonio, TX in the ASCP National Registry and graduated in 1994 with a 4.0 average. He then was stationed at NASPH in Pensacola. In 2001, he attended the School of Health and Science in San Diego, CA in Preventative Medicine and graduated in the top ten. He then went to Sasebo, Japan and returned to Pensacola in 2005.
Greg enjoyed fishing, football season, hockey and golf. He worked for Florida Pest Control from 2005-2010. Greg was an awesome man and never asked anything from anyone.
He is survived by his wife, Dulce A. Roley; three step-children, Mediatrix (Russell); grandchildren, Austin, Kendra and Brandon Kehl, Michael, Isabella and Trisilla; father, Everett L. Roley, M.D. of Green Bush, WI and three siblings, Amy (Murphy), Tom (Hollie) and Mary (Christine).
Viewing will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2013, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South. A Mass of Celebration will be Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is in charge of arrangements.
Jeanette Spooner Ray
July 17, 2013
Jeanette Spooner Ray, 82 of Atmore, passed away Saturday, July 06, 2013, in Pinehurst, NC. She was a homemaker, born in Dothan, AL on January 18, 1931, to the late Beechum and Tannie Paterson Spooner.
She is preceded in death by her brother, Jimmy Spooner; sisters, Lois Spooner, Mamie Synco and Pearl Adkinson.
Survivors include her husband, Edwin Wood Ray of Atmore; one son, Joe (Deborah) Ray of Montrose, AL; two daughters, Kathy (John) Hasty of Pinehurst, NC and Mary (David) Crane of Ft.Lauderdale; grandchildren, Brandi (Mark) Scwartz, Sherri (Jason) Ivey, Emily Ray, Ben Ray, and Allen Ray; great-grandchildren, Raygen Scwartz and LeighAnne Ivey.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, July 20, 2013, at 10 a.m. in Oak Hill Cemetery, with Bro. John Brannon officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Family will receive friends after the graveside service at the Ray’s residence on Fernway Drive.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.