Myrtle English
February 13, 2013
Myrtle English, age 85, of Cantonment, passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Ms. English was a member of Plainview Baptist Church. She enjoyed sewing, yard work, family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, James Thomas English and her grandson, Stephen Smith, Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Peggy Stephens and her husband, Bill Stephens; granddaughters, Candace Freeman and Tiffney Allen (Chris); grandson, Ray Dykes, II (Jennifer); great-grandchildren, Brittany Smith, Margi Dykes, Emily Freeman, Grace Nelson and Stephen Smith; step great-grandchildren, Tyler Fuqua, Keaton Fuqua, Christian Allen, Payton Fuqua; two special friends, Helen Caro and Pat Helton and all the neighbors on Countri Lane.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Hospice.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 15, 2013, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. with funeral services at 12 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Reverend Bill Flannigan officiating.
Interment will follow at Eastern Gate Cemetery.
Maggie Francis Ashcraft
February 13, 2013
Maggie Francis Ashcraft, 80, of Walnut Hill, passed away February 11, 2013, in Port Saint Joe, FL. She was born June 30, 1932, in Escambia County (Fla) to the late Gaston Forrest and Avis Mack Bradberry. She attended Canoe Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Huell Ashcraft, Jr.; son, Ronald Dale Ashcraft; brothers, Harvey (Elma Lee) Bradberry and Thomas (Myrtice) Bradberry.
She is survived by her son, Donald C. (Jeri) Ashcraft of Port Saint Joe; brother, Robert Earl (Miki) Bradberry of Hawaii; sister, Carolyn H. (Don) Mitchell of Mobile; grandchildren, Donald Benjamin (Jennifer) Ashcraft of Port Saint Joe and Mica Gaston Ashcraft of Jacksonville; great-grandchildren, Jacob Tucker, Cayson Reed and Millie Claire Ashcraft and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 15, 2013, at 11 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Stacey officiating. Burial will follow in Godwin Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Benjamin Ashcraft, Mica Ashcraft, Harvey Bradberry Jr., Don Mitchell, Bruce Holt and Terry Anderson.
Honorary pallbearers will be David Ryals and Jo Spann.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 14, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Janet Boren Bedwell
February 13, 2013
Janey Boren Bedwell, born July 8, 1958, passed away on February 12, 2013.
In celebration of Janet’s life, the family would like to invite friends and family Sunday, February 17, 2013, for a visitation from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Allen Memorial Methodist Church in Cantonment.
James Wilkinson Parkinson
February 13, 2013
Mr. James Wilkinson Parkinson, age 78, of Old Highway 31 in Brewton, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2013, in a Century health care facility.
Mr. Parkinson was born in Jefferson County, AL and had been a prior resident of Brewton before moving to Tallassee, AL a number of years ago. He and his wife returned to the Brewton area one year ago. He worked as manager of the Loachapoka Water Authority. He was the first chief and member of the McCall Fire Department. Mr. Parkinson was a member of Catawba Springs Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Bobbie Louise Parkinson of Brewton; two sons, James E. (Teri) Parkinson of Brewton, and Stanley W. (Peggy) Parkinson of Andalusia; one brother, Robert T. Parkinson of Gardendale, AL; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 from the Chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Rev. Jeff Edwards officiating. Interment was in Catawba Springs Cemetery.
Mary Jane (Wolfe) Blackford
February 11, 2013
Mary Jane (Wolfe) Blackford, age 90, passed away at her home in Molino.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her only brother, John (Jack) Charles Wolfe; and her husband, William Allen Blackford.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Tonya (Larry) Moore; son, George (Yvonne) Wolfe, both of Molino; daughter, Mary Ellen (Ray) Meek of Port Charlotte, FL; granddaughter, Jenny (Mark) Mace of Ozark, AL; nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Blackford was surrounded by Tonya, George, Larry and Jenny up until her death.
She was a former member of Southeastern Ohio Eastern Star. Friends and family will celebrate Mary’s life on February 24, 2013 at 2 p.m. at her home.
Jenell S. Williams
February 11, 2013
Jenell S. Williams, 79, passed away peacefully in her home on February 9, 2013. She was born in Castleberry, Ala., on May 10, 1933. Heaven welcomed Jenell and reunited her with her first and only true love.
Jenell is preceded in death by her parents, Travis Kendall and Birtie Blue Sessions and by her loving husband of 50 years, Roy (Buddy) Williams.
Jenell is survived by her two sons, Terry (Beverly) Williams and Danny Williams; and two grandchildren, Jereme (Danielle) Williams and Taylor (Brett) Cowan.
Jenell devoted her life to her family and the church. She was also a proud member of the Daughters of the Nile and was the Queen in 1984. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made to St. Monica’s Episcopal Church in Cantonment.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12, 2013.
Services will be held at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church in Cantonment at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 13, 2013. Jenell will be laid to rest at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Johnnie Odel Thompson
February 11, 2013
Johnnie Odell Thompson,76, of Walnut Hill, passed away Saturday, February 9, 2013, at his residence. He was a mechanic with the ship yards, born on September 13, 1937, to the late Johnnie Thomas and Etta Bell Harrison Thompson. He served in the U.S. Navy.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Georgia Thompson.
Survivors include two brothers, Rufus (Linda) Thompson of Bay Minette and Donald (Mazie) Thompson of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Stella Mae (Phil) Mace of Perdido and Ruth Byrant of Atlanta and numerous nieces & nephews.
Graveside services will be Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at 10 a.m. in Sardis Baptist Cemetery with Rev.William “Bubba” Rolin officiating.
Visitation will be Tuesday, February 12, 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.
Joe Max Rowland, Sr.
February 9, 2013
Joe Max Rowland Sr., went to his eternal home on February 8, 2013, with his family at his side. He was a resident of Century for 27 years. Mr. Rowland was born July 29, 1932, in Ariton, AL. He was raised in Jay, working from a young age on the family cotton/peanut farm. He served his country in the U S Navy from 1952-1956 aboard the USS Floyd B Parks. He continued to serve in the Navy Reserve until 1960. He drove an employee bus to and from Chemstrand/Monsanto in Pensacola where he worked for several years. After leaving Monsanto he was a self-employed farmer in Wewahitchka, FL. He was also self-employed in the trucking industry most of his adult life until his retirement in 2006. He enjoyed the open road and meeting new friends along the way. Mr. Rowland was a member of Little Escambia Baptist Church. He favorite past time was fly fishing, however, he never found as much time as he would have liked to “go fishing”. So now he has laid down the worries and cares of this world he will be able to pursue this passion!
Mr. Roland is survived by his brothers, Harold (Flora) Rowland of Wewahitchka, Haywood (Carolyn) Rowland of Flomaton; former wife, Mary Colling of Jay; daughter and son-in-law Cherlyn and Mark McNamara of Brewton; stepchildren, Bubba (Robbie) Hammac and Kenny (Kay) Hammac of Century, Donna (Butch) Lewis of Molino,Priscilla (Earl) Forehand and Deborah Davis of Wewahitchka, Pasty Tindell of Panama City and many wonderful grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernice and Mary Rowland; former wives, Mamie Rowland and Ruth Rowland; son, Joe (Joey) Rowland, Jr.; daughter, Barbara Gortman and step son, Jimmy Strength.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 10, 2012, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. with Rev. Douglas Hogg officiating and music by pianist, his grandson, Derek MaNamara. Burial will follow at Pine Level Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Daniel McNamara, Miles Hammac, Tim Fredericksen, Kenny Hammas,Jr, Jonathon Lewis , Christopher Rowland, John Malett Rowland and Adam Dudney.
Honorary pallbearers are Barnett Hendricks, Bo Brantley, Truss Shell and members of Little Escambia’s Men’s Sunday School Class.
The family would like to express their thanks to Covenant Hospice, Jay Hospital Staff, Baptist Hospital Staff, Dr. Bascon Raney and Staff ,Dr. Carletta Collins and Staff, Dr. Jason Roche and Staff, Century Care Center and Amedisys Home Health.
Hurley Linton DeLaFosse, Jr.
February 9, 2013
Hurley Linton DeLaFosse, Jr., 68, of Atmore, passed away Friday, February 08, 2013, at his residence. He was born on October 8, 1944, in Brewton. He served in the United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. He retired from Dental-EZ in Bay Minette and had worked for the Baldwin County School Board. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Atmore and he was very active in youth sports.
He is survived by his wife Arlene Evans DeLaFosse of Atmore; mother, Beauress DeLaFosse of Atmore; sons, Anthony DeLaFosse of Bay Minette and Shannon (Maria) DeLaFosse of Daphne; daughters, Cindy (Eddie) Butler of Excel, Regina (Ernie) Wood of Stapleton, and Becky (Kevin) Brown of Pensacola; grandchildren, Brandon Butler, Neal Butler (Sarah), Michael Wood, Rachel Wood, Jacob Brown, Hannah Brown, Gibson DeLaFosse and great-granddaughter Lenora Butler.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 11, 2013, at 10 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Arnold Hendrix and Rev. Willie Oglesbee officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery with military honors.
Active pallbearers will be Don Voight, Tommy Harrell, Aubrey Stanley, Myles “Bubba” Reed, Steven McDaniel and Melvin Middleton.
Honorary pallbearers will by Marvin Risher, Leon Lyles, Jack Ward, Floyd Adams, Carl Madison, Bill McMurphy, Bill Reed, Jerry Cochran, Jim Staff and Webb Nall.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 9, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society and Community Hospice of Bay Minette.
Michael D. Varner
February 8, 2013
Michael D. Varner passed away on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was born in Highland Falls, NY on October 8, 1953. His life was devoted to learning and to serving with joy.
A 1971 graduate of Niceville High School, Mike attended Okaloosa-Walton Community College and briefly USF, but went on to earn both his BS and MST degrees from the University of West Florida.
Mr. Varner was an exceptional teacher and received many accolades including Who’s Who Among Teachers, Florida Biology Teacher of the Year and Escambia County Teacher of the Year 2011. A humble man, he would say he only wanted to help his students become the best they could be. He taught biology for 35 years at Tate High School and was an adjunct professor at Pensacola State College for 10 years. Additionally, during his career, he coached soccer, sponsored student government, both the sophomore and senior classes, and Exchange Club. He also taught classes at the Florida Institute of Ultrasound. His teaching extended to church activities as well, teaching Sunday School, assisting with Youth Ministry for nearly 20 years, and planning, organizing and participating in many diocesan youth events.
A talented musician, Mike played in the Pensacola Civic Band in his younger years, but then discovered his love of guitar and singing. This gift, too, he shared with many young people as he helped them discover their own talents. He wrote and recorded several songs and often played at church worship, school and parties. It had been his unrealized dream to entertain in night clubs when he retired.
Mike was active in the Boy Scouts of America for nearly 10 years and loved the outdoors. He was an avid camper, hiker, bicyclist, soccer player, golfer and gardener.
At heart, Mike would call himself a simple man. He loved to read and challenge his mind. But his greatest passion was his family, and nothing made him happier than spending time with his wife and sons. He could often be found doing yard work and home projects as he was a consummate home body.
He is preceded in death by his twin infant sons, Matthew Ryan and Shaun David Varner.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 33 years, Kathleen (Wogan) Varner; his sons, Jason (Kelly) of Orlando and Brian (Jessica). He also leaves his parents, Richard and Madeleine Varner of DeFuniak Springs; sister, Valarie (Paul) Trynoski of Sansom, AL; brother, Richard (Ann) of Tavares, FL; brother-in-law, Michael Wogan of Alameda, CA; nephew, Adam (Rachael) Trynoski; niece, Alice (Sam) Taylor and thousands of colleagues, friends and former students who loved him.
His family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Palaez, Dr. Patel and the staff of the West Florida Cancer Center, the loving staff of West Florida Covenant Hospice, Covenant Hospice Milton, and home care aides Rutha and Jackie for their kindness. We also wish to thank the hundreds of people who faithfully supported us and provided for our needs during this long journey.
Visitation will be at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home on Monday, February 11 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Michael Schulenburg, will be on Saturday, February 16, 1:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 N. 9th Ave. in Pensacola. A private internment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike’s memory to the Michael Varner Scholarship Fund (Tate High School) for students who plan to continue study in the field of biology.
Faith Chapel North Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.