Jimmy Lamar Sasser
March 4, 2024
Jimmy Lamar Sasser passed away suddenly at his home in Pensacola, Florida on February 29, 2024 at the age of 80. He was born on May 29, 1943 in Chipley, Florida as the middle child of S.T. and Beckie Lee Parker Sasser. Jimmy grew up in Chipley and Pensacola and enjoyed playing football, basketball and baseball in high school.
At the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and faithfully served for 21 years until he retired in 1982 as MSG 05G5H Signal Security Specialist. Jimmy served 4 tours of duty in various stations in Germany and 3 tours at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. After retiring, he continued to work serving his country via Civil Service as the assistant athletic director at both NAS and Corry Station in Pensacola until he retired in 2004.
Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents S.T. and Beckie Lee Parker Sasser, and brother Dennis Wayne Sasser.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary “Carole” Sasser; daughters, Lisa (John) English of Gulf Breeze, Florida, Angela M. Sasser of Pensacola, Florida; son, Lance (Shannon) Sasser of Panama City Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Ashley L. Spencer, Brooke (Chase) Whitworth and Parker Nelson; great-grandchildren, India Jade Whitworth, Richard Chase “Little Man” Whitworth Jr., and Remi Rose Whitworth; and brother, Roy Sasser of West Lafayette, Indiana.
Jimmy never met a stranger. He was well known for his great sense of humor. He enjoyed watching his Alabama Crimson Tide football team playing every fall and loved playing poker with his pals year-round at the Pensacola Greyhound Poker Room earning the nickname “Luck Box”.
His life motto was “Winners never quit and quitters never win”
He will be greatly missed by all those whom knew him. RIP
Funeral Services will be Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 12:00 PM, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Visitation will be one hour prior at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Melissa Kay Ellis
February 29, 2024
Mrs. Melissa Kay Ellis, age 66, passed away, peacefully, February 28, 2024, surrounded by her family in Flomaton, Alabama. She was a native of Century, Florida and a lifelong resident of Flomaton, Alabama.
Mrs. Ellis was a member of Gospel Light Chapel; she was devoted to her family and dedicated caregiver to her son. She greatly enjoyed fishing and watching Alabama football, a proud member of Poarch Band of Creek Indians. She was a 1993 graduate of Jefferson Davis Community College. She had many friends from around the world, she was an avid video gamer, loved to read and was a very hard worker which was something she greatly enjoyed to do.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Shirley Barnhill; two brothers, Roger Wayne Barnhill, Michael Wayne Barnhill; sister Terri Watkins.
Mrs. Ellis is survived by her husband of 25 years Philip Ellis of Flomaton, Alabama; son Mickey Powell of Flomaton, Alabama; daughter Kelly (Lyndal) “Lyn” Emerson of Flomaton, Alabama; father Dillard Barnhill of Atmore, Alabama; two step-daughters Sarah (Kenny Solomon of Rutledge, Tennessee, Stephanie Ellis of Rutledge, Tennessee; step-son Phillip (Courtney) Ellis of Rutledge, Tennessee; brother Ronald Lane “Rocky” Barnhill of Atmore, Alabama; sister Madonna Faith of Atmore, Alabama; four grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. with Bro. Clarence Rolin officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 11:00 AM until service time at 12:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Kaicen McKinley, Lyn Emerson, Kenny Solomon, Deluca Green, Tracy Owen, and Phillip Ellis.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements
Patricia Ann “Rissie” Bray McNeel
February 26, 2024
Patricia Ann “Rissie” Bray McNeel, a resident of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on February 24, 2024, in Mobile, Alabama. She was born on May 8, 1935, in Louisville, MS. Rissie was preceded in death by her husband, Joe W. McNeel, Jr., and her daughter JoAnne McNeel Key. She is survived by her son Joe W. McNeel III (Kate) of Fairhope, AL; four grandchildren, Andrew Key (Chelsea) of Marrietta, GA; Stella Key of Chicago, IL; Morgan McNeel Waters (Sam) of Oxford, MS; Alex McNeel of Fairhope, AL; great-grandchildren, Annie Key and Walter Key; and son-in-law Mark (Xan) Key of Tuscaloosa, AL.
Rissie was a great wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She was the youngest of 8 children, and she truly realized how fortunate she was to have so many brothers and sisters. She was given the “Most Outstanding” designation in her graduating class at Lawrence County (AL) H. S., and she then went on to become an official court reporter.
She moved to Century, Florida, in 1957 when her family moved there for her father to run the sawmill at Alger Sullivan Lumber Co. It was there where she met her husband, Joe, who had accepted a job as the company bookkeeper and accountant. They eloped six weeks later and were married for 46 years until Joe passed away in 2003.
Rissie was well read, sharp, spunky and witty. She will be missed for her fun, energetic personality and her fabulous cooking talent that she generously shared with so many. She was constantly preparing gourmet meals and deserts for friends and family. She dearly loved all her friends, and she was especially fond of her Pensacola friends who she spent many happy times with in the latter years of her life. She was a member of the Century United Methodist Church for 60 years from 1957-2017 and then became a member of the Pensacola United Methodist Church.
A graveside service will be held on February 28, 2024, at 12:00 pm at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rissie’s memory may be made to your favorite charity.
William Raymond Godwin
February 23, 2024
Mr. William Raymond Godwin, age 81, passed away, peacefully, surrounded by his family in Stockton, Alabama. He was a native of Bratt, FL; spent most his life in Little River with his beloved wife and the past 15 years in Bay Minette. He was a pipefitter in construction with 45 years of service.
Mr. Godwin enjoyed spending time with his family and going out to eat with them. He loved to travel and fish.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Clyde (Myrtle Ledkins) Godwin; his beloved wife of 60 years, June Godwin; three brothers, Jr. Godwin, Kenneth Godwin, and Douglas Godwin.
Mr. Godwin is survived by his two sons, Jason Godwin, of Bay Minette, AL; William S. (Tammy) Godwin, of Little River, AL; two sisters, Ellen Lowery, of Atmore, AL; Judy Godwin, of Stockton, AL; one grandchild Emily Godwin of Little River, AL; two great-grand-children Raiden Risher and Emma Risher.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC with Rev. Cornelius Phillips officiating
Burial will follow at Mamie’s Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 11:00 AM until service time at 12:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements.
Phillip Burke Victor, Sr.
February 23, 2024
Mr. Phillip Burke Victor, Sr; age 78, passed away, Tuesday, February 13, 2024, in Flomaton, AL. He resided most of his life in McDavid, FL; and has lived the last five years in Flomaton, AL. He attended Byrneville Community Church. He worked as a carpenter for many years.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved playing music with a harmonica. He enjoyed spending time with his family and coaching softball.
He is preceded in death by his father, Karl Paul Victor; mother, Sarah Lou Long; one son, Phillip Victor, Jr; one brother, Jimmy Victor; three sisters, Faye Victor, Kathy Barlow, Alice Merchant; and one grandson, Christian Blake Owens.
He is survived by his two daughters, Rachael (Keith) Johnston, of Flomaton, AL; Veronica Ann Nowling, of Pace, FL; two brothers, Donnie Victor, of Century, FL; Johnny Victor, of Atmore, AL; one sister, Janie Criswell, of McDavid, FL; five grandchildren, Colin Owens, Jared Nowling, Phillip Randolph, Dakota (Kota) Lee, Abigail Grace Owens; numerous nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services will be held Monday, February 19, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Christian Home Cemetery with Bro. Fred Stallworth officiating.
Burial will follow at Christian Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 19, 2024, from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. Atmore, AL. is in charge of all arrangements.
Edgar Wallace Diamond Sr.
February 23, 2024
Edgar Wallace Diamond Sr., 86, of Flomaton, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 22, 2024. He was born in Wallace, Florida on January 10, 1938, and was a long-time resident of Jay, Florida. He retired from Thompson Caterpillar Company. He loved his family and was a very nurturing soul to everyone he knew. He loved people. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy Diamond Sr. and Cassie Diamond; his wife of more than fifty years, Darlene Janette Diamond; sisters, Dr. Burltine Karlen , and Dr. MaryCeila Findley; Brother, Guy Diamond Jr; Son, Eddie Diamond; son in laws, Jeffrey Slade, and Douglas Ard. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Beasley Diamond; daughters, Amanda Diamond Ard, and Mary Beth Diamond Slade; grandson, William Diamond; granddaughters, Ashley, Trinity, and Linda Slade, and great granddaughter, Miracle Slade.
He is also survived by his brothers, Marshall (Dorothy) Diamond, and James Diamond, daughter in law, Margaret Diamond Drummer and numerous nieces and nephews.
Special friends include Pam and Glen Gentry, and Glen and Debbie Fountain.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Michael Smith and his staff at Jay Medical as well as the nurses and staff at Jay Hospital for the compassionate care they provided.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 3:00 PM in Cora Baptist Church with Pastor’s Bobby Carnley and Jonathan Hill officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 3:00 PM at the church. Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church cemetery.
Hay Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements
Barbara Ann White
February 21, 2024
Mrs. Barbara Ann White, age 81, passed away, peacefully, February 19, 2024, surrounded by her family in Pensacola, FL. She resided most of her life in Century, FL.
Mrs. White enjoyed spending time with her family and loving on her great-grandson. She loved to cook, bake and can vegetables to share with family and friends. She enjoyed traveling to the Smoky Mountains, and just sitting back watching the, Home Shopping Network and Soap Operas.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward (Viola Johnson) Hobbs.
Mrs. White is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Cecil White, of Cantonment, FL; one son, Cecil Martin “Marty” (Donna) White, of Atlanta, GA; one daughter, Melody (Tim) Johnson, of Cantonment, FL; one sister, Brenda Barnes, of Gulf Port, MS; one grandson, Jacob (Caitlin) Johnson; one great-grandson, Ryland Johnson; and soon to be Levi Johnson; other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. with Bro. Fred Stallworth officiating.
Burial will follow at Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 11:00 AM until service time at 12:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Jacob Johnson, Eddie Hammond, Dwayne Singleton, Chris Burnham, Jeremy White, and Brian White.
Honorary pallbearers will be Glenn White and Randy Levins.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements.
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Peggy Dianne Luker Rowley
February 21, 2024
Peggy Dianne Luker Rowley passed into glory on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. A longtime resident of Atmore, AL, Peggy had the utmost gusto for life. She was passionate in coordinating the annual Christmas party during her 21 years of service to the Escambia County School Board, putting on the extravagant Halloween Bunco meet for her many lifelong friends, hauling Taylor, Brett, and Chaston to all four corners of the state to participate in Escambia Academy athletics, and cheering on her beloved Crimson Tide through the good times and the bad. Peggy was passionate about living life to the fullest and loyal and loving beyond comparison.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Mary and Fred Luker, of Atmore,AL, and one brother, Jerry Luker, of Conroe, TX.
She is survived by one son, Jason Timothy (Leah), of Atmore, AL, her sisters, Patty Helton Davis (Jerry) of Walnut Hill, FL, and Debbie Charalene Luker, of Atmore, AL, three ephews, Chad Helton (Suzanne), Chris Luker (Charlene), Shannon Adams, a niece, Misty Reeves (Jimmy), and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 23, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Don Davis and Bro. Austin Lee officiating. Our sweet “Peg” will be laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 23, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:30 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Juanita Durr Smith
February 20, 2024
Juanita Durr Smith, age 97, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2024, in Atmore, Ala., her home for over 70 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Alma Durr; her husband of 53 years, Ralph L. Smith, Sr.; her sisters Elmerita Durr Case and Maxine Durr Thompson; and her brother Benjamin
Monroe Durr.
She is survived by her beloved son, Ralph L. Smith, Jr. (Tammy) of Atmore, and her beloved grandson, Ralph L. “Tray” Smith, III (Stephanie) of Washington, D.C. Mrs. Smith is also survived by her sister-in-law, Carolyn Durr of Kingwood, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. A native of Caseyville, Miss., Mrs. Smith graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.S. in social studies and an M.A. in counseling. She moved to Atmore in 1951.
Mrs. Smith and her late husband were among the original organizers of Atmore’s First Presbyterian Church in 1953. She was an active member of the local congregation and served a term as the District Presbyterian Women’s Group President.
Her teaching career in the Atmore area spanned 31 years, including two years at Ernest Ward High School in Walnut Hill, Fla. She spent 29 years at Escambia County High School (E.C.H.S.) in Atmore, where she taught American history, served as a guidance counselor, and volunteered as the faculty sponsor of annual events such as homecoming, graduation, the Junior-Senior prom, and Atmore’s Junior Miss pageant. She retired from E.C.H.S. in 1982.
In addition to her reputation as a fun and engaging educator, Mrs. Smith will long be remembered in the community for her generous sharing of roses that her late husband, a professional agronomist, grew in their gardens and for her floral arranging skills.
Mrs. Smith also volunteered as a Pink Lady at the Atmore Community Hospital and served a term as the auxiliary president. In later life, she was active in the Atmore Garden Club and the Atmore Historical Society. She was a devoted and loving grandmother affectionately known by her family as “Nee Nee.”
Throughout her final years, Mrs. Smith was exceptionally cared for by Robin Kidd and Dianne Leslie.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at First PresbyterianChurch in Atmore, with Pastor David Todd officiating.
Mrs. Smith designated the following honorary Pall Bearers: Cereal Daniel, John James, Jim Johnson, Dr. Tommy Moore, Mickey Salter, Dr. Steve Shirley, Dr. Bill Smith, John Speirs, Mayor Jim Staff, Dr. Gene West, Andy Wilkins, and all former members of The Atmore Garden Club.
Immediately following the service, a reception will be held in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Atmore First Presbyterian Church (208 E. Horner St., Atmore, Ala. 36502) and earmarked for the Juanita and Ralph Smith Memorial or to the charity of your choice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc., is in charge of arrangements.
Perry Gray, Jr.
February 15, 2024
Perry Gray, Jr., resident of Cantonment, Florida passed away on February 8, 2024 at the age of 68.
He was born in Pensacola, Florida on December 29, 1956 to the late Perry Gray, Sr. and Mabel Nell Gray.
Perry served as a Wire Specialist with the United States Army from 1976-1979 and a High Voltage Supervisor for the Navy Public Works – Norfolk, Virginia from 1992-2001 retiring as a Master Electrician.
He had a passion for fishing, hunting, and boating.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Perry is survived by his wife of 37 years, Elise McGuire-Gray; son, Kendrick Johnson; step-son, Darrel McGuire; sisters, Mary Cynthia Gray Butler and Carolyn Gray Conner; brother, Clement E. (Junita) Gray; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Harris, Carol Tinsley, Kay Tinsley and Betty Tinsley; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Donald Mixon officiating. Burial will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, Florida.
The family will receive friends at 10:30 a.m. until time of service.
Pallbearers will be Billy Ray Paige, Jr., Darius Paige, Anthony Baker, Alexander Baker, Tajee Murphy and Jerry Conner.
Anthony Holly, Ira McQueen, Lumon McCreary, Sr. and Rudy Rodrigues will act as Honorary Bearers.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.