Vivian Dobbs Burns
June 4, 2012
Vivian Dobbs Burns, age 97 of Jay, passed peacefully Monday morning June 1, 2012.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years William Eddie “Bo” Burns; parents, William and Mary Dobbs; children, Lena Mildred, Cecil Jackson and William Brady “Bill” Burns; siblings, Cecil Dobbs, Wyvern Dobbs, Thelma Settles, and Dorothy Baker.
She is survived by one daughter, Lucy Burns (Richard) Luker; grandchildren, Adair (Jimmy) Cotton, Dedra (Ronnye) Thomas, Brady Burns, Dennis (Anne) Luker, Barry (Keli) Luker, and Vivian (Edward) White; great grandchildren, Kyle, Breine, Lauren, Brooke, Richard, Jonathan, Garrett, Alex, Will, Taylor, Dalton, Jack, Seth, and Elizabeth; great great grandchildren, Lance, Hunter, and William; cousins, Dot and Amos Burns; special caregivers, Pete and Dottie Rowell and Joyce Whittaker and many relatives and friends.
Vivian was a lifelong resident of Santa Rosa County, a graduate of Jay High School and Troy University. She worked as a substitute teacher and in the adult school until becoming the first female principal in Santa Rosa County for the Jay Adult School. She was very active in the community and was a charter member of the Jay Chapter #208 Order of the Eastern Star for nearly 65 years.
Funeral services will be held at Jay First Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 2:00 p.m.. with Bro. Earl Green officiating. Burial will follow at Jay Cemetery.
A visitation will be held on Monday, June 4, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. at Jay First Baptist Church.
Active Pallbearers will be Brady Burns, Kyle Burns, Jimmy Cotton, Ronnye Thomas, Garrett Thomas, D.J. Whitbey, Pete Rowell, and Alberto Alcantar.
Honorary Pallbearers will be the sisters and brothers of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Flowers are welcome or donations in memory of Vivian can be made to Jay First Baptist Church. Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Annie Maude McCurdy
June 3, 2012
Mrs. Annie Maude McCurdy passed away on Saturday June 2, 2012, in Atmore.
Mrs. McCurdy was a lifetime resident of Atmore and a member of the Poarch Creek Indians.
She is preceded in death by her husband Willie McCurdy, her parents James and Zemmer Presley and one Sister Nummie Presley.
Survivors include one son, Wayne McCurdy (Mavis) of Atmore; two daughters, Dorothy Annette McCurdy Lane (Billy) of Atmore, Annie Stough (Danny) of Tuscaloosa; eight grandchildren; two Step grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday June 4, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Petty- Eastside Chapel with Rev. Leo Luker officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Rolin, Don Wayne Rolin, Dempsey Rolin, Ronald Rolin, Elvis Presley and Donald Presley.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Mary Evolyn Kittrell Whitson
June 2, 2012
In the quiet morning hours on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, our beautiful spirited mother Mary Evolyn Kittrell Whitson slipped gently from her earthly home into the arms of her Heavenly Father and was joyously welcomed by many loved ones.
She was born May 10, 1916, in the thriving sawmill town of Muscogee to Floyd Western Kittrell and Maud Evolyn Arnold Kittrell. In her early years she attended Muscogee School and enjoyed the camaraderie of siblings and classmates; some of whom remained lifelong friends. She was christened in the Knox Presbyterian Church in Muscogee where she remembered vividly seeing as a child the beautiful stained glass windows.
At age nine her parents moved to Pensacola where she enjoyed being a city girl. A few years later her family returned to the country settling in the Farm Hill community in Cantonment. During her teen years she attended J.M. Tate School where she participated in various school activities; she especially loved playing on the girls basketball team.
While attending a baptism on Perdido River at Muscogee her pretty red hair caught the eye of a very handsome Carl R. Whitson, Sr. from Gonzalez. After a whirlwind courtship, and a few months shy of her 18th birthday, they were married on January 25th, 1934, by family friend Rev. A.J. Townley.
They settled in Pensacola and the following year began a wonderful family with the birth of their first child. In 1947 they relocated to a home in the Cantonment Farm Hill community where they would spend the remaining years of their lives. They were married 49 years before Carl went to be with his Lord and Savior.
God gave mother many talents and she generously shared them with family and friends. She possessed and inner strength and “can do” spirit that was evident to anyone who knew her. As our first teacher, we learned from her that “God is Love and He is always with us”. She taught us the meaning of charity and to and to always think of others in need.
Having joined Lathram Chapel Methodist Church, she worked tirelessly with her mother and others to keep the small church alive, all the while serving 27 years as church pianist.
In 1948, mother’s journey led her to St. Regis Paper Company in Cantonment where she gained employment and worked for the next 33 years. Following retirement from St.Regis, she began volunteer work. One of her favorite projects was tutoring at Jim Allen Elementary School in early childhood classes. She continued a family tradition of volunteering as a poll worker on election day, serving for many years at Precinct 21 in Cantonment.
An opportunity to sell beautiful Tiara glass was presented and soon she became a top saleswoman for the company, winning many awards and premiums.
Traveling around her wonderful country was truly a blessing for her, especially enjoying trips with family to the West, Washington D.C., Chicago, the Black Hills of the Dakotas, the mountains of Tennessee and Kentucky, and South Florida .
Gardening was one of her favorite hobbies and she had a very green thumb. Always eager to share cutting, plants from her yard are blooming all over the country. Other hobbies included reading, sewing and playing a weekly game of Bunco with special friends. These Bunco parties began in 1960 and continued for over 40 years. We often teased her about her “gambling” habit.
But her absolute favorite activity was spending time with her family. She especially loved our large gatherings for holidays and birthdays. Her love of family and pride in them was never ending. We loved her so and we’ll miss her always.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years , Carl Rushing Whitson, Sr. and two infant children, Nancy Karen Whitson, and Gary Dean Whitson, parents Floyd Western Kittrell and Maud Evolyn Arnold Kittrell, brothers Carl Dane Kittrell, John Daniel Kittrell, Floyd Arnold Kittrell, Eugene Otis Kittrell, and James Western Kittrell; father -in-law, Gilbert Wesley Whitson, mother-in-law, Lelia Bowman Whitson, sister-in-law, Lulu Ruth Whitson Levy, and sons- in law Herman Conley and William(Sonny) Benefield, and many friends.
She is survived by sons Carl Rushing Whitson, Jr. (Beth) , and Paul Maurice Whitson ; daughters Mary Gwen Whitson Conley, Joyce Carol Whitson Robbins (Jim), Jackowyn Emile Whitson Benefield; sister Olivia Delorious Kittrell Hamilton; 10 grandchildren, Michael A. Conley (Faye), Keith W. Conley (Shan), Jeffrey K. Robbins (Kelly), Jamie D Robbins-London (Don), Joanna R. Robbins Hayes (Rob), Carl R. Whitson, III (Julia), Mona Lynn Whitson Baker, William Bryan Benefield, Darla Ann Whitson Shiver, and Paul Reese Whitson (Angie) and 19 Great Granchildren:, Kady Robbins, Lauren and Ashton Conley,Levi and Rena Whitson, Ali, Anna and Riley Hayes, Tegan and Eric Shiver, Marcus, Tristan Ian, Evan, & Elizabeth Baker, Stella London, Bryanna and Mckala Benefield.
Visitation and services will beheld at Faith Chapel North Cantonment. Visitation Saturday June 2nd, 5-7 p.m., and services Sunday, June 3 at 2 pm. Officiating will be Rev. John Kuritz and Rev. Pam Avery with grandsons serving as pallbearers. Interment will follow services at Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Cantonment.
Memorials may be made to one of her favorite charities — The United Methodist Children’s Home, 3140 Zelda Court, Montgomery, AL 36106 , (800) 239.3575. Family would like to thanks Dr. Gary Gotthelf and staff for many years of caring for mother, and Emerald Coast Hospice, especially Julie Brigham, R.N., and Evelyn Fields for their kindness and loving care, and her special niece Mary Elizabeth Kittrell Deese.
Faith Chapel North is in charge of arrangements.
Thomas ‘Tommy’ Alvin Allgood
May 31, 2012
Mr. Thomas ‘Tommy’ Alvin Allgood, age 52 passed away Thursday, May 31, 2012, at his home after an extended illness.
Mr. Allgood was a native of Atmore but had spent his lifetime in the Flomaton community where he was a member of Little Escambia Baptist Church. During his working years, he worked as a millwright and welder with International Paper Company.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Allgood of Flomaton; his mother, Anna Allgood of Flomaton, his sons, Jesse (Kara) Allgood of Cottondale, FL, and Jonathan (Miranda) Allgood of Flomaton; brothers, Stein Farrior of Waynesboro, MS, and Terry Allgood of Dothan, AL; sisters, Lecta Johnson of Purvis, MS, and Donna Allgood of Houston, TX, and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Friday, June 1, 2012 from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Howard, Rev. Tony Richburg and speaker Cliff Furney officiating. Interment will follow in Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Cliff Furney, Jason Hart, Bill Arrington, Jeff Prescott, Roger Brown and Joffrey Tullis.
Henry Luvon Lewis
May 31, 2012
Henry Luvon Lewis (Paw-Paw, 84 years young of Century, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 30, 2012. Henry Lewis was retired U.S. Navy flight engineer during WWII, the Korean Conflict and a Vietnam veteran. He also served as police chief of Century. He is a 32nd degree Mason of Century Lodge # 213 and belonged to Scottish Rights of Pensacola and Eastern Star of Jay. He was a member of Rays Chapel Baptist Church of Bogia. Henry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph B. and Ora B. Lewis; brothers, James Lewis and Charles Lewis; sisters, Lois Fletcher (Sheets) and Christine Sellers.
Survivors include his loving wife Mary Luvene Lewis (Sister) of Century; a son Henry L. Lewis, Jr. (Butch) of Molino and his wife Donna; two daughters, Mary D. Kinselle (Debbie) of Maryland and her husband David and Shari L. Bauldree of Navarre and her husband Rusty; one sister, Martha Hedden; one brother Terry Lewis; seven grandchildren; three great grandsons; one new great grandchild on its way; his loving dog Angel; and many other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 2, 2012, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment with Pastor Mitch Herring officiating. Interment will follow at Union Hill Cemetery.
Serving as active pallbearers at the chapel will be his fellow Masons ,and the United States Navy Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers at the graveside.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, June 1, 2012, from 5-7:00 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway South Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Gerald G. Skipper, Sr.
May 31, 2012
Gerald G. Skipper, Sr. of Cantonment died quietly at home Monday, May 28, 2012.
Gerald is a native of Excel, AL. After graduating high school and serving two years in the U. S. Army, he moved to Cantonment. He worked at Monsanto until retiring in 1985. His second career of 10 years was with Manheim Remarketing.
Gerald is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Lera Nell Skipper; sons Gerald G. Skipper, Jr (Debbie) of Waco, TX, Artice J. Skipper of Milton, Marvin L. Skipper (Vivi) of Pensacola Beach; grandchildren Jolene Burroughs (Shane), Malinda Talierico, Kyle Skipper, Kayla Skipper; eight great grandchildren; loving sister-in-laws Vera McCrory, Linda Cartwrigh;t and brother-in-law Rupert Cartwright.
Visitation will be at Faith Chapel North on Thursday, May 31, 2012. Family visitation will be 5-6 p.m., and friends from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be at Monroe Chapel, Monroeville, AL, at 10 a.m. on June 1, 2012.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Emerald Coast Hospice would be appreciated.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South, is in charge of arrangements.
Chester Gunn
May 31, 2012
Mr. Chester Gunn, 86, passed away on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in Bratt.
Mr. Gunn was a native of Bonifay and a resident of Bratt for the past 81 years. Mr. Gunn was a WWII veteran, served with the U.S. Marine Corp in the South Pacific, received the Purple Heart and was a civil service crane operator at Brookley Field, Ghost Fleet.
Mr. Gunn was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and three brothers.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years Gracie Mae Gunn of Bratt; three sons: Steve (Linda) Gunn of Byrneville, Mike (Joyce) Gunn of Bratt, and Wayne (Donna) Gunn of Bratt; two daughters Debbie (Jeff) Jackson of Brewton and Sandra Conway (Willie Hughes) of Memphis, TN; a brother: Kelly Gunn of Bratt; 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, June 2, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Ricky Peebles officiating.
Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery with full military honors.
Visitation will be Friday, June 1, 2012 from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home
Pallbearers will be grandson Jason Jackson, Randy Jackson, Rodney Jackson, Brian Conway, Gary Gunn and Eric Gilmore.
Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the VFW.
Christine Carol Stewart
May 31, 2012
Christine Carol Stewart, known by her friends as Carol, passed away the morning of May 29, 2012m at the age of 51.
Carol was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of six weeks. She was a very loving person to everyone. She was always happy, cheerful and never met a stranger. In November of 2010, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She wouldn’t give up. She fought until she couldn’t anymore. She will be missed by her family and friends.
Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Augusta Stewart and Earnestine Stewart Dykes; brother, Tommy Bunn; both maternal grandparents and paternal grandparents.
She is survived by four brothers, Herman “Buck” (Bessie) Stewart of Quintette, Carl Lee (Mary) Stewart of Jonesboro, TN, Joey (Denise) Jordan of Baker, Tim (Cathy) Jordan of Baker; eight sisters, Jerlain (David) Folk of Eryhardt, SC, Catherine (Will) Lowery of Molino, Alice Smith, of Pensacola, Rosie (Glen) Johnson of Dovelasdille, GA, Betty “Kay” (Willie) Smith of Pensacola, Sandy Madden of Quintette, Ann (Tracy) Ford and Linda Bauer, both of Pensacola, FL; several aunts and uncles; numerous nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; and many friends at Cove Center. Se is also survived by special friend and second mom, Miss Nelly.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, June 4, 2012, at 2:45 pm at Pugh’s Chapel in Molino. Pallbearers will be Chester Stewart, Greg Jensen, Charles Stewart, Glenn Johnson, Harrison, Christopher Phelps and Leighton Stacey.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 4, 2012, from 1-2 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South in Cantonment.
Bessie Ann Moses
May 31, 2012
Bessie Ann Moses left us on May 25, 2012, as a loving and beloved mother and grandmother. She was a long time employee of Wal-Mart and known by many wonderful folks.
Ann was preceded in death by husband Fred Moses; brother, Wiley Johnston; and sisters, Beatrice and Mary Johnston, and second husband Ted Bobe.
She is survived by daughter Beth Brown and husband Lloyd of Cantonment; Dennis Moses and spouse Saundra of Kempner, TX; sister Earla Flippin and spouse James of Escanaba, MI; six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and her beloved schnauzer Lily.
Viewing was from 6-9 p.m. Monday May 28, 2012, at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home in Cantonment. Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday May 29, 2012, at Faith Chapel North, with interment at Eastern Gate Memorial Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy 29 Cantonment, was in charge of the arrangements.
Ava Edwina (Ms. Bee) Reeves
May 30, 2012
Mrs. Ava Edwina ( Ms. Bee ) Reeves, passed away May 28, 2012, at home.
She is preceded in death by her parents James Leonard and Effie Lois Williams, sons Noah Anderson Green III, James Leonard Green, and daughter Sharon Kay Tonge.
She is survived by Cecil Eugene Reeves of Jay; daughters Mary Ann ( Tracy) Knight, Cross City, FL, Tammy Jane ( Scott ) Day, Milton,Lois JoAnn ( Oliver ) Jowers, Ocilla, GA; 12 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; her loving pet “Buddy”;, and a host of “ Special Angels “, who supported and cared for her during her battle with cancer.
She was a member of Cora Baptist Church and was known affectionately by her friends and neighbors as “ Ms. Bee”. She loved her family and her friends and was known for always doing something for others.
She was a faithful Christian and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a skilled seamstress and made garments for many years for her children and grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m.. Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Jay Funeral Home with Rev. LaDon Hall officiating . Visitation will be Wednesday May 30, 2012, at Jay Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m.
Pallbearers are Roger Cobb, Leroy Cobb, Donald Cobb, Silas Ballard, Larry Glover and Bill Cannon