Doris Stokes Keese
May 14, 2012
Mrs. Doris Stokes Keese, age 83 of Century, passed away on May 14, 2012, at a local hospital after an extended illness.
Mrs. Keese was a native of Brewton and had been a member of the Century community since 1947. She was a graduate of T.R. Miller High School and had attended Jefferson Davis Community College. Mrs. Keese was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Flomaton.
She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Lois Idell Stokes; brothers, Benjamin Franklin Stokes, III, William Roy Stokes, Charles Fred Stokes, and her husband, John Martin Broomes, Sr.
Mrs. Keese is survived by her husband of 35 years, Rev. Jerry Keese of Century; son, John Martin Broomes, Jr. of Century; daughters, Jan Broomes Sales of Pensacola, Irene Broomes (Dewey) Bondurant, Jr. of Flomaton, Michele (Terry) Keese-Burchett and Whitney Keese Wheeler, both of Gulf Breeze; sisters, Carolyn Stokes Jennings and Mary Catherine Stokes Baker, both of Brewton; nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, May 15, 2012, at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6-8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Flomaton with the Rev. Dustin Stockstill and Dr. David Gardner officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Ann Florie and pianist, Susan Adkinson.
Interment will follow in Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jim Bondurant, Scott Myers, Jack Broomes, Hunter Broomes, Wes Sales and Alan Baker. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Carden and Dr. Gary Silbernagel.
In lieu of flowers donations or contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 765 Flomaton, AL 36441 or to Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, P.O. Box 2273, Birmingham, AL 35201.
Teresa Welch
May 14, 2012
Mrs. Teresa Welch, 82, passed away on Friday, May 11, 2012, at a Pensacola hospital.
Mrs. Welch was a native and life long resident of McDavid. Mrs. Welch was a member of First Baptist Church of Bratt. Mrs. Welch loved her family, glower garden, was able to travel through out the world living her life to its fullest potential.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Russell Edward Welch of McDavid; son, Gregory and Gwen Welch of Cantonment; daughter, Nancy and Thomas J. Brook of McDavid; brother, John Sheffield of Greenwood, SC; sister, Carolyn Milligan of Cantonment; grandchildren Matthew Brook and Jessica Welch and three great-grandchildren, Taylor Brook, Kylie Brook and Gracen Brook, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 14, 2012, at the Petty Eastside Chapel with Rev. Jerry Caylor and Jesse Wood officiating.
Burial followed at Ray’s Chapel Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Terry Bryan, Kit Callahan, Romeo Coleman, Elton Gilmore, Gene Sheffield and Bill Welch.
Janet Faye Rurup
May 14, 2012
Janet Faye Rurup, 55, of Cantonment, passed away Friday, May 11, 2012, following a lengthy battle with pulmonary hypertension.
Jan is survived by her daughters Natalie and Shannon; four grandchildren: Andrew, Ava, Courtney and Christian; her mother Marjorie Follman, of Titonka, IA; her father Palmer Rurup, of Humbolt, IA; four brothers and one sister.
She will be greatly missed by her family, members of her PPH support group, and numerous friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations for research may be made in her memory to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, (301) 565-3004 x756.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Levon Raines
May 14, 2012
Mr. Levon Raines, 81, passed away on Thursday, May 10, 2012, in Atmore.
Mr. Raines was a native of Pineapple, AL, and a former resident of Pensacola and had lived in Atmore for the past 19 years. Mr. Raines was a Korean War veteran.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey and Dollie Raines and his wife Dorothy Raines Martin.
Survivors include three daughters, Libby Day of Pensacola, Lynn Ferguson of Pensacola, and Leasha Martin of Atmore; three sisters, Barbara Nobles of Evergreen, Betty Reuthier of Tallahassee and Alice Raines of Evergreen; two grandchildren, Kali Day Capadona and Walker Martin and two great-grandchildren, Sagan Capadona and Eden Capadona.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 18, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Windy Shaughnessy officiating.
Burial will follow at the Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 6:00 to 9:00 P. M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Veterans of Foreign War-VFW.
Joe “Jody” Gene Boatwright
May 12, 2012
Joe “Jody” Gene Boatwright, 73, was born on December 2, 1938, in Bratt and passed away on May 11, 2012, in Brewton.
He is preceded in death by his mother Irene Gandy Boatwright, his father, Richard Boatwright, his brother, Harold Boatwright, his son, Larry Ward, and his grandson, Justin Ward.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Helen Joyce Boatwright; his sons, Danny Ward and Charles Ward; his daughters, Connie Ryals, JoAnne Boatwright, and Sarah Cagle; his brothers Billy Boatwright of Seminole and Bobby Boatwright of Pensacola; and his sister, Betty Wilson of Macon, GA. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Joe was a heavy equipment operator for 60 years. He was loved by everyone he met, and people knew him as a great story teller, a jokester and an all around hard working southern man. He loved to hunt, fish, spend time with his grandkids, talk with his buddies every morning at Hammer’s Bait and Tackle in Molinol, and in his younger years he shared in the sport of racing horses with his children.
There will be a gathering of friends and family on Monday, May 14, 2012 from 6-8p.m. at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment.
The family would also like to invite all friends to come eat and celebrate Joe’s life with them at the Boatwright Residence in Molino on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Their residence is located at 1999 Morgan Cemetery Road.
Clarence Bill Gulsby, Sr.
May 11, 2012
On Friday, May 11, 2012, life-long Molino resident, Clarence Bill Gulsby, Sr. went to be with his Heavenly Father. Born at home in Molino on October 24, 1932, Clarence lived on the family property his entire life.
He graduated from J.M. Tate High School in 1950. He was active in the FFA at Tate being awarded the FFA Mechanic Award which took him to Washington, DC, to meet President Harry S. Truman. Clarence went on to serve in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return to Molino, he went to work for Champion Paper Co., retiring after 42 years. Clarence was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a third generation blacksmith and owner/operator of Gulsby Blacksmith & Welding for over 50 years. Clarence loved his community and over the years had many accomplishments, including getting local dialing between Molino and other areas of Escambia County. He loved farming, gardening, raising cattle and singing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Elige “Bill” Gulsby and Zora Pugh Gulsby; brothers, Mason, Edgar, Aubrey “Peck”, Elby, and O.J.; sister, Lois Gulsby Boyington; granddaughter, Shana Marie Sanders; cousin, and life-long friend, James Edward Pugh.
Clarence is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Glenda Harigel Gulsby; sister, Wanda Gulsby Henderson; daughter, Glenda Sue Garrett; sons, Clarence Bill Gulsby, Jr. and his wife, Debbie, Harold Wayne Gulsby and his wife, Abbie; grandchildren, Susan Wyse-Wright, Cassey Gulsby Surles and her husband, Steve, Dellaina Gulsby Jordan, and William Aaron Gulsby; great grandchildren, Lyndzi Wright and Aubree Jordan. He is also survived by seven step grandchildren and 22 step great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He loved and adored his family as much as life itself.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home, 1000 Hwy 29, Cantonment, with Rev. Fred Stallworth and Rev. Ed Cotton officiating. Burial will follow in Oliver Pugh Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Frank Gulsby, Alan Gulsby, Keevan Pugh, Jerry Gulsby, Joe Summerlin and Ricky Boyington. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Holder, Wendall Hall, Gene Valentino, Kevin Biggs, Kevin White, James “Jim” Sanders, John Sims, Dennis Rigby, Wilson Robertson and Larry Walker.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 14.
Shirley Ann Parks
May 11, 2012
Shirley Ann Parks was born in Bratt on February 14, 1942, and passed away May 6, 2012 at the age of 70 with her family by her side.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Parks; her parents Wallace & Lizzie Roley; brothers Gladin Roley and Charles Roley; sister Lucille Walker and David Johnson, her children’s father.
She is survived by her children Johnny Johnson, Ronnie Johnson, Tammy Hicks and Sam Dreadin; sister Betty Lord (Billy); best friend Myrtle Williams; four grandchildren Travis Johnson (Kristin), Sommer Taylor (Jason), Monica Hicks and Serina Johnson; three great-grandchildren whom she adored, Evan, Kialan and Emma. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
You have been the most wonderful mama and grandma, sister and friend. You will be in our hearts forever; we will miss you very much until we meet again in Heaven.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2012, at the funeral home.
Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
David Jeffrey Ward
May 9, 2012
David Jeffrey Ward, 57 of Walnut Hill, passed away Monday May 7, 2012, in Mobile.. He was a farmer and was also employed with Sunbelt and Masland Carpets. He was a member of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church.
He was born in Atmore on June 03, 1954, to the late Ernest and Frances Solomon Ward.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Horace and Minnie Lou Ward, and Walter and Lucy Solomon; and niece Lisa Driver Littles.
He is survived by a daughter, Sarah Frances Thompson and husband, Rick of Atmore; brother, Harry Ward and wife, Judy of Loxley; sisters Carol Ann Driver and husband Jimmy of Loxley, Judy Eicher and husband, Wallace of Walnut Hill’ grandson, James Buster Thompson; nieces and nephews, Lynn Driver, Lana Pulido, Luci Parmer, Lloyd Driver, Gina Gibbs, Vic Eicher and Jennifer Ward McIntosh; and many friends.
Services will be Friday May 11, 2012, at 10 a.m. from the Walnut Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Ted Bridges and Rev. Jim Reece officiating. Interment will follow in the Walnut Hill Baptist Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers will be Horace Ward, Heath Ward, Lloyd Driver Vic Eicher, Austin Eicher, Cole Eicher, Reed Sappenfield, Matt Reynolds and Eric Peters.
Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Ward, Brad Gibbs, Mike Garrard, David Garrard, Tim Gibbs, Paul Surry, Bill Eubanks, Kevin Faircloth, Raul Pulido, Jim Ward and Chester Jantz.
Family will receive friends, Thursday evening at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore from 6-8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Dillon Roberson
May 9, 2012
Dillon Roberson, 21, was born on March 25, 1991. He entered into heaven on May 5, 2012, surrounded by his family after fighting a year and a half battle with Lymphoma. Dillon was a fighter and fought until the end.
Dillon was a 2009 graduate of Tate High School, where he played football and was known as “ROBO”. He attended Pensacola State College. Dillon was employed by Grocery Advantage as a meat cutter. He loved the guys in the meat department and all the ladies he worked with. Dillon was a hardworking individual and loved being outdoors. He also loved to cook. Dillon spent the last three months in Gainsville, at Shands Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, undergoing a stem cell transplant. Dillon immediately became a favored patient with his warm, kind and loving personality. We are so grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to love him through his illness. We know that through this journey, Dillon’s faith and determination has touched the lives of so many people. He will always be remembered as our “hero”.
Dillon is survived by his parents, Warren and Renee Roberson. His brother and best friend, Tanner Roberson. His maternal grandparents, Charles and Jeanette Brown, paternal grandparents, Dill and Maxine Roberson, an uncle and aunt, Roger and Tanya Brown, and his cousins, Shana and Taylor Brown. Dillon is also survived by his sweet and loving girlfriend of 4 ½ years, Morgan Ridgdell, who he dearly loved. Dillon was also loved by many “adopted” aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m.. on Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Olive Baptist Church with Dr. Ted Traylor officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ministry Village at Olive Inc., 1836 East Olive Road, Pensacola, Florida 32514.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 6-8 p.m.
We would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to our family, friends and prayer warriors for walking beside us during this journey. We would also like to thank the Woodlands Oncology Group and Shands Bone Marrow Transplant Unit for providing Dillon with extraordinary care.
Robert Leon Stewart
May 8, 2012
Mr. Robert Leon Stewart, Jr., 62, passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2012, at his home in Bratt.
Mr. Stewart was a native and lifelong resident of Bratt. Mr. Stewart was retired from Masland Carpet Plant after 42 years of service. He was in the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Century Masonic Lodge #213, Pinebarren Creek Hunting Club, Bratt Ruritan Club, and assistant scout master at Bratt, and he was the past president and board member of the Bratt-Davisville Water System.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ruth Stewart and grandchildren, William Adam, Robert Nicholas and Ashley Nicole.
He is survived by his wife of 43½ years, Diann Thortis Stewart of Bratt; son Sam Stewart of Bratt; daughter and son-in-Law, Kelly and Jeff Kennedy of Romoland, CA; four sisters, Mildred (Walt) Dzurus of Longwood, FL, Neita Smith of Atmore, Myrna (Ray) Hodgen of Atmore and Jackie (David) Johnson of Bratt; two grandchildren, Private Tanner Kennedy of Fort Benning, GA, and Andrew Kennedy of Romoland, CA, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore with the Rev. Homer Stewart and Rev. Kevin Stott officiating. Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery in Bratt.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 8, 2012 from 6–9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be members of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Pinebarren Creek Hunting Club.