Jeroel D. “J.D.” (Mayor) Bray
October 8, 2011
Jeroel D. “J.D.” (Mayor) Bray, 91, of Jay, passed away, Thursday, October 6th, 2011, at his home after an extended illness.
J.D. was born on Christmas Day, December 25th, 1919, in Jay, to H.H. “Hub” and Alice Bray. He grew up on the family farm with his brothers, Charlie (Birdie), C.H. “Chab” (Margie), Burley, Raymond; and his sisters, Beatrice (Earlie) Hall, Mattie (Leonard) Mattox, Myrtle Bray and Maudie (Burley) Lashley. J.D. helped on the family farm and attended Jay School where he enjoyed playing football, baseball and basketball.
J. D. enlisted in the U.S.Army in 1938 and was sent to the Panama Canal after basic training. At the onset of WWII, J.D., found himself in Europe fighting Hitler’s Army. He was in the infantry and fought in the Battle of the Bulge where many lives were lost. J.D. attained the rank of sergeant and received an honorable discharge in 1945.
J.D. returned home and got a job with the EREC as a lineman. In his spare time he played on the town baseball and basketball team. He also acquired some land and farmed a short time.
In 1952 he married Theda Warrick Bray in Pascagoula, MS.
They bought and operated a local service station and later he went to work with the Santa Rosa County Road Department where he retired in 1988. J.D. also developed a taste for politics and served as a Jay City Councilman in 1954-56. He was elected as Mayor and served for 44 years. The “mayor” oversaw the town and watched it thrive. The little town got many paved roads, a city sewer system, a new city hall and a community center. The town acquired two parks one of which is named Bray-Hendricks Park in his honor.
J.D. was a lifetime member of the American Legion and past commander of Edeker-DuBose Post 121 in Jay. J.D. was also a 32nd degree Freemason and a member of Red Rock Masonic Lodge #96 in Munson.
J. D. loved to garden and planted much more than his family needed. He delighted in giving vegetables to his friends and neighbors. J.D. also enjoyed watching Florida State football games and was a true Seminole. Mostly, J.D. enjoyed his daily rides to town and the peanut cooperative where he could visit with friends.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Theda; three children; Debbie (Michael) Gilley of Vienna, Austria, Cheryl Bray of Allentown, FL, Stewart (Maria) Bray of Middleburg, FL; grandson, S.J .Bray; granddaughter, Meghan Gilley; great-granddaughter, Tristan Bray; and his sister, Myrtle Bray of Century.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 11th, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Jay Funeral Home with Pastor Earle Greene officiating. Burial will follow at Jay Cemetery with Masonic and military services. Visitation will be Monday from 6-8 p.m.at Jay Funeral Home, 3853 Highway 4.
The family requests donations are made to Covenant Hospice in lieu of flowers.
The family wishes to thank all who supported us during this difficult time. Special thanks to Dr. Jeffrey Kelley, Dr. David Smith, Jay Hospital, Jay Fire Department, Senior Home Health, Covenant Hospice (Traci, Cathy and Al), and Diane Freeman Support Services (Christie).
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Richard Clint Cofield
October 6, 2011
Mr. Richard Clint Cofield, 66, passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2011, at home in McDavid.
Mr. Cofield was a native and lifelong resident of Century. He was retired from the Escambia County Florida School Board after 31 years, an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoyed sports and attended the Holiness church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Mable Cofield; two Brothers, Clarence Cofield and Frankie Bell; and a granddaughter, Kimberly Gooden.
He is survived by his son, Ricky and Tracey Cofield of McDavid; two daughters, Veronica and Dwayne Hacker of Mobile and Marie and Steve Blanton of Pace; five grandchildren, Joshua Blanton, Tanya Blanton and Marissa Blanton, all of Pace, Ricky Cofield and Kaley Jo Cofield, both of McDavid; a great-granddaughter, Sophia Marker of Pace; and three brothers, Harry Cofield of Jay, Bruce Cofield of McDavid, and Billy Cofield of Molino.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 9, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore with the Rev. Bobo Bell officiating.
Burial will follow at Happy Valley Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 8, 2011, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
John “Big John” Williams, Jr.
October 6, 2011
John “Big John” Williams, Jr., 77, of Molino passed away on October 3, 2011.
John was born and lived in Massey Lake, TX, but had lived in the Pensacola area for the past 43 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Samantha Williams, four sisters, and three brothers.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Ernestine Cowen Williams; three sons, John III and Kenneth both of Molino, and Louis (Myrtle) of Charlotte, NC; two daughters, Linda (Rufus) of St. Helena, SC and Tammye (Raymun) of Pensacola; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Frankie Angton of Palestine, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2011, at Mission of True Deliverance, 6094 Cedartown Road, Molino.
Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2011, at the funeral home.
Trahan Family Funeral Home, 419 Yoakum Court, is in charge of arrangements.
Anah Tiffany Allen
October 6, 2011
Mrs. Anah Tiffany Allen age 66 of Denard Street Brewton, passed away Monday night October 3, 2011, in a Mobile, Alabama Hospital after a brief illness. She was a native and life long resident of Brewton. Mrs. Allen was a member of Catawba Springs Baptist Church, former employee of Sheltex, and a homemaker.
She is survived by two daughters, Carroll (Lou Cobb) Maness of Brewton and Kelly (Eric) Bryant of Fort Payne; five grandchildren, Carrie Pierce, Crystal Pierce, Haley Bryant, Erica Bryant and Seth Bryant.
Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 7 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be held Friday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. at Union Cemetery with Bro. Jeff Edwards officiating.
James J. “Skip” McKinney
October 4, 2011
James J. “Skip” McKinney, age 59 of Cantonment, passed away Saturday, October 1, 2011, in the comfort of his home surrounded by family and friends, losing a courageous battle with cancer. Skip was born November 24, 1951, and was a Vietnam War veteran, a retired lieutenant at the city fire department, and an owner of many businesses in the area. Skip loved coaching his children, and grandchildren. Some of Skip’s most wonderful times were when he was coaching his granddaughter Katelyn in girls softball. Skip was an avid fan of the University of Alabama football.
He was preceded in death by his father, Shelton McKinney, his mother, Dorothy Langley and his stepfather, Carter Langley.
He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Karen; his two sons, Brad McKinney (Shauna), and Wade McKinney (Michelle); his best friend Thomas Noel; his sisters, Sandra “Fay” Barrett and Sharon Wigg (Tim). His grandchildren, Katelyn McKinney, Cooper McKinney, Tucker McKinney, Paige McKinney and Madden McKinney also survive him.
Memorial service will be 3 p.m. Thursday, October 6, 2011, at Olive Baptist Church with Pastor Ted Traylor officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.
The family would like to express a special thanks to the caring staff from Emerald Coast Hospice, and two very special ladies, Miss Julie and Miss Evelyn.
Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Emerald Coast Hospice, 1555 North Palafox Street, Pensacola, Florida 32501.
Evie Elizabeth Rigby Hall
October 4, 2011
Evie Elizabeth Rigby Hall, age 90, went to be with the Lord and loved ones gone before her, on October 01, 2011. She was born in Oak Grove in Escambia County where she went to school and graduated from Ernest Ward High School in Walnut Hill.
Mrs. Hall attended Oak Grove Baptist Church when she was young. She was a long time member of East Brent Baptist Church in Pensacola where she was Sunday School teacher of an adult class she loved dearly – Love Bible Class. She and her class did many “gifts of love” projects for the local nursing homes over the years.
Mrs. Hall and her sister, Gladys, had a special love for the Children’s Home and Mrs. Hall received the Child Advocate of the Year Award in 1997 from the Children’s Home Society of Florida, Western Division. It was presented by Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s.
Mrs. Hall retired from the Naval Air Station after 36 years of Civil Service, where she retired as budget officer for the Naval Supply Center.
She was the youngest and the last of a large family, born to Jesse Lee Rigby and Evie Elizabeth “Babe” Rhoad. She was preceded in death by her husband of 19 years, William F. “Bill” Hall; her parents and 12 siblings; Leslie, Huddie, Olive, infant brother, Leila, Gladys, Herman, J.D., Daniel, Margaret and a set of twins.
She is survived by her two children, John M. Hall (Andrea) of Kingston Springs, TN and Judy J. Hall of Pensacola, FL; two grandsons, Joshua M. Hall (Mandy) of Valencia, CA and Kellen M. Hall of Fort Meyers, FL; many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 05, 2011, at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel with Dr. Dale Patterson officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time.
Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Ron Rigby, Adam Rigby, Chad Rigby, Jesse Rigby, Joey Darby and Warren Post.
The family wishes to thank Covenant Hospice at West Florida Hospital for the manner in which their mother was treated in her last days, with dignity and compassion.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the Children’s Home Society, Western Division, 1300 N. Palafox St., Suite 103, Pensacola, FL 32501.
Carlton Douglas
October 1, 2011
Carlton Douglas “Roho”, 67, of Cantonment passed away on September 28, 2011. Mr. Douglas was born April 15, 1944, to Floyd and Lenny Douglas and has been a life long resident of Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.
Mr. Douglas retired from Armstrong Industries after 38 years of service.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 18 years, Kathy Douglas; and his much loved children Sandy (Tim) Bishop, Ronnie (Alice Fay) Douglas, Angela (Troy) Deluna, Larry (Laura) Simpson and Lori (Terrance) McCants; and 10 grandchildren Christian, Hannah, Timo, Cody, Owen, Vinny, Ashland, Kirya, Sara and Terrianna “TT”.
Memorial services will be held 4:00 pm Saturday October 1, 2011m at Faith Chapel North with minister Chad Kivette officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until time of service at the funeral home.
Faith Chapel North is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Reaby Fore
October 1, 2011
Mrs. Reaby Fore, 101, passed away on Monday, September 26, 2011, at a local hospital.
Mrs. Fore was a native of Canoe, AL, and a resident of Wawbeek, AL, for most of her life. She was a former employee of Vanity Fair, operated Wawbeek Upholstery for many years and was a member of the Sardis Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roscoe Irvin Fore and two sons, Billy Fore and Phillip Roscoe Fore.
She is survived by a son, Vernon R. Fore of Wawbeek; a daughter, Joyce Watson of Atmore; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 1, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Earle Greene officiating.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, October 1, 2011, at 2 p.m. at New Hope Cemetery in Natchez, AL.
Mary Julia Cox White
September 30, 2011
After a long battle with cancer, Mary Julia Cox White “Nano” went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, at the age of 68. She was born in Pensacola and resided in Century since 1975.
Julia was employed by Century Pharmacy as office manager and gift manager for over 25 years. She enjoyed decorating, dancing, and spending time with her family, especially at Pensacola Beach. She attended Perdido Methodist Church in Perdido, AL.
Julia was preceded in death by her mother and father, Evelyn and Clyatt Cox; her dear friend, Brother Lou Caballer; and sons-in-law, Charlie Booth and Jack Moran.
She is survived by her two loving daughters, Lori Skaggs of Jay and Julie Booth-Moran of Century; one stepson, Russell White of Panama City; two sisters, Marlene Anthony of Century and Myra Reed of Cummins, GA. Nano was blessed with three grandchildren, Riley, Corey, and Danielle Skaggs; two great-grandchildren, Beverly and Logan Skaggs; adopted family members, Ivory Brown and his daughter, Ty McGee; many nieces and nephews; and her best girlfriend, Barbara Dorriety.
Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 1, 2011, at Byrneville United Methodist Church in Century.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. She was loved by many and Nano to all.
Eileen Evelyn Robinson
September 26, 2011
Eileen Evelyn Robinson, age 68 of Cantonment, went to be with the Lord Sunday, September 25, 2011. Mrs. Robinson was a member at Northview Baptist Church. Eileen was a retired bartender at the Red Baron and a member of the American Legion #340.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Mildred Norton; a grandson, Jason Grace; and two brothers, Bud and Howard Norton.
Eileen is survived by three daughters, Candyce Robinson, Sandi Thorsen (James), and Mandy Parker (James); two sons, Randy Robinson (Sheri) and Andy Robinson; 14 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Donald Owen; an aunt, Beverly Barber; sisters-in-law Dot Norton and Kandy Tolbert; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives; and many friends.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 28, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy 29, with Reverend Keith Mott officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening, September 27, 2011, from 5 until 7 p.m.