Estelle O’Farrell Hanks
June 23, 2011
Estelle O’Farrell Hanks, age 86 of Cantonment, passed away on June 21, 2011.
She was a teacher’s assistant with the school board for over 20 years. She has been a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Cantonment and loved her Lydia Sunday School Class.
Estelle was preceded in death by her son, Randall G. Hanks.
Mrs. Hanks is survived by her husband of 65 years George I. Hanks; two daughters, Victoria (Mark) Hanks Staples and Karen (Brett) Hanks Shaw; five grandchildren, Heather (Jay) Staples Lucey, Ginger Staples Hill, Christopher Staples, Alexandra Shaw, Austin Shaw; four great grandchildren, Andrew Rohler, Meredith Lucey, Jeremiah Lucey and Nathaniel Lucey; four brothers and three sisters.
Mom dearly loved her family. Her greatest joy was creating a wonderful meal and just being together. Her faith in God, through joys and trials, has been a true inspiration to us all.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association .
Visitation will be from 10:00 am till 11:00 am on Friday, June 24, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Cantonment. The funeral service will be at 11:00 am at the church also on Friday, June 24, 2011. Burial will follow at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens
Becky Odom Spears
June 22, 2011
Mrs. Becky Odom Spears, 45, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2011, at a local hospital.
Mrs. Spears was a native of Fortuna, CA, a resident of Flomaton for the past 41 years, and attended the Baptist church. She was preceded in death by her father, Sylvester Odom and her mother, Sybil Barnes.
Survivors include her husband, James Spears of Flomaton; two sons, Jimbo and Carleen Spears of Flomaton and Lucas Spears of Flomaton; a granddaughter, Carlisa Spears; her stepmother, Sandy Odom of Flomaton; a brother, Cory Odom of Brewton; and five sisters, Joyce Ann Petty of Atmore, Mary Odom McKee of Meridian, Piper McKee of CA, Cindy Odom Gordon of Flomaton, and Debbie Cash of Flomaton.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Doug Hogg officiating.
Burial will follow at Emmons Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2011, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Grissett, Kevin Grissett, Robert Grissett, Jason Spears, Josh Spears and Brandon Hammonds.
Evelyn Phene Dobson
June 21, 2011
Evelyn Phene Dobson, age 85, the daughter of Benjamin and Miley Johnson, died at the Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Inpatient Residence in Pensacola on Saturday June 18, 2011.
Evelyn was a lifelong resident of Pensacola, she graduated from Tate High School in 1944 and Florida State University in 1950. She was a registered dietitian for over 40 years and retired from Monsanto. Her hobbies included swimming, cake decorating and she was a sustaining member of TOPS for 40 years.
Evelyn was predeceased by her brothers Irvin J. Johnson, Wilbur Johnson and her husband of 41 years CAPT. Lawrence J. Dobson (USN ret.). She is survived by her late husband’s children, Mary Ellen (Bill) Davis, Lawrence M. (Sundee) Dobson, and Joseph E. Dobson. Evelyn is also survived by her nieces Carolyn Duncan, Marilyn Tuttle, Jane Hubbard and her nephew Daryl (Cheryl) Johnson. .
The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m.Thursday, June 23, 2011, until the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with Chaplain Wayne Butts officiating.
Evelyn’s ashes along with those of her late husband are to be scattered at sea by the U.S. Navy.
The family is especially grateful to the all the staff, employees and volunteers of the Joyce Goldberg Hospice Inpatient Residence for their care, kindness and compassion for Evelyn. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Evelyn Dobson can be made to: Joyce Goldberg Hospice Inpatient Residence, 10075 Hillview Road, Pensacola, FL 32514.
Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Gladys Flowers Ellis
June 20, 2011
Mrs. Gladys Flowers Ellis, 85, passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2011, at a local hospital.
Mrs. Ellis was a native of Goodway, AL, and a resident of Atmore for most of her life. She attended the Sardis Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Lee “Bill” Ellis.
She is survived by her son, Billy and Lisa Ellis of Canoe; a granddaughter, Billie Lee Ellis of Canoe; and a sister, Dollie Shipp of Poarch.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 20, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Sardis Baptist Church with the Rev. Earle Greene officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery with Petty Funeral Homes, LLC. directing.
Visitation was held Sunday, June 19, 2011, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore.
Lanell M. Cook
June 19, 2011
Lanell M. Cook, 77 of Flomaton, died Friday June 17, 2011, in Pensacola. She was a homemaker, born in Atmore on November 11, 1933, to the late Connie and Doris Barrington Murph.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Calvin O. Cook.
She is survived by two sons Marvin Dunn of Loxley, Calvin Cook, Jr. and wife, Katherine Chappell Cook of Atlanta; one daughter, Connie Lewis and husband Steve of Flomaton; seven sisters; two brothers and seven grandchildren.
Services will be Monday June 20, 2011, at 11 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel in Atmore with Bro. Jeff Edwards officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Level Cemetery in Atmore.
Family will receive friends Monday June 20, 2011, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of all arrangements.
Sybil McGhee Smedley
June 18, 2011
Sybil McGhee Smedley, age 52 of Atmore went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, from a Pensacola hospital. Mrs. Smedley was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. She was a member of the Atmore Apostolic Church and a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Leatha McGhee and a brother, Joe McGhee, Jr.
She is survived by her five sons, Nicholaus Ryan McGhee, Chad Randell Smedley (Whitney), Charles Ian Smedley, Aaron Michael Smedley and Quinten Marshall Smedley; six grandchildren, Courtney, Jessica, Jordan, Justice, Cheyanne and Ayana; two brothers, Frederick McGhee (Carol) and Kenneth McGhee (Linda); four sisters, Linda Shipps, Patricia Wessel, Sandra Steverson and Veronica McGhee; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 18, 2011 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Reverend Steve Ward and Reverend Steve Breceda officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 100 Beverly Pkwy is in charge of arrangements.
Stephen Kyle Ahearn
June 16, 2011
Stephen Kyle Ahearn, of Molino, died Tuesday, June 7, 2011. in his home after an almost two year struggle with cancer. He was 22 years old.
Stephen was born in Pensacola on June 11, 1988.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Huston and Phyllis Matroni and maternal grandparents, Julia and Bill Ard.
He is survived by his wife, Priscilla and their two daughters, Aubree and Addison; parents, Rochelle Ahearn and Paul Matroni; brother, Nicholas Matroni; grandparents, Don Limerick and Kathy Ahearn; aunts and uncles, Debra Ahearn and Rob Anderson, Shelly Wilcox Coffee (Eddie), Pat Kennedy (Ralph), Joanne Logsdon (Greg); numerous great aunts and uncles; his very special uncle, David; cousins, Crystal Pino, Ocean Anderson, Diana Gonzalez (Geo), Chance Coffee, Amanda Coffee, Chris Coffee, Shawn Coffee, Jacob Baker, Angela Marchetti (Kevin), Cara Campion, Lauren Baker, Brian Logsdon (Lenore), Brad Logsdon (Teresa), Amy Van Duesen (Adam); parents-in-law, Fred and Beth Woods; sisters-in-law, Kelly Woods, Heidi Woods, Sarah Rivera, Susan Degraaf (Ronald); brother-in-law, Jeff Woods and Ronnie Rivera.
To everything there is a season, and in our heart and minds, his will always be Summer. He loved the outdoors, being out on the river, and going fishing. He was a hard working man who carried on the tradition set forth by his father, Paul; grandpa, Don and “Papa” Matroni of building things “with their own two hands”. In school he was recognized with a Certificate of Merit in Mathematics and he won an Excel Award. He also volunteered for The Special Olympics. Unto everything there is a purpose under Heaven, and his life on Earth leaves behind so many precious gifts. He will be dearly missed and forever loved by his entire family and many friends.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 18th at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church, 699 S. Highway 95A, Cantonment, FL 32533.
Hazel I. Burns
June 14, 2011
Hazel I. Burns, age 77, of Pensacola, passed away on Friday, June 10, 2011. She was born in Lauderdale County, MS, on September 5, 1933, to Lee and Katie Johnson. Mrs. Burns was a resident of Pensacola for 60 years and attended Victory Assembly of God Church.
Mrs. Burns is preceded in death by one son, Travis Burns; one sister, Jane Mott; and three brothers, Harvey, Douglas, and Floyd Johnson.
She is survived by her husband, Ernest J. Burns; two sons, Wayne (Pam) Neal of Cantonment, Fl and Nathan (Kathy) Burns of Pace; two daughters, Linda (Wendell) Rakestraw of Centre, Al and Theresa Harris, of Eufaula, Al; one step-son, Larry (Kristy) Burns of NJ; two sisters, Louise (Vernon) Dykes of Pensacola, and Merlene (Jim) Lovelace of Mobile, AL; seven brothers, Ben (Anne) Johnson of Daytona, Fl, G.L. Johnson of Cottageville, WVA, Lester (Georgianna) Johnson of Nashville, TN, Glen (Rosie) Johnson of Douglasville, GA, Karl (Karen) Johnson of Jacksonville, Fl, Ira (Theresa) Johnson of Milton, FL and Henry (Sherry) Johnson of Pensacola; 9 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a pillar of faith and hope for her family and will be greatly missed by all.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home, North. Interment followed at Gonzalez Methodist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were her grandsons, Richard Harris, Michael Neal, David Neal, Aaron Neal and nephews, Keith and Eldon Mott.
The family received friends at Faith Chapel North on Monday, June 13.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment was in charge of arrangements.
Robert A. Miller
June 12, 2011
Robert A. Miller, 79, of Cantonment, passed away on June 8, 2011.
Mr. Miller has been a resident of the Cantonment area for the past 40 years. He was a graduate of Auburn University and was a mechanical engineer with industrial construction companies for 44 years.
He is preceded in death by his son, Robert Christopher Miller.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Patricia Miller; two daughters, Melanie M. Money and Melissa K. Miller; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A graveside service will be held in Red Level, AL at a later date.
Col. Tyron Earl Tisdale
June 11, 2011
Col. Tyron Earl Tisdale (U.S. Army retired), age 90, died at his home in Greenville, Alabama, on Thursday, June 9, 2011.
Saturday, the family received friends from at Dunklin-Daniel Funeral Home in Greenville. Graveside services with full military honors will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Auburn, Alabama, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2011, with Dunklin-Daniels Funeral Home of Greenville and Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home of Auburn directing. Immediately following the service, family and friends are invited to the home of Mrs. Anne May for a reception.
Col. Tisdale was born on December 8, 1920, in McDavid, Florida. He attended Georgia Tech where his participation in ROTC led him to join the Georgia National Guard. He later graduated from the University of Virginia. After completing the Officers Candidate School, Col. Tisdale began an esteemed and decorated career with the U.S. Army that spanned 30 years. A proud patriot and serviceman, he served his country in World War II, Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War and continued to promote patriotism and allegiance to his country at every opportunity.
After his retirement from the military in 1970, Col. Tisdale relocated to Auburn where he began a second career with the City of Auburn retiring as city manager. After moving to Greenville, Col. Tisdale continued to be very involved in his community and service to others as a Greenville Rotarian that honored him with the distinguished Paul Harris Fellow Award.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Tisdale, of Greenville; daughter-in-law, Jane Tisdale Fox, of Auburn; one grandson, Andrew Tisdale, of Auburn; sister Kate (Norman) Byrd, of Pensacola; brothers, Olin (Clydell) Tisdale, of Lillian; and Wayne (Genny) Tisdale, of Sycamore, AL, and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made in Col. Tisdale’s honor to The Alger-Sullivan Historical Society, Inc., P.O. Box 1002, Century, FL 32535 or the Greenville Rotary Club, P.O. Box 43, Greenville, AL 36037, both personal passions for Col. Tisdale to which he devoted much interest and time.