Gwendolyn Lane Hopkins
September 7, 2009
Mrs. Gwendolyn Lane Hopkins, 59, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2009 at a Pensacola hospital.
Gwendolyn was a native and resident of Pensacola, FL for most of her life, and a resident of McDavid, FL for the past 2 years. A school bus driver, known as snuggles, to her special needs students of the Advocate of Children, she touched many of their lives as well as many parents. She was a history buff of Pensacola and attended the Hill Baptist Church. Preceded in death by a Son, Randal Nathan Hopkins.
Survivors include: her Husband, John Hopkins of McDavid, FL; 2 Daughters Diana Maning of Pensacola, FL, and Lory Gipson of Miami, FL; 5 Grandchildren; 1 Great-Grandchild; a Brother, Robert C. Rand of Oregon; a Sister, Tina R. Collins of Pensacola, FL; and 2 Best Friends, Roland “Skip” Selbo of Pensacola, FL, and Iris Haveard of Pensacola, FL.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Josh Pope officiating.
Burial will follow at Crary Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday September 8, 2009 between 6:00 and 9:00 P.M. at the Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Elmer Richard Mooney Sr.
September 6, 2009
Mr. Elmer Richard “Pop” Mooney, Sr., 82, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2009 at a Pensacola hospital.
Elmer was a native of Canoe, AL, a longtime resident of Bratt, FL, and a resident of Atmore, AL. He was retired from the Escambia County Florida Road Department after 30 years of service and attended the Presley Street Baptist Church. Preceded in death by his Parents, Jess and Evie Mooney, a Nephew, Darrell Roley and a Stepson, Wayne Powell.
Survivors include: his Wife, Mary G. Mooney of Atmore, AL; a Son, Elmer Richard Mooney, Jr. of Bluff Springs, FL; a Stepson, Billy Powell of Atmore, AL; 2 Daughters, Linda Gail Morgan of Bay Minette, AL and Betty Ann Dickman of Seminole, AL; five Stepdaughters, Mary Alice Turner of Flowery Branch, GA, Patricia Freeman, Linda Tyree and Glenda Bell, all of Atmore, AL, and Rita Faye Parker of Bratt, FL; 7 Grandchildren; 16 Step-Grandchildren; 7 Great-Grandchildren; 21 Step-Great-Grandchildren; a Brother, Lester Mooney of LaGrange, GA; and two Sisters, Glennie Mae Byrd of Atmore, AL, and Ethel Lee Martin of Bratt, FL.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Gilley officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday September 8, 2009 between 6:00 and 9:00 P.M. at the Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Marty Blackmon Green
September 4, 2009
Mrs. Marty Blackmon Green, 44, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2009 in McDavid, FL.
Marty was a native of Jacksonville, FL, a former resident of Bratt, FL, and a resident of McDavid, FL for the past 10 years. Preceded in death by Joe “Pops” Roley Jr., a daughter, Tawaika Lee Bell, Mother-in-law, Louise Green and Daddy, W.D. Blackmon Jr.
Survivors include: Her husband, Greg Green of McDavid, FL; Her son, Blake Green of McDavid, FL.; Her daughter, Blaze Green of McDavid, FL.; a special daughter, Alexis Roach of McDavid, FL.; Her mother, Linda Roley of Bratt, FL.; Her dad, Jim and Donna Bass of Memphis, TN.; Her grandmother, Mildred Bass of Memphis, TN.; four Brothers, Slick Roley, Joe Roley and Gary Roley, all of Bratt, FL., James Bass of Memphis, TN.; and three Sisters, Michelle McCurdy of Bratt,FL., Michelle Yoon and Mandy Bass both of Memphis, TN.; a special sister, Val Mickel of Bratt, FL. Her lifelong best friend, Lisa Kelley of McDavid, FL., a special niece, Melissa Chavers of Walnut Hill, FL.; and a number of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Bennie Stokes officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday September 5, 2009 between 6:00 and 9:00 P.M. at the Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Kenneth Roley, John Roley, Craig Lowery, Bo McGhee, Randall Barnett, and Gary Green.
Clara Bell Steadham
August 24, 2009
Mrs. Clara Bell Steadham of McDavid, FL passed away August 22, 2009 at the age of 68. She was born November 29, 1940.
She is survived by her Loving, Devoted Husband of 49 years Dudley “Bo” Steadham. Her Sons Jeff Steadham, Daniel Steadham (Melinda), and David Steadham (Linda), all of McDavid, FL; Grandchildren: Jeffery Steadham, Ian Steadham, and Danielle Steadham all of McDavid, FL, Stephanie Nelson of Bay Minette, AL, Step-Grandson Casey Burkett (Megan) of Atmore, AL. Great-Grandson: Quinton Nelson of Bay Minette, AL. She also leaves behind a Sister Dorothy Steadham of McDavid, FL.
She is preceded by her siblings, Lewis Gilmore, Ernest Gilmore, Catherine Garrett, and Perlie Mare Miller. Her Family and Grandchildren were the sunshine of her life; she also will cherish the memories of many Nieces and Nephews. She will always be in our Hearts and forever in God’s Loving Arms.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Nathan Brown officiating.
Visitation will be Monday August 24, 2009 from 6 to 9 P.M. at the Petty Eastside Chapel
Pallbearers will be: Lee Jernigan, Robbie Barrows, Gordon Gilmore, Avis Garrett, Lamar Garrett, Alfred “Bubba” Kimmons.
Honorary Pallbearers will be: Josh Hiest and Mack Jr. Morris
Burial will be in Ray’s Chapel Cemetery.
Petty Funeral Homes, LLC (Eastside Chapel) in charge of arrangements.
Edna E. McKinley
August 24, 2009
Edna E. McKinley, a homemaker, died Saturday in Atmore. She was 82.
A native of Uriah and a former resident of Davisville, Fla., she was a resident of Atmore.
Survivors include her daughter, Teresa McClure of Dyersburg, Tenn.; two sons, Michael W. McKinley and Billy McKinley, both of Atmore; one sister, Mattie Moore of Pace, Fla.; one grandchild; and two stepgrandchildren.
Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 8 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, where services will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Pine Barren Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Covenant Hospice in Brewton.
Dollie Estelle Burkett Thortis
August 16, 2009
Dollie Estelle Burkett Thortis, a native of Bluff Springs, Fla., and a longtime resident of McDavid, Fla., died Friday at a local nursing facility. She was 79.
She had worked as a clerk at Cooper’s Grocery Store in Bratt, Fla., for 19 years.
Survivors include one son, Ervin Thortis of Christian Home; three daughters, DiAnn Stewart of Bratt, Michelle McNabb of Calhoun, Ga., and Shelia Lambert of Loxley; one brother, Johnny Burkett of Byrneville, Fla.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 Sunday at Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore, where services will be Monday at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Christian Home Cemetery.
Earnie Welch Forte
August 10, 2009
Earnie Welch Forte, age 89 of Pensacola, Florida passed away on Thursday August 6, 2009 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born May 2, 1920 in Crenshaw County Alabama to Robert and Fannie Lou Joiner Welch. She was the sixth of twelve children. In the mid 1920’s the family moved to the Pineview-Foshee Community in Escambia County Alabama.
She grew up in the country where they learned how to live on what could be raised, grown, canned, cured or made. Even as children her family worked hard and had great respect and love for eachother. She went to work at the Train Depot in Flomaton.. Later she transferred to the Depot in downtown Pensacola, Florida.
She married George Murl Forte on August 9, 1940. After their first child was born, George joined the Aircorp and became a Paratrooper to prepare for World War II. She raised their son alone and endured when her husband was listed as Missing in Action and then a Prisoner of War. She always knew that George would return and finally he did come home. They continued their life together, having five more children. When George died in 1965, she was left with four young children still at home. Everything she did was for her children and grandchildren.
She welcomed everyone into her home, a place of refuge, a place of comfort. You were greeted with ‘hey Sweetheart’ and a hug. You were welcome to stay for a quick lunch or stay for days. She was always looking for her children to come home. She had a meal and a glass of sweet tea waiting just for you. No matter how long you could stay she made you feel special. She made sure that you had what you came for, a meal, advice, a kind word or a hug. The last thing she always said was ” come back when you will” while standing on her front porch waving good-bye until you drove out of sight.
She was a member of Olive Baptist Church and a past member of the Jolly Rovers.
Our most precious Mama and Mamaw is welcomed in Heaven by her husband George, her grandson Kevin White, her Mama and Papa, her brothers Ray, Cyril, Bennie, Thomas and Leroy Welch, her sisters Avis White, Clara Mae Morris, Versie Crissman and Louise Forte.
She awaits the arrival of her children: Robert (Alice) Forte, Charlotte Lavonia Swearingen, Sandra (Galen) Carver, Ricky (Boopie) Forte, Roger (Tricia) Forte, Shirley (Pat) Callan.
Her grandchildren: Alisa (Scott) White, Robbie (Steve) Egee, Wendy (TJ) Aliff, Chad (Kathy) Copeland, Jenny (Eddie) Hernandez, Emily (Ben) Ferguson, Dacia (Barry) Bailey, Amber Dasho, Brian Forte, Brain (Ashley) Callan, Adam (Stephanie) Callan.
Her great grandchildren: Jonathan White, Seth and Olivia Egee, Thomas, Jared and Adam Aliff, Courtney Anderson and Sammy Hernandez, Autumn, Bailey and Benjamin Ferguson, Taylor Forte and Andrew Bailey and Conner Callan.
Survivors also include her sister Mary Frances Godwin of Century and her brother Everette Welch of Flomaton.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment with the Rev. Nicholas Gandy officiating. Interment is at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Steve Egee, Scott White, TJ Aliff, Eddie Hernandez, Ben Ferguson and Barry Bailey. Honorary pallbearers will be Chad Copeland and Brian Forte.
Thank you to our extended family and friends for your prayers and kind words.
George W. Roberson, Jr.
July 30, 2009
Mr. George W. Roberson, Jr., 70, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at a Pensacola hospital.
George was a native of Pensacola, FL, a former resident of Pineview, AL, a resident of Atmore, AL for the past 41 years and attended the Baptist Church. Preceded in death a Son, George Washington Roberson, III.
Survivors include: his Wife, Virginia Ruth Roberson of Okeechobee, FL; three Sons, Buddy Lee Roberson, Samuel Thomas Roberson, and Mitchel Roberson, all of Atmore, AL; three Daughters, Renita Ann Henderson of Flomaton, AL, Shelia Elaine Van Ree of Atmore, AL, and Georgie Annie Roberson of Red Level, AL; 17 Grandchildren; 5 Great-Grandchildren; a Brother, Gillard Roberson of Gulf Shores, AL; and a Sister, Shirley Connel of Gulf Shores, AL.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 2, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Adam Armstrong officiating.
Burial will follow at Pineview Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 1, 2009 between 6:00 and 9:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Samuel Roberson, Mitchel Roberson, Buddy Roberson, David Van Ree, Tim Van Ree, and James Henderson.
Mary Virginia Etheridge
July 28, 2009
Mary Virginia Etheridge was born October 14, 1921 to the late Jonathan Nicholas and Fannie Maude Etheridge of Wawbeek, AL. She passed time into eternity on Sunday, July 26, 2009.
Mary was a native of Wawbeek, AL, a former resident of Atmore, AL, and a resident of Mobile, AL for the past 20 years. She was a long time member of Sardis Baptist Church at Wawbeek, AL, and later at Sage Avenue Baptist Church in Mobile. She graduated from Flomaton High School and Larkin Business School. She worked for the government in Washington, D.C. and in Mobile before retiring. She was also preceded in death her Sisters, Kate Lois Etheridge and Eleanor Young.
She is survived by her Twin-Sister, Melva Vivian Dorith of Mobile, AL, her Sisters, Ernestine Jernigan of Mobile, AL, and Nell Ree Lambeth of Flomaton, AL; her Brother, Jonathan Nicholas and Jacqueline Etheridge, Jr. of Spanish Fort, AL; and many Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Earle Greene officiating.
Burial will follow at Sardis Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 29, 2009 from 10:00 A.M. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Nick Etheridge, III, Bobby Lambeth, Johnny Abrams, Jonathan Etheridge, IV, Curtis Young, and Melvin Jones.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sardis Baptist Church, 124 Sardis Church Road, Atmore, AL 36502.
Elwood J. Blanton
July 13, 2009
Mr. Elwood J. Blanton, 74, beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at a local hospital.
Elwood was a native and lifelong resident of Bratt, FL, an avid fisherman, hunter, and gardener and he liked classic cars. He was a charter member of the Bratt Ruritan Club, a member of the Brick Masons Union, and a member of the NRA. He was preceded in death by his Parents, Grover and Edna Davis Blanton, and a Sister, Theda Harrell.
Those left to cherish his memories are his loving Wife of 50 years, Ginger Blanton of Bratt, FL; three Sons, Terry and Joan Blanton of Atmore, AL, Eric Blanton of Bratt, FL, and John and Jennifer Blanton of Pace, FL; his Daughter, Dianne and Randy Long of Garcon Point, FL; 5 Grandchildren, Nicholas and Jenny Blanton, Christopher and Mary Long, Cecily Long, Aaron Blanton, and Kyle Blanton; a Brother, Elyan and Carolyn Blanton; and two Sisters, Ouida Wiggins and Rene and Mike Godwin.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. R.C. Wiggins officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 14, 2009 between 6:00 and 8:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Glenn Wiggins, Burton Wiggins, Steven Hastings, Kevin Brooks, Judson Fidler, Stephen Blanton, Todd Wiggins, Brad Godwin and Josh Godwin.
Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Hall, Frank Brooks, Jud Fidler, James Biggs, Walter Porz, Mickey Petterson, and Jimmy Bell.