Jody Douglas Findley
June 1, 2023
Mr. Jody Douglas Findley, age 42, passed away, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Century, FL. He was born February 16, 1981 in Franklin, LA; and later in life moved to Patterson, LA; before moving on to Century, FL. He was employed with Maverick Gas Plant for many years.
Mr. Findley was a enjoyable, likeable, people person, who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid sportsman especially fishing and hunting and a Florida Gators Fan. He was the co-founder of “By the Big Lip Catfishing Club.”
He is preceded in death by his parents, John Douglas (Linda Mae) Findley, and one sister, Dawn Gafford.
He is survived by his two sons, Jacob Findley, of Century, FL; Brysen Findley, of Century, FL; The boy’s mom, Heather Jernigan Findley, of Brewton, AL; one sister, Wendy (Keith) Lisenby, of Brewton, AL; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. with Rev. Nathan Brown officiating.
Burial will follow at Crary Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Jamie Gafford, Brysen Findley, Jacob Findley, Chance Schoonover, Jamie Gafford, Jr; and Hunter Gafford.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jackie Wayne Carnley, Bo Blackwell, Mark Carter, Clint Lowery, Troy Graham, and Adam Dellacroce.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Emma Lorrine Young
June 1, 2023
Emma Lorrine Young, age 92 of Gateswood, Alabama passed away May 31, 2023. She was born in Baldwin County, Alabama on October 17, 1930 to Verren Lee and Loney Walker.
Emma worked for Vanity Fair as a seamstress and was a member of Pentecostal Harvest Assembly of God, her love of Christ and his church was her passion, she also loved to play piano and sing for her church.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, James Miller, Vernon Boykin, and Harvey Young; parents, Verren Lee and Loney Walker Lee; brothers, Wilson Lee, A.C. Lee, Byron Lee, and Lloyd Lee; sisters, Myrtle Kendrick, Elva Sasnett, Hazel Manning and Mabel Lee; niece, Jessica Williams. Emma is survived by sons, Ronald (Becky) Miller, Dennis (Paulette) Miller, and Randy (Barbara) Miller; grandson, David (Maiah) Miller, James (Anita) Miller, Andrew (Deirdre) Miller, and Alex (Milena) Miller; granddaughter, Crystal Miller; great-grandsons, Dathan Church, Noah Williams, and Cole Harris; great-granddaughters, Crystalyn Daly and Destany Miller; and great-great-grandson
Amari Miller.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Reverend Fred Stallworth and Reverend Darlene Byrd officiating. Interment will be in Clear Springs Cemetery, Robertsdale, Alabama. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. prior to services.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Acie Ray “Snuffy” Dickerson, Sr.
June 1, 2023
Acie Ray “Snuffy” Dickerson, Sr. age 93 of Cantonment, Florida passed away May 28, 2023.
He was born in Mobile, Alabama on November 6, 1929 to Acie Lionel Dickerson and Claude Lavonia Dickerson. He served in the United States Army and was a Korean War veteran.
Acie worked for St. Regis Paper Mill as a papermaker for 37 years. He was a member of Cottage Hill Baptist Church. Acie had a passion for hunting and fishing and there was nothing he could not fix or repair.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Darlene Mary Kosloski Dickerson; daughter, Renina Ann Macks; son, David Wayne Dickerson; parents, Acie Lionel Dickerson and Claude Lavonia Gordy Dickerson; and sisters, Clare Winifred Shipp and Vivian Kathleen Alday.
Acie is survived by daughter, Debra (Donnie) Gable, sons, Acie Ray (Brenda) Dickerson, Jr, Curtis Lionel Dickerson, and Nathan Van (Patsy) Dickerson; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was loved by many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11a.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Deacon Randy Enfinger officiating. Interment will be in Spruell Cemetery, Cantonment, Florida.
The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. prior to services.
Special thanks to Covenant Care Inpatient Hospice at Ascension Sacred Heart for the great care and compassion showed to Acie and his family.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Betty Straughn
May 29, 2023
Betty Straughn, 91, of Cantonment, FL, outran us to the Heavenly Father’s House, May 23, 2023. A lifelong resident of Escambia County, she graduated from Pensacola High School in 1949. After high school she married her high school sweetheart, Malcolm Straughn, Jr.
She was a homemaker and took great pride in raising her family. Many have described her as a “True Southern Lady”.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Nettie (Abrams) Poston; husband of 64 years, Malcolm C. Straughn, Jr.; and son-in-law, Rev. Alton Moore, Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Diane Moore, sons, Kirk (Jackie) Straughn, and Ray (Angela) Straughn. She had nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
Survivors also include her sister, Mary Alice Barnes and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
It was her wish to be cremated. Memorial service will be held at a later date.
Tara Ann Bryan
May 26, 2023
Ms. Tara Ann Bryan, age 38, passed away, Sunday, May 22, 2023. Tara was born on October 1, 1984, in Foley, AL; to Anthony Bryan, of Atmore, AL; and Lynn Dextras, of Foley, AL.
She loved doing her makeup and hanging out with her friends. She would always start her conversations with “Well how have you been doing” and end them with “I love you”.
She is survived by her son, Cameran Bryan, and her parents, Anthony Bryan and Lynn Dextras. She is also survived by her siblings, Brittany Bryan, Corey Bryan, Tiffany (Colton) Bowen, Ashton Nelson (Brady Rolin), Alexandria (Austin) Lassiter as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Tara will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Bro. Tony Sells and Daphne Fretwell officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Colton Bowen, Brady Rolin, Peter Earl Patterson, Chase Jaye, Joey Barber, and Kemariyuan McCaster.
Jerry Houston Shelby
May 26, 2023
Jerry Houston Shelby, 79, of Cantonment, FL passed away May 24, 2023. He was born in Molino, FL on January 31, 1944 to Laura Pugh Shelby and Joseph Wheeler Shelby. He was married to Linda Simmons Shelby for 44 years. Jerry worked as an office equipment technician for the Escambia School Board. He was a member of Wilde Lake Church and the American Legion Post 340. He had a passion for missions’ trips, traveling, cooking for the soup kitchen, cooking for family and friends, and watching his grandchildren grow up.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Laura & Joseph Shelby; his brothers, Joseph Shelby, James-Irvin “Jim” Shelby, Theodore “Dago” Shelby; and his son, Jerry Houston Shelby Jr. (little Jerry).
Jerry is survived by his wife, Linda Simmons Shelby; his two daughters, Mellondy Shelby Schmidt (Kurt) and Emily Shelby Benavides (Chris); grandchildren, Alex, Matthew and Isabella Benavides; four grand-dogs, Sarge, Sascha, Scottie Mae, and Scout; one grand-cat, Oliver; along with many other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Reverend Andy Blackmon officiating. Burial will follow in Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, Beulah, FL.
The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. prior to service.
Pallbearers will be Chris Benavides, Alex Benavides, Matthew Benavides, Kurt Schmidt, Bob Baker, Warren Day, Gary Storey and Mike Roberts
Sharon Jeanette Leeds
May 24, 2023
Sharon Jeanette Leeds, 79, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 28, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Born October 3, 1943 in Pensacola, FL, she was the daughter of Roy and Hazel Etheredge. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Leeds, of 23 years; son, Vance Creighton (Fazana); stepdaughters, Stacie Leeds and Stephanie Sutton (Eric); sister, Diane Bradley (Bob); brother, Charlie Etheredge (Terri); grandchildren, Jordyn, Stephen, Lauren, Asher, and Kaden.
Sharon was a second generation graduate of Tate High School and was valedictorian of the Class of 1961. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. After graduation, she began teaching at Tate High School. While teaching, she earned her master’s degree at the University of West Florida. She loved teaching and broadening her students understanding of science. Many of her students went on to become scientists and doctors. Later in her career, she was excited to teach the children of previous students, educating multiple generations. She held great pride in touching so many lives at Tate High School. Sharon retired from teaching in 1999 with well over 30 years in the classroom. She was ready to travel the world with her family and friends.
In addition to traveling, Sharon and Steve became very involved with planning the annual USS Bennington Reunion, a Navy aircraft carrier. Sharon had a huge love for FSU Baseball. They were season ticket holders and went to every home game where she kept her own ledger of statistics. Sharon loved to garden and had a green thumb. She could revive any plant and nurture it until it flourished. She loved to share this knowledge and love of plants with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also dedicated her life to the church and enjoyed singing in the choir at both Saint Luke United Methodist in Pensacola, FL and later at Deer Lake United Methodist in Tallahassee, FL.
A memorial service will be held on June 2, 2023 at Deer Lake United Methodist Church at 1pm. Sharon will be laid to rest at Saint Luke’s Columbarium by the family in a private service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in the name of Sharon Leeds to Saint Luke’s United Methodist Church or Deer Lake United Methodist Church.
Lana Moore Melvin
May 23, 2023
Mrs. Lana Moore Melvin, age 69, passed away, Sunday, May 21, 2023 in Atmore, AL. She was born June 1, 1953, in Pensacola, FL; and has resided most of her life in Atmore, AL. She was a floral designer for many years.
Mrs. Melvin enjoyed going fishing and to the beach. She enjoyed watching Alabama Football, and watching wrestling with her granddaughter Brittany. She enjoyed traveling with her husband while he was in the military.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles (Dorothy Davis) Moore, one daughter, Tonya Vickery Gilbert, and numerous brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Rick Melvin, of Atmore, AL; one granddaughter, Brittany Gilbert, of Atmore, AL; two brothers, Glenn (Diana) Moore, of Alabaster, AL; James (Linda) Moore, of Tampa, FL; and other relatives.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Oak Grove Cemetery with Rev. Thurl Pearson officiating.
Lowouida (Lou) Floyd Duff
May 23, 2023
Lowouida (Lou) Floyd Duff, 90, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away peacefully on 29 April 2023.
She was born to parents Byron Floyd and Annie Marie Floyd, on 21 August 1932 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Lou graduated from Milby High School in Houston, Texas in 1949. Her sister introduced her to a co-worker’s brother-in-law Robert Duff, and they were married in February 1954. Together they raised 3 children: Robert (Bob) Jr, Richard (Rick), and Annette. Lou worked as an accounting clerk at Escambia County School Board Food Services for 17 years until she retired.
She embraced the challenges of being a Navy wife and successfully raised their 3 children. She enjoyed going across the country in the RV with her husband Bob and frequently their grandson Seth. They often would find excuses to spend time with her sisters in Texas whenever possible. Lou was very involved in helping raise her grandson Seth until he later became her driver, medical translator, and gopher.
Lou is survived by children Robert Duff Jr (Lorri), Richard Duff (Margarita), Annette Gray Bartush (Gary); grandchildren Jennifer Washington, Sandy Duff, Ryan Simoneaux, Bryan Duff, Katelyn Duff, Ceri Vest, Seth Gray, Travis Bartush, Taylor Duff and 11 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life and husband Bob Duff, her sisters Bettye Hudgens, and Elizabeth (Liz) Gibson and her Parents.
A celebration of Lou’s life will take place at Faith Chapel North on Saturday, May 27. Visitation will be from 10-11 am and the service will begin at 11:00 am. Reverend Andy Blackmon will officiate the ceremony. Interment at Barrancas National Cemetery on NAS Pensacola will take place on a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please kindly consider a memorial donation to the American Diabetes Association https://diabetes.org/ Breast Cancer Research Foundation https://www.bcrf.org/, or Covenant Hospice https://www.choosecovenant.org/donate/
Samuel Garth Branch
May 23, 2023
Mr. Samuel Garth Branch, age 98, was born November 20, 1924, and passed away, Sunday, May 21, 2023, very peacefully and surrounded by a number of his family with hands on him as he took his last breath. He was a member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church and a devout Christian, and served as a deacon for many years.
Mr. Branch, born in the roaring 20’s dropped out of school in the 7TH grade during the great depression to assist his father in clearing fields with a plow and mule to provide for their family. He was drafted into the Army, serving in the Philippine’s in 1945 as part of a bazooka team, clearing Japanese soldiers resisting in pill boxes, and snipers. He re-enlisted to serve in post WWII occupation of Japan as a Sargent and chief jailer for Sugamo Prison in Tokyo. The most famous person jailed under his section was Tokyo Rose. He met Hideki Tojo (Japan’s Prime Minister of War that was over the order to bomb Pearl Harbor) in his jail cell in a separate section of Sugamo Prison, and got his autograph on the back of a picture of Tojo being led to war crime trials. He held jobs such as parts delivery, auto mechanic, farmer, truck driver, oil rig, and finally settled into a career balancing helicopter rotors at Pensacola Navy Base. He was an avid reader and scholar of the Bible. When retiring in the mid 80’s traveling the continental US with his wife for the next 15 or so years, often convoying with other RV friends, in their Suburban, pulling their Airstream Travel Trailer.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel William (Martha) Branch, and one daughter, Deborah Branch Singleton.
He is survived by his loving wife, of 74 years, that he met in 1949, Voncile Drew Branch, of Atmore, AL; one son, Dee (Donna) Branch, of Chireno, TX; four grandsons, Travis Branch, Michael Branch, Kris Singleton, Will Singleton, and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Tim Tew officiating.
Burial will follow at Serenity Garden Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Gary Hare, Joe Lane, Wesley Hughes, Rick Warren, John James, and Hugh Long.