Willis Robert ‘Robbie’ Whatley, Jr.
April 2, 2023
Willis Robert “Robbie” Whatley, Jr., age 77, passed away on March 27, 2023 peacefully at his home. He was a longtime resident of Atmore. He was born and raised in McCullough, Alabama until joining the United States Army. He was an avid fisherman and he had a love of history and books.
Robbie was preceded in death by his parents, Willis Robert Sr. and Dora Lucile Johnson Whatley; one son, Michael Whatley; his grandson, Joseph Michael Whatley; his great grandson, Harrison Samuel; two sisters; the mother of his children, Lanita Wells; the mother of his step children, Karen Whatley, and Libby Whatley.
Robbie is survived by his children: Melissa Whatley, Robert (Barbara) Whatley, Walter Whatley, Crystal (Mike) Judd, Tasha (Zane) Gray and Sheree (BJ) Donaldson. He also leaves behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews. This list would not be complete without mentioning his best friend and caregiver, Brenda Breceda. The family will be forever grateful for all she did for him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending contributions to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or the Atmore Animal Shelter.
A memorial service with Military Honors will be held on April 6, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Infant Mason Floyd Lee Rowland
March 31, 2023
Infant Mason Floyd Lee Rowland, precious baby boy of Christopher M. and Eva Currie Rowland passed away on March 25, 2023 in Pensacola, FL surrounded by his loving parents. He is preceded in death by his great grandparents: Floyd and Alice Currie, Carolyn Rowland, and Earl Ray Simmons.
Mason is survived by his parents, Christopher and Eva Rowland; his grandparents, Fritz (Kathy) Currie and Bunkie (Gary) Murph; his great grandparents: Ellis and Billie Mason, Haywood and Shelly Rowland, and Hazel Simmons; his big brother, Jay Braxton Rowland; his uncle and aunt, Ankoo (Deonna) Currie; his cousin, Maggie Currie; his special uncle and aunt, Chris and Tristen Moore and cousin, Gunner Moore.
Private graveside services will be held in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Bro. Tad McMullen officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Oak Grove, FL.
Velda Louise ‘Pat’ Jernigan
March 31, 2023
Velda Louise “Pat” Jernigan, a resident of Milton, Florida fell peacefully asleep with family at her bedside on March 28, 2023. She was born in Molino, Florida on October 29, 1933 to Hilbert and Azul Carlson. She was married to Bryan Jernigan for 69 years. They owned 2 Way Communication business for 35 years, where she worked as the secretary. She was a member of the 7th Day Adventist Church. She had a passion for family, flowers, bird feeding, shopping, and going to Hawaii.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hilbert and Azul Carlson; and sisters, Zuella Larson and Marnie Carlson.
She is survived by her sons, Skip Jernigan, and Mike (Debi) Jernigan; daughters, Sharri (Kenny) Stitcher, and June (Scott) McKenzie; granddaughter, Ashley (Shane) Singleton, grandsons, Chris (Melissa) Jernigan, and Rich (Kristie) Jernigan; and five great grandchildren, Samantha, William, Melanie, Olivia, and Joelle; and brother, Flournoy Carlson.
Graveside service will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Bayview Memorial Park, 3351 Scenic Hwy #90e, Pensacola, Florida at 2:30 pm.
Charles Kenneth Crawley
March 30, 2023
Charles Kenneth Crawley, age 87, of Molino, FL, passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Charles was born in Century, Florida on June 8, 1935, to Joseph Glenn and Ruby Dee Crawley.
Charles is survived by his wife of 65 years, Grace Brown Crawley; children, Hope (Hollis aka Randy) Cole and Chris (Angela) Crawley; grandchildren, Curtis Cole, Heath Cole, Ethan Cole, and Kristen Crawley; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Fred (Vickie) Crawley; a very dedicated niece, Ann Crawley Hendrix; 3 nephews, Randy Crawley, Greg Crawley, and Tommy Crawley.
Funeral Service will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 2:00 PM with visitation an hour prior. Pastor Ed Hicks of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Molino, FL will be officiating. Burial will follow at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Essie Mae Kirkland
March 29, 2023
Essie Mae Kirkland, 92, of Pensacola passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
She was born in Jay, Florida to Ira and Mattie Carnley and was raised on a farm where they grew vegetables and cotton which she mentioned picking cotton and many times getting pricked by the pods that held the cotton fibers. Essie loved running through her neighborhood and visiting friends and neighbors as well as walking to church. She and her younger sister Corine liked to play in and around a nearby pond, climb trees, lay back on the ground and listen to the birds sing. Essie’s father passed when she was 6 years old and her mother followed shortly after. She and her younger sister stayed on the farm and were watched over by an older brother until she left home for Pensacola at the age of 16, in 1947. Essie began working at Dainty Dell’s Restaurant that she truly enjoyed as she loved the comradery with the patrons and the owners. She soon married and started her family in 1948. She began working at *Chemstrand/Monsanto/Solutia (Eastman Chemical) which they often called “The Plant” in 1953 or 1954 as a Drawtwist Operator (twisting the manufactured yarn for Astro turf and Automobile tires) on the D shift and worked rotating shifts that changed every 7 days and raised 6 children during her 31 year tenure in which she retired in 1985 or 1986. After Retiring, she continued to nurture her family and help neighbors and friends while she maintained her home and yard that sits on an acre of land (she tilled, planted and maintained her own big garden). Essie was a member of Cora Baptist Church in Jay, Florida.
Essie is preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and three sisters as well as her son, Johnny L. Grubbs; grandson, Ray Junior Grubbs II; ex-spouse of 9-10 years, Hubert R. Grubbs and ex-spouse of 21 years, Alfred E. Edgar.
She is survived by her son, Ray Grubbs (Betty); daughters, Rita Hall (Jerry), Mary Sue Watson (Jimmie), JoAnn Hope (Willie), Donna Gist (Jim); 19 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and 33 great-great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 1pm until the service begins at 2pm led by Pastor Gene Hudson. Pallbearers will be Fred Bergeron, Ray Grubbs, Keith Grubbs, Clayton Grubbs, Logan Vaughn and Willie Mack. Honorary Pallbearers are Jim Gist, Jerry Hall and Jimmie Watson.
In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made to Ethan Bergeron Foundation (great-grandson) at Servis First Bank 219 E. Garden St. #100 Pensacola, Fl 32502 (850)-266-9100 or 4980 N. 12th Ave. Pensacola, Fl 32504 (850)-266-9160
Jimmy Dean Colbert
March 29, 2023
Jimmy Dean Colbert, age 60, of Atmore, AL passed away March 22, 2023 in Mobile, AL.
He was born in Atmore, AL to the late John H., Sr. and Cubia Dean Hicks Colbert on February 6, 1963. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister; Linda Diane Rolin. He was a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
He is survived by his brother, Johnny (Jennifer) Colbert, Jr; his nieces and nephews: Connie Bartlett, Dustin Colbert, Douglas Rolin, Lynn Rolin Steele, Brian Pierce and numerous great nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 3 PM at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Clarence Rolin officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Douglas “Poncho” Kelly, James Colbert, Robby Hayles, Larry Watts, Justin Watts and Corey James.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Rolin, Wayne Colbert and John Kelly.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 2 PM until service time at 3 PM at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Paul Ricky ‘Rick’ Ingram
March 29, 2023
Paul Ricky “Rick” Ingram, resident of Church Point, LA, passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Long Branch, NJ. Rick was born on July 23, 1957, to the late Jesse and Juanita White Ingram. He lived 65 years of pure joy because his soul was saturated with it. He was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. He loved music and took pride in being a member of the church choir.
Rick loved God and his beautiful wife whom he loved with all of his heart. He also loved spending time with his family and friends. He never met a stranger and always had a story to tell to make you laugh. You never walked away from Rick without a smile or without remembering his smile and the joy he brought to your heart.
He enjoyed hunting and sporting clays, but especially fishing. He always had the biggest fish regardless of the size. Rick passed on his love for the outdoors to his only daughter, Jessica.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory wife of 22 years, Merila Delano-Ingram of Church Point, LA; daughter, Jessica Ingram of Walnut Hill, FL; brother, Randy (Melissa) Ingram of Atmore, AL; sister, Rita (Stanford) Ingram McKay of Hayden, AL; sisters-in-law, Paula (Joseph) Higginbotham of Opelousas, LA, Jennifer (Michael) Kennerson of Church Point, LA and Kerrie Martin of Church Point, LA; nieces; nephews; and a host of other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Larry Delano; and brother-in-law, Shawn Martin.
Visitation will be at Duhon Funeral Home in Church Point, LA on Friday, March 31, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with the rosary at 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Mire, LA on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 1:00 PM. Entombment will follow in the Assumption Catholic Church Cemetery.
H. Aaron Dagen
March 28, 2023
Friday, March 17, 2023, H. Aaron Dagen, beloved father to Axl Beauregard, (his fur baby), son, brother, and friend, passed away due to heart complications. Aaron was born to Robert Lee Dagen and Doris (Hall) Dagen November 30, 1966, in Atmore, AL, and at the time of his passing resided in Pensacola, FL, at his beloved home he called Hinterlands.
Aaron had a strong work ethic, as was evident in his careers. He previously held various positions within the medical field, which also included teaching. Through his medical career journey, Aaron served as a medical missionary in the Philippines helping others. Later his career choices found him working for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, and eventually securing a position he loved with the Pensacola Police Department. Those who worked with Aaron admired him for how he brightened their work day. He was known for his wit and humor, and for having a generous spirit.
Aaron was a devoted father to his fur baby, Axl Beauregard Dagen. Axl was a rescue dog, and the term rescue is perfectly fitting, as Aaron felt he just didn’t rescue Axl, but that Axl had also rescued him once he entered his life. The love the two had for one another was always evident in the photos he shared, and their evening walks they took.
Aaron had a love for fishing, and particularly surf fishing at Johnson’s Beach. He would frequent the beach to gather sand fleas and fish for pompano on numerous occasions. Even if the day out on the beach didn’t produce any yield, Aaron always made the best of the day with snapping those amazing photos of his time and sharing with his many friends and family. He always took advantage of the day, no matter the situation.
His home, Hinterlands, flourished with the love he had for plants and flowers. He cared for and nurtured such a vast array, and always took pleasure in showing them as you visited, and was always willing to share.
Aaron loved life and always took advantage of every chance he could to live life to the fullest. He had an adventurous and spontaneous soul. He was a devoted, caring, and true friend to so many. He never met a strange along his life’s journey. Through the years, Aaron amassed an enormous array of friends, capturing them all with his beautiful soul. He loved his friends dearly.
He loved making his orange marmalade and sharing, even having friends gather to help in making at times. With every holiday gathering Aaron attended, he always brought his fabulous bread pudding and whisky sauce, which was always anticipated and so delicious!
Aaron is predeceased by his father, Robert Lee Dagen; his maternal grandparents, Clara Wilson Cook and James O. Cook, and Archie Hall; and his paternal grandparents, William H. (Bill) Dagen and Aggidean (Barlow) Dagen.
He is survived by his mother, Doris (Hall) Dagen; his beloved Axl Beauregard; his siblings: (sister) Patricia (Pat) Peacock (Doug); (brother) Charles W. Creel (Charley); (sister) Dean (Pebbles) C. Dagen-Daw (Kenny); numerous nieces/nephews and great nieces/nephews; numerous cousins.
Also surviving Aaron are his numerous friends he also considered his family, in particular JJ, Roberta, Ken, Miss Rae, Melony, Kim, Lisa, Karen, Beth, Lynn and Michael.
The family would like to express a special thank you to JJ, Kim, Lisa, Karen, Beth, Melony, Lynn and Michael for the care and friendship shown to Aaron, and for your support to him over the years. Each of you cared deeply for Aaron, and it does not go unrecognized for all you have done.
A special thank you to Patrick and Misty for the amazing care of Aaron’s beloved Axl.
Trahan Funeral Home is entrusted with the care of Aaron. A Celebration of Life event will be held at a later date, in the near future.
Judy Higdon Fears
March 28, 2023
Judy Higdon Fears, born March 12, 1947, went home to be with Jesus on March 18, 2023, in Pensacola, FL. She was, above all else, a loving wife, devoted mother, and cherished by many. Her family was everything to her and she was everything to her family. She was happily married for 54 years to the love of her life, Joe. Their love story is one for the books.
She is preceded in death by her father, James Oliver Higdon; and brother, Freddie W. Higdon.
Judy is survived by her loving mother, Virginia Smith Higdon; her husband, Joseph R. Fears, III; siblings, Frankie Higdon (Sherry), Danny Higdon (Karen), Jennifer Bratcher, and Lisa Kyser (Jimbo); children, Jennifer Grace (Frank), Julie Morse, and Joseph Fears, IV; stepdaughter, Lynne Fears (David) and six grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as “Nanny”, Julia (Riley), Annie, Jillian, Ryan, Addie, and Cole.
A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, March 27, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, in the Pigment Room at the Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice in Judy’s name.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, FL, is entrusted with arrangements
Patsy Ann Sasser Miller
March 28, 2023
With heartfelt sadness, we announce the passing of Patsy Ann Sasser Miller, age 90, on March 24, 2023. Patsy was born on January 3, 1933 in Atmore, AL., to the late Annie Lenora Luker Sasser and Wilson Leroy Sasser.
Patsy was a charter member of Presley Street Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and served in many other capacities over the years. She was an avid supporter of youth baseball in Atmore, along with her husband, Earl. Patsy was a Cub Scout leader and “neighborhood mom”, who welcomed children who loved to play in her yard. Her love of children carried over to her work at Rachel Patterson Elementary School as a lunchroom worker. She would wear a different pin on her uniform each day, to the delight of the children.
She is preceded in death by her parents, loving husband, Earl Edgar Miller, Jr; four sisters, Carolyn Sasser Hetzel, Marie Sasser Bryant, Evelyn Sasser Dillree; Eunice Sasser Reynolds; and two brothers, Edward Leroy Sasser, Max Farrell Sasser, and one niece, Janet Sasser Garner.
Patsy was the loving mother of Earl Edgar Miller (Rita), of Ozark, AL. and Kendall Wayne Miller (Teri), of Summerdale, AL; cherished Meemaw, of Andrew Kendall Miller (Brandy), Wade Vickery Miller, Clayton Earl Miller, Justin Tyler Miller, Tucker Jordan Miller (Emma) and Kendall Brooke Miller, proud great-Meemaw, of Libby Kay Miller, Jaxson Wade Miller, Landri Kendall Miller, Leighton Karaline Miller, Miles Easton Miller, and Kai Ripken Miller. She is also survived by her sister, Joyce Sasser Brown (Ed), of Atmore, AL, sister-in law, Mary Ann Hines, of Cordell, OK; as well as many great-nieces and nephews.
Celebration of life service will be Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Presley Street Baptist Church with her nephew, Rev. Father Mark Brown, officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 12:30 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Presley Street Baptist Church.
Pallbearers who are Patsy’s nephews, Jeffery Reynolds, Gary Hetzel, Matthew Hetzel, Melvin Hetzel, Glenn Bryant, and Randy Bryant.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Clayton, Jr, Eddie Sasser, Michael Sasser, Henry Lowery, Steve Hines, and Scott Hines.
Patsy’s precious nieces, Beverly Clayton Treis, Julie Brown Chandler, Jennifer Brown Brewton, Ann Sasser Perillo, and Vicki Sasser Hardy.
The family encourages donations in Meemaw’s name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.