Roger V. Grimes
August 21, 2025
Roger V. Grimes, 63, of Molino, Florida, passed away August 19, 2025. He was born in Atmore, Alabama on May 23, 1962 to Venis and Myrtle Grimes. He had a career in welding. He was a member of Pugh’s Chapel Church in Molino, Florida and had a passion for hunting, fishing, and gardening.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Venis and Myrtle Grimes.
He is survived by his son, Justin (Taylor) Grimes; grandchildren, Jase, Rayln, and Kenley; siblings, Pat (Keith) Kelley, Elsie Grimes (Chuck), Robert (Diane) Grimes, Kathy (Hayward) Mason, and Shirley Beavers; several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles; long time best friends, Rusty Turner, Tim Daniel, Pete Jr.; trusty dog, Buster; and many other friends.
Visitation is August 25 from 1-2 prior to service time at 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment.
Kelly Duane Davidson
August 21, 2025
Mr. , age 64, passed away on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Atmore, Alabama, where he had lived his entire life. A proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Mr. Davidson was known for his strong connection to his heritage and community. He was also a devoted member of Grace Fellowship, where he found support and friendship among fellow members. His passing leaves a significant impact on those who knew him and cherished the time spent together.
He was a true outdoorsman who found joy in fishing and strumming his guitar. With a knack for fixing anything that broke, he was always ready to lend a hand. His heart was full of love for his wife and family, and he cherished the time spent on vacations with them. A proud supporter of Alabama football and a devoted Chicago Cubs fan, he wore his patriotism like a badge of honor. For twenty years, he worked as a dredge operator, driving his trusty Peterbilt and cruising on his Harley Davidson. He was the kind of person who never met a stranger, always willing to help anyone in need. He had a talent for cooking, often whipping up delicious meals for his loved ones, and he lived by the simple saying, “It Is What It Is.”
He is preceded in death by his father, David R. Davidson; grandparents, Greley and Alberta McGhee, and Ralph David and Bessie Davidson.
He is survived by his loving wife of forty-two years, Cynthia Davidson of Atmore, Alabama; mother, Evelyn McGhee Akins of Petersburg, Tennessee; two sons, Jay (Bethany) Davidson of Atmore, Alabama and Kyle (Savannah) Davidson of Atmore, Alabama; three brothers, Murray Davidson of Poarch, Alabama, Rowdy (Mona) Davidson of Athens, Alabama and Trevar Akins of Huntsville, Alabama; seven grandchildren, Wyatt Swearingen, Presley Swearingen, JD Swearingen, Blakeleigh Borders, JK Borders, Conner Seaney, and Adalyn Baker; Beloved dogs, Mingo and Freedom.
Funeral service will be held Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC with Reverend Rajah Atallah and Reverend Richard Daniels
Burial will follow New Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Murray Davidson, Rowdy Davidson, Trevar Akins, Jay Davidson, Kyle Davidson and Wyatt Swearingen.
Betty L. Spiegelhalter
August 21, 2025
Betty L. Spiegelhalter, 93, of Pensacola, Florida, fondly known as Nana, passed away on August 10, 2025. She was born October 24, 1931 to Eva and Hiram Lodge. Betty retired from Escambia County School System, employed as an English teacher at Woodham High School. Throughout her life she enjoyed family and friends, gardening, had a great passion for traveling, and was a fervid reader.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Hiram and Eva Lodge; beloved husband, Robert Earl (Bud) Martin, second husband, R.R. (Spike) Spiegelhalter; and son, Timothy W. Martin.
She is survived by her brother, Danny Lodge; daughter, Debbie Dubus; son, Jimmy Martin, son, Andy (Karen) Martin; daughter-in-law, Belinda Martin; ten grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Nana was a force to be reckoned with and will be deeply missed, but her love and devotion will remain with us forever.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements
Frank Lamar Hendrix
August 20, 2025
Mr. Frank Lamar Hendrix, 67 years old, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was originally from Flomaton, Alabama, but had spent most of his life in Byrneville. Frank will be remembered for his kindness and the warm memories he created with those around him.
He was a passionate fisherman who loved spending his weekends by the water, casting his line and waiting for the perfect catch. When he wasn’t fishing, you could find him in the great outdoors, enjoying a day of hunting or grilling up a delicious meal for his family. Football season was his favorite time of year, especially when Florida State played; he cheered loudly for his team while enjoying the excitement with friends and family. In quieter moments, he relaxed by watching the History Channel or ID TV, always eager to learn something new. No matter what he was doing, having his loved ones around made everything even better.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William Bill Hendrix and Dorithy Jean Cofield Johnson; step-father, Clyde Johnson; brothers, Ricky Hendrix, Lavon Hendrix, Terry “ToTo” Hendrix; sister, Ruby Jane White.
Mr. Hendrix is survived by his loving wife of forty-six years Dee Hendrix of Byrneville, Florida; son, Josh (Crystal) Hendrix of Festus, Missouri; daughter, Jessi (Roland) Hall of Byrneville, Florida; two brothers, Tim (Melody) Johnson of Cantonment, Florida and Jim (Melissa) Johnson of Flomaton, Alabama; two sisters, Jeannie Moye of Century, Florida; Linda (Bernard) Zimlich, of Bay Minette, Alabama, two grandchildren, Zane Hendrix and Ezra Hall.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC with Tom Kimmons and Jessi Hall officiating.
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025 from 4:00 PM until 4:30PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be David Carden, James Dewberry, Shorty Madden, Ricky Lambeth, Brian Newby and Baxley Raines
Ronnie Ray Jackson
August 20, 2025
Mr. Ronnie Ray Jackson, who was 76 years old, sadly passed away on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at his home, where he was surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Atmore and spent most of his life in Poarch, Alabama. Ronnie will be remembered for the warmth he brought to the lives of those who knew him.
He was a beloved figure in the Poarch community, known for starting the Poarch Christmas Parade and being a passionate Alabama fan. He loved coon hunting and treasured time spent with his family and friends. As a father and grandfather, he was dedicated and caring, always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone he met. His contributions were significant, especially in the REC Department, where he played a key role in laying the gym floor. In 1985, he helped establish the Poarch Fire Department, transforming it from a volunteer service to a professional department, serving as chief from 1985 to 2022. He also made his mark as a former Tribal Council Member and served on various boards, including NAYO and NASA. Over the years, he coached countless kids and adults in baseball and softball, leaving a lasting impact on many lives.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Alton and Mable McGhee Jackson; wife, Deborah Jackson; brother Larry Jackson; great-grandson, Brayden Jackson.
Mr. Jackson is survived by his two sons, Ronald Scott (Tammy) Jackson of Wetumpka, Alabama and Ernest “Bubba” Rolin of Poarch, Alabama; two daughters, Nioma (Shawn) Till of Frisco City, Alabama and Tammy (Mike) Gaffrey of Atmore, Alabama; two brothers, Don (Marcia Ann) Jackson of Brewton, Alabama and Eddie “Dinky” Jackson of Atmore, Alabama; sister, Catherine Sells of Poarch, Alabama; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM at McCullough Christian Center with Reverend William Bubba Rolin and Reverend Steve Breceda officiating.
Burial will follow Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 22, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at McCullough Christian Center.
Pallbearers will be Robert Johnson, Kevin Baggett, Spencer Williamson, Cade Langham, Dylan Byrd and William Ervin.
Honorary Pallbearers will be All Former Poarch Softball Teams.
Petty Funeral Homes, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in entrusted with of all arrangements
Ann Staff
August 14, 2025
Mrs. Ann Staff passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in Atmore, Alabama. She was born on September 5, 1938, in Cullman, Alabama, and spent the majority of her life in Atmore. A devoted member of Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, she was known for her passion for Alabama football, NASCAR, and her enjoyment of watching “Gunsmoke” with her beloved husband. Ann took pleasure in sewing and creating garments, and cherished moments spent at their beach house in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Family meant everything to her, especially her grandchildren, and many affectionately called her “Mama Ann.”
She served as the mayor’s secretary for the city of Atmore and later worked as the secretary for Ollie Strawbridge at First National Bank. Cooking and baking were among her delights, and she placed great importance on caring for those less fortunate.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Bill Staff, of Atmore, Alabama; two sons, Bill Staff Jr. and his wife Tina from Orange Beach, Alabama, and Speer Staff and his wife Cindi from Ocean Springs, Mississippi; two daughters, Suzanne McGill and her husband Mark from Atmore, Alabama, and Leslie Brand and her husband Doug from Senoia, Georgia; one sister, Helene Taylor from Fairhope, Alabama; along with nine grandchildren Shayna, Mandy, Ashleigh, Arielle, Anna Marie, Haden, Haleigh, Cayleigh, Christen, Ashley; eight great-grandchildren Will, Corbin, Thatcher, Norah, Evvie, Charlie, Nicholas, Ella.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John (Elizabeth Tekulve) Hoehn and one sister Babara Jean Mixon.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church with Father Joji Chacko and Father Gordon Milstead officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM at Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Strawbridge, Will Strawbridge, Chris Hein, Tanner Webster, Peter Ramsey, Stewart Kremer, and Tommy Mixon.
Although flowers will be accepted, donations may be made to Smile Train or any Catholic charity of your choice.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements
James Lawrence Whitehead
August 12, 2025
James Lawrence Whitehead, age 87, a longtime resident of Cantonment Florida, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025 after a long battle with COPD with family by his side.
James was born on March 7, 1938 in Belleville, Alabama to Willis Floyd Whitehead, Sr. and Marie Driver Whitehead.
He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers and worked on construction sites throughout Northwest Florida and Alabama. He worked for a while in the bag plant at the papermill in Cantonment.
James and his wife, Carlie, enjoyed boating and fishing. In the 70’s while, living in Robertsdale, Alabama, they and their daughter, Patricia, sang as a gospel family group performing in Florida and Alabama. In the 80’s and 90’s James and Carlie performed with a local band known as the Drifters in the Pensacola area. In their later years, they sang in their church and various other churches.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Willis Floyd Whitehead, Sr. and Marie Driver Whitehead; brothers (infant), John Robert Whitehead and Jerald Wayne Whitehead; sister, Helen Emerich; his loving wife of almost 67 years, Carlie Morris Whitehead; son, Donald Ray Whitehead Sr.; and daughter Patricia Estill.
He is survived by two daughters, Lisa Davis of Cantonment and Margaret (Bobby) Boyette of Robertsdale, Alabama; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family and special friends.
Reverend Jean Comans will officiate the service, which will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment, Florida. Visitation will be held on August 14, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 PM for friends.
Burial will be at Cottage Hill Assembly of God cemetery in Cantonment Florida. There will be no graveside service.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Jason ‘Jay’ DeWayne Brown
August 12, 2025
Jason “Jay” DeWayne Brown, 51, of Molino, Florida passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Born April 14, 1974, in Pensacola, Florida to Wayne Brown and Donna Brown-Jernigan, Jason was a 1992 graduate of Tate High School. He was a member of East Side Assembly of God. He married the love of his life and beautiful bride, Jamie Knowles Brown, on October 25, 1997. Together they have three children: Kaylee, Kenley, and Karson.
As the owner of Brown Electric, Jason built lasting relationships with many local residents and businesses. He was a Master Electrician and a “Master Griller,”—he loved to cook delicious steak and brisket for his family and friends. A father-figure to many, Jason had many “adopted” children and did all he could to serve his community. He was affectionately known to many as “Brown Sugar” and loved cracking jokes, eating at La Hacienda with family, and singing along to Jimmy Buffett.
He is preceded in death by his father, Wayne Brown, and close friends Kevin Danforth, Curtis Finney, John “Whop-head” Webb, and Rev. Avon Fowler.
He is survived by his wife, Jamie Knowles Brown; three children, Kaylee (Gage) Gibson, Kenley Brown, and Karson Brown; his mother, Donna Brown-Jernigan; his brother, Rodney (Amanda) Brown; nephews, Kaleb (Madison) Brown and Hunter Brown; and many other loved ones.
Visitation for Jason will be held Friday, August 15, 2025 from 12:00 pm until service time at 1:30 pm at East Side Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida, with Rev. Fred Stallworth, Rev. Jimmy Cook, and Rev. Ken Johnson officiating. Internment will follow at Poplar Dell Baptist Church in Century, Florida.
Active Pallbearers will be Gage Gibson, Ean Lundy, Hunter Brown, Kaleb Brown, Nathan Johnson, Rodney Brown, Nathan Danforth, and Jonathan Knowles.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Charles ‘Chuck’ Paul Aldridge
August 11, 2025
Mr. Charles “Chuck” Paul Aldridge {Monkey Puncher}, 71, passed away peacefully at his home in Flomaton, Alabama, on Friday, August 8, 2025. He was a lifelong resident of Flomaton, where he spent his entire life surrounded by the community he loved. His presence in the town will be greatly missed, and he will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
He was a man who found joy in the simple pleasures of life. With a deep love for hunting and fishing, he spent many weekends outdoors, embracing nature’s beauty. His heart swelled with pride as he cheered for Alabama football and watched his grandchildren play their own games, always encouraging them from the sidelines. For 40 years, he dedicated himself to being a truck driver, traveling the open roads while enjoying episodes of Gunsmoke and classic westerns during his downtime. A true fan of Mountain Dew, he savored each sip while sharing laughter and stories with his family. In the end, he left this world with a smile and his final words, “ROLL TIDE,” a testament to his unwavering spirit and love for the things that mattered most to him.
He is preceded in death, by his parents Leon and Louise Garner Aldridge; sister, Jennifer Kay Peterson; brothers, Mark Aldridge and Mike Aldridge.
He is survived by his daughters, Wendy Caraway, of Century, Florida, Kelly Sims (Wes) of Century, Florida and Amanda Byrd of Flomaton, Alabama; mother of his children Gayle Mathis Aldridge of Century, Florida; brothers, Donald Aldridge, of Jay, Florida and Lamar Aldridge of Pensacola, Florida; sisters, Janet Pierce of Pensacola, Florida, Helen Aldridge of Prattville, Alabama and LeeAnn Tharp of North Carolina; grandchildren, Eric Lambeth, Jr., Tyler Lambeth, Lane (Kaitlin) Sims, Laurel (Gracie) Outzen, Layton Sims, Lawyer Sims, Landry Sims, Chasten Headden, Chandler Headden, Carson Headden, Elsie Byrd and Jace Byrd; great-grandchildren, Bristol, Caegan, Sam, Bexlie, Delilah, and Keaton; The family would like to say Thank you to a special niece Jennifer Youngblood, Emerald Coast Hospice and Southern Care Hospice.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC., Brother William Cozart and Brother Waylon Stuckey officiating.
Burial will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Jay Youngblood, Michael McDonald, Layton Sims, Wes Sims, Daniel Higdon, and Lane Sims.
Frances Godwin Carnley
August 10, 2025
Frances Godwin Carnley, 94, of Lakeland, FL, died peacefully at home with family by her side on August 8, 2025.
She was born and raised in Bratt, FL to James Thomas and Nancy Jane Hulion Godwin and was the youngest of nine siblings. Frances attended Ernest Ward High school before attending Christ Faith Mission in Saugus, CA. There she met and married the love of her life, Jack M. Carnley. They began a lifelong journey of ministry in 1953 that included attending Southeastern University, and pastoring three churches in Virginia (Ewing, Valleyview, and St. Paul Assembly of God). Frances loved family and people and served faithfully in the churches and district where her husband pastored.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Jack, her husband of 56 years, daughter Karen Patrick, grandson Christian Patrick, sisters Ola Peebles, Lillie Stanley, Lizzie Edwards, Claudia Blackmon, and Nellie Trog; brothers Leslie, Wesley, and David Godwin and nephew who was raised as a brother, Lee Godwin. She is survived by her daughter Jackie Thomas and husband Gilbert, her son James Carnley, grandsons Gilbert and wife Andrea Thomas, Jackson and wife Suzie Thomas, Thad Patrick, granddaughter, Keri Bentley, great grandchildren, Chloe, Conner, Mia, Oliver, and Ava.
Services will be in Jay, Florida, but date and time are pending.
Special thanks to Trinity Home Services and Vitas for the compassionate and loving care given. You are angels from above and have become family.